Fairy Tale

Chapter 23: Getting Ready

The last few weeks were a blur. Jorge was moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation center, where he would be monitored for next month, making sure his surgery did its job, and he was going to be okay. Someone had boosted his insurance, so he was now at the WICKED medical facility, receiving the best care possible.

Emily would go to school, then visit Jorge or go to the gym. Lawrence had taken over for now, running the gym. It wasn't the same without Jorge. But it was still familiar and safe. Sonya, Newt or Minho would come with her, Thomas had also started hanging out with them more. So it was usually the five of them. Jeff and Clint would join them at school, sometimes for their big group study sessions.

Emily and Minho's business school project was coming along nicely, definitely a lot easier to work on when your project partner was also your roommate. Thomas complained constantly about Teresa. She never wanted to work on it, and when they finally did all she did was bug him for information on Emily and Minho. She also didn't seem to understand that Thomas was dating Newt.

Ben had kept his distance for the most part. Emily could feel his eyes on her in the halls or in the few classes they had together. But she wasn't ever alone. So she never worried about it. A few of the other football guys started coming around at the lunch table. She met the huge blond, Gally, he was quiet and broody, but he seemed nice enough. He was the defense captain, second under Minho. A guy named Winston, he seemed kinda sketchy, but he was polite enough, a guy named Dug, who seemed like he had nothing going on upstairs. And lastly -

"Frypan?" Emily asked confused, "I didn't know you played football!"

"You know Fry?" Minho asked, pointing at the big kid with his big white toothed grin.

"He's in ELA with Newt and I! I learned about him before attendance!" Emily  chuckled. "He sat down beside me and just started talking like we were besties!"

"Pretty much are!" Frypan chuckled.

"What do you do on this team that has a thousand players?"

"Special teams."

"Very helpful." Emily rolled her eyes. Though, from listening to Minho and Papa Lee talk football all the time she knew special teams were the plays who went onto the field when there was kicking play.

"Kick returner."

Emily nodded slowly, "when the ball is punted...you catch it and run as far up the field before your pushed out of bounds or tackled."

"Hey! You're listening and learning, Rocky! Good job!" Minho grinned at her.

"Well when you and Papa Lee don't ever shut up about it, that's all I hear from the moment we get home till I go to bed!" She rolled her eyes.

"Why are you at Min's house so much?" Gally asked.

They hadn't told anyone really the full situation. And that was one thing Teresa had kept quiet, that cops were at her place, taking Emily away. That would paint her in a poor light.

"My guardian had a heart attack, I've been staying with the Lee's until he's okay to come home."

"But aren't you and Theresa's step sister? Her mom had a heart attack?" Gally asked, trying to figure out what was going on.

"No, not her. And she doesn't live there anymore." Minho said sharply. His eyes flashed, the guys knew to back off and leave it alone.

Emily had shrunk and lowered her head when they started poking, her shields were back up, and her muscles tensed. She was greatful for Minho for deflecting the questions.

"So, guys, when is the first game?" Sonya jumped in.

She had reached under the table and held Emily's, giving it a squeeze. Emily appreciated it. She also felt Minho shift and he placed his hand gently on her back. She closed her eyes for a second. Without realizing she has slowly leaned into it. His hand put a bit more pressure, and she felt his thumb rub back and forth. Her tense muscles relaxed slowly the longer he kept his hand on her back. It wasn't much but she felt like she would be okay. She had Sonya and Minho.