YOU HAVE ME ~ JAKE SULLY

20

Terè was kinder than I thought he'd be, respectful and gentle. Nothing like the kind of men my parents set me up with, they had a knack for men that were 'perfectly put together.' (i.e. secret insecurity and anger management issues).

He was a bit shorter than Jake, about 9'8, and had a much slimmer build. Jake had a build that tells you he's a war leader without actually saying it, much bulkier muscle. Insane shoulders.

Terè was just a hunter, built like normal hunters would be, with lean muscle and almost too skinny for my liking. Or maybe I had gotten so used to Jake that it's weird to see someone be so incredibly thin.

I probably shouldn't be comparing the two, they're nothing alike.

"What?!" I exclaimed at him, laughing as we strolled through the forest, "You did not!"

Terè nodded his head, smiling, "I'm telling you, I didn't go near an Ikran for weeks."

Terè was easy to get along with, funny and surprisingly interesting. He had a calming presence about him, making our interactions simple and natural.

I was still laughing at him, "You honestly believed that an Ikran would try and have sex with you?" I questioned him, absolutely baffled that someone would even come up with something like that.

He shrugged, "I was eight! I would believe anything coming from anyone older than me."

Our laughter died down as we continued walking through the forest, silence resting over us. Neither of us breaking it because it seemed like we both needed it.

Terè is kind, I say to myself in my head. And it's true, he really was.

He wasn't ugly either, but he did look much different than the other Na'vi tribes I've seen. His hair was buzzed short on the sides, longer on the top. No braids. He told me that all the men in their tribe kept their hair short, that it was easier to work that way in the conditions and climate on that side of the forest.

He had a vine tattoo wrapping his bicep, and an eyebrow piercing in his left brow. It was rare that any Na'vi on this side of the forest would have either.

"Thank you," Terè spoke, breaking the silence, "for being willing to come out with me." His voice was sincere.

I shook my head slightly, "Don't thank me, I've had a good time," I respond, smiling gently as I looked towards him.

"Either way, I know it's not ideal to try and be set-up with someone you don't know," he shrugged his shoulders as he continued, "I never liked the idea of set-ups and arranged marriages... always kind of thought that people should get to choose who they want."

I smiled slightly, looking away from him and toward the ground. It reminded me of Jake, "Yeah I think so too," it came out as a soft whisper.

Terè cleared his throat, and I now realize that it was something only Jake could do so naturally, because Terè made it sound ridiculous, "So... who is he?" He asked.

I looked back up at him, confused with my brows furrowed, "Who?"

He looked towards me like I should know what he was talking about, I watched as it slowly dawned on him that I was thoroughly confused.

His raised his brows, "Ah, maybe I should clarify," he let out a soft chuckle, looking back ahead, "As soon as I walked into your home to pick you up, I could smell him on you."

"Smell him on me?"

"The guy you're already seeing," he said, looking back towards me again, "I can't imagine he's feeling super supportive of you being with me?"