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Warmth surrounded Poppy as she woke Wednesday morning. Alton still asleep  behind her, arms wrapped around her like a lover embrace. Poppy was undeniably aware how close his lips were to her jawline. Trying in vain to control her heat beat, which was about to burst for her chest.

Remembering the previous night, how his dragon side came through the window and snuggled up close to her. Nerves squirmed around her stomach, wondering how to confront Alton on his sleep walking. She was afraid how much jewels he had horded underneath his bed. Perhaps he already knew and was keeping it a secret. Was he also aware of his dragon tail?

A loud 'clatter' in the kitchen had both Alton and her bundling out of the bed. A string of curse words left his mouth, his feet getting tangled in the sheet causing him to trip. Poppy smiled at his clumsy state.

Rose greeted them with a guilty smile. Milk spattered across the floor and the cereal carton completely emptied all over the ground. "If I blamed the cat would you believe me?" Quickly bending to clean the damage. Zara sitting on the kitchen counter smirking at the mess Rose had made.

"On a lighter note, Alton your horns are gone" Rose gesturing towards his head. "And the tail" Poppy adds.

"TAIL!" Alton yells his hands automatically feeling his backbone for evidence.

"Yeah, about that," Poppy trying to break it to him as calmly as possible "You sleep walked last night - out the window - and hid a stash of stolen jewellery under your bed. Your eyes were black, claws as fingernails and a long-scaled tail."

Shock was evident in his wide eyes. Slowly he backed away from the kitchen walking towards his bedroom. On hands and knees, Alton looked under his bed. Poppy was right. Hordes upon hordes of jewellery hidden under his bed. Gathering handfuls and dumping it on his bed.

"Welcome to the dragon's layer" Rose announced, stepping into Alton's bedroom. Looking around noticing an accumulated amount of new shiny objects.

"So, stealing is your new thing?" Questioned Rose.

"I'm not a thief! Well not consciously." Alton trying to defend himself.

"How long have you been a Kleptomaniac?" accused Rose ignoring Alton.

Poppy already sifting through the hordes of the stolen "Ooh this one is pretty?" slipping a sparkling emerald ring on her finger.

"I'm not a thief, Rose!" He argued towards Rose accusations. "What happened to innocent until proven guilty."

"Your just really good at acquiring things that aren't yours." Raising an eyebrow in disbelief.

Clearing a space on his bed, trying to make himself comfortable.

"Well it wasn't exactly Alton. His eyes were open but he wasn't exactly himself." Poppy coming to his defence.

"That because it wasn't Alton." Zara casually strolling into the room, eyes scanning the stolen merch. "It was his dragon. I'm curious, what did the dragon do when he saw you?" Directing her attention towards Poppy. "Dragons aren't too fond of people. More isolated creatures."

A deep blush coated her cheeks. "Ah, well that's not the problem. The problem is Alton's dragon taking over his body." Poppy avoiding the question.

"It only fully takes over when the human side is vulnerable, in this instance when he sleeps."

Alton grunting in response "I can't not sleep."

Rose laughed "Well not with that attitude. You just need some Red Bull, energy drinks will do the trick."

Alton ignoring Rose, " Do you think the dragon is searching for something. Why all the gold?"

"I have no idea why your dragon is stealing, but I do know someone with strong restraints. We could tie you to your bed at night" Zara giving Alton a cheeky wink at her sexual innuendo.

"We're not tying Alton down like a dog!" Rebutted Poppy

"Well I don't hear any other suggestions."

Alton watching Poppy and Zara squabble back and forth, his heart pounding as Poppy defended his rights. "I say we box up all this jewellery and anonymously drop it pass the police station. We will have breakfast and go to school" Poppy coming up with her suggestion, "Whilst Zara does who knows what!"

With that said and done, they hauled the gold jewellery into a shoe box. "I should drop it on the police steps tonight. I don't think it's the best idea doing it in broad daylight." Everyone nodding their heads in agreement.

In the kitchen, Ally was nibbling the spilled cereal off the ground, Alton groaned having now no Frosties he had to settle with the next best thing. The group bickered about the correct amount of vegemite that should be spread on their toast. Rose was adamant that her thickly black spread toast was the best way to enjoy the Australian delicacy.

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At School Poppy parted from the Alton and Rose, making her way towards a group of girls, not before giving them a wave bye.

"So how cosy did you and Poppy get last night?" Nudging Alton in the ribs, urging him to spill the beans.

"Not as 'cosy' as Zara and you." Raising a questioning eyebrow towards Rose.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Crossing her arms defensively.

"Rose its ok, remember I'm your best friend."

"Obviously your dragon was making you hallucinate, I don't know what your talking about." Rose huffed as she briskly walked away from Alton, ending their conversation.

Alton was left confused. Why would Rose deny being with Zara? Standing outside the school a black crow flew past him cooing.

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