FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

I drew back my head, with a wide face, "No freakin way!" I pointed right at Wayne, "You met Jimi Jamison?!"

Wayne, Rain, and Cody all laughed in unison. Wayne nodded, "Yes, pal. I did." Then he thumbed at Cody beside him, "He did too, actually."

Now I was pointing at the big green drake, "YOU met him too?!"

Cody was laughing again, "Wow dude, I didn't think you'd be THIS happy."

Rain lowered her head to my level, "Yeah, little pal. None of us think, you'd be this happy." She gave me a wink and chuckled.

I asked her with a frown, "Did you meet him?"

She shook her head, "No. I never had a chance."

Wayne added when he stood beside her, "Me and the others met Rain in 2017. Jimi died back in 2014, remember?"

I lowered my head, staring at the ground, "Oh...That's right." I giggled and muttered, "Jimi Jamison...You and Cody, met Jimi Jamison....I can't believe it. That's really cool."

Cody shot up his head with a gleeful face, "Amanda met him too, by the way."

When he brought that up, my face went wide again. Amanda too?! Holy crap!

It's been about a few hours, probably noon now, since me and Rain have got up this morning. When we woke up, me and her have went to the Braveheart to eat. While we were there, we saw Amanda and Neal doing their jobs being owners, as usual. They said that the event tonight in the restaurant, will still go on, and they can't wait to see me sing. Also see Wayne sing, too. And about an hour later, Wayne and Cody have shown up too, and since then we all have been chatting. We haven't seen Sebastian, Frankie, and Jessie yet, but I'm getting a feeling we will sometime. Now all four of us are done eating, and we're outside on the street. While we were out here, Wayne, Cody, and Rain have been talking about the celebrities they've met outside the city, before humanity changed. Like when Wayne and the others met Steve Perry and the rest of the members of Journey. One of them they've mentioned was Madonna, who is Amanda's favorite, and she's lucky that she got to meet her hero. They've also met Sylvester Stallone, some actors from Beverly Hills 90210, Jon Bon Jovi, and several others. God, there really were a lot of celebrities that were interested in dragons, back then!

That's when they got to the part when Jimi Jamison came in the picture, before he died. My freakin hero, Jimi. If was there back then, I'd be lucky to meet him. Dad would've been lucky too. Jimi Jamison...Holy crap. I wish I did meet that guy.

Rain was giggling in front of me, and she bumped her snout at my chest, "Brandon, what's the matter? You've gone speechless on us."

I shook my head, snapping myself out of my own thoughts, "Sorry about that. I'm just...Surprised, that's all." I shook my head to myself again, "I mean, I didn't think that Jimi would be interested in dragons. I'm just shocked." I gestured my hand toward Rain's face, "Can you imagine that YOU met him, Rain?"

Rain was shaking her head, "Not really. I don't even know, who he looks like." She titled her head playfully, "I can just guess, that he looks cute?"

I rolled my eyes, "Well, I'm sure he wasn't UGLY back then, big girl."

She rose her head above my level and put a paw to her chest, "Did I SAY, he was ugly?"

I replied, "Nah, but you're probably thinking of it."

She gave a small growl, "I wasn't thinking of it, you little shit."

I walked up to give her chest a pat, "You're probably saying that, just to get yourself off the hook."

Cody chimed in, "Hey Rain." She turned to him, "Just to tell you something, he wasn't ugly at all. He didn't look bad at all."

Wayne shrugged his arms, "My thoughts exactly."

Rain tossed up her head and laughed, "Alright, alright, I get it. He wasn't ugly."

I pointed a threatening finger at her, "That's right, you better not call my hero ugly. Or I'll kick your scaly butt."

She playfully shook her haunches behind her, "You'll have to catch my butt first, little man."

Cody suggested with a big grin, "Tell ya what, pal. I'll tackle her, and you kick her scaly butt."

I beamed at him, "Deal!"

Rain hissed at me and him, "Guys! What kind of friends are you?"

Cody narrowed his eyes at her, "You call me a little green runt, and I'm not."

She narrowed hers back at him, "We all call you that, you little green runt."

He pointed a claw at her, "See? You're calling me that, again!"

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever. At least, I don't have a roar that comes out as a squeak."

He stomped his foot in frustration, like a hatchling, "It wasn't a squeak! It was really loud!"

I asked him with a bit of a frown, "You're not going to roar in front of me again, are you?"

Wayne waved his hands in defense and backed a few steps away from him, "Yeah, you really don't have to roar."

Rain turned her whole body toward Cody, "Nonsense, lets see if he can let out a good roar." She motioned her snout toward him, "I dare you, you little green runt. Roar at me. Send me a shiver through my scales." She was teasing him with a smile, "I'm waiting."

Cody was glaring at her, and accepted her dare, "Alright, I will." He cleared his throat, and stood regal in front of her.

Me and Wayne both said this at the same time, "Uh oh." Then we both covered our ears, waiting for the roar to come.

Cody puffed out his chest, took a long deep breath, and with a flare of his wings he let out an earth shattering roar right at Rain. Me and Wayne can absolutely hear it with our ears covered. Yike! Rain was just standing there not fazed at all, like before. Man, that's twice I've seen her just stand there just like that. She really has balls! She wasn't afraid of Cody, at all.

Cody stopped roaring and curled his wings on his back, me and Wayne uncovered our ears after it was over. He shooting up his head with a smug grin, "There. How was that?" He narrowed his eyes at her, "And don't say that it came out as a squeak, cause I can HEAR it."

She just grinned back at him, saying this, "Unless you're death, by your own roar."

He growled and lowered his body a bit in a fighting stance, "IT WAS LOUD!"

She waved a paw at him, "Want to fight me, over a roar? You're acting like a hatchling, who didn't like what someone said to you."

Cody threatened, "Don't make me kill you."

Rain laughed and strode up close to his face, and she started to nuzzle him with her cheek, "You wouldn't kill me, you're lovable and love to cuddle."

Cody let out a sigh, as his face of anger melted away, replaced by a bit of a smile, "Yes."

Rain pulled back and gave his nose a small lick, "And you love to cuddle with us."

He admitted with a laugh, "I do."

Rain asked with a small tilt of her head, "And you wouldn't stay mad at me, would you?"

Cody let out a sigh and shook his head, "No."

Rain gave him a nod and backed away from him, "I knew it. You still love me."

Cody shrugged his shoulders and wings, "I always love you."

Wayne made a trot to him, "Don't forget about me."

Cody laughed again and looked down at him, waving his paw at him, "I love you too. Don't worry!"

I asked with a grin, "ME?"

Cody turned his head to me, "Oh please, don't even go there. I love you too, new guy!"

I rolled my eyes, "Not much of a new guy anymore, since I feel at home here."

Cody shot up his head, "Right! And that means, I have another human buddy to stay here forever!" He added with a claw raised, "Also, another human girlfriend other than Amanda to hang with too."

I nodded in agreement, "Got that right, big guy."

Cody said, "And I'm glad I have new human friends here." He gestured his paw at Wayne, "Cause, I was getting a bit bored of just hanging with Wayne and Amanda, all the darn time."

Wayne shot a playful glare and crossed his arms, "Well thanks a lot!"

Cody's eyes went widened and he was waving his paw at him, "Give me a break, buddy! I do want some more friends, other than the ones I have."

Wayne remarked, "You didn't have to say that you were bored of me, Cody."

Cody just flashed him a toothy grin, "I still love ya, little bro."

Wayne nodded back at him with a breath, "I love you too, big brother."

Then he waved a paw, "And by the way, I was kidding. I do want more friends, but I can never be bored with you and Amanda."

Wayne giggled and nodded, "I know. You being Cody as usual."

Cody held up his head proudly, "That's about right." He chuckled and began to whirl around on us, "Well guys, I need to go back home to my family. So see you tonight at the restaurant!" He then trotted away, leaving us alone in the street.

Wayne let out another breath and turned to pat Rain's leg, talking to the both of us, "Well, he has read my mind. I'm a bit tired, and need a nap. So I'll see you guys at the Braveheart too." He gave us both a wave and walked off too in another direction. Leaving only me and Rain now.

Rain looked down at me and said, "Guess, we're back to being just us now."

I raised a brow, "I thought you were going to with Wayne to get that scarf. Don't forget that."

She lowered her head toward my level, "I wasn't. I...I wanted to talk to you first."

I asked, "What?"

She held a bit of concern on her face, and asked softly, "Brandon...Are you ok?"

I backed a step from her, "Huh?"

She shook her head, "Don't play dumb. It's about last night." She took a step further to me, her head's now close to mine, "Brandon, last night you were crying, and since you woke up, you haven't talked about it much."

I scratched the back of my head, "I kinda don't want to talk about it. It was just...Horrible."

Rain replied, "I do know, it was about me. That I was dead, right?"

I nodded at her question, "Yeah. And...I don't want to talk about what happened." I let out a sigh, "I can tell you this much...If you were dead....Then-"

Rain started nuzzling my chest with her face "Stop, Brandon. I'm not going to die. You wouldn't have to worry about it."

I placed a couple of fingers to her chin, to make her look at me. While me and her were gazing at each other, I said with a worried look, "But if you were dead, I'll never forgive myself. I...I don't want to lose you."

She nodded a bit, "I know."

I started to cradle her chin and planted a kiss to her nose, "If something happened to you, I don't know what I'd do." I shook my head twice, "You're my best friend, and I love you. You wouldn't want to lose me too, right?"

Rain answered with a bit of a look of surprise, "What kind of question is that? Of course, I don't want to lose you."

I let out a huff, feeling like the tears from last night were threatening to come back, feeling that guilt I was feeling from that dream coming back, "Rain, you didn't see it. It was horrible. I...I couldn't protect you in my dream. I didn't save you. And...The way you were just...Laying there. I....I-"

Rain gave me an assured smile, "Brandon, it was just a dream. That doesn't mean you won't protect me, for real. You'll follow through with your word."

I let go of her chin and whirled fast around on her, hanging my head, "I know that I said I'd protect you. But what if I can't, Rain? It...Really felt real. I mean...I saw you and you were pleading my name for help. When it happened, I....I felt real guilty. You just died right in front of me. What if it happens for real? What if...What if....?"

She said my name with pity, "Brandon." She nudged my back with her nose, "I know you can. I trust you. You won't let anything bad happen to me. I know you full well." I was a bit hesitant to turn around to face her, but I did as I was slowing turning around to face her. I was looking at her eyes again, and she spoke again, "Don't doubt yourself. Because I know you. You wouldn't let someone that you care for die." She waved a dismissive paw, "What happened in that dream, wasn't real. I know you won't let me die for real. Don't beat yourself, because of that stupid dream. It's a dream, nothing more. Dreams are nothing compared to what happens for real. And as for everyone else, our friends, including Jessie, you wouldn't let any of them die too, you would always protect them, when you know they're in danger. Like you'd protect me."

She nuzzled my forehead with her nose, "Never doubt yourself, Brandon. Because I believe you'll save me. You'll save your angel. You'll save anyone who's in danger." She planted her snout on it for a kiss, "Don't do this to yourself, again. Ok? Promise me." She pulled back her snout and looked at my face, giving me a small smile. A confident smile.

Her words were pretty soothing to me. I didn't feel like I wanted to cry anymore and the guilt I was feeling was going away too. It went away in an instant. When I was looking at her smile, just like when I was afraid to sing in front of a big crowd, and just like I was afraid to swim naked in front of everyone too, her smile was giving me confidence just like before. She was right, it was just a stupid dream. A sorta real, but nevertheless stupid dream. I'll protect and save Rain. I'll protect and save anyone, who is in danger. I won't let any of them die. I won't let it happen in real life, if it came to it. I won't let it happen. I let out a calm sigh, and nodded at her, "I promise."

Rain then pulled me toward her with her paw, wrapping her forelimb around me, hugging me tight. My eyes bugged out of my skull, and she said with a big smile, "Thank you." I giggled and planted a kiss on her scaly chest. Rain rose her head high above me, has let go of me and I was backing away from her. She let out a long drawn out breath when she looked down at me, and asked, "You alright now, little guy?"

I nodded twice, "I'm good now...Grandma." I winked.

She rolled her eyes at that word, "Well...I guess, I'll let that one slide." Then she narrowed them, "But call me that again, and I'll spank your little butt."

I shrugged my arms, "Whatever, grandma."

I was just waiting for her to spank me, but she didn't do anything. She shot up her head, "I'll give you a spank later." Then she began to whirl around on me, "I'm going to catch up to Wayne, so I'll get that scarf. You coming with me?"

I shook my head, "Nah, I'm going to wander around alone a bit, before tonight. I still haven't thought of a human song to sing tonight."

Rain whirled around and she was grinning at me, while looking over her shoulder "I can't wait for tonight."

I replied, "Me too."

Rain began to walk off, "Later, Brandon."

I was watching her walk off for a second, and then I started to walk off too. Just going to wander around for awhile. But all of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain in my butt and I jumped up and yelped, "Yow!" I turned around real fast and found that Rain has snuck up behind me, to give my butt a spank. She was giving me a devious grin, "Take that, human." She laughed hard at her scheme.

I glared at her, "Darn it, you got me!"

She shot up her head, "Ha! Told you I was going to give you a spank later."

I shook my head softly at her, my glare fading away to be replaced by a grin, "Didn't last very long."

Then she began to turn around on me again, "You deserved it, for calling me grandma again. Now bye." She was about to walk off, until a devious idea formed in my brain. I raised my hand and before she could take several steps away from the likes of me, I gave her big black scaly butt a loud smack. She reared back her head, her body jumped a bit and she cried out. I was laughing hard at that and Rain looked over her shoulder for her turn to glare at me.

I pointed at her, while I was laughing, "We're even, big girl!" I was slapping my hand on my leg repeatedly in laughter.

Rain sharply turned her head, and held it up proudly like nothing had happened, "Hmpf." She was taking fast strides away from me, her tail shaking fast back and forth.

I gave her a wave and hollered, "I love you!"

She hollered back before she disappeared around the corner of the street, "Love you too, you twerp!"

I shook my head and giggled again, "Gosh." Then my feelings for her popped up again, and I let out a sigh. I haven't been bothered by them much, all morning. Not until now.

Rain...

I can't be with you, in that way. But if you were in trouble for real, I won't let you die. I promise.

I won't doubt myself again that I can't protect and save you, and that's a promise for that too.

I started to turn around and walk off, heading off to wherever I want to go. Walking in fast strides. I guess, I'll head to the park, today's a nice day to just sit around there.

*****

Me and Wayne are almost to his house, as me and him are walking alongside each other. I caught up to him, after I left Brandon alone, so he'll do whatever he wants. I told Wayne about me planning to take Brandon to see Tommy, tomorrow. And I told him, I wanted that fuzzy green scarf back. Wayne did agreed to give it back to me, but he also appeared to have his doubts that Tommy would remember me. Nevertheless, we're on our way to his house now. I still had a bit of a smile on my face, still thinking about Brandon. I'm glad that the little guy is feeling better. I didn't like seeing him doubt himself. It wasn't fair.

But still...I'm still curious as to how I died in his dream. It must've been really horrible, when he didn't want to talk about it. But I'm glad he's feeling better. Wayne was looking up at me and said, "You haven't touched that scarf for years. Been such a long time, since you held it."

I let out a breath, as the image of that fuzzy scarf came to thought, "I do remember wearing that thing a lot. How soft and fuzzy it was. Tommy really had good taste."

Wayne nodded and replied in agreement, "Yeah and plus, green looks good on you."

I gave him a teasing grin, "You sound just like Cody."

Wayne shrugged his shoulders, "Well it's the truth. It does look good on you."

I let out a sigh, "Yeah, but I won't be keeping it though. Brandon is just gonna walk up to Tommy's house, and then he'll return it to him. Then Brandon talks to him and when he gets back, I'll...See if he finally remembers me, or not."

Wayne had some uncertainty in his eyes, "Rain, he might not-"

I cut off his sentence, "I know what you're going to say. But I still deserve to know, right? I do want this closure, and Brandon is helping me with that."

He said, "I really doubt he remembers though. Humans haven't remembered your kind as friends, for years. If they did, then Brandon and Jessie would've known."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Still worth trying. I can't talk to Tommy anyways. So...Why not let a human talk to him?"

Wayne let out a giggle, "You could've asked me to do that for you. Actually, you could've asked me to do that a long time ago, before you met Brandon."

I shook my head and admitted, "I didn't think about that, until yesterday."

He nodded and looked ahead, "Well, that makes sense."

I let out a sigh, as I was thinking about Tommy, "I haven't saw Tommy up close, for years. Really a long time. I wish, I could get a good look at his face, so I can see if he still has the same eyes."

Wayne reached out to pet my body, "Yeah." Then he added with a hopeful tone, "But at least, you might have Brandon as your new boyfriend one day. Just give it some more time on that."

I know that Brandon has said that he still loves Jessie, last night. But I'll keep on waiting, until something happens. I'll wait for him to show me those feelings, and then I'll tell him. I nodded down at my human friend, "I'm still keeping my feelings to myself. Keeping it cool."

Wayne beamed at me and gave my body a hard pat, "That's good. Take my advice. Keep it cool."

Me and Wayne made it to his house and he opened the door, to have us both enter the house. After we did that, and after I closed the door behind us, I followed him to where he sleeps in his house and made it to his room. Showing some pile of furs on the floor, and several wooden shelves, that holds several books that he and Sierra has read. Several are human books, and some are from my kind has made. I stopped where I was at, waiting for him to get that scarf. Wayne trotted his way to one of the shelves and grabbed something off of it. I can see it and my eyes were correct. He's got the fuzzy green scarf in both hands. It didn't appear to be worn out at all. I'm glad Wayne kept that thing for me, for years. I really am. And now, me and Brandon will be returning it to Tommy.

My memory flashed on that snowy night, in the barn when Tommy gave that scarf to me. I let out a trembling breath, at the memory. That was the most caring thing, he gave me. And I can't imagine what other Christmas's were like for him, when I'm not around. I would know what they're like, when the snow season comes every year, when I'm alone without him. When the snow falls, I remember how we've played in the snow, how I was keeping him warm with my body and scales when we're sitting in his barn together. He was loving and basking in my warmth and he says he doesn't want to leave my side, when it's cold. Can't blame the human, at all.

Wayne came up to me with that scarf, holding it out to me, "Here it is, girl."

I lowered my head to it and gave it a couple of sniffs. I hummed, "Still smells the same to me."

Wayne nodded with a amused grin, "I would figure as much. Nobody, including me, has touched it for years."

I rose my head away from it, staring down at Wayne, "Thank you for taking care of it, Wayne. You're the best."

Wayne replied, "I'd do anything for my friends. And you're welcome." Then he swung the scarf around my neck and began to tie it. So that way I wouldn't have to carry it. I felt the familiarity of it on my scales. The fuzziness of that little green scarf.

I let out a sigh down at him, "Thanks for putting it on for me."

Wayne backed away from me and asked this, "Are you sure, you want to take it back to Tommy?"

I nodded, not backing down from it, "Yes, I'm sure. I'm returning it to him, for every good thing he has done for me. For also loving me, despite I'm a dragon. That he saw me, as a human to him."

Wayne stared at me for several moments and finally nodded in agreement, "Well...Alright. If that's what you want."

I smiled at him, "It is." I began to turn my back on him, looking over my shoulder at my little friend, "Thank you again, for everything."

He waved at me, "Alright, well I'll see you tonight at the Braveheart. Later."

I padded away from him, "Later." I went in the stone hallway, to head back to the front door. I made it, opened it up, went outside, closed it behind me, and now I'm trotting out to the street, stopping right in the middle of it. I was reaching up to my neck, where the scarf is at, feeling it with my paw. I let out a sigh, as a tear fell down my cheek. My memories of wearing it were getting to me. I'll always remember the days of wearing that little thing. Now for the first time in years, I'm wearing it again.

I looked up at the blue sky, thinking about my plan for tomorrow. Well I have the scarf, now me and Brandon have to get to Tommy's house tomorrow. Things are coming together right now. I let out a trembling sigh. Tommy....

You'll get to meet Brandon for the first time, Tommy. He really is a great guy. A great guy, like you.

A part of me hopes that when he asks you about me, that you'll somehow remember me, after all these years. Another part of me, thinks you won't. But I'm willing to find out.

I spread out my wings, giving them a flap, and then I leapt to the skies, heading back to the motel so I'll leave my scarf there.

*****

I was walking in the park, very slowly. Just enjoying the peace and quiet. After I left Rain, my brain has been thinking of a song to sing tonight, and about a few minutes ago, I finally came up with one. Good, then I'll keep that one in mind.

While I was pacing down the stone path, my mind drifted back to the dream I had last night. That dream...

That dream about me in the cave with that chamber...I still can't believe that I had another one. I haven't had another one like that, since days ago. And how Rain died....Jesus, a dragon killed her.

I know that I won't let Rain die, like in that dream. I'll still save her no matter what, in real life. But for god sake, it really felt like I was there. Like she really did die. Just like what happened to mom in that same kind of dream. Just like...What happened to me, in that dream too.

I don't get it. Why does that kind of dream, keep coming back to me? More than once, I keep ending up in that cave with those dragon depictions. Is that cave even real? Is that why I keep having it? And that dragon who lives in it, is it even real too? I keep denying for a fact, that they're real. But now I'm getting a feeling they are. I mean, I had a vision that I was getting attacked in the woods by the dragon, so why did I have that one in the first place? I was out in the woods with the others for TWO days, and nothing happened to me at all. So what was the purpose of having that vision? Am I still going to get attacked by that dragon in the woods? Is that why nothing happened before? And...My vision of seeing my house burned to the ground....What was the purpose in that one? Is mom, really going to die? What did start the fire? Did that dragon have something to do with it? Or did something else start it? Or what? My mind's feeling like it's swirling around with too many thoughts.

I was starting to have the feeling of dread beginning to form in my chest. Rain....Mom....Everyone....

I'll protect you guys, I know I will. I won't doubt myself again. But still, I hope nothing bad happens to any of you.

Now that I think about it...What if one of them dies, before I knew they were in danger in the first place? If I don't know one of them is in danger in the first place, then how can I protect one of them? God, what a horrible feeling....

I shook my head from that thought. Forget about what ifs, Brandon. You're going to make yourself sick, when you're thinking too much of it. Nothing terrible is going to happen. None of them will die, like dad. Just keep thinking that it won't happen. Don't worry about it.

That's right, nothing won't happen. I took a deep breath and let it out. Nothing bad will happen to anyone. Not even Rain. Everything's going to be ok.

And speaking of a couple of my friends, I can see Jessie sitting on the grass nearby with Frankie who is laying on his stomach beside her, both of them sharing a laugh together. I smiled at them from a distance. Well those two seem happy together. I wonder what they're laughing about? I made my way up to them, and when I got closer they both saw me. I gave them a wave and said, "Hey guys."

Frankie replied with a grin, as I got myself in front of them, "Hey Brandon." He gave a playful frown, "And where's my bratty sister, today? Thought you'd be walking with her."

I laughed, "You're calling your sister a brat?" I pointed at him, "She'll kick your sorry butt, for that."

Jessie turned her head to look up at him, "Yeah, you dork. She'll kick your sorry butt, for that." Then she added with a devious giggle, "Or slap your butt again, for that. Whichever comes first."

He shot up his head, "Don't care, if she does either." He was flashing us a toothy grin, "I'll be slapping her butt, for slapping mine. And if Rain fights me, she'll lose."

Jessie joked, "Why? Because you'll throw a big ugly toad at her?"

Frankie turned to look down at her now, still having that big grin, "Maaaybe." He snickered, "Or Maaaybe not."

Jessie rolled her eyes and sighed, "So much for a fair fight." Then she jabbed a finger into his body, "Well if you do, she'll use her tactical move on your balls. She won't take having a toad being thrown at her lightly."

I nodded in agreement, "Yeah, big guy. She'll REALLY be mad."

Frankie waved a dismissive paw at us, "Still don't care. And if she kicks my balls, I'LL be the one who's mad."

I giggled and shook my head, "No, you won't be mad. You'll just curl up in a ball, clutching your private parts and whimper in pain."

Frankie turned to glare at me, "I'll punch YOU in the balls." He showed his grin again and remarked, "Human with small dragonhood."

Jessie slugged his shoulder, "Frankie! Take that one back!"

Frankie turned to her again, "What's he going to do about it? He doesn't have a big dragonhood."

I was turning red and crossed my arms, glaring at him, "When are you going to admit and say, that my dragonhood's big?"

Jessie chimed in, "Yes, you know it's big and you're still denying it."

Frankie dared me with a mischievous grin, "Prove it, Brandon." He gestured toward my pants, "Take your pants off, and show it again."

My eyes went wide, and then I flashed anger at him, "No!"

He tossed back his head and laughed, "I knew it! It's small!"

I responded with several jabs of my finger towards him with an irritated voice, putting several words in emphasis, "IT'S...NOT...SMALL...IT'S...BIG!"

Jessie tossed her blonde hair behind her and demanded with a high regal voice, "Frankie, my noble steed!" She pointed at me, while looking at up at him with a narrowed look, "I order you to apologize to that man, NOW!" Then she added with a grin, "And also compliment, that his dragonhood's big!"

He adamantly shook his head, "No."

Now her narrowed look came back and threatened, "Do it, or I'll slap your nose." She raised a finger, "Or kick your eggs." She raised two, "Or twist your pride and rip it off." She shrugged her arms, "One of the three, I don't care. But I'm really sure, the last one's twice as painful as the second one."

Frankie had his face gone wide and he squeaked. Then he replied, "You know, you're abusing your noble steed. You twisted his ear yesterday. Now you're threatening to twist off his pride, that's horrible!"

I shrugged my arms and remarked, "Hey, you keep saying that I have a small dragonhood, try to imagine yourself living without one."

Frankie hissed at me, "You're not helping."

Jessie said this, "Then apologize, you jerk."

Frankie pointed down at her with his wing tip, while gazing at me, "Brandon, can me and you trade places for one freakin day? I've been taking orders from the queen of the dragons here, and trust me it's annoying me."

Jessie has put her hands to her hips, "Oh, if you think I'll bark orders at Brandon when you trade places with him, I won't. I'll only be barking orders at you." She gave him a wink.

He was whining in frustration and slammed his paw softly to the grass, "Un freakin fair!" Me and Jessie laughed our heads off, while he was just grumbling in anger and irritation. He got fast on all fours and looked down at me, "Brandon, I'm leaving you alone with her majesty, the freakin queen here." He began to turn and walk away from us, "While I'm going off to pout."

Jessie smiled with a tilt of her head, "Aw, did I hurt the noble steed's feelings?"

Frankie looked back over his shoulder and grinned back at her, "Maaybe, maaybe not." He winked at her and giggled, "I'll be back later. I'm just going for a walk." Then he looked at me, "And as for YOU, human with small dragonhood. I'm leaving you to keep an eye on her majesty, and you better not let her get into trouble."

I asked with a laugh, "How is she going to get herself in trouble?"

He shrugged his shoulders and responded with a swish of his long tail, "I don't know, her majesty has an ego, so who knows what she'll do. Just don't let her get into trouble!" Me and Jessie laughed at that and he turned his whole head to look ahead, when he walked off some more. Until he was out of our sight.

I turned my face to Jessie, playfully asking her this, "Do you really have an ego, Jess? He did say that you do."

Jessie laughed and turned her head to me, "Perhaps." I raised an eyebrow, and she added, "Hey, I like to take charge!"

I rolled up my eyes, "Oh boy."

She waved me off, "Think what you want, I love taking charge." She spread out her arms, "When I'm riding him, I do feel like I'm the queen of dragons. And my noble steed, is Frankie."

I replied, "He doesn't like to be treated like a horse."

She shrugged her shoulders, "Still feels like a noble steed to me."

I let out a playful breath, "No wonder, he wants me to trade places with him."

Jessie narrowed her eyes, "You really want me to bark orders at you?"

I waved both hands in defense, "No."

Then she patted a spot beside her, "Then be quiet and sit by me."

I giggled, bowed right in front of her and muttered, "Yes, your highness."

She was laughing hard at that, slapping her own lap, "You sound just like Frankie now. I think, you like me barking orders at you after all."

I strode up, until I was standing beside her. I slumped down on the grass with her, crossing my legs, "Don't flatter yourself. I don't like it when someone barks orders at me, all that much."

Jessie let out a playful whine, then spoke with a high voice, "Aw, and here I was going to have a bright sharp lad, taking orders from me."

I rolled my eyes at her regal voice, "You wish." I chuckled, "But just to ask you something, how'd you feel if I was barking orders at YOU?"

Jessie narrowed her eyes at me, "I'd kick where your dragonhood's at, and you better hope I don't break it."

I pointed at her and said in a high regal voice like her, "You do what your king says, peasant!" I was laughing and she slugged my shoulder and that made me laugh harder.

Jessie remarked, "Now who has developed an ego."

I stopped laughing and shrugged my shoulders, "Well I think it'd be cool, if I was the king of the dragons. That'd be awesome!"

She asked, "I wonder how Rain would take it, if you bark orders at her?"

I chuckled and shook my head to answer her, "She would spank my butt, for doing that."

Jessie raised her hands and exclaimed, "Exactly! Girls don't like it, when guys bark orders at them!"

My jaw dropped agape, giving her a mock expression, "Don't I deserve to take charge, girlfriend?"

She dropped her hands to her lap and replied, "No."

I asked with a grin, "Not even after I ask a girl's hand in marriage and we get married?"

"No."

I was chuckling a bit, "What? Not even when we get married? Can I not take charge in anything?"

She shook her head, and thumbed at her own chest, "Nope, girls including me, always take charge."

I playfully glared, "No fair. No fair, at all." I let out a sigh, "What's the damn point, if I can't take charge into anything?"

She put a hand to her chin, putting some thought into it, "Well...You can take charge when you're sleeping with the girl. But taking charge in everything else, nope."

I let out a whoosh of air, "Oh that's good. Not much on my end, but better than nothing."

She added with a devious grin, "Just treat her right in bed and you're good."

I nodded profusely, "Oh definitely. Don't want to piss this girl off."

She was giggling and shaking her head, "You're funny."

I shrugged my arms, "I have my moments."

She nodded in agreement, "Me too."

Me and her stared ahead at the area around us and I said, "Just for the record, I would treat you right in bed."

Jessie shrugged her shoulders and laid her head onto my shoulder, "You better." I chuckled in my throat. She let out a sigh, as both of us have gone silent. Enjoying the peace and quiet now.

The two of us have been quiet for a long time, until I broke the silence, "Hey Jess, you're not going to believe what I've found out today from Wayne and Cody."

"Hmm?"

I said with a bit of a happy gleam in my eyes, "Years ago before humanity changed, remember that they said they've met several celebrities, who came to meet dragons?"

She asked, "Yeah? What about them?"

I giggled happily, "Well...Wayne, Cody and Amanda, have met my hero years ago. Jimi Jamison."

She got her head off my shoulder and turned to look at me, "Really?"

I turned to her, "Yeah! I mean, they actually met my hero Jimi Jamison. I still can't believe it, actually. They met Steve Perry, Wayne's hero, and they've met my hero back then, before he died." I turned my gaze off of her and shook my head, "Any person is real lucky to meet someone like that. I wish I was alive back then. Even my dad, then the both of us would've met him."

Jessie was smiling at me for that, "Jimi Jamison, huh?" She looked ahead, "Well you know what person I would be lucky to meet with? And it might sound silly, when I say it too. So don't get me wrong. It's a dream."

I shrugged my shoulders, "No skin, off my nose."

Jessie said, "I would be so lucky, to meet Judy Garland. You know, the girl from The Wizard of Oz?" I turned to her with a wide look, and she turned to me to see my expression. She narrowed her eyes at me, "I told you not to get me wrong."

I laughed a little, "Well that girl died a VERY long time ago, Jess."

Jessie shrugged and shook her head, "Still...Would be great to meet her." Then she added with her finger raised, "Oh! Maybe also, Celine Dion! I would be lucky to meet her too!"

I nodded at that one, "I like her too. In fact, I'm sure she was alive around that time."

Jessie took a deep breath and let it out, picturing about her meeting with her heroes, "What a dream, that would be." Then she said with a bit of wonder in her eyes, "I think in my opinion that Jimi's just like you, Brandon. All noble and full of heart. Heck, both of you love to sing."

I softly shook my head, "Actually I think, I'm just a lot more like my dad, than Jimi. But thank you for those words."

Jessie and I sat still in silence again, then about a few minutes later, we both saw a mother dragon with her hatchling strolling together. The hatchling bounding fast ahead of it's mother. The mom was taking fast strides to go after her child. Me and Jessie were both grinning at that, and I asked, "Hey Jessie?" She looked at me and I said, "Have you ever thought about having a family? You know, have kids?"

Jessie laughed a little and asked, "Aren't you a little young, to think about having a family? You're still seventeen."

I giggled and explained, "I got that idea from Rain last night."

Jessie nodded, "Ah, makes sense now." She let out a breath, adding this, "She would make a good mom. I can tell, because of what she's like with Henry."

I asked her, "Well...Have you ever thought about having a family? It sounds a bit much, but have you thought about it once?"

Jessie admitted, "I have more than once. Actually, since a couple nights ago."

"Really?"

She gave me a nod, "Yeah." She closed her eyes, as she was picturing it, "I think about, what'd be like to feel pregnant. To have a child inside you. To actually have a child. I kinda think, I'd be a good mother."

I motioned my head softly to my left, "Uh, you're young and you never had a child. So how can you think, you'd be a good mom?"

She shot her eyes open and slapped my chest, "Dream breaker."

I laughed and said, "I'm serious. How can you be a good mother, if you never had a kid?"

She gestured to herself and defended, "Hey, I can still be a good mother. Besides, you never know until you try." She was giving me a confident smile, "I'd think, you be a good father yourself."

I tilted my head with a grin, "No joke? You think, mwah would be a good father?"

She replied with a shake of her head, "Don't see why not. You have this personality, that's good enough to be a great father." Then she turned her head and added, "I'll be truthful, Brandon. I know that we are only remaining friends, but I was wondering what it'd be like if me and you get married first, and then start a family together. You know come up with a good name, for either a boy or a girl. To maybe take a walk in the park, with our child. To let our child enjoy the life in the dragon city."

I joked, "I wonder where are we going to get diapers for our baby? There aren't any in the dragon city!"

She laughed and replied, "Well, then we'll have to go back into our world and buy some!"

Then I added, "I wonder who'll do the babysitting? Frankie?"

"Ha! Frankie babysitting? That'd be funny, seeing him trying to babysit a human child." She let out a calm breath, "But it would also be cute, if his large form was sleeping close to our child. That would be the cutest thing." She looked down at the ground, "But hey, we're meant to be friends. And that's all that we are, just friends. Not like it'll happen anyways."

I felt some pity for her, after she said that. Man...She really was dreaming about having a family with me. She really did love me. Then I remembered what I was thinking, about last night. About trying to get together with her. Rain's a dragon, and I have to try to be with someone who's human. I need to give this one try with Jessie. I slowly wrapped an arm around her, holding her close to me, "Hey, I'm still sorry for rejecting you like that. You know, I wouldn't hurt you."

Jessie looked up from the ground and formed a smile, "I'm fine. Actually...I'm over it."

I said, "I mean, its just....I'm hearing you thinking and saying about you starting a family with me, and it makes me feel sorry for you." I nodded as I went on, "I mean, I know that a knight will come and find you one day, from out of nowhere and swoop you off your feet. Then that way, you'll have a family of your own. But still....I feel sorry for you."

She shook her head, "But we're meant to stay friends. You said so yourself."

I asked, with curiosity shown on my face, "But do you still...Want me?"

She asked with a face full of confusion, "Brandon...I thought you didn't want me. I thought you want me as your friend."

It was true, I didn't want her. But...I'm willing to give it a chance. I should have gave it a chance before, but I'm willing to give it a chance now.

My voice inside my head was screaming at me for thinking about my plan. No! You don't love her, damn it! You love Rain! Not her! You're going to hurt Jessie, if you do this to her! Don't do it!

I mentally brushed that thought. I don't care! I'm done feeling conflicted because of Rain, and I won't put her through any pain, because of me. I will protect her! I'm trying Jessie and it's final!

Jessie was staring at me, still with that confused face, "Brandon?"

I didn't say anything, but I was only staring back at her. I was thinking about sharing that love, she wanted with me. To kiss her right now, like we kissed in the woods. I slowly raised my hand to cup her cheek with it. Jessie by the look on her face was getting a feeling where I was going with this. And without anything else to say, I began to lean my face towards hers, closing my eyes, ready to kiss her. But before my mouth was real close to hers, she placed a finger to my mouth to stop me. I shot my eyes open and I pulled my head away from her face and her finger. Jessie was just staring at me and shook her head, denying this, "No....I can't."

I let go of her cheek and scooted away from her on the grass, "But I...I thought you-"

She said it again with more detail, "I can't do this. I...I don't love you."

I was a bit appalled by it, but I knew this was bound to happen. I groaned and got up on my feet, turning my back on her. Jessie was feeling pity for me. Thinking that she has hurt me. She got up on her feet, and just stood behind me. She said, "Brandon...I'm sorry."

I said with my back turned on her. A face full of guilt, "No...It's not your fault...It's mine."

Jessie clasped a hand to my shoulder from behind me, "This time, I was the one who rejected you. This wasn't your fault."

I insisted, "But it is MY fault." I was hesitant to tell her the truth, but I let one part of it out, "I...I was the one who tried to start it, and...I don't love you either."

She jerked back her hand, surprised by my confession, "What? Then why did you try to kiss me? Why did you even want to try, when you didn't want this before? Why now?"

I didn't say anything, I was only breathing deeply. Jessie pressed me, "I don't understand any of this. Is something making you want to do this? What's wrong?" She put a tender comforting hand on my back, rubbing it up and down, "Brandon, please. What's wrong? I want to know what's wrong. If you don't love me, then why did you try this?" She let out a trembling sigh, "I'm your friend, but I can't help you, if you won't talk to me."

I let out a huff, trying to build up the courage to tell her the WHOLE truth. Now I was feeling so much apprehension, it started to show on my face. The truth about why I rejected her in the first place, why I told her I wanted to remain friends, to tell her that I love Rain.

I tried to tell Sebastian about this, but it didn't work out, and now I'm trying to tell Jessie about it. But this is Jessie, that I'm talking to. How can she take it? Will she think of me as a freak? Will she say that my way of thinking is wrong? I know she's with Frankie, but she's not with him in that way. Not to mention to my knowledge, me, Rain and the others never told Jessie and Frankie any of this.

Jessie didn't wait any longer, she walked around me, until we're face to face. Only inches away from our faces. She pressed me, "Brandon." She was giving me a concern look, "Whatever it is, you can tell me. You helped me that night. You told me that if everyone knew that I was a rich girl, they wouldn't think about me differently, and you're right. No one did, and you were right. Now it's my turn to help you." She planted both hands to my shoulders, "Please. I'm your friend, don't keep this from me."

I was about to say the truth to her now, trying to form words. But they wouldn't come out. I was still speechless. I hung my head, looking down at my feet. I can't do this. I can't. I'm...Such a coward.

Jessie however, asked this with a nod, "You love her, don't you?"

My eyes went wide at the question, and I looked sharply at her, "Huh?"

Jessie said it again, "You love her. You...You love Rain, do you?"

Now my color drained off my face. She...Knows?! But...How?

My blond haired friend said, "I know that look. I had it myself. It's the exact same look of feeling a lot of apprehension and shame. I know that look, because I had it before." She was giving me a smile, "You love Rain. Is that it?"

I was frowning at her. Hold on, she had that look too? Why? And how could she have known about my feelings toward Rain?

Jessie giggled a bit, "Look, you can tell me. I won't bite, and I won't tell anyone. I promise."

She's...Ok with this? I...I don't believe it. But...Still how could she have known? I slowly turned my face away from hers, finally admitting it, "....Yes." I let out an ashamed, guilty sigh, "I'm so sorry, Jess. I'm such an idiot. I...I was just desperate."

She looked confused, "Desperate? About what?"

"About trying to be with someone, who's a human like me. That's why I was trying to kiss you. Because...I feel so conflicted and ashamed about Rain. And plus...I don't want to hurt her. I just...."

She was shaking her head, while she reached up to stroke my hair, "Don't be sorry. I'm not mad. I could never hate you."

I looked at her and asked with a brow raised, "Jessie, how could you have known? How did you know about...My feelings? And you said that you had that kind of look before, why?"

Jessie backed away from me and took a deep breath, "I knew I was going to tell you this, sooner or later." She let it out, looking a bit nervous at telling me this, "Ok, well you see....I was feeling the same way, as you have. Actually, I...Felt this sort of feeling since a couple nights ago. And like you, I was feeling ashamed and apprehensive. About someone that I love. And...There's a reason why I don't love you, Brandon."

She's in love with someone else? Wait! Could she be talking about....? I asked out loud, "Frankie?"

Jessie didn't appear surprised at all by my question, she giggled, "Not really a hard thing to figure out, huh?" She shrugged both her arms and laughed, "I mean, who else would I love so much? Wayne? Nah, he was in love with Sierra and I'm sure he still does. And hell, it's not like there are any other human boys out here to love and be with. And heck, it's not like I can't be with Neal in that way, since he's with Amanda." She winked at me and asked, "Am I right, Brandon? I know that you know, that those two are together in that way, and Wayne was with Sierra too. And...You know that Rain was with Tommy back then too, right?"

I was shocked at her explanation. Holy crap! She knows about all of that! Did....Wayne or Amanda tell her? Or did Rain tell her? I asked, "Who told you all that?"

Jessie said, "Amanda did." She placed a hand to her chest, "I was desperate for help. Honestly before I knew the truth, I kinda thought to myself, what if Amanda thought that way about Neal? Because of all the times they've been together. But as it turned out, my hunch was correct. They both love each other, dragon and human, they didn't care. They're both lovers, and that's that. Nothing has stopped them since."

I nodded, "Amanda...." I rubbed the back of my neck, "Oh boy, I didn't expect to hear that from you."

She let out another laugh, "Well I was surprised that you knew everything, before I did. You really are good at keeping secrets." She winked.

I had a small smile, "So you're...Okay with-"

She put a finger to my mouth, "Yes, Brandon. I don't care about what they do. I would've before, but I don't."

She pulled finger off my mouth and I asked with a tilt of my head, "So wait. Are....Are you with Frankie? In that way?"

Jessie shook her head, "Honestly, no. I never told him anything, yet. But...I think in time, I will." Then she took one step toward me, "Look enough about me, lets talk about you and Rain. Tell me everything." Then she began to frown, "Is...She the reason why, you didn't want to be with me before? Is that the real reason why, you just wanted to be my friend?"

I nodded and sighed, "That sounds about right." I was giving her an apologetic look, "I wanted to tell you before, but I was afraid of what you would think of it. I just thought, you wouldn't understand it."

She gave me an reassured nod, "But I do now. And you don't have to worry about it. And...I can understand why you don't want me. Why you stopped kissing me that night. Why you don't love me. You want Rain. You love her, I can see it now."

I shut my eyes tight and shook my head with a groan of frustration, "But that's the thing. I don't want her."

She drew back her head, all wide eyed, "What?"

I waved her off, knowing what she's going to ask, "Yes, damn it. I love Rain. But...Look at me. I'm not a dragon, and she is." I let out everything out of my mouth, like it was a river, "I feel so ashamed and conflicted about her. Heck, I feel like I'm going crazy. Like I'm losing my mind. Not to mention, I'm afraid that...Mom would find out one day, if I was with Rain in that way, and she wouldn't support it. I know that I haven't talked to mom yet, but still what would happen if I did and she finds out what I'm doing? I don't want to lose her. And I don't want to lose Rain too, because she doesn't love me. She...Still loves Tommy. I'm...I'm not Tommy. I can never be Tommy."

I gritted my teeth and let out an angry huff, angry and frustrated mostly at myself, "I was getting tired of it. Tired of loving this certain girl, but I can't be with her. Because of those things. Mostly because I'm not a big scaly drake, with wings, horns, and a long tail that I can twine her tail with. I'm nothing like that, and I never will be." I gave her a sad look now, "That's why I want to try YOU, again. Because of all that."

She asked, "You really don't feel normal?"

I rolled up my eyes, putting myself into thought, "A part of me does think it's normal, but the other part of me is fighting it. The one that doesn't think it's normal, at all. The part that makes me conflicted."

She was giving me a look of sympathy, "Oh, Brandon. You poor guy."

I waved a hand at her, then started to clench it into a fist tightly, "I tried to tell Sebastian about this, but then again how would he deal with this? He's not a human, I AM. And I even thought about talking to Wayne and Amanda about this before, you know how did they ever deal with this problem before? How did they put aside their apprehensions, just like that? But then I thought...How can they change about how Rain feels? You can't change someone how they feel." I waved a dismissive hand at Jessie, "If Rain doesn't love me, then what's the fucking point? I'm done. I'm done with that. I...I'm tired of this. It'll never work, and I'm not Wayne and Amanda. I don't think I'm that kind of a human. I can't do something like that to a dragon. I can't."

She shook her head, denying that, "But you love her."

I shouted and shot a fist down in total frustration, "But I can't do this!" She backed away by my shout and I let out a sigh, lowering my voice, "I'm just another human boy, who feels like a weirdo." I nodded, "Yes, I'd support Wayne, Amanda, and even Tommy's relationships with their dragons, including Rain, and I'd support yours with Frankie. But this is different with me. I feel like a freak, and Rain doesn't love me, so what's the damn point? I...I'm done."

Jessie adamantly shook her head, not accepting that at all, "Don't say that. Don't say that you're done. Everything that you're feeling, those conflictions, that's bullshit."

My face went wide at her words and she went on, still shaking her head, with a narrowed look, "This is complete and utter bullshit, saying that you're done. How dare you say that? That you're giving it up, just like that? I can't believe you. Turning your back on your love, that's crap."

I said, "Jess-"

She cut me off with look that's now soften, "Brandon, I can understand that you're protecting Rain, because you think she still loves Tommy. That you think, that she's only thinking of you as her best friend. But god giving up that kind of love, because of that and everything else? I know you're not that kind of person."

"But Jessie, I-"

She raised a hand, "Let me talk, ok?" I shut my mouth and she spoke when she raised it back down, "I understand from your point of view, that you think it's wrong. That what you're thinking is wrong. But you love her despite that, and you still do." She put a hand to her chest, "I was in your shoes, I really thought it was wrong too, but I don't now. I've put those issues behind me, and I don't care anymore. I love Frankie, and it's final. Frankie is the knight who found me, and I'm the maiden who found him."

Jessie took a deep breath and let it out, "Brandon....I know the REAL reason why we came here. It wasn't just pure coincidence. Everything that we've done, happens for a reason." She was beginning to smile and took a step toward me, "I didn't understand it then, but...Now I do."

I asked with an unsure look, "What are you talking about?"

She asked, "Brandon...Why are we here?" She motioned her hand around the area, but what she's really motioning it to, was the dragon city, "Why are we here in the first place? Why did we both run away from home? Why did we both meet Rain? They're more than just coincidences. Everything does happen for a reason." I was looking at her all confused and she answered, "Don't you see? We were supposed to find them. Me and you, were supposed to find Rain and Frankie. We were meant to find them." She nodded, "You were right before, we were meant to just be friends. I thought I've loved you before, but it turns out I don't. And you thought that you've loved me too, but now you know you didn't also. We weren't meant to be boyfriend and girlfriend, we were meant to be with them."

I took a step back from her, very confused at all this, "Huh?"

"Everything does happen for a reason, and it's because of fate. Fate brought me a unfair life of being wealthy. Fate had you live without your father, three years ago, and your mother has started dating an asshole. Fate had us meet at the bar back at home. Fate gave us have reasons to run away from home. Fate had me meeting up with you again, on the highway while I was driving, I pick you up and we drove off. Fate had you find Rain first, and then both of us did. Fate had a plan for everything. Fate had a plan for us, for Rain, and for Frankie. There's a reason why they're not with anyone also." Then she gestured her hand toward me, "And another example, fate had plans for giving you a new father, and the result was Sebastian. His family died, because fate had plans for him and at the end, the result became good. Both of you have found each other. Just like we've found Rain. Both of us never had a boyfriend and girlfriend, because we were supposed to find them. We never had REAL love, but there is. And we both found it, because of fate."

I was in total shock at everything. Fate...Fate brought us here? Did....Everything she say and brought up, really happen for a reason? I mean, I did wonder what would've happen if my dad never die three years ago. Then....Mom wouldn't have met Gerry, I wouldn't have ran away, I wouldn't have met Rain, and then later on I wouldn't have met Sebastian. Now that I think about it...Everything does happen for a reason. That's why we're both here. My...God. I never figured. I've never really figured.

Dad...Your death had meaning, about everything. It really did, and I never knew until now. Did...Did you know about it, after you died?

Jessie waved a dismissive hand, her voice cutting through my thoughts, "Brandon, you know that dragons are acting like humans, but the truth is THEY ARE humans. Humans beneath all those scales. I know that's why Wayne, Amanda and Tommy were with their dragons and didn't care. They see them as humans. That's why I don't care if Frankie's really a dragon on the outside, but he's really a human on the inside. That's why I've let my apprehensions go. That's why I'm not ashamed. That's why I don't care." She gave herself a proud smile, "And that's why I wouldn't care what other dragons and humans, including my parents, would say if any of them find out. I would just ignore them. It's my life."

She went on with a narrowed look towards me, "And for your mom....I would hate myself for saying it, but I have to say it, because you love Rain and something's holding you back. Forget about what she thinks. Who cares what she thinks? I know you do, but you shouldn't care about what her opinion is about you and Rain. You're living your own life now, you're not Diana's little boy anymore. You're all grown up. And if your mom really loved you, if she TRULY loved you, then she would've supported what you feel toward anybody. Even Rain, the dragon. And if she doesn't understand it and if she says she has a problem with it, then sorry again for saying this, but to hell with her. If she doesn't support it, then who cares? It's your life. Quit worrying about what she thinks, worry about WHAT YOU WANT. You love Rain, you love her so much. Don't let everyone else tell you differently. You're not a freak, who's in love with a mindless creature. Rain's a human, like us." She gave me a pleading look, "I know you love your mom, Brandon. But you're not living under her roof. You have to let that confliction go."

She waved her hand at me, "And you know what? I would think that Rain loves you in that way too. You two actually look cute together. I know you're protecting her, but what if she really does love you? What if she really wants to start a new relationship with another human? What if she's not thinking about you as her friend but as a lover, just like you? She's probably afraid to tell you the truth. Afraid of what you might think. And...I'm glad she hasn't yet. Because of what you were feeling before and right now."

Jessie came up to me and put her hand on my shoulder, she let out a sigh, "I know you can't be Tommy. But so what? You're Brandon. You don't have to be Tommy to be with her, be YOU. Rain loves you for who you are, and quite frankly I wouldn't blame her. And don't let what you believe of what Rain's thinking, give you an excuse to stop loving her. Cause you do love her and you shouldn't let that go. If you do let her go, then there'll be no one else that's like her." She was bringing her face close to mine, her eyes locked onto mine, "You love her, Brandon. Don't do this to her and to yourself. If you want something, then don't be afraid of it. She's a human, Brandon. I know what she is, and I know that you can't change into a dragon, but so what if you can't be with her as a human? Don't be afraid to do it, when the time comes. If she shows that she loves you, then show it right back."

Then she wrapped her arms around me for a tight hug, my eyes went wide at that. For after a moment, I began to say this, "Jessie...I-"

She pulled her head off my shoulder, looking at my eyes again, "Brandon, you've finally had the courage to sing in front of a large crowd. I know that you'll have the courage to be with her. Like I will with Frankie. Time will tell, with me and him. I...I believe in you Brandon. And you have to stop feeling so ashamed of yourself of all these feelings. I know you, and you're not a freak. What you're thinking about her, is not wrong." She slowly closed in on my cheek and pressed her lips on it, to give me a kiss. She pulled back her head away from mine and said, "Please...If you love her so much, and if you can't let her go, do this for her and yourself. Do it, while you have the chance. You can do this. I know you can."

I was staring at her for a long time, until she backed away from me. I just never said a word to her. Jessie formed a smile and said, "Look, I'm going to look for Frankie. And I know that you're singing at the Braveheart tonight, so I'll see you there." She whirled around and began to trot off. She stopped in her tracks about a few feet away and looked over her shoulder at me, "Remember what I said. You guys do make a cute couple. And...She hasn't been with Tommy for years, but she has a second chance at love. And it's you. You would support me for my relationship with Frankie, well I'd support yours with Rain. She really is a person, and you treat her like one. I can imagine that you see her as a human too. Do not forget everything, that I told you. And don't let go of her, Brandon. Don't...Let her go." And with that, she turned her head and walked away from me.

I was just standing there, taking everything she said at heart. My conflictions slowly going away. Jessie's right....Rain is a human. A human underneath those scales. And sometimes, I do see her as one. More than once, I have. That's another reason why I can't let Rain go. The reason why dragons have emotions like us, the reason why they live in a society like us, is because they really are humans. And...It is my life, and I'm not living under my mom's roof anymore. I'm living my own life, and I need to quit worrying about how she feels about me and Rain. Besides, she hasn't met her yet. And if mom has a problem with what I feel about her, then...I'll live with it. But mom does love me so much, so...Maybe she'll still being my mother and not disown me. But I'll quit bugging myself about it now, after what Jessie said. It's not worth it anymore.

I may not be a dragon, but for the past few days, I still love her. Against all conflictions, I love her. Rain maybe a dragon on the outside, but she really is human. That was why Tommy was with her to begin with. He saw her as a human, and her being a dragon didn't stop him from loving her at all. Rain didn't care what he was, either. She still loved him. And everything Jessie said about fate makes sense. Dad dying, was meant for something after all. Other than finding a father, I've found someone to love as well. For the very first time in my whole entire life, I've found the person that I really love. And I've been ignoring it and denying it. Since that night in the woods, I've been doing all that. Now I really feel like a fool.

I know I'm not Wayne, Amanda, nor Tommy. I'm Brandon! I'm a different person, but...That doesn't mean I can't be with a dragon like them. I've been trying to ignore the fact, that I'm that kind of human, but...Now I feel like I am. I am that kind of human. I'm done ignoring it. And Jessie's right about everything. I shouldn't let all those conflictions get to me and stop me from what I want. I shouldn't say that I'm done with my love for Rain. I should say, I'M DONE WITH THOSE CONFLICTIONS.

You're right, Jessie...You're right about everything. And here I was trying to get together with you, and...You don't love me. You love Frankie, and I love Rain. Well I will never do that again, and I hope you and Frankie get together one day. You guys are meant for each other, like me and Rain are.

I began to form a smile. I love Rain. Dragon or human, I don't care anymore. There wouldn't be anyone else like her. I love Rain. And...I've come to accept that. I won't ignore it again.

Now another question has filled my mind. Does Rain love me that way? Does she really want to move onto someone else, and she wants me? Is she not thinking about me, as her friend? How can I be sure?

Then what Rain said last night flashed into my brain. The way she said, 'I love you.' I thought I was imagining it, but....Did she mean it, in the other way? Hmmm....Maybe I'll ask her about that later. Besides, me and her have several other things on our mind. I want to sing tonight, and Rain wants to find her closure from Tommy. And as soon as we're done with all that...I'll ask her.

I'll pretty much be nervous about it, I know that. But I have to try. I have to build the guts to try.

I let out a breath. Well, I'll head back to the motel, and wait for the big event at the restaurant start. Better keep my mind on track for that. I turned around and walked back on the stone trail, heading back to the motel.

*****

I screamed at Rain, wrapping my arms around her neck, when we glided fast to the ground, "Slow down! You'll hit one of the buildings!"

Rain laughed, and flapped her wings again, "Oh relax! We're not going to die!" It's now the late afternoon and the sun was setting. We're now on our way to the Braveheart, since the event there is not far from starting. Me and her decided to fly there, and so here I am riding on her back, and we took flight. Now I'm just warning her not to hit any of the buildings nearby, and luckily she didn't. It looked that way to me! Rain glided smoothly to the ground, until when we were real close to it, she landed on her hind feet first, then her front feet. After she landed, she resettled her wings on her back, and sighed, "Made it."

She lowered her body to the ground, until her stomach touched it, ready for me to dismount her. I swung my leg over her back, and slid off of her, landing on the hard ground with a grunt. I dusted myself and then turned to shoot a glare at her, "Rain, I thought you were going to hit that building! You could've killed us!"

Rain laughed once more and rose her body off the stone ground, shooting up her head, "Oh come on! Who do you think you're talking to? You're talking to Rain, that's who! I'm not a clumsy flier, who just runs into buildings."

I let out a calm sigh, feeling that fear go away, "Well it looked like you were about to hit one."

She replied, "Then you must have bad eyesight. I wasn't about to hit anything."

I just shrugged my arms, "I thought you were, but guess not huh?"

Rain lowered her head to my level with a grin, "You're talking to your angel, remember? So why would I crash us?"

I let out a laugh, "Oh, I don't know. You'd be a clumsy flier, if you did."

She nuzzled her cheek with mine, "I wouldn't hurt my poor little human, who loves flying on me." She pulled her face off mine, to look at my eyes with a bit of apology in them, "Sorry, if I've scared you. I didn't mean it."

I shook my head and planted a tender kiss on her nose, "Oh I'm fine, don't worry about it."

She rose her head above my level with a smile back on her snout, "Well good. I would've felt so bad, if you were scared. You love flying."

I waved a hand, "Oh I really am fine, but thanks for caring as usual."

She winked down at me, "Always do."

Me and her turned to the restaurant in front of us. I said when we stared at the place, "Well, looks like we made it just in time."

Rain began to walk to the entrance, "I hear voices, so that means a big crowd's in there."

I walked alongside her, "I would bet so. C'mon." Me and her went through the opening that leads us in there, and saw that a lot of dragons have showed up to watch me and Wayne sing again. Several of them sitting at tables. I knew it'd be packed again. Now me and Rain have to find out where our friends are in there, so now we began to trek our way through the crowd. Rain almost bumped into a dragon with blue scales by accident, but that dragon just shrugged the whole thing off. Someone's tail almost hit my head, about a mile away. I ducked down, dodging the darn thing. That dragon called out, "Sorry!" I waved it off, and continued to follow Rain. She was looking back at me for after every second that went by. Making sure I was catching up, and I was.

For about several paces, we can see Wayne, Cody, Eleanor, their son Henry, Amanda, Neal, Joanna and Sebastian have showed up. And to my surprise, the yellow dragoness from yesterday was there too, talking to Sebastian. I beamed at her. Yes, she made it!

I can see that Sebastian and the dragoness are having a normal conversation. He can tell that she has changed too, and that's good. That means, he has forgiven her. She appears to be feeling better too. She has listened to my advice and she took it quite well. Now she has her forgiveness. Rain lowered her head to my level, as my eyes were locked onto the dragoness. She asked, "Someone that you know? I never met her before."

I turned to her and answered, "It's a long story, but she's okay. We met yesterday, after I got back to the motel from Sebastian's."

She gave me grin, "Oh so you met her, after talking to Sebastian? What other friends did you make, while I was gone?"

I chuckled, "Only her, big girl."

She turned her gaze toward the others, particularly the yellow dragoness, "She seems nice."

I nodded, when I placed my hand on her face, "She is. Lets just say she went through a lot. VERY MUCH, a lot."

She rose her hand off my hand, and padded to them, "Well what are we waiting for? Lets go meet your new friend." I trotted beside her, until the two of us are near our friends. She said this to them, "Hey everyone." She sat down on her haunches beside me, curling her tail around her. Everyone waved at her, all smiles.

I waved at the yellow dragoness, "Hey there, you made it!"

She looked down at me and said, "Yes, Brandon. That's right. I've made it. And you were right, I wouldn't regret this at all. It took me a bit of courage to come here, and I did." She motioned her head toward Sebastian, "This drake here, took my appearance here well. I'm glad he gave me a chance to speak."

Sebastian looked at me with a wide face, "I still can't believe that you've met her, Brandon. I'm surprised!" He pointed his claw at her, "Even more surprised that she has watched over me sometimes!"

She looked at the old bronze drake, "And I still thank you for accepting my apology. I...I needed it."

He looked back at her and shook his head at her with a grin, "I know what you did to me was wrong, but I can tell you're not the same dragoness I've met years ago."

Joanna agreed with a smile, "Even dragonesses who has done the things that you did, can change. And I'm proud of you for that, sweetheart." She coughed a bit afterward.

She beamed at the old dragons, "Thank you. Thank you so much." Then she looked down at me, with the same expression, "And thank you so much, human. For helping me out. For helping me build the courage. I mean it."

I nodded at her, "No problem." Then I gestured to Rain beside me, introducing her to the dragoness, "This is the black dragoness who took me and my friend here. Her name's Rain."

The dragoness looked at Rain and said, "Ah, so you're the dragoness he cares for. Nice to meet you."

Rain nodded with a smile, "Very nice to meet you, Brandon's new friend."

The yellow dragoness cocked her head down at me with a curious frown, "Wow, you're calling me friend, and we just met? That's a first."

I shrugged with both my arms, "Well you're nice, and you haven't hurt me. So why not?"

She laughed, "Yeah, I guess why not?" Then she got off her haunches and began to back away from us, "I'm hungry, so I'm going to get back to eating." Then she focused her gaze onto Sebastian, "And, can I pay you a visit sometime?" She waved a paw toward him and to herself, "You know, because me and you are basically friends now?"

Sebastian nodded, "You can. Anytime you want. I could use another friend to talk to."

She put a paw to her chest and said with an insisted look, "And I promise, I won't do anything naughty. You can count on it."

Sebastian let out a laugh, "Oh, I'm not going to worry about it." He motioned his snout toward her table, "Better get back to eating, girl."

The yellow dragoness, whirled around on him and looked over her shoulder, "See you around." And with that, she walked back to her table with slow strides.

Sebastian looked down at me and said this, "I never really expected this son, I never did."

I nodded at my father figure, "I'm glad you took it real well, dad. She wanted to make things right."

Sebastian replied, "She did, and I'm very proud that she changed."

I asked, "So what happened? Did she just walk up and talk to you?"

Sebastian answered, "Exactly that. Course, she appeared to be nervous and not to mention her eyes...They showed guilt. That's when I knew she was real sorry for what happened. And she means everything she said." He shrugged his shoulders and chuckled, "I didn't know who she was at first, but when she told me, I was shocked. I haven't seen her in years!" Then he was beginning to smile at me, "I still can't believe you two met, but you did. And if it wasn't for you, she never would've done this. You did a good thing, Brandon. Helping her out. And I never thought of doing this either, but now we have a fresh start. Now I have another new friend....Thank you, Brandon."

I was just smiling at him, still happy that things didn't go sour between them. That's when Wayne beamed at me and Rain after that, clearing his throat, "Well since that's over with, I was gonna say it's about time you came tonight. We were wondering if you were going to make it or not."

Amanda shrugged her arms, "So what took you guys?"

Joanna cocked her head, her gaze right on me, "Yeah hon. I was wondering when you were coming here too. I didn't want to just see Wayne sing tonight. I wanted to see two of my favorite hons, singing in one night."

Rain gestured her paw at me, "If you're wondering what happened, Brandon thought I was going to crash us into a building."

They all frowned at that, and Neal asked, "What?"

Rain laughed and repeated with more detail, "I was flying here with Brandon on my back, and the little human thought I was going to crash us into a building."

I shook my head softly and just shrugged my arms, with my brows raised, "I sorta thought we were going to hit one! It looked that way to me."

Rain whispered to them, "I think he has bad eyesight."

I rolled my eyes and said in a sarcastic tone, "Ha, ha, ha. So what? I thought we were going to hit one."

Wayne teased, "Boy pal. You better gets your eyes checked."

Amanda was snickering, "Yeah, you need to see your eye doctor."

I waved them off, "Quit your teasing. I can see fine!"

Henry came through the grownups and greeted me and Rain, "Hi Brandon! Hi aunty Rain!"

Rain lowered her head to his level, and I crouched down in front of him, beaming at the little hatchling, "Hey pal. You look sharp tonight."

Henry cocked his head, "What? Like my claws?" Then he sat down on his little haunches and raised both his paws, to show us his claws, "My claws are sharp!"

Cody praised his son, "Yeah! They're sharp!"

Neal shot up his head, "And someday, when someone picks a fight with you, you'll be besting that dragon in a fight!"

Cody stood proud on his paws, holding his snout up high, "Yeah, like me!"

Neal rolled his eyes and teased, "Oh please, you tried to best me before, but you were just a little green runt."

Cody shot a glare at him, "I can best you now, Neal."

Neal was giving him a toothy grin, "Want to best me later?"

He nodded and exclaimed, "Oh heck yeah!"

Amanda laughed and got in between them, "Oh boys, there will be no fighting when I'm around." Then she folded her arms against her chest with both her brows raised, "Cause if they're fights when I'm around, I'm going to discipline you."

Cody curled his tail protectively around himself, "By discipline, you mean kick my eggs?"

Amanda turned to him, while she thumbed at Neal, "No, I'm going to kick Neal in the eggs." She pointed a finger at Cody, "I'm just going to slap your nose."

Neal hissed, "What? Why am I the only one who gets a kick in the eggs?" He thrusted a paw at Cody, "Kick his too!"

Cody shrieked like a girl, and he shook his head profusely at her, "No, don't kick mine! My mate loves my eggs!" Eleanor laughed beside him and nipped at his neck.

Henry whirled around to cock at his father, "What eggs?" Then he gasped and beamed, "Am I going to have a baby brother, or sister?!"

All of us laughed at that, and Cody tried to answer his son, in the best way possible, "Maybe...If aunty Amanda doesn't kick them."

Henry begged Amanda, shaking his head, "Don't kick them, aunty Amanda! I want a brother, or sister!"

Amanda let out a another laugh, "Not gonna do it anyways."

Neal snorted and thumped his long red tail behind him, asking all of us, "Why am I the only one who suffers the most agonizing pain, from this girl?"

Cody answered, "Because you're a show off."

He shot back, "You shut up, you're the show off."

That's when Frankie and Jessie came out of nowhere through the crowd, Frankie hollering at us, "Did someone say show off?" They stopped near us, Frankie sitting on his haunches and Jessie just stood beside him.

I waved at them, "Hey guys."

Jessie waved back at me and to everyone. Rain said this to them, "Well hello there guys. Me and Brandon apparently got here, before you did. So what kept you two?"

Frankie answered flatly, "Lets just say I keep hearing this certain human girl barking orders at me, every damn minute."

She shot a smirk at him, "You love it."

He playfully rolled up his eyes, "Keep telling yourself that, PRINCESS."

She spoke in a regal voice, "Not princess, I'm your QUEEN."

Frankie let out a sigh, "See what I'm dealing with? A human girl, full of ego." She let out a laugh, and Frankie asked this to everyone, "So did someone actually say show off? I hope you weren't talking about me. Cause, I'm not a show off."

Jessie laughed and rolled her eyes, "Don't lie to them, you big black dork. You like to show off something, and it's your pride."

Rain nodded and said to Frankie, "She's got a point there, brother. You do show off your pride."

Frankie shrugged his shoulders, "So what if I did? All drakes like to show off their pride." He closed his eyes, chuckled and raised his claw, declaring loudly, "And I have a VERY big pride!"

Neal snorted at him, "Mine's bigger than yours."

Cody shot up his head, "No way, MINE'S big!"

Frankie tossed up his head and laughed his black head off, "Oh ancestors, now all of you are acting like Brandon here! Now I'm thinking your dragohood's are small, like his!"

That's when me, Cody, and Neal angrily shouted at him, "THEY'RE BIG!"

Frankie then said, "Then show me. I want to see them."

Amanda shook her finger at Neal, "If you even think about showing off your pride in public, I'm going to kick your ass."

Neal curled his neck in a shape of an s, "You'll just turn red, at the sight of it."

Amanda remarked with a small chuckle, "I would. And I'm sure Wayne, Jessie, and Brandon will turn red as well."

Neal beamed, "Why not? I would like to talk to humans who are red, like me."

Amanda was glaring at him, "Seriously though, don't do it. We don't want to see it."

Neal asked, "Why not? You sometimes see it."

Amanda turned red that time and she glared again, "That's when you're NOT IN PUBLIC and I live with you, you big red scaly pervert."

Rain said with a frown, "Speaking of which..." She turned her head to Frankie and asked with her voice full of curiosity, "Hey Frankie, since Jessie lives with you, did she see your pride?"

Frankie was forming a wide grin, "Yes."

Jessie denied with her face wide, "NO!"

Frankie laughed and looked down at her, "Yes you did, you saw it and said." He cleared his voice and put on an impression of Jessie, with a girly voice, "Wow, it's big! Bigger than Brandon's dragonhood!"

Jessie's face turned a deeper shade of red, and she yelled in embarrassment, "Frankie! That never happened at all!" Then she pointed a threatening finger at him, "And that's no way to treat your queen!"

Frankie let out a sigh, "Lie all you want. It's still true."

Jessie stomped her foot like a little girl, balling her hands into fists, "IT NEVER HAPPENED!"

Rain was laughing at that, "I think you're pissing your queen off, brother. She'll definitely get back at you."

Jessie turned to her and ordered, "My noble steed's brother. I command you to spank your brother's ass, NOW!"

Rain nodded slowly at the idea, "Maybe I will."

Frankie growled at her, "You better not come near it."

Neal said, "I think you should do it, Rain. Your brother's been a bad boy."

Frankie hissed at Neal, "You shut up."

Cody then had a devious idea and asked Frankie, "You know what? I have a better idea, Frankie. Why don't YOU show off your pride, so we can ALL see it? Prove to us, that yours is big!"

I was laughing hard, and then I nodded up at Frankie, crossing my arms, "Yeah, you told us to show ours. Why don't you show yours?" I gestured to him with one hand, "Go ahead, we want to see it right now. PROVE IT, BIG GUY."

Neal was flashing a big smirk at the black drake, "Yeah! Prove it!"

Amanda covered her face with both hands, "I'm not turning red from this."

Frankie held up his snout and proudly said, "I got nothing to prove!"

We stared at him for a moment. Then I giggled and replied flatly, "I know why he's not showing it, it's small."

Frankie narrowed his eyes at me, "It's not small, you little bastard."

I smugly asked, "Guess we really got back at your own game now, huh Frankie?"

Frankie rolled his eyes, "This is crap."

Jessie shrugged her arms, "You did this to yourself, and you deserve it."

I asked, "Right, so going to admit that my dragonhood's big now?"

Frankie let out a defeated sigh, "I'm just going to keep my big trap shut."

Henry looked up at Cody and Eleanor, "Momma, dad, what's a dragonhood?"

Cody and Eleanor looked at each other and then Cody reached up with his claw to scratch the back of his head. He sheepishly said, "Uhhhh...It's something that adults talk about."

Eleanor nodded in agreement, "Yeah, and we'll tell you what that is, when you're older."

Henry hung his head, "Oh."

Joanna was snickering, then she coughed, "Oh boy, I'm sitting here listening to all this and I want to get on stage to announce the event. Better do it, before Neal does it for me!"

Neal offered her with a laugh, "The stage's all yours, old one!"

She got off her haunches and said to Neal, "Thank you, hon." Then with that, she began to strode her way past the crowd, heading to the stage. All of us were just standing there waiting. We saw her get on that stage and she hollered at everyone here, "Hello everyone! Me, the one and great Joanna's here again! How's everyone doing?" We all cheered at her and everyone just quieted down. Joanna nodded and went on, "Well I think you've been kept long enough. So without further ado. Here's your favorite human, Wayne!"

The crowd cheered and Wayne shook a fist and muttered, "Yes." He began to trek his way through the crowd, after Joanna.

Neal hollered at him, "Good luck!"

Whether Wayne heard him or not, he kept pushing way past several large dragons and made it on stage, few seconds later. Me and all my friends, including Jessie stood with me in silence. He greeted Joanna and she got off stage, leaving him alone. He stood facing the crowd and gave them a wave with a cheery smile. He cleared his throat and looked back at the magic gem. It changed it's color, ready for Wayne to do his thing. Wayne turned to the crowd again, and he closed his eyes tight, thinking hard.

Now about a few seconds later, the music started playing from his head and we can all hear it. Wayne shot his eyes open and he shook his body back and forth in rhythm. My mind clicked as to what he's going to sing. I have heard this music before. It's 'I'll be Alright Without You' by Journey. I figured he was going for Journey. Why wouldn't he?

Wayne's cue to sing came and he did so, "I've been thinking bout the times! You walked out on me! There were moments I'd believe, you were there!! Do I miss you, or am I lying to myself again? I do these things! It's all because of you!" He clutched his chest tight, "I keep holding on, but I'll try! Try not to think of you!" He shut his eyes tight, "Love don't leave me lonely!"

Wayne shot up his hand to the ceiling, "I'll be alright without you!" He lowered it back down, "There'll be someone else, I keep telling myself! I'll be alright without you! Oh, love's an empty face, I can't replace!"

He shook his head to himself, "You don't need it! People wondering why we broke apart! The great pretender here I go again! These things I do! It's all because of you!" He held up his head, "I keep holding on, but I'll try! Try not to think of you!" He reached out his hand to the crowd, "All I wanted was to hold you!" He clenched his fist tight and pulled his arm back, "I'll be alright without you! There'll be someone else, I keep telling myself!"

He shot his fist down to his side, "I'll be alright without you! Love's an empty space! Oh, I've got to replace!!!"

The music break came into the picture and it went on about for about twenty seconds, while Wayne was dancing around. Me and Rain cheered for our friend. The music break was over and Wayne stopped dancing and he started to sing again, "I'll be alright without you! There'll be someone else, I keep telling myself! I'll be alright without you! Oh, love's an empty space, I can still see your face!" He raised both hands to the air, "I'll be alright!"

He shot them both back down and he was tapping his foot and shaking his body back and forth again, and now a guitar solo was being played for about almost a minute. Until the music was fading from his head. The song was over and everyone cheered. The gem behind Wayne changed color again, returning to it's normal color.

Wayne gave a bow to the audience, and ran off the stage. Joanna came up there again, announcing this to everyone, "Alright, now we have another performance, like the last time here. And I think you all know who I'm talking about." She held up her head and said, "Here's another human, who loves to sing here. Who's also another favorite hon of mine. Here's Brandon!"

Rain lowered her head to my back and pushed it with her snout, "You're turn, Brando." I turned to her and smiled. I was walking backwards away from my friends and gave them a wave. I whirled around on them, pushing my way past the crowd. I can remember my first night performing here, how nervous I was. But since that night, I'm not afraid anymore. This feels easy now. I brushed through another big dragon, when I made it to the stage. Joanna smirked at me and she started to walk off the stage to leave me alone on it.

I turned to the whole crowd, knowing that the gem behind me is going to change anyways. Waiting for me to do my thing. My eyes trailed around several dragons. I can see all my friends watching me at the back of the crowd. I see Joanna and Wayne joined up with them. And at one of the tables, I can see the yellow dragoness, who Sebastian forgave is watching me from her table, waving her wing tip at me. I waved back and sighed. Alright Brandon, you know what to do now. I began to think of this song, that the gem will play it's music from my head.

It's 'Is This Love' by Survivor. I closed my eyes and thought hard. Until a few seconds later, the music began to play from my head. It's the keyboard intro to the song, then I can hear other instruments, including drums and the guitar playing.

My time to sing came and I shot my eyes open, "I've heard of talk of blind devotion! Lovers through thick and thin!" I held both hands near my chest, "Lives touched with real emotion! Faithfull till the bitter end!"

"Now, I must admit that the story's attractive!" I shot my hand to my left, "I've lost in far too many affairs! I've seen all the pain that the morning can bring!" I held my hand close to my chest, "I need to prove to myself! This is more than a crush! Can you convince me it's not just a physical rush?"

"Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love that's been keeping me up all night? Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love?"

I was tapping my foot in rhythm, "So many nights in blind confusion! I've walked the line of love!!" I reached up to the ceiling with one hand, "We reach out in disillusion! When one night isn't nearly enough!" I slowly lowered my hand and just held it out in front of me, raising only one finger, "Now, I'd like to know that for once in my life!" I lowered my hand to my side and sang, "I'm sure of what tomorrow may bring! I've heard all your talk, can I take it to heart?" I pointed right at the crowd, "Now look me straight in the eye, cause tonight is the night!" I pulled my hand back to my side, "We've got to ask each other if the moment is right!"

"Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love that's been keeping me up all night? Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love?"

I walked toward the edge of the stage, "I've tread those mean streets, blind alleys! Where the currency of love changes hands!" I spread out my hands and pulled them back, "All touch, no feeling! Just another one night stand!" I looked right at Rain in the crowd, not staring at anyone else, "I need to know if that there's someone who cares!" I pointed right at her, "Could you be the angel to answer my prayer?"

Rain smiled at that and the music break came and I was winking at her. The fifteen second guitar solo ended and I sang again, looking at the whole crowd again, "Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love that's been keeping me up all night? Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love?"

I was smirking as I sang, "Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love that's been keeping me up all night? Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love?"

I shot up my arm to the ceiling, "Is this love?" I was just shaking myself back and forth, as the music played on, until it faded. It was now over, and everyone cheered for my performance. I chuckled a bit, as the gem behind me changed to it's original color. I see my friends cheering too, and I jumped off the stage and ran through the crowd to them. Excusing each dragon, that I walk past.

I even walked past the yellow dragoness and she beamed at me, "That was wonderful, human!"

I laughed and said in gratitude, "Thank you!" I waved and then I continued my trek to my friends. Until I finally made it to them. They were all praising me, but my focus was right on Rain. She looked down at me, with a proud smile shown on her. I got close to her and she lowered her head to where I was at.

She said this, "You really did a nice job."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Hey, I did this once before. I can do it again."

Rain gave me a nod, "Got that right, little guy." I laughed and wrapped my arms around her head, pulling her close to my chest, strolling the underside of her chin. Jessie and the others came over, while me and Rain were like this. Talking and congratulating me. Even Henry was trying to jump on me, while I was embracing Rain. Me and her laughed at that, and we both finally pulled away from each other. I crouched down to hug little Henry tight. He loved it so much and he nuzzled my neck with his cheek. While I was holding Henry, I looked back up at Rain. She didn't take her eyes off of me. I took my gaze off of her and onto Jessie. When I was looking at her, I remember all those encouraging, comforting words she gave me. Jessie knew what I thinking and she gave me a wink. I just smiled at her and I looked up at Rain again. My mind was filled with curiosity now, just looking at her.

Do you love me, Rain? Do you really love me?

Tomorrow, after me and you go to Tommy's house, and after you get your closure...I'll get my answer.