Casey

My eyes follow the brunette all over the room. From painting to painting to couple to couple. I stood in the corner by myself, just staring at the beauty.

My eyes leave her for a few seconds, allowing me to indulge in a small conversation with the waiter. "Hey you guys have any scotch?"

The man glances at me for a few seconds too long. "Yes, I'll get that for you right away" he offers me his sarcastic smile. I can't help but to roll my eyes. It wasn't like I was demanding him to serve me.

My eyes roam the room once again to find a certain brown eyed creature.

When I don't find her, I furrow my brows and move from my position. I spot her boyfriend just feet away but no Kathryn Howard. Maybe she went to the restroom.

I scoff at myself and roll my eyes. Why did I even care? I needed to forget she's here and relax. The waiter comes back with my drink.

I grab for it but a hand reaches out past mine, grabbing the glass into their delicate grip. I frown as the waiter walks away as if he didn't care my drink was stolen. I glance over my shoulder, spotting Kathryn. Her brown eyes smile at me as she brings the stainless glass to her red lips.

I watch her take a sip. She scrunches her face as she swallows it.

"Not a fan of scotch?" I tease and take the cup from her fingers. Kathryn holds her digits to her chest before smiling and speaking. "People who drink scotch are either hairy men or psychopaths" she winks.

"No, I'm just plain ol' Casey Kings. The girl who has great taste in liquor" I joke as I take a gulp of the burning liquid.

She keeps her eyes on me. "And women" I whisper the last part. I tease her a little as I rub the tips of my digits on her bare arm. Kathryn bites her lip her eyes switching between my eyes and my fingers.

With a smirk I walk away from the women. I'm not surprised when she follows. "Anyways, Am I interesting tonight?" She questions out of the blue. It peaks my curiosity. I raise my brow at her as we walk past the crowd and towards a random painting.

"You've been staring at me all night. I know you said I was beautiful but I didn't think I was intriguing enough to be stared at for hours."

"I thought you were one of the paintings, your beauty is far too beyond this world." Am I flirting with my neighbor who also works at as a teacher at my school? Kathryn smiles and glances away with a blush. I am. I clear my throat and look away, my eyes landing on my sister and Edwin.

Cassandra gives me a big thumbs up while Edwin smiles and shakes his head. Kathryn and I finally stop at a painting. The silence that fills in between us is comfortable. I lean on my left leg, so much so that I bump Kathryn's shoulder. The brunette bumps my shoulder in defense before giggling.

I nudge the brunette in response with a laugh followed behind. Kathryn tries to nudge me back but I move out of the way just in time. Her big brown eyes land on me in shock before she tries again. I take a step back nearly bumping into a person passing by. "Excuse you, watch where you're going" the man hisses at me.

Before I can retaliate, another voice startles me. "She didn't touch you, you didn't waste your drink or anything. You just want to be an asshole. Now go away before you make me mad" Kathryn attacks.

The man glances between the two of us with a startled expression. He clears his throat and nods his head before walking away as if nothing happened. I can't help but to smile as I turn to look at the brunette. "Damn that was kind of sexy" I mutter.

Kathryn chuckles, "Thank you, thank you."

The longer I stare at her, the more tempted I am to kiss her. My eyes trail down from her gorgeous chestnut brown eyes to her fleshy red lips. I bite down on my own as I unknowingly take a step closer to her. Kathryn moves a certain way causing my eyes to meet hers. By this time, I'm a lot closer to her than intended.

My heart beat grows at an alarming rate as I swallow the forming lump in my throat. I lick my lips and slowly I begin to lean in. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted nothing more than to kiss her right now.

To just feel her against me. "Casey" Kathryn whispers, "What are you doing?"

Just inches away from her lips, I stop. "Something I might regret."

Before I can sweep in and take her lips in mine, another annoying figure shows up just in time. "What the hell are you two doing?" Thomas questions, lividly. I don't dare move but Kathryn pulls away from me immediately. "Are you serious Kathryn? You're going to cheat on me? I'm your goddamn boyfriend."

"It's not what you think. I- I..." Kathryn couldn't pull together a decent lie. How could she? It was obvious the two of us were about to kiss and she knew it.

I let out a breath before speaking up. "She wasn't going to do anything. It was my fault, I apologize."

Kathryn eyes me in confusion. "I think I should go" I smile at the two before walking away.

- - - - -

Waking up the next morning, I remember the horror that unfolded last night. I almost kissed my neighbor. I roll to the opposite side of my bed in annoyance. With my head in my pillow I let out a short scream. How could I do that? Now she's going to think I like her!

She's going to remember I wanted to kiss her. Fuck my damn life. Things have not been good since she moved in. Every thing going wrong in my life started the minute she moved in. I blame her. I do. I wasn't taking it back.

I can't even have sex in my own apartment because if I do, there's a high possibility she'll hear it. I can't think straight in school because she works there. I can't be me if she lives next door.

I roll over onto my back. Why was I blaming her for everything? Maybe because I just wanted an out. I didn't want to go through this anymore. I was scared. Especially of Kathryn.

I was scared of the feelings I was harboring for her. Jasmine was right. I did in fact like Kathryn. I like her a lot. I furrow my brows and sigh. The sound of my phone ringing grabs my attention from the thoughts I battle with. I reach over my pillow and grab the annoying device. I glance at the screen, spotting a number I didn't recognize.

A second later, I answer. I bring the phone up to my ear. I don't speak first.

A long pause of silence sets in. I pull the phone away from my ear and glance at the screen before putting it on speaker. "Uh, Hello?" I decide to get the conversation started. Another long pause of silence. "Okay, I'm hanging up" I sigh.

Just as I go to hang up the phone, a voice I wasn't ready to hear answers. "Annise? I'm at your apartment building. What floor are you on?"

I freeze as I stare at my phone screen.

"Annise? Hello? When I ask a question I expect you to answer" my mother sighs in annoyance. I didn't have to answer did I? I didn't want to answer. I didn't even want to see her. Or hear her voice for that matter. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. Once I open my eyes, I quickly grab for my phone and hang up.

I get out of bed and head towards my door. I quickly pull my shoes on and exit my apartment, not even bothering to lock it. My eyes fall on Kathryn, who was well dressed for work. Her eyes land on me in confusion.

"You're not wearing that to school are you?" she questions.

I look down at my outfit. I was only in a tank top and booty shorts. I chuckle, "I don't think I'll be going today, I got unexpected company."

Kathryn nods her head. The two of us make way to the elevator. Kathryn presses the down button and the wait is short. We get on and head down to the main floor.

"So who's this unexpected company?" Kathryn makes conversation.

"Uh, my mom. We don't exactly have the best relationship. I don't even know why I'm going down to talk to her."

"Mind telling me about it?"

I glance at the brunette before the elevator dings. The doors open exposing my mother. I glance away from my neighbor and towards my mother's unpleasant features. "Annise! I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."

Kathryn glances at me at the sound of my middle name. She smirks. "I'll see you later?" the brunette questions as she exits the elevator. I nod my head and watch as she begins to walk away, but I stop her. "Hey, I'm sorry for last night."

Kathryn turns with a smile, "Don't worry about it, it doesn't bother me."

I smile at the brunette before her figure disappears behind the building doors. My mother clears her throat, grabbing my attention. "Who was she?"

I don't answer her as I enter the elevator and wait for her to get in as well. She takes the hint and gets in. I press the 5th floor button and hope my mother doesn't try to make small talk with me. Our relationship was far beyond repair. I was mentally and physically abused by her and I don't think I have it in me to overlook that.

But it didn't mean I would disrespect my mother. No matter how much hate she's shown me in the years, I was always going to show her how much love I had for her.

"Are you going to answer my question?" she questions.

I don't so much as look in her direction as I shake my head. "I have no reason to answer your question. It's not important."

"Is she your girlfriend?"

I roll my eyes, "I can't have female friends?" I question as I finally glance at her. The elevator doors open and I sigh in relief. I'm not going to survive her visit here. I exit the tin cubicle and head towards my apartment. My mother follows behind.

"I'm not saying you can't have female friends. You're refusing to answer the question, which causes me to assume she's someone you don't want me to know about."

I scoff once we reach my apartment. "Can you seriously blame me?"

I enter and allow her to come inside as well. Once she's in, I close the door behind her and lock it. "You know Annise, I'm just a mother looking out for her daughter. I don't think it's right for you to be intertwined in a foolish phase."

"Being a lesbian isn't a phase. I like women, I can't change that."

"You can. You're still in your rebellious stage, I can help you Annise. Your father obviously doesn't care about where his daughter goes after she passes. I'm just trying to put you on the right path."

"Is that why you came to visit? To put me back into a traumatic phase? Do you hate me so much you can't let me be happy as the person I am?" I question in annoyance.

Why did I show her to my apartment? Why did I think she'd change. Why did I think she would be a different person than she was 3 years ago?

"I just want what's best for you sweetie" she says softly as she reaches up to touch my cheek. I slap her hand away in anger. "I'm going to get dressed, you need a hotel to stay at while you're here."

"I can't stay with my daughter?"

"No. This is a one bedroom apartment. As much as I dislike you, I'm not going to have you sleep on the couch and my bed is off limits."

My mother eyes me before shaking her head. "You know Casey, I birthed you. I gave you love and attention and anything a little girl could ever want, why did you change?"

"I didn't change, I just exposed another part of myself" I hiss as I enter my room. I slam the door behind me and sit on my bed. I wasn't going to survive this round of attack.