by K.W. McCabe
Chapter 1
Anno Draconis 1-14-0051
Cecily strode away from Cathedral High school, her foot sending a crumbled chunk of aged concrete flying down the road. She paused, glancing up at the blue sky. The sun shone searing hot. It wasn’t dark yet, which meant she still had time to beat the dragon-imposed curfew home. She resumed walking, ignoring the beat of her heart as it sped up.
Curfew. Mom.
“Cecily! Hey!”
She jerked, coming out of her thoughts, and turned.
Tara ran toward her from the chipped, sagging front steps of the school. Her arms were wrapped tight around her school books and her black tee clung damply to her skin. Her skimpy gray shorts probably helped her stay cooler, although they barely adhered to the rules on length for the school uniform.
Cecily frowned at Tara’s tight fitting clothes, then noted the heat waves above the cracked asphalt. The day was too hot to point out broken uniform rules. “Hey, Tara, what’s up?” She lifted her hands to catch the stack of creased, dog-eared books Tara dumped in her arms.
Tara bent over, breathing hard, then straightened. “Can you help me with math, Cecily? I’ll flunk the exam if you don’t.”
She shot Tara a doubtful glance. “You just want to come over because Daniel’s home.”
Tara's face looked flushed as she took her books back from Cecily. “Well, yes, but I do need help. And not only that, I have news.” She sounded smug.
Cecily rolled her eyes as they headed toward her home. Tara always had news.
“What?”
“Not until you say you’ll help me.”
“I always do.”
“Oh, good. I thought you might not be in the mood after what happened with Brian–” She broke off when Cecily winced. “Oh, man, I’m sorry. I should’ve known it would still be too soon.” She juggled her books to give Cecily an awkward side hug.
“It’s okay.” Cecily stared at the broken concrete on the ground as they continued walking toward her house. “I was going to tell you. I just didn’t realize the news had gotten around so fast. I’d hoped for a couple more days before anyone asked me about it. So much for wishful thinking.”
“You want to tell me now?”
Cecily avoided her gaze. She should have realized the news would get around fast. Every girl in school wanted Brian. She sighed. “I guess. We broke up two days ago. Our breakup sucked. Brian and Daniel were friendly at first. At least until Lymans’ University scouting agents started showing up on the soccer field during practice. Daniel’s a good soccer player, much better than Brian. The competition got intense between them and,” she shrugged, “Brian acted like a jerk and fouled him.”
Tara sucked in air. “So that’s why your twin’s gone from school.”
Cecily nodded. “If his leg is permanently damaged, it could affect his chances for a scholarship. I was so mad, I confronted Brian.”
“What did he say?”
Tears burned her eyes and Cecily blinked to hold them back. “That our relationship was too complicated and we should just be friends.”
“Ouch.” Tara winced and shook her head. “Brian’s an idiot, you’re gorgeous.”
Cecily gave a weak smile. “Thanks, Tara. Brian was a jerk. I’m just glad I found out now before it was too late.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s harder to get rid of them, the longer they’re around.” Tara agreed, her brown eyes dark and somber.
Cecily fell silent for a moment, then sighed. There was no point in talking about Brian. “So, are you going to tell me the big news now?”
Tara gave a little bounce. “Yeah, I forgot. So, what’s going on is two new students are joining track and field.”
She squinted at Tara. “That’s the big news? You made me get all excited about that?”
Tara wrinkled her nose. “No, that’s not the exciting part. The exciting part is who the new members are.”
“Well, who are they?” Cecily glanced down the road to see how far they were from her house. On either side of the street sat cream-colored, cookie-cutter wooden cottages with green front yards and neatly tended bushes and trees. Tara’s home sat immediately across the road. A little further ahead lay Cecily’s bright yellow cottage, the shutters thrown open and the front yard overrun with a motley spray of color and plant-life.
“It’s not official, but I heard,” Tara paused, her eyes twinkling, “they’re geckos.” The term they used for dragonkind was the only way they had of rebelling, whispering epithets where they wouldn’t be heard.
She stared at Tara. “You’re kidding me. Dragons? Why would dragons go to school? It doesn’t make sense! They rule everything. And how’d you find this out anyway?”
“Ms. Lee sent the announcement over the whole school during third period break.” Tara gave her a curious glance. “How’d you miss that?”
Cecily stiffened. She’d been in the bathroom crying during the third period. “Oh, you know. Just busy I guess.”
Tara cocked an eyebrow, then shrugged. “Anyways, dragons control everything. They do whatever they want. Who knows why they’re coming to school?”
“It’s just crazy,” Cecily muttered. “Do you know when the geckos will join our class?” Calling reptiles larger than her house something diminutive was satisfying.
Tara shrugged. “Monday or Tuesday . . .” She trailed off as they walked up to Cecily’s front yard.
Daniel was lounging in a white Adirondack chair in the shaded area of the front porch, his injured knee propped up by faded blue flowery seat cushions. His dark ashy hair blew into his hazel eyes as he threw them a cheeky grin. “Hey, Cecily and Tara.”
Tara flipped her long curls over her shoulder. “Hey!”
Cecily pretended to gag. “Hey, Daniel. I’ll leave you two here to kick it. If you need me, Tara, I’ll be inside.”
Tara giggled at something Daniel said, and Cecily rolled her eyes, walked up the stairs, and went inside.