(Old) Ice and Fire (Wings of Fire fan story)

Stay AWAY from me: Toad

"So, just be safe," Toad's mother patted him on the head after reading the note the teacher sent home, warning about a cold spreading across the school. "Stay away from dragons who look sick, and don't touch anything they might have sneezed on," she passed him back the note and sat down on the couch, eating the snack she had prepared herself. Her stomach was getting fatter. Toad wondered if she was pregnant. It would make sense, as she seemed to have a male MudWing "friend" over a lot.

"Alright, then," Toad replied. "I'm going out."

He headed over to Slush's house, and, after getting to pet Echo, who was becoming used to the dragons, they went for a walk, trying to find some friends and catching up on life.

"Hey, Toad," One of the MudWings in Amber's group, Sap, called to him suddenly in her sweet voice. "Amber has something for you! Meet her, same place, at lunch tomorrow," she grinned.

"Alright," Toad grinned. 

And meet them at lunch he did.

He was starting to feel like part of the group. Dragons like Sap were actually talking to him like a friend. And Amber had only needed to ask his name twice to remember it! And she smiled at him!

"So, Toad, was it? Follow me," Amber smirked at him. "Alone." 

"Um, sure!" He replied, grinning. His crush asked him to follow her somewhere alone! He couldn't believe it! Thanks Robin! I owe you a lot for this.

"In there, cutie," she pointed to the spot between a bush and a wall. This was a very secluded area of the school, where all the edgy kids hung out and where most of the bullying took place. This was the bully's area.

"Um, okay? Why are we here?" Toad asked stupidly.

"Privacy," Amber replied with a wink.

Toad could feel his face grow hot as he stepped into the small space that could hold, as most, two full grown dragons, if they squished together. Which ment, as a two and three year old, they were quite close together. 

"So, how should I start?" Amber asked, leaning in. Toad closed his eyes. But instead of the kiss he was expecting, a sudden pain hit the side of his face, causing his ears to ring.

"Wow, do you really think I'd kiss someone like you? You look like a pig with wings," Amber laughed, whipping the back of his legs, causing him to fall. She then began kicking him.

"Hey Amber," a sweet voice called. "Need help with that?" 

Toad felt another dragon, Sap, drag him out. There, he heard other, familiar, voices, followed by about fifteen more talons kicking him and stomping on him and a few even whipping them with their tails and jabbing him with their claws. All Toad could do was cover his head and underbelly and wait.

"Alright, guys," Amber said finally. "I think we taught the little guy a lesson. Enough for today. And, you, little worm. No one likes you. No one would or ever date an ugly, pathetic, weak mouse like you! C'mon gang!"

Toad lay there, quietly crying and shaking. He hurt all over. All confidence he once had was shredded. His back was going to be extremely bruised, and the large scratch on his neck might scar. Two older SkyWings, who had been watching from the back wall while smoking, gave each other a questioning look, before flicking their smokes at him and wandering off.

Finally, hearing the bell, he dragged himself to the nurses office. He knew Amber would probably kill him if he told the truth about his injuries, so he made up a story about falling off the play structure. The nurse seemed to by it, to his luck. He put an ointment or something on his back, which numbed the pain, and bandaged the scratch on his neck. Then, he instructed Toad to rest here for a while.

This day really sucked.