Casey

My eyes dart around the classroom. From a random poster to Ms. Howard to the back of some kids' head back to Ms. Howard. I think you get the point. No matter how much I tried distracting my attention from her, the more intriguing she seemed.

I went nearly 2 weeks of avoiding her. Albeit, I was extremely lonely during those times but the dream still bothered me. And now here she was. In my classroom, all because Mrs. Evans decided not to come to work and the school was too lazy to call a substitute. She kept her eyes on her computer as she worked on her own things.

"You stare any harder and she'll melt" I hear beside me. I frown and glance at Jasmine in annoyance. "I'm not staring at anyone, I was just thinking" I lie. She smiles, seeing right through me. I hated how well she knew me. During the past two weeks, I felt like she knew me a bit better than I knew myself.

Her brown eyes land on Kathryn with a smile. "She does look really good today" she compliments before her eyes land on me teasingly. I can only roll mine as I force myself to continue working. It doesn't last very long as my eyes once again trail from my work and to the beautiful brunette at the desk.

This time, her eyes were already on me. It takes me off guard as I quickly glance away in embarrassment before glancing back at the woman. She offers a soft smile before her eyes land on her computer once again. What... what was that?

"The longer you stare the longer you won't get your work done. Were you listening at the beginning of class? Even though Mrs. Evans isn't here she expects all worksheets in by the end of class, no excuses."

"Shut up, I'm practically done" I lie. I glance down at my paper. I hadn't even gotten past my name. Oops. I once again try to work.

My ears perk at the sound of the door opening. I glance over, spotting Mr. Rossen entering the classroom, causing my face to fall. This was the part I hated about avoiding Kathryn. I always saw this guy around. No matter what, he always managed to be by her side. And quite frankly it was beyond annoying.

The man entered the classroom and made his way towards the beauty. They spoke silently causing other students - myself included, to look at them weirdly. "Are they together?" one student questioned as Mr. Rossen's smile widened. I could slightly feel my blood boil. What were they talking about.

The man moves slightly, allowing me to see the smile on Kathryn's lips. I frown. "They kind of make a cute couple" another student commented. Not once does Kathryn's eyes fall on me as she talks to this creep.

He stands and offers one last smile, "I'll see you in a bit then."

As soon as he left, the bell rang, dismissing majority of us to lunch or home. Students leave their work on the desk, to which Ms. Howard begins collecting. Everyone is eventually out of the classroom except for myself. I make my way towards the woman who began gathering her things. "May I help you Ms. Kings?"

Her chestnut eyes meet mine. I wanted to ask her about the encounter the entire class just witnessed. But did I even have a right? I open my mouth, only to be cut off by the sound of a knock at the door. I groan and turn spotting the same annoying man from earlier. "You ready?"

His eyes land on me in question. I bit down on my tongue to stop myself from doing something dumb. I set my worksheet on the desk and head to the cafeteria to meet up with my friends. I deserved this treatment, I avoided her for nearly 2 weeks.

- - - - -

"What's up with you?" Duke questions for the second time this day. I shake my head, gaining the eyes of Edwin and Jasmine as well. "You been really quiet these past few weeks, are you sure you're good? Is there something you need to get off your chest?" Edwin spits.

I bite my cheek before taking a huge bite of my burger so that I wouldn't have to answer. However, their eyes remain on me as if they were waiting and anticipating an answer. Once I swallow, I go in for another bite. Jasmine stops me and pulls my food away from me, basically forcing me to say something.

"Casey" Edwin mutters. I eye him before rolling them. "Fine, fine... since you guys want to know so bad."

I glance around to make sure there were no students around from school. Feeling very satisfied, I glance back to my friends. What do I even tell them? I still wasn't comfortable talking about Kathryn with them. "I like someone" I admit.

"Bullshit!" Duke hisses before laughing and stuffing a fry in his mouth. "If you believe me or not, it's totally up to you." His blue eyes land on me, noticing there was nothing but truth in my answer. "Holy shit, you're serious."

Jasmine and Edwin eye me waiting for me to continue. "I've been avoiding them for a while and today I found out they might be dating someone else. I mean they have the right because we were never together but seeing it with my own eyes kind of hurt."

"Are you talking about Ms. Howard?"

My eyes land on Jasmine. I stop breathing as I hesitate to answer the question. I could feel three pair of eyes on me. A cold sweat began to cover my entire body as my heart pounded against my ribcage. I was surprised they couldn't hear it.

"I mean that makes sense. I recently found out from Cassandra that she's your next door neighbor. That explains why you've been getting to school later than usual. And usually when she comes into class you two always look at each other but she hasn't been coming recently and today she did you kept staring at her."

Jasmine was saying a mouthful honestly. She was just giving me away. I open my mouth before closing it shortly afterwards, unable to form words. I clench my jaw before glancing around the restaurant.

"So it's true?" Duke questions.

"Look, it doesn't even matter if it was true or not, it looks like she's already moved on."

Just as those words exit my lips, in comes, you guessed it Kathryn Howard. My head slams on the table, just my fucking luck. "You good? That sounded like it hurt" Edwin says, pulling my head up and rubbing my forehead. I nod and offer a soft smile. My eyes follow the brunette, hoping she doesn't notice my little group.

"Go talk to her, we'll be right here" Edwin spits. He moves from the booth and forces me from my spot. I stand next to the table, not wanting to move. I immediately regret being so hesitant as another figure enters the restaurant. He makes his way to Kathryn, his hand resting on the small of her back. I feel my heart fall to the pit of my stomach as I watch her shine a smile in his direction.

I glance at my friends before exiting the building. I didn't stop when I heard their pleas calling after me. I didn't have anything to say, nor did I want to face Kathryn. I get into my car and drive, letting my mind take over for me.

3 hours later I find myself at my dad's. I park in the driveway, happy to see his car parked there. I exit my car and make my way inside, frowning as I see familiar brown eyes land on me. "Uh, what's going on?" I question in confusion as I close the door behind me and head into the living room.

"Your mother is asking if she can join us for Thanksgiving this year."

I scoff as I eye my dad. Did she really think she could come back on the holiday as if we were family to her? She made it quite clear 3 years ago, where we stood as far as family. "Go for it. I'm sure Cass misses her" I spit. The man eyes me cautiously, silently asking me if it was fine. "She's still our mother. Let her come."

My mom eyes me, knowing our last conversation wouldn't make me say such things. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Is it cool if I come stay for thanksgiving break?" I ask.

"Well, actually your mother was trying to stay here for the week as well." I eye my mom and shrug my shoulders, "Then we'll all stay here for the week. I'll call Cass and tell her she has to come stay too."

What was I doing? Honestly, I had no idea. But something in me kind of wanted to spend the week with my family. Including my mother, though the last time we spoke we didn't share any nice words. But I couldn't deny she was still my mother. We may have our differences, but she was still my flesh and blood. "I'll go home and pack my things. I'll be back tomorrow morning."

- - - - -

I arrived home minutes ago. So why was I still in my car? I frown as I spot Kathryn and Mr. Rossen in front of the door, talking. It's as if they're teasing me. The man gets closer to her causing my frown to deepen. I roll my eyes and force myself out of my car. Just in time too. As I make it closer to the couple then man places his lips on hers. The sound of my phone falling from my hand grabs their attention. I offer a small smile as I bend over and grab my device.

I hurry past them and into the building.