Disclaimer: The characters all belong to Scholastic, but the plot is mine. :P
The crocodile's jaws crushing her father's body, the look of pain etched on his face, his last words. And then… everything had broken apart in Meilin's world, shattered to pieces, as easily as glass.
Meilin blinked, snapping out of her trance. Jhi licked Meilin's hand, giving her condolences, her pity, her sympathy.
Meilin couldn't bear the look that people would give her. The look that said, Don't worry, right now you feel broken, but you'll heal soon. Just wait.
Whenever she heard those words, she wanted to punch the person who had said them. She wasn't going to heal. Meilin would think savagely. Her father's death had left a permanent scar on her.
Jhi sleepily blinked up at Meilin. Almost instantly, the Zhongese girl felt calmer. Meilin took several deep breaths. She wasn't going to refuse Jhi's help this time.
With a start, Meilin realized that tears were on her face. Quickly, almost angrily, she brushed them roughly off.
A wave of tears was building up in her eyes, but Meilin wouldn't let them fall. She didn't want to appear weak.
A soft voice distracted Meilin from behind her. It was Abeke.
"It's time for training," she said quietly.
Meilin didn't look at Abeke, but nevertheless, the Niloan girl took a seat next to her.
"It's ok to miss your father, Meilin. I miss mine."
Meilin whipped around sharply. "At least your father isn't dead!"
Abeke drew back. "That's true, but at least your father understood you. Mine never did."
"That's still better than your father dead, killed by that stupid crocodile!"
"He died fighting for something that he believed in."
"But he's still dead," Meilin said.
"We all miss our family, maybe except for Rollan. Conor, his mom, dad, and brothers, me, my dad and my sister, and you… your dad."
Meilin furiously blinked back tears.
"It's ok Meilin to cry."
That was when her last remnants of her guard crumpled down. Meilin broke out crying. Tears streamed down her eyes, dripping on her nose and cheeks. Snot dripped down her nose, and for the first time since she had came to Greenhaven, Meilin was letting her feelings loose in front of her friend. Her friend.
Abeke patted Meilin's back gently. "It's ok," she whispered, "It's ok."
Jhi nudged Abeke. She smiled at the panda, and the spirit of friendship filled the air.
A/N: Second story! Please tell me what you think about this! Hope you enjoyed it!