We reach Clyde's house and park in front of it. I quickly take off my shirt and begin changing back into my normal clothes.
"Seems like someone's been working out quite recently," he says while staring at me.
"Oh come on, I'm not that jacked," I say while looking at myself. I can see why he thinks I've gotten more fit. My chest and abs are slightly more defined, and the fat on both my stomach and my waist have almost all gone away, outlining the vague shape of the letter V on my back.
"Your progress is certainly noticeable, though."
"Thanks, Clyde. Maybe if you get into fitness, you can-" I get cut off looking as I look at his face and his sly grin.
"Oh right, you already have a great body," I say after making a dramatic sigh. Clyde pumps his chest out, attempting to look bigger. He huffs his nose proudly.
"That's right," He says while cackling maniacally.
I finish changing, putting on a decent looking white shirt and sweatpants before we both get out of the car and head towards Clyde's house. We both take our slides off and make our way inside, being greeted by the blast of fresh, cold air conditioning. Both of us smile as we cool ourselves off for a little, before heading forward. A woman with silky black hair in an apron greets us from the kitchen with a smile on her face.
"Welcome back, Clyde. Oh, hello there, Xyle! I had a feeling you would show up today, so I made some extra rice. You haven't been coming by recently though."
"Hi, Mrs. Morrison. I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I haven't been able to drop by because I have been busy with my new job as an Enchanted," I say while bowing slightly.
"Oh it's alright dear, I hope your job is going well so far. Be sure you drop by more often. You're always welcome here".
I smile back at her. Clyde and his family are the only people that aren't related to the president that know my identity as an Enchanted, but they think my job as an Enchanted is just helping around with electrical power and shortages. Basically, an electrician. I kinda feel bad for lying, but this is for their own safety.
"Why don't the both of you go freshen up? Dinner will be ready soon," Mrs. Morrison says while stirring a curry in a pot. We both head upstairs and into Clyde's room. He looks through his shelf and throws me a towel.
"I'll get in after you," he says while reaching in his pocket for his phone.
I nod before opening the door to the bathroom and closing it. I take off my clothes and get in the shower. I turn the shower on, waiting for the water to turn hot before getting in. The feel of hot water sends a pleasant shiver through my body. I begin washing myself up with a bar of soap.
Five minutes later…
I open the bathroom door, steam exiting as I walk out wearing Clyde's clothes. A dark blue T-shirt and sweatpants. He already has his towel and clothes ready over his shoulder. We high-five each other as he walks past me and into the shower, closing the door behind him
Ten minutes later…
"I forgot how long you normally take in the shower," I say to Clyde as he walks out of the bathroom.
"Whatever, let's go eat. I'm hungry right now," He says as his stomach grumbles. I agree with him and follow behind as we head downstairs. I see Mr. Morrison sitting at the dining table. The table is rounded with four plates of rice and curry.
"Hey there Xyle, how have you been doing?" Mr. Morrison asks me.
"Fine, sir, thank you for asking." I reply, bowing slightly.
"Oh come on, I've told you to drop such formalities. Just call me 'Mr. Morrison'."
"I'll try my best, though it seems that I haven't been doing a good job." I say while chuckling. Mr. Morrison laughs heartily as well.
"So, Dad…" Clyde says nervously from beside me.
"What is it, Clyde?"
"I might've caused a small dent in the front of your car," Clyde says while closing his eyes.
"What?!" Mr. Morrison exclaims angrily while standing up abruptly, but quickly calms down. He heaves a deep sigh and sits back in the chair. "Explain to me thoroughly."
Both of us take turns sharing our parts, but making sure to leave out the part where I fought a giant dragon. We made up a story on the spot about how we were unfortunate enough to get hit by a stray blast and ended up swerving into a pole. Well, we didn't necessarily lie, but we didn't exactly tell the truth either. I think it was somewhere in between.
"We are sorry!" we both say, hoping that we only get a small scolding.
"It's alright, kids." he says, surprising both of us. Me and Clyde look at each other, confused. "It wasn't your fault, so I'll let it slide this time. That aside, are both of you fine? No injuries?"
I smile slightly, amazed at his calmness and sense of rationality. I wish I had grown up with someone like him. Everyone sits around the table as we start eating and talking as all of us laugh and giggle and chat. A small rumble can be heard from within my hair as Windy stirs.
"What was that?" Mr. Morrison asks while looking at me.
"Oh that? I was just really hungry, and tasting Mrs. Morrison's food made me even more hungry because of how tasty it was." Mrs. Morrison chuckles while placing a hand on her cheek, clearly happy. Thankfully, I have a knack for making up decently believable lies on the spot.
"That reminds me, we have a project due today, and me and Xyle forgot to do it. It's something about the nutrients inside food. Do you guys mind if we take our food upstairs?" Clyde interrupts, understanding what I was doing. He is the only guy that can see through my lies. After getting affirmation, we both slowly make our way upstairs, trying not to seem in a hurry. We close the door behind us and set the food down. We sit on the floor, both of us looking at each other.
I reach inside my hair and grab Windy, who was still asleep, and set him on the floor. He yawns slightly and stands up on all fours, his stomach grumbling again. He looks at me and Clyde and sits down similar to a dog. I grab a small spoon of rice and hold it in front of Windy and I observe it closely. He sniffs it before beginning to eat out of the spoon. He finishes it quickly for someone so small. Next, Clyde grabs a small piece of chicken from his plate and holds it in front of Windy. The little dragon jumps slightly and grabs the chicken, pulling it down.
"He's strong for his small size." Clyde says, surprised by the force of the pull.
"Clearly, I mean he is a dragon."
We spend the rest of dinner feeding Windy various things. After we've had our fun, I place Windy back into my hair, waiting for him to get cozy. After confirming that he isn't visible, we head downstairs and put the plates away.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Morrison, but I might have to stay the night because of how dark it has gotten outside." I say while putting my plate away.
"Oh it's no problem at all! We enjoy your company anyway. Feel free to stay as long as you like, dear." She responds with a smile on her face.
"Thank you, Mrs. Morrison," I said before leaving the kitchen.
I make my way back into Clyde's room to see him already in the bed. I join him, and we both doze off to sleep.