There were so many people in our circle who knew about our relationship now. And I couldn't tell if I was happy about it or anxious. I enter the school building feeling eyes on me. Nervously I make my way to my friends. Why did I feel like I was center of attention? Like someone betrayed the trust Kathryn and I put in them and started a rumor?

My heartbeat increased. What if one of these students saw Kathryn and I outside of school and rumors spread? I shake my head, there was no way. Kathryn and I made sure to travel outside of the city when we wanted to spend time together. Suddenly Rai Rossen entered my head. What if he was back and he told someone?

"Casey!"

My head quickly snapped in the direction of my name. Fear struck me before I realize that it was Edwin. Someone I could trust. Right? The boy threw his arm over my shoulder with a smile. "Hey, I have a question."

Pushing away my worries I let out a breath, "Shoot." The boy smiles, "Well you and I haven't had a one-on-one in a while. I was wondering if you could stop clinging to your girlfriend for a day and spend some time with your trusty ol' best friend, what do you say?"

I nod my head, feeling as though some time away from Kathryn was a good idea. "Alright. Clear your Saturday, no rainchecks. If you stand me up, I'm breaking up with you and Duke will be my new best friend."

I laugh and nod my head again, "Shut up idiot, you can't get rid of me that quick." We met up with our friends.... and Desire. Was Duke still dating her? I would much rather he found a better girlfriend. It was weird having her around especially when I was dating a teacher. I couldn't talk about Kathryn around her, otherwise, rumors would spread like wildfire. And then I'd probably have to kick her ass.

Desire eyed me before smirking and looking away. My brows knit together in confusion. "You guys think it's possible for so many people to find you attractive?" Duke questioned as we made our way to the cafeteria for breakfast. "Yeah. I mean it's weird but everyone has a taste or preference and sometimes people tend to like the same person. We just don't know about it because some people don't say anything," Jasmine answers.

"Take me for example" I joke pushing my chest out and holding my chin high. "I know roughly about 15 people. And a majority of them have liked me."

"Diana, Alice, Juliet, Duke, Jasmine, Kathryn..." Edwin rambled. "And let's see how many people you talk to. Me, those 6, Emily, Sophia, Cane... Casey, you have no friends. Your life is sad."

I flick the boy off before hearing Desire speak up. "I mean, but can you blame those people for finding her attractive? Casey is everything anyone would want in a girl. Smart, beautiful, an asshole when she wants to be" the girl bit on her lip.

The four of us glanced at her uneasily. Duke moved from his girlfriend and rubbed the back of his head. "Duke you must suck with women. Every woman you have been with ends up finding me attractive" I joke.

The blonde rolls his eyes, "Casey, like Desire has said, everyone just finds you attractive. I can't exactly be mad at them for having good taste. Shit, even I had a crush on you." I smirk again, feeling as if I accomplished something. Edwin chuckles, "I feel like my own person. I've never had a crush on Casey. I feel proud."

Jasmine slaps the boy's arm, "Because you had your eyes on Cass the whole time. Who by the way just looks like an older version of Casey."

Edwin gags at the comparison of me and my sister. I raise my eyes from the floor spotting Naomi and Kathryn exiting the office together and Emily following shortly after. "I swear Kathryn if you cheat on me with Naomi I'm going to kill you!"

The three women laugh. My girlfriend's eyes meet mine causing me to look away quickly. We pass by the teachers and enter the cafeteria. I keep my eyes away from the brunette, in fear that someone might see us.

"Wait, Ms. Howards' name is Kathryn?" we hear.

We all turn to Desire. My heart falls, remembering the conversation from earlier. Edwin definitely mentioned Kathryn liking me. Subtly I punch the boy's shoulder. Sometimes he needs to shut up. I act as if the information is new to me and take a seat. The other four move to the line to retrieve their breakfast as I sit timidly by myself.

Desire is the first to meet me at the table. Unlike usual she takes a seat next to me, causing our shoulders to bump. I glance at the girl, a bit disgusted. "You know, Casey. You don't have to play hard to get" she spat.

I furrow my brows. "Aren't you with Duke?" I question. The girl rolls her eyes, moving her body closer to mine. She moved her lips to my ear, whispering. "I won't tell if you don't."

I jump back as I feel her teeth nibble on my lobe. Desire licks her bottom lip before pulling it in between her teeth. "I have a girlfriend" I inform her. Once again she smirks, "Like I said, Kings. I won't tell if you don't."

I watch the girl's attitude change as the rest of our friends arrive at the table. I glance at Edwin, silently conversing with my eyes that I didn't want to be near Desire anymore. The girl was making me uncomfortable. What part of 'I have a girlfriend' did she not get?

- - - - -

My mind traveled a million miles per thought as my eyes remained on the scenery outside the window. My second period was boring. I hated history with a passion, but not as much as I hate Math. Why would I use any of these numbers? When will sine, cosine, or tangent be important in my life? Why did I need to learn about the degrees in a circle?

"Kings" I heard. I brought my eyes to my teacher before realizing the figure standing in the doorway. Kathryn. "I need you for a moment" Kathryn smiled warmly. I glance at my teacher seeing her nod her head. I stand from my desk and exit the classroom, following Kathryn under the stairs, where cameras weren't able to reach us.

But wouldn't it look suspicious? Wouldn't the cameras catch glimpse of us coming under here?

I swallow the lump in my throat before stepping further from the woman and making myself more visible to any hidden cameras. We needed to be careful. Kathryn rolled her eyes, "What's wrong?" she questioned.

I shrug my shoulders, confused on why she thought anything was wrong. The woman groaned lowly before stepping closer to me, "Casey, please don't lie to me. You've been acting weird since Monday. Avoiding me in the hallways, ignoring me when we're at home. You don't even respond to my texts. What did I do?"

My heart clenches at her words. She didn't do anything. But I was scared. Extremely scared. What if word got out that we were together? Kathryn would lose her job and probably end up in jail, she'd lose her life. Was our relationship even worth the headache? I bit on my lower lip as I eyed the beauty in front of me.

"You didn't do anything" I respond honestly. The woman eyes me, seeing I was telling the truth. She took a step closer again, "Then, why? Why are you pushing me away?"

I clench my jaw ad swallow the lump forming in my throat. "Because Kathryn, you're a teacher and I'm a student. Because we have so many people who know about us and I want to trust them but I'm scared. I'm scared I'll lose you. Scared that we'll lose this relationship. I love you so much but I can't ruin your life. I was the one who asked you to be my girlfriend and I shouldn't have."

The woman sighed, closing the gap between us. Her hands rested on my waist, her nose touching mine, her eyes staring into my soul. Her breath brushed the top of my lip, "Casey, I don't care."

And with that, she captured my lips in hers. I wanted to fight it, to push her away and save her from any misery but I couldn't. I melted into her lips, our skin bounded by the contact. She moved away, "Stop avoiding me. Stop ignoring me. I don't regret this, I don't regret us. I trust those who know. And if the day ever comes where someone of higher authority finds out, so be it. I might not be able to teach again but hey, teenagers are a pain in the ass. Please stop worrying about me. I don't like seeing you like this" the woman kissed my nose.

I scoff, "I can't stop worrying about you Kat, not when I'm so in love with you."

Her smile widens. "I find it so sexy when you call me Kat. I mean I've heard several people call me Kat but, when you say it..." she bit her lip, her eyes darkening and causing the spot in between my legs to ache.

"How about I call you Kathryn then?"

The brunette pouts. I laugh and continue, "Kathryn Elizabeth?" She rolls her eyes. "Kathy?"

"Ryn? Ms. Howard? Kathryn Howard?" I bite my lip, loving her reactions to the nicknames and her full name. "You know I don't think anyone has ever called me Ryn. I think Emily did like once when we were younger but she usually just calls me Kathy."

"I guess I'll be calling you Ryn from now on. And it'll be easier to talk about you now."

Our conversation was cut short by the ringing bell. I rush back to my class to grab my belongings before rushing to my 3rd period. The small conversation with my girlfriend calmed my heart lots. I was feeling less worried about our relationship.

As I enter my 3rd period, I notice the sub at the front of the class, occupying my teachers' chair. I let out a breath, feeling relieved that we wouldn't have to learn anything today. I take my usual seat and pull my phone out. The bell rings and the sub closes the door before speaking up. "I don't care what you guys do but keep the noise levels low. I don't need anyone coming in here about you guys being loud."

I smile and open a few messages. I notice Alice and Juliets' names and press on their messages, feeling nostalgic. I hadn't really spoken to them in a while. Most of Alice's messages consist of her inviting me out to parties or just to have sex. I chuckle, I probably should inform her that I'm in a relationship.

I remember talking about Kathryn a few times with her, but I never went ahead and told her she was my girlfriend.

"Who are you texting?" I hear. My eyes move from my lit-up phone screen to meet green eyes that went along with a face that was becoming more annoying by the second. "No one that concerns you" I hiss at the dark-haired girl. She smiled and leaned into my personal space. "You're not in this class" I spit.

Desire rolls her eyes. "Stop acting like you're not interested. Like I said earlier, you don't have to play hard to get."

I let out a puff of air, "I'm not playing. You're not going to get me. I am in a relationship and I don't like you. I'm not at all interested. The only person I'm interested in is--"

"Ms. Howard?" Desire questioned. My heart sank. The security I was feeling earlier from Kathryn's words, vanished. Once again all the doubt I was having, resurfaced. My head spun as I eyed the green-eyed girl. She smirked. "Not hard to put two and two together. I mean it was a rumor before so... and Edwin did mention Kathryn liking you then come to find out that Ms. Howards' name is Kathryn. There's no coincidence there."

I swallow hard. "Why the hell would I be dating a teacher" I whisper with a scoff, trying to hold myself together. Desire shook her head, "Then who's your girlfriend. Show me a picture of you two."

"I don't have to show you anything" I hiss. She smiled, "Because you are in fact dating a teacher. You know how easy it would be to ruin her career. She's so disgusting for even considering dating a teenager" her words hit hard.

I suck in a breath as I scroll through my gallery. I'm happy when I find an old picture of Diana and I. I apologize mentally to Jasmine and Diana as I show the girl the picture. The girl chuckles, "You must think I'm stupid. That's Diana Ryan, I'm well aware of who she is, you know since I'm dating her brother and all."

I frown. She was right, that was stupid of me. "I wonder what Principal Espinoza would do if he found out."

"My girlfriend's name is Kathryn Phillips. The reason I don't have a picture of us together is because she doesn't live in Texas. I met her online and we've only met one time last year and I asked her to be my girlfriend. I'm not dating Ms. Howard" I lie cooly.

Desire hummed in thought. She seemed satisfied with my answer. For the remainder of class, she watched me scroll through my feed on Instagram and asking me random questions. When the bell rings she follows me to my next class. "Why is Desire walking you to class?" Jasmine questioned as she eyed the dark-haired girl uncomfortably.

I just shook her head. I couldn't tell her, otherwise, Desire would end up hearing. We made it to their hallway and I turned to Desire to part ways with the girl. The girl bit down on her lip as she glanced down the hallway. I kept my eyes on her, not wanting my eyes to betray me and get caught admiring my girlfriend. "Well, I guess I'll see you later" I spit before turning to walk to my class.

Desire stops me. She grabs me by the wrist and pulls me into her. It happens so quickly that instead of reacting my body freezes. Her lips rest on mine, causing me to feel grimy and disgusting. Her tongue invaded my mouth and danced around, unwanted. With eyes wide, I just stand in shock. My heartbeat elevated as I feel her teeth grip my bottom lip, pulling on it.

Once she releases me, she smiles. "Your girlfriend lives in another state anyways, I don't think she would care, right?"

She pecks my lips once more before leaving me feeling like the world was about to end. "What the fuck did I just witness?" Jasmine questions, her voice bringing me away from my head. I blink and swallow, my mouth feeling dryer than the desert. Unintentionally my eyes meet blue ones that were already on me. She quickly averted her eyes to the ground before entering the classroom, disappointed.

What did it look like to them?

I quickly glance over to Kathryn. With her lips parted, she eyes me, no emotion shown on her face. She quickly escapes into her room, leaving only Jasmine and I in the hallway. The bell rings and I can't bring myself to go into my classroom. "I need to go" I breathe out. With unsteady legs, I stumble out of the school building with Jasmine hot on my tail.