Panther's Pet

Catalina

"Are you sure this is what you want? To be so far away from home?" My older brother Roman cleared his throat, shifting his head back and forth; the campus surrounding us had an over-the-top neo-Gothic vibe that had entranced me from the moment I saw the brochure; the school was as dark as my soul.

I transferred here from our so-called community college back in Southwind. It was walking distance from our ranch and had only reinforced what I already knew, like how to milk a cow. If I was going to make our family proud, I had to do it right, expand my horizons. There was more to Colorado than the cowboys, mountains, and backcountry. There were hidden gems to be explored and cultures to learn about. Thus, the reason I chose this university. It was known for its diversity and multiculturalism—the perfect place to study anthropology. The various clubs and social events happening on campus didn't hurt either.

"Why? Is a certain knucklehead brother going to miss me?" I arched a brow, pushing my finger into his chest. His brown eyes softened slightly, but he quickly schooled them back behind his tough bad-boy exterior. "Not going to miss you answering a question with a question."

I rolled my eyes, nudging him with my shoulder as I leaned against the front of his black Hellcat. "You're going to miss me."

"Correction. Mom and Dad are going to miss you." We both knew that wasn't true. He was their golden boy, and I was the black sheep, was and would always be, but I'd indulged him this one time because I knew it would help him sleep at night. "Then why were you so insistent on driving me instead of Dad?"

"Because if Dad did, he would've convinced you to come back home. And I'm looking forward to my bedroom upgrade."

"Ugh, you're such a jerk." My agitated breath was vapor in the air, mixing with the cold. I grabbed the handle of my suitcase and abruptly pulled away from the car. Roman knew how to ruin a sentimental moment. I wish he knew he didn't have to act so tough all the time, especially with me. "Goodbye." Without looking back, I rolled my suitcase behind me, my black combat boots pounding the cobblestone walkway.

"Cat, wait!"

I spun on the ball of my feet, pinning him with a glare. "What?"

His sunglasses were on now, shielding his eyes from view, but I noticed the corners of his mouth tugging downward. "Don't do anything I would do. Stay safe, Alley Cat." My heart jumped against my sternum. Roman hadn't called me that since we were in middle school.

"Oh, I'm going to cause so much trouble; sleep with all the boys."

Roman groaned, his hands balling up at his sides. "That's not funny; if I have to come back down here to bash someone's face in—"

"Uh-huh, love you too, big bro." With a smirk, I turned to continue my journey through the quad lightly dusted with snow, knowing full well my brother was going to wait until I walked through the double doors of the residential hall before he drove off, with a single tear rolling down his cheek. Here's to a new chapter in my life. "Hello, Rockrimmon University. It's about time we officially met." As soon as I walked through the doors, my phone vibrated, and I quickly retrieved it, my smirk growing wider.

Douchebag: I'm serious, Cat. Behave yourself.

Me: Maybe you should get your shit together and get accepted to college so you can continue being my bodyguard.

Douchebag: Middle finger emoji

Me: Yep, you love me.

Douchebag: Shut up and get to class already.

Me: Classes for me don't start until tomorrow. I have a whole day to get into mischief. Douchebag: Great...I'm turning around.

Me: Yeah, right. You couldn't wait to get rid of me. Several minutes ticked by, he hadn't responded. "Whatever." I blew a strand of hair out of my face. Tears threatened to leak from my eyes. That's when the doors swung open behind me; blinding light shining in. Someone's large frame filled the doorway. They didn't speak…long muscular arms flung toward me, and I immediately flinched, not sure if I should punch first or ask questions later. Great. Five minutes without my brother, and already I'm being attacked.

I was enclosed in a loving embrace instead; the smell of leather and sandalwood invaded my nose as a sense of calm rushed over me. A hug was precisely what I needed. Leaving a quick kiss on my forehead, my brother disappeared as quickly as he appeared.

"Who was that tall glass of water?" I turned around to link eyes with a dark-skinned girl my height, wearing glasses too big for her diamond-shaped face. Her warm smile settled the uprising nervousness within me.

"Um, that was my brother."

Her brown eyes lit up with delight. "You'll have to introduce me to him one day. She stuck out her hand. "I'm Eden. You must be Catalina."

"Yes, how did you know?" I took her hand briefly, returning the smile.

"The dean said we don't get too many transfers this time of year." She gave me a once over, twisting her lips slightly, almost as if she was disgusted. "You must have one hell of a recommendation letter."

I didn't. Hmmm…wait, was she judging me just now? I took a deep breath. No, I didn't come from money. The blue cardigan I wore used to be my mother's, but that didn't mean I didn't deserve the best education money could buy, right? Just let it go. Easy to rile up isn't the impression you want to make on your first day. "Yep. That must be it. Are you here to show me around?" I asked as I tucked that annoying strand of hair behind my ear.

"Yes. You happen to be my new roommate." Another smile replaced her disgust, growing wider, showing her perfectly aligned teeth. I licked over mine in response. When was the last time I had been to the dentist? I swore my parents took better care of our farm animals than they did us—anyway, no need to dwell on it now. The future was before me. I was at a real college now. "New? What happened to your old one?" I raised a brow.

She began to play with her ombre, coffin-shaped nails, clearing her throat. "Long story. We should get you settled. Rockmimon has the best breakfast in all of Colorado. Trust me; you don't want to miss it."

That's odd. Her unwillingness to answer my question piqued my curiosity even more. I narrowed my eyes briefly, deciding not to pry. Yet. Maybe she didn't want to scare me off on the first day, but I planned to uncover the truth at some point.

"I don't know about that. My momma makes a mean breakfast back home."

She nodded, seemingly disinterested. "Umm, cool. Anyway…" She pointed as I followed her down the corridor, showing me the need-to-know features of Peregrine Hall, one of six on campus. Eden rambled on about how this hall was for first-year students and transfers only as we passed by a few students who nodded and waved. The people here seem friendly enough. Being surrounded by outfits straight off New York Fashion Week's runway made me feel like I had crashed and landed here from another planet. Jeans and boots were an essential part of my life. I got the impression I wouldn't have much use for them here unless it were a blistering storm outside.

"Here we are," Eden said, opening a dark wooden door with a hawk carving on it. It led to a large kitchen and living space bigger than our entire farmhouse. My mouth fell agape, letting go of my suitcase to look around the room full of golden elegance. The ceiling was like a dome with a massive chandelier in the center of it.

"Do we share this space with other students?" "Nope. Just the two of us. We have our own rooms and bathrooms too."

How can my parents possibly afford all this? I only had a partial scholarship. "I'm starting to understand Rockrimmon's appeal and why it's almost impossible to get in here."

"Tell me about it. I was on the waiting list for four months before I got accepted, and I was valedictorian at my high school."

"No fucking way."

"Yeah, unfortunately, academic merit isn't the only thing you need to have to be noticed around here." Her lips tugged downward as she pushed up the bridge of her glasses.

"Let me guess, rep and money play a critical role here, too." By the way the other first-year students were dressed, they were probably born with a silver spoon in their mouths and had trust funds coming out of their ears.

Eden threw her hands up. "Nailed it. But I get the impression you're up for the challenge." She looked me up and down with a smirk of newfound appreciation. I crossed my arms over my chest and gave her a knowing glance.

"What gave me away?"

Eden laughed. "Maybe it's that don't fuck with me attitude radiating off you or those combat boots." She pointed.

"Ah, yes, the boots. They've gotten me through the worst of days." I giggled. They were a few wears away from talking, but anywho. "So, which room is mine?"

"Oh, yes." My eyes followed her finger, pointing to a door in the far-left corner of the room. "Make yourself at home. Breakfast starts in an hour." "Awesome. Thank you, Eden."

"Don't sweat it." She waved dismissively as she went in the opposite direction, closing the door to her room.

Alright. Home sweet home for the following year. I rolled on with my suitcase, taking in the opulent scenery, unease taking root inside my belly. With everything I learned thus far, how did I get accepted so quickly when Eden was waitlisted? I was just an average girl with average grades. I ran track and never even won a meet. Plus, we were poorer than dirt. I was beginning to wonder what was so special about me. My lungs tightened as I opened the door to my room. The hair all over my body stood on end. I bounced back on my heels, pulling a hand to my chest, gasping for breath. The room was extravagant. Spotless. There wasn't a speck of dust anywhere. It had new decorative windows and curtains. Even the bed, desk, and wardrobe looked brand new. The uneasiness inside me tripled, the smell of bleach rose bile in my throat.

This was her roommate's old room. I appreciated the effort, but why go through such extremes to clean a room? It was sterile and had no hint of personality. Was the school determined to hide something? The scene uprooted that nagging question to the forefront of my mind: what happened to her other roommate? And would the same thing become of me?