Emily sat on her bed, crossed legged her notes everywhere, textbook and computer open. There was a ding from her computer.

Subject A7: The Leader:
Well, I can handle that last advice. Become besties. :) See, your dark soul doesn't seem so dark and cold. You're more help than any of the slint head guy friends. Now..gotta make excuses to be with her. ;)

Emily smiled, she couldn't help but chuckle. This guy was absolutely head over heels.

Your one love sick puppy, A7. Ha. It's cute. And if course I have better advice. For 1. I'm a shuck girl. 2. Just telling you what I would want if I was girl 2.

Emily saw the typing notification, he was typing back already.

You make all great points! Okay, miss smarty, how would one make excuses to hang out?

Don't need excuses to hang with a bestie, my man. Randomly text her. Just sit with her, homework together, tell her things, be goofy, invest in her. For the most part, girls just want to feel loved, appreciated and that you're thinking of them. A7, we females aren't that complicated. Cold, hungry, coffee, sleep, hugs and random thinking of you texts.

Emily thought a bit more, she could care less about the stuff, presence flowers, the cliche girlfriend boyfriend things. She would rather just feel like someone actually wanted to spend time with her. She appreciated Minho coming to talk to her, making sure she was okay. She enjoyed their kitchen dance party...her stomach just about exploded with butterflies when he gently held her waist and then asked if she was comfortable. That's what made her feel like maybe he did actually care about her. And maybe she would be comfortable lowering her walls.

Okay. I can do that! :) what would I do without you?

Crash and burn.

Haha. Harsh.

Dark and soulless, remember? ;)

Right. So...how is this unavailable boy of yours?

Emily sighed. She didn't even know. Why was it so easy to talk to this A7 about how she was really thinking and feeling than Sonya? She didn't have an answer, maybe because it was anonymous, he couldn't judge her, he could see who she really was.

Well...he maybe slightly more available.

Is he now?!? Well, what's stopping you, Princess?

...my inner demons. Past trauma...fear, anxiety, over thinking.

I'm listening.

I don't even know. I don't know how to explain it. I don't have words to explain.

Throw some words out, I'll put them together.

What if I finally lower my walls and he doesn't like what's behind? Terrified. I've always been a nobody. No one has ever wanted to invest in me, so why would he? Don't feel good enough. Feel too broken. To unlovable. I've been hurt too many times. I'm not the girl he would normally date.

Princess, everyone is loveable. Even those who don't feel worthy, those are the ones who deserve it the most. It means that one special person can show them what real love and care is. I'm sorry you've been let down so much that you feel that way. <\3

How do you know your not his type if you don't try? Can I give you some advice someone really smart gave me?

Lay it on me A7

While she saw the typing notification she thought about what he said. This girl A7 was crushing hard on was a lucky girl. He seemed like such a kind sweet guy. Behind his dark emo writing was a sweet loving young man. He was raised right. She felt a small stab of jealousy for this girl.

So this smart person told me, to get to know them first. Besties don't need excuses to hang.

Dose this possible available guy seem interested?

Maybe...I think? I have zero experience in this area of life. I'm going in blind as a shuck bat!

Well. You won't know unless you try. Hang out, Randomly text him. Just sit with him, homework together, tell him things, be goofy, invest in him. For the most part, guys just want to feel loved, appreciated and that you're thinking of them. Princess, we males aren't that complicated. ;)

Emily laughed. He just threw the same advice back at her. Sassy little Shuckface.

Wow, this person sounds really smart.

That they are. This is a lucky quite possibly available guy. Now. I have something very important to do! I'll talk to later.

Let me know how my advice works out.

Always! Bye Princess!

Later A7.

Emily closed the app and went back to her notes. She thought about what A7 said. Maybe she would try, she was terrified though. She didn't know how to love herself why would someone love her? She had trouble showing her self love, how would she show someone else love? She sighed in frustration, running a hand through her hair, forgetting it was in a bun. Making it even more messy. Growling in more frustration she used her teeth to pull the highlighter lid off.

There was a knock on her door.

"It's open." She called, still with the lid in her mouth.

The door opened and Minho's head popped open.

"Hey...so question. Can you explain this question? It doesn't make sense, and your miss smarty."

The corners of her mouth pulled up. And her face went hot.

"Sure. Which question?"

"Wait...mom was making tea, want some?"

"Oh sure, that would be great."

His head disappeared and a few minutes later he reappeared, holding two mugs if tea, and his notes and textbooks under his arm.

"Thank you." She said quietly, as he handed her the mug. "Okay, which question has Thunder Cat stumped?"

He glared at her, but the smirk on his face made Emily chuckle. "You like the name and you know it."

"Only from you." He smirked at her, his eyes squinting, and his dark eyes looking into hers.

Her face heated up again, she knew her cheeks were blushing, she dropped her eyes and tilted her head down.

"So...so which, uh, which question did you need help with?"

"Oh yeah, uh, it was question 4. And I know Miss Mary said it would be on the test."

Minho sat down, Emily scootched over, they where now both sitting cross legging her bed, their notes out. Emily explained the answer, and he just kept asking more questions. Emily went through each question with him, explaining each one, answering his questions, digging through her notes and textbook. Eventually Emily lay down, her textbook on her chest as she read out loud the section while he listened.

Her eyes were heavy. She took her classes off and used the heels of her hands and rubbed her eyes. Minho asked another question. She lay the book open on her chest closed her eyes and explained it one more time.

~•~

Emily woke with a start. Sitting up confused, she had fallen asleep studying, all her notes everywhere, and to her shock, horror and embarrassment, Minho had fallen asleep beside her, a textbook open on his stomach. She knew they studied late into the night, and now they slept in.

"Shuck! Minho!" She yelped, shook him awake. He groaned and opened his eyes.

"The shuck? Emmy?"

Dang. Her stomach flip flopped. His sleepy eyes and morning voice. Her face was hot and she knew it was bright red.

"We fell asleep studying. Now we only have half an hour to get to school. Move your but!"

She scrambled off the bed, collecting her notes and everything else she slept on. Minho jumped off the bed and grabbed his stuff.

"Meet ya in the kitchen." He said grabbing the last of his stuff.

"You mean, race ya?" She raised an eyebrow.

"You're on Rocky!"

Emily raced around grabbing her things, throwing it into her backpack, with a toothbrush in her mouth. She ran a brush through her hair, washed her face and slapped deodorant on. She pulled on her ripped black skinny jeans, a cropped hoodie, and pulled her sneakers on, grabbing her backpack and ripped her door open just as Minho's door opened.

"Imma win!" He yelled, trying to push her out of the way with a smirk.

"Don't think so Thunder Cat!"

He tried to grab her, so he could playfully push her out of the way so he could pass her. But she stumbled with a yelp. He spun around, and before she hit the wall, he caught her, his arm around her back, pulling her closer. His other hand stopped their momentum from falling, bracing on the wall. They both stilled. Emily had grabbed onto his hoodie, his arm wrapped around her, she was pressed close to his chest. He slowly looked down at her. Her big  chocolate brown eyes were already looking up at him, wide in surprise. She felt her cheeks flush again.

"Sorry Emmy." He whispered, he was so close, his breath fanned her face. "Didn't mean to push you and make you fall. Are you okay?" His eyes held so much concern, and worry. She felt a crack in the shields she had around herself.

"Yes. Thanks for saving me good sir knight." Her voice came out squeaky and breathy.

"Anytime princess." He said quietly, she felt the rumble deep in his chest.

Emily just about fainted. Her skin broke out in goosebumps, and a wild shiver ran down her back. He still held her close. She knew they needed to get to school, but she didn't want to break this. It was like a bubble of magic. His eyes searched hers. For the first time she held his gaze, normally she would drop her head and break the eye contact first.

There was cupboard door that bagged shut in the kitchen that made them jump. Emily ducked under his arm the was bent and flexed on the wall. Ducking under it she raced the rest of the hall.

"Ha! Imma win!" She called over her shoulder.

"No fair! You cheated!"

He caught up and tried to grab her around the waist. Emily shrieked and giggled as they scrambled into the kitchen. Emily raised her hands into the air. Turning to Minho with a smirk.

"Ha! I win!"

"You cheated."

"Morning you two."

"Morning Mama Lee!" Emily beamed at her, when she pulled her into a tight hug.

"You two were up late studying." She raised an eyebrow at them as she pulled away. Emily's face went, if possible, more red.

"Yeah, and I should get the best mark ever!" Minho smirked. "Okay, were gonna be late. Come on Emmy! Coffee to go! Later Mom!"

Minho grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the door.

"I'll be back for supper!" Emily called over her shoulder, "I'm going to visit Jorge!"

"Me too!" Minho called.

Emily looked at him.

"If that's okay. No football today."

Emily smiled.

~•~

Emily had Sonya's arm linked, they were on their way out of the school to their regular picnic table.

"Okay you gotta tell me why you and Minho were late." Sonya asked, "I KNOW there's a story."

Emily puffed her cheeks and let the air out. She knew her entire face was blushing. Sonya froze.

"Tell me EVERYTHING!" She squealed, she pulled Emily down onto the bench.

Emily spilt it all. The dance party. His dad not seeming to care about Minho throwing fists for her, their late night studying which turned into a sleepover...and that moment in the hall.

"Sonya...! I just about shucken melted!"

"You look like your gonna melt right now!"

"Who's bloody melting?" Newt asked, plopping down across for them.

"Emily here. She had quite the study session last night." Sonya smirked, making Emily groan and hide her face in her arms.

"Oh? Do tell, Love."

"Funny how it was biology, hey Em?" Sonya elbowed her with a giggle.

"Stop! Stop! Nothing happened! He asked me about a thousand questions about the test review!"

"What happened?" Newt asked again, raising a knowing eyebrow.

"We...uh..fell asleep studying."

"Okay...?"

"Newt! You bloody dense? They were in her room, same bed, fell asleep."

Newt's eyes lit up and a smirk appeared.

"And this is buggen' embarrassing because there is absolutely something more going on..."

"Thank you for summing up my distress."

"Well you seem fine. And from what Tommy said, Minho was in one fine mood. Complete buggen' 180 from yesterday."

Emily opened and closed her mouth. She was looking back and forth between them. Before she could say anything, Jeff and Clint came and to her surprise, Thomas and Minho. Eyes followed them, heads turned watching.

Thomas slid onto the bench beside Newt. And Minho dropped down beside Emily. Her face went pink again. At this point her face was permanently pink, she dropped her head. She knew people behind were talking. She was sure there was cell phones out.

But Thomas and Minho seemed oblivious, they just joined the conversation. Talking about the science test, and this upcoming Halloween dance in about three weeks.

"So, what's the theme this year? Last year it was horror." Sonya asked.

"Nick said it was fairy tale..or something like that." Newt said.

"Interesting. You would think Halloween was a theme. With costumes and such." Thomas shrugged.

"I think it was in a different month, and they just changed it to Halloween but kept the theme thing. I dunno." Jeff shrugged.

"You guys gonna go?" Sonya asked.

"Probably." Was the general consensus.

"It's always over the bloody top." Newt rolled his eyes.

"Oh come on Newt. You gotta go!"

"Come with me!" Thomas suddenly said. His face went bright red and then white.

Newt looked around at him, raising an eyebrow. Thomas looked back with a horror stricken face.

"Well, alright then." Newt finally said.

"Wait...what? Really?"

"Yeah Tommy. I'll come with you." Newt smiled almost shyly at Thomas. Who looked like ice was dumped on him, he looked shocked and frozen.

Sonya fist pumped and whooped. Minho chuckled. And Emily smiled at her friend. The rest of lunch was just them talking about random things, Emily didn't really participate. She was very aware of how close Minho was sitting beside her. Her stomach was twisting and turning, on a wild rollercoaster. Sonya kept throwing her side eyes and smirks. Emily wanted to melt into the floor.

~•~

Emily and Minho sat beside Jorge's bed, they were catching him up on everything that had happened. Minho could see that Emily had relaxed again, away from school. She was now talking with her hands and a huge smile.

"So Millie, are you going to this dance?"

The smile slipped off her mouth and deflated. And she shrugged.

"You know I don't like them, Papi."

"Ma Hija. That's because you never had a group friends who want you there."

"True. We want you there." Minho nodded, he had folded his large arms and leaned back in the chair.

"I don't know. Again...I've never done things like this, and I don't have anything to wear!"

"Millie! Are you worrying about clothes? For the first time in all the years I have known you?" Jorge teased.

"Haha. Sometimes the girl in me comes crawling out." She snapped.

"I'm sure we could figure something out."

"Ya? You got dressed hanging in your closet?"

Minho frowned, she was so happy a second ago. And now she had closed herself off again. He could see it in her body launguage. He wanted to make her smile again, but wasn't sure how.

She got up to use the bathroom and Minho watched her go, his eyebrows pulled together.

"Jorge? What happened?"

"Hermano. She listened to her friends talk about new costumes and props and things to get read for this thing. She has nothing, remember?"

"I don't care if she's in pajamas!"

"You don't, but she does. Remember she's still a teen girl."

Minho frowned, and ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"I could talk to my mom..."

"No, just wait. I may have an idea. But just give me some time Hermano."