Minho sat through his first classes, tapping his pen almost as much as Thomas beside him. He couldn't get his mind off Emily. Why would she be crying. Maybe he could text Sonya... The bell rang and he was out the door as fast as he could. He was going to try and find her between classes. He kept his head on the swivel, he couldn't see her, but she was kind of short, and hard to see her in this crowd. 

He growled, frustrated with how full the halls were. He didn't notice the eyes following him, his mind was on a mission. He had to slid to a stop, someone stepped directly in front of him. To his major annoyance it was Brenda. 

"What?" He snapped. 

"My my, someone is cranky today." Her voice was was sickly sweet. Minho growled and crossed his arms. 

"What the shuck do you want?" He asked again, "If it's not important I have things to do." 

"Oh yeah...things to do...like your new little girlfriend? I heard she was good in bed. That true?" She asked, her over innocent face made him want to punch her. 

"What the shuck are you guys up to?" He growled and narrowed his eyes. 

"I'm up to nothing. I'm just asking if the rumors are true..."  

"Where is she?" He snarled, he could fell the anger bubbling inside him, his hands formed fists, he would never hit a girl, ever, but she was trying his patience. "Where is Emily, and what did you do to her?" 

"Oh! We did nothing..." she flipped her hair, and sniffed, "But rumors of a girl who'll do whatever where ever and when ever goes around..." She shrugged and just about skipped away. 

Minho threw a fist into the locked beside him, with a snarl. The people still in the hall looked at him with surprise. The bell rang and he spun around and stormed off to class. He stopped in the door, forgetting that Emily was in his Bio class. Sitting in the far side between Jeff and Clint was Emily. Before he could go talk to her, Miss Mary came in told them all to sit. Minho threw himself on a chair, he hardly paid attention. Emily sat still, head down, diligently taking notes. Jeff leaned in a few times and she would just nod or shake her head. 

"Hey...Hey, cap." Minho looked around, Ben was leaning over his desk with a smirk. 

"What Ben?" He sighed, he was done with the school day and he still had an afternoon full of advanced classes and practice. 

"I want details. Is slugger as good as I've heard, compared to Tes...?" 

"The shuck is your problem?" 

"Just asking, you two together now?" 

"No. And I don't know where these shuck rumors are coming from." 

"Oh, your not together?" Ben asked, "Is it like a friends with benefits kinda thing, cuz that's hot." 

"Shut your shuck mouth Ben." Minho's voice was dangerously quiet. 

The bell rang, and he went to pack his stuff up, and grab Emily, he needed to talk to her.

"Fine. If she's available then I'll go for it. Cuz dang she's fine!" 

Minho spun around so fast. Anger made his eyes flash. The rest of the guys backed up, they knew when a line was crossed, Minho never aloud this kind of talk in the locker room or on the field, they also knew his moods, they hadn't seen him this angry in a long time. Thomas tried to grab his arm. But it was too late, Minho swung a fist into Ben's face. His mouth exploded in a spray of blood. 

"Stay the shuck away from her." He growled. 

"Minho!" Miss Mary cried, rushing forward. Whoever was left in the class had seen Minho swing a fist. He shook his hand out, looking around to the teacher. Feeling kind of guilty, not about hitting Ben, but he liked Miss Mary as a teacher and didn't want to cause trouble for her.

"I'm sorry Miss Mary. I'll take myself to Director Janson's." 

He knew he was going to get an ear full from the Director, and the coach, and his father. But shuck, he was angry, he had never been this angry over rumors. There was all sorts of tales and stories about him and it never bother him, but he was pissed because it was painting Emily in a light that was untrue, and it was sending unwanted attention from creeps like Ben. He had told Coach that he didn't like Ben, but the coach overruled him, saying they needed him as a player, he was good. He stormed down the hall, somehow the story of him hitting his teammate spread faster than him walking out of the room. 

His meeting with the Director Janson went as expected, because he was a good student, and didn't cause trouble, and this was the first offence he got off with a warning. Now he had missed lunch and the afternoon classes were about to start and he knew Emily was in a class and he had a free one. He decided to go to the library. He was not in the people mood. 

He sat down and pulled his stuff out. He stared at his phone for a second. Then scrolled down until he found Emily's name. 

Hey. You okay? 

He was surprised how fast she responded, she was supposed to be in class. But he picked up his phone. 

This just a booty call?

Minho frowned. His stomach twisted in anger. He felt sick. What had she been subject to this morning. 

The shuck? Em, I need to know, are you okay?

I'm fine.

Really, cuz u don't seem fine. 

I told you she would be worse, she doesn't have you anymore. And now I'm not her physical punching bag, this is how she'll get us.

I'm not your problem.

Be my problem.

Why?

"'Cause I like you...like a lot." He whispered to himself. 

He ran a hand through his hair. He felt so frustrated. He wanted to tell her, but she had so much going on, and she needed friends, people who cared for her, and like Paper Bag Princes had suggested, he didn't want her to feel like a rebound. But the first time he saw her on the steps of the school, on the first day of school, he knew there was something about her. She didn't scurry out of the way of the team, or try to throw herself. And then when Newt introduced her in the theatre, his eyes kept going to her. He had no real explanation of dating Teresa. That would be his biggest regret. He just about whooped when they were paired up for the business class.  

Because I care.

He staired at the phone, but no reply. He sighed and put his phone down and tried to work. His phone buzzed, thinking it was Emily, he grabbed it. He sighed. It was Thomas. 

Shank. What's going on with you?

I dunno. 

That ain't an answer shuckface. Rumors never bothered you before, Ben says klunk all the time, I've never seen ya loose it that fast.

Because it's not just about me man. This affects Emily too, and she's been through enough klunk. Teresa is just being...I don't have words strong enough. Bully isn't harsh enough.

You like her don't you

He knew he couldn't lie to Thomas. The dude could be clueless sometimes, but as his best friend, maybe Thomas could help sort out his head and heart. He groaned and tipped his head back, closing his eyes for a second. He ran a hand through his hair and then back at his phone. 

Yes. A lot. Like I don't wanna say love, cuz its early...but yeah.

Newt told me some stuff..not in detail, but his dad is involved in some kind of family case with her and her step mom? Who is Teresa's mom. And she was removed from the house by cops? Shank...she's a bit shucked up, ain't she?

Shank you don't understand! I like this girl, like a whole shucken lot, 'cause she's shucked up. Like when I ask her questions she looks at me confused, like she's never had anyone interested in her. When I went to the hospital to check on her, she was thunderstruck I came- like no one ever came, like she was left alone too often. Or when I got frustrated and raised my voice one time, she flinched away. Or when I went to run my hand though my own hair she coward away with a whimper, trying to protect herself, like she thought I was gonna hit her.. I know she's been hurt, and that's why shank I want to care for her, I want to show her what love is! I want to show her gentleness. Shank, I want to be the one to care for her! When I see the goofy girl every once in a while, I get this wild feeling. When I see a small smile I want to see it again. 

You're in trouble, shuckface.

Yep.

Fine. I'm in.

In? In for what?

In to get the girl. What do you need me to do?

This is why we're friends. 

I don't let friends do dumb shit alone.

That is true.

So, what do I gotta do?

Well right now, I don't how she's doing. She's in class. I just want to know how she's doing. I've tried all day. I know I'll see her later, but school sucks for her.

On it. I'll ask Newt. 

So that's a thing now, is it?

...maybe

Thank Emily. :) 

It was her idea to bring the group. 

That sneaky little shanket!

Haha. 

But maybe that's my in...Okay, on it. Were in class...I should prob pay attention we got a test on this later this week. 

Minho breathed a bit easier. He knew Thomas would also talk to Newt, but he sent a message quick to Newt and Sonya. 

Hey. I don't know what the shuck is going on, I'm assuming Teresa started all this. Please make sure Em is okay. I've tried all shucken morning to talk to her. She wont answer my texts. I'm worried about her. 

Sonya texted back. And he sighed in relief. 

On it Slugger. Some creep tried something this morning at the locker, Clint took care of it. But unlike you, he punched the guy in a crowded hall and not in front of a teacher. ;)

You woulda punched him too if you heard what he was saying or what he was gonna try with Em. I'm not sorry. And I'd do it again.  

I figured it was something like that. Anyways. She's upset, clearly. But She's not alone. One of us is always with her. Right now she's with Newt, (Frypan, Nick and Harriet)  in ELA 

Okay. Good. Thanxs. 

Hey, favor?

Depends...

Can you drive her back to my place? Mom left a key for her under the mat, it's hers now, bit I got football after school.

👍

I'll stay until someone is home with her.

Thank you! I owe you

He sighed and went back to his homework. He spent the rest of the period trying to concentrate. He gave up and packed his stuff up, he was determined to talk to her before the end of the day. He knew she was in ELA. He would grab her as she was leaving. He swung his backpack over his shoulder and he took off.

A few kids, mostly random girls kept trying to slid in his way, but he just growled, and glared at them. Most of them got the hint. He has to physically yank his arm out one girls hands and left without a word. He got to her ELA door just as the bell rang. The door was yanked open and he watched as kids came pouring out. He saw Newt caught his eye, and Newt turned to Emily, while his stomach summer saluted, Newt said something and mentioned to the door.

~•~

Emily looked up, only because Newt told her to, otherwise she had kept her head lowered all day. Today had sucked so much. She knew it was going to be a long hard day, but she didn't realize how bad. She had kept it together pretty good considering Clint had to physically removed some creep from her locker. She saw some other blond bimbo slither up to Minho this morning, and it hurt. After hearing the klunk Teresa was spreading and then seeing girls flung themselves at him. She had closed herself off from everyone, head down, trying to put her shields back up.

Her eyes flicked up to the door. Minho stood waiting, his dark hard eyes softened the second she meet his. She knew she would eventually have to talk to him, but she thought, maybe if she tried to shrink back into the nothingness and not draw more attention to herself he could have his old life back.

"Emily!" He called loudly.

Her eyes went wide, heads all turned in her direction.

"I gotta talk to you. Now please, it can't wait."

He didn't seem to care that people were whispering now. Newt gave her a gentle push.

"Go Love, trust me." He whispered.

Hesitantly she walked over. He stepped out of the way of the door and towards the stretch of Grey wall covered in all kinds of flyers. Before she could say anything, he had raised his arms and pulled her into a hug. She froze. Her head rate spiked. Her lungs forgot to work.

"I'm sorry Emmy!" He whispered.

He went to pull away, but her arms worked before her brain could. She wrapped her arms around him. He stopped pulling away and pulled her closer.

"This isn't helping the rumors." Emily whispered, her face was towards the wall.

"Shuck those rumors. The people who matter know the truth." He answered with a shrug. He sighed heavily. Emily hesitantly laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry about everything today. I shoulda taken your warning more seriously. I'm sorry you were dragged into this." He whispered, still holding her tight. She was so much shorter he placed his chin ontop of her head.

"It's not my first time dealing with these kinds of rumors."

"But it shouldn't have to be a thing."

"It's why I kept to myself. Having people I care about just added fuil to her fires, it gave her more ammunition."

"Well, screw her. It was a full month of my life I can't get back. I hope you don't pull away. People around here actually care about you, and we'll stand with you."

He squeezed her a bit more. Then chuckled, softly.

"Maybe if people see this the creeps will leave you alone."

"And those skanks will leave you alone..?"

"Win win." He said, she could hear the smirk in his words.

She chuckled, he pulled away. Emily wished he would continue to hug her. She felt safe, and felt like maybe everything would be okay.

"Are you suggesting the cliche fake dating?" She frowned.

"I'm a big fan of a good solid cliche...but no. I don't fake date."

"Oh thank shuck." Emily breathed an over exaggerated sigh of relief

"Hey! I'm a great fake boyfriend!" Minho grabbed his chest.

"I don't doubt it, Thunder Cat."

"Emily- fill in your middle name here -Fitz! I will tolerate that name at home...but school? Really?"

Emily lifted the corners of her mouth into a small smile for the first time today.

"Victoria. After my father, Vince. Emily after my mother Emillia."

"Emily Victoria Fitz." He repeated, trying her full name, his dark eyes sparkled. It sent a shiver down her spine and a whole flock of butterflies exploded. And she smiled even bigger.