14. 'Stars'

*Song Meng POV*

Because Wu He is such in an eager mood to go suit shopping, we decide that we will go during school hours. This is so, one, I don't have to see too many students at the mall, and two, I'm actually getting a little bit eager to ask Qin Shan to the dance.

Wu He's father is in the car industry, so we don't take public transportation. Upon arriving, we first get western food for lunch, and then after, we go into the actual mall. It is indoors but very spacious. There aren't many people around. Wu He wants to look into one of the phone shops so I wait outside. Naturally, as people pass by, I catch their attention. In the distance, I see two girls, and the color purple.

'Is that? No, it can't be. Qin Shan and her friend?' I want to get a closer look so I hurry Wu He out of the store so we can 'accidently' pass one another. Qin Shan notices me and we share a silent conversation. She already has a bag so they must have just finished their dress shopping. 'Hmm, her dress is lavender.' It brightens my day when she notices me but doesn't tell her friend. Instead we share a silent, intimate, conversation through lip reading. This makes me admire her even more.

After departing, I still want to be near her, so I make an excuse to go into a store near the exit of the mall. Because it does have suits, Wu He happily agrees to go inside. Of course, I'm not REALLY focused on the suits.

Through the large glass windows, I see Qin Shan waiting for the bus. The station is mostly empty but there is this one guy eyeing her. He tries to say something to her but she turns away. I smile to myself 'that's my girl.' But then he reaches out to touch her and before I know what I'm doing, I'm running out of the store. Nobody can touch my flower. Wu He seems surprised to see me running out of the store.

"Song Meng, wait up!" he yells but I'm not paying attention to him. I race to the bus stop and my fist is connecting with that douche's face. I feel power just radiating and I don't plan to show any mercy.

"Qin Shan, are you alright" I shake her shoulder. I'm sure we both know what that guy wanted to do. She still seems surprised to see me.

"I'm alright." She says, stuttering a little bit. My rage cools down. That guy didn't touch her. She's safe - a little dazed - but alright.

"You protected me again." Her quiet voice melts my heart and suddenly I can't see anything but her. I can't picture a world where I don't protect her. However, she looks embarrassed when her eyes meet mine.

Wu He is running towards us

"Yo, Song Meng, that was kind of awesome." Wu He is obviously making his best efforts to make me look good in front of this girl and to be honest, I don't mind. She blushes softly again. Her friend is frozen on the spot.

The bus starts to arrive and I can sense that she's a little bit dissappointed, however, Wu He and I still have business to do here.

"Bye guys." She looks at me again with a smile as she forces her friend onto the bus and climbs up the steps, stealing one last look at me. I always wished that I could be one to read minds but now, I'm completely sure of what she's thinking. What we're both thinking.

Wu He basically pulls me back into the mall after the bus leaves. We go back into the store and I know exactly what suit to get. The store clerk, a woman, basically runs to get me the right size of the style I choose. And I go to try it on.

The suit is jet black with thin vertical silver stripes running from top to bottom. A royal purple tie with the same silver stripes comes with it. It is formal, but not so much so that it looks like I put real effort into picking it. Perfect.

"Man, come out already." Wu He's voice is teasing, he is even more excited that I am going looking for suits with him than I am. I step out of the room and he looks me up and down.

"How did you know if her dress is purple?" He asks, suspicious. I don't plan to tell him about our interaction earlier.

"I have my ways." I say with a grin. This only deepens his curiosity but the store clerk comes to my aid and delivers his suit.

After leaving the mall, we go back to the dorms. I start to think about my proposal. 'It shouldn't be to grand, because then she would get nervous. It should be in a place that is personal to just us. It should be in front of only our close friends.' Thoughts are just running through my head and suddenly, I have the perfect plan.

"Courtyard tomorrow after third class, meet me there." I text her. She responds quickly.

"Yes sir:)."

"Bring your friend with you." I type. She doesn't reply for a second. I think I surprised her.

"Okie." Is her response. "Are you bringing Wu He with you?" She asks.

"Yes." I say. I think that she thinks that I'm trying to set up Wu He with her friend. This is going to be interesting but it could possibly work in all of our favors.

"Okay. Huan and I will be there tomorrow. Good night Song Meng." She texts me. It makes my heart beat faster just to see her type my name. I must be smiling because Wu He looks at me

"Your really asking her tomorrow, right?" I flush just a little bit, but it's a clear indication to him.

"Yes. And your coming with me." I say. I'm dragging him into this whether he wants it or not.

Night is upon us and I stand on the small balcony, watching the stars. Tomorrow may be the best day of my life. I just hope she says yes.