Hi, my name's Delilah Calico. You probably know me from the Invader Zim stories that Me, Zim, Dib, and Gaz write.

But this is way before them. Hell, this is before I even left my hometown in California!

This is about my love before Zim, Izm. I know, the name sounds familiar, right?

Before I moved, I lived on Arboleda Street, house number 23, in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. We call it RSM for short.

I didn't really have any friends except for my brother, Aaron. I also have shapeshifting abilities; I can turn into any creature you can think of, alive, mythical, or extinct. My parents are divorced and I live with my mom and pet cat, Calli, and the family dog, Kes. I was happy enough.

It was a regular night, after dinner I go ride my electric razor scooter around a few blocks just for some fresh air.

I sighed. I flew down the street and turned sharply right. If I went down this road a little more, I would have hit Altisima Park. I didn't feel like going there, so I instantly slowed and did a U-turn. I sped up the hill again. It was getting a tad steep towards the top, so I stopped my razor and walked up the rest of the way. At the peak of it, I started my razor again and sped down Los Alisos.

I couldn't hear much because of the wind in my ears, but I heard something coming at the end of the street. I tried to screech to a stop, but a Kawasaki came at me on the corner. I swerved out of the way in time, but not so much the cyclist.

He wasn't wearing a helmet (#1 reason for motorcycle deaths!). I saw that his bike skidded under him and he flipped over, landing on his back. Oh God, I hope he didn't break something! The bike finally stopped sliding and I dragged it over to the side. I pulled his unconscious body onto the side too.

He's alive. I had half a heart attack there. "Are you OK? Hello?" I said to him.

I think my voice woke him up. He twitched his hand to his face and took off the goggles over his eyes. His eyes were beautiful, but scary at the same time; blood red with a pang of brown.

"What happened?" he asked as he tried to sit up. He stopped halfway and lay back down in pain.

"You're gonna be fine," I said.

This time he sat up fully but moaned in more pain. "My back... It hurts," he said.

"I can help," I said. He had a few scratches on his face, but those weren't serious. I have a friend in China who taught me how to reduce and numb chi through precise jabs so the body won't feel the pain anymore.

"Where does it hurt?" I asked him.

"My back and thighs," he answered.

I jabbed his spine, shoulder blades, and the tops of his thighs. The boy instantly loosened up and his pain fell. "How did you do that?"

"A friend," I smiled.

"Thanks, I'm Izm," he introduced himself.

"My name's Delilah, but call me Dare," I said.

"Delilah's a pretty name," he complimented as he stood up. I got up after him.

"Thanks." He took his bike from the ground and started it. "And I'm sorry that I threw you off," I apologized.

"It's fine, I shouldn't have been going that fast anyway."

"So, I'll see you around?"

He pulled his goggles over his eyes. "I guess."

"Bye,"

"Bye, Dare,"

He took off in the opposite direction from me. I looked back, taking my razor and starting it. I put on my helmet.

I was about to push myself off the ground, but I heard Izm's motorcycle rushing back to me.

"Hey! Dare!" he called to me.

I stopped my razor and looked at him pulling up next to me.

"This might sound stupid, but I want you to meet some of my friends," he said.

I looked at him, face expressionless. He seems like the kind of person that would never wipe that smile off his face.

I'm a shapeshifter, but I'm NightTiger to some. I'm basically a hometown hero. If somebody's getting mugged or something, I'm there beating the crap out of the crooks. I can also sense when lies are being told; when you lie, a fear hormone is released in your body and I can feel it.

Well, he's not lying... I felt a strange safe feeling around him. My heart was beating a little faster.

And besides, huh, if he tries anything, I'll be the one getting out unhurt!

But, I feel a sense of trust inside him...

"OK, but if-"

"Do you trust me?" He held out his hand.

I paused, "... Strangely enough, I somehow do," I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Hop on," he twitched his head to the back of his motorcycle.

"Yeah, uh, I can take myself thanks." I started my razor.

"You sure you can keep up?" he teased.

I'LL TURN INTO A FREAKING CHEETAH RIGHT NOW LET'S SEE YOU KEEP UP!

"Get on," he smiled, "Trust me."

"Fine," I gave up. I shut off my razor and folded it into the sash I keep for it on my shoulder.

I flipped my hair on got on Izm's motorcycle.