Emily was dragged back onto the dance floor. This time however the crowd parted, and heads turned towards them. It didn't phase Minho, being the most popular kid in school, he was used to attention. Emily was not. Sonya, Gally, Thomas and Newt right behind them. Eyes followed. Emily kept her head tilted down. She tried very hard to not shrink. She couldn't hear the voices, but she saw from the corner of her eyes, they were whispering, pointing and a few had pulled their phones out.

Minho stopped and turned, a big sly smirk on his face, he pulled her closer. His smirk slid off slightly.

"Talk to me Em." He leaned in to talk to her, to be heard over the music. He had his arms wrapped around her waist he was swaying with the beat of the music.

She swallowed hard, her eyes closed, trying to take a deep breath, but her lungs felt tight.

"Emmy. Look at me."

He tiped her chin up, she opened her eyes. His steady dark eyes were locked onto hers. His smirk had turned into a smile of care and concern.

"Just a lot of attention I'm not used to."

"I don't even notice." He shrugged.

"I know. The whole football team...but especially you. You've been Mr popular for how many years? I've been a no body all my life, sliding into the back and through shadows."

"But I want you front and centre, you deserve the spotlight."

"I'm just not used to it. Makes....me feel like crying and running away."

"I don't like that." Minho frowned. His hand holding her chin slid back into her hair.

"The big star quartback is giving some girl his attention; a girl who no one knows, a girl who is known for being picked on, and now has the reputation of being a slut...people are going to have a hayday with this. And I'm not comfortable with attention on the regular day."

"Emmy...do you want to go? If your uncomfortable with this we can leave. I could care less where we are. We can go get Bacon cheeseburgers."

Emily smiled, he was so sweet and thoughtful. Her stomach flipped and her cheeks felt warm.

"No." She said quietly, but firmly. "I want to be here, and with you and my first group of friends. I want to wear the shuck dress. But, I'm not going to change over night."

"I'm not expecting you to change. I don't want you to change." He frowned again, his eyebrows pulled together.

"Well I'm an introvert, that's never gonna change, but maybe the crippling social anxiety can become manageable."

"Good that!" He grinned again. Emily smiled up at him. He had been swaying and guiding her, and she didn't realize they were dancing, he has kept her attention and distracted her.

"You sneaky little shank!" She chuckled.

He smirked down at her, "I got moves." He pushed her away and twirled her, making her big dress twirl. He spun her around again and pulled her back in. She couldn't help but giggle. And it made Minho's smirk grow. The people around her faded away. She didn't quite get to the point of their kitchen dance parties in their jammies, but she let her shields crack open enough to smile and giggle and dance a bit.

Their group shared some big group dances, Sonya grabbed her for one dance. They tried to line dance for one song, none of them were very good. Emily blew the Thomas and Gally away with knowing all the words flawlessly when one gangster rap song came on.

"I'm going to go grab something to drink. Want some?" Minho yelled over the music.

"I'll come with."

Minho intertwined their hands and they walked around the edge. Emily was now able to see all the decorations and details.

"I still can't get over how much work goes into these things!"

"The school has money, that's for sure!"

"Minho!" A girl in a very tight and revealing dress appeared in front of them. Her eyes glued to Minho, she gave him a coy smile and batted her eyelashes.

"What do you want Brittany?" Minho sighed.

"Oh nothing. Just wanted to come see you, see if the rumor is true. This is the girl huh? The one who broke you and Tes up." Her eyes flicked to Emily.

Emily tried to keep upright. But her past was too much, this girl was no different then the others who would pick on her. It was an automatic response, Her head dropped and her eyes went to the floor. Her grip on Minho's hand tightened, while her shoulders hunch. Her other hand grabbed her necklace, keeping her arm close to her chest, physically trying to protect herself.

"She really isn't your type."

"Enough." Minho growled, ha placed his hand on Emily's back and guided her forward. Brittany stepped infront of Emily, making her stop. Her eyes looked her up and down. Then flicked to Minho with a smirk.

"She seems too innocent for you, Minho. I doubt those rumors...unless, she's a good actor and really is good in bed."

Minho's eyes flashed dangerously, Brittany stepped back when Minho stepped in front of Emily, her face palling for a second.

"Well when you get board of this innocent little princess, come find me. We had lots of fun together."

"Leave."

She spun around and sauntered away.

"She seems nice."

Minho turned his head and looked at Emily, with a mix of shock, amusement and confusion.

"What was the, Rocky?" He asked with a laugh.

Emily shrugged, "just another card in Teresa's deck of tear us apart cards."

"Sure maybe you dated, were together, whatever but I doubt most of what she said was true."

"98% is untrue." He nodded, his face was serious, his jaw clamped and his eyes narrowed in frustration.

"I know." Emily said and raised her hand placing it on his cheek. "I've had things said about me that are wildly untrue, I only make my judgments of people on their actions, and how they treat others. And the way you have treated me? How you treat those outside your football team? How you act with teachers, and parents. I know their lying."

"Emily...have I told you that I like you a lot? Like way more then alot?"

"You may have mentioned it, yes." Emily smiled shyly up at him. "I think A7 also mentioned, he couldn't stop thinking about her, always on his mind ..his girl of his dream..." Emily smirked.

"Yah yeah yeah." Minho waved his hand, his cheeks going slightly pink.

It was Emily's turn to laugh.

"Your kinda cute when you blush."

"Only kinda?"

"Okay, fine, a lot."

"But seriously...Emmy, none of it is true. I mean we were kinda together last year for like two weeks and -"

"Minho, we don't need to talk about your past girlfriends or flings. Please. This is already all brand new to me, I don't need or want the pressure of comparing myself to them. Okay?"

"Good that." He nodded. But his smile slipped, and it turned into a frown, "but there is no comparison. Emmy...your head and shoulders above the rest. 'Cause you seem to actually like me for me, and not because I'm captain of the team."

They both stood smiling at each other.

"Right. We were on our way to get a drink." Minho said suddenly, shaking his head. He placed a protective possessive hand on her back, and led her to the table.

"I'd avoid the actual punch...go for the pre sealed drinks. Usually some slint head spikes it...or spits in it. I keep telling Nick not to have an open bowl..but no one listens."

"Good that."

Emily grabbed some water. And they slowly made their way back to their friends. A few of guys came to talk to Minho, most of them either didn't seem to notice Emily was there or they had to ask what happened to him and Teresa, while staring at her.

"I'm sorry Emmy." He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Not the first won't be the last."

"Why are you so okay with this?"

"I'm not. Trust me, it sucks. But, Min... I've been subjected to their abuse and bullies for so long I'm almost numb to it. This time I have you beside me, and it makes it easier to deal with."

He frowned, and his eyes went sad, but he didn't push it.

They eventually made it back to their group where they spent some time chatting, and laughing. Sonya pulled her over to the photo booth. The guys followed and reluctantly - except Minho- did group pictures. Then he pulled Emily back into the booth for just the two of them. Emily actually had a real smile. In the string of pictures they had a nice one, two goofy ones, and Minho surprised her by kissing her when the camera snapped.

And Emily dance. Somehow, by some miracle, maybe it was that Cinderella fairy godmother spell, but her group of trusted friends got her dancing again, and she had fun.

It was only when Teresa and Brenda and a few others came sniffing around again did Emily close back up. Her fight or flight trauma reason kicked in, and her arms pulled in close to her chest, her head hanging, trying to hide behind her hair.

"You smell that? It smells like pitty and a charity hand out." Teresa taunted.

Brenda looked around in mick surprise, "Don't get too close it might rub off."

The group of girls stopped in front of them.

"Gross, Emily, what are you wearing? It's so outdated." Teresa scrunched her nose.

"Back off, witch." Sonya snarled. She took a step forward, but Gally had grabbed her arm.

"Control your dog."

Minho pulled Emily close into him. His gentle eyes hardened again and his jaw clamped, she could feel the tension in his body.

"Ooo protective boyfriend." Brenda giggled.

"Has he kissed you yet? No? Well...it's nothing to get excited about, but...he's really good with his hands." Teresa smirked.

"Did you come here for a buggen' purposes?" Newt asked, folding his arms, looking at her like he stepped in garbage.

"Just came to see how my dear sister is doing with my sloppy seconds." Teresa flipped her hair over her shoulder. "And a warning, dear sister," she spat the word out.
"He's a big mamas boy. Don't try anything in their house, dad is pretty shucken jacked he's creepy and was constantly walking into the rooms we were in. Also, your he won't do much..kiss you and..oh shuck, those magic hands, hey babe?" Teresa winked, "especially in the truck! Shuuuuuck." She giggled and walked away.

"Sucks to be you shuck face. His dad loves me." Emily said quietly.

Teresa froze and turned around. Her eyes flashing dangerously. "What did you say?" He hissed.

Emily's hands were shaking and her voice wasn't as powerful as she hoped, it was shaking as bad as her hands, but she still said it, she managed to pick her head up.

"His dad loves me. They hated you. They call me a daughter."

Teresa took a few menacing steps towards her. Minho's hand tightened, shifting to stand slightly in front of her.

"I'd be careful Tessa. Don't want any more cops showing up."

Teresa froze. Her eyes narrowed. Her ice blue eyes flashed. Emily knew this wasn't a good idea, the backlash was going to be awful.

"Careful Emily." Teresa snarled. "I can make your life a living hell."

"It's been hell the moment you stepped into it."

"Watch it you pathetic little orphan. Watch your back."

Brenda pulled Teresa away, the two of them morphed back into the group, Emily saw that Ben was part of that group, his watery blue eyes narrowed at Emily and Minho. Emily knew they had made a few enemies, but what was knew?

Everyone spun towards her, jaws dropped.
Emily's burst of confidence burst and a she needed to sit, she needed to hide. Her hands started to shake worse, along with her body. Her chest felt heavy and it was getting hard to breath. Emily wrapped her arms around herself as she bent forward slightly. She was sure her stomach was going to get ride of everything she ate. Her legs felt shaky and numb, she grabbed onto Minho's arm

"Emmy?" Minho asked sharply.

"I can't...I can't....help!" She raised her panicked eyes up to his.

"Love, breath." Newt was beside her as well, his hand on her back.

"Is she panicking?" Minho looked to Newt.

"Yeah, I think so. Come on, let's go outside, Love."

Minho wrapped an arm around her and hurried her around the wild crowd and up the stairs and outside. Newt led them to a bench beside a tree covered in lights. Minho sat her down and crouched infront of her.

Emily had her eyes clamped shut. Her lungs weren't working. Her hands were shaking so bad she couldn't hold anything. Her body was shivering and shakitlike she was freezing. Minho slid his jacket off and placed it over her shoulders.

"Emmy, it's going to be alright. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. You're safe."

She still couldn't breath probably, her head was feeling dizzy and fuzzy. Her chest was hurting, she grabbed at her chest, she knew that wouldn't do anything, but she couldn't breath. Her dilated eyes were all over the place.

"I can't...I can't...!"

"You can, Emily. You can do hard things." Minho's voice was firm but gentle. His hands came up to hold her face but she flinched and coward away with a whimper.

"Don't... don't.. hurt me! Please!"

"I would never! Can I place a hand on your cheek?"

Emily didn't say anything. But Minho did it anyways, he was cautious and deliberate.

"Give me your other hand."

Emily couldn't hear instructions.

"I'm taking your hand." He took her hand and placed it on his own heart. Her other hand grabbed onto his forearm, the one holding her face. She held on like she was drowning.

"Now breath. Slowly. Breath Emmy."

Minho deliberately took slow steady breaths. "Follow my lead. Come on Em." He held her face up so she had to watch him. It took a long time. But she eventually got her breathing under control. Her iron death grip loosened. And now she just felt exhausted.

"Good, Emmy, I'm proud of you." He smiled gently at her.

"I...I shouldn't have said anything." She whispered, "I made it worse."

"I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself."

Emily just shook her head. She could feel the tears stinging her eyes.

"Ready to blow this popsicle stand?"

"Minho..."

"Nah, I'd rather a pajama rap battle in the kitchen. Or popcorn blanket and snuggles."

"I've never had someone snuggle with me since dad died."

"Then let's go. I have snuggles to make up to you!" He stood up, and gently pulled her up.

"Come on Princess, let's go home."

That's when Emily knew. Emily trusted Minho with her broken and damaged heart. Emily would give him her heart.