Dragons at Midnight

The Next morning Jackie quickly woke up at five to quickly do her chores. She was lucky enough to finish the chores at six thirty. She took a shower, making sure to double shampoo her hair and double condition it. Although Nathan was just going to take her to the park to tell her some “VERY” important information, she wanted to look and smell good. She blow-dried her hair and changed into decent clothes. Nothing says ‘we’re just friends’ that a hot pink strapless shirt with a mini-sweater to cover her shoulders. She also wore jeans with regular sneakers. She wore no make-up, since she thought it didn’t matter, but she wore a bit of perfume that was supposed to get guys in love with her. Who knew? Maybe it’ll work.1

Jackie fixed her long hair in two pigtails that went down to the middle of her back. She looked like a little girl but with a bit more maturity where she needed it, for the strapless shirt. Jackie lastly put on her dragon necklace and looked at herself in the mirror. She smiled and went downstairs. It was almost eight. Ambrosine was making breakfast for Darcy and Hope. “Is Darcy and Hope awake?” Jackie asked.2

“This early on Saturdays? They don’t get up for another hour or two. With Darcy’s date and Hope and her friends I think they’ll wake up soon. But I was just making breakfast for myself. Would you like to join me?” Ambrosine asked.3

“I can’t. I have to go with Nathan to the park. He says he has something VERY important to tell me, but I don’t see what it could be. What could be so important?” Jackie asked. Ambrosine nodded. She went to the fridge and opened it to take out the orange juice.4

He is going to tell her, Ambrosine thought. 5

The doorbell rang. “That’s him. I got to go. If Hope even wakes up early can you tell her I’m somewhere WITHOUT her “future” husband? Thanks.” Jackie said and ran to the front door. She opened it and quickly got out. Nathan looked Jackie over. “We have to go, Hope might wake up and I don’t want to be buried alive.” Jackie said. She took his hand and pulled him down the steps. “Plus the faster we get there the faster you get to tell me this “IMPORTANT” stuff.” Jackie mocked. Nathan was still staring at Jackie.6

Jackie pulled him down the street but Nathan could barely feel his feet touch the ground. Jackie had that shirt that revealed herself in a way she really shouldn’t. She was beautiful, he admitted it, but he didn’t want to know guys would follow her around. Not now. Not ever. And her hair was so perfect. He thought it was cute that she put her hair up in that kid-ish way. He had this urge to run his fingers through her hair to see how long it could stay so perfect. He wasn’t even sure if her hair was real. That’s how perfect and placed it looked. Nathan could even smell Jackie from a distance. She smelled clean, fresh and like vanilla. Did she know he loved the sweet smell of vanilla or was it just a coincidence? Jackie’s hand was so soft and warm compared to the freezing temperature outside. He could see puffs from his mouth as he tried to keep up with Jackie. 7

“Slow down!” he finally managed to say. Jackie laughed and stopped rushing. They were almost at the park. Nathan walked faster so he was standing next to Jackie. Jackie smiled at him. Jackie and Nathan even forgot they were still holding hands. A few minutes later Nathan did notice they were holding hands and quickly pulled his hand away. Jackie was confused and hurt. 8

I guess he really doesn’t like me, Jackie thought.9

When the two reached the dirt path of the park, Jackie nodded to Nathan. He didn’t know why she did that. “Aren’t you going to tell me the important news?” Jackie asked. Nathan sighed. “Or do you want to tell me while sitting down? Our table is just a few minutes from here, unless you want to run. It looks like it is going to rain.” Jackie said. She looked up and shook her head. “Did you know Darcy made me get her another date today? In thirty minutes she will go out with this guy she met at the mall. I hope she can actually wake up.” Jackie said.10

“Let’s go sit down.” Nathan said and pulled her over to the picnic table they usually sat on. They stepped up on the bench and sat on the table. Nathan couldn’t speak very much. He grew too nervous, but not because of Jackie. “I really don’t know how to say this. It might freak you out a bit.” Nathan said.11

“Oh no are you trying to tell me that you and Hope are engaged?!” Jackie asked. Nathan pushed her so hard she almost fell off the table.12

“I’m so sorry!” Nathan said. Jackie moved away from him until she was sitting at the other side of the table. Nathan felt worst. He can’t have Jackie afraid of him if he wants to become closer friends with her. “I don’t know how to say this. Let me start with this. You know Darcy isn’t your real mother…but Jacob isn’t your real father either.” Nathan said. Jackie stared at him.13

“How would you know?” Jackie asked. Nathan moved closer to Jackie. Jackie shook her head and jumped off the table. Nathan quickly ran after her and grabbed her arm. “That is not true!” Jackie said. Nathan sat her back on the table. He stood at her side to make sure she wouldn’t run off.14

“Let me finish.” Nathan said. Jackie nodded. “Does anyone ever bring up the word ‘dragons’ with you?” Nathan asked.15

“Aaron calls me his ‘little dragon’” Jackie said.16

Nathan nodded. He didn’t know what to say until he found the perfect thing. “I know! Okay, remember when you burned you hand in class and you didn’t know why?” Nathan asked. Jackie nodded. “You inhaled and then exhaled into your hand. Well…do you know anything that breathes out fire?” Nathan asked. Jackie gave it a thought. She shook her head. Nathan got up to sit next to Jackie. He held both of her shoulders. “Mythical creature! Do you know a mythical creature that breathes out fire?!” Nathan asked.17

“Western dragons?” Jackie asked. Nathan nodded with a smile. 18

“And what is the animal carved on the coin of your necklace?” Nathan asked.19

“A dragon. Western dragon.” Jackie said. Nathan shook Jackie.20

“Don’t you get it?” he asked. Jackie shook her head. Nathan stopped shaking Jackie. “That hot air you breathed into your hand wasn’t air! It was fire! Jackie you’re a dragon! Are you listening?!” Nathan asked. Jackie stared at him. She pushed him away and stomped off. Nathan followed her and grabbed her hand. 21

“The only thing I asked from you is to be honest with me and you start your promise with a cheap lie like that?!” Jackie asked. Nathan shook his head.22

“I’m not lying. I can prove it. Dragons have scales right? Well I noticed today when your sweater slipped off your right shoulder, I saw something. I saw this-”23

Nathan said as he slipped down the sweater off of Jackie’s shoulders. On both shoulders were Cerise Scales. Jackie pulled the sweater back on her shoulders.24

“Those aren’t scales…it’s just…a….rash!” Jackie said. Nathan pulled off Jackie’s sweater. “Give it back it’s too cold out here!” Jackie said reaching for her sweater.25

“Jackie they’re scales! Jackie you have to believe me…LOOK!” Nathan said as he began to take off his shirt. Jackie hid her eyes in her sweater. “Open your eyes Jackie and look at me.” Nathan said. Jackie shook her head.26

“I’m not Hope. I’m not tempted.” Jackie said. Nathan pulled Jackie forward, surprising her enough to put her hand out in front of her. Her hands landed on Nathan’s chest which was covered in silver. Jackie stepped back. “What is that?!” she asked.27

“Silver scales.” Nathan said. “Jackie I can prove you’re a dragon. Take a deep breath in.” Nathan commanded. Jackie rolled her eyes, shaking her head.28

“First of all those ‘scales’ are painted on. And I will take a deep breath in just to prove your wrong and just a liar.” Jackie said. She took a deep breath in and held her breath. She suddenly felt heat traveling up her throat.29

“Now quickly blow out!” Nathan said. Jackie did and was stunned when hot flames escaped her jaw. Nathan grinned. “Jackie you see? I’m not lying to you! I never will I promise.” He said as he put his shirt back on. He couldn’t believe he had even taken it off in front of Jackie. 30

“Nathan hold me.” Jackie said. Nathan stared at her. Did she just say what he thought she said? “I think I’m gonna…gonna…” suddenly Jackie’s eyes rolled back and she fell to the floor. Nathan sighed.31

“Let me guess what you were going to say…faint?” he asked and bent down. He gathered Jackie in his arms. When he was finally up he smiled down at her. Jackie was so light, compared to his dragon strength. She felt as if she weighed as much as a baby sleeping in his arms. He pulled her face near his. “Well she’s breathing.” He said. He sighed. Her house was a few blocks away. “Well I better get her home before it starts to-” there was thunder and a flash of lightning. Nathan sighed again. “-rain.” He finished and began to walk on the muddy trail. Jackie felt so warm against his cold chest. He looked down at her to notice she was soaking wet. So was he. He heard in songs and poetry that being alone with a girl in the rain was supposed to be romantic. He guessed they weren’t unconscious like Jackie. 32