Author's Note: This story is a work of fiction, any resemblance of the characters to actual persons living or deceased is strictly coincidental.

First Book:

The warm afternoon sun washed over Dylan as he laid right on the bleached wood deck next to the swimming pool. He didn't have to open his eyes to know who was approaching when he heard the steps move across the wood. Before he could stir, an arm caught him across the chest.

"Happy Birthday Dylan." Karen said.

"Please, don't." Dylan shifted uncomfortably. "Don't touch me like that."

"You've never had a problem before Dylan." Karen stated. "You used to like me hugging you, you said so yourself."

"It's awkward." Dylan sighed, opening his eyes as he sat up.

"Karen, the poor boy's uncomfortable, let him go." Karen's mother set a tray on a patio table. "See, look at his face."

"Oh!" Karen released Dylan quickly. "I'm sorry, you could have said so sooner."

"I did." Dylan replied meekly. "Karen, thank you, for remembering my birthday." He looked at Karen, offering a timid half-smile. "Could I ask you a favor now?"

"Sure Dylan, what do you need?" Karen was eager to help.

"Could you get off my tail?" Dylan's question was so innocent.

"I've known you so long I forget you're a lizard boy sometimes Dylan." Karen moved after realizing she was sitting on Dylan's tail. "I got you something." She held out a small package, neatly wrapped in bright gold paper with a thin green line of curling ribbon tied around it.

Dylan sat up and stared at the package, hesitating. After a moment, he reluctantly reached out and accepted the gift, but set it in his lap without opening it. He started to pick at the curls of ribbon, stretching them out and watching them spring back into a curl as he let go.

"Well?" Karen prodded. "Are you going to open it?"

Hearing the question Dylan suddenly looked divided, like he wanted to open the gift, but also felt he shouldn't. A glance at Karen's hopeful face told him to go ahead. After snapping the ribbon with one of his claws, he tore into the paper and eventually freed the small black box from the paper. He opened the box and found inside a silver dragon on a black leather cord. "It's really nice, thank you."

"Dylan, are you all right?" Karen asked with concern. "You haven't been yourself lately, you've seemed preoccupied."

"I'm fine Karen, I promise." Dylan looked up at Karen and smiled. "I'll save this for special occasions." He carefully boxed up the necklace and set it down on his folded towel beside him.

"Okay, but, I'd like to see it on you for a little bit anyway." Karen hinted.

Dylan sat up again and took out the necklace, carefully he put it on, straightening the dragon so it it fell at the center of his neck. When he finished, he took his hands away and looked up at Karen with an expression of polite curiosity, silently asking the questions of approval.

Karen smiled. "It looks really good on you." She complimented.

"Thank you." Dylan said somewhat absently as he stood up and offered a bow. To his surprise, Karen caught him up in a hug again.

"I know you asked me not to, but I couldn't help it, it's your birthday." Karen was good natured.

"I... I should head home now." Dylan lowered his gaze shyly. "Mom and Dad are probably worried." He picked up the towel, slung it over his shoulder, and started to hurry off. At the pool's gate Dylan stopped and turned back to Karen. "Thank you for the gift." He slipped through the gate.

"Mom, is Dylan upset with me?" Karen asked. "He's been acting really strange around me since-"

"Wednesday, two weeks ago." Karen's mom finished. "Dylan's not upset, he's confused honey."

"What do you mean?" Karen was confused.

"Think about it, remember what happened that Wednesday?" Karen's Mom answered with a question.

"Dylan?" A pleasant voice reacted with surprise. "Didn't you go to school today?"

"My school had an administrative day." He responded looking up from the counter where he chopping an onion. "Teacher's meetings or something." After offering the girl in the kitchen doorway as much a smile as his mouth could form, "On the table, I got you something." He returned his attention to the cutting board.

Karen looked over at the kitchen table and saw a bouquet of flowers and a balloon. "Thank you Dylan that was sweet of you." She hurried over and wrapped her arm around Dylan's shoulder.

"You're in a good mood today Karen." Karen's mother entered the kitchen carrying a couple of jars of home canned tomatoes.

"Tom asked me to the dance on Friday." Karen gushed excitedly.

A slight sound, followed by the clatter of the knife dropping on the counter got both Karen and her mother to look over at Dylan. He was holding his right thumb in his left hand.

"Oh my goodness are you all right Dylan?" Karen's mother asked urgently.

"It's a nick, I'll be fine." Dylan quickly replied. "Please excuse me, I'll be right back."

"You know where the first-aid kit is Dylan, use it this time." Karen's mother stated.

"Yes ma'am." Dylan left the kitchen in a hurry.

"That was odd." Karen stared out the doorway after Dylan left.

"It was." Karen's mother thought out loud. "I'll go see if he's all right."

"Why would that bother Dylan? we've been friends for years." Karen didn't understand.

"Karen, he asked me not to tell you this, but Dylan's kind of sweet on you." Karen's mom explained. "He has a crush on you, but he didn't want to make things weird for you and that boy, Tom."

"He's interested in me?" Karen ran the thought through her head by speaking it. "I didn't know that. I should go talk to him."

"Give him some time." Karen's mother advised. "You don't want to make things any more awkward for him."

"Right." Karen agreed.