K, this is basically the REILIN OVERLOAD chapter. If you don't like Reilin (I don't think anyone DOESN'T think they're adorable) you can leave,
but this chapter is focusing on that. Sorry if it's bad, I got real embarrassed writing it XD
Meilin's P.O.V
Breakfast at the Slytherin table. Oh joy, another miserable day. Light spilled into the room, and the excited chatter of other kids only made my mood
even sourer as I unknowingly murdered my blueberry pancake. This curse was tearing me apart!
I'm pretty sure I looked worse than I had in my entire life, and Rollan once shoved me into the lion pen at the zoo.
Let's just say those lions got a beatdown . . . and so did he.
I missed everything. I missed girl talks with Abeke, (even if they were incredibly lame), I missed Conor's . . . whatever Abeke saw in him . . . and I
missed Rollan's sarcastic humor. I could have used him right then; he would have cheered me up instantly.
But that was all in past. I was now just a nobody, slowly dying on the inside, waiting, wishing to be released from this curse.
The rich smell of pancakes and the light and the talking, and those looks Clarissa kept shooting me, I just wanted to curl up in a ball and die.
"Meilin?"
I went rigid still, stiff as a board, hearing that unmistakable voice. Rollan? What is he doing here? I . . . I attacked him.
He hates me. They all hate me. Oh gosh.
He touched my shoulder and I winced. He took a seat in the empty spot next to me and I kept still, refusing to look at him, staring fixedly
at a point in the distance. "Rollan, go away," I said, my voice flat and emotionless.
Deep down my heart was yelling at me, struggling in it's bindings, trying to escape and be free. It's Rollan! He's here! He's sitting next to you!
I don't . . . I can't, I told myself, biting my lip so hard I think I tasted blood. "Meilin," Rollan repeated in concern, and I squeezed my eyes shut,
turning my head away from him so I was facing the group of nasty Slytherin girls.
He turned my chin, forcing me to face him. My eyes darted wildly away from his amazing brown ones. "Rollan, please go. I don't want to hurt you," I
said, my voice small and feeble, like a child's. He ignored me, pulling out a tiny plastic bottle.
He held it to my lips, and I instantly recoiled, something inside me telling me no. "Mei-" Rollan said, holding out the bottle again.
"Please, trust me."
"Don't just randomly appear and try to get me to drink your POISON, brick-brain," I snarled, my voice unnaturally cold and vengeful.
"You've been leaving me in the dark for so long and now you show up! What are you trying to do?!" I continued hatefully, my spite overflowing.
I attempted to knock it out of his hands, but he was lightning-quick, pressing the bottle to my lips. I gurgled, flailing my arms, but
I gave up as the liquid poured down my throat. Something warm and fuzzy was burning inside me. I dropped my arms weakly.
When I opened my eyes again, Rollan was looking at me expectantly. "Did it work?"
"Did what work?" I accused. But I felt as if something had changed, and looked down at my hands, moving them around.
They felt as if someone had broken the chains around them. A surprised laugh echoed from me. "Oh my panda . . . "
It was like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. "I'm . . . free." The concept seemed so foreign.
My eyes bright, I looked at Rollan, pure joy overwhelming me. "I'M FREE, ROLLAN!"
"Lady Panda, you're back!" Rollan exclaimed enthusiastically, his grin wide. Before I could reply, he kissed me right on the lips.
Conor's P.O.V
"Where did Rollan go?" I asked, glancing around the room. Normally he would sit with us. Instead, Piper
came over and sat next to Abeke, and they were talking and laughing like old BFF's. "We can't have another missing friend," I said.
"By now I'm the only one in the group that hasn't disappeared at least once."
"Lighten up," Abeke said, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Rollan's probably hanging out with some new friends he made!"
"Rollan's a loner," I pointed out. "Remember how we met? He-" "Don't remind me," she interrupted. "He nearly killed Mei and I."
I smiled, but then Piper interjected. "Conor? OMG I didn't see you there!" she looked super happy to see me.
"I . . . uh . . . " I gulped, giving Abeke a look. Abeke rolled her magnificently dark eyes. "Piper . . . you can't llke him."
Piper was confused. "Why?"
Abeke didn't answer. Piper didn't look that enthralled, but she looked inquisitive. "Why can't I like Conor?" she repeated, seemingly forgetting
I was right in front of her. I think I was blushing really hard. I had only recently gotten Abeke back, and had to deal with her liking a boy (I was pleased
she was over him.) But now I had to deal with a GIRL liking ME. Wow.
"Abeke, WHY CAN'T I LIKE HIM?" Piper repeated loudly, poking Abeke in the shoulder. "Never mind," Abeke said, sounding a little irritated. "Forget it."
Piper shrugged and continued making goo-goo eyes at me. For a Ravenclaw, she wasn't that smart when it came to social cues.
She sighed dreamily, twirling a loose strand of her hair. "Abeke, he's so perfect," she was cooing. Abeke rolled her eyes. "Piper . . . can I talk to you?"
She grabbed her oblivious friend by the arm and pulled her out of the Great Hall, leaving me alone.
Meilin's P.O.V
Class was amazing. I felt like I had shattered the bars of my prison. And I had to thank Rollan for it all! Now that I thought about it, what WAS that stuff
he forced down my throat? It made me curious. Either way, I was filled with this bubbly, giggly feeling.
Not only was it cured, but Rollan had kissed me. Gosh! I had dreamed of that since . . . since . . . well . . . I remembered the first time I felt any
feeling besides hatred was when we were walking on the street.
Flashback
I remembered specifically how it was near dark, and the sunset was going down.
I used to have this really dumb fear of the dark, so I told Rollan that we had to hurry up.
"Why? You scared of the dark, Lady Panda?" he joked. "N . . . NO! I just don't like, um . . ." I was speechless. He grinned mischievously, and turned around.
It was the first time, that in the orange and pink lighting, he didn't look like just a dirty orphan boy. That annoying smirk actually seemed . . . endearing.
"You get used to the darkness," he said. "But sometimes, when it's like midnight, I swear I hear these noises, whispering. Apparently they're ghost children, and
if you're alone at night, they'll come find you." I was stunned.
"Oh my gosh you should SEE THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE!" he began cracking up, and I felt my cheeks flush. "ROLLAN!" I screeched.
He began to run and I took off after him, laughing. I wasn't seething mad, like usual. I was LAUGHING.
Flashback over
I daydreamed happily. I think my Professor began to catch on, because he cut me glances every five seconds or so.
"Meilin, what seems to be the issue?" Trunswich finally decreed in boredom. I snapped to attention. "Uh, Professor Trussniwiwick. Sorry."
"Who is Trussniwiwick, Miss Yang?" he spat. "I'm Professor Trunswick. Why were you daydreaming in my class?"
I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment. I had zoned out of class . . . thinking about a BOY! I felt like the most air-headed girl in school.
"Sorry, Professor," I blubbered. He gave me a curt nod. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Clarissa observing me carefully.
"I'll try not to again, Professor," I said.
Devin's P.O.V
I was going to make those four SORRY they messed with me. The Great DEVIN. Amazing, Kingly, Better-Than-His-Brother Devin.
I knew they cured Meilin. That Rollan kid must have figured it out. But since I knew he had no MONEY, as he was a filthy orphan
with a penniless wretch for a mother, I had to target Conor the Sheep-Brained.
And I knew how to do it.
I just had to talk to my father.