Instinct - Season 1

Episode 1

"Don't worry you'll be fine," Jane said as she wrapped her hands in white cloth. "What's the worst that could happen?"

"Uh, I could get knocked down on my butt in front of everyone." Candace sneered a reply. Jane didn't have nearly as much pressure on her to come out on top as Candace did, of course she wasn't nervous.

"Don't be so negative, it's just a fight. Besides, it's the last one of our sophomore year."

"Yeah, I suppose so," Candace looked at the locker room floor and kicked a stray bottle cap with the toe of her tennis shoe, she was so anxious for the school year to be over. "What are you doing over the break?" She secretly hoped that her friend would stay with her during the next few weeks. The day of her shift wasn't for another thirteen days, but she could already feel the animal inside her churn in her gut. She wouldn't admit it, but she was scared.

As if reading her mind, Jane responded, "Relax, I'll be with you every step of the way. The shift isn't as painful as everyone makes it out to be." Jane tried to hide a grimace as she remembered the day of her own shift. It felt so unnatural as her whole body contracted into a big German Shepard. The pain was excruciating, but she wasn't about to tell her best friend that.

Suddenly, the locker room door burst open, and the room was filled with the rough voice of their teacher, "Candace!!! Jane!! What are you doing in there? You were supposed to be out here ten minutes ago!!"

"Be right there!" Jane shouted back.

The teacher replied with a grunt and the door slammed shut behind her with a bang. "I swear that woman is going to get an ulcer if she ever finds out about me and Robby." A wicked smile formed on Jane's face. Candace made a great show of gagging. Robby was Mrs. Ramon's son, and the stalky woman had no clue the two were going out.

Jane put both of her hands on Candace's knees and looked her in the eyes. Her eyes were the color of light almonds and sharply contrasted with Candace's light blue eyes. Candace always thought her own eyes made her look blind. "Just breathe. It will all be over a minute." Jane stood and led the way to the gym. She had never given Candace a reason to doubt her. Candace followed her friend's every step, trusting her as she always had.

Jane was up first. The gym was adorned in the schools colors. Black and red ribbon lined the walls. Years of football, volleyball, soccer, and basketball championships were celebrated with banners that hung from the ceiling. The schools mascot, a brown German Shepard, was painted on the far wall. Big letters were pasted under it spelling out 'Masters High School'. Jane's sleek figure looked so natural in the ring that was mounted in the middle of the basketball court, straddling the centerline. The door that led to the football field was opened and a cool breeze swarmed the gym. Candace took a deep breath and watched as Jane's long blonde hair blew freely with the flow of wind. A tall brunette joined Jane in the ring. The girl had at least six inches on Jane, but Candace already knew the outcome of this fight.

Jane and the girl faced each other. As they locked eyes, Jane's muscles twitched with anticipation. A man seated at the judging table counted down from three. Candace breathed the words with him. "Three. Two. One"

The brunette took a swing just as the countdown ended. As her right arm came forward, her body expected the impact. Jane leaped back quickly; her arms already up. She landed gracefully on her toes. The girl over swung and lost her footing. Jane took the opportunity to kick the girl in the ribs. The girl lurched, but was balanced again in an instant. As they faced off once again, Candace thought she saw something pass between them that resembled respect. Everyone in the school knew who Jane was, and everyone wanted to be her. She was the best, but Jane refused to accept the title. She always said that there was something about Candace that made her think otherwise.