The text came to Emmett's Phone about 10 minutes after he'd left his third tutoring session with Elle. It was slow going. She kept getting distracted and off topic. They'd somehow spent half an hour talking about pleats this time.

Glancing at the screen, he furrowed his brows. 'Big Red and Red Bull.' That's all it read. And from an unknown number

'Wrong number.' He texted back, not expecting a response. But he got one.

'For Elle. Big Red gum and Red Bull. It helps her focus.' Ok… not a wrong number.

"Who is this? And better yet, how'd you get this number?'

'I'm a friend. And my cousin, who is a cop owed me a favor. Sit her with her back to the window too.'

'Still confused. Why are you telling me this?'

'Elle is worth more than Warner, but she won't realize it without a push. And you've got good shoulders for pushing.'

'Excuse me?'

'Big Red, Red Bull and back to the window. Good night.'

Emmett sent many more texts that night, but they weren't answered.

On his way to the next session, on a whim, he bought two cans of red bull and a pack of big red. He also rearranged their seating so she faced the door and he could see the window.

It was the most productive one to date. 3 essay outlines and the majority of her vocabulary was note carded out.

As he left he typed out one work. 'Thanks.'

All he received in return was a smiley face emoticon.

Months went by with sporadic contact.

'Color coded note cards are best. Red, Orange, Green, Blue and Yellow. She has a system'

The mystery friend continued to send tips but never responded to his texts.

'Background music helps. Just not jazz. It makes her sleepy.'

After the first success he decided to incorporate all of the hints.

'Break projects and tasks down into smaller steps, then make a to-do list. Makes things seem easier and less daunting.'

Even the weird ones.

'The color pink makes her feel comfortable and in control. Do not mock it.'

That one wasn't so studiously aligned but did managed to explain a few things. His texts in return were just tidbits about Elle's progress. Short little things he thought a friend would like to know. Eventually they became a therapeutic sounding board for his Elle related woes… one that never sounded back.

Until the final day of Brooke Taylor-Windham's Trial. Right after Elle won the case and he watched her celebrate.

'I think I love her.'

The response made him grin.

'I know you do.'