"Who is that?" The loud blonde asked aggravated that her boyfriend's attention had been captured by an unexpected phone call. The two had been mesmerized by each other's playful tongues from a steamy make out session. Spud panted trying to catch his breath, his hair clung to the back of his sweaty neck.

"It's Trixie." Spud showed her the screen. "Hello?" He answered.

"Ugg! Her again!" She pouted rudely over talking the girl on the other line. "I need you to come to the square I'm trapped on the roof of that old building down town across from the convenience store."

"Sure Trix….wait how'd you ge….?"

"JAKE!" She cut him off hearing Stacy ranting in the background she didn't want Stacy to learn of her boyfriend's dragon heritage. Trixie was sure Spud could put two and two together. "Ahh, I'll be there." Trixie barely heard him say after hearing Stacy insult her fashion sense.

"Yeah I'll be there."

"Be where!? I'm coming too!" Stacy squawked. She still was a little insecure about the rumors of Trixie and Spud. Even though Trixie and Jake seemed happy she knew Spud once held feelings for her.

"Trixie is stuck on a roof, you don't have to come if you don't…"

"I said I'm coming." She snapped, rolling her eyes. Her nostrils flared like an angry bull.

"Ok OK." He chuckled nervously, the only reason Trixie could possible be stuck on a roof was because of American Dragon duties which meant he had to avoid letting Stacy see anything unusual.

Trixie huffed "Your bringing her!"

"Yeah…" Spud answered vaguely not wanting to alarm his already irritated girlfriend.

"Fine! Hurry up!" Trixie was agitated from every second of feeling entrapped. "I'm going crazy up here!"

"Finally my chance!" Hans Rotwood expressed in glee pulling a disposable camera from his jacket pocket. He had bought near by.

Jake kicked the monster with his powerful legs stunning the ghastly creature. Rotwood looked up seeing his reflection in it's big dark eyes. He quickly snapped a photo. RAWWWWWWWWWW! The monster screeched in his face, Rotwood was paralyzed with fear unable to move. Jake swooped in without moments to loose for the beast was about to shread his teacher into minced meat with it's jagged claws.

"Jake! Oh, thank heavens!" He held on for dear life.

"Now that I saved your life you owe me one Rotwood. No more of you stupid black mail letters!"

"Blackmail? What letters, I didn't send you any letters."

"In my locker?"

"No, that wasn't any of my doing."

"Hmm." Jake felt a bit of worry creep in to his mind.

Professor Rotwood was in awe of how Jake's voice escaped from his reptilian snout. He held tightly on to his camera so eager to just snap a picture while in such close range. His dream was closer than ever now, with this monster as the perfect proof. So yeah, Jake saved the guy's life but he couldn't pass up on such a great opportunity.

Jake flew toward the square trying to get his former principal to safety, luckily the beast couldn't fly, he could only leap impressive bounds. Jake placed the older man on the balls of his feet.

"Look this monster!" Rotwood yelled.

"Where?" Jake turned his head to look around at nothing, he turned back to Rotwood confused at what to look for. Suddenly a bright flash blinded his sight. SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Jake heard each click from the camera blaring in his eyes.

"Waaa!" Jake wailed. "The oldest trick in the book and I fell for it."

He watched Rotwood run off with a speed he never knew the odd man had.

"AWW MAN!"

Auther P. Spudinski jumped in the drivers side of his raggedy old pick up truck, tossing a duffle bag filled with tools in the middle of the street. Stacy plopped into the passenger side after opening the dented in door on the opposite side.

"Ugg! Spud you really need to get rid of this old thing!" Stacy pouted while clicking her seat belt into place.

"I will Babe, Once I have the money saved up." Spud kissed her gingerly.

He pulled out of the concrete drive way and onto the main road. Stacy free from her cheer uniform for once wore a cute pair of skinny jeans and a solid white cami it was simple but Spud found it sexy. She turned on the radio hearing an array of different tunes. "I'm so fancy, you already know…" blasted from the speakers.

"I love this song!" She sang in sync with the lyrics.

"I'm in the fast TRAIN from LA to TOKYO!" Spud joined in.

"It's LANE not TRAIN!" Stacy giggled.

"I know I just think it sounds cooler." He chucked at his bossy girlfriend.

Stacy had to agree, Spud's silly nature made the stupidest things worthwhile. Spud lifted Stacy's hand to his lips leaving a trail of kisses along her arm.

"SPUD LOOK OUT!" Stacy gasped in fright.

BUMP, BUMP

"DAMN!" Spud stopped his truck knowing he had hit something.

Both teenagers exited from their side of the vehicle.

"OH MY GOD!" Stacy cupped her mouth with both palms. Her expression was horrifying more so than the sight before her.

Spud griped his hair tightly anxiety creeping through his veins. "SHIT! FUCK!"

"I'm going to call 911!" Stacy scurried through her purse searching for her smart phone. Spud grabbed her wrist with such desperation.

"NO! We can't call the police, we can't tell anyone!" He couldn't believe the words escaped from his lips.

"What do you mean?"

"We have to hide the body!" Spud was in shock that he had hit a person head on.

Stacy felt her face become pale; her boyfriend had just killed someone. When was she going to wake up from this nightmare? She knew he was right hide the body and live freely consumed with guilt, or tell the truth and have their lives destroyed. Things would never be the same either way. But what if…?

"What if we get caught?" She finished her thought out loud.

Spud couldn't think clearly his bottom lip quivered, he tried holding back his tears. He didn't mean it. It was an accident, a mistake.

"No, we have to call the police." Spud began to cry, hyperventilating between his words. Stacy soon followed starring at the deceased young man that looked no older than the two of them. Something about him was familiar. That jacket, the skin tone. His face was no longer recognizable.

Spud kneeled down searching every pocket for a clue. "I found his wallet." The boys student I.D. revealed all he need to know.

"Oh my god! I just killed our star quarter back!" Spud whimpered. The little card read Miles Jackson, age 17, Fillmore High School.

"Spud! Come help me!" Stacy had begun to drag the body toward the direction of the woods; there was a hill just beyond the rail that would have been perfect for concealing the battered frame.

Spud accompanied her making the task less of a struggle. Spud had place the wallet and I.D. in his pocket remembering his fingerprints had grazed the surface. They allowed the body to roll off to the abyss of darkness. Stacy and Spud walked back to the truck.

"This your vehicle?" Ask a sheriff. He had appeared out of nowhere. His cruiser was parked a bit beyond Spud's own truck.

"Yes sir." Spud spatter out trying his best to calm his nerves.

"I remember going out there to make out back in my day." He said in reference of the direction from which they were walking. "I'll just let you off with a warning, have a good one."

"Thank you, sir." Spud's voice barely cracked. Spud and Stacy climbed back into the truck. They waited until the cruiser was completely out of range.

Spud took a deep breath. "I'm so sorry Stacy." He rammed his head into the steering wheel overtaken with grief.

"It never happened!" Stacy turned the boy's head to look her in the eyes. Spud starred at her blankly.

"What…"

"It never happened, we can't tell a soul, we won't speak about it. It never happened." Stacy peered into his maple brown eyes. "Promise? Promise me!"

"I…I promise." Spud vowed through watery eyes.

RING BRRRRRING!

Spud looked at the screen of his phone. Trixie was trying to get a hold of him. He let the call go to his voicemail.

"What the hell is taking them so long!" Trixie yelled in the wind, she was growing more impatient every second.

She laid on the concert roof top starring into the clouds. The sun had shown brightly casting an eclipse like shadow, a dragons silhouette. Another large figure leaped in behind. Trixie jolted upward fearing that gravity would play its part in her fate. The dragon flapped its powerful wings circling around the rooftop. The ferocious beast had managed to leap to the top of the building. The monster's nostrils flared, it divulged its razor sharp teeth. RWWAAAAAAAAW!

The creature charged toward the petite girl.

"TRIXIE!" Jake looked on in horror fearing for his beloved's life. She turned on her heel steering clear of the monster's attack, only to loose her footing and fall from the edge.

"There's a girl up there!" A man in the crowd shouted from below. Many pulled out their phones to snap photos and record the suspenseful scene.

"AHHAAAAAAAAAAAEEEEE" She screeched. Jake's momentum built up, he flapped his wings as hard as he could catching the girl in mid air.

"I GOT YOU!" He cradled her in his arms. The monster met his match when his fall broke from a taxicab below. The car had split in fours impaling the savage brute.

Trixie held her arms tightly around Jakes scaly neck, she was so afraid she thought she might wet herself. Jake felt her heart pounding through her shirt. He held he bridal style flying to a concealed alleyway to become human once more. The crowd gathered around the dead creature.

"It's ok baby girl, I'm right here." He caressed the small of her back.

She shivered uncontrollably "You asshole!" she screamed pounding his chest with her tiny fist. "You nearly got me kill."

"NO, that's nonsense Baby, you know I'll always catch you." He said with a charming grin. Jake flinched lifting his forearm and leg as a shield from Trixie's windmills. Those girly punches were much more painful than they looked. "OK, OK I'm sorry Babe." He apologetically pleaded. Trixie ceased her assault. She turned her back on him puffing into the cool air, she felt a warm firm grip on her buttock. She glared back at her boyfriend.

"What? You know I can't go to long without my chocolate fix." He said placing his forehead on hers.

"Next time… Owooo!" she warned.

He hugged her from behind filling her neck and cheeks with smooches. She couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach, softly smiling so Jake wouldn't notice.

"Trixie!" The girl heard from a distance. She and Jake turned their heads toward the voice.

"Oh now you decide to show up." Trixie rolled her eyes at the tall boy walking toward her. He appeared worn.

"We…we got stuck in tra…." Spud stuttered before Trixie cut him off .

"I.. DON'T…WANT …TO..HEAR...IT!" Her attitude was very clear. Stacy scowled she didn't appreciate how the other spoke to her man.

"Don't take it personally she's pissed at me." Jake intervened after seeing the broken look on Spud's face.

"SHUT UP JAKEY!" She poked out her lip. Jake swooped the antsy girl over his shoulder like a sack of potatos. "You ain't gonna be talking to me like that young lady, I'm bout to put you in check." Jake said in a pretend stern tone. He spanked her bum. "NOW, say you're sorry."

"JAKE! PUT ME DOWN!"

"What was that, I didn't hear you?"

"SORRIEEEEEY!"

"Say what?"

"Sorry, Jake." She rolled her eyes once more.

"AND?"

"And Spud, sorry I yelled at you." Jake tapped her bum twice more.

"That's a good girl."

"I'm not a dog."

"No, but your fun to pet."

Jake found it odd that Spud nor Stacy found humor in their actions, normally they'd be laughing hysterically. They seemed a bit quiet.

The teenagers walked through the crowd trying to stay clear of the flashing cameras.

The thought of Rotwood and his camera resurfaced to Jake's mind.

"Shit." He muttered.

"What?" Trixie wondered seeing his distress.

"I'll tell you later."

Trixie's face illustrated worry. He squeezed her shoulder for reassurance. Jake knew the crowd more than likely saw a red dragon soaring though the sky. That wasn't the only of his worries finding out the letters left in his locker were from an unknown source was daunting enough, at least Rotwood could be dealt with first hand.

Feeling a tug Jake looked down at his shoelaces. "Fu-dog?" The wrinkley shar-pei made his presence known. "I'll be right back kid." He whispered faintly.

Jake, Spud, Trixie and Stacy stood off to the side of the commotion. Stacy thought the monster was the most interesting thing she'd ever seen, she was still upset about the accident and didn't have much of a reaction. Trixie noticed this, it was almost like Stacy had been around magical creatures her entire life. Spud only starred at his feet.

"Mommy look, that dog he's eating the monster." A little girl pointed out to her mother. The woman tuned out the sound of her daughter voice trying to get her 15 seconds of fame while speaking to a newscaster about the entire event. "I see honey that's nice."

"It almost killed me!" She exaggerated. "Now there's another monster on the loose, some sort of radio active lizard." She spoke to the camera.

Fu had managed to scrape a few of the rock like scales from the creature with his teeth. He felt that it would help them identify were it had come from and what exactly 'it' was. The dragon council would be furious if they knew so much was revealed to the eyes of humans in a matter of minutes.

Susan Long was busy tidying her kitchen, cleaning the dishes to sweeping the floor in a swift pace. A rustling sound was heard at the door.

"Oh the mail." It seemed to come at the exact same time every day. Three envelopes had landed on the floor, one from a credit card company that was meant for her son. The second was addressed to she and her husband Jonathan from the water company, and the last was from Fillmore high. Susan frowned knowing each could only hold bad news.

She opened the envelope from the water company a bill no doubt. "FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS." The letter indicated her husband had been late paying the bill last month. She rubbed her forehead trying to maintain her stress level before she got through the rest of the mail. The next envelope she opened confirmed that her 17 year old was trying to gain access to a credit card. Thankfully his request was declined. Jake was far too irresponsible with money to own a credit card. That last of the days mail was once again regarding her son.

She tore open the envelope labeled Fillmore High in the top right corner. It read ' To the parents/guardians of Jake Long, Due to the circumstances in reference to your child's suspension he/she will be allowed to attend his/her normal school hours accordingly. Sincerely Anthony Passthrough Board of education director.

Her son was finally allowed to return to school tomorrow, "Oh thank God!" Susan was relieved, yes she loved her son but he was running through the all the food in the fridge as if he had never eaten before and the dishes continued to pile high. He always had an excuse not to do them whether it was American dragon duties or tending to a distraught Trixie.

Settling down on the sofa Susan turned the television to Oprah, every housewife's favorite show.

"Hi Mommy!" Haley, Susan's 10 year old burst through the door. "I need you to sign this for me." She shoved a packet of paper in her mother's face before she had a chance to react.

"Hey honey, how was your day?" Jonathan asked oblivious as to why his wife was burning holes through him with her eyes.

"Is some thing wrong Sugarpop?" He asked.

"Did you know about this?" She pointed to the fee near the bottom of the document.

Jonathan pursed his specs toward the bridge of his nose to get a better look at the fine print.

"Oh, uh… This isn't right. I'll get to the bottom of this." He took the page from his wife to take care of the matter right away.

She glanced at the packet Haley had given her, apparently it was a preparation list for Haley's trip to Washington consisting of medical information, permission slips, and packing essentials. She would look over it in detail later, or maybe tomorrow.

Susan shook her head massaging her forehead with the tips of her fingers. She glanced back at the TV her favorite soap Kira and Casseme was just coming on. She laid back on the couch letting each of her troubles melt away.

Stacy leaped face first into her pillow still haunted by the day's earlier events. The clock taunted her, it read 11:45 but she couldn't bring herself to rest she was much to weary despite being exhausted.

Reaching on the nightstand she took hold of her cell phone. She was worried about Spud, afraid for him. He was already in a fragile place, he didn't talk about his feelings much but he wasn't very good at hiding them either this event would be the straw that would break the camel's back. Things couldn't get any worse…. But then again they could, how long could they keep this secret?

HEY, she texted her boyfriend, she knew he wouldn't be asleep.

HEY, he responded.

ARE YOU OK?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

She couldn't hear him speak the words in the context there were meant to be spoken, but either way it hurt. She knew he didn't mean it but her eyes still began to sting her heart sunk to the pit of her belly.

IM SORRY, she type before burying her face into her pillow allowing the tears to flow that she had been holding in all day until she was taken by sleep.

It was midnight and Jake couldn't rest, all he could think of was the pictures taken by Professor Rotwood and who could have written those letters, where Kyle could possibly be and what tomorrow, his first day back too school would be like. His mom broke the disappointing news when he retuned home, he also got a heated lecture about the importance of money and how he shouldn't try to sneak behind his parents back to get credit cards. Haley enjoyed every moment of his scolding. He pushed all the negative thoughts from his mind trying his best to relax. He thought about the girl that made his heart skip a beat whenever he smelled her sent she smelled of berries and lavender.

"We haven't even been on a real date yet. I need to spoil my boo." Jake spoke to himself. He loved to shower a girl with flowers and chocolates whenever he felt serious about the relationship. Trixie never really had a real boyfriend just a couple of duds and a bad fling here or there. He felt honored knowing he was the first, and even though he wouldn't be Trixie actual first he would so in the choosing of her will, because no rape should be considered the first.

He frowned remembering why he had been away from school in the first place, if nothing else positive came out of returning at least he be right where he needed to be…just incase Trixie needed protection.

"HA, protection." Jake remembered that rant given to him by Grandma Louise. His cheeks redden from his perverted thoughts.

His mind wandered a lot lately, he couldn't help himself it had been quite some time since he shared his affections. His body yarned for Trixie he just didn't feel comfortable admitting it. He never wanted her to feel obligated.

He laid on his side thinking of things to say to Rotwood in the morning about those snap shots. A deal of people had seen him and that beast he fought it would put him and so many people he loved in danger for that information to be leaked. He was to ask the Dragon Council for their help in concealing that knowledge.

"Tomorrow's going to be a long day." Jake yawned allowing his body to drift into slumber.

"Oh my gawd, did you hear what happened?" A loud Latina spat to her bestie an African American girl.

"Yeah gurl, it was on the news and everything. This school is cray cray we need to get the hell out of here."

Jake's ears lifted absorbing the information he over heard, he wonder what all the commotion was about every one was acting all weird. His eyes were still heavy from the lack of rest he got last night.

Lacy, Tracy, and some of the other cheerleaders were huddled around in prayer about something. Some students were even crying.

"HEY, Jake!" Tyler the co-captain of the football team greeted him.

"Were you still interested in that opening for them team we could really use your help right now."

"I don't know man, Like I told Miles I have an after school job I work at."

"That's why we need you."

Jake looked at the other boy confused of what he could have meant.

"Wait… You haven't heard?"

"Heard what?"

"Mile is dead. He was found this morning by a hitchhiker. " Tyler sad sadly, he looked as if there was no hope left for this world. Jake gasped at the shocking news.

"Damn, I sorry to hear that." He knew Tyler and Miles were the best of friends. Jake knew that if something ever happened to Spud or Trixie he'd flip. "Listen man I'll think about it." Jake reassured Tyler with a squeeze of the shoulder.

Jake made his way to the second floor after first making a stop at his own locker.

He zoomed up the stairs, a smile spreading across his face once he laid eyes on the object of his affections. He stalked behind his girl wrapping his arms around her bare midriff. She screeched startled from the gesture.

"Sorry Baby, it's me." Though the second incident with Kyle was nearly a week ago he had to remind himself to carefully approach Trixie it was clear she was suffering from anxiety.

The other students looked on concerned, others whispered harshly.

"It's ok it's just me." He reassured her again, her entire body trembled. He made a mental note not to sneak up on her again. She squeezed him in a tight embrace so relieved that it was him and not the vile monster Kyle. Jake kissed her forehead "Come on let's get to class." Luckily they shared all the same classes so he could keep a close eye on her.

Jake wrapped his arm lovingly around Trixie's shoulders he led them down stairs to their homeroom class.

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"Well…it's nice to see you too."

"Jake, I didn't mean it that way. I just wasn't expecting you to be here."

"Yeah, I didn't think of that, didn't mean to scare you Baby girl."

"I'm ok, now that I know it's you." She kissed his cheek. She look over to see a couple of students shedding tears. "Hey did you hear about Miles?"

"Yep, Tyler told me it's sad." Jacob sighed. "They're saying he was left for dead on the side of the road."

"That makes me wonder….no it couldn't be." Trixie thought.

"What, wonder what?"

"If anyone was planning on murdering him wouldn't it be someone he's close to like a classmate or a family member or something."

"I don't know Trix, but we're gonna find out. I was thinking it could be magic related."

Trixie nodded in agreeance, after finding your best friend/boyfriend is a dragon and your principal is a mermaid that idea probably wasn't far from the truth.

Jacob and Trishelle walked through the doorway of their homeroom making their way towards the two desk in the back of the class.

All eyes reverted toward them, after all it was Jake's first day back after the big fight.

"Attention all classes will report to the gym during the last period, an assembly on violence and safety will be mandatory for all students to attend. "

"Also a moment of silence will be held for our fallen quarterback." Boom the voice of the intercom shouted.

The class cheered throwing makeshift paper streamers ,they were gleeful they were freed from their last class.

"Show some respect." Mrs. Kosuke yelled out to her bratty students. "Your classmate hasn't even been dead a full 48 hours and this is how you behave?" She scolded them.

Jake looked over toward the desk on the opposite side from him.

"Where's Spud?"

"I guess he didn't come in today, kinda wish we didn't either." Trixie responded.

"Yeah, I can think of a few things way more fun than being here." Jake wiggled his brows. "Now that I mention it I didn't see Stacy with her cheer crew either. HA! My boys getting laid." Jake said excitedly, proudly even.

Trixie snorted. "Jake is there ever anything you think about other than sex?" She kept her voice low.

"99.9 percent of the time I'm thinking about your ass, that doesn't count does it?" He chuckled.

Trixie twitched her lips. "You are such a pervert."

"Sad but true." He admitted through a goofy grin.

Their teacher was busy grading yesterdays assignments while the students were left to complete the exercise written on the dry erase marker board and socialize after they were finished.

Jake stole a soft kiss from Trixie's pouty lips.

"Oww." They both felt a spark.

"That was weird." Jake mentioned.

"Your mom did tell you to stop dragging you feet around the static will cause you to blow some thing up." Trixie said in reference to Jake's fire breathing abilities.

"I was thinking it was something more romantic like the spark of our love." Jake batted his eyelashes like a woman from an old south movie filmed in the 1930s.

"Well it can mean that if you want it to." She smiled.

Jake looked down at Trixie's hand it was doing that glowing thing that he thought he imagined on her legs before their first kiss.

"Trixie your hand! It's glowing." Jake whispered harshly.

Her eyes widened in fear seeing her hands this way. Grabbed her belongings dashing into the halls, Jake swiftly followed making sure no one was paying any attention.

The glowing began to strengthen and spread a gold gleaming light intertwined beneath her skin. Her flesh was growing hotter as they race up the stairwell to the school's roof. Suddenly her entire body engulfed in flames burning away at most of her clothing. Her firery hair danced on her scalp like the wick of a candle. She tried coving herself afraid but confused, wondering why she felt no pain.

Jake wings broke from his human flesh acting as fire blanket impairing the rapid fire. The heat didn't bother him being a fire-breathing dragon himself. He successfully subsided the blazing inferno.

"Trixie, Baby look at me." Jake reacted in panic all he could think of was getting her to the nearest hospital.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." She said shaken up, while showing her boyfriend her unscathed arms and legs.

Jake's wings vanished revealing how nearly nude Trixie was. "Here take my jacket." He wrapped his favorite red Jacket around her shoulders. "I'll take you home to change, we need to see Gramps about this immediately." She nodded. "Dragon up!" He picked her up bridal style, grabbing their backpacks with his lizard like feet. Soaring from the rooftop to their next destination.

Jake and Trixie had entered her room from her balcony, the easiest place to sneak in. She didn't want to explain to her grandma why most her here clothes had burned away.

Jake sat on the edge of the bed his back turned while Trixie stood near her closet picking from a new wardrobe. Unbeknownst to her he watched from a small makeup mirror on her vanity. "Eye of the dragon." He whispered. He watched her slip yellow lace panties over her chocolate legs, and studied her breast before she snapped on her matching bra.

He paid special attention when she bent over to retrieve the tee she drop on the carpet. He was sure these images would come in hand during his wet dreams. He wanted so badly to touch. 'Snap out of it Jake.' He thought. He took into account that only moments ago the girls entire body was covered in flames.

Trixie threw on an old pair a skinny jeans and a Mickey Mouse shirt from 6th grade, clothes she didn't mind losing if she caught fire again. As far as her underwear went she had tons of the same style in different colors. She was surprised her shoes were still in one piece but change into old worn out chucks anyhow.

"Ready". Jake as trying to hide his guilt from peeking.

"Yeah, I'm ready love." She said shutting the balcony door behind her. Jake kneeled down letting Trixie climbing onto his back.

"Let's go!" He commanded taking the skies once again.

Trixie loved how soft Jake's dragon mane felt and the smoothness of his scales they gave her comfort like a giant detailed plushy.

"I hope we don't get written up for this. Last thing I need is for my grandma to thing I'm up to no good. Trixie squirmed.

"Well at least it's better than being poked and prodded in a science lab, right?"

"That is true, but it doesn't make me feel any better."

Jake though heavily of what could have caused that reaction. "Did you take anything at Gramps. Eat any thing unusual?"

"Nope, I only had some tea."

"Hmm… Then how they hell are you still alive and why don't you have any burns?"

"Don't know Jakey. Maybe Gramps or Fu can answer that one."

To be continued…