The next few weeks of school were wild. Life had gone on fast forward. Life kept going, but now at full speed. She was so busy she hardly had time to sleep. Emily was gearing up for another fight. Classes were getting more intense now that it was getting closer to the end of school. She was also applying to different universities. Wes Ball University was still her top pick, but she was smart enough to know that she needed to keep options open. Minho was busy with getting ready for play offs. Seemed like they were just passing each other in the hall, one off to sports when the other was home, and then they were both buried up to their elbows in homework. 

Ben and Teresa were started to be more intentional with messing with her, but not in their normal way, they were messing with her head, the physical attacks had stopped, but now she saw him constantly everywhere she went. She went to the bathroom, he hung out at the end of the hall. She went on a jog with Bear and Minho, he was suddenly walking down main street. She ran to the grocery store for Mama Lee he was in the produce section. He never engaged her, but he was there. Or Teresa and Brenda were together at the park when she went to study in the sunshine. Or the three of them would be walking down the street when she would pull into the gym parking lot. She tried to shake it off. They never talked to her or looked in her direction, but she had a creepy feeling. 

 Bear was a constant, she didn't even go for a run without him. He started coming to the gym and training with her. They only time Bear wasn't glued to her leg was when she went on a ride with Minho on his bike, but then she had Minho and he was even better at keeping her anxiety down, and helping her work through it. Since his birthday, he seemed even more attentive, if that's humanly possible. He was always attentive to her needs, but now he seemed even more in tuned with her emotions. He didn't push her or bug her for more. She almost felt the opposite, thinking maybe she wasn't good enough, and that she had disappointed him. She didn't live up to his expectations or something. And she was to embarrassed and ashamed to bring it up. So instead she did the unhealthy thing and let it fester for a while. 

It was two weeks before her scheduled match and she was positive now someone was following her. Minho had insisted she use his truck, now that he had his bike, he took the bike everywhere, so when he couldn't drive her, she took his truck. Today was one of those Saturdays, Minho had another football practice and she had training. Papa Lee was helping Mama Lee with another product photo shot for her salon, and Jorge was already at the gym. 

This was the third time she saw a small black truck parked close by. The windows were tinted and she couldn't see the driver properly. But it followed her from the corner of the Lee's street to the gym, a few cars back, but it still followed her and sat on the road idling, like it was waiting for her. She grabbed her bag and ran to the front door, Bear right on her heels. No one followed, she peeked through the door and saw the truck still parked, no one moved. She shook it off and went to change, she had worked to do with Jo. 

It was a long and hard practice. Everyone in the gym had left and it was Jo and her. Jorge had waved good bye while she was in the ring with Jo. 

"See ya at home Millie Girl."

"Bye Jorge."

Half an hour later Jo finally let her go. She groaned and just wanted to sleep on the bench, but she packed up and dragged herself out. Bear on her heels. Jo was waiting for her to lock up. She walked to Minho's truck and let Bear hopped into the seat beside her and turned it on. She waved bye to Jo as he left for his car. She pulled her phone out and saw Minho and Sonya had texted her. 

She sat for a moment answering them. She smiled to herself and went to put the truck into drive when she froze. Her blood went cold, and her heart stopped. Bear whined sitting up. The black truck from earlier had crept into the parking lot while she was on her phone. It was sitting in the entrance, blocking her only way out. She locked the doors and felt her panic rising. Her hands started to shake, but she pulled her phone back out and called Jo, hoping he could turn around and come back. It rang a few times but he didn't answer. She hung up and called Papa Lee. On the second ring he answered.

"Emily?"

"Papa!" She cried, her voice catching in her throat, she was having trouble breathing, she she could feel the panicked induced tears,  "I'm alone in the gym lot and a truck followed me here it's still here and-"

"On my way."

There was some background noise. She could hear Minho's voice and some thumbing.

"Minho come on!" Papa Lee yelled, making Emily flinch. "Minho, have 911 ready to call."

She heard the front door slam and a car door slamming. 

"Emily, I'm putting you on speaker phone. Lock the doors. Turn off all the interior lights. Push record on your phone and prop it up so it can video the truck."

She nodded, and realized a second later he couldn't see her. 

"Okay." She squeaked. She had locked the doors already and did what he said.

"Did you do it?"

"Ya." Her voice was barley a whisper. Her whole body shook with fear. She could feel her body going from hot to cold back to hot.

"Good. Now, Emily, tell me what happened and exactly what's going on." Papa Lee demanded.

"Umm...I noticed the black truck on my way here. It-it... followed me here and then stayed on the street, but kept its distance. I think...I think I've seen it before. I didn't notice it again...until now. It crept into the parking lot. Jorge left half an hour ago, Jo left... it's blocking the way out. I'm scared, Papa. I don't know what to do!"

"Is there any other way out of the parking lot?"

"No." She was doing her best not to cry, but her throat was tight and her hands were shaking.

"What's the truck doing?"

"Nothing. It's just sitting there, blocking the entrance."

"Don't get out of the truck. You have the doors locked?"

"Yes." She squeaked.

"Is there something in the truck you can use as a weapon, if needed?"

"ummm." She was scared to look away from the truck.

"Yeah, Emily, under the seat of the passenger seat, I have a tire changing kit, there's a tire iron under the seat. You can reach it from behind." 

"Good. Grab it and use it if you have to."

She ripped her eyes away from the truck. Reached behind and pulled out the long thin metal rod.

"Emmy, were coming, a few more minutes."

"Hurry..." Her voice was stuck, she was doing her best not to hyperventilate.

"Tell me what else you can see."

"Dad, faster!" Minho cried when she whimpered. 

"Umm...." She stuttered. 

"Emily!" Papa Lee said again, catching her attention again, "Come on, honey, tell me what  you can see!"

"Umm okay...okay, sorry. Umm...There's no licenses plate. The truck is black, the windows are dark. I can't see the driver. No one has gotten out. It hasn't moved from blocking the entrance. I don't know what's going on!"

"What make of truck is it?"

"Umm...I- I don't."

"Come on Emily. What kind of truck? Are there any scratches or anything distinctive?"

"Umm the truck is a Chevy. And it's not a big one... it's dark in the parking lot. I can't see much."

"Okay, good. Keep talking. We're just turning off Main street."

Emily was watching the truck, nothing was happening and she wasn't sure what was more nerve wracking, the fact it was just sitting there watching or if the truck would move.

"Emily?" Minho's frantic voice called. "Talk to us. Come on baby, keep talking. We're almost there."

"I'm here." She whimpered. "It's not...it's just sitting there. No! Wait...wait...it's moving! Papa it's moving!" She cried.

"Emily!" He barked. "Stay calm. Breath. We're on the right street. Listen to me. Put the truck in drive. If you need to, floor it and hope the curb. And drive."

"Did you do that?" 

"Ya..." 

"Good. Tell me what it's doing."

"It's moving forward. Into the parking lot. Towards me." She screamed, her jaw was chattering like she was cold, her hands were frozen and white, but she was sweating, she felt the drops slowly running down her temple. Her breathing was short and shallow.

"Dad!" Minho cried. "Floor it! I can see them! Go!"

"Emily, move the truck! Now!"

The truck in front of her shot forwards, with a squeal of its tires, just as Emily yanked the wheel and pressed the gas peddle. Bear flew into the window with a loud whine. The truck swerved passed her. Missing her by inches. The black truck swerved and did a circle, leaving big black tire marks on the cement. There was a loud horn. Emily screamed and flinched. The black truck shot out of the parking lot. And disappeared into the night. 

A big SUV came speeding into the parking lot and slammed on the brakes. The car doors flew open. Minho and Papa Lee came flying out. Emily hadn't moved. Bark was loud and barking and growling; trying to protect Emily, yet she couldn't put any energy into the dog, she was completely ignoring her dog. Her hands gripped the wheel so tight her knuckles were white. She felt like she was going to throw up or pass out. Or both. Her eyes where as big as ever, dilated in complete terror. She hadn't moved, she couldn't move. 

Minho unlocked the truck door and Papa Lee flung the door open. Bark shot out, doing circles around the truck, barking and growling. Emily didn't remember how she got from inside the truck to being held protectively by Minho and Papa Lee. But she broke, finally. The tears fell and she sobbed. Her legs gave out and Minho picked her up and brought her to the SUV. He held her tight as Papa Lee grabbed her phone and bag. 

"Bear. Come on boy!" He called.

The dog ran over and hoped into the back seat with Minho and Emily. Papa Lee was watching the footage, he cursed. And sent the video to himself and then he sent it to Mr Issac and Jorge.

"Tomorrow, Minho, I'll come back for the truck. Right now, we need to get her home."

Minho just nodded and held Emily closer in the back seat. Emily hardly remembered the ride home. Her body shook as she cried. At some point, she threw up all over the floor of the SUV. When they got home, Jorge came flying out of the house. 

Emily couldn't talk, all she did was whimper and shake. She couldn't think of anything, her mind was blank, she couldn't form full thoughts or sentences. Jorge ushed her into the house, Minho and Mr Lee right behind them. 

Emily didn't remember anything else. She didn't know how she got to bed, she didn't remember changing, but she was glad Minho was beside, she finally stirred and rolled towards him, burying her face into his chest, she whimpered quietly. Minho woke up and pulled her closer. 

"I'm sorry Emmy. I'm so sorry!" He whispered into her hair. A hand buried in her hair, cradling the back of her head close to his chest. She curled tight and he curled around her, trying to protect her. She stayed awake all night in some kind of shocked daze, but she slowly felt her body relaxing the longer Minho held her. At some point around dawn she finally allowed her eyes to close, and she fell into a restless sleep.  

Her dream was filled with tall creepy men, trucks following her, Ben grabbing her and laughing at her as she screamed and fought off the many masked people trying to hold her down. Hands held her and shook her. 

"Emily! Wake up!" 

Her eyes snapped open. Minho was kneeling on her bed, shaking her trying to wake her up. She sat bolt up right and scrambled backwards. She was covered in sweat and tangled in the sheets and blankets. Tears already prickled her eyes. 

"Hey, shhh. You're okay. You're safe. You're home, your safe." 

She sat her head in her hands breathing heavily. 

"This is Ava's doing." She muttered. 

"What? Em, what did you say?" 

Emily picked her head up, realization hitting her in the gut like a kick. 

"Ava, this is her doing. Remember she threated me on my birthday. She said I wouldn't make it to my 18th birthday. She's trying to mess with me." She whispered. 

"You think she would actually try and kill you?" 

"Definitely mess with my head. She's proved she's okay with child abuse and neglect. How is this any different?" 

Minho looked shocked, and kind of skeptical, but he kept his opinion to himself. His eyes filled with concern when he took in her exhausted appearance. 

"Mom and dad and Jorge are meeting with Mr Issac and a few other people today. They'll be home later. Why don't you have a long shower and we'll have breakfast for lunch. You wanna stay here or do you wanna go out?" 

"I'd rather stay home for a bit, if that's okay?" 

"Sounds great." He smiled at her, his eyes creased, he leaned forwards and kissed her forehead. "Dose my fair Princess need me to check for monsters in the shower?" 

"Is my Good Sir Knight feeling protective?" 

"Shucken rights he is!" Minho suddenly growled, looking like he was ready to kill something with his bare hands. He got up and stormed into the bathroom, throwing the door wide open. Emily couldn't help but giggle. She got up and followed him into the bathroom. While he made a big deal about looking in all the drawers and nooks and crannies, Emily pulled her hair up into a bun and brushed her teeth. She washed her face and when she straightened up, she saw Minho leaning on the wall behind her, his arms crossed, and a smirk on his face. 

"You're all safe my Princess." His voice was smooth and rich and sent a shiver down her back. She felt her cheeks heating up. 

"Minho...I'm always safe with you." She smiled at him through the mirror. 

"If you keep looking at me like that..." He rumbled. 

She let a small breathy gasp out in surprise, he pushed off the wall and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her into his chest and kissed her neck with a wild vengeance. She shrieked and wiggled, trying to escape. He held her tightly, not letting her go and kissed the back of her neck and up to her ear. 

"Minho!" She yelped again, but she had a laugh on her lips again. 

"Hmmm. I like your laugh, I think I'll make you do it again." He growled in her ear and she shrieked, but giggled, when he brushed his lips along her skin. 

"Please! Minho!" She gasped between her wiggles and giggles. Her giggles turned to a yelp of surprise when he licked her neck. "Eww! Minho! That was so gross! Eww!" She used the sleeve of her hoodie to try wipe the slobber off. 

"I licked it. It's mine." He cooed at her. 

"Are you calling me an it?" She raised an eyebrow at him. 

"Never. My beautiful princess. My girl, my baby. My boo bear...my rocky-" 

"Okay, okay, I get it! Just no more licking, its gross!" 

"Hmmm. I don't think so. You taste good." Minho said, his face was pressed into her neck, and she could feel the smirk on his face. He started to leave small little kisses all over her neck. Her eyes fluttered closed, and a small breathy gasp left her lips when his hand slid under the hem of her hoodie. His hands pressed into her stomach and she pressed her hips back and she pressed more into him. He growled when she did. He grabbed her hips and pushed her away slightly, making space between them. She twisted her head to look at him. His eyes were dark suddenly, and he swallowed hard, but he kept space between them.

"Minho..?" She asked hesitantly. 

"Don't..." He shook his head, he looked pained, like he was struggling to control something inside. 

"What's wrong?" 

"Don't teas me like that, please Em." He groaned. 

"I..I wasn't..." She frowned. All her insecurities came back, she knew she had ruined it all, and now he didn't want to get intimate again. It had been a month, and they hardly kissed anymore now too. "I'm sorry...I wont try again." She whispered and turned away, her head down and tears in her eyes and left the bathroom. 

Minho followed, "Wait, Em, what..." 

"It's okay, I get it." 

"No...I don't think you do!" 

"I wasn't good enough. Sorry." She wrapped her arms around her self, trying to protect herself. She walked to her desk, her back to him.

"What are you talking about?" He asked, she could hear a bit of sharpness in his voice. She knew he was frustrated. She flinched, her body instantly reverting back to being stuck in the home with Ava and Teresa. She cowered, waiting for the hands to fly. She felt his huge presence behind her. She clamped her eyes closed, waiting, her heart beat slammed into her chest. She shivered. She heard him sigh in frustration.

"Emmy, please look at me." 

Emily slowly turned, still ready to throw her hands up to protect herself. She peeked through her camped eyelids, his hands were down at his sides. She slowly picked up her head and looked at him, her eyes full of tears and confusion. 

"I love you Emily. I don't ever want to hurt you, and I don't ever want to be the reason you hurt or bleed. It scares me when your hurting! So...so wh- when you were in that much pain because of me...Emmy..." He groaned and ran a hand down his face. "Shuck Em, it was shucken' amazing! Like shuck I can't get you outta my head. But I don't want to be the reason you have tears in your eyes, or wincing 'cause it hurts." 

She blinked a few times and frowned. "You...you still want-"

"Yes! I wanna again, all the time! I love you so much, and shuck woman, you were amazing," He cried throwing his arms around, When she flinched, he slowed down, his face softened, and he stepped closer and lifted her head, his thumb under her chin. "Emily Victoria Fitz, you could never ever be a disappointment to me, you seriously are the most amazing person, you blow my mind each day I wake up and I get to see you." 

"But...you hardly kiss me anymore." She whispered, she bit her lip keeping herself from crying. 

"I'm sorry. I should have just talked to you sooner. I guess keeping my distance didn't help anyone. If I started kissing you I was scared I couldn't stop and I was already scared I'd hurt you again." 

"Minho...it's normal to hurt. I- I talked to Sonya...it gets better. It stops," She felt her face going bright pink with embarrassment. she tugged on the sleeve of her hoodie and twisted it. She looked down at floor, and tried to make herself smaller. "I just had to umm stretch and umm...rip a bit to adjust. Next time it wont hurt as much and then it gets way better." 

His eyes went wide in realization. And then his face fell. 

"I'm so sorry! Em, I didn't mean to make you think I didn't love you! Shuck I shucked up. I'm so sorry." He stepped closer and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I love you." He kissed the top of her head. "I'll kiss you all the time from now on and I'll never stop. Ever. You're gonna get bored of me kissing you." 

"Then maybe you can try something else then kissing me..." She whispered against his chest. 

"Emily Fitz...you gonna start something." 

"Maybe I am." She looked up at him, her eyes still sparkled with fresh tears. Minho smoothed the hair from her face and leaned down and kissed her gently. "You have a month of kissing me to make up for." 

"Hmmm. Whatever the Princess needs." 

"Pancakes and kisses." 

"I think I can do that.' Minho growled, and kissed her rougher, sliding his tongue into her mouth her hands tangled into his hair and pulled him closer. 

∽•∽

Longer chapter. But some angsty teen stuff and some creepy stalking.