Emilia was starting to hate her name. Since the news initially broke about her being Lin's daughter, she had heard it said more than she thought throughout her entire life. Things had calmed down in public since Lin had released a statement asking for her to have privacy, but that didn't change much for her life at school or on social media. Even with setting all of accounts to private, she was still getting creepy messages and finding her personal photos showing up on various websites.

She stood in front of her locker, pretending to look at some random pages in her biology book just to make it seem like she was busy. She had already been asked three separate times about Hamilton tickets and about a new Disney movie that Lin was apparently working on. The latter only annoyed her because she didn't even know the answer. She was counting down the minutes until the last bell would ring.

"Emilia?"

"What?" Emilia said sharply, turning away from her locker as she came face to face with a blonde student.

"Oh," The student looked taken aback, "Sorry, didn't mean to bother you."

"Wait," Lia called out as the blonde started to walk away, knowing she had come across as a bitch, "Sorry, I was just distracted."

"It's fine," The student gave a small smile, waving it off.

"Lindsay, right?" Emilia asked, recognizing her from a few of her classes.

"Lia," Lia replied when she nodded, simultaneously wanting to kick herself for repeating what had initiated the conversation. She could be so awkward, "What I mean is, I go by Lia."

Thankfully, the two shared a friendly laugh,  "Cool. I actually just wanted to tell you that I thought it was really shitty what Martin did to you last week."

"Oh," Lia hadn't been expecting that response, "Uh.. thanks. I thought so, too."

"He can be such a hardass," Lindsay rolled her eyes, as the two walked along the school corridor, "Nobody thought anything bad about you or anything like that. I don't think I could have stayed up there for so long and not burst into tears"

"Thank you," Lia replied with a genuine smile.

"Do you want to join me and a few friends for lunch?"

Lia started to feel uncomfortable by the question. She couldn't help but put the timing of everything and this being the first time, kind or not, Lindsay has spoken to her.

"Actually, I was going to head to the library -"

"Elephant in the room?" Lindsay interrupted with a sympathetic smile, "Everyone knows who your dad is, especially after that email that was sent,"

Lia grimaced at the mention of the schoolwide email that had been sent from the administration pertaining to the media presence outside of campus. They had instructed all students and faculty to not speak to the vultures, otherwise known as the press about a, "student who has recently become known in the public eye." Lia had been mortified when her mom had told her about it.

"I just thought it must suck having people asking you for things all day. Might help to have an excuse of being with others at lunch."

Lia mustered up a smile, not feeling entirely confident with the decision but figured what was the worst thing that could happen at lunch?

She followed Lindsay to the cafe where their conversation switched from school to a recent Bradley Cooper film that had come out.

They met up with a small group of students, all of whom Lia assumed were upperclassmen. One guy in particular, Ayden, caught Lia's attention. She was more than happy with the only empty seat being the one across from him.

She wasn't normally one for groups of friends, but Lia found that she was enjoying herself. Lindsay had been right. People didn't come up to her, and instead of worrying about answering questions about her dad, she got to enjoy just normal conversation.

"Lia, how did you do on Branch's algebra quiz?" Lindsay asked, as she popped a few chips in her mouth.

"98."

"Damn," Nathan, a junior, said as the whole table looked impressed, "I hated Branch. I could never get higher than a B on anything in that class."

Lindsay chimed in, "Told you she was smart,"

They had been talking about her? Lia was sure her cheeks were blushing from the attention, but offered a polite smile, "I just studied a lot for it."

"That's because you're still a newcomer," Marissa, a junior who was also Lindsay's older sister, said with a laugh, "Don't worry, we'll teach you the Hunter way soon enough."

"Hunter way?" Lia asked, not sure what she was implying.

The table erupted in laughter, without answering her question. Lia just laughed along, not really knowing what the joke was.

The conversation soon shifted to their plans for the week which Lia passively listened to as she ate her lunch. She figured out that Lindsay was, by default, a part of the group of friends through her sister, which brought Lia into the mix. The perks of that came with the majority of the students could drive, and also had parents who had gifted them their own cars. Lia was shocked when they asked her where she lived.

"Uh, Brooklyn," she answered.

"I live in Cobble Hill," Ayden replied, "How do you get to school?"

"I used to just take transit, but now I get driven in," That was also a new reality of life since the news broke. Neither Lin or Vanessa felt comfortable with Lia taking the train alone since the incident with the photographer had occurred. Either Lin or a cab was bringing her to and from school for the time being.

"We all carpool together. We could add you to the route if you want?"

"Yeah," Lia blurted out, then reminded herself to not come across as too eager, "That would be great. I just have to ask my mom,"

"That's so cute!" Christine, a senior, remarked leading to a round of laughter among the table and Lia wanting  to curl up into a ball. She was grateful when the 5th period bell rang and the attention was diverted off of her.

"Just text me and let me know," Ayden said as he gave Lia a slip of paper with his phone number on it. "See you around, Em."

"Em?"

"You spell your name with an 'E' right?" He continued when she nodded, "You seem like an 'Em' to me."

Lia had always hated the nickname 'Em' often saying that it reminded her too much of the name 'Emily'. However, when Ayden flashed his pearly whites at her, she just smiled wide. There were, after all, worse things to be called. She said bye to the new group and headed off to History, knowing not even Mr.Martin could take the plastered smile off her face.

Once she got home that night, her mother was a different story.

"Mom, please!"

"Lia, I already told you no," Vanessa answered as she stirred the pot of pasta she was boiling.

"You have been insisting since I started Hunter for me to make friends. I make them, and now you won't let me see them!" Lia pleaded, only feet away from Vanessa as she sat at the kitchen aisle.

"I didn't say that," Vanessa rolled her eyes at her daughter, already playing up the theatrics, "I said I just don't feel comfortable with you driving with a teenager you have never mentioned before today and giving out our address to anyone who asks." With the news still fresh, Vanessa didn't want random people with her address. She was already more than displeased that Lia's school name was released to the public and didn't want to risk any further intrusions on their privacy.

"So I'm supposed to be a hermit because my face is in magazines?" Lia answered back, the frustration in her tone evident.

"Watch it," Vanessa said pointedly. She placed down the utensil and faced Lia, reminding herself she was the adult in the situation, "I think it's great that you met students that you hit it off with," She said genuinely, with a sympathetic smile, "If you want to grab coffee with them or just hang out? Great! I'll even give you money to treat. All I'm saying is that you're still sporting the cast from your last car accident, and the timing is a bit random with everything going on."

"So, now I can only make friends when Lin is involved?" Lia snapped.

"That's not what I said,"

"That's what you implied!" A mixture of her own insecurities combined with her annoyance at her mom led to a less than happy Lia.

Vanessa ran her fingers through her hair, taking a few moments to collect herself. "Why don't you just let me meet them first?"

Lia shook her head, irritated that her mother would even suggest such an idea, "Oh yeah. I'll just go, "Hey guys, I'm already trying to make myself not look like some immature freshman, by the way, you have to meet my mommy first before she lets me play with you!"

"Emilia," A knock at the door interrupted their conversation as Vanessa wiped her hands on a nearby dish rag and headed to answer it.

"No, it's fine! I'll just never leave my room and just remain the school's most talked about loser!" Lia called out before she stormed off towards her room, the slam of her door being the first thing Lin heard as Vanessa let him in.

"Did something else happen with the press?" Lin inquired, as he cautiously walked into the apartment.

"No, it's just me." Vanessa said with a sigh, before heading back into the kitchen and offering Lin a drink.

"I thought she was moving past being upset with you about everything?"

Vanessa shook her head as she handed him a glass of water, "We have just returned to regular teenage Emilia who thinks my sole purpose in life is to ruin hers. Just wait, you'll be on the other end of this enjoyment soon enough."

"I won't have that issue. I'm a cool dad," Lin lightly mocked, which put a smile on Vanessa's face.

"So young and naive," She mused, as the two shared a laugh, "What made you stop by?"

"I just met with my lawyers," he began. "We can make a formal request but we really can't stop them from taking pictures in a public place. They can't be on school grounds."

"Reassuring," she said sarcastically. She would hope school would be the one place she'd be safe from the press. As soon as she was out in New York City, though, she was fair game. "So what are you gonna do?"

"I'll put out a statement on Twitter that she's a minor and it's not appropriate to approach her. If it gets bad we can sue for invasion of privacy."

Vanessa rubbed at her temple. It just seemed they were pleading with the press and public to leave her alone. It was a free country, thankfully, but that wasn't helping her daughter.

"I think we need to talk to her too," he went on. "To talk about what to do if someone approaches her. If it makes you feel better I could get her private security."

Vanessa chuckled. "She'd never forgive me," she said, knowing Lia would see it as an invasion and make her seem like even more of a leper.

Lin studied his ex for a few moments. "You seem stressed," he observed. "Want me to take Lia out for a while so you can relax?"

Vanessa looked relieved. "Please," she said gratefully.

"Of course," he said, glad to be able to have some alone time with his kid. He walked over to the cabinet and pulled out a wine glass. "Go sit down."

Vanessa had to admit it was nice being taken care of. Soon, Lin had a glass of Rose, and was covered in a blanket with Netflix pulled up. After she was settled Lin walked back to his daughter's room and knocked. The teenager was at her desk, scribbling away at some homework.

He stood behind her, looking at her computer screen. "The Renaissance, huh? Are things better with Mr. Martin?"

"Uh-huh," she replied.

"Good," he said. "Wanna come hang out at the theatre with me tonight?"

Lia turned in her chair, smiling up at him. "Of course."

Lin chuckled and gave her shoulders a squeeze. She quickly began to pack up her school bag so she could finish homework at the theatre, though it might be hard to concentrate.

Lin called a taxi and they headed for the theatre. Most of the actors weren't there yet since it was early. Lin liked to be there early and feel prepared. They headed up to his dressing room and Lia spread her stuff out on the table. Lin got on his computer and worked on some emails.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Lindsay, asking if she needed to be picked up on the way to school. Her mother had said no but this was her first real possibility of a group of friends. She didn't want to be the loser whose mom wouldn't let her carpool like a little kid. She was in high school now. She deserved more freedom.

Lia bit her lip and looked at Lin. "Hey Lin?"

"Uh-huh?"

"Um, a new friend from school texted to see if I wanted to ride to school tomorrow. Can I?" She fibbed slightly, leaving out the part she'd already asked her mom and that a teenager would be driving.

"Sure, I don't see why not," Lin answered. It didn't enter his mind that Vanessa had already said no. Lia seemed excited and texted her friend back. She told her to pick her up at the park across the street. Her mom was worried about people knowing where they lived so now that point was moot.

Despite the distraction, Lia was able to get all her homework done in the dressing room. She wandered down halfway through Act 2 and watched the rest of the performance from backstage. She watched the audience's faces, in awe of Lin and the other actors. Lia felt a wave of pride. Her father was pretty awesome.

They were super late getting home, so it was straight to bed for Lia. It was worth it though, in her mind.

"How did it go?" Vanessa asked, fresh from a night of recharging. She'd watched a mindless chick flick on Netflix and drank an entire bottle of wine. Truth be told, she was a little woozy.

"Oh, it went great as usual," he said. "Sorry, I have to stick around a few minutes after usually to meet some VIPs."

Vanessa walked to the dishwasher and loaded a few last dishes in. When she stood up, the wooziness hit her straight on and she stumbled. Lin dove in, catching her and steadying her. His hand clasped hers to as she regained her footing. He didn't let go. Vanessa was so close he could smell her lavender shampoo. Her eyes were dark and she looked gorgeous.

She giggled a little uncomfortably but didn't move away. Lin didn't take his eyes off hers. Without a word, he gently pulled her closer, searching for any sign she didn't want this. He found none.

Their lips were moments apart when they finally closed their eyes and let them meet. Lin kissed her gently, inhaling her scent and tasting the lips he'd missed. Vanessa let out a sigh as he deepened it, letting his tongue dance with hers. His arms snaked around her waist, pulling her closer still as they kissed slowly, taking their time.

Fifteen years they'd been apart, but their mouths remembered. Vanessa gently nipped at his bottom lip like she used to, burying her hands into his hair. God, she loved him with long hair.

After kissing for several minutes, they pulled away, breathless. Vanessa rested her forehead against his as she stroked at his neck.

"I've missed that," he told her, his voice low. "And I've been wanting to do that since I saw you and Lia after the show."

Vanessa grinned, letting her hands rest on his arms. She had to admit to herself she'd been yearning to kiss him lately, though not when they'd first reconnected. Her heart was racing away like a teenager. It had been so long since she'd made out with someone, especially someone as good as Lin. His kisses always swept her breath away.

Lin gently kissed her forehead. "I better go," he said. "I'll grab Lia after school. Dentist appointment?"

She nodded as he pulled away. "Thank you."

"Sure thing," he smiled. "This parenting thing is kind of cool."

"Wait til you get a serving of her attitude," she told him. "But right now she's completely smitten being around you. Enjoy it while it lasts."

Lin laughed as he pulled on his jacket. "See you soon."

Vanessa locked the door behind her and let out a satisfied sigh. She knew she wouldn't be getting to sleep anytime soon.