Minus the fact that she marked me, I didn't understand why Kathryn encouraged me to come to this club. Not only was it 10:24 at night but it was also a school night. Once I make it inside the club, I push my way past sweaty bodies. I cringe as a few women cop-a-feel as I make my way to the bar. I'm happy when I spot Naomi close by.

I make my way towards the woman, "Hey" I call out over the music. She doesn't turn from the band. I frown and place my hand on the small of her back as I lean down to her ear. "Naomi," I say again and she jumps. She turns to me wide-eyed before realizing who I was. Her eyes are quick to notice the new designs on my neck and collarbones.

"Hey, when did you get here?" she questions glancing back towards the band. "I just got here. What's this band called, their music is pretty good" I say, taking a seat on the barstool to her right. She raises her brows, "Uh, they're called Roman Empire."

I nod my head and call the bartender over for a beer. Naomi and I watch the band for the next few minutes until they stop playing to take a break. "So, how was your day?" I question taking a sip of my beer. The dark-skinned woman shrugs with a smile, "It was, exhausting. My co-worker wasn't there so I had to take some of her class since they couldn't find a sub."

I glance at Naomi in confusion, "You're a teacher?"

The woman nods her head. Oh, damn. "What grade do you teach?" I question, hoping that maybe she was an elementary teacher or something. "I teach mostly juniors and seniors. I'm starting to think I should've started off with an easier task like middle schoolers."

I bite on my lip. Does she work at my school? Was the teacher she was talking about, Kathryn? "Oh that's cool, where do you work?"

The woman eyes me in curiosity, "Rickerson High. It's not too far from here, why? Are you looking for a job?" My eyes widen unintentionally as I swallow the beer in my mouth. How had I not noticed her before? Was she new? When the hell did she start working there? Did Kathryn know that Naomi was her co-worker? Wait, no. I shake my head. Kathryn didn't seem to know Naomi earlier during our phone calls.

I suck on my teeth. This wasn't good. Naomi Hope was my girlfriend's co-worker. Before I can answer her question, the singer from the band taps on the woman's shoulder. Naomi turns and is immediately engulfed in a hug. I raise a brow in confusion, did she know this woman? "I didn't think you'd still come after what happened, I'm so happy to see you" the woman grins.

I sip on my beer and let the two women talk until the band lady rushes back to the stage.

"You know her?" I question as the music starts up again. Naomi nods her head and drinks the other half of her cup. "She's my ex-girlfriend." My brows raise in surprise. Naomi dated a celebrity? She turns to me with a somber expression.

"Originally we were together when I made the promise to come see her perform. And after we broke up, I vowed to keep my promise but I asked you here to, I don't know, make her jealous. But when I saw the hickies on your neck, I couldn't bring myself to do anything."

I offer a warm smile. "Do you still love her?" I question. She turns her head to eye the woman before chuckling. Her dark eyes land on me, "I want to say no but I know that's a lie. Even after a few months apart I can't get her out of my head and to make matters worse I actually love her songs and find myself listening to them."

I reach over and grab the woman's hand to soothe her, "I think you should tell her that before she ends up in a relationship with someone else."

The dark-skinned woman nods her head and smiles kindly at me. "By the way, how'd you get the bartender to let you drink?" I quirk my brow in confusion. What was she talking about? She chuckles, "Casey, you're not 21 and she didn't even ask for your ID. So you've been here before?"

I'm speechless to say the least. How did she know I wasn't 21?

Naomi bites her lip, "I've seen you around school. That's how I know you're not 21. And when you asked where I worked, you kind of gave yourself away. You suck with controlling your expressions." I laugh nervously. She knew I was a high schooler and still wanted to hang out with me?

"I didn't find out until after we went out for coffee. I saw you later that week entering Mrs. Evans' class and I put it all together. I don't really mind being your friend."

That was a relief. She wasn't interested in me romantically and she was perfectly fine with being friends with a teenager. Some adults are really spectacular. As the night grows shorter and our conversation gets deeper, the music begins to simmer down. By the time I glance down at my phone, it's midnight. "You should get home, I don't want you skipping because you stayed out all night."

I smile at the woman and shake my head, "I feel like you'll be doing more lecturing than being my friend."

Naomi smiles in response. I hop down from the barstool and take the last sip of my beer before eyeing the intoxicated woman. "Should I take you home?" I question. She opens her mouth to answer but the band woman from earlier hops into the conversation. "That's sweet of you, but I've got it from here."

I nod my head and glance at the dark-skinned woman. "Take care Naomi, I'll see you tomorrow. You better not skip because you're out late" I tease. The woman chuckles and throws me a tired wave before she pulls the other woman into her and kissing her. I shake my head and exit the club, ready to get back to my apartment.

I already knew by this time Kathryn was either sleep or getting ready to sleep and waiting for my text. I pull my phone out and quickly send her a message that I was on the way home. I'm not surprised when she replies back.

❤Love❤: Good, I can't stay up any longer, I'm tired.

I smile and send her a reply. Go to sleep baby, I'll see you in the morning.

❤Love❤: You should come spend the night, again. I'll leave my door unlocked. I love you ❤

I can't help but to chuckle softly. She knows me too well because I am definitely spending the night. I shut off my phone and shove it into my pocket and hurry back to the apartments.

- - - - -

I wake the next morning to an empty bed and groan. I roll over and check the time on my phone, see that I was late. I roll my eyes and get out of bed. Why didn't she wake me up? I can't skip twice, my attendance this year was already fucked because I miss the whole first week back to school. I quickly get dressed and head out the door.

Once I'm in my car I speed to school, not exactly caring if I run a stop sign here or there. I park strangely in the student parking lot and rush into the school. Just as I get to my hallway my name is called. "Kings, what are you doing out of class?" I hear. I turn spotting the principal heading my way. I cringe, "I woke up late sir."

The man frowns, "That's unacceptable, Kings. Please don't let it happen again, now hurry to class." I roll my eyes, what the hell did he think I was doing? Heading to the damn restroom. I wouldn't be any later if he didn't decide to stop me. I let out a breath and ignore the thoughts in my head as I enter my classroom.

Something I hate about being late somewhere is that you always attract unwanted attention. For example, when you're late to a class and the sound of the door is heard being opened in the middle of a lesson, all eyes land on you. Not just the teachers, no, the whole entire fucking class. Unless there are a few students who are sleeping in the back.

I ignore the stares as I make my way to my seat. Once I'm seated the lesson continues. Another reason I hate being late is once the class is over the teacher calls you to their desk to get a reason that you were late. And they're never satisfied with your answer.

"Why were you late? And why were you absent yesterday?"

I could be honest and say I was late today because I went clubbing last night, but that wasn't appropriate for a girl my age. And I could also tell him I was absent yesterday because I was busy giving my girlfriend numerous orgasms, but that would be inappropriate to share with a teacher.

"I came down with a stomach bug" I lie. The man eyes me and he watches my expressions very carefully to spot a lie, but I hold them back. After a few seconds, he lets out a breath and nods his head. "Alright, but come back after school to get the work you missed yesterday. Go to class, don't be late."

I nod my head and quickly exit the class and head to my next period.

The day continues smoothly. And when the bell to dismiss us from 3rd-period rings, Jasmine meets my side in the hallway. "Was your phone dead all day?" she jokes already knowing that I was with Kathryn the majority of yesterday. I roll my eyes with a smile. "Did anyone think it was suspicious that we were both out at the same time?" I question, remembering the rumors that spread like wildfire a few weeks ago.

Were they even relevant now? "No one even cares about you two anymore. There's a more dramatic rumor spreading. The only ones who noticed anything were Duke, Edwin, Mrs. Evans, and I."

I nod my head. There were the only ones who were close to us. As we get on the hallway, I don't spot Kathryn standing at her door greeting the passing students. I furrow my brows until my eyes move past her and on the woman I had met with last night. My brows raise. She was on the same hallway as Kathryn and Mrs. Evans and I hadn't noticed her before?

Suddenly I was curious to know how long she'd been working here. But it was obvious that she was the new teacher who took over for Mr. Rossen's class, so that meant she was still relatively new. "Good afternoon Casey, so kind of you to join us today" Mrs. Evans' teasing voice grabs my attention. I smile at the blonde, "Hey Mrs. Evans."

The woman cringes and speaks up. "I'm so used to you calling me Emily, now I know how Kathryn feels when you call her Ms. Howard" she mumbles only loud enough for the three of us to hear. I chuckle as Jasmine and I walk past her and enter the classroom. We take our seats and talk a bit, waiting for the lesson to begin.

Once the bell rings, the blonde enters the class, closing the door behind her. "Luckily for you all, today all we will be talking about is the upcoming senior trip."

I let out a breath. I'd forgotten all about the senior trip. When was it even?

Emily begins passing out packets to the classroom before continuing. "The senior trip is taking place after spring break which is in March. As decided last year but you all, the destination is Key West, Florida."

A few students in the classroom cheer about the destination being out of the state. "There will be requirements. If your GPA is under 2.5 in march, you will not be able to attend. If you are failing any classes, you will not be able to attend. If you've had an in-school suspension or suspension, you will not be able to attend."

A couple of students groan at the requirements. "As states in these packets, any student who wants to go on this senior trip and meets all requirements has to pay $100. Remember this trip is not cheap. You have until March 8th to turn in your permission slips and payments. I repeat you have until March 8th to turn in your permission slips and payments."

A student in the front of the class raises her hand and Mrs. Evans points at the girl. "What teachers will be the chaperones?" she questions.

Now that was a question that sparked my interest. "There will on be 5 teachers attending: Mr. Harris, Ms. Perez, Mr. Dunley, Mrs. Griffey, and myself."

My heart drops when I don't hear Kathryn's name. But it only made sense that she wasn't one of the chaperones since she mostly taught junior students. The information was swaying my attendance for the trip. I knew for a fact my friends would love to go to Florida and so did I, but I wanted Kathryn to be there as well.

I roll my eyes at myself, "God, I'm clingy as hell."

Jasmine eyes me in confusion but I shake my head. "Are you going to go even though your girlfriend can't?" the brunette beside me questions. I sigh and nod my head. Her brows raise, flabbergasted with my answer. The surprised expression is shortly replaced with a satisfied smile, "Good. I'm sure it wouldn't be the same without you."

I nod my head in agreement.

Eventually, the class ends and I leave with Jasmine. When we get to the cafeteria, I stop in my tracks. "I'll catch you guys later, okay," I say to the girl. She rolls her eyes and nods her head. I turn on my heel and head back down the hallway and to a familiar room. I knock on the frame as I glance into the classroom. I smile when I spot my girlfriend at her desk.

She stops typing and glances over at me with a wide grin. I enter the classroom and pull a chair up to her desk and take a seat next to her. "I know you said not to visit you during school hours, but technically I'm not a student right now. I'm just plain ol' Casey Kings."

The woman shakes her head. "That's not what Principal Espinoza would say if he walked in here right now." I smile and shrug my shoulders. It wasn't like we were doing something inappropriate. I was just hanging out with my 2nd favorite teacher. Yep, I said 2nd favorite. Just because she's my girlfriend doesn't mean she beats Mrs. Evans.

I smile, I can never say this information out loud. I kick my feet up onto her desk and lean back in my chair as I glance at my girlfriend who continues to type on her computer. Once she's done with whatever it is she's doing she glances at me. "Did you come just to watch me work?" she questions.

Shaking my head, I watch her smile widen, exposing her pretty teeth. "I was late because you didn't wake me up this morning" I spit. Kathryn scoffs and pushes my feet off her desk, "I woke you up five times! It's your own fault you were late this morning."

I roll my eyes playfully, "Should've poured water in my face or something."

"If we were in your bed sure." I place my elbow on my knee and place my chin in the palm of my hand. "You have really pretty teeth. Is that weird to say?"

Kathryn shakes her head. "I actually had braces when I was younger so this is not natural" she admits. I fake disgust, "Gross." The woman flicks me off and I can only laugh.

We sit in silence before I speak again. "Let's gossip. It doesn't have to be real, here I'll start us off" I say. The woman watches me in amusement as I clear my throat and sit up in my seat. I get comfortable before doing my best impression of a gossipy teenager.

"Oh my gosh, did you hear Bobby and Brittany broke up last week... it turns out they were 3rd cousins," I say with the roll of my eyes. I sounded almost identical to a teenage girl you'd hear in a tv show or movie because for some odd reason girls can't have deep voices.

"That is the most cliche voice you could have possibly chose to do" Kathryn laughs and shakes her head. I can only smile and wait for her to join in with my gossip. She smiles, "But I think it's gross that those two have already passed 3rd base," she says in an even more annoying tone.

I chuckle, "I can't help but imagine you sounding like that in high school."

The woman slaps my arm with. "I was considered one of the girls in school who had a deeper voice than usual." I raise my brow and deepen my voice. "Did you sound like this?" I tease. The brunette rolls her eyes at my joke.

The sound of footsteps is heard coming towards the classroom and unintentionally, I scoot further away from my girlfriend. "Kathryn, can I use your help? I'm grading tests from last week and I have too many students. Do you think you can help me out?" I hear. I bite my lip as I turn, spotting Naomi in the door with a few tests in hand.

She glances up and immediately her eyes meet mine. I smile awkwardly and turn back towards my girlfriend. "Sure, I'm free until 6th period," Kathryn says out of the kindness of her heart. Naomi smiles and walks further into the classroom. There's a sudden thickness in the air and my heartbeat quickens.

"Hi, Casey" Naomi grabs my attention. I wave at the woman, not wanting Kathryn to know I knew her and she was the woman I met up with last night. I scratch my head and stand from my chair. "Well, I'm hungry now so I'll get going. I guess I'll see you two... tomorrow" I say awkwardly.

Kathryn smiles my way before I exit her classroom, letting out a breath I had no idea I was holding. Why was that so terrifying to experience? It wasn't like Naomi was my ex. Yet somehow that's what it felt like.