The day had finally arrived. Or rather, the day before that day arrived. I tried not to express my disappointment with Casey's parting. I had approximately 20 hours until she would no longer be in my apartment or the state of Texas. I knew this day was coming from the time we got together to now and yet, I didn't feel prepared. Brown eyes land on me cautiously, toothbrush still in her mouth as she put her curls into an afro puff.

She removed the toothbrush and spat into the sink. I heard the water run for a few seconds before shutting off and a fit body exiting my restroom. I glanced away from the girl, feeling depressed. My eyes move over the several boxes scattered around my room. Christian, Edwin, and Cassandra would be here in the late morning to gather her belongings.

Tears gathered on my waterline. I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing my tears away. I sat on the bed, hands tucked between my thighs as I kept my eyes away from my girlfriend. Casey stopped in front of me. All I could see was her shadow fixing her bra in the back, to no avail as she turned around. "Help me out" she muttered softly, sure not to scare me.

My eyes finally betray me as I glance at her unclamped bra and bareback. I move closer to her, my fingers grabbing onto the fabric and pulling it closer towards each other. Only, my hand had stopped. My eyes raked over the smooth skin of her back. There were light scratch marks from our previous intimate nights but other than that, her skin held no scar or flaw.

I pressed my hand flat against her back, "Stay with me, Casey" I pleaded. Though I wanted nothing more than for her to remain in this apartment with me, comforting me when I'd have an episode, I still wanted her to go out and have a life of her own. Yet, my composed face broke as I rested my forehead against her, light sobs slipping past my lips.

After seconds of silence, the girl spoke. "I want to Kathryn, I do. But--"

Sighing, I nodded my head "I know. UCLA is your dream college and you've been accepted to attend. I can't hold you back from your dream. The selfish part of me wants to cancel your ticket, lock you in my bedroom and never let you go."

I chuckle lightly, "Is it too late to decide that I want to go with you?"

Casey turned, causing me to move back. She held my eyes with a playful smile held on her kissable lips. "No, but, I think it's better you don't. Not saying that I don't want to live with you but we've only been together for 8 months, Ryn. We're not ready for that type of commitment. Some time apart will mature us in keeping a healthy and mature relationship."

Frowning, I glance away, "When did you become such a love expert?"

Hands resting on my exposed thighs, the girl got closer. "You'll be fine without me. I know you're scared because you change with your alters and you don't ever have any recollection of what they're doing. But I trust Kat isn't out to harm you and I doubt Riess wants to cause any harm" she says reminding me of the alter we'd been introduced to a week ago. There was another alter who, just like Kat, didn't mind being called Kathryn.

"Maybe when you get back I'll be cured of all my disorders. I'll be just like how I was when we first started dating."

Casey furrows her brows, not at all liking how I spoke about my disorders. I love how supportive she is. Our friends were also supportive, but not the way Casey was. Her words always reassured me, though days later I knew I was doubting everything all over again. "You're talking like you have a disease" she hums.

She pulls my hand towards her lips. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you that I love you the way you are. Oddly enough, trauma adds character and it makes everyone more mature. I prefer PTSD and DID Kathryn over the history teacher I had a crush on, she was pretty boring."

"I don't know if I should take offense or not" I chuckle. The girl cracks a smile, "Promise me you won't do anything stupid."

"Define stupid?" I question with a teasing smile. With a pointed stare, she opens her mouth "Don't tell yourself that you're not good enough for me. You're more than enough. You're beautiful and sexy and so goddamn smart. I am so happy I met you, love. I need you to promise to be strong. I won't be here so I can't comfort you when you need it. And promise, promise me," she emphasized promise.

"That you will not flirt with Cane, Thomas, Emily, Sophia, Cassandra, Edwin, Duke, Jasmine, Desire, Diana, or Bella."

I knew she was joking. She only worried about a few, Cane being one of them. The others we were pretty sure wouldn't be bold enough to flirt with me. "I promise, Casey. Not like anyone has my attention, not like you do."

"And to the other things, you think you're slick."

I let out a booming laugh that bounced off the walls of my room. "Yes, I promise to the other things as well."

- - - - -

10 hours.

That's how much longer I had with Casey Kings. And unfortunately, for at least 7 of those 10 hours, she would spend it sleeping. I wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, but there was nothing we hadn't done these past days. We went to the French quarters as promised, we went to every park we could possibly think of, we even went to a gay bar and Casey got hit on twice. I got hit on 5 times (3 women and 2 men).

We went to the movies and watched all the interesting movies, of course, illegally. We even became criminals for a few hours by successfully stealing spray paint and vandalizing a building. Something I felt guilty about even to this day, but you've got to live life to the fullest. Surprisingly, I even let Casey finger me on public transportation, which proved nearly impossible to keep my moans to myself.

We bought a jigsaw puzzle of 2500 pieces and spent over 24 hours assembling the masterpiece, which we glued onto a board and hung in my living room. Zoo, Theme parks, Water parks, you name it we probably did it. I felt closer to the girl. And yet somehow, I felt like there was something we hadn't done and we needed to do it before she left.

"Let's go sky diving" I declare, slamming my beer can down, startling Casey. She glances at me through her lashes, it was obvious she was just as tipsy as me. I giggled, sitting down and putting my head into my arm. I was providing an underage girl with alcohol. "I think we should stop drinking now, I'll wake up with a hangover."

Groaning, I look at my girlfriend with a pout. "Then what shall we do?" I questioned and before she could answer, I yelled and answer, "Let's go harass Cassandra and Edwin."

"We can't drive, we're tipsy, Kathryn!"

Indeed we were. "Baby we have to do something before you leave so when you get lonely in California you will have wonderful memories to remember me by" I pout, earning a low chuckle from the beauty across from me.

Her brown eyes meet mine and I watch as she tries not to smile at me. I frown and inhale using my entire body before exhaling. "Casey, you should take me with you so that you won't get lonely over there and and in exchange you can stay here so I won't get lonely" I spit attempting the best kiddy-ish voice I could.

"You mean you want me to leave a piece of clothing for you to cuddle when I can't go with you to bed?"

I ponder her question, wondering what exactly I meant. "Yeah, your hoodie. The one you always wear and you have to leave your cologne too." Casey tilted her head to the side, eyes never leaving me, beer can lodged between her fingers. "I don't particularly wear a certain hoodie. I usually just wear shirts."

"Okay, whatever. What I mean is a shirt is really thin fabric and a hoodie is not. At least with a hoodie, I can somewhat pretend you're here. I like the baby blue one, the one that you got specially made."

She smiles, "You know, I had originally bought that for you but it was so cute, so I kept it. It's ironic how you're asking for it and it was in my original intent to gift it to you."

"Let's go to bed, Kathryn."

Frowning, I shake my head. Though sleep was beginning to take over, I didn't want to waste the last remaining hours I had with my girl. We'd fall asleep and before we'd known it, it would be time for us to drive to the airport. I knew time wouldn't reverse itself, but I hoped, even just a little that it would, just for me.

Our time together was short. Too short for me. It seemed like just yesterday I had moved in next door. I still remembered the night vividly, being that Casey was already a student I found myself attracted to, regardless of my position in authority. Seeing the brown-skinned curly-haired girl in only a baggy tee and boxers was the start of our romance.

Or maybe it had started before then when we made eye contact her Sophomore year. Either way, she quickly wedged herself into my heart and stayed there, and hopefully, she'll remain there in the future.

I knew it was just college. But I also knew of the possibilities. Some people who have the weird 'I want to date older people because they're more mature' complexion eventually grow tired of dating older people. Maybe this time apart wouldn't do our relationship any good. Maybe we'd go downhill after a month.

People like me, can't survive a month without her. Maybe that was another disorder I had.

My attention is quickly regained by Casey Kings. She's leaning onto the table beside me, cold fingers on my shoulder. I glance at the girl, "Let's go to bed" I sigh in defeat. It wasn't like I was going to get more time with her if I stay awake. The both of us needed to be well-rested for tomorrow morning. I had to drive her to the airport and even after she was gone, I volunteered to help them pack her belongings into her car, which they'd take to California.

Casey holds out her hand and I take it. We leave our empty cans on the table and head into my bedroom, kicking off our clothes, only leaving us in our undergarments.

Casey lays on her back, her right arm under my neck and wrapped around to my shoulder as I lay semi on top of her. Her fingers delicately sketching random shapes and patterns on my skin, silence engulfing us. I only have 9 hours left with her.

I clench and unclench my jaw several times, wanting to start a conversation but stopping myself before I could ever spit anything out.

I open my mouth but no words fall out. Damn, I'm gonna cry. Again! I knew she was going to find me annoying. All I was good for lately was bawling my eyes out until I couldn't cry anymore. How could she deal with this and stick around? Not even Superman would want to wait around for me.

Pretty soon the only sounds heard from the girl beside me was her light snoring indicating that she had already shut down for the night. I lay in her arms a while longer, enjoying the simplicity of being in a relationship until I can no longer enjoy it. My body forces me out of bed and to the restroom, closing the door behind me and making sure not to wake her.

I don't bother with the light, my feet guiding me towards the tub. What's wrong with me? I lay in the tub, allowing the coolness to cool my burning skin. Then I thought about everything. I thought about it all.

From the moment in the elevator together, trying so hard not to think about that previous Monday. 'Well, they give me wings', I remember her joking when I commented on her choice of beverage. Surprisingly enough, I haven't seen her with an energy drink since then.

'I don't want to overstep any boundaries, but if you would like for someone to talk to I'm available'. It probably wasn't a good idea to confide in a teenager, especially one you were fantasizing about. Gosh, even then she was so caring. She hadn't even known me well enough to invite me into her home and yet she did. Casey's always had a good heart. No wonder I fell in love as fast as I did.

I remembered the first time I indirectly told her I wanted her to kiss me. 'Then why are you treating me like shit?' she questioned after I revealed to her that the reason I was upset was because she did nothing. Clever, I know. Did she get the point? Probably not in that exact moment. It was the first time I heard hurt in her voice when we talked about ourselves, our feelings.

I hadn't even noticed that ignoring her, avoiding her was causing me pain too.

My thoughts are interrupted when the door to the restroom opens. The light comes on, blinding me so I force my eyes shut. Casey sighs, making her way over. I wasn't even in here long enough for her to have realized I was gone. She squats in front of the tub, eyes peering down at me, wondering why in the hell I was in the bathtub.

"What are you doing Ryn?"

"Reminiscing about our love story" I admit rolling my eyes.

She frowns, her eyes raking the length of my body, "You are aware that I am going to college and that our relationship, in no way will be fucked up, right?"

I nod my head. Casey rolls her eyes as she sneers her lip. She stands and climbs into the tub with me forcing me to sit up and allow her some room. "Go sleep, I'm not crying or anything. I'm fine, you have to get up in a few hours."

The girl hums but only continues to try to make herself comfortable.

"What was your last memory about our love story?" she questions, placing my bare feet between her legs. I watch the girl in awe, she is literally too good. Smiling, I give in. "That day when you came to my class during 5th period. I had been avoiding and ignoring you and you were pretty fed up with me."

Lips curl upwards into a breathtaking smile. "Ah yes, you really did piss me off. I still don't understand what the hell you meant. You told me that I did nothing but when I asked why you were mad it was that I did nothing. Explain that to me please."

Chuckling, I wiggle my toes. "I wanted you to kiss me, Casey."

Her brown eyes move from my feet and land on me in disbelief. "Are you fucking serious, Ryn?"

I nod my head with a light chuckle. "How was I supposed to-- It's not my fault I didn't kiss you Ryn, Thomas came over and he interrupted. I felt like an asshole afterwards a little jealous too."

She rolls her eyes again, hands moving from my ankles to my calves.

"And then afterwards you had sex with Jasmine in the school pool."

"I still don't know how you would've known that. I smelled more like sex than I did chlorine, were you stalking me?"

I laugh and playfully kick my lover, "No. You seriously smelled like a pool."

"It was pretty funny because afterwards Jasmine was all super clingy and jealous because of the woman in Adidas. She had made it obvious she was interested and I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to get 100% off" the girl smirks, remembering her time with another woman.

Ew, I didn't want to hear about her other women. It was bad enough I knew four of them and two of the four I considered friends. She notices the disgust in my face and smiles, allowing me to change the subject.

"That time in the hallways... you were talking to Jasmine about something and she said you liked me. What was that about?"

Casey smirks, "Uh. It was after I told her I wasn't a relationship kind of girl and that I didn't like anyone who I wasn't strictly sexual with."

Her eyes land on me, "She told me that there was a spark in my eyes when I talk to you that I liked you but who knew that was true. I brushed it off and said I liked your company," she chuckles, glancing away.

My heart flutters at the revelation. Even her booty-call knew she liked me. That's the kind of emotions I always wanted someone to have about me. The beauty stuck in the tub with me suddenly smiles bigger, remembering something. "That night I saw you at the art gala."

Fuck, my heart. I remembered that night too vividly. "I was too stupid to notice it then but Jasmine wasn't the only one who blatantly told me I had a crush on you. Cassandra and Edwin did as well."

"I'm glad they knew as well. Maybe if they hadn't we wouldn't be in a tub today."

She smiles, nodding her head. She moves, trying to get comfortable, to no avail since she's on the faucet. "Come down here. Get a pillow while you're up" I demand. She nods her head, exiting the restroom and grabbing a pillow from the bed. When she returns I scoot myself further down the tub to allow her to get behind me.

Once she's settled, I lean into my girlfriend. "Are you comfortable?" I question causing her to chuckle. "Kathryn, we're in a tub. There's nothing comfortable about this." I pat her leg, ignoring her statement. She wraps her arms around me, lips resting near my ear. Maybe this was what I needed before she left.

"God Kathryn, you were so sexy at the art gala. Too bad your douche ex-boyfriend wouldn't let me snatch you off your feet."

I bite my lip at her compliment. "We flirted the whole night when you weren't with him. I almost went in for a kiss."

"Almost my ass, you definitely got close. I could feel your breath on my lip. Fuck, Case. You don't know how much I wanted you to and in some twisted fucked up sense, I would've been perfectly fine with the idea of cheating on him with you."

"I was scared of you" Casey admits.

I turn in her arms, my eyes scan over her face before I find myself smiling. "Funny, I feel the same way."

"Right now? You're scared of me?" she questions, frowning.

I turn towards the front, playing with my fingers as I nod my head. I let out a breath, "We remind each other of it a lot. We've only been in a relationship for 8 months. I'm already in love with you and I want to marry you and live old and gray with you. What's not scary about that? It took me a year to convince myself that I loved Thomas and it takes me literally a few months for you."

"If you left me Casey... like leave me, I don't think I would be able to handle that. I would much rather die" I mutter turning back to face the brown-skinned woman. Her eyes are filled with tears as she watches me. I pull her arm under my own, intertwining our fingers. "Casey, I would rather die than to break up with you."

"You've already been with me through thick and thin. I have PTSD and DID and mild depression and you're still with me. Pushing me, encouraging me, loving me. I'm so scared of you. It would take me years to pick up the pieces if you left me."

I watch a tear roll down her cheek, my heart breaking at even the slightest thought of not being able to call her my girlfriend. Her arms wrap around me, pulling me closer. She buries her face into my shoulder, sniffling. "I love you, Kathryn. I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you" she cried.