My phone buzzes in my pocket for the fifth time in the last ten minutes. I already know who it is without checking.

Dong Dong Long.

Also known as the most impatient half-dragon on the planet, and also known as the reason I'm currently hiding from store security after a failed attempt to steal a bag of shrimp crackers.

The door swings open with a creak. A middle-aged man in a stained apron steps out, squinting at the dumpster area, muttering something about "stupid kids these days."

I hold my breath. My heart pounds in my ears.

He's tall—dangerously tall—with messy black hair that falls over his forehead in a way that looks effortlessly perfect. His eyes are warm amber, catching the light like liquid gold. He's wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans, but even so, he looks like he just stepped out of a webcomic.

I know that grin. I've known it since I was six years old, when he pushed me into a mud puddle and then laughed so hard he cried.

Dong Dong Long. My childhood friend. My sometimes-rival, sometimes-ally.

The tip of his tongue flicks out to wet his lips as his gaze drops to the plastic bag I'm clutching.