28. 'Defiance'

*Song Meng POV

After Qin Shan leaves, I find it impossible to sleep. Impossible to rest when she is out working on our project all alone. It sounds petty of me to be so attached to her but she is the one I am willing to devote everything to. Everything means all that I have

"Gosh. Get better all ready." I tell myself.

Over the rest of the day I find myself staring out of the windows, past the dark curatins and the heavy covering. From my dorm, there is a picturesque view of the campus. You can see the main square in all its grassy glory, you can see winding paths that lead to the courtyards. You can see the white gazebo which has started to seem to gleam every time a lay my eyes on it. I know that Qin Shan is waiting for me. The gazebo is our hope, our place, our memory. I feel stronger just thinking about it.

The night comes and I just lay still and quiet, my headache is starting to fade and my muscles aren't cramping. It is record time that I seem to be recovering. I start to smile and thank the only person I can think of who is helping me, Qin Shan.

"What are you smiling about?" Wu He is reading on his bed. His eyes have mischief in them. It gets me scowling.

"Nothing you should butt your head in." Wu He smiles.

"I think I already know then." He says with a chuckle. When did I get so easy to read? All I can do now is roll my eyes and look away. He laughs out loud.

"You know, if you really want to see her, you could always pay her a nighttime visit." I turn sharply to glare at him. He knows the rules very well. No human contact should be made past midnight unless they are your partner. Qin Shan - for the moment, is not.

"No, that won't be necessary. But, can you keep yourself away from her friend?" My voice practically drips honey and it is Wu He's turn to blush and look away.

"You got me." He mutters my eyes widen.

"Wu He, is that an indirect confession I am hearing from your lips?" He looks at me with a surprisingly murderous glare.

"So what?! You like a human girl too, why can't I?" Seeing his little fuss makes me laugh. I do so and he looks surprised.

"It is not my place to push and prod, if you want her, go for it." I say trying to contain my laughter.

Wu He rolls his eyes "GOOD night Song Meng."

"Good Night Wu He." I reply and lay back and think of the day to come.

--------Morning-------

My body is not recovered yet but I have been down and away for too long. I ignore my cramped muscles and the chills as I pull on a dark shirt. I have to see Qin Shan, I have to see her today or else I think I might go crazy.

Wu He and I almost rush out the door. I am determined to get to first class before she can, however, I see something that makes me stop cold.

Zhong Long is blocking the entrance way to the classroom. He has his beefy paw clamped around Qin Shan's jaw. She looks on the verge of tears. I can almost hear her whimpers from her.

"Stop, please don't do this." Her eyes are glistening and he seems to relish this. He knows that she is alone right now and is freaking trying to take advantage of her. I run at record time - only to see her look him dead in the eye, raise her hand, and slap him across the face.

Everyone's eyes widen in shock. Qin Shan, this petite, HUMAN, girl, just slapped the most powerful shifter at the school. I pull up next to her

"Ready to go in?" I say and she nods, not willing to look me in the eyes. We enter the classroom leaving Zhong Long clutching his cheek and everyone else looking in behind us.

We take our normal seats and she immediately scolds me

"What are you doing out of your dorm Song Meng?" The scolding in her voice almost, just almost covers up the raggedness of her breath.

"I had to see you." I answer and she blushes. She leans her head on my shoulder and I can feel that her skin is cold.

"Thank you for coming." She mutters and I have to frown.

"What did he want." I almost spit out the words. That freak wanted something from her and he knows that he will have to get past me to get her.

"H-He h-he its nothing." She shakes her head like she is shaking off the memory and goes to hide away back on my t-shirt. Before she can do so, I take hold of her shoulders, gently and look her dead in the eyes.

"What did he want?" I repeat myself, every word is slow, she gulps and bites her lip.

"(Sigh) He wanted me to go with him back to his dorm." She says it fast like she is afraid that he will come to her again. I sneer.

"Well your not going anywhere." She looks at me and the silent tears drip down her face. I pull her into a hug and she wraps her arms around my waist.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." She says and we stay this way as other start to filter into the classroom. I don't mind the stares, the glares or the looks, all that matters is that she is with me, and that she is safe.