No less than dope

“I must be hallucinating,” I mutter, my voice trembling with disbelief. I reach up, slapping my own cheek in a desperate attempt to shake off this surreal nightmare. “Someone must’ve slipped something into my drink. Was it you?”

Liam scoffs, laced with exasperation. “Me? I wasn’t anywhere near your drink—”

“Right. So where were you?” My retort is sharp, my patience stretched thin.

“I was… um… uh… wait— what does it matter?” he stammers, his eyes rolling in irritation. “Look— you weren’t drugged, okay?” There’s an urgency in Liam’s tone now, a plea for me to understand. “And you’re not hallucinating when I pulled you out from a certain brush with death, alright? It was real. Why is that so hard to believe when you can see it with your eyes?”

“Yeah, I wasn’t hallucinating when I saw you snogging Roni on the dance floor. That was smooth— when I thought I was supposed to be your date for the evening?”

“Okay, that was an accident. I didn’t mean to— but hey… when I was on my way back to you, I found out you already got my replacement—”

“Replacement?”

“Who’s that guy?”

“Nikko? He’s the drummer in the band,” I scoff, my tone bitter. “He thought I could use some company, because my contracted date for the night left me— alone.”

“Okay… I’m sorry, Liv…” his voice softens. “Roni… she’s an old flame. But we’re just friends now…”

“I don’t care what you were or what you are now, okay? You broke our agreement, so you have no right to question who I was with or what we did without you.”

“Yeah… my bad… again, I’m sorry.” He lets out a sharp breath, regret etched across his features. “Can we just forget about the whole thing and talk about this— Liv— just look at me…”

I gaze at him, trying to make sense of this bizarre night. In the surrounding dimness, my vision finally adjusts. Liam is... naked. His skin has a strange quality, a shimmering iridescence like a reptile, and it glows in the shadows. It’s impossible, but I can see him clearly, and I can’t deny what I’m witnessing.

A surge of instinctual fear courses through me, and I scoot away from him. “What the hell, Liam?”

“Now, do you believe me?” Liam’s chuckle is unsettling. “Want to see my wings?”

“Wait— what happened to your clothes when you turned into a dragon? Where are they?”

Liam simply shrugs, his gaze wandering into the distance. “I don’t know… in tatters, I guess. I need to go home and put on some clothes. And go back to the club to retrieve the car. Can you come with me?”

I struggle to wrap my head around the absurdity of the situation. “How are we going to your place with you looking like… like that?”

“We fly, of course,” he chuckles, his voice now laced with a surreal sense of wonder. “It’s amazing how I had no need for flying lessons… it felt like I’ve been doing this all my life.” He whoops with excitement. “So, are you in for another ride?”

“What?” But before I can voice another word, he wraps me in his arms.

In an instant, I find myself enveloped in his grasp. The transformation is both unsettling and exhilarating. I feel the muscles of his arms bulking up, his neck elongating, and a pair of wings unfurling from his back. A rush of wind, caused by the flapping of those massive wings, brushes against my face as I feel my feet leave the ground.

When I finally gather the courage to open my eyes, we’re already soaring above the glittering city lights of Manhattan.

As we ascend into the night sky, a rush of emotions floods through me. My heart pounds in my chest, a symphony of exhilaration and disbelief. The city below spreads out like a glittering tapestry, a mosaic of lights and life. It’s a view that no skyscraper could ever offer.

The wind whistles in my ears, drowning out the distant hum of traffic. I can feel the powerful beats of Liam’s wings beneath me, a steady rhythm that carries us higher and higher. The air is cool and crisp against my skin, a stark contrast to the heated chaos of the club.

My gaze darts between the familiar landmarks of the city. The Empire State Building stands tall, its apex disappearing into the night. The neon signs of Times Square pulse like a heartbeat, casting a vivid glow on the surrounding streets. I spot Central Park, a dark oasis amidst the sea of lights.

We pass over the Hudson River, its inky surface reflecting the lights of New Jersey. The skyline stretches out before us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the city that never sleeps. It’s a view I’ve only ever seen in movies or postcards, and now I’m soaring through it.

As we approach Hell’s Kitchen, the buildings grow taller and more tightly packed. The balconies and fire escapes form a labyrinthine network against the night. Liam adjusts our course, expertly maneuvering through the urban landscape.

With a final powerful flap of his wings, we glide towards the balcony of Liam’s apartment. It’s a surreal sight—a dragon and a girl, landing in the heart of the city. The wrought-iron railing and potted plants stand silent witness to our unconventional arrival.

Liam gently sets me down on the balcony, his wings folding gracefully behind him. I take a moment to catch my breath, my senses still reeling from the astonishing journey. The cityscape stretches out in every direction, a testament to the boundless possibilities that now seem within reach.

I turn to Liam, my eyes wide with wonder. “That... that was incredible.” My voice trembles with a mixture of awe and disbelief. “How is this even possible?”

He meets my gaze, a mixture of pride and vulnerability in his eyes. “I wish I had all the answers, Liv. But for now, let’s get inside before anyone spots us.” He opens the balcony door, revealing the cozy interior of his apartment.

As I step inside, my mind races with a million questions. The world I thought I knew has expanded beyond imagination. And in the heart of this new reality is Liam, the enigmatic boy with the power to defy gravity.

My mind whirls with a heady mix of excitement and confusion as Liam disappears into his bedroom. The image of him as a dragon, soaring through the night sky, refuses to fade. It’s a reality-defying revelation that both exhilarates and terrifies me.

When he reemerges, he’s transformed. Dressed impeccably, he exudes a confidence that’s utterly magnetic. I’m struck by how different he looks, and how attractive he is in this new light. His smile is like a beacon, drawing me in. I can’t help but feel a flutter in my chest as I meet his intense gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks, cocking his head and narrowing his eyes. “You think I’m a freak and you want nothing to do with me, right?”

A nervous chuckle escapes my lips. “What? No— not at all. I actually think you’re— you’re amazing. Who else can boast about having a dragon as a boyfriend?”

His lips curl into a lopsided grin, and I’m momentarily breathless. “You really think so?” He slowly makes his way toward the couch and scoots beside me. “Did you just call me your boyfriend?”

My hand slaps over my mouth. “I—I meant— having a friend— who is a boy— who is a— a dragon. A boy dragon friend…” I wrinkle my nose, not quite sure if I’ve said it right.

Liam chuckles, the sound warm and reassuring. “I’m honored… if that’s what you think. At least, I didn’t freak you out… and I’d be more thrilled if you’d truly consider me your boyfriend—”

I sputter, my cheeks burning. “Boyfriend? No, I didn’t mean—”

“I know— I know…” he says, raising his hands. “I’m not jumping into anything. I promise to take it slow.”

I narrow my eyes, still trying to process everything. “Take it slow?”

“Come on, Liv… don’t act like you don’t know.”

“Know what?”

“That I like you… and I know you like me too,” he says, waggling his brows. “It’s a connection that goes beyond words, beyond logic. It’s something we both feel. I just know— it’s a dragon thing.“

“Really?” I ask, my heart pounding.

He flashes a shy grin. “It’s not just dragons. Even humans can sense when someone is attracted to them… like I am to you… and you are to me…” He jerks his chin up. “Am I wrong?”

“No… you’re not wrong. But I’d like to take it slow, okay?”

He beams. “Deal. Shall we head back to the party now?”

“Are we going to... fly again?” I ask, the absurdity of the question hitting me.

“And what? Ruin my clothes again? No way— we’re hailing a cab this time.”