Aubrey paced the entryway in agitation, casting fearful looks at the door from time to time.

            “Worrying won’t bring him home sooner, darling. Please sit down.” Sonya entreated her niece from the front parlor. Aubrey shook her head, stopping in front of one of the windows, her eyes searching for any sign of her wolfish friend. Sonya sighed and crossed over to Aubrey, laying a hand on her shoulder. “He’ll be all right, Aubrey. Axel’s a very capable young man. He can take care of himself.”

            “I know. I just…I just want to be here for him when he gets home. I want to make sure he’s okay.” Here eyes teared up and she looked up at the ceiling to keep the tears at bay. “I want him to be okay.”

            “He will be. Don’t cry, Aubrey. I’m sure Axel will be fine. Please…don’t cry.” This came from Devon who was still sitting uncomfortably in the parlor.

            “I’m not crying. I—“ She caught a flash of brown from the window and screamed. “AXEL’S HOME!” She flung the door open and caught him around the waist in a fierce hug. “I’m so glad you’re back, Axel. I was so worried—I mean…” She trailed off with a blush and buried her face against his chest. He smelled like laundry detergent and apples. “I’m just glad you’re okay.” She mumbled. Axel chuckled and gave her a quick hug in return.

            “I promised, didn’t I? I never break my promises.”

            “Yeah, well…don’t do it again.” She pulled back and gave him a firm shove before running up the stairs to her room. He looked after her in concern and started to go after her, but Sonya stopped him.

            “Let her go, sweetheart. She’s been on edge ever since she got home. It’s best to leave her alone and let her compose herself.” Axel sighed and nodded. He looked over and blinked in surprise as he caught sight of Devon. A tired smile crept over his features.

            “Hey there, Devon. Sorry you got caught in the middle of this whole…thing.”

            “Oh, uh…yeah—I mean, it’s okay. I’m just bummed I couldn’t be of much use. I think I ended up being more of a hindrance than a help.”

            “Heh, don’t worry about it. In fact, I wanted to thank you.”

            “Thank me? For what?”

            “For taking care of Aubrey. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate that.”

            “Yeah…well, ummm…yeah.”

            “Aubrey is going to help Devon with his…’look’.” Sonya broke in with a smile. “They’re hitting the town tomorrow on a major shopping spree. If I didn’t have to work I’d join them, but…” She shrugged and padded over in her bunny slipper to the servant’s entryway that led to the kitchen. As she disappeared out of sight, Axel gave Devon a playful punch on the arm.

            “A make-over, huh? A whole day with Aubrey all to yourself? Lucky dog.” He laughed at the blush that crept up Devon’s neck.

            “It’s not like that. She insisted, and—“

            “Chillax, buddy. I’m just foolin’ with ya. Although…you’ve got to admit that your girlfriend’s drop-dead gorgeous.”

            “She’s not my girlfriend!” Devon cried out in distress. Axel started to say something but yelped as something caught him by the ear and twisted…hard.

            “Quit teasing him, Axel. I swear, you can be so immature at times!” The boys smiled sheepishly at her; the faint blush in her cheeks telling them she’d heard most of their earlier conversation. Axel’s smile widened.

            “Would you love me any other way? He batted his eyes at her in his own ridiculous/adorable way. Aubrey rolled her eyes and pushed him away. “Hey, Aubrey. I was thinking—“

            “Well, that’s dangerous.” She gave him a quick hug as he growled at her. Go on, Einstein. What’s your brilliant idea?”

            “My brilliant idea was…since you’re giving him a makeover, maybe I could give him a man-over!”

            “A man-over? What the heck is that?!”

            “You know. I’ll teach him how to defend himself, how to act, how to pick up chi—girls…” He amended swiftly. “And of course, most importantly, how to kiss. I mean he’s probably never kissed anyone but his mom and his grandma, so—“

            “What makes you think I haven’t kissed girls?! I’ve kissed girls!”

            “Pillows don’t count, Devon.” They replied simultaneously with the same amused look on their faces. Axel nodded and clasped hands with Aubrey.

            “Then it’s settled.” He said.

            “Yep. We’ll work together on the complete transformation of Devon Tanner.”

++++++

            “I don’t know, Aubrey. Don’t you think this is a little…much?” Devon stood just outside the men’s restroom at the Transylvania Mall, modeling his new clothes for his make-over artist. It had taken them forever to finally decide on his ‘look’, but after multiple smoothies and many windows later, they had finally gotten somewhere.

            “Look, Devon. We’ve been over this before. This is your look! You’re a total emo! Just embrace it.” She sighed at the doubt she saw in his  eyes. “Take me for instance. What clique would you put me in?”

            “Ummm…” He blushed as he took in her red-black Vans, her black tights under a red-black plaid mini, and a lacy black tank peeking out under a blood-red blouse. Her hair was in little pigtails, the red streak showing through the right one, and a red velvet ribbon with the Japanese symbol for ‘love’ was tied tightly around her neck. He frowned and shook his head. “I can’t place you. It’s impossible.”

            “Exactly. I’ve made the look my own. I’ve embraced it, and it’s become a part of me. That’s what happens when you accept who you are. Do you accept who you are, Devon?”

            “I…no. I don’t; but I think…I think I can.” He smiled shyly and stood up taller. He fingered the chains that hung from his slightly baggy black jeans and touched the fanged sipper of his black tank with frayed straps funning horizontally across it. His smile grew and he nodded. “Yes. I’m positive that with your and Axel’s help…I can finally accept myself.”

            “Awww…” Aubrey closed in on him and gave him a big hug. “You know what this calls for, right?”

            “Ummm…another smoothie?” He laughed nervously. She giggled and gave him another tight squeeze before backing away with a mischievous grin.

            “It’s PIERCING TIME!” She yelled, pulling him behind her and towards a booth that offered a discount on ear piercings. Devon moaned and turned a shade paler.

            “I swear if you say, ‘This will hurt me more than it hurts you’ I’m going to kill you. You’re a cruel girl, Aubrey. Cruel and sadistic.”

            “I love you too, Devon. Now hurry up! The mall closes in an hour, and I wanna go back to Hot Topic before it does.”

            “Typical female.” He muttered.

            “Do I sense an attitude? I’m so proud of you!”

            “Kill me. Please kill me.”

            “Silly.” She giggled again. “You’re already dead!”

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