32. 'Truth'

*Song Meng POV

I can't keep secrets from Qin Shan. Only her (and occasionally Wu He) can wrestle information out of me. When she is determined to get something or to learn something. Her face is so cute and fiesty. It makes me want to laugh sometimes.

First class is devastatingly long. After are small little argument over our best friends dating situation the silence is truly awkward. I'm happy when the bell finally rings and we head out of the class room.

Knowing the she is expecting a time and place for me to spill everything I sigh and pull her by the shoulders.

"Gazebo after third class." She nods hasitly but then smiles at me

"You are coming to my art class today right? We are almost done with the project." The irritation that was in her voice earlier today has been replaced with amused relief. I can only nod to her which makes her crack a smile.

"Good. See you soon." She leaves to go to her next class and I make my way to the dorms. Wu He is still sitting on the bed and he just seems lost.

"I'm going to tell her." I announce and he looks up at me.

"Are you crazy?" He hisses through his teeth. He can't form a truly angry response, however, because he is shocked.

"Yes. She already knows enough to put her in danger and she deserves to know everything. If she chooses to leave -" my voice breaks for a second "Then that would be her choice and I would not stop her." I know this is a lie. I know deep down in my heart that I could never, truly let her go. Not until my last breath.

"Hmm. I don't think you could by the looks of your face right now." Wu He is quiet as he mutters this. His dark eyes are slightly disfocused and I can tell he is only half paying attention to the conversation.

"You can tell her friend if you want, however, you could also just lead a normal relationship for a few months or years..." I suggest this to him and am gratified to see a emotion rush up in his face.

"Leave Xiao Huan out of this... she isn't like Qin Shan." He rolls his eyes. 'Obviously' I say to myself and smirk.

"But you do want to, right?" I prod him a little bit and to my surprise he nods.

"I want her but I don't know how to protect her. I'm not as powerful as you nor do I have a backer Song Meng. She is just a human girl." Wu He is musing as he says this. I know that the gears inside his thick head are whirring, trying to find a solution.

"Good luck." I slap his back and make it to my bed. Thinking of how I am going to face Qin Shan in third class.

----a few hours later----

I slowly go to my third class and then at a snails pace get over to Qin Shan's art period. By this time, the other kids are used to my presence so I don't recieve to many stares as I make my way to the canvas.

The art piece is really impressive. It seems to emit a silvery aura that takes the breath away. The flowers are done with impressive detail and the whole thing has a slight glow to it. It clearly outshines every other art piece here. The only thing that it is inferior to is the small girl carefully dotting petals on a flower near the bottom of the canvas. Qin Shan.

Her small brows are furrowed with concentration as she rhythmically dots in purple lines and pieces to each individual flower, making sure that none are left idle.

I watch the scene and sit on a stool. It is not until she finishes that she looks up and is a little bit disoriented. Then her eyes focus on me and she flushes.

"H-How long have you been there Song Meng." She manages to squeak. I laugh

"Long enough to watch you grow a garden. The painting looks amazing." She sighs slightly and her eyes focus on the flourishing plants surrounding the gazebo.

"Yes. Thank you for helping me with this again. I don't know what I would do without your help." She smiles at me I feel my heart thump.

Her eyes suddenly narrow "Now it is time for the interrogation." She says in a high sing-song voice. I smile automatically which only pushes her forward. She takes my hand and pulls me out of the art room.

We almost run to the gazebo before she stops, a little breathless, and demands

"What is the reasoning why Wu He and Huan can't be together?" I roll my eyes. Something I love about her is that she is loyal to her friend. She doesn't trust easily but when she does, she will put her heart and soul into making sure that person is never hurt again.

"The Court." I give the short answer and her eyebrows go up.

"That is not an explaination." She says and goes to stand right beside me.

"What is the court?" She whispers into my ear. Her warm breath is like a feather her voice is calm yet firm.

I gently tug her arm and pull her in front of me so that she is facing me. We are inches apart from one another and her breathing goes uneven.

"The Court is something I never want you to be exposed to." I whisper and her eyes widen.

"The Court has already ruined your past. I will not let it ruin your future." My voice softens and her eyes get impossibly wider.

"W-Wha...do you mean-" I cut her off

"Yes. They were the ones responsible for your parents death." Her face goes pale and I hold her tightly to prevent her from falling.

Sometimes there is nothing more painful than the truth. But the truth must always be heard - even in the darkest situations.