[Scintilla]

" W-well," Mei stammered, " I-I mean, I.."

In reality, she was just hoping that he would take it as praise and stay home with her, but his reaction was unexpected, " You..just..seem like a smart person, I guess."

Smiling as she registered his first comment, Mei clapped her hands in excitement, " Yay! Let's go, let's go!"

She then dragged the poor boy towards her house, where she would introduce him to her father, and (hopefully) convince them both to let him stay.

However, when she reached her home, Mei was greeted by a glare from a very angry papa, standing by the gate, " Mei...why were you home so late?"

Mei's eyes clouded with slight alarm, " I..I was just out having fun, Papa, that's all..."She tugged on the hem of her dress, which had been soiled by her running around.

" You insolent child!" bellowed her father, " How could you dirty your dress!? I paid so much for it!"

Angrily, he raised a hand, and slapped the girl, sending her tumbling onto the ground, clasping her cheek in tears, " Sorry..papa..."