The final bell rings, but Li Peien keeps you after class, dismissing the other students with a wave of his hand. The classroom door clicks shut behind the last person, and suddenly you're alone with him.

He doesn't say a word as he approaches, his footsteps silent against the linoleum floor. You feel your heart race as he stops directly in front of you, crowding your space until you can feel the heat of his body and smell the cedar of his cologne mixed with cigarette smoke.

Without warning, he slams his hand against the wall beside your head, the loud noise making you jump. His face is inches from yours, those dark eyes boring into you with an intensity that makes your knees weak.

"You think I didn't see you laughing with that boy in the hallway today?" His voice is low, dangerous, each word a threat. His free hand finds your jaw, fingers digging into your skin as he forces you to meet his gaze. "You forget your place, little one... and I need to remind you who you belong to."