Minho laced his hand with hers as they made their way up the stairs. Emily waited anxiously through Biology, she was almost vibrating with excitement.

"Em, relax Babe! I haven't seen you this excited before!" Minho whispered.

"Shh. You're distracting me from class."

He chuckled and when Miss Mary's back was turned he leaned in and whispered into her ear making her shiver, "It's really cute. And you're distracting me from class. Stop being so cute! 'Cause now I just wanna kiss you. "

Emily's face went pink, and she choked on her coffee. Minho smirked at her and went back to his notes, while Emily tried to get herself under control. It took her a minute. Minho leaned over again,

"Need some CPR?" He whispered, his voice was kind of gravelly. "I don't mind putting my mouth on yours."

She elbowed him, and he yelped a little, and chuckled, as he sat up, rubbing his ribs, while Emily's face was beat red. He kept teasing her the rest of class, randomly leaning over and whispering in her ear.

"Minho, staaawp! I'm gonna move and sit with Jeff and Clint again!" She threatened.

"You wouldn't!" He gasped.

"Yeah I will. Now do your work!"

"But you're not gonna be here this afternoon! I'm gonna miss you!" He whined.

"You'll be fine! I promise you wont die."

"I just might!"

Emily rolled her eyes, but she had a small smirk. The bell rang finally and they packed up. They stopped at his locker, and waited for the rest of their group before heading outside for lunch. It seemed like most of the school was outside right now. A large crowd was gathered on the front lawn.

"What's going on?" Thomas asked.

"No idea, which poor buggen' kid is the middle of this now?" Newt sighed.

The group started to walk around it to go to their bleachers for lunch when there was a loud yell that made them all stop.

"Hey Squirt!"

Emily turned her head. Leaning against his car, ankles crossed and arms folded, a smirk on his face was Alby. Every head in the large crowd turned to see who Alby was yelling at. He pushed off his car and walked through the crowd.

"Alby!" Emily squealed and ran forward. She launched herself into his arms. He hugged her tight and lifted her up off the ground for a second. He placed her back on the ground. He pulled back and held her face for a second, frowning at the bruise that was now fading, it was a nasty light yellow and green.

"Shuck it Squirt."

"They took me by surprise. If they weren't such cowards..."

Alby frowned deepened. Minho and the rest of the group finally caught up.

"Hey Shank." Alby grinned clasping Minho's arm and pulling him into a one armed hug. He did the same to Newt and then gave Sonya a hug.

"Alby. this is Gally, and Thomas, Frypan, Jeff and Clint. Guys this is Al-"

"We know who he is." Chuckled Fry, "Only the best kickboxer, and up an coming UFC fighter!"

Emily laughed, and rolled her eyes.

"Apparently people around here know who you are. You made a huge crowd."

Their group chuckled. The crowd behind them had phones out trying to take pictures of Alby, there was whispers and people pointing. Alby shrugged.

"All right Squirt, ya ready to go? Coach called and said they wanted us there early. So, we actually gotta hit the road."

Emily nodded, with a smile. She turned to Minho quick, he pulled her into a hug.

"Good luck. You're going to do awesome! I'll see you later!" He held her face in her hands and then tipped her face up, grinned down at her, "I'm so proud of you, Baby."

He leaned down, Emily pushed up on her toes, he kissed her quick. He let her go, and Emily followed Alby to his car. Emily caught snips of conversation as she passed.

"How dose she know him?"

"Is she cheating on Minho?"

"What? Star football ball player isn't good enough for her?"

"No, but did you see how he greeted Minho? They must know each other too!"

"But where is she going with him?"

"Dude, he's got a big fight tonight!"

"She going with?"

Emily closed the car door with an eye roll. People in this school thrived on gossip and theories. Alby wanted to know everything that had happened since last time they talked, which was only a few days, but she told him about how therapy sessions were going, how classes were going.

"And how is Minho?" Alby asked, giving her a side eye.

"He's great!" Emily couldn't help but smile.

"Is he now?" Alby raised an eyebrow.

"Oh gross no, not like that!" Emily rolled her eyes and smacked him. Alby chuckled.

"Living in the same house as your boyfriend isn't causing problems?"

"No actually its the opposite. I feel so safe and comfortable there. Mama and Papa Lee are awesome! And Minho is so busy with football, it seems like all they do it practice. And I visit Jorge on a regular basis, and I'm still at the gym every other day, Lawrence is doing a good job keeping it going, and I'm at Sonya's a lot."

Alby listened to her chat.

"I don't think I've heard you this chatty in a long time. I know you're going through a tough time with school and Ava, and stuff, but man Squirt, you seem quite happy. That boy is good to you?"

"Yes, Al. He is... I love him."

Alby smirked at her, and reached over and rubbed the top of her head, trying to mess up her hair. "Aww, Squirts first love!"

"Oh shut up!" She rolled her eyes and smacked his hands away.

He just chuckled, "I gotta keep my little sis safe!"

~*~

Emily followed Alby into the building, signed in and got their passes. This was a bigger fight tonight; a more well known opponent, there were also more fights scheduled for tonight. There were scouts, coaches from other places, other gyms and trainers all with passes into the back.

"Al, why did you tell me about the scouts?" Emily asked him quietly as another group of them passed in the hall.

"Just...keep an open mind, okay? But...I know you love the sport, and I know that Wicked Witch wouldn't pay for any more...BUT. What if you got a sponsor? Like your dad did with me? What if you could find someone? Minho may or may not have sent me some video he took at the gym-"

"He did what?" Emily yelp.

"I asked if he had any, he sent me quite a bit, actually. I think your boy is a a bit obsessed with you." Alby smirked.

Emily's face went bright red. Alby just chuckled at her. He led her down the halls.

"Believe it or not, I have connections. So...if it's still something you would be interested in...I might be able to help ya out!"

Emily stopped, her eyes wide and mouth open.

"Seriously?"

"Ya...why not? For one thing your really good. And two...I owe you and your dad so much, if I can pay back what you guys did for me...I'll do what I can! Jorge is already in!"

"What?!? You talked to Jorge?"

The door beside them opened and Jorge stood there, leaning on a cane.

"He sure did Ma Hija!"

"Papi!"

Alby and Jorge chuckled.

"Dream team is back!" Alby whooped.

"Don't you dare have another heart attack!" Emily narrowed her eyes at him.

"Don't plan on it. But this is why you're here, Millie. You're here to warm up with him and take my spot."

Jorge opened the door wide revealing a room full of people. It was familiar but the faces were all new. Emily instantly felt shaky and a tightness in her throat and chest.

"Em, just breath. Well put the mits on and you'll forget all about these guys."

"This was why you had to be here early! You wanted to show me off!" Emily narrowed her eyes at him.

"I have yet to see you in person." A voice she recognized. Spinning towards the voice it was Papa Lee.

"What is going on?!" Emily cried.

"Well, seeing as we are your guardians, we both get to be here." He chuckled as Emily gave him a hug too.

"Shuck! Minho said nothing about this!"

"It was supposed to be a surprise, we had all this worked out beforehand."

"Okay, Millie time to show em what you got." Jorge nodded his head. Papa Lee handed her her duffle bag from the gym.

"What...wait...what..?" He smirked.

"We have ways little one. Sonya packed it. Now go change and go get 'em!"

Emily took the bag with shacking hands and went into the bathroom. She pulled out her shorts and a sports bra, her gloves and mouth guard and hand wraps. Emily couldn't believe they all worked together in this and she had no idea. Maybe it was a good thing, if she had known she would have gotten too worked up about it. She changed and shoved everything else back into the her duffle bag.

Jorge wrapped her hands while Alby's coach got him ready.

"Okay, Millie, it's just like back at the gym. You and Al warming up. Then one of the scouts will come and hold the practice pads. I'd normally do it, but I was told on very strict orders still have one more month of light activities- so no kickboxing training. Sorry."

"It's okay, please be safe papi."

He pulled her into a hug. "Your dad will be proud. Remember he's with you always." Jorge held his fists out. She gave him a lopsided smile. She tapped her fists with his, then underneath and over top, over their heart and kissed their fist and held it up.

"Dad."

"Vince."

"Go knock em dead Tiger!"

Emily took a shaking breath and turned to face Alby. He was smirking at her. He held his fists up. She did the same ritual with him.

"Breath girl! Do you need the headphones?"

"Can I?"

"Why not? We aren't doing full contact, I still gotta match today."

Emily put her headphones in and cranked her music. Once she could block out the extra noise she took a second to breath and get her head into it. Jumping a few times getting warm and ready, stretching her neck out and arms she turned again to Alby. Going into the middle of the room where he was waiting there were mats set out, not a full ring but a space to work with.

Jorge stood to the side beside Papa Lee, the scouts and other trainers milling about all stilled when Emily and Alby put their fists up. Emily's brain went right into kickboxing mode. The sound of the room was drowned out from the music, her vision trained on Alby, she knew how he caught, but he was so much bigger and stronger and obviously better training, but she though she did pretty good. Ten minutes later, she was sweating and breathing heavy. She had landed a few good hits, she didn't want to injure him because of the fight, and the scouts knew that.

Once they finished Alby's coach pulled on the training pads. This was familiar. The different combinations. This trainer was more intense right off the bat. He made Emily think quick, he was throwing in sucks right from the start.

Jab Jab Duck Cross. Jab Duck Cross Left Hook. Jab Cross Right Duck Hook. Jab Jab Cross left Duck Hook. Jab Jab Cross Duck Right Hook. Cross Duck Left Hook Duck Cross. Cross Right Hook Duck Cross. Jab Left Uppercut Left hook. Duck Jab Right uppercut Right Hook Duck. Jab Duck Cross Jab Cross.

He started the combination over again, going faster. He started to indicate she do it with her feet now.

Low kick high kick. Low kick round house. High kick round house. Low low high. High high low. High round house low.

He got her doing hook kicks, side kicks, jumping, double kicks, turning kicks, push kicks.

Emily's brain was working faster then any other training session, she forgot people were watching, she was focused, but a small smirk in her face.

She had no idea how long he had her going with the punches and kicks, but he slowled down and stopped. Emily was sweating hard, her chest was heaving, sucking air. But she smiled. Pulling her head phones out the coach nodded, and held a hand out.

"Impressed Miss Fitz. Alby speaks quite highly of you and your late father and Jorge."

"Thank you." She said through her panting.

"Shuck sakes girl." Alby came bounding over laughing and high-fived her. He led her over to Jorge and Papa Lee. Who were both beaming.

"Well, I believe it now. I didn't think this quiet shy little thing had it in her. I owe my son $10!" He chuckled.

Emily beamed at them. One of the scouts came over and introduced himself.

"I'd like to set up a meeting. Miss Fitz, do you currently have a gym?"

"Yes, my father's. Fitz Fitness."

He nodded.

"You're in highschool?"

"Yes sir. Grade 12."

"Do you currently train and compete?"

"I train, but haven't competed since my father passed. It's been a few years."

"Well, that's a minor detail. Who is your current trainer?"

"Well, it was Jorge here. And at the moment it's Laurence Benson."

The scout nodded, "well I'd like to come see you at your gym. She is the next time your there?"

"I can be there Monday after school, 430."

"I look forward to it."

He left and Emily squealed.

"Wholly shuck! GUYS!!!"

They all laughed at her. Emily ripped her hand wrapps off as fast as she could, and grabbed her phone. A huge smile on her face, she was smiling from ear to ear.

YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS!

Oh shuck ya I did!
How'd it go?!

When I see you I'm going to punch your beautiful face! How could you not tell me about this?!

Okay, 1. Please don't punch me. I've seen you hit those bags that's scary. And 2. You think I'm beautiful?

Yes. Yes I do. But not the point!

<3
I think your drop dead gorgeous. And I miss your cute little face. I wanna kiss it! But you never told me how it went?!
Alby said his trainer and you did some practice mitts...a tryout kinda thing?

;)

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
BABY! DID YOU GET ONE?
OH SHUCK, YOU DID, DIDN'T YOU?!

I have a meeting with Joseph Spint.

BABY! THATS AMAZING!
IM SO SHUCKEN OROUD OF YOU!
question...

Maybe I have an answer...

Who's Joseph Spint?

He's only one of the TOP coaches and trainers in the area!

Yes! Emily Victoria Fitz! I'm so shucken proud of you! I want to hug you and kiss you!

I'm really sweaty

That's hot. ;)

Gross.

Alby sent me a video of you and his trainer... Oh...my...shuck!
0_o
Wow babe, you're such a badass!
Mmm. Now I wanna kiss you more.

Emily's phone buzzed and Sonya's name popped up

Your boy is drooling in the back seat, what did you say?

Nothing! Alby sent him my training tryout thing with his Trainor.

Okay, this I gotta see!

It was silent for a few minutes.

You hit like a shucken girl. 💪Now I'm drooling. 🤤

Haha. You're rediculous. Both of you. Well I gotta go. See you guys later!

Emily put her phone away and went back to helping get Alby ready for his match.