Fairy Tale

Chapter 72: Happily Ever After

Emily road beside Minho in the truck, Bear in the back seat beside her backpack. She was quiet all the way to school. He didn't push her, she sat holding his hand tight while he drove with one hand.

"It's gonna be great!" Minho reassured her one last time. "Breathe Princess, stop holding your breath."

Emily release a long slow breath. Minho parked the truck and leaned over, kissed her cheek and whispered one last encouragement before he hopped out of the truck and came to her door. He helped her out and let Bear out, and grabbed her backpack for her. Emily was just closing the door when Sonya and Newt pulled up beside them.

"So...here we go." Newt sighed, he was still in a big brace, but he was walking better now, he still had pain, but the doctors were thrilled with his progress. They started him on the same cell regeneration treatment as Emily and his progress was amazing.

"Yep..." Emily whispered. She looked up at the school, there weren't a lot of people around despite how close it was to the bell. Minho slid his hand into her hand, and gently tugged her forward.

"Come on babe, lets get you to class."

Emily followed, she was doing her best to keep her head up and not flea back to the truck and beg Mama Lee to let her stay at home and have a tutor. The four of them made it up the stairs of the school, and Emily saw the few people hanging around turn their heads and whisper.

"Head up Princess." Minho whispered.

"I'm trying..." She whispered back, her hands were sweaty and her head was sore from clamping her jaw so hard. Bear was pressed closed to her leg, Sonya and Newt were right behind her. Minho pulled the doors open and Emily froze. There was a big banner hanging in the hall.

"Welcome back to school."

Emily looked around to Minho, confused. He just had a small smirk. Kids came pouring out of the side halls, all clapping and calling out.

"What the bloody hell?"

"I feel that Newt. Minho, what the shuck?"

Minho took her hand with a smirk, and a wink and led her down the hall to the stairs to her locker. Sonya had the same knowing smirk as she followed with Newt. Kids she had never seen before were smiling at her and welcoming her back. A few clasped Newt's hand , or patted him on the back.

"Hey, if you need anything let me know."
"It's good to see you back, shank."
"You're up and about! Good to see!"
Welcome back!"

Emily was so shocked she had no words, she just followed with her mouth hanging open. All her anxieties were forgotten, now she was just confused. Emily stopped a few feet from her locker. Her locker was covered in all kinds of stick notes, each with something written on them. Her heart fell. She head sunk, and she looked at the floor. Her shoulders sagged. Things would never change.

Minho stepped in front of her and gently lifted her chin. "Go read them, baby." He kissed her nose gently and pulled her closer to her locker. He leaned on the locker beside hers with his shoulder. Emily looked at him confused, and then back to the locker door. With a shaking hand she pulled one off.

"Thanks for helping with with my bio homework."

She looked up.

"I like your smile, its pretty."

"Girl you fight like a beast in the ring! Keep fighting in life."

"Your work ethic is my goals"

She looked around at the people standing around her. They all had small smiles. Her eyes filled with tears, but not sad or scared tears. Minho's smile and gentle eyes made her feel like it would be okay. That maybe, just maybe now that the people who made her life a literal living hell, were behind bars she could breath heal and become whole again.