So, what's got Jeremy's Dragon-Sense tingling? The answer may be worse than you could imagine.

I looked up, but didn't see anything that looked threatening.

And then it was all over. All over me, that is. I never saw exactly what happened. The best I can figure, her shoe somehow caught on one of the steps. Whatever caused it, one of the girls tripped and fell straight into me. I had just enough time to tuck my chin so my head wouldn't slam against the pavement, and then I was flat on my back.

"Jeremy!" called Mom, dashing over. "Are you alright?"

The girl pushed herself off me and got up. Mom helped me up and, to my embarrassment, dusted off the back of my shirt. "I'm fine, Mom," I muttered. The scales on my back had saved me any damage, although I had a hunch Mom's brushing might have been more to check for any rips or tears in my shirt that might blow my cover. I was more worried about the scales on my chest at the moment; the girl's hand had pressed against them as she got up. I looked in her direction, searching her expression for some hint of confusion or revulsion. She did look confused, but not repulsed. I couldn't quite make out her expression. "Are you okay?" I asked.

She nodded. She had shoulder-length blonde hair, and she wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied.

Mom nodded, apparently satisfied, and everyone went back to what they were doing.

It was then I realized the girl who flattened me was looking around on the ground. One of her shoes was missing. "Oh, great," she groaned.

I spotted it. "Here it is," I announced, crouching down to reach under the bus. She smiled as I handed it to her.

"Thanks."

Okay, I admit it – she was kind of cute. I was not looking for a girlfriend. But decent shape, shiny hair, clear skin… she was definitely nice.

"Nice catch, Je-romeo." I blinked. Matt was next to me, elbowing me in the ribs. "Pretty big of you," he went on.

I scowled just a little. "Oh, grow up," I groused.

"Did'ja get her phone number?"

"Matt!" I protested.

He backed off and held up his hands in mock-fear. "Okay Romeo, be that way."

I groaned and rolled my eyes. "Why me?"

All through the meal at Mickey D's, Matt pestered me about the girl. "She's looking at you," he whispered.

I turned to look. I couldn't help it. But she wasn't looking at me. she was too busy eating her yogurt parfait. "Is not," I complained.

"She looked away when you turned your head," he grinned. "Take my word for it, she was watching you."

I rolled my eyes. Why did Matt have to bug me like this? Besides, there was no way I was going to get involved with a girl. Not with my deformity. Not a chance.

Of course, if she was OK with it…

Good grief, Jeremy, I thought, giving myself a mental slap on both cheeks. You think a girl like that is going to be OK with a reptilian boyfriend? Get real!

"Matt," I persisted, "I am not interested in getting a girlfriend. So stop bugging me about…" I trailed off. "About whatever her name is. I. Do. Not. Like. Her."

"Not even a little?" he wheedled. Then he added, "She's looking this way."

I whipped my head around. This time I might have caught a glimpse of her turning her head away. I looked back at Matt to see him grinning ear to ear. "Gotcha," he gloated.

"OK," I admitted. "So, maybe I think she's attractive. Now knock it off."

"Fine, fine," he backed down.

"Good," I nodded.

I was just about to take another bite of my double cheeseburger when he added, "If you find out her name, I'll stop saying you like her."

"Matt!" I almost yelled. I became aware of everyone watching us. "Matt, knock it off," I hissed through my teeth.

He just smiled. "Just find out her name, and I'll stop saying you like her. Deal?"

I groaned. "Okay," I caved in. Knowing I shouldn't take chances, I pulled out a pen and picked up a napkin. "Write it."

He shrugged, and wrote, "I promise not to say Jeremy likes that girl if he finds out her name." Then he tried to hand it back.

"Nuh-uh," I persisted. "Sign it."

He shrugged, scribbled out his name, and handed me the napkin. I folded it and put it in my pocket, satisfied that I had an insurance policy.

As we filed back onto the bus, I paused to let her walk past while I tried to ignore my heart bumping against my scales. "Uh, hey," I greeted, "I don't think I got your name."

She smiled just a little. She actually smiled! "Tess," she replied.

I nodded and felt my mouth form a grin. "Jeremy," I replied.

She smiled again. "Thanks for the catch back there," she called as she boarded the bus.

"No problem," I said softly as I followed.

I sat down next to Matt. "Tess," I gloated, pulling out the napkin and waving it in his face. "And you know what this says."

He smirked. "Funny thing about that note," he commented. "It was never notarized by a witness."

My eyes got that big. "Oh no you don't," I growled through clenched teeth. "We have a deal and you know it."

"Ooh, Jeremy," he recoiled in mock terror, "You talk like a mafia boss, you know that?"

"Matt…"

"Fine, fine," he caved. "Deal's a deal. I will not say you like Tess."

I nodded, satisfied until I realized he had just said it. I shrugged, leaned into my seat, and was just starting to mellow out when he whispered in my ear, "You are definitely in love."

Sorry this chapter didn't have more action. But I'll bet you weren't expecting that when his danger sense went off.

I promise the next chapter will be more exciting.