Best Friends to Mates

*ONE YEAR EARLIER* "Thatcher, it's really important that we talk." I told my best friend on the phone, holding it between my ear and shoulder. I grab the white t-shirt sitting on my bed and push my arms through the holes. Grabbing the phone with my hand and pulling it away from my face, I slide the t-shirt over my head quickly. "I promise I will be there soon, Tessy." Thatcher responded, sounding far away from the phone. I prop the phone back between my ear and shoulder before slipping my feet into my blue jeans. I press my ear firmly into the phone as I jump to pull my pants further up my body. Once fully on, I quickly button them before grabbing my phone. "You said that two hours ago, Thatcher." I grumbled. I could hear his girlfriend, Amy, giggling in the background. I knew that she was the reason he hadn't made it over to see me yet. Amy has always been jealous of Thatcher and I's relationship; keeping him away from me as much as possible. "Wh-What? Sorry I didn't hear you." Thatcher stuttered into the phone before whispering something to Amy on the other end. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, knowing that Thatcher wasn't listening to a word I was saying. "Thatcher Gage Hughe, listen to me for one damn minute, and then you can go back to giggling with your girlfriend. It's important, damnit!" I growled into the phone, getting completely frustrated at my best friend. "Okay, I'm sorry, Tessy, I'm listening now. I promise." Thatcher said. His voice sounded closer to the phone, meaning that hopefully, he was seriously listening to me now. The news I had to tell him was extremely important, and I honestly needed my best friend to be here for me. I sighed, "Thatcher, I have something very important to tell you. I really need you to come over as soon as possible. I'm not trying to take you away from spending time with your girlfriend, but I seriously need you right now." My voice cracked a little at the end. "What's wrong Tessy, is everything okay?" Thatcher asked me, sounding concerned. I sucked in a breath, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten as I thought about it more. "Not really, Thatch. I need you to come over as soon as possible. Please don't wait another hour or longer, I need to talk to you." I told him, sounding as serious as I could. I hoped that Thatcher would understand that this was something serious and that I wasn't just being dramatic. "Okay, Tessy. I'll be there in ten minutes, I promise." Thatcher replied before hanging up. I locked my phone and laid back on my bed. I waited for Thatcher to get to my house, and as he promised, he arrived ten minutes later. I could hear my mom's cheerful voice greeting Thatcher as he walked inside. After a few moments, his loud footsteps thumped against the stairs as he made his way up to my room. I held my breath as he grew closer. The door to my room opened, and Thatcher peaked his head in. His dark brown hair was a mess on top of his head, sliding down into his eyes some. I glared over at him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Don't you knock? What if I had been changing?" I teased. Thatcher rolled his eyes as he opened the door fully and walked into my room, shutting the door behind him. He made his way over to my bed and plopped down beside me, laying his head in my lap. I looked down at him, raising my brow in question. He gave me one of his signature smirks, making me roll my eyes. "Ehh, you don't have much to hide anyways." Thatcher shrugged, making me open my mouth wide in shock. I scoffed, narrowing my eyes in his direction. He grinned mischievously up at me, staring at me with his bright blue eyes. "I have plenty to hide, thank you very much!" I growled, pinching his ear. I grinned when a look of pain flashed across his face. "Ow, Tessy! That hurt!" He exclaimed, reaching up to hold his ear. I shrugged and sent him a teasing grin. "That's what you get, asshole!" I giggled, earning a glare from him. I looked down at Thatcher, laying in my lap, and pain tugged at my heart. My grin instantly vanished as I remembered what I needed to tell him. Thatcher must have noticed my sudden change in mood because he sat up and wrapped his arm around me. "What's wrong, Tessy?" He asked. I sighed heavily before turning to look at Thatcher. I was met with his concerned filled, baby blue eyes. I was going to miss him more than anything. I haven't been away from Thatcher for longer than a few days, and that was torture. I felt tears spring to my eyes, but I fought to hold them back. "Tessy, why are you crying? What's wrong?" Thatcher asked me, worry was clear on his face as he stared at me. I looked down to my lap, watching as my fidgeting hands tangled together nervously. "Thatcher, I-.... I'm-... I'm leaving." I stuttered. forcing the words from my mouth. I looked over at Thatcher after a few moments of silence, he was staring at me intently. Our eyes locked briefly before he snapped out of his daze. His eyes widened. "WHAT?!" He growled. "What do you mean, you're leaving, Tess?" Thatcher asked me. I could sense the anger flaring up in him. It oddly made my heart happy to see him reacting this way. I honestly thought that Thatcher wouldn't care very much since he now has his girlfriend to keep him company. "Dad's sending me off to Artemis Academy, the Alpha-Female training school." I answered, looking between Thatcher's widened eyes. "What the f**k! Why? No, he can't send you away, Tessy!" Thatcher growled again, standing from my bed. I watched as he paced my bedroom, lost in angry thoughts. I think I even heard him grumble to himself a few times. I felt a wide grin form on my face as I watched Thatcher pace my room. I let a giggle escape my lips accidentally, and his eyes snapped over to me. He raised one of his brows at me, and I slapped my hand over my mouth. "What's so funny?" Thatcher asked, glaring over at me. I held my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing again, and shook my head quickly. Thatcher rushed towards me and pushed me over onto the bed, laying on top of me. The breath was knocked out of me as his fingers dug into my sides. I screamed, laughing loudly as he tortured me with tickles. Thatcher knows how ticklish I am, and he uses it against me every chance he gets. I thrashed around as Thatcher continued to tickle my sides, squealing like a pig as he did. "Why are you laughing, Tessy? What's so funny?" Thatcher asked, stopping his tickling torture for a moment. I sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "Damnit Thatcher! I hate when you do that!" I groaned as I struggled to catch my breath. Thatcher flicked my forehead, and I shot him a glare. "Answer my question, or I'll do it again. What were you laughing at?" Thatcher raised his eyebrow again, waiting for my answer. I grinned widely up at him, but kept quiet. "Ain't had enough yet, ehh?" I shook my head, and tried to scramble out from under him, but his grip on me only tightened. Thatcher dug his fingers in my side again, sending a shock through me. I squealed as he continued to tickle me relentlessly. Tears were streaming down my eyes from laughing so hard. "That-... Thatcher! Yo-you're gonn-gonna... make m-me... pe-pee!" I yelled out inbetween laughing. My legs were flailing around as I struggled to get away from Thatcher. "Tell me what you were laughing at, and I'll let you go pee." He grinned down at me. My chest heaved up and down as I tried to catch my breath, and a wide smile was stretched across my face. "Are you gonna tell me?"