New Life part 4

There were only two days left before school would start. I had spent the last couple days hanging out with my friends and getting used to my new body. It finally felt completely natural to me. Seeing myself in the mirror was no longer a shock. I was even getting used to being tall, which was quite a surprise considering I was two feet taller than I used to be.
After getting ready, I decided it was time to finally start showing myself to people. I would start with my friends' parents.
I sauntered over to the house phone. Before I could even pick it up, it rang. It was, amazingly, Burning Hope High School. I listened to the recording. Apparently it had been decided that "in light of recent events, Burning Hope High School will furthermore be known simply as Hope High School." Also, the first week back would be special. Each day we would get to wear something different; apparently they wanted to try to lighten the mood of the first few days. The first day was Costume Day. After all, it wasn't long after Halloween, so it seemed appropriate. After that, there was Pajama Day, School Spirit Day, Mismatched Day, and Hat Day. I thought that was a crazy lineup. Then I realized that I just got a call from the school. Only students still on the roster got calls. Apparently, they hadn't taken off the presumed dead off the roster. I hung up the phone, cutting off announcements about progress reports and other things we had been talking about before the accident.
I forgot about calling friends until the phone rang. It was Mark.
"Yo! What's up?" I asked casually.
"You get the school message?"
"Yeah. Apparently I'm still on the roster at the moment."
He laughed. "Just what we need at school. Dead people walking. Anyway, I had a couple thoughts. One, you should show yourself to my parents, and maybe even Matt's and Chris's. Two, you will fit right in come Monday if people actually wear costumes!"
I tried to suppress a laugh and ended up snorting.
"You know, showing myself to the gang's parents wouldn't be such a bad idea. Actually, I was going to suggest that."
"Great minds think alike." He laughed evilly.
"Hey, think you could round everybody up at your house at, say, 1:00?"
"Sure. Can your mom come?"
"No, she's out shopping."
"Well, ok then. I'll see you at 1."
"See ya!"
I listened for a moment as the phone clicked. Then I hung up also. I checked my watch. It was noon already. I went up half a flight of carpeted stairs to a large room placed above the garage. I used it as my game room. I went over to the old TV sitting on a ledge. I turned it on along with my Xbox 360, and popped Halo 3 in. I sat down on a blue recliner, moving my tail around to get comfortable. I started playing Campaign with a few skulls on.
I checked my watch as I died for the 7th time. It was 12:36. Since it was about a five to ten minute flight to Mark's, I decided to make my way there and get there early to hide myself.
I walked outside and took off. Flying was rapidly becoming easier and faster for me, but it was no less fun than when I first flew. I delighted in feeling the air blowing by me, the sun on my scales, and the spectacular view on this clear sunny day.
I saw Mark's house below me, and went straight down, dive-bombing at what had to be at least a hundred and eighty miles per hour. I loved straight dives- it's quite the rush.
I straightened out at the last second and touched down in the yard. Mark was already waiting for me. I checked my watch- 12:40. It was a new record for me.
"Hey, my parents are already inside. Everyone else is on their way, and will be here on time. I already briefed my parents, but I didn't tell them that you are a dragon now."
"Thanks, you're a lifesaver man," I said, gratitude infusing my voice.
"No problem. You'd do the same if it was me. And you know what I just realized?"
"What?"
"You're voice is only a little deeper and rougher than it was before."
"You just realized that?" I said dryly.
"Yup," he said, turning to go inside. "You should wait in the garage. I'll come get you when it's time."
I nodded affirmation when he looked at me for a response. We went our separate ways. The day was surprisingly warm, about 70 or so degrees, so Mark's garage door was already open. "Airing out," would be his dad's term. I went in and sat in the shadows. I sat cross-legged and began to meditate. I tuned out the world around me.
It didn't feel like very long before I heard Mark call, "Kyle, get in here!"
I stood up. I looked toward the open door, a rectangle of light.
"People," I called, "Please do not scream when you see me."
"Just get up here Kyle!" I heard Mark's dad shout. He sounded impatient.
I stepped into the light.