Page 7 of Shifting Forms For Clumsy Felines

"We've all done something like that," he promises.

"I doubt it."

"It's true. Why else would there be a training agility course for shifters once a term?"

"There is?" That sounds intriguing. And useful for those like me who aren't necessarily the best when it comes to things that should come naturally to shifters.

Like being grateful and not falling off things.

"You don't already know?"

"Am I reacting like someone who does?" I take a sip of my tea.

"Ah, fair enough."

"This is good, by the way. Not everyone can make a good cup of tea."

"So true, have you tried Michaela's yet?"

I grimace at the mere memory of the witch's tea-making skills. "I don't think I've ever met someone who can manage to over brew tea and make it super weak at the same time. It's a special skill."

"She did tell me that her potion skills were bad at the beginning of term," Jeremy muses. "Perhaps that's why."

"That could be it."

"Anyway, the agility training," he prompts. "I can send you the information on it if you want?"

"Is it bad to say that I don't know if I do?"

Jeremy smiles, a warm look of understanding crossing over his face. Something about him constantly makes me feel at ease, as if I'm in a safe space where I won't be judged for anything I say or do. Even if that's admitting that I'm terrible at shifting despite being born with two forms.

"It's not bad at all," he assures me. "How about if you decide to go, I'll go with you? I'll even make sure to fall off a few things to make you look better."

A soft snort escapes me. "I don't think that's necessary, I'll be making a fool of myself enough for both of us."

"And in all likelihood, I'm not as good as I think I am anyway." He grins. "Isn't it strange that we're athletic in our human forms, but not as much in our shifted ones?"

"My theory was that the clumsiness all got directed into the wrong form and I was always supposed to be graceful as a shifter but something went wrong."

"That doesn't sound implausible."

"Though it could also just be that I've neglected my shifter side while focusing on my human talents and I've done it to myself."

"You sound like you think that's a bad thing?" He takes a drink while he waits for me to respond.

I take a moment to collect my thoughts. A small part of me is surprised I'm sharing them with him, but I've already got more in common with him than most people do, and I don't think there's anything wrong with the two of us exploring that connection so long as it doesn't distract me from my studies and cheerleading practice.

"I'm not sure whether it's a bad thing or not," I admit. "Sometimes I feel like it is. And like I've brought this on myself." A stray strand of dark brown hair falls in front of my eyes. I reach up and push it back, which seems to draw Jeremy's attention to my face.

"Maybe it doesn't matter if it's your fault or not," he suggests. "If you're happy with the person you are, then who cares whether it was you who did it to yourself, or if it's just something nature decided. All you have to do is make the most of the talents you've been given. And I've seen you cheering, you have talent."

"You've been watching me cheer?"

He grimaces. "Sorry, that sounds a bit creepy, doesn't it? I promise it isn't. I just catch sight of the squad when there's a break in our practice."

"It's okay, I understand," I promise. "I watch your rugby practice during breaks sometimes."

He raises an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that I've admitted to something like that. To be honest, I am too. Jeremy doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would take advantage of a situation, but I'm not used to being this freely spoken around anyone. I had friends at my old school, but they never really liked it when I delved deeper into my shifter problems. Probably because they didn't see them as real problems.