6.

"Attraction is not a choice." ~David DeAngelo

Drake Stone always got what he wanted. Ever since he became an illusionist, he lived like a king. There was always someone waiting on him and he had the spoiled lifestyle. He'd had many girlfriends but never went out with any men; the feeling came so naturally when he saw Dave.

So while Drake headed to the boy's lab, he dialed his number. He recalled his ring, which was also an important issue.

"Dave?"

"He found out."

"What? Is that…bad?"

"Not sure," Dave admitted. "Get to my lab and meet Balthazar. He might consider giving your ring back. After all, you aren't a threat to anyone."

"Yeah, thanks. I'm almost there." He hung up and eventually found the passage to the lab.

The young man in front of Balthazar looked familiar. He was surprised he actually remembered his name.

"Drake Stone, is it?"

"Yeah," Dave said, nervously watching his master's face.

Balthazar wasn't sure what to make of the blonde. He and Dave were somewhat close, and from what he heard, Drake Stone only wanted to get his life back on track. Balthazar seriously doubted he would go back to helping Morganians after Horvath's little stunt.

He sighed and said, "Know what? You can have it back. As far as I'm concerned, you're not stupid enough to go back to the henchman business. What I want to know is why you're alive while Abigail isn't."

Veronica answered this question. "This is a guess more than anything, but it seems…" She walked over to Drake and lifted a glowing hand; she touched skin that displayed visible veins.

"I believe Horvath may have not completed the full spell on him," she murmured. "He has traces of magic in his body, but the rest has died out."

"It's possible. Those who aren't skilled make mistakes with the Parasite Spell, like not completing it. Horvath is no amateur," Balthazar commented. "He may have just rewarded Drake for doing his dirty work."

He saw the blonde frown. "I wouldn't say—"

"I would," Balthazar interjected. "You would've died later on, but somehow, you simply woke up. In any case, I'm not going to explore the full science of it." He rubbed his temples. "I have an apprentice to train. I'll give your ring back tomorrow. Not now; right now, we have water spells to learn."

Balthazar dismissed him and then turned to Dave, pretending nothing had happened. He just wanted his water spells done.

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Drake didn't leave after his encounter with Balthazar. He stayed outside the lab and waited for Dave to finish up. He was drenched from the rain, but the drops stopped after fifteen minutes or so. He heard loud noises, then easily assumed Dave was coming. He wasn't afraid of what he was going to say; he was Drake Stone, after all. What he wanted, he got.

"What?" Dave asked as he closed the door.

"What do you mean, 'What?'" Drake turned to face him.

"Why did you wait? You're not getting your ring until tomorrow," Dave said, "so hold your horses."

"I was gonna ask you something," Drake said boldly.

"Ask away."

He stared at Dave. "Your ex? The one who is supposedly blonde? How is she?"

Dave cheeks flared. "What! Are you interested in her or anything? Eff off, Drake. It's not like she's going to rush into a relationship, especially not with you."

Drake knew he was talking about his ex, but for some reason, it felt like it was about Dave. He's probably a prude, thought Drake. A prudish prude.

"You need to get your mind off her, right?"

"Yes. But alas, your friendship is not helping. Thanks for bringing her up, though. I'm outta here."

Drake watched Dave leave. He didn't bother to pursue the boy, despite his longing to. It was actually rude of Dave to refuse someone like him. Drake deserved attention, and Dave wasn't giving it to him. He bet his penthouse that Dave's roommate had more affection for him.

Aha, Drake suddenly thought. His roommate.

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"Hey, Dave. I got Chinese food, if you're interested." Bennet waved from the couch as his friend sauntered into the kitchen.

"Sure. How were classes?"

"Nothing new. I did hook up with Sandra Dees, though, and I'm loving it," he bragged.

"Yeah, that's amazing." Some shuffling. "Hey, were there any calls on the home phone?"

"Well, what died inside of you?" Bennet asked. "Did something bad happen?"

"…Becky tried to talk to me today."

He paused. Bennet and Dave were friends, but he knew Dave didn't like to talk about the breakup. So he carefully continued, "And what happened?"

"She was nice. She apologized. Then she mentioned my friend, Drake. It was a good thing to do and all, but I screwed it up being a jerk," Dave complained from the kitchen.

"That sucks, man. I'm your pack mate, so I'll help you out."

"Cool, Bennet… I found the Chinese food. And it's mostly rice," Dave said.

"Back to Becky," Bennet said. "Do you want to get back together again?"

"Wha? Um… A part of me wants to. I mean, she was my crush back when we were kids. I always wanted her to be my girlfriend, and then it happened. It's not fair how I suddenly like her and then I don't. Life sucks."

"I hear you, Dave. Why don't you apologize and go back to dating her? There's a chance you two can make it work out again," Bennet suggested, rustling around for the TV remote.

"She's not Sandra Dees, Bennet. If Becky decides someone is hurting her, she gets rid of them." He heard his friend search for silverware. "Okay, that was wording it wrong. What I meant was, if Becky has been hurt, she righteously decides not to see them anymore."

"Hmm. So you think she won't take you back after your jerky stunt?"

"Basically." Dave returned with a plate of rice. "I can't believe all that's left is rice."

"There's other stuff, dude. Back in the fridge."

"I'm lazy today." He poked the rice with his fork. "I think me and Becky can make it work. If I apologize. Hey, what is rice made out of? I've always wondered."

"So your master plan is to apologize and she'll think it's a sweet gesture. It could work, Dave, it could work. Just make sure not to be quick about it. After all, this is your first girlfriend."

"Is not," Dave scoffed.

"What did she say about Drake?" Bennet suddenly asked.

"I forgot," Dave mumbled in response. Bennet knew immediately his friend was lying, but he didn't have the energy to confront him about it.

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Drake called Dave's cell later on. To his relief, it was the roommate that picked up.

"Hello?"

"It's Drake. I'm Dave's friend."

"Oh, yeah, I remember meeting you. Dave's not here. He went out."

Drake prepared himself. "This is going to sound strange, but I want to know what happened between Dave and this ex-girlfriend. She's blonde. Does that help?"

"Oh, Becky Barnes. Yeah, she and Dave split up for some reason. It was an argument or something," he said. "Dave told me today that Becky came up to him to apologize, but he acted like a jerk. He says he might want to get back together. He considered apologizing, but I don't think it'll go through. Helpful?"

"Absolutely," Drake murmured to himself. He was overcome with glee, but he had to act fast. Who knew? Maybe Dave would get the courage to apologize to this girl. "That's all I needed to know." He asked for directions to the apartment, though.

Drake headed over to wait by the entrance. He tried to look as casual as possible. It was quite boring, being all alone without his entourage or a fan to request an autograph. He sighed, telling himself it would be worth it. He just had to wait.

And then finally, Dave arrived. He was carrying two full bags. Drake guessed he'd just come from the supermarket. He assessed Dave's expression: neutral.

"Dave!" Drake called, waving a hand.

"What are you doing here?" Dave asked, obviously confused. He paused by the entrance. "I told you, you aren't getting your ring until tomorrow. Sorry."

"It's not that."

"Not in the mood to hang out. I am utterly lazy today," Dave declared. "I think I have unfinished essays too."

"Whatever," Drake dismissed. "I have to say something."

"Okay…go ahead."

"I want you to go out with me. I'm beginning to get attracted to you and I think it would do you some good to do the same," Drake announced. "So. Do you want to go out or what?"