It's almost noon and I'm at the library. I'm sitting near the big long wooden table, that's about ten feet long by the looks of it.

Me and Rain got up this morning and poor Rain was moaning a bit, all the drinks really got to her. She said that her head was hurting a bit. Poor girl. I guess that'll teach her a big lesson.

Don't drink too much! And don't do it, EVERY NIGHT! Well...I'm sure she's not planning on it, anyways.

Me and Rain didn't do anything much this morning, since she wasn't feeling well and thankfully for me, I was just doing fine. Thank god, I didn't drink as much as her and my other dragon friends. Are they even crazy?

After we woke up, I decided to get something to eat for the two of us. Better than making her get up and walk with me to the Braveheart. She wouldn't like it.

I found an apple vendor outside the motel and found a brown male dragon selling them. I didn't have any money, but the drake gave me a basket full of apples anyway. Saying that they're free of charge.

I know that I wanted to pay him, but I don't have a job here yet and I don't have any money. But...I can at least be grateful for his generosity.

Me and Rain ate all the apples, tasted pretty sweet I'll give them that. Rain had to chew them slow because she thought her stomach was rumbling. Sickly kind of rumbling. She thought she was going to hurl.

But luckily she haven't and soon she came up with an idea after that. She wanted to read me a book and she suggested we go to the library in the dragon city.

At first, I thought it was a bad idea to have her get up, since I thought she was still feeling sick. But she told me she was already feeling better and she got up on all fours. At the moment, I hope she knows what she's doing.

We walked all the way there, and so far she seemed to be doing alright. But she kept moaning and complaining that her head still hurt. I laughed about it a bit and all she did was glare at me.

Hey not my fault you can't control your drinking, it's yours.

After we both got to the library, we both split up and searched for any books that would interest us.

So far, I found five books, because of what the cover looked like. A couple of them looked educational, I think, and a few of them looked like adventure.

I already plopped them on the big wooden table and here I am now, looking through one of them. The title of the book said, well....I couldn't read it, it appears to be in dragon language. But it looked like an adventure novel.

I looked through several pages and saw that every page in the book is all in dragon language. No way I can read that.

It's now wonder humans don't get these books in stores, I can't even make heads and tails on all this mumbo jumbo.

I giggled to myself at the thought. Mumbo jumbo. Rain would laugh at that.

And speak of the devil, I saw that Rain was making her way slowly to my side. She closed her eyes and moaned a bit. She sat down on her haunches and placed a paw on the top of her head, rubbing it to make whatever pain there is go away.

I turned my head from the book and looked up at her. I grinned and asked, "Still hurting, big girl?"

Rain moaned once more and answered, "My head...Ancestors, my head." She let out a frustrated sigh and lowered her paw back down to the floor, "I REALLY should have not drinked that much. Why did I think it was fun last night?"

I shook my head, "Because you were just enjoying yourself."

Rain snorted, "Enjoying myself? You call this enjoying myself? My big head feels like it's about to explode."

I chuckled, "Well be careful when you're drinking like that. Or you're big head will explode."

Rain shook her head, trying to shake the pain off of her, "Talk about a serious headache."

I reached out from the table and gave her chest a tender, comforting rub, "Aw, does my best friend need to go back to bed?"

She glared down at me, "You don't have to baby me up, you little twerp. And you're lucky you're not in the same position as I am."

I pulled my hand back and waved it in front of her, "Hey don't blame it on me, you were the one who-"

"And you don't have to keep rubbing it all in! My head is hurt enough as it is. Also, quit being a headache."

I gave her a mock expression and crossed my arms, "And you're calling me a headache? That ain't nice."

Rain changed her expression and smiled with a tease, "Wasn't supposed to be nice. I'm calling you a headache."

I raised an eyebrow and shot at her, "And that's the things that I get for feeding you apples today?"

Rain shot up her head, "Those apples tasted terrible for my tongue and you didn't stop me from drinking a lot last night."

My jaw dropped in disbelief, "What? You didn't like the apples? And you're blaming ME for your problem? I walked you back home."

She shrugged her shoulders, "Still didn't stop me from drinking a lot though. Also your apples tasted fine, I was kidding about them."

I sighed in relief, "Well at least you were kidding about them." I pointed at her, "And, you told me before that you weren't a big drinker. But you did it anyways. And it was about the same amount as Sebastian and the guys!"

She laughed, "I didn't want to be left out. You could've dranked as much as we did."

I put a hand to my chest and explained, "Woman, I didn't like half the drinks that dragons actually liked. Most of the stuff tasted nasty!"

Rain narrowed her gaze at me, "Well now who's being rude? You don't like the way dragons make their drinks."

I gave her a grin, "You called me a headache, I say that you dragons make bad alcohol."

Rain lowered her head to my level, "That's because you have bad taste buds. Your taste buds can't taste the magnificent drink that my kind makes!"

I curled my lip as I remembered that taste of that freakin drink and said, "It tastes like dragon piss."

Rain's eyes widened and she raised her head and laughed, "Oh my ancestors, Brandon. You think that tasted like dragon piss?" Then she cocked her head, "And how would you know if it's dragon piss? Did you taste it before?"

I shook my head and replied, "No, but I can imagine THAT'S what it tasted like."

She rolled her eyes, "Give me a break. Not my fault you don't like everything that we make."

I smirked and said, "I have my favorites, you have yours."

Rain nodded, "That's right human, we have our favorites." She lowered her head to my forehead and her nose gave it a rub, "And you're my favorite."

I reached up to pet her nose and she licked my hand. I giggled and asked, "So did you find any books, while you were moaning and groaning?"

She groaned a bit and rolled her eyes, "IF you must know, no I haven't. I guess I wasn't really in the mood for looking for a book, I was just thinking that you'd find one so I'd read it to you."

I gestured to the books on the table and she looked at them. Her face went wide, "Wow...Looks like you've beat me to it."

I shrugged my shoulders and replied, "Well I was just looking just like I said I would and found them. They seemed...Interesting."

She looked closer at one of the books I was reading and said, "Trying to read one on your own? That must be tough on you."

I said, "Well I can't make heads or tails on this at all. Pretty much looks like mumbo jumbo to me."

Rain moved her head a bit to look at me, an amused grin on her face, "Mumbo jumbo? What else are you going to criticize what my kind makes?"

I laughed and shook my head, "I'm not criticizing the way your kind writes. I just criticize how your kind make your drinks."

She moaned in pain again and pleaded, "Can we please not talk about it anymore? Maybe if we not talk about anymore, the headache might go away."

I playfully said, "Or I might go away, since you told me that I'm a headache to you."

She chuckled and said, "That too." We both laughed and I gave her cheek a stroke. Rain said after that, "Well since you got me something to read, I'll read this one to you. Since you already started to read it."

I said as she shifted her body closer to mine, getting ready to read to me, "Well I wouldn't say reading it, since I can't read it at all."

Rain nodded, "Hmmm, well human, I'm going to start reading it to you, and maybe I'll teach you a few things about how to read my kind's writing."

I nodded at the idea, "Well I was planning to have Sebastian teach me how to read that kind of thing, but since we're here might as well say why not."

Rain smiled and then she lifted a paw to move the book closer toward her on the table. Then she turned to the first page and began to read the tale of the book out loud to me.

She read about a few chapters to me and what that book's about, it's about two clans of dragons going to war with each other and we have the main character who is a drake. And he got so wounded from battle and he's trying to make his way back home from enemy territory. Trying to return to his family.

That guy must have had spirit and talk about an interesting tale she's reading.

She took a break from reading to me and she decided to teach me how to read her language. She found another book to teach me to read and she started teaching me how to read her language.

Rain's being a good teacher and I can actually remember a few words as she repeated them. And as I read to that book she read to me, I can now read a sentence, in dragon language! Not bad on my first try.

Of course, she does have a lot to teach me and I'll have Sebastian teach me later as well.

Me and her were done with reading for today and me and her put the books that I've picked off the shelves away. Then me and Rain went outside the library, having a long stroll in the city.

Rain brought up an interesting topic about reading as she padded beside me, "And I can tell you the truth, I know how to read your human language."

I turned my head to look at her, frowning in disbelief, "What? That's bull."

Rain laughed, "Somehow, I knew you'd say that." She looked at me and said, "I'm not kidding. I really know how to read human. In fact, after I met Wayne and Amanda years ago, they taught me how to read their language like there was no tomorrow. Even Sierra, Neal, Joanna, Eleanor and Cody know how to read your language."

I dropped my frown and smiled at that, "You're really not making it up, are you?"

Rain tossed up her head, "Trust me when I say it, if I was at one of your human towns and if I was reading what you humans call a newspaper, I'd be reading it so well, all the humans around me would all stare at me wide eyed." She shifted her wing tip toward me, "Even you."

I laughed and nodded, "Oh, I'd imagine what my expression would be. And...Your guess would be correct."

Rain looked at me and said, "Well I can read another book to you, if you want. A human book, the one you can read. It used to belong to Sierra and it now belongs to me."

I asked, "Oh really? And you read human books all the time now?"

Rain shook her head and replied, "Not all the time, just every once in a while. I even read Sierra's favorite a lot."

I gestured to her and asked, "What's it called?"

Rain giggled, held up her head high and answered with a high regal voice, "The Princess of Landra!"

I frowned at the title, "You said that it's a human book?" She looked down at me and nodded. I shook my head, "Never heard of it."

Rain burst out laughing, "It's probably because it's an old one, silly!"

My eyes went wide a bit at that, "Oh....Make sense now."

She chuckled some more and she teased, "You're silly, you know that?"

I sighed and playfully rolled my eyes, "I am silly sometimes."

Rain asked with a frown, "So, do you want me to read that story to you? It's actually pretty good. Your kind would call it a romance novel of some sort, but still it's pretty good. No wonder Sierra reads it so much."

I nodded and smiled, "Sure, it sounds interesting."

Rain nodded in agreement and she looked ahead and so did I. Up ahead to both our surprise, we saw Jessie walking with Rain's brother. Strolling side by side, they appeared to be laughing about something.

Both our eyes went wide at the sight. What in the world?

Are Jessie and Rain's brother...Strolling together?

Me and Rain glanced at each together and we glanced back at them. Rain asked with disbelief in her voice, "Alright, either we're day dreaming, or we're both seeing this for real. Is that my brother with your girlfriend?"

I giggled in disbelief and muttered without looking at her, "Apparently so. And they're laughing together."

Rain started to form a smile on her face, "I can't believe it. My own brother is with a human. And it's your girlfriend."

I shot a narrowed face at her, "Not my girlfriend, Rain."

She giggled and looked at me, "Not yet, my friend. Not yet."

I rolled my eyes at her, "Well better not get your hopes up, if she doesn't want to be with me that way."

Rain chuckled again and started padding towards them, "Come on, lets say hello to my dear brother."

I was just happy to oblige at that and I started to jog after her, as she took fast strides. I still can't believe my eyes as I looked at Jessie and Rain's brother together.

I wonder what made Rain's brother change his mind? I thought he hated my kind so much and didn't want anything to do with us.

I wonder what Jessie did to convince him differently about us? I wonder what she did to make him so...Happy?

Well we're about to find out as me and Rain caught up to them and Rain hollered happily to her brother, "Brother! You having a nice stroll today?"

Rain's brother and Jessie were walking away from us when they both heard us. They both whirled around and they both grinned at our presence. Jessie even waved hello at us as we got close.

Rain's brother nodded at her in acknowledgement, "Well hello to you too, sister. I see you're mighty happy today."

She laughed and sat down on her haunches in front of them, "I'm happy? Look at yourself, you're laughing with a human."

Rain's brother glanced down at her and sat down on his haunches, "Of course I was. I was laughing at her joke."

Rain cocked her head, "Oh really? And do you care to share with us?"

Rain's brother was about to start with a devious grin, "Well it was-"

Jessie's stern voice cut him off, "Frankie!" Rain's brother looked down at her looking annoyed.

Me and Rain both frowned at what Jessie said. We both asked in unison, "Frankie?"

Jessie looked at us and said with a smile, "That's right guys. I named this drake, Frankie." Then she asked us, "Nice name, huh?"

Rain smiled and nodded, "It's a fine human name for my brother."

Rain's brother who turned out to be named Frankie shrugged his wings and shoulders, "Seems okay to me. But I love my old name better. It suits me"

Jessie playfully rolled her eyes and said in a tease, "Oh please, you do love that name. You said so to me the other day. Don't deny it."

Frankie hissed at her, "Jessie, I'm not denying anything." He shot up his head, "I love my old name and I'll bear it proudly."

She gestured him with her thumb, "Look who's being macho. He won't admit it in front of you."

Rain laughed and lowered her head to Jessie's level, "He's always macho. Other than being overprotective, he's pretty macho." She raised her head to Frankie's level, "He's pretty much an egomaniac too, once you get to know him."

Frankie stuck his tongue out at her, "Sister, I'm not an egomaniac."

Rain rolled her eyes, not buying it at all, "You keep telling yourself that. We're siblings brother, so don't bother hiding it from me. How long have we lived together, hmmm?"

Frankie shot a glare at her for a moment and he finally let out a defeated sigh, "Fine...I love my name."

She cocked her head, and raised a brow. And Frankie added with emphasis, "MY HUMAN NAME, SISTER."

She nodded and giggled, "I knew it and Jessie knew it too."

I shook my head, giggled and lied, "I never had." Rain turned her head to look down at me with a frown, trying to read me. I looked at her and laughed, "I knew it too, big girl!"

Rain shot up her head and snorted, "Well good, because I was afraid you weren't good at catching on."

I reached out to give her leg a pat, "I was kidding, so no need to worry about THAT."

Rain grinned and looked at her brother, "And is there anything ELSE, you want to admit?" She giggled and asked in a taunting tone, "Want to admit that you're an egomaniac too?"

Frankie glared at her, "What makes you think I'm like that? That still sounds like bull crap."

Rain giggled a bit, "Oh, there are a few reasons why I think that, brother. But I'll only say one, so that way I won't hurt your ego."

Frankie shouted at her in irritation, "I don't have an ego!" Then me, Rain, and Jessie all laughed at his outburst.

Jessie reached out to rub his leg and asked with a bit of a teasing tone, "Aw, don't fret big guy. She's just giving you a hard time."

Frankie looked down at her and growled a bit, "You didn't try to defend for me, girl. And now I'm regretting being your friend already."

Jessie got closer to his leg and embraced it, pressing her forehead against it, "Aw, you don't mean that. You love me being your friend." She looked up at him while she's hugging him, "Besides, you said last night that I didn't annoy much as you thought I would."

Frankie playfully grinned down at her, "You are now, girl. You are now."

Jessie gave him a mock gasp and removed her embrace off him, "And how am I annoying you?"

"Siding with my sister and the human with a small dragonhood."

Rain tried to stifle a laugh with her paw, while my cheeks were turning a deep shade of red. Curses dragon!

Rain burst out laughing as she saw my cheeks flush. I shot a glare a her and asked with anger in my voice, "What's so damn funny?"

Rain answered, while her eyes were all teary from laughing, "Your cheeks, human. You're starting to turn into Neal."

I groaned and I said to Frankie with a bit of a sneering tone, "My dragonhood is not small, big man."

Frankie growled teasingly and gestured a paw towards me, "Well care to show it?"

My cheeks turned more redder, like they were turning purple at that and I glared at him, "NO!"

Jessie had a confused look and asked Frankie, "Hey, you still haven't told me what a dragonhood is."

Frankie laughed and said to her, "Maybe later."

I waved her off and said it as well, "Yeah, maybe later."

Jessie whined in frustration, "Are you kidding me? You're not telling me this now?" She glared at me, then at him and crossed her arms, "What kind of game is this?"

Frankie shook his head with a big grin, "No game, just not telling you yet."

Rain giggled and said, "Well I hope you two don't keep the girl waiting, she seems eager to hear it."

Jessie then turned to Rain, with her arms still crossed, "How about you tell me? You seem to know it too."

Rain shook her head with a big grin too, "Can't do it girlfriend. Only my brother and Brandon can tell you that."

Jessie let out a big sigh, "Damn it." All of us laughed, except Jessie. Who still had an curious and angry look on her face.

All of us stopped laughing and Jessie softened her look and uncrossed her arms. Frankie twisted his neck to pop it and said, "Well I'm going to get back to my stroll, so I'll see you later." He looked down at Jessie, "You coming with me, or are you going to hang with my sis and your mate with the small dragonhood?"

I was a bit ticked with embarrassment and I shouted, "It's not small, it's BIG!"

Frankie tossed up his head and laughed his black head off. He stopped laughing and said, "I'll believe it when you show me, okay little pal?"

I was just glaring at him, while my cheeks were flushing again. I gave him a grr of irritation.

Jessie giggled and shook her head, answering his question, "Actually, I'm gonna be with them a bit and then I'll catch up. Are you still going to the fountain?"

Frankie nodded and Jessie beamed, "Good, I'll meet you there when I'm done with them." Frankie lowered his head to her level and gave her cheek a small nuzzle. Jessie caressed his cheek when he did that and said, "I'll see you, big guy."

Frankie looked at me and Rain, while he raised his head above her level, "I'll see you later sis, and as for you human with a small dragonhood, see you around too." He gave me a smile, "Your friend's really nice, I'll give her that."

I was getting more annoyed and irritated by his comments about my thing, but I just rolled with it, "See you later and thanks for getting along with her."

Rain nodded at what I said and said this to Frankie, "Yes, that's right. I'm very proud that you're giving Jessie a chance. I can tell you're liking her."

Frankie got up on all fours and shrugged his shoulders, "Oh, she's alright. I just wish I've done it sooner. She's actually great company at my house. She even spent the night with me."

My eyebrows were raised and so was Rain's. We both asked in unison, "She spent the night in your house?"

Jessie and Frankie laughed at the same time and Frankie whirled around on us, "See you later, gonna have some alone time." And with that he strolled away, until he went around the corner of the street.

Both mine and Rain's expressions softened and Rain asked this to Jessie with a smile, "You spent the night at his house?"

I shrugged my arms and asked as well, "Did you really spent the night with him?"

Jessie laughed again and waved both her hands at us, "God guys, don't sound so surprised. It's no big deal." Then she added with a shrug of her shoulders, "Well okay, maybe a little."

I frowned at her, "So how'd you pull it off? Is that where you've been yesterday? You were hanging with HIM the whole day?"

Jessie nodded and answered one of the questions, "It wasn't really easy getting to be with him at first. I just found him walking back home and I talked to him."

Rain cocked her head, "What happened?"

Jessie looked up at her, "First off, he wasn't real happy to see me. He really didn't want me talking to him and all that. But I didn't back down. I...I told him that I was still sorry for running away from the city during the night and about starting the fight with those three dragons."

She sighed and went on, "He still didn't trust me and then I asked him why he hated my kind so much and...Well..." She gestured to Rain, "I think you know."

Rain nodded with a pity look on her face, "I do."

I looked at Rain and I knew what Jessie was getting at. Frankie must have told Jessie about his parents being dead by humans and that's the whole reason why he hated my kind.

Jessie said, "Frankie told me all that and I was telling him that I wouldn't hurt him. It took me a lot of convincing and he actually said that I could be with him. Get to know him and all that. I named him Frankie and I was with him all day." Then she grinned, "And I even spent the night with him and he's such a good sleeper!"

Me and Rain smiled at that and Jessie went on, "He's not really bad, when you get to know him. He may be stubborn and angry, but he does care though." She shrugged her shoulders, "Even he's too macho to show it, but he really cares."

Rain nodded and took a step toward Jessie, "Well I'm really glad that he made up with you and that he made up with humanity. At least, now he'll stop being so overprotective of me being with you guys and loosen up for a change."

Jessie nodded three times at that, agreeing with her a hundred percent, "Yep."

Rain lowered her head to Jessie's level and gave her chest a nuzzle with her cheek, "Thank you. I...Tried to change him for years and he never listened. But I'm glad he had a chance to listen to a human for once."

Jessie nodded while Rain pulled back from her chest, "He just needed one human to really talk to him, because none had. But...I'm glad too, that he'd listen to reason from me." Jessie reached out to place a hand to Rain's nose, returning the gratitude, "And you're welcome. Your brother's not so bad."

Rain nodded, "He really isn't." She raised her head and sighed. She looked at me, "So, what do you want to do now?"

I glanced to my left and then to my right. I looked up at her after that and replied, "I'm going to find Sebastian, see if he's at his house right now."

Rain giggled deviously, "Oh boy, he probably has a big headache from last night."

I laughed and said, "Probably."

Jessie frowned at us, "Wait, what did I miss? Who's Sebastian?"

Rain looked at her and replied, "Tell you what, lets go find my brother together and while we're at it, I'll tell you everything that me and Brandon yesterday." Jessie smiled and nodded. Then Rain looked back at me and said, "I'll see you around."

I waved at her as she started to walk away from me, "See you later and I'll hold the thought about you reading that book to me."

Rain looked back at me over her shoulder, while she was strutting away and winked, "You can count on that." Jessie came strolling beside her and the two of them were gone. Leaving me alone on the street.

I let out a sigh and I made my trek elsewhere. Heading to Sebastian.

I hope he had better luck than Rain did this morning.

*****

For about an hour ago, I was already at Sebastian's house, but he wasn't home. I knocked his front door twice and he never answered. So I figured he was off somewhere.

I went looking for him, since in a way he just reminds me of my own father and I want to give him as much company as I possibly could. He really has been alone without the friends that he grew up with and his mate and child.

I remembered what Rain said to me last night, that the only reason why he goes to the tavern a lot is to cope with the pain of losing them both. And I have to agree with her. It's no wonder he goes there and drinks a lot.

I mean he could chug down a whole lot of whatever it is that dragons make and he would feel a lot better, until the next day at least. He probably has a serious headache, just like Rain did.

Well since he's gone from his house, I might as well look for him. So I went to the tavern first, but he wasn't there. Since it's a little bit early to go drinking today. I bet he'd prefer to drink at night. Us humans do that too.

I wandered in the streets, just asking any dragon that I could ask if anyone seen him.

Of course, it was hard to really describe Sebastian since no one really doesn't know him just like they know Neal and Sierra, no one doesn't know the human name I gave him. All I keep describing about him is, he's an old bronze dragon. That's pretty much the best I can come up with.

After for a long time of just wandering, I finally ended up at the gardens at the east side of the dragon city. Beautiful flowers of all kinds all over the place. The sunlight shining brightly on all of them. From what I can tell of how they're made, they're several patches of dirt on the ground, instead of stone just like everywhere else. That's how the flowers are grown here. I guess it's no wonder that they're gardens in this part of the city.

I smiled at the whole thing. I think that whatever ancestor made this city, made the gardens here too. There's no stone ground around here, only dirt. Even standing here, I could smell the flowers. They smell great, actually.

This place is beautiful and I'm surprised that Rain hasn't shown me this place yet. Then I heard a sneeze nearby and I looked to see a big green female dragon has sneezed again. Her mouth and nose, blowing some of the flowers away. I giggled at the sight. I guess, I can see why Rain didn't want to bring me here.

I think some dragons don't like the smell of the flowers, or they just don't like it when the smells tickle their noses. Their sensitive noses.

I think Jessie would love this place, if she's a flower person.

Since Sebastian is off my mind for now, I trampled around the flowers, being careful not to step on them. I made my way on a dirt trail between the flowers. I wanted to get a flower for Jessie, but which one should I get?

Then Rain's face came to mind and I smiled again. I guess I can give her one too.

For all the pain she went through, her parents dying, that drake mounting her without her permission, losing Tommy.

I think for all the pain she went through, she deserved to have a flower from me.

Actually when I think about it...I wonder if Tommy ever gave her a flower?

I nodded once to myself. Well if he did, then I'll be the second human to give her one.

I'll give her one just for being my best friend and for comforting me about mom. For being my angel. My black scaled angel.

I'll even give it to her for helping me have the courage to fly on her back. I can still never forget that night.

I'd bet if Jessie flew on any dragon's back, she'd be surprised by the power to fly into the sky. Just like I was.

I concentrated on what flower I should give them. I'm not really a flower person, but since my mother is a big fan of flowers, I know some of them.

I see several roses on the ground, several of them red, yellow and white. I saw several trumpet lilies, those are my mom's favorite. I also see daisies, too.

But there are also several other different flowers that I have no idea what they are, but beautiful nevertheless.

I looked at another group of roses and came up with what I want. I'll take the red rose for Jessie and a white rose for Rain. They'll both love them. I bent down to pick them off the ground, being careful with them as well.

A shadow was over me and I noticed it. I whirled around after I pick the roses and saw that Sebastian is actually here with me. He has a very big grin across his scaled face, "Hi, Brandon! I didn't expect to see you here today."

I beamed at him and waved, "Hi there, big bronze dude, what's shaking?"

Sebastian had a frown and cocked his head, "What's shaking?" Then he shot up his head, "Well I bet it'd be my tail, that's what!"

I laughed hard and then slapped my knee, "No, silly. What's shaking, means what's up? Then I shrugged my shoulders, "So what's up? I went to your house today, but you weren't there. I looked all over you." I counted one finger, "I went to the tavern." I counted another one, "I went to the big fountain." I spread out my arms and giggled, "I looked all over for you actually. Asking around for you and all that."

Sebastian cocked his head, "You were looking for me? All over the city?"

I nodded and smiled, "Of course. I'd figure you would love my company today."

He smirked at me, "Well I thought after the fun night we all shared, I think you'd be tired."

I shook my head, "Actually, I'm not." Then I giggled, "But poor Rain said that her head was hurting because of last night. She dranked a lot."

Sebastian tossed back his head and laughed, "Oh, I had a feeling she would. And I'd bet Cody and Neal's heads are hurting too." Then he groaned and placed a paw on his head to rub it, "My head has been hurting all morning, but I'm good now. Not the first serious headache I had."

I nodded, "Good, then that means I'd be good company today."

He dropped his paw to the ground and lowered his head to me, "Of course you'd be great company. I wouldn't mind it one bit." he raised his head above my level and said, "I really had a fun time with you and your friends last night. I think all of you are better than the friends I grew up with."

I had an uncertain look and shook my head, "I don't think we could be better than the friends you grew up with."

Sebastian waved me off with his paw, "Oh please, your friend Neal really reminds me of this handsome drake that always became my best friend. A real comrade if you ask me." He giggled a little, "Poor Neal got his eggs kicked by Amanda, she really did warn him to behave himself."

I shrugged my arms and chuckled a bit too, "Well Neal became weird with her and....He looked like he....He...." I didn't want to say it, but the way he was looking at her, the way he licked her chest, and after he got kicked in the eggs and after Amanda apologized, it was the way they both looked deeply into each others eyes. I can't get that out of my head.

It looked like those two are not best friends. They both looked like they were lovers. A dragon and a human.

Did those two actually love each other, that way? How's that possible?

But I'm probably wrong about it. I drinked last night too and I probably had a wild imagination because of it.

They probably just care for each other so much, that they would protect each other. Amanda was looking out for him after she hurt him. That those two are the best friends they could ever had.

I need to quit thinking that way. I think I'm just going crazy.

Sebastian asked with curiosity in his voice, "You ok, human?"

I shook all the ridiculous thoughts and nodded, "Yeah, sorry. I just had...Something on my mind."

Sebastian frowned, "Funny, because you were just talking about Neal being weird and you just trailed off." Sebastian then let out a sigh, "Oh, most drakes get weird when they're drunk. That's normal. But at least, he apologized for his behavior." He frowned again, "Although, come to think of it, he did appear to be so into her, like she was a dragoness." He shrugged his shoulders, "But I think it's silly to think that way. I never even heard that such things are possible."

I looked down at the ground, still having that thought in my brain, "I guess."

Sebastian smiled down at me, "But I still had some fun with you guys. All of you were the best company, this old drake could have." He nodded to me, "I liked your best friend Rain too. She's really nice, just like all your friends."

I looked up at him and smiled back, "Thank you. You told me to bring my friends to meet you and I did."

He nodded again, "And I'm glad you did." Then he looked at the flowers, taking his gaze off me.

I gestured to him and to the flowers around me, "So what are you doing in a place like this? Come to think of it, I didn't expect to find you here either." Then I tried to stifle a giggle, "I thought you wouldn't like all the flowers because they'd make you sneeze."

Sebastian looked down at me and shook his head, "Oh, ancestors no. I love the flowers." He looked up at the sky, "I was just a hatchling when my folks told me about the gardens here. That the ancestors built this part of the city because of the flowers beauty. That the ancestors planted the first seeds in the dirt and they started growing."

I grinned, "I didn't think your kind was into gardening."

Sebastian looked down at me, "Not all of us are. Not every dragon thinks that a flower means life. That flowers always bring life to our hearts."

I nodded at what he said, "I agree with you on that. My mother is always a big flower girl. She said the same thing to me before."

Sebastian smiled at me, "Your mother has good taste."

I replied, "Thank you." Then I asked with a look of curiosity, "So how do you dragons keep the flowers alive? Do you water them?"

Sebastian answered, "The big stone fountain nearby always has water, and there's a big wooden bucket there too. One dragon picks up the bucket, fills it up with water, carries it in its jaws and then waters the flowers for the day." Sebastian shrugged his shoulders, "The rainstorms that come up here always helps out too. So that's how the flowers are being kept alive."

Sebastian dipped his head and sighed, "But unfortunately, the snow seasons that come here always kills them." He looked at my face and smiled, "But later on, as a few months come by and the snow doesn't come down anymore, the flowers grow back to its beauty."

I nodded, "They always do."

Sebastian had a sad look on his face and I had a concerned look on mine, "What's wrong?"

Sebastian looked at the flowers and answered, "This is where I first met my mate."

My eyebrows were raised, "Really?"

He nodded and gave a small grin, "Yes....This is the place where we first met." He started to walk away from me, to walk on the trail between the flowers. I followed close next to him and he went on, "I was a hatchling when I came here, since I really loved the flowers so much. I just admired what they looked like. My mate was a hatchling too when I met her. She loved the flowers too, just like me."

He stopped and pointed at the roses with a claw, "Even those, they always look beautiful every time I look at them."

I said to him, "They're called roses."

Sebastian chuckled a bit, "Roses...I never knew what any flower was called. I knew that humans called them flowers and that's how my kind knows what to call them." He shook his head at that, "But I never knew that those flowers are called roses."

I nodded and looked at the roses too, "Yeah...That's what they're called."

Both of us were just staring at the roses for a few moments and then Sebastian said with a unhappy sigh, "I gave one of those to my mate years ago."

I turned my head to him, "Really?"

He nodded, "Years after we met and a couple years after we became together that way, I gave her that one." He pointed at a white rose, "She said it was the most beautiful thing I've ever given her. Really made her happy that day." Sebastian closed his eyes and sighed, "That was also the day that she knew I was really the one and we became full on mates. That we shared our first mating together, hours after I gave her that white flower. She...She really is just like this rose as you'd call it."

I had a sad look for him and I reached out to pet his leg, trying to comfort him, "It's okay, big guy. She knows that you still live for her. I think that's what she wanted."

Sebastian opened his eyes, they showed pain and he said, "I never told you this before, but....Do you know why I go to the tavern a lot?"

I nodded, "I figured it out why. You just want to forget the pain. That's why you drink so much."

Sebastian nodded and admitted, "I know that I feel like I'm such an ass for doing that a lot, I never was like that before she died and before my son left. I really was a different drake back then. I was just a strong, dashing drake and a couple of those things have happened and they really have broken me." Then he looked away from me and the gardens, like he was staring at a distant land, "I honestly for a long time, felt like I wanted to be with them. That I wanted to venture out of the city and let any dragon slayer kill me. Just to kill me for all the misery that happened to me."

I muttered in sadness for him, "Ohhhh."

Sebastian still didn't look at me as he said this, "But I think the only thing that really kept me alive, was seeing any family wander in the park. That's why I walk in the park a lot to watch families go by. They always keep me alive during the day and night."

I stroked his leg again and said, "Sebastian...I'm really sorry for your pain. I never knew that you've felt this way." I glanced away a bit, "I thought you'd be over it by now, but after Rain brought up the fact that you drink a lot even when you're old, it makes me think you're not even over it at all."

Sebastian looked down at me and asked, "Why do you think I like company so much?"

I turned my head to him and answered the question, "So you wouldn't feel alone anymore, I'm sure that's why." I looked down at the ground and said, "I get it now. I get the whole reason why you like company a lot. You don't like being alone, you didn't feel alone back then, but you do now." I looked at him and said this, "I get it old man."

Sebastian giggled a little, "I'm still glad we've met. You read me all too well." He lowered his head to my level and nuzzled my chest, "You...Really are such a nice young human. And...I think your mother would be proud."

I said it out loud, as I leaned my head onto his, "My father would be too."

Poor Sebastian. He really misses them. His mate and his son.

I can really relate to him. When my dad died, I've missed him. Missed him so much, that I wanted him back. He...Was the best father a son could ever had.

Then an idea came to me, about how I should help out the old dragon here. To really make him happy. To really cheer him up.

Maybe I should take him out of the city for a little while. Just to get him out of here for a bit. I'll even bring Rain and the others with us.

Maybe a couple days out in the wilderness will help him more than right now. He probably hasn't left the city for a long time.

I pulled my head back and Sebastian pulled his head away from my chest. We both looked at each other and I said, "Hey Sebastian."

He replied, "Yeah, Brandon?"

I smiled at him, "I have an idea. That me, you and my friends can do something together for tomorrow."

He frowned and cocked his head a little, "What?"

"How about that all of us leave the city tomorrow and just spend a couple of days in the wilderness? Just to get away from the city for a little while."

Sebastian's eyes went wide and he asked, "Really? You want to leave the city tomorrow?"

I nodded, "Yeah, why not? All of us can leave the city to go exploring. I'm sure it'd be fun for you." I gave him a pleading and hopeful look, "So what do you say, huh? Want to leave the city with us? Just this once?"

Sebastian hummed and only moved his eyes up to the sky, deep in thought, "Well I haven't been outside the city for years and...It has been a long time...." He slowly started to nod and looked at my face, "Alright kid, I'll do that."

I beamed at him, "Good. Then I'll ask the others if they want to come too. I'm sure they won't deny my invitation."

Sebastian started to chuckle a little, "I bet they won't. I remember those woods all too well." He was about to raise his head above my level, until he saw the flowers in my hand, a little surprised by the way he looks, "Oh, I haven't noticed you had those. Why do you have them?"

I looked at the roses in my hand and I raised them to his face, "They're gifts for two of my friends."

Sebastian smiled at me, "Well that's very nice of you. Us dragons really love gifts." Then he raised his head and added, "Even for someone that you care about the most. I can still remember my gift to my mate, up to this day."

I blushed a bit after he said that. One of them is the person that I care about the most. And it's Jessie.

Then suddenly I had this weird warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I put my other hand on it, to rub it a bit. Strange...Where did that come from?

I never felt that feeling before.

I think I was thinking about Jessie, before it came up.

Or was it something else? I can't picture it now.

Why do I feel weird?

Sebastian whirled around on me and I ducked under his tail, my feeling went away in an instant. I groaned a bit, but not loud enough for him to hear. Might as well roll with it on this one.

Sebastian looked over his shoulder and said, "Well come on, young one. Time to walk with the old drake again." And with that, he started to walk off, while I was just standing in the same spot, watching him walk off a bit.

I smiled at him. He's really lucky to have me around. Actually, he's real lucky to have me and my friends. Even me.

Sebastian...You're not alone anymore.

You have been alone for such a long time, but you're not anymore.

I'm sorry for what happened to you....Dad.

Losing the woman you love and your child, it's tough. VERY tough.

I wish that you didn't lose them, especially your son.

I wish...That I told you about what I have wanted. Something that I've wanted for such a long time.

After my father died...I wanted my father back. We both wanted our families back.

If there's any consolation Sebastian...I'd be your son. Because I also wanted a father figure.

You remind me so much of my father. In a big way, you're just like him. Kind, caring, and sincere. Even my mother would've seen it too.

I wish I've told you all this, but...Maybe some other time. Maybe when we're outside the city tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, I'll tell you everything that I've wanted.

I know one day, I'll call you dad and you'll call me son.

I know I will...Dad.

Then my weird feeling in my stomach came back and I was rubbing it again. That feeling again.

I held up my hand that has the roses and looked straight at them. I frowned.

That feeling....Is it...Love?

I think my mother told me about this feeling, when she told me how she met dad. She said she felt that warm fuzzy feeling and that was years ago.

Am I really in love? That's the first time it ever happened to me. I never had that feeling before. Not once.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on remembering what I'd thought before it went away the first time.

Was I thinking about Jessie? I thought I did, but now I'm not so sure. Was it someone else?

Was I thinking about someone else and I can't picture it now?

Am I...Not in love with Jessie at all? Why am I thinking that way? Jessie's beautiful and she's kind.

Am I...In love with someone else?

Who? Now I'm just confusing myself.

I saw that Sebastian far up ahead, actually noticed I wasn't with him and he whirled around and waited for me. My eyes went wide.

Oh crap! I've been so deep in thought, the old drake's waiting for me!

I gripped tightly on the roses in my hand and sprinted up to him. Don't want to keep the old man waiting.

*****

Me and Sebastian are walking side by side on the streets, on our way to the Braveheart, under the sunset sky. The roses still in my hand.

It has been about several hours since me and him were in the gardens together, and I've kept him company ever since.

We both talked about a lot of things at his house, what we liked and all that stuff, he talked about his mate and son and I was talking to him about my mother. I haven't really told him much about my father.

I told him how long mom and dad were married before dad died and I could tell by Sebastian's face that he didn't know what marriage is. Which that made me laugh at that. I actually explained to him what marriage is and when he got the picture, he said that dragons don't need marriage to be together. It's always natural to be together with someone you love and mate, and have hatchlings. Love is always a thing when it came to us. No need to do anything formal, like what humans called marriage. Always follow what your heart desires.

Well that pretty much explains that marriage doesn't exist when it comes to being a dragon. Unless you want to call mate as marriage, but I don't think mate and marriage is the same thing. They don't need marriage to be together at all. That seems....Simple enough when you're a dragon.

So we talked for a long time and when the late afternoon came, I suggested that we both go eat at the Braveheart. He happily agreed to it, since we both heard his stomach rumble. And god, he has a LOUD stomach!

So me and him are almost there now, and we could see the restaurant up ahead. And standing at the entrance is Rain, Jessie, Frankie, Wayne, Cody, Eleanor, and their son Henry.

I smiled at all of them and waved as me and Sebastian came toward them, "Hey guys!"

Rain and the others saw us and they had smiles. Henry with his little legs ran fast toward me and said with a happy gleam, he was like a puppy dog greeting his master when he bounded up to me, "Brandon!"

I crouched to the ground and reached out to him, "Hey little buddy. How are you doing?"

I touched Henry's head and he giggled. I pull my hand back and Henry said, "I'm with my mommy and daddy to watch uncle Wayne singing here."

My eyes went wide and I stood straight up off the ground, "Really? That's cool!" I looked at Wayne and the others as they bounded up to me as well.

Rain beamed at Sebastian beside me, "Well hello there old one, I see you're feeling well. Haven't have any headaches today?"

Sebastian groaned a little at the word headache, "You know what girl, I'm just glad that I am feeling better. I couldn't take the pain all too well."

Rain let out a pained sigh, "I can relate old man. I can relate."

Cody nodded in agreement, "Me too. My head was hurting!" Then he shook his head, "I better stay away from that stuff for a LONG WHILE. My head felt like it was cracking open this morning! My mate had to give me some herbs to help me feel better."  He groaned with a snort, "And I don't like those herbs at all."

Sebastian gave a small hearty laugh and said, "Glad you had fun yourself, young dragon."

Eleanor cocked her head at Sebastian, "Are you Sebastian by any chance?"

Sebastian nodded at Eleanor, "Oh yes dear, I am." Then he motioned her with his chin, "And you must be the beautiful mate that Cody has been talking about."

Eleanor nodded and smugly grinned, "I see that my green mate here has told you a lot about me."

Sebastian said, "Oh yes. And he also mentioned that you two actually did something naughty at the Drake's Tooth years ago."

Eleanor laughed and responded, "That was how Henry's egg came about!" Then all of us laughed at that, except Henry, who's very confused by the whole thing. All he did was cock his head at his mother.

Cody looked down at his son and said, "Nothing to worry about son. It's mommy and daddy's private stuff."

Henry still had his head cocked, "What is private stuff?"

Eleanor lowered her head to her son's level, "Just something that grown ups talk about." She gave his small chin a lick, "And that means you're not old enough to know this stuff."

He whined, "Aw, come on! When can I?"

She gave him a stern look, "When you're older, honey." He whined again and she raised her head above his level.

Sebastian giggled a little bit, while he looked down at Henry, "Such a cute little guy. He actually looks like you Cody."

Cody shot up his head and gave a grin in gratitude, "Thank you!"

Wayne patted Cody's neck, "Yeah and soon, he'll look even more like his daddy when he's older."

Rain laughed, "Yeah, he'll be a little green runt just like his father was." She grinned mischievously at Cody, "Actually, he still looks like a little green runt."

Cody shot a glare at her, "At least, I'm not blind to see how big I am, like you."

Rain shot up her head and rolled her eyes, "Typical of you. A drake with full of ego." She pointed her wing tip at her brother, "Just like Frankie here. He's full of ego too."

Frankie hissed at her, "Sister, you have an ego too."

Rain laughed a little at that, "I do NOT! I don't show off about how good of a flier I was, when I was younger!"

Frankie shot back, "At LEAST, I didn't run away from a toad when I was hatchling. You ran away when you saw one, scared to death of it."

I laughed at that while Rain blushed a little at that. I could see red on her black cheeks. I exclaimed to her, "You were scared of a toad back then?"

Rain shuddered a bit, "Well the toad looked ugly and scary." She tossed back her head, "Besides, I'm bigger than a toad now! I can squish one now, if I want to!"

Frankie shrugged his shoulders, "Still don't see why you were so afraid of one back then. It's just a stupid fat TOAD!"

Rain glared at him, "Well why didn't you kill the toad that scared me?! I asked you to get rid of it and you didn't! I was scared to death on that day! Hell, I didn't want to go play at the pond after seeing it!"

Frankie gave her a grin, "You asked mother to get rid of it."

Rain shot at him, "Yeah, because it was only after I've asked you."

He asked with a giggle, "And why didn't you wait for me to get rid of it? I would've gotten rid of the damn thing."

"The reason why I didn't wait for YOU, is because you were being an idiot by walking away, showing off your pride to the freakin woods, and before you walked away, you said." She giggled and made an impression of Frankie back then, "Oh don't worry, I'll kill the damn thing, it won't hurt you, it's fat and slow as any freakin toad, blah, blah, blah!" She narrowed her eyes at him, "If you were going to get rid of it, then get rid of it! Don't show off your balls in the wilderness and ignore my pleas for help!"

Jessie laughed and looked up at Frankie, "Seriously, I think you should get back at your sister for mocking you. I think she cracked your balls by saying that."

Frankie sighed a little, "I'm used to it. She always mocked me and my big black balls." He grinned at Rain, "Me and her always wrestled when we were younger and I'd always win."

Rain grinned back at him, "Sibling rivalry at its best." But then she added, "But you don't always win, I'd be the one winning."

He winced a bit and said, "I always remember your tactical move on me."

Jessie tried to stifle a giggle by covering her mouth, I knew what she was thinking and I asked Frankie out loud, "Your sister managed to kick you in the balls, right?"

Frankie's face went wide at that, but instead of answering, he just shot at me, "At least I don't have a small dragonhood, little man."

I groaned real loud in frustration, "Again, IT'S BIG!!!"

Rain sighed, "Oh give it up, you know he won't believe you, until you show it."

I looked at her with a big grin, "You'd like that, would you?"

Rain shot up her head, "I'd probably laugh if my brother was right about your dragonhood."

I wiggled a finger at her, "Careful, or I'll find an ugly toad and bring it to you as a birthday present."

She had a freaked out look on her face and shook her head furiously, "No! Keep the ugly thing away from me!"

Frankie laughed, "Wow sis, and you're still afraid of toads? Some dragon you are." Then he added in a sarcastic tone, "I bet mother and father would be very proud of you for that."

Rain slammed her paw to the ground and yelled at her brother, "Shut up!" All of us laughed except Rain, who's still angry at him.

Jessie smiled up at Sebastian, "So you must be the old bronze dragon that everyone keeps mentioning." She placed a hand to her chest and introduced herself, "My name's Jessie and sorry that I couldn't come with you guys last night."

Sebastian smiled down at her, "So you're the beautiful Jessie. My new friends here have told me a lot about you. You look more beautiful than I imagined....For a human."

Jessie giggled shyly and blushed a bit, "Thank you."

Sebastian chuckled a little, "And you should have came with us to the tavern, all of us had a blast."

Jessie laughed hard at that and said, "I know! I missed the party!"

I giggled a little when one thing that I remember last night popped up, "I wouldn't really recommended coming with us last night, if I knew what was going to happen ahead of that time."

Jessie frowned at that, "Why's that? Did I miss something?"

Sebastian gave her a devious grin, "Lets just say we had a show last night, while we were drinking."

Jessie was eyeing curiously at him, "What kind of show?"

I stuttered a bit, trying to figure out what to say since Henry's still here, "Lets just say it was a....Dirty one. Lets just say it had something to do with a....A Female dragon and a male dragon, doing things together."

Jessie blushed hard at that, she actually got what I was telling her, "Oh.....Wow....Doing something like that in a public place. That's pretty....Crazy!"

Rain, Cody, and Sebastian tossed up their heads and laughed. Cody then said to her after that, "Well a dragon's imagination can go wild when it's really drunk." He flicked his tail teasingly at Eleanor's haunch, "You know what I'm talking about, right?"

Eleanor rolled her eyes, "Talk about something I wouldn't forget." Then she nipped at his neck.

Cody looked at Wayne and asked, "You know what I'm talking about, right brother?"

Wayne nodded, "Yes, Cody. I do." He giggled to himself and muttered out loud, "Talk about things getting personal in there."

Jessie said with a bit of anger in her voice, "I still think that it's crazy to do that. If me and Brandon were...Doing it in a bar, we'd be in jail for that!"

I blushed a little at the comment and waved both hands at her, "Hey, don't put me in this!"

But Sebastian shrugged his shoulders at her comment, "I don't see the problem with it. You humans have different morals than we do. What those dragons did in the tavern, is pure fun and enjoyment."

Jessie placed both hands to her hips and glared at him, "You'd say that, you dirty old man."

Sebastian laughed his head off and nodded, "I can be dirty, human. Trust me."

Jessie nodded when her eyes rolled a bit, "Trust me when I tell you this, I do trust it when you say it."

Then Wayne asked me and Sebastian, "So you two, are you in the mood for some singing tonight?" He gestured to himself with a thumb to his chest, "Because I'm going to sing in there."

I smiled at him, "Yeah, I'm down to see you sing. I've seen the gem on that stage a few times and I never seen it work."

Wayne giggled and said, "Well trust me, that thing really works. It's really magical and-" He frowned and asked, "You do know how it works, right?"

I nodded, "According to what Cody says, he says that the gem can read your mind, play your thoughts out of your mind so everyone in the audience can hear it, also make your voice sound louder." I nodded again and shrugged my arms, "Pretty simple enough to me."

Rain was smiling down at me when her glare went away, "Wayne's very good at singing, just like you."

I waved her off, "I know that I've singed to you once before, but hey it was nothing."

Wayne gestured to me with a look of surprise, "I didn't know that you can sing, pal. Why didn't you tell me this?"

I just shrugged, "Because I thought it was no big deal and plus I was singing in front of Rain just to cheer her up."

Rain turned her head to smile at Wayne, "He's very good, Wayne. His singing did wonders on me."

Wayne nodded at Rain and looked at me, "Me and you are more alike than I thought. I've used to sing to Sierra before she was gone. She loved it, every time."

Cody gestured a paw to him, "Call her a big of fan of Wayne. Because she really was a big fan of Wayne!" Then he had a glum look on his face, "I miss her though, she has been gone for a long time. She still hasn't had a chance to meet Henry here."

I held a pity look for him and I said, "Well like I said to Wayne and Rain, I know one day she'll come back, I can feel it."

Cody smiled at me, "Thanks dude."

Wayne said to me, "You should sing in there one night. Trust me when I say it, it's worth it."

My eyes went wide at the idea. Me? Singing in front of...Dragons?

I don't think I can do that. I know I've singed in front of Rain, but that's different. She's...Rain. I didn't feel like I had stage fright too much that night. But I'm afraid my stage fright may go overboard if I was singing in front of a crowd of not humans, but dragons!

With my nervous imagination, I pictured that the dragons would eat me if I didn't sing well. But that's crap, they don't eat humans. But you understand what I'm getting at.

Jessie beamed at me and said to Wayne, "Yeah, Brandon can do it! I've seen him singing once before we ran away from home. He's really good! Like he should be a lead singer!"

I waved them off with my hands, "Guys, I appreciate it, but I can't do it."

Rain cocked her head with a confused look, "Why not?"

Wayne tilted his head too, "Yeah, why not?"

I let out a big sigh and explained, "Because I have this stage fright that gets to me when I think about it. It just...Troubles me. I usually have to wait for my stage fright to go away and do it, but singing in front of dragons...That's a bit different."

Wayne shook his head, "So what? Dragons are like an audience, just like people. I was just like you." He smiled at me, "I remembered how nervous I was when I got on that stage, and I began to realize that dragons are a good audience too."

Then he said, "I was a lead singer in my band years ago and I remember fully that I had stage fright back then. Do you want to know how I got over it?"

I shook my headand he said it, "Because I've imagined the audience as my friends. That singing is all fun, no games at all. That my audience as my friends, wouldn't judge me no matter what. They just came to listen." He smiled after saying that, "The dragons are like my friends when they watch me. So I'm not nervous, like I was before. It's pretty natural to me."

I looked at Rain after Wayne explained all that and I still had an uncertain look, "I'm still not sure about it."

Wayne slouched his shoulders and sighed, "Well only you can overcome it. It's up to you. There's no rush." He nodded and pointed at me, "And trust me, it's worth it. It's something you wouldn't forget."

I looked down at the ground and then Sebastian piped in as he strode closer to the entrance of the Braveheart, "Hmmm, the Braveheart, I haven't been there for years. I remembered this magenta dragoness who owns the place."

Rain smiled and nodded, "She doesn't own the place anymore. Only Neal owns the place."

Sebastian looked back at her and nodded, "Ah yes, I remember that Neal said that last night. So is Amanda too." He turned his whole body to us and say, "I remember that dragoness was really nice to her customers. I liked her so much."

Then all of us heard a voice nearby, "Is someone talking about me?"

We all turned to the voice and we saw that Joanna had came out of her house and is strolling toward us.

Wayne smiled at her and bellowed, "Joanna!"

Joanna got close to us and sat down on her haunches. She coughed a little and put on a smile again, "Hi everyone, I heard from a certain red dragon who took  over my restaurant say that Wayne here is going to sing tonight." She looked directly at him, "That's why I came here. To see him."

I giggled a little and said to Wayne, "I think she's a big fan of your singing too."

Joanna smiled down at me, "His singing has made him famous here. And I was the one who first introduced him to his first audience."

Wayne came up to her and she lowered her head to his level. Wayne put his hand onto her nose and gave her nose a kiss. He said to her with devotion in his voice, "I still thank you for that night." He giggled at the memory, "Don't Stop Believin'. Thank you, Joanna."

Joanna nuzzled his cheek a bit and said, "You're welcome, hon."

After Joanna said that to Wayne, Jessie came up to her and introduced herself, "I haven't even met you yet. Rain here has told me a lot about you. My name's Jessie."

Joanna smiled at Jessie, "Ah, yes. You must be the other new human who came with Brandon." She nodded, "Very nice to meet you sweetheart."

Jessie nodded back, "Nice to meet you too."

Sebastian came up to Joanna and said with a high brass voice, "Well if it isn't the ex owner of the famous Braveheart! How are you doing?"

Joanna coughed and raised her head above Wayne's level. She grinned at him, "I'm doing fine, mister." She cocked her head at him, "Do I know you? I've seen you before, haven't I?"

Sebastian nodded, "I've been to your place of business before. A long time ago, actually."

Joanna nodded too as she remembered him, "Oh yes, I do know you! I thought you were dead or something like that."

Sebastian laughed a little and shook his head, "Oh no. I just....Had a life of my own and I've been through a lot."

Joanna nodded once more, when she remembered more about him, "I think you had a mate back then and she died. So yeah, I really do know you." She placed a paw to her chest, "I'm still sorry for your loss. I think I've told you that, before you didn't come back to this place anymore."

Sebastian leaned his head forward and nuzzled her neck, "I know that and thanks for the condolence." He pulled back and said, "So you came back here for tonight, eh? That'll be great for me and for everyone! I'm sure they've all missed you."

Joanna smiled and nodded, "I missed this place and everyone in it too." But then she sighed, "But I'm only coming in there for tonight and then I'm going back home. I just visit there every once in a while." She shook her head with a determined look, "I won't stay cooped up in my own home, might as well enjoy the last several years of my own long life as much as I can."

Sebastian nodded at that, "Such a strong soul, you're just like my mate."

Joanna laughed at that and replied, "Thank you for the kind words, hon. Thank you for the kind words." She strolled around and walked past all of us, to go through the entrance of the restaurant, "Well I'm hungry as of right now, I just want to see the show!"

Wayne laughed and hollered as he ran after her, "I'm coming, mom! Don't want to keep everyone waiting!" As he caught up to her, they both went in there. Cody with Eleanor and Henry went in after them.

Jessie let out a pleasant sigh and looked up at Frankie, "You ready to go in there, Mr. Macho?"

Frankie held up his head in pride and replied with his smug grin, "You betcha!"

Sebastian said down at me before they could do anything, "Hey, if she's one of your friends you're giving one of the roses to, better give it to her now." And with that, he whirled around and he went into the restaurant.

Jessie looked at me and asked, "What's he talking about?"

I jumped a bit as I remembered the roses in my hand, "Oh yes!" I held up my hand with the roses, "I found you a rose, Jessie."

She smiled at the red and white roses in my hand, "Wow, where did you get those?"

I raised my other hand and gestured with my thumb behind me, "At the gardens at the east side of the city. The dragon city has those beautiful gardens here. It's...Really beautiful if you're a big flower fan."

Rain smiled when I said it, "Oh that place. I always loved the smells there."

Frankie snorted at her answer, "I didn't. The flowers always made my nose tickle."

Rain rolled her eyes at his opinion, "ASS." I laughed at that.

Frankie hissed at his own sister, "Shut your freakin mouth." Then he grumbled to himself as he walked past Jessie and Rain, leaving all of us alone outside.

I giggled a little and warned Rain, "You do know he'll kick your scaly ass for that, right?"

Rain gave me a big grin, "He knows I'll win in a fight with him. He knows I'll kick him in the stones for trying to best me in a fight." She nodded to herself, "I always did, when it came to that."

Jessie sighed in pity and amusement for Frankie, "Poor Frankie."

Rain giggled at that, "Yep, poor brother."

I went up to Jessie and held out the red rose to her, "Here you go."

Jessie grabbed the rose and admired its beauty, "Aw, it's beautiful, Brandon." She looked at me with a biggest smile she had toward me, "Thank you so much."

Then without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around me for a hug. My eyes went wide at that and I returned the hug before a second ended. I said to her in my embrace, "You're welcome."

Rain came up to me and her and said, "I suppose that white rose you have is also hers?" Then she added with a teasing grin, "Or is there another human girlfriend you're not telling me." She waved her paw at me, "I wouldn't recommend giving it to Amanda. She's already taken."

I giggled a bit after I let Jessie go, who went back to admiring the rose, "I wasn't planning on giving it to her and I didn't know she was with someone." I asked, "Let me guess, Wayne?"

Rain hesitated her answer at first, until she finally answered when she slowly nodded, "Sure, lets go with that."

I shrugged my arms, "Well who else could she be with?"

Rain's face went wide, like I was about to know some big secret. She waved me off again, "Actually, she is with Wayne."

I raised an eyebrow and only muttered one word to her, "Okaaaay." Well she was acting weird.

First she said lets go with that, then she said Amanda's with Wayne. Is she hiding something?

I can tell by this look on her face, but what is it?

Are Wayne and Amanda really together? They never mentioned that. And Jessie never said that Amanda lives with Wayne. Amanda seems pretty close to Neal, and I'm sure they live together. They're best friends.

Now I'm thinking that Rain's lying to me, but I also don't think it's a big deal. That it's probably not something to get so worked up over.

I'm just gonna drop it and I held out the white rose to Rain, "Here big girl, this one's for you."

Rain looked real surprised by my gift and asked, "You're...Really giving it to me?"

I smiled and nodded, "Yes, I am. Because you're my best friend and you're my angel. You...Pretty much deserve it, for all the pain you've went through."

Rain smiled at that and reached out to grab the rose out of my hand. Rain still smiled when she grabbed my present with her paw and said to me with gratitude in her voice, "Thank you, Brandon. That's very sweet of you."

We all heard Rain's stomach growling and Rain laughed at that, "I know that I'm hungry!" She raised the rose up with her paw and she dipped her head down to grab it with her jaw. Rain dropped her paw after carefully biting down on the rose, looked at both me and Jessie and moved her lips with the rose in her teeth, "See a in there!" Rain winked and started strutting through the entrance of the restaurant.

Me and Jessie looked at each other and Jessie just grinned at me, "I think you can do it."

I frowned at what she said, "What do you mean?"

"That you could sing on that stage. That you can overcome your stage fright." Jessie gestured to herself, "You sang to me and a few other bar patrons back at Leon." Then she gestured to Rain before she went inside the restaurant, "And I just now know that you've sang to her before too. I know that you can do it."

I had an look of uncertainty and Jessie placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, "I know that you have stage fright and you fight it. And I know what you're thinking about singing in front of so many dragons too. But...Wayne's right, they're just an audience wanting to see you sing. They wouldn't judge you too much." She nodded, "Cause if anyone did, Rain would kick any scaly ass who did."

I giggled and Jessie went on, "I know only you can decide it, but I know you can do it. You just need to stop letting your stage fright get to you. And just do it." She gave me a grin, "I believe you can. Find the eye of the tiger and get rid of that stage fright."

Jessie then leaned her head forward and gave my cheek a kiss. I was shocked by it. She kissed my cheek again!

Jessie looked at my eyes, and it looked like she had this expression in her eyes. Like she wanted it.

I had the urge to kiss her right now and I was about to go for it. I raised both hands to her face and placed them to both her cheeks. Jessie didn't seem to say anything about it. That look is still there. I slowly leaned my head forward to hers, closing my eyes as I was about to do it. Jessie was about to do the same thing as well. Then we both got bumped away by a passing dragon's bulk as it went striding past us real fast. The dragon hollered at us before it went inside the restaurant, "Sorry!" His big figure disappeared as his tail disappeared last.

Me and Jessie were both shooting narrowed looks and I sighed, "Well that's perfect. Nice way of killing the mood." I looked at Jessie after that, "You okay?"

Jessie glanced at me and answered, "I'm fine." She let out an annoyed sigh, "Well come on, lets go in there now. I'm very hungry right now." She started to walk away and then she looked at me over her shoulder and added, "Oh and thanks for the rose still." She raised the rose with her hand, "It's still very sweet of you." And with that, she ran into the restaurant, leaving me alone outside.

I let out a frustrated, defeated sigh. I was close to kissing her. AGAIN!

Why does those things happen to people like me? I guess I'll never know.

I touched my stomach, thinking that this weird feeling would come, but it didn't. Ok, I don't get it.

Why didn't I feel it? Am I not in love with Jessie after all?

Am I really in love with someone else? And it wasn't her?

I don't know what's wrong with me. But I'm not going to dwell on it, standing outside in the street. No need to confuse myself right now.

I better get in there and watch Wayne sing.

I ran through the opening of the restaurant and saw to my surprise as I was standing near the entrance that a lot of dragons have actually showed up. God I guess they all want to see Wayne, the human sing on stage!

I know it ain't the first time for him, but good god, that's a first for me!

I tried to walk through the crowd of dragons, carefully trying not to bump into any of them. There are a lot of big ones here.

One of them accidentally backed into me, its haunches almost close. I hollered for the big dragon to stop, "Hey!"

The dragon stopped backing up and he looked over his shoulder with an apologetic look, "Sorry!" I walked forward immediately after that. So that way he could go to wherever he was going.

I saw my friends up ahead, well at least it wasn't hard to find them. Wayne and Joanna were heading to the stage, getting ready for the performance. I saw that Neal and Amanda are talking to Sebastian, probably talking about last night.

I giggled to myself as I went toward them. I bet Neal's head was hurting this morning too. I giggled again. And I hope that his eggs are feeling better today, Amanda really kicked them last night.

I got closer to them and I waved at Neal and Amanda, "Hey you two, how's it going tonight?"

Neal looked down at me and Amanda followed his gaze to stare at me. They both smiled and Amanda replied, "Going good actually. I always liked having these performances here, from my dear friend Wayne."

Neal nodded in agreement, "Wayne's really good at it and I even sang with him more than once back then." He sat down on his haunches and pondered in thought, "I can't remember how long that happened." Then he nodded, "But at least, I had a fun time."

Amanda gently rubbed the side of his leg and grinned up at him, "You were just as great as Wayne. Even Cody too."

Neal giggled at the memories, "Oh boy, the memories the three of us shared. Me, Wayne, and Cody pretty much a trio more than once up there." He pointed a claw at himself, "Me a big red dragon, one human, and one little green runt, all got together years ago to sing our first song together. And it was-"

Amanda finished for him with a glee, "Separate Ways!"

Neal shot up his head proudly after she said that, "Precisely!" Then they both laughed at that.

I giggled too, and I gestured to Neal, "So how's your eggs, big guy? Are you alright?"

Amanda had a sorta guilty look on her face and Neal winced at the memory, "Ohhhh, that pain I've felt last night. I had a hard time walking back home last night."

Amanda rolled her eyes, "That's because you were being a drunken dragon."

Neal giggled a little and nodded down at her, "That too." He looked at me and answered my question, "To answer your question, Brandon. I'm fine. My eggs are a little sore, but getting better."

I laughed at his answer and I pointed at him, "Did you learn your lesson last night?"

Neal nodded slowly, "Yeah." Then he pointed a claw down at Amanda, "Don't EVER go drinking with this female EVER again."

Amanda shot a glare at him and crossed her arms, "Your lesson was supposed to be, not being a big red scaly pervert when you're drunk."

Neal remarked and rolled his eyes, "But I love being a big red scaly pervert." But then he added before Amanda could retort, "But if anyone else was being a big scaly pervert to you, I'd kick their asses."

Amanda actually gave him a smirk at that and she said, "You maybe a big red scaly pervert, but you're still sweet and kind."

Neal gave her a teasing smile, "I try to, but you always threaten to kick me in the stones when you're angry."

Amanda shrugged her arms at him and made an excuse, "At least, I try not to!"

Neal rolled his eyes at that, "Excuses, woman. You keep making excuses."

Amanda wiggled a finger at him, "Someone has to teach you a lesson." She winked at him and giggled.

Neal lowered his head to her level, "Aw, but you know you love me."

Amanda reached out to place her hand on his nose, gently rubbing it, "I know, big guy. I know."

I frowned at them, as they both peered into each others eyes. That look again. It's the same exact look they gave to each other last night. Before they both left.

It looked like the non best friend kind of look. The romantic kind of look.

My thoughts were interrupted when Rain sat down on her haunches beside me, the white rose not in her jaws anymore, probably dropped it off somewhere. Jessie came along and just stood beside her. Rain gave me a grin and said, "I was wondering what took you so long, you slow poke. You haven't came in here for a long time."

I chuckled and planted a hand on her body, "Sorry I was a bit late at coming in here. But lets just say, that-"

Jessie's expression cut me off and I just shut my trap. But Rain apparently got the picture and asked with a teasing grin, "Something that I've missed?"

I shook my head and so did Jessie, then I answered her question, "No."

Rain hummed to herself, pretending to be deep in thought and she shook her head, "Don't believe you."

I playfully sighed, "I guess you don't have to."

Rain lowered her head to my level, "Oh, things will work out soon. I know they will." Then she got her head closer to me and nuzzled my chest. She said to me, "Trust me on that. Love comes around when it does."

Jessie interrupted us, "Oh, I get to see Wayne singing up there! And what's more interesting is that, I get to see that gem work its magic." Jessie laughed a little in disbelief, "I never even heard that something like that really existed. This is great!"

Rain moved her head off of me and peered to Jessie, "I can't wait to see your reaction to all this."

Jessie beamed, "Trust me, I can't wait to see MY own reaction!" All three of us laughed.

Sebastian came and sat down on his haunches beside me. And I also saw Frankie, Neal, Cody, Eleanor, their son Henry all sitting down on their haunches.

In the crowd as I looked around, I saw the three dragons that caused the fight with Jessie a few days ago, actually shown up. They seem to be in a good mood.

After I saw those dragons, I saw Joanna has actually got on the stage. I think she's going to address the audience. I looked at Neal and thought about why he's not up there, since he's the owner. I think since Joanna is a dear friend to him and since Joanna misses doing this, he thought she'd let her do the honors. I smiled at the thought. I think it's a good thing for her. Let her enjoy this moment.

After all, she loves seeing Wayne singing, so she might as well address the guests about him.

Everyone went silent and all eyes were on Joanna. Joanna beamed at everyone and curled a tail around her, "Hello, everyone!" A few dragons cheered at that and Joanna said, "You all look mighty happy tonight!"

Amanda cheered a bit and Joanna went on, "Oh, hons and sweethearts. I've missed this place, and I've missed all of you. I don't get to come here a lot. But I still want to thank for this one red dragon and his human friend for taking my place as new owners of this restaurant. For taking my place since I've been sick." She gestured to them with her wing tip and a few dragons cheered at that.

Joanna placed a paw onto her chest, "Since I've been sick and all, I knew that I wouldn't let that stop me from doing what I like to do. It's not like I stay in my own home all the time, thank you for asking everyone!" The guests all started laughing at that.

Joanna let out a big breath and said, "And I'm glad that I get to do this honor, for addressing my favorite customer and my favorite human singer of all time." She grinned and nodded at the audience, "You all know who I'm talking about."

The crowd cheered and I clapped my hands and cheered too. Rain did as well.

Joanna shot up her head and announced, "Well without further ado. Here's the first human who sang here years ago." She gestured her paw to her left, "Please welcome, Wayne!" Everyone cheered at that and all of us saw Wayne running up on that stage. He greeted Joanna with a pat on her leg and she lowered her head to his. She nuzzled him and with that, she started raising her head and walked off the stage. Leaving Wayne alone there now.

I can see the gem up from where I'm at. The way it glows and all. It looks red now, but then all of a sudden, it changed its color to blue. My eyes went wide after seeing that. Yikes, that's amazing! It really is magic!

Wayne talked with his voice and its loud, "Hello everyone!" And he gave a wave.

Man, now his voice is loud. That gem really does work. I looked at Jessie and I see her surprised reaction. I giggled. She's shocked as I am.

I looked at Wayne and he closed his eyes. Apparently getting ready to do his thing.

To let the gem do work its magic and read his mind. So we can all hear his thoughts. So we could all hear the music in his head.

I can't wait to see and hear that.

After about thirty seconds, something happened and we all can hear it. We can hear music. My eyes went wide again. It's really working. And for what the dragons would call, it's human music! The gem is now playing his thoughts, the musical instruments being played out by a certain song Wayne's thinking.

Wayne opened his eyes and shook his hand up and down in rhythm, beaming at everyone in the crowd. Then he started to sing the song when the cue came, "I need a love that grows! I don't want it unless I know! With each passing hour! Someone, somehow! Will be there, ready to share!"

I frowned at the song. I know this song. Wayne went on after that, "I need a love that's strong! I'm so tired of being alone!" He placed a hand over his heart, "But will my lonely heart play the part? Of the fool again! Before I begin!"

He closed his eyes, removed the hand off his chest and sang a high note, "Foolish heart, hear me calling!" He opened them, "Stop before you start falling! Foolish heart, heed my warning! You've been wrong before!" He shook his head and sang, "Don't be wrong any more!"

He shook his body in rhythm as the musical break came. I smiled at his signing. He really is good at this. Just like me. He seems to have the bigger courage to sing in front of everyone here.

I think I actually know what this song is. I've heard it on old rock radio back at home. It's 'Foolish Heart' by Steve Perry.

Wayne singed some more when his cue came, "I'm feeling that feeling again! I'm playing a game I can't win! Love's knocking on the door! Of my heart once more! Think I'll let her in! Before I begin!"

He walked close to the edge of the stage, "Foolish heart, hear me calling! Stop before you start falling! Foolish heart, heed my warning! You've been wrong before! Don't be wrong any more!"

He shut his eyes and he held up a hand near his head, "Foolish heart!!!" He opened them, slowly lowered his hand to his side and went on, "Foolish, foolish heart! You've been wrong before!"

The music played on and he sang softly to everyone with heart, "Foolish....Foolish."

The music went on and his cue came again, "Foolish heart, hear me calling! Stop before you start falling! Foolish heart, heed my warning! You've been wrong before! Don't wrong any more!"

He raised his arm high into the air, "Foolish heart!!!" He dropped his arm to the side, "Oh, foolish, foolish heart! You've been wrong before!"

He smiled at everyone as the song's music started fading away, "Foolish, foolish heart!"

He sang the last part of the song, "Foolish heart!"

And the music stopped playing from his head and all of us cheered. I was stunned by it all as I cheered. That was amazing! I've never seen anything quite like this.

Wayne bowed down to everyone as the gem changed color from blue to red. Then he said out loud, "Thank you! Thank you, everyone!" Then all of a sudden, he eyed only on me in the audience. I frowned at his look. Uh....Why's he looking at me like that?

I looked up at Rain and she had a strange expression on her too. I was getting weirded out by their looks. Alright, getting weird now. What's on your minds?

I asked out loud to Rain, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Rain only answered with a tooth filled grin, "You'll see."

Yep, they're up to something. But what?

I saw Joanna go up on the stage with Wayne and she announced this to everyone, "Thank you Wayne, for another great performance here!" Then she held up a claw, "But before everyone can leave, there's another performance tonight and it's another human singing here!"

The dragons in the crowd just mumbled their words, wondering who it could be.

My eyes were getting wide. Wait...I have a feeling that it's-

Joanna held up her head high and announced, "So without further ado, please give a warm welcome to one of the newest humans who just came to this city a few days ago. One of the humans who has accepted us as friends despite what we looked like, never called us monsters. One of the humans who apparently wasn't fazed by whatever happened to humanity outside the city. He is one of the humans who chose to accept us dragons as friends! And I'm grateful for that, such a nice fellow he is." She saw me in the crowd and gestured her paw to me, "Give it up for, Brandon!"

My eyes went wide again. Crap, I knew it!

I'd bet that since they all wanted me to sing here, after they all went inside this place, they came up with this scheme and just went through with it.

Now I have to get on the stage!

My stage fright was getting to me in full force. This is bad!

Rain lowered her head to my back and nudged it with her nose, urging me to go up there, "Go on, Brandon. Everyone's waiting."

I turned to her and had a freaked out look, "I can't get up there! I just told you before-"

Rain cut me off with her voice, "Brandon, I know you can do it."

I stuttered nervously, "But...But-"

Rain nuzzled my chest, "Brandon listen, when it comes to singing, it's like what Wayne says. It's all fun, no games at all." She pulled back and gave me a comforting look, "Just be yourself when you're doing it. Because I know when you're singing, I can see that you're yourself. I've seen it twice." She shook her head, "Don't let this stage fright stop you from doing what you want. I know you love to do it."

I just stared at her and Rain narrowed her gaze at me, "At least do this for your mother, and for your father most of all. They'd both want you to." She placed a paw to her chest, "I want you do this this. Because I can see it, your voice is warm just like...Tommy."

I was staring at her still, pondering what she just told me. Then I looked at Jessie and my friends, they were giving their looks, saying that I can do it.

I looked back at Rain she was giving me that look too. She even winked at me, "I believe in you, Brandon. You're braver than you think you are."

I took a deep breath and let it out. She's...Right.

Even when I have stage fright, I always found the urge to fight it. Like I always done back at home, singing at the bar during karaoke day.

I think it's time, I find the eye of the tiger.

Even Jimi Jamison the lead singer of Survivor, would find it and he'd want me to find it too.

So would dad. He always found it and he'd want me to do it too.

Dragons are like people. They won't judge me for it.

I slowly formed a small smile and said one word to Rain, "Ok." Rain nuzzled my chest again after that. I gave her forehead a kiss while she was doing that.

Then Rain raised her head above my level and I whirled around to run through the crowd, not having second thoughts about this now. No turning back, Brandon.

You can do it.

I ran up to the stage, greeted by Wayne and Joanna. Wayne beamed after he saw me get on stage with them and he said with a proud voice, "I knew you could do it."

I smiled back and said, "I just had to find the eye of the tiger, buddy."

Wayne patted my shoulder and nodded, "Good luck, my friend." And with that, he jumped of the stage, to join the others in the crowd.

Joanna lowered her head to my level and I looked at her face. She gave me a wink and said, "I knew that somehow, you had this talent. You really do remind me of Wayne."

I reached out to stroke her cheek at that, "Thank you."

Joanna raised her head above my level and said a few more words to me, "Good luck, hon." And with that, she strolled off stage. Leaving me alone on there. I looked at the gem at first, and then I turned to face the crowd. They were all just staring at me, waiting for me to do my thing.

I waved at them with a nervous voice, "Hello." I jumped a bit as my voice got real loud now. I looked back at the gem and it already changed color. Oh boy, well...It's ready.

I looked back at the crowd and I let out a breath. Okay....I need to concentrate on my thoughts. If Wayne can do it, then so can I.

I closed my eyes and tried to think real hard. Which song should I be thinking about?

I started thinking about Survivor and then I started thinking about...I Can't Hold Back.

When I was thinking about that song I've listened to a lot, the intro music of that song came playing out of my mind. Now everyone hears it. I jumped a little and the music stopped, since my brain was shocked by the revelation. Wow, it really worked!

I opened my eyes and saw the crowd still waiting for me. My stage fright was getting to me again, by all the eyes staring at me. Second thoughts coming back. I looked at all of them and then I looked directly at Rain, who was giving me this confident smile. She really believes in me.

As I looked at her, my confidence fully came back. I smirked at her. This is for you Rain. And this is for you dad.

I softly closed my eyes again and started thinking about the song again. Then the song's intro music came and it sounded like the acoustic guitar. I didn't jump again at that, and the music kept on playing from my head.

I opened my eyes and looked at the whole crowd. And my cue to sing came and I sang with the lyrics that I know, my voice not nervous anymore, "There's a story in my eyes! Turn the pages of desire!! Now it's time to trade those dreams! For the rush of passions fire!"

I held my right hand to my chest, "I can feel you tremble when we touch! And I feel the hand of fate!" I reached my hand out to the crowd, "Reaching out to both of us!"

"I've been holding back the night!" I shot my hand down, "I've been searching for a clue from you!" Then I could hear other instruments being played. The drums, and the electric guitar included, "I'm gonna try with all my might! To make this story line come true!"

I saw my friends smile in the crowd, as I continued to sing, "Can you feel me tremble when we touch? Can you feel the hand of fate? Reaching out to both of us! This love affair can't wait!"

I shut my eyes tight, "I can't hold back, I'm on the edge!" I opened them and patted my chest with one hand, "I can't hold back!" Then I tapped the side of the my head, "Your voice explodes, inside my head!"

I spun around one time on stage and I faced the crowd again, "I can't hold back, I won't back down!" I raised my hand high in the air and sang a high note, "Girl, it's too late to turn back now!"

I shot my hand back down to my side and shook my body in rhythm, as the electric guitar solo played real loud through the crowd.

It went on for about fifteen seconds and my cue to sing came. Only the acoustic guitar was being played and I sang while I pointed up at the ceiling, like I was pointing at the sky, "Another shooting star goes by!" I slowly lowered my hand to my side, "And in the night, it speaks to you and I!"

Then the other instruments played again and I sang, "And now the time has come at last! Don't let the moment run too fast!"

I walked to the edge of the stage, "I can feel you tremble when we touch! And I feel the hand of fate! Reaching out to both of us!"

I closed my eyes softly and sang with my heart out, "There's a story in my eyes! Turn the pages of desire!!" I opened them and looked at Rain and Jessie in the crowd, "Now it's time to trade those dreams! For the rush of passions fire!"

I gestured to myself, "I can't hold back, I'm on the edge!" I shot my arm up in the air, "I can't hold back!" I shot my arm back down, "Your voice explodes, inside my head!" I winked at them and I saw them laughing. I shook my head and sang on, "I can't hold back, I won't back down! Girl, it's too late to turn back down!"

"I can see you tremble when we touch!" I reached out slowly to them, "Oh, and I feel the hand of fate! Reaching out to both of us!" I pulled my hand back to my chest and sang loud, "This love affair can't wait!!!"

I pointed at Jessie and Rain, "I can't hold back!" I danced around a bit after that.

Then I pointed at Joanna in the crowd, "I can't hold back!"

I walked to the other end of the stage and I pointed at a random dragoness, "I can't hold back!"

Then I walked back to the middle of the stage and I pointed at Amanda, "I can't hold back!"

I raised my arm high into the air one more time and sang it one last time, "I can't hold back!!!" I shot it back down and the music stopped playing from my head, I was breathing heavily after that.

It was over.

And as soon it was over, the whole crowd cheered for me. And I started to form a smile on my face. Disbelief and shock in my eyes. I did it, I really did it!

I singed in front of so many dragons, like they were my audience!

Like the not so many humans I've singed to back at home, now here I was done singing to dragons. A lot of them.

I think I really came through of beating my stage fright, pretty much for good.

And it was all thanks to Rain. When I looked at her in the crowd, she gave me the confidence. I looked back at the mind reading gem, and its color went from blue to red.

I turned my gaze from the gem and saw Wayne and Joanna came on stage with me. Joanna lowered her head to my level, beaming at me, "Nice job, hon!"

Wayne was laughing a little and he wrapped his arm around me, his hand over my shoulder, "You really did it, pal!" I laughed at that.

Jessie ran on stage and Wayne got of the way in time before Jessie threw herself into me, hugging me tight. My eyes bugged out of my skull.

I saw Frankie, Neal, Amanda, Cody, Sebastian, Eleanor and Henry are all coming up on stage after that. All of them praising me and congratulating me. 

I smiled at all of them, while Jessie still had me in her embrace. Then I noticed that something's missing.

Rain's not up here with us.

I had a concerned look and I tried to move my head to look for her in the crowd. I developed a quizzical look on my face after that.

Rain? Where did you go?

******

I was sitting on my haunches outside the restaurant, pretty stunned and saddened at the same time. I let out a trembling sigh to myself.

Oh....Tommy....

I still remember that night when you first sang that song.

I Can't Hold Back. That was the one.

I remembered that night when you sang that song, and I remembered that you've pointed at me in the crowd.

That it was your gift for making it up to me for walking away from me when we first met, before you were on that stage at the carnival.

I never did forget that night. I never had.

I shut my eyes and a few tears fell down. Oh Tommy....

For a long time, I've been waiting for you to come back to me.

So you could sing that song to me, like it was before.

I can imagine that even when you're old, you still sing with heart. That you still have that voice.

Oh Tommy....

I love you so much. I always have.

Tommy....

I heard a voice behind me, "Rain?"

I jerked my eyes open. Tommy?

I  got off my haunches and whirled around. I looked down and saw that it was only Brandon behind me.

I was happy to see him, but on the inside I was disappointed. I thought it was Tommy who was behind me.

I sat back down on my haunches and put on a smile for him, "Hey there. Why are you out here?"

Brandon giggled and pointed a finger at himself, "Why am I out here?" Then he pointed at me, "Why are YOU out here? Why did you just walk out of there?" He shrugged his arms and asked again, "How come you just left? I thought you'd be happy what I just did. I really wowed the crowd in there."

I nodded at him, "Oh I know that. And sorry that I've walked out of there."

Brandon put on a concerned look for me, "Are you okay? You look kinda....Sad."

My smile melted away and I took a deep breath and let it out in a slow whoosh of air, "I'm sorry, it's just....That song kinda got to me. And I was a little bit emotional."

He frowned, "Emotional? Why were you emotional?"

I glanced away and sighed. Brandon actually knew why and he asked, "Tommy sang that song, did he?"

I looked at him and nodded, "I was surprised that you knew that song to begin with. Talk about a weird sense of fate. That another person would sing that song. That song...That was the song that he sang on the day we first met. Years ago."

Brandon held a sad, pity look for me, "I'm....Sorry."

I waved him off with my paw, "It's alright. I'm also happy about it." I put on another smile for him.

He titled his head, "Are you sure? Because if I knew that it also made you sad, I would never sang that one. I would've-"

I shook my head, "Don't blame yourself. I really was proud of you. You beat your stage fright and you did really well."

He grinned a bit as he opened his jaw to answer, "I did?"

I nodded, "In my big opinion, you really did. Just like the last two times I've seen you sing." I let out a sigh and said, "You really are good at it. Makes my heart fly when I hear you do it." I nodded again, "I'm real proud of you."

Brandon rubbed the back of his neck and muttered, "I wouldn't have done it, if it wasn't for you."

I cocked my head at him, "Huh?"

He explained, "If it wasn't for you, I never would have done it. After I went on stage after you've convinced me to do it, I almost didn't do it. I felt scared again." He smiled at me, "When I looked at you in the crowd, I felt that confidence. And to tell you the truth, back at the bell tower a couple of nights ago, before I sang that song to you, I felt that stage fright a little bit."

I said, "But you really did sing that song to me. You've sang to me, The Search is Over."

He nodded, "I know that. But to be honest, I think the only other factor of how I beat that stage fright, other than wanting to cheer you up that night, is because I was looking at you."

I smiled down at him, very surprised and happy to hear him say that. I lowered my head to his level and he giggled a little bit, "If I wasn't looking at you, I wouldn't have sang that song. Your presence helped me out with that. And it helped me again tonight. I know that I've fought that stage fright before and sang before I met you, but this was different. It was a different kind of confidence and it came from you." He nodded at me, "Thank you, Rain. Thank you so much."

I moved my head closer to his chest and nuzzled it. I muttered to him, "You're very welcome, Brandon. You deserve it. You deserve that confidence."

I continued to rub my cheek on his chest, when I felt something weird buzzing in my chest. My eyes went wide and Brandon didn't see it.

That...Feeling. It's familiar.

I let out a quiet gasp, quiet enough for him not to hear it. I remember that feeling.

It was the same feeling that I've felt toward Tommy.

It was...Love.

I pulled my head away and looked at his eyes. Brandon reached out to caress my cheek. I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch. Is it really possible?

Am I coming to love Brandon now? Just like I loved Tommy?

Me and Brandon heard Jessie's voice, "There you are!" I opened my eyes and saw Jessie coming up behind him. Brandon whirled around and saw her.

He beamed at her and said, "Hey Jess." He gestured to me with his thumb, "I was out here talking to Rain. She was just sitting out here all alone."

Jessie frowned at me and asked, "Are you okay, big girl?"

I nodded at her question, "Oh yes, I'm fine." I raised my head above their levels, "I just wanted to be outside for a bit." I shook my head after that, "Nothing to worry about."

Jessie gave me a big grin, "Okay, if you say so."

Brandon laughed and said to the both of us, "Come on guys. We must be hungry right now. Lets get something to eat."

I nodded at that and I just watched he and Jessie go back into the restaurant. Right now only for a moment, I was slowly getting off my haunches, getting ready to walk in after them. I had an uncertain look on my face.

What good would it do? What chance do I have?

He wants Jessie, he's not even thinking about me that way.

I see that possibility as impossible. There's no possible way he could be thinking that way about me. He's probably only thinking of me as his best friend.

I closed my eyes a bit. I better just drop this feeling.

Brandon wants Jessie...As his mate.

He wouldn't want me, so I'll drop it.

Then the feeling was buzzing more furiously in my chest. I sighed again as I felt it.

I wondering if I'll ever let it go?

I opened my eyes, staring at the entrance of the Braveheart. I hope for his sake, since he wants Jessie, I hope I do. For his sake, I hope I will.

I padded very slowly back into the restaurant, putting on a big smile as I went in there. Pretending that nothing's wrong with me.