I made it through another day. Dragons are stubborn like that. I set hand to keys and began to type this chapter.
We were in the school was cafe, Kim and I, at the same table. I sort of dipped my head, then went back to my lunch.
"How old are you?" Kim asked.
"Two hundred ten," I replied.
"Come on! How old are you really?"
"I just told you."
She fell silent. What a jerk, I thought.
"Hey, don't believe me. According to the school's records, I'm fifteen." I crossed my arms and smirked. "Of course, the principal got a bucket of lies. It's not easy being on the run."
"What do you mean, 'on the run?' You're here."
"Not for long though. Don't be surprised if I leave within a month. It depends on whether the others have anything to say." Darn, why'd I go and say that?
We parted on that note. I was fuming, but she wouldn't even speak to me.
It just so happens that we had the same route home. She lived a few streets away. I asked her, "What's with all the gossip? Everyone's talking in whispers about 'Kim's arm.' So?"
"My left arm is mechanical," she admitted. "I lost it in an accident. The doctors said it was lucky I survived."
A fighter, I thought. Should I tell her? To which the cautious part of me replied, Not yet.
We walked on for a while, then I blurted, "Listen, why don't you drop by my place? It's not far, and I have it all to myself."
"Sure, why not?" She reached into a pocket and withdrew a silver cell phone. "Uncle, is it all right if I come home late?" She listened for a minute, rolled her eyes, and said, "No, I'm not in love. Give me a break! Yeah, I'll be back in time."
She hung up. "That guy can be a real pain. But he's all the family I have."
"It hurts, doesn't it? Believe me, I know. My whole clutch was wiped out." Oh, not again!
"Your 'clutch,' huh? It sounds like you're a bird." She did a very good imitation of a canary.
"Yeah, well, it's a little more complex than that. Kim, can I trust you to keep a secret?"
"It depends," she said with a malicious grin.
"I am dead serious about this, Kim. Meaning I could be dead if this gets out."
"What could be so important?"
"I'm a dragon in hiding. Don't laugh; it's true!"
She was in fact making a very stern face at me.
"I mean it! You're the only friend I have in this town. Come on, do you believe me?"
"I believe you." She sighed. "I never thought I'd live to see the day. So, what is your name, you know, your real name?"
"Azure," I said quietly. "My name is Azure."
"All right, let's go, Azure." I felt warmth blossom in my heart. It felt good to be called by my real name.
I took her hand, and she didn't object. We formed a sort of pact then, an understanding that went deeper than words.
In short, I had met the love of my life.
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