13. 'Lavender'

*Qin Shan POV

Upon hearing that Huan wanted to go dress shopping, I had to agree. While I have been asked several times by a few kids in different classes to go to the dance, I just don't trust any of them. I don't know any of them well enough to entrust a magical night to them. However, just going with Huan and her small group of friends is more than enough for me.

We go to the Hong Kong City Shopping Center, taking a bus to get from campus to there. Luckily it is a ride with no changes. Just Huan and I are going at this time because we are both free.

Upon arriving, I take in the mall. It is enormous. There are not too many students around as most have probably already found their outfits or are not going. We enter the first dress store we see which is called "Lucky Fashions." My first instinct is to go to the long, modest, dresses but before I can even ask the sales associate which way it is, Huan pulls me to the "dance" section.

The selection is very large. There are hundreds upon hundreds of dresses to choose from in a myriad of colors. Every color of the rainbow has its own representation. The only problem with these dresses is that none of them go past the knee, and half of them either bare cleavage or are so tight around the thighs that it should be considered a felony. Of course, this is the type of dress Huan would want. Something to play off her small curves and to make her just shine.

I make my way over to the purple section and am delighted to find an off-the-shoulder gown that is in the 'mermaid' style. It is beautiful and pleasing to the eye. Lavender lace exposes a little bit of the back but the v-style neckling is not too revealing. It has a built in corset in the middle to help accentuate the wearers waist and leads out to showing off the hips. What really attracts me, however, is that the dress goes all the way down to my toes and even just past. The solid lavender colored fabric ends at my knees and a delicate lace takes its place. I eagerly show Huan the dress and she shoves me into the dressing room to try it on.

The dress seems to fit over me naturally, like it was custom designed for petite girls. I look at myself in the mirror. I'm stunned. I don't recognize myself. The lavender brings out the small flecks of gray in my eyes.

"ShanShan, come out! I want to see the dress!" I hesitantly take my eyes away from the mirror and step out into the shop. Huan's jaw drops.

"Ohmygosh Ohmygosh... you're getting that dress Shan!" She almost shouts, attracting every person in the stores attention. Luckily there aren't too many witnesses.

"I-I think I'll get it." I am suddenly shy with different people's eyes appraising me. It feels so weird to be stared at like this and I don't think I will ever get used to it.

In the end, I run back and change into my normal jeans and a long sleeve shirt. Huan decides on a vibrant red dress that makes her look like a rose as it has many layers upon layers of lace. She is ecstatic that our shopping turned out for the best.

We leave the shop and on the way out, someone catches my eye. It's Song Meng with one of his friends, an equally pale boy who's several inches shorter, but exudes playfulness. He catches my eye.

"What are you doing here?" He mouths. I blush and then reply.

"Dress shopping, remember?" He looks amused. I'm happy neither Huan nor his friend have noticed our small interaction.

"Bye" I mouth and he nods. His usually cold eyes are filled with amusement yet he seems nervous about something. I'll have to ask him about it later.

Huan and I hurry towards the bus station, anxious to get back to the dorms to try on our dresses - again. We arrive and are relieved to see that we are early by several minutes. A male voice suddenly rings out

"Oh, who are these ladies who are going to have a good time later?" The speaker is a man maybe a few years older than us. I'm disgusted but Huan blushes. This girl is so naive this time, I don't think she understands what is happening.

"Not interested." I say and turn away. In the corner of my eye, I continue to watch. To watch as he tries to put his filthy hand on my shoulder. At that second, he's intercepted. Something dark and angry pushes him away several meters where he lays dazed. It's Song Meng.

"Are you alright?" He asks me, shaking my shoulder. "What did that guy want from you guys?" I'm so in a daze that it takes a few seconds for me to respond. Huan is equally lost for words.

"I-I-I'm okay now." I look him in the eyes "You protected me again." I look away, embarrassed.

"I need to fufill my promise to you right?" His voice is clear and rich and I feel at ease. Huan looks like she's about to implode and I know that I am to face a whole intervention later at the dorms.

"Mmm...thank you." I manage to keep my cool in front of him as his friend jogs up to meet with us.

"Yo, Song Meng, that was kind of awesome." His friend looks in awe - as we all are.

"Mmm" is his only reply. "We'd best get going" his friend adds "see you ladies soon" with a wink at Huan who loses her mind again. Honestly, I feel for her.

"Bye guys" I see the bus arrive and basically force Huan to board. I take one last look behind me and see Song Meng looking concerned at me. I smile to tell him not to worry and then enter. I am so indebted to this boy. He has protected me over and over and I haven't done anything for him. I wonder what I could do to make it up to him. But I'm selfish. I'm starting to want to make him mine.