It was the new year. And the school building was filled with teens reconnecting with their friends they hadn't seen since December. I shake my head as I continuously hear, "New Year, New Me" from several teenagers. I knew for a fact that the year would be the same for them as it has been for their entire life.

I was excited to get back to work. But there was one thing that had been bothering me since Christmas. I eerily made it to the office, to sign in. Though no one was watching me, it felt as though a hundred eyes were piercing my skin. I was nervous, to say the least. My job and relationship were at stake.

I enter the office, spotting Emily talking with the receptionist. "Oh, speak of the devil! Good Morning Ms. Howard" Mrs. Bundy smiles.

I offer a kind smile, "Good morning Mrs. Bundy, how was your break?" I decide small talk is good. I didn't want to seem suspicious. "Oh it was great, my husband and I went to a resort with the kids. How about you? Did you and Mrs. Evans have a nice break?"

I nod my head, remembering that I luckily got to spend my break with Casey. "Yes, it was amazing." Emily and I finish our business before exiting the office. The woman lets out a breath and cracks her neck. "I'm already tired and the bay has barely even begun. Is it too late to quit?" she questions sleepily.

I chuckle and nod my head. "We've only got 5 more months of this hell and then we're free for 2 months unless you're teaching summer school."

She shakes her head, thankful she doesn't have to. "You might have to though since Rai was fired. Unless Mr. Peters and Ms. Lewis decide to stay."

I nod my head. She was right. Though Ms. Lewis wasn't a senior history teacher, she had her degree for teaching up to 12th grade. I was hoping silently she would want to work for summer school, which of course meant extra pay. I, however, didn't want the extra pay. Especially when I would have only 1 month and a half to spend time with my girlfriend before she leaves me.

I still didn't know what college she was going to. I shake my head, graduation was a while away, I didn't need to think about that. I make it to my room without spotting Casey, which sort of puts me in a bad mood. I play with the ring on my finger with a small smile. I was lucky.

- - - - -

I groan as I stand from my desk and head towards my door. I hadn't seen Casey at all these last few periods. And I know I said we should keep it under the radar, but I was missing her like crazy. After New Years she went home and I stayed in Utah to spend more time with my family. Or in other words, I haven't seen her for 6 days.

I open my door just as the bell rings. I exit my room and head towards Emily with a smile. I stop beside her, spooking her a bit. I show off my smile and she rolls her eyes. "Oh, don't act like that smile is for me. You're only over here because you want to see Casey."

I smile bigger causing her to chuckle. "Asshole" she hisses.

Time continues to go by and eventually we see Jasmine come around the corner, but not Casey. I furrow my brows, maybe she was going to be late to class. However the moment Jasmine got to us, I pulled her to the side. "Where's Casey?" I question.

Her hazel eyes meet mine. "Casey didn't text you?" she groans rolling her eyes. My brows knit together in confusion. She lets out a breath, "Casey got sick so she's at home. We told her to text you before she went back to sleep, but it seems like she didn't."

I let out a breath as well. "Thanks, Jasmine," I say letting her go to her class. Emily pats my back. "It's fine honey. You don't have class until 6th period, I'm sure going to check on her is fine."

I nod my head. I walk towards my classroom, heading to my desk to grab my belongings. Before I can turn on my heel, a familiar voice catches my attention. "Good Morning Ms. Howard" Principal Espinoza says.

I place my purse back onto the desk and turn towards the man. "Good morning?" I say before checking my watch, checking the time. It was definitely still morning. The man smiles and I take notice of the woman beside him. She was attractive and tall, but she was no Casey Kings.

The bald man turns to the woman. "This is Naomi Hope she'll be replacing Mr. Rossen. I figured since you have two off periods back to back, you could show Ms. Hope around, show her the ropes, and help her get situated in her classroom."

I clench my jaw. My eyes land on the woman in annoyance. It wasn't that she was annoying, but this situation was. "I was actually about to head home for a few minutes... to check on my pet" I lie.

The man eyes me before nodding his head, "You have 30 minutes Ms. Howard. Come back and help Ms. Hope."

I roll my eyes, hopeful that he hadn't seen it. "Thank you." I excuse myself from the two and head outside and towards my car.

- - - - -

I make it home in 5 minutes. I knock on Casey's door, waiting almost impatiently for her to open the door. Several minutes go by and I knock again. The longer she takes, the less time I have to make sure she's fine. I groan just as the door opens. Casey had baggy eyes and her skin had lost its color, her lips were chapped and her nose was red and runny.

"Oh baby," I cup her face. She smiles lazily as I push her back into the apartment and close the door. Her eyes close for a few seconds as I place my forehead against hers. "You're hot" I sigh. Her smile turns into a playful smirk, "I could say the same about you but I'm sure you know."

I roll my eyes playfully at her flirting. "No baby, I mean you're burning up, really bad" My hands move to her neck. Casey moves back from me as she coughs into her arm. "Really? because I'm freezing."

I notice the chill bumps on her arms. "Go get back in bed, I'll make you some soup or something."

Casey frowns, "It's fine Kathryn. You don't have to take care of me," she says before coughing a bit more. I cringe a bit. "That sounds painful" I admit. The brown-skinned girl nods her head, "Yeah, I feel like complete shit."

I smile sadly at my girlfriend before pushing her into her room. "I'll make soup. You lay down," I demand pushing her onto the bed. The girl chuckles lightly, "You don't have to take care of me, Kat."

I wave my hand, tucking her into bed, "Nonsense babe. You're my girlfriend and I want you to be healthy. I might not have to but I want to." I kiss her forehead and demand her to remain in bed as I head into her kitchen. I check the fridge and her cabinets, finding not really much to cook with. I grab my phone to check the time. I only have 15 minutes. I sigh. "Casey, I'll be right back! I'm gonna go grab you some food, don't get out of bed!" I yell towards my girlfriend.

I don't get an answer. I walk into her room finding her already asleep. I smile at the sight as I make my way over to her. I press my lips against her burning forehead once more, "I'm going to make sure you get better. I don't like seeing you like this" I whisper.

I exit her apartment and head into the elevator. I let sigh once I get to the store. I search for certain ingredients, consisting of chicken broth, broccoli, carrots, garlic, onions, chicken, and much more. I also make sure to grab tea and water. I get in the line and wait for my turn.

Not even 10 minutes pass and I manage to make it back to Casey's apartment with 8 minutes left to make her soup and get back to my job. I groan as I enter her kitchen and set the groceries down. Before I begin cooking I walk towards Casey's room to check on her.

My heart drops as I don't spot the girl in bed. "Cas--" my panicked voice is quickly stopped when I hear puking in the restroom. I rush to the opened door, spotting Casey next to the toilet. Her eyes watery and sweat evident on her forehead. It takes me a second to realize she was pulling off her shirt.

I frown as I approach her, her eyes meet mine.

My heart aches at the look of pain in her expression. I grab her towel and run it under water before wiping her forehead then her lips. "What did you do to get this sick?" I question. The girl shows me a cheeky grin, "I might have played in the rain, and instead of coming to shower immediately I fell asleep on my couch."

I roll my eyes and slap her arm. "You have got to be more careful. Now you're sick" I hiss, helping her to her feet. She chuckles lightly before coughing again. I bite on my cheek, as I set her down on the bed once again. I was sure my 30 minutes were up, but I wasn't going to leave Casey like this, there was just no way. Once she's back in bed, I exit the room and head into the kitchen.

I knew it was probably the best idea to text my boss and tell him I was going to be running late, but Casey was more important to me at the moment. Ms. Hope will just have to get assistance from another teacher.

I begin making the soup for Casey when I hear her once again. I let out a breath and turn towards her, "You know if you want to stop feeling like shit you might want to stay in bed" I complain. She offers a weak smile as she sits at the dinner table. "I would rather be staring at you. I've been in bed all day, a few minutes out won't hurt anyone."

I shake my head as I turn away from her to continue cooking. "How was the first day of school?" she questions with a couch. Once all the ingredients are inside the pot, I turn towards my girlfriend with a smile. "It would've been better if you were there."

Casey licks her chapped lips as she blinks slowly. "Well, you should get used to not seeing me as much. You did say you wanted us to keep our relationship under the radar."

I groan as I sit across from her, "Is it too late to say I regret ever saying that?" She chuckles lightly and once again my eyes are brought to the attention of her shirt-less body. I bite my cheek, "You should put on a shirt or you'll make your condition worse."

Casey smirks, "Like what you're seeing?" she flirts. I eye her in disbelief. Even in this condition, she'll flirt. I smile remembering the conversation we'd had new years eve. She was most definitely a Gemini. "I love the view but I don't think you should be shirtless right now. Go put on a shirt" I demand.

The curly-haired girl groans as she rolls her eyes. "Fine, fine." Once Casey goes into her room, I grab my phone. I should probably call Mr. Espinoza. I dial the familiar number of my boss, my eyes landing on Casey entering the room again, this time in a dark baggy tee. The man answers his phone, bringing my attention away from the beauty.

"Ms. Howard, is there a reason you're not back at the school yet? I was sure I gave you specific orders of 30 minutes only" the man immediately hisses.

I sigh, "I apologize an emergency came up. I'll try to be there as soon as possible." The man sighs and I could hear his voice soften. "It's fine Ms. Howard. Try not to be too late, Ms. Hope would love your assistance."

I hang up the phone and let out an annoyed breath. There were so many other teachers that could be of use to Ms. Hope. So why did it have to be me? Did he want me to get acquainted with her? Why?

I stand from my seat and head into the kitchen to check on the soup. "Are you going to come back after school?" Casey questions. I nod my head, "Yeah. Maybe I'll stay here until you get better. Someone's gotta take care of you" I tease.

The girl smiles before coughing again but this time it sounds a bit more painful. I cringe and turn towards her. "You need tea and honey" I frown. The girl blinks slowly, "I'm so glad you're my girlfriend."