Kipp came over when Amy had just gotten back from the diner. Melanie was in Amy's room, listening to some rock band she was crazy about when he knocked on Amy's door. Amy opened it and let him in.

"You hungry?" she asked.

"Always," he said with a nod. "I am a growing boy."

That made Amy smile. She too was starving even though she had just eaten a burger at the diner a few hours ago. Her mom had told her it would happen. It was something about the dragon and burning off a lot more energy when changing and flying. Maybe that was it, or maybe it was just because she was happy. Yes, she was happy. For the first time in a very long time, Amy was very, very happy. Not that she really understood why, but she just felt that sensation inside of her, and sometimes she simply wanted to burst into laughter. She felt like a child again, so trusting and a little silly.

She found the leftovers of the meatloaf in the fridge and heated it up for them. It was a little burnt but not so bad that it wasn't edible. And Kipp had liked it, a lot. At least he had said he did. She wasn't sure she believed him. And that was the thing, the only thing that troubled her lately. It all seemed a little too good to be true.

They ate while chatting. It was so liberating for Amy to be able to talk to him about herself and her secret life, as well and not having to hide it. Kipp enjoyed listening to her talk about it—at least he said he did—and she had even taken him out flying a few times, letting him ride on her back. It wasn't easy for her to fly with the extra weight, but she was getting better and better at it. It was mostly the landings where she still needed more training. And then getting better at transforming back to human without getting hurt.

"I brought my guitar," he said when they were done eating. He picked it up from the counter where he had put it when he came in. "I thought I could play for you. What do you like?"

Amy removed the plates. "Do you know anything by Imagine Dragons?"

Kipp looked at her, his pick in his mouth, a smile spreading across his lips. "No pun intended?"

Amy tilted her head. "None whatsoever. I loved them before I knew what I was."

He smiled again. "Okay. Smoke and Mirrors?"

"One of my favorites."

They sat on the couch. Kipp started playing and singing. It sounded so beautiful that Amy couldn't help but smile. There was just something about that voice of his that made her forget everything around her. She just wanted to look at him and listen to him all night long. The world could fall apart around them, and she wouldn't notice. All she needed right now was that voice, that silky smooth voice.

Without realizing it, she soon chimed in. Kipp looked at her and continued his singing. When Amy realized she had been singing along, she clasped her mouth in embarrassment, remembering how Kipp had reacted when he heard her sing the first time.

He stopped and grabbed her hand. He pulled it away from her face. "Don't. I like to hear you sing."

"But I sound awful," she said.

"I like your pitchy singing and even your completely-out-of-rhythm clapping. You want to know why? Because it's not perfect. It comes from the heart because you truly enjoy the music."

Amy looked at him, then chuckled. "You know all the right things to say, don't you? Does that line usually work for you?"

He grinned. "Sure. Did it work on you?"

"Kind of."

She leaned back on the couch, running a hand through her hair. It might just have been a line, but he had said it to her. Kipp continued singing, and Amy hummed along, enjoying the moment, when she noticed a huge bruise on his arm when his sleeve slid up while playing.

"What happened?" she asked and pulled the sleeve away, so she could see it properly.

"New foster parents," he said with a shrug. "It happens. I know the drill. It's the same every time. They're nice in the beginning, but then after a few weeks, the novelty of having you in the house wears off, and they start getting annoyed with you. All you can do is stay out of their sight the best way possible and hope they won't hit too hard."

"That's awful, Kipp."

"I'll live. I only have two more years; then I’m a free man."

"But you can do stuff," she said. "I’ve seen you do things with water; can't you make them pay?"

He chuckled again. "I try not to use my powers for things like that. But I have had the desire to, believe me. I have wanted to many times. I just don't think anything good will come from it."

Amy nodded. He was probably right. He was a better person that she was because she would have punished them long ago. She admired his restraint. "Do you ever wonder about them? About your real parents?"

He shrugged. "It happens."

"Do you know anything about them?"

He shook his head. "Nope. All I have is this."

He pulled out a necklace from underneath his shirt. It had a beautiful blue rock at the end of it.

"Wow. That's gorgeous," she said and touched it.

"They found me on the streets when I was just two years old. I was naked, wandering around when a woman found me. I was wearing this necklace and have never taken it off."

"Wow. You must be curious. How did you end up there; where are your parents? Who are they?"

"I’ve been wondering for my entire life, but at some point, I realized I had to start looking forward to the future instead of behind me since that was where I was going. I couldn't get stuck focusing on them or my past."

"I bet they're out there looking for you as well," Amy said dreamily.

"That's a nice thought," he said and stared at her.

Amy felt flustered by the way he was looking at her and blushed. Kipp saw it, then leaned forward, grabbed her by the chin, and moved toward her. They looked into each other's eyes. Amy was holding her breath when he closed his eyes right before he placed his lips on top of hers.