[ WP ] When everyone turns 18 , they receive a pet which is figurative of their personality . You 're the first person to receive a dragon ...

There was a kennel on the doorstep. It was a cat carrier. Looked like the same sized cat carrier we used for king fluff. King fluff was a rescue. He was found walking the streets. Presumably, his partner was the same and met a certain fate. No one else wanted him. He was a fat orange tabby. I suppose there's a Specific clientele that subscribes to that service. He did n't have a family, and my parents believed they could save anyone. They kept telling themselves that it just took enough love and affection and eventually they would change. They both had golden retrievers as companions. Big surprise, eh? 
 
 We also had a macaw that swore like a sailor. His companion drank too much and died in the clinic before he could be brought to the hospital. Turns out he had cancer in his stomach. Big surprise there. The macaw reminds us every day of his partner. Most of the time it's intolerably frustrating, but we get by. Oh, did I mention the macaw likes rum? How appropriately fitting. 
 
 My parents often argued. But it was always an annoying and courteously stereotypic Midwestern argument. I woke up to them loudly discussing something. I did n't know what it was and had to go take the SATs today and was particularly annoyed with them ruining my sleep pattern. 
 
 I went downstairs. 
 
 `` Really? Are you serious right now?'' 
 
 They looked at me with an uncomfortable knowledge. 
 
 I chose to ignore the looks of concern on their faces. 
 
 `` Do you realize that I'm taking a test in 5 hours, and that will determine the rest of my life?'' 
 
 There was a bit of silence before my mother looked at me and said, `` yes honey, but there's something you need to see.'' 
 
 She took me to the door. There was a cat carrier on the doorstep. Without thinking I picked it up and looked inside. It was as light as a feather. I saw his eyes. He had bright green eyes with narrow slits that stared intently back at me. I took the carrier back inside. 
 
 Something was wrong. My mother and father were silent with apprehension. I opened it up and the green eyed critter scurried under the couch quicker than a flash. 
 
 This was not a cat. It was snake. Its 3 AM, what am I supposed to do about a snake in the living room? 
 
 I looked at my mother and she gestured me to look under the couch. I did. Fortunately the couch was above the hardwood floor, and we could always see the dustbunnies. But now, I saw a dark lump contrasted against the wall. As I was looking at him, his head turned towards me. His narrow snout faced me, but I could only focus on his green eyes with the narrow slits that seemed to glow under the couch. As I was looked at him, I felt at ease. I felt safe. I felt happy. In his eyes, I was lost. 
 
 You are mine. I am yours. We are one. 
 
 As I was thinking this he came towards me, I was surprised at how relaxed I felt. I put my hand under the couch to reach towards him and welcome him. 
 
 “ What are you doing? ” my mother screeched. 
 
 I didn ’ t respond. I knew I was safe. He was my companion. 
 
 He came to me. When I finally saw him, I noticed he was grey, like the dustbunnies under the couch. 
 
 He walked up my arm and started smelling my hair. I hadn ’ t taken a shower in a few days; I was embarrassed, but he didn ’ t seem to mind. 
 
 I had been studying too much for the test. I forgot it was my birthday. Your companion finds you when you ’ re 18. The SAT wasn ’ t as important anymore. My companion was a dragon. 

