"Amelia," he said, taking my hand and lacing his fingers through mine. "Remember this. No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, you are the only one I want to protect. Don"t hurt yourself again. Because every mark on you... leaves a scar right here." He pressed my hand against his chest, where I could feel his heart beating, strong and rapid. I rose onto my toes and answered his vow with a soft kiss. It wasn"t as fiery as before, but carried the gentle, steadfast quality of moonlight, as if saying: *I will always protect you, too.* Outside the window, a crescent moon hung like a silver hook, and our shadows merged on the wall, as if they were always meant to be one. *** The confrontation with Derek at the rugby field and Luke"s forceful defense of me spread through the school
