Twenty-one

Every day, I went outside to the edge and watched for my dragon. Every day, it came and it would lay in a large circle with me sitting in the middle, idly talking to it. We'd spend an hour or two together before it was either roared at or had to go on its own for some reason. It was a week later when I got the impression it wanted to give me a ride, but I shook my head. It seemed disappointed and flew off.

The next day when I went to the edge, I waited, and waited, and waited. There was no sign of my dragon. I was sad, because I had thought I had made a friend or maybe had a companion. I liked spending time with the dragon.

To my surprise though, someone else came up and sat beside me. I looked over and recognized the dark eyes. "Switch?"

He smiled. "Hello."

I smiled back. "I haven't seen you in a while."

"I know. I've been busy and haven't had much time to come around." He leaned back on the bench and closed his eyes. "I don't think I caught your name."

"Thelia."

He murmured my name and smiled. "Nice name. What are you doing out here alone?"

I opened my mouth to say I was waiting for someone, then closed it again and thought better of it. "Nothing. Just getting some air."

He nodded. "Have any plans for the afternoon?"

I hesitated, glancing back at the open sky, then sighed to myself. "No, why?"

Switch grinned and sat up, looking at me. "I have an idea!"

And so, I let him take me to his house where he grabbed a few things, then led me to a large building where people were walking in and out of. There was no name, but inside, I saw people on walls, long ropes, and white stuff all over. Switch said it was a climbing gym and that it was fun. I was skeptical, but let him take me inside and show me around.

By the time I returned to the castle I was exhausted and quite dirty. I showered and climbed into bed, where I fell to sleep instantly. The next day Switch took me to a park where we walked around and talked, then had a picnic in the grass. I laughed and joked around with him a lot, and felt myself start to open up.

Months pass and one day I asked him to turn into a dragon. Switch smiled and said, "I'll turn into a dragon if you fly with me."

I hesitated. "I can't."

"Why not?"

I took a step back and didn't look at him. "It's complicated."

Switch shrugged. "How complicated could it be? Just fly with me and have fun."

I shake my head. "I can't, Switch."

He narrowed his eyes. "If you're afraid, all you have to do is say so."

I shook my head again, but didn't have time to say anything else when Otreg came up and put an arm around me. "Hey, Thelia! I need your help with something."

"Sure, what is it?"

I went with Otreg, leaving Switch standing there in frustrated confusion.

After that day, I didn't see him, nor did I see the red dragon. So, I went to a little grassy area and played with some of the children until they had to go. I ended up staying in the attic of the castle for the rest of the day and part of the night.

It was almost two weeks before I saw Switch again. He was in a good mood and took me to his house where he had set his dining table for two, along with a beautiful candle placed in the center. I was surprised and amazed, hugging him. I was pleased for his efforts and let him pull out a chair so I could sit. He then brought out the food.

I was happily sitting with him on his couch after a wonderful dinner of seafood and pasta with chocolate cake for dessert when he said, "I like you, Thelia."

"I like you too, Switch," I breathed.

"Can I kiss you?"

The question made me blush because I had never kissed anyone in my life, but I gave him permission and tilted my head up. He met me in the middle and pressed his warm lips to mine. I didn't know how I felt about it. It wasn't as exciting as some of the girls describe, but it wasn't gross either. I don't know. I just didn't feel right doing it.

I pulled away and looked down to my lap, embarrassed. He didn't say anything and it was silent a long moment until the door to his house was ripped from the hinges and a menacing voice said, "Step away from the girl if you value your life!"