Synopsis-This is the story of how I met the most wonderful friend in the world, Nikki Panther. Here, I explain important events that have taken place over the course of our time together within high school. As the events unravel themselves, each express a special feeling that I possess for her. A story for Nikki Panther!

-Jaguar Janks

What Lies Beneath

"A Nikki Panther Story"

Written by: Jaguar Janks

Author’s Note: The character Nikki Panther is © to Kimberly Mirick and is not to be used without her consent. The character Jaguar Janks is © to me and is not to be used without my consent. Other follow-up characters are friends and teachers from my school (Suda E. Butler Traditional High School).

This is a short story for a dear friend of mine. Written for her and in appreciation of her long friendship being together in our asylum (school). I sincerely hope that she enjoys this little piece and learn what my message is to her. This story is also another autobiography-like piece of mine, so some facts are true facts and contents within my life.

Warning - This story’s explicit contents include minor vulgarity and minor sexual content.

"Let my message be heard so that I may finally be recognized by the one true friend that I have hold so dearly to my heart." –Jaguar Janks, Author

Freshman Year (2 Years ago)

I entered my first year of high school; everything seemed to be very foreign to me, even the air smelled like an uncertain fear. The floors were tiled, the walls were painted white, and with the red letters of the school’s initials (BTHS). I clearly remembered being a Mystery Bear, Windjammer, and Thoroughbred at Southern Middle School, but now I was a Butler Bear?

I strolled down the long corridor; it branched off in two sections at the end of the ‘T’. I found my locker the furthest away from any of my classes, I definitely knew I had to pack up on everything, so my backpack was near twenty pounds! After getting acquainted with a few old faces from previous years throughout the day, I finally arrived within the double cafeteria. It was segregated between seniors and juniors from the freshman and sophomores.

Coming to a clear table within the large freshman cafeteria, I took a seat alone, placing my backpack aside my left leg; my lunch tray in front of me—I faced the front of the long line of herd. Sitting there for a few minutes, then came an old friend of mine, her name was Jessica. This medium sized kitty brought over her panther friend. Together, they sat down with me; I soon was given the pleasure of introduction with the new face that I would later develop to become accustom to down the road of knowledge.

"Hi Jag, how are you doing?" Jessica asked, her plastic fork stabbing her meal. I continued to stare at the panther while replying. "Oh, I’m doing fine girl, just feeling unwelcome at the moment, after all, this is the first day you know."

"Yeah, that’s understandable," she continued, "oh, this is Nikki Panther." As I heard the most unusual name for female feline, my only response was just a smile; I couldn’t make heads or tails to shake her paw or just to greet her with my powerful brown eyes.

The panther glanced her eyes away from Jessica and onto me. For a second, I couldn’t look away, she had trapped me within the ‘first eye contact’ method and I just froze there. Slowly, all three of us started to eat. To my realization after another year, I realized I would spend the remainder of the year with this black panther.

During the first day, I had accidentally walked into my third period class, mainly because I was unfamiliar with the schedule pattern—homeroom screwed me up. I left my Health class and went up the second floor to reach my foreign language class, French!

Coming in late for the first time in my entire high school record, I was welcomed into a room of pitch black, a vivid projector screen providing the only light source and as well heat. I walked pass the flickering square of light. "Excuse me, are you suppose to be in here?" asked the French teacher, Mrs. Panzera. I simply nodded, "Yes, I accidentally went to next period’s class," everyone chuckled, watching me find a seat to the farthest side of the room by the chilly windows.

Least to my knowledge, that female panther was watching me from behind my back, I didn’t have a clue that she was in the same class with me. Until we turned on the lights of the room and everyone was arranged accordingly to their name in alphabetical order. She sat right beside me, both of us up in the front row, the row leaders.

Turning to my left, I met her eyes, "Hey, I see that I’ll be seeing you for a while," I stated with an innocent smile, still developing our friendship—molding it with kind comments. She smiled back, her small glasses anchoring to her muzzle as she had to push them up one time to correct it. "I’m Nikki, remember?" I nodded, "Yeah, Nikki, nice to meet you again. I’m Jaguar Janks." I continued to smile, unaware of what our first French assignment would have to be.

Day 134

I came into French once again, coming early as usual so I could catch Nikki off guard, then I could execute a warming welcome. She finally came in as I stood by the door, leaning against the wall, peering out at the crowd of mammals. I slowly turned around and watched her walk up to her desk. Her long tail swayed left and right, taunting my eyes. Her black fur, so dark, it reminded me what trouble I would have at seeing her in any dark room. She had a slim finger for a panther; I was definitely taller than her by one to three inches. What thrilled me the most about looking at her figure was her long, brown hair. I was a long hair fanatic, it was something that intrigued me the most about the opposite sex.

When the class finally settled, I constantly spied on her through the corners of my eyes, just marveling at her beauty, though we were still developing friends. Turning my attention to my work, trying hard to finish it or I’ll have to take it home for homework, I felt a keen pain to my left shoulder! Only a person’s claw could cause such temporary pain. I instantly turned to my left to be slapped with her wonderful smile.

"What was that all about?" I asked, trying to make sense of her action. She returned a sarcastic smile. "Oh, I just felt like doing that. It helps me get by you know." She finished, pushing me playfully. I simply shook my head and turned back to my work. Throughout the remainder of the class period, she poked me every ten minutes.

Later on that day, it was lunchtime. We now sat alone together, I obviously believe that Jessica purposely dropped Nikki off for me, since she had other business to attend to. We sat together, conversing over all the things she didn’t like about school while I brag about how good I was in Health and not in any other five subjects. It was funny and well… nice to have her company.

We both ate well mannered; I never dropped the slightest crumb beneath my muzzle. As for her, she did the same, though occasionally I would treat this well-mannered stuff as one big game with her. As soon as I would spill something, she’d go: "Jag, beat ya! Look right there, by your arm silly." I would roll my eyes and just laugh humorously.

She would always take her tray up before me; I would watch her leave my eyes almost in a mournful sight. I followed close behind, keeping a sharp eye on her, being her bodyguard or bouncer. Surely, I felt something for her if I would become jealous of any other male that stepped up to her and talked to her before my presence.

Picture Day

Today was picture day, were we students could get our pictures taken and then purchase them in many formats for wallets, frames, and the like. I just got my picture taken for the yearbook, but never have I ever purchased any—cause I didn’t believe I would look good anyway. I knew Nikki would purchase her in multiple wallet sizes because she’s a girl and girls love to talk on the phone, take pictures, and are very flirtatious.

Around lunchtime once again, there she was, sitting there, waiting for me, her purse atop the narrow and rectangular table. I walked over casually, that cool walk knowing that I was in a good mood.

"Hi Nikki, what’s up? Did you get your picture taken?" I asked, placing my paws by hers. She gave me another trademark grin and then reached inside her carry case. She rummaged inside and then pulled out a small, clip-cut photo. I took the picture and there was her lovely silhouette and her smile that makes me melt, literally.

"Aw, thank you very much Nikki, I really appreciate this!" I thanked, almost wanting to cry cause I loved receiving pictures from female friends.

"You’re welcome," she replied, continuing to smile at me and then we went into the lunch line together.

Good-bye’s (Last Day Freshman Year)

I stepped into French class, she had already beat me there. I threw my pack into my seat; it made a loud crashing sound, startling her. "Opps, did I do that Nikki?" I grinned, walking over to see why she appeared to be depressed, a frown marked on her sweet face.

"Oh, it’s the last day, I won’t get to see you for a long time," she started, "I’ll miss pinching you and poking you all the time. Besides, you really helped me out a lot this first year."

"Aw, it wasn’t nothing much," my eyes staring at my shoes dumbly, "I like helping you Nikki, you’re my best friend, I hope you know that." She smiled happily. "Yes, I know, you’re a really good friend Jag, thanks for always being there for me cool cat."

Somewhere midpoint of the period, everyone was cheering and hugging. I was surprised to receive a hug from my favorite panther and then she actually took a picture of us! Together! This I marked as my best time with her.

Sophomores We Are (You again?)

I was a sophomore now, I wasn’t sure to be proud of this new rank or that I’ve become more mature. I was just hoping to see Nikki again, I just liked her to the point were I wanted to show my affection for her physically, though that time never came. I rushed into French 2, the same teacher, and met many, new faces. I waited and waited for Nikki, not sure if she’d take French with me again or that she had changed foreign language classes all together. At the brink of disaster, out popped from the door! That black panther with her small glasses, same height, same weight, same everything! My heart finally stopped pulsing and I just gave a cocky laugh to see her again for another year!

As if the history repeats itself, she poked me again for old time sake. She did this so many times each day a week; I developed a green bruise at the same spot! Every time I noticed her making her sneaky attack, I would counter and poke her at her side in return. But, as I wouldn’t be so vigilant, she would poke me unexpectedly and I would hop out of my chair in pure fright. She’d sit back and laugh out loud; I would glare at her, though it wasn’t one to stay very long.

After one semester, I found myself needing more help from her than she needed mine. Throughout the course of the year, she helped me with translations, puzzles, and sometimes vocabulary quizzes! There was one thing I didn’t approve much of is that… I don’t like being helped by females too often than I help them.

During this year, I sat with another for the whole year. Nikki and I had separated our usual lunch meeting and so I was getting to know another person, a friend named Jordan Brown. Every once in a while, I would spot Nikki coming out of the lunch line, she was waiting within the drink canister line, trying to position herself to fill her foam cup. While pouring her drink of lemonade, I made a desperate cry to her.

"Nikki! Nikki! Hey panther." She turned her head around to see me and then she carefully walked over beside me. Today, my comrade Jordan happen to be absent, so she sat right beside me, at a table of immature freshmen.

While eating our hot chilly, I would occasionally look at the side of her furry head and examine her; I just loved to stare at her for some reason. I guess she’s very attractive to me. Suddenly, one mongoose freshman made a comment to her. "Hey, are you two going out together or something?"

"No," Nikki replied, somewhat embarrassed for the sudden barge. As the questions continued to come at her, I suddenly felt outraged and offended by this year younger male that made my panther very uncomfortable. Upon his next question, I ordered him to stop. "Are you two going to the homecoming dance together…?"

"Hey, that’s enough questions!" I growled across the table at him and then he shut his muzzle up, Nikki’s brown eyes staring at me in shock. I turned to her with narrowed eyes. I finished eating and continued to be her watch, her surveillance.

Later on through the year, I continued to protect her in the morning. Whenever I would see someone bothering her, I would step up and be sure that I was winning--the one with the final words of dismissal. I didn’t know how she felt about me being overly protective of her, but I sure hope it was something right that I pushed all of these boys away from her.

Angry Panther

It was 2nd Period once again; we were both in French. I instantly took note that Nikki was in some form of bad mood. I was hoping it wasn’t me. I reached over to brush my paw on her right shoulder but she immediately dismissed it, her head still bowed—her brows narrowed in great anguish. I raised an eye ridge and then tried to talk to her. "Nikki? Are you feeling okay?" She growled back at me, "No! Leave me alone!" My feelings retreated as my worry started to take shifts.

"What’s wrong Nikki, you can talk to me you know," I offered, being a good listener that I am to most of people’s needs. Instead of approving, she turned her bowed head to me and narrowed her eyes, "Don’t push me boy! I’ll kick your ass!" After that, I was really laughing inside myself, cause she had never once cursed me out like that. Still, I continued to tease her, trying to make her smile or even laugh for that matter.

"You’ll kick my jaguar ass, huh? You must be nuts!" I mocked, pushing her playfully. She raised her fist up at me, but held it back from hitting me in the face. "Oh, you’re so lucky you’re my friend Jag." I gave a slight smile and then nodded, "You’re really feisty today girl, talk to me please?" I begged, my arming carefully motioning over to touch her again.

Successful, I rested my paw over her right shoulder, grasping on to pretend that I was feeling her sorrow and pain. If the gods slapped her with a coke bottle, she started to laugh insanely, and then pointed at a picture at the back of the room. "Jag! You look like that!" she said, borrowing her head within her locked arms, hiding her face from me. I looked at the picture--it was an ugly picture of a chimp.

I snarled angrily, "You think that’s funny? That I look like that to you?" I folded my arms, now mad at her for joking on me. Suddenly, a light bulb appeared above my head and I stared at her old sneakers, which had grass stains on them. I gave a devilish grin and then tapped her on her shoulders, "Oh Nikki?" She looked up. "Have you been kicking garbage cans lately?" I joked, shielding my whole body from her wild, frenzy of slaps.

"Damn you Jag, stop getting on my shoes!" she whined, and then laughing herself. I never did figure out why she was mad, but at least I made her smile again.

We Are Juniors (Hormones Reveal Themselves)

Nikki and I became a junior now. It was a year of flying hormones, and boy did we change together. I waited in the large cafeteria to see her for the first time after a terrible summer. There she came back into my life, this time my eyes bulged out. What panther took her place?

I studied her new figure. She was now tall as I am! Her body had really hindered her true features from me for the last two years. As soon as my eyes fell upon her, they were hooked onto her bosoms! They had ripened during spring and then became mighty ample at autumn. I could feel the heat rising underneath my khaki pants and white polo shirt. I had to take in deep gasps to regain my normal stature. I wanted to drool at her beauty, but I stopped myself from looking stupid. Instead, I made a jaguar roar within my head; eyes still glazed upon her vivacious, plump breasts.

Next thing to my attention was her increased backside. Her buttocks were something else, first time they actually appealed to me as a male. As she walked, they would bounce together like basketballs. I definitely wanted to shoot a three-pointer between them!

She took a seat at the table next to mine, she slowly looked up at me and then her smile filled me with warmth again! My first sentence to her was: "God damn! What happened to you over this passed summer?"

She giggled, "What are you talking about Jag, this was always me silly, you just haven’t noticed before." I shook my head in disagreement. "Oh no, you’ve changed a lot! Period! You’re so sexy Nikki and boy my hormones don’t lie!" We laughed together.

"Let me see your schedule sweety, I wonder if you’re with me again?" I asked, reaching over to take her small index card. When I studied the figures, I frowned; she had nothing with me. We would finally separate from each other, just barely enough time in the morning for each other. I handed the card back and tried to smile. "Well, looks like I won’t be seeing you anymore besides the mornings. I suppose that’s better than nothing."

"Yeah, that’s a real drag isn’t it?" she added, sighing. I placed my arms on her table, slowly sliding my butt over, "Can you give me your address? I already have your number, but I must see you some time." She grinned, "Sure, I’ll write it down for you Jaggy Waggy." She reached into her purse and grabbed a pen and paper. I took the torn piece of paper and smiled happily. "Thanks, I’ll be sure to call you and possibly see you if I’m not that busy and stuff." For the rest of this year, morning and during the five minute breaks within the halls will have to do.

Valentine’s Day (Depressing day for a jaguar)

Valentine’s day was finally here. I had shopped for a box of chocolates and greeting cards early; I always loved being a step ahead of everybody. Stepping into school, I started for the cafeteria. I waited patiently for Nikki to arrive. Just as usual, she came in with a morning smile, "Helloooo."

I turned around; my head followed suit to keep my eyes on her. I turned back to secretly reveal my surprise to her. Her eyes lit up as I walked over to her to place it within her paws. As she accepted the gift, I opened my arms, wanting a hug. For a minute, she paused and then hugged me back. While hugging her, at the back of my mind, I wanted to kiss her while I had a chance, but I didn’t do it for some reason.

I went back to my table, smiling at her. Soon, I realized that I didn’t receive a polite "Thank You" and then the really depressing news came to my ears. Her face frowned a bit as her mouth opened slightly: "Oh Jag, you’re gonna hate me for this but… I left your card on the table this morning. I’m very sorry, but I’ll be sure to give it to you tomorrow, first thing." As if my world shattered emotionally, I frowned deep down within myself. I kept saying to myself… How could she forget? We’re best friends and all. Now, I’m really hurt.

As the morning went by, I tried one last attempt to kiss her. Though, I wrote a small note on notebook paper asking if I could, unfortunately; the offer was rejected bluntly. "Noooo Jag." I whined, "Why not Nikki? Who’s watching?" And still a no meant no. As the school bell ringed, I sadly remained sulk while my head bowed, drifted my unhappiness to my first period Humanities class. When I sat at my desk, everyone else was cheery and happy, I just sat there—head bowed, concealed within my arms, and silently weeped to myself.

From what I know about myself and those that I care about most… is that I should never take them for granted, never use them for my own greedy needs, and never disrespect their wishes, no matter how badly I want to accomplish something in life.

"To be a friend, you have to act like a friend." –Jaguar Janks, Author