They say nothing feels better than skipping work/school on a Monday. How absolutely right they are. I usually didn't like skipping school because it affected my attendance, but I couldn't go to school.

So instead I decided to take Jasmine out. I would call it a date, but I just simply do not do dates. So here I was parked outside the school building. Pretty stupid, because I could possibly get caught trying to skip. But Jasmine's father was pretty strict and had to make sure she arrived at school.

So here I was sitting on the hood of my car, staring at all the arriving students and teachers. One in particular catches my attention. I watch her exit her car, her lower body grabbing my attention immediately. My eyes roam over her slender figure.

She was a sight to see. I watch as she grabs her purse from the backseat of her car. She walks to the back of her car, opening the trunk. The brunette bends over, picking up the box, which seems heavier than expected.

She attempts to close her trunk, to no avail as the box topples over and the paperwork inside spills out the box and onto the ground. I sigh and lift up from my car and approach the struggling woman. "And here I was thinking teachers could do anything" I joke as I bend down to help her retrieve her papers.

Kathryn glances at me but remains silent. Stingy much. I stay silent as well as we play the papers back into the box. I reach for a packet that was closer to us just as she did. And cliché enough, our hands grazed each other. Kathryn pulls her hand back immediately just as I feel an icy electrifying sting in the tips of my fingers.

"Thank you" Kathryn whispers as the last of the paperwork is placed into the box. "No problem, you sure you can make it to your classroom with this?" I question as she closes her trunk.

Kathryn doesn't answer. Rolling my eyes, I grab the box and stand. How can papers be so heavy? "What are you teaching your students that you need all of this for?" I question as we begin making way to her room. I internally pray that no other teacher or authority figure spots me.

"You do know I have 5 class periods right? There are about 30 students in each, well with the exception of 2nd and 7th period, those classes have about 40."

I guess she has a point. "We have a monthly test coming up and I'll be grading them on what they've learned on the units I have taught. These are there study packets."

"Are you gonna go through them?"

"If necessary, yes. But my tests are usually easier than anything."

"I bet, you're not even an AP teacher. You're teaching the regular students who only use their two brain cells to barely understand. And History nonetheless, one of the most boring subjects in school."

Kathryn eyes me sideways as we enter her classroom. I shrug my shoulders, "I'm just saying. Who the hell cares about learning history?"

"People who want to know what not to do to create a better society."

I shrug my shoulders, "Fair point. But it doesn't take history, for someone to realize that everyone deserves rights. My parents never taught me to be racist or not to be racist. I know that people are people we all bleed the same blood we're all from the same God. It's just idiots like Donald Trump and the white supremacist who like to have all the power."

"Well maybe, that's true but some people need to know what African-Americans have faced since they've been in America. Or what horrible things USA has done to those around the world. Some people don't even know that 9/11 was an inside job."

"You better hope the government doesn't hear you say that last piece in public" I chuckle. Kathryn nods her head as she glances around.

"All I'm saying is, History is supposed to teach us how to build and make the environment and society better."

How did we come to this topic? The bell rings, bringing our conversation to a halt. "I guess we can pick up on this conversation later."

Kathryn smiles for the first time this morning, "Yeah, it feels great to talk to someone about history even if it is 'the worst subject in school'. Get to class Casey, I don't need you to be late."

"Hey, if anyone asks if you saw me, tell them it was someone else" I chuckle as I walk backwards towards her classroom door. She furrows her brows in confusion.

After a few seconds to process what I was saying, she nods her head. "Just don't get caught."

- - - - -

I roll my eyes as I pull into the parking lot of the Galleria. Duke and Edwin were in the backseat talking about how epic the party was going to be Saturday. Jasmine and I, on the other hand were annoyed. Today was supposed to be just Jasmine and I, but Duke and Edwin ran into us on the way out, which resulted in them tagging along.

"Can you guys like walk around away from us?" Jasmine questions as she turns towards the boys. I park and turn off the car. "Why? You want some alone time with Casey?" Duke teases.

"Jasmine just a bit of advice, Casey doesn't date. So stop being so clingy, you're just one of many other girls she's sleeping with."

I could tell the comment placed a thick cloud of tension into the atmosphere, but Duke was right. I didn't date, Jasmine was just a girl I was sleeping with. Jasmine looks my way before down to her hands. "I-I know that. It doesn't mean I don't want alone time with her."

I'm the first to exit the car, not wanting the tension to pile up. Edwin, Duke, and Jasmine follow behind me. We head towards the first visible store, Dick's.

Duke and Edwin make jokes about the store as we head inside, causing me to feel more unattracted to men than anything.

Eventually the two split apart from Jasmine and I, stating to meet back at Dick's for lunch. Jasmine trails behind me slowly. I could tell the statement from earlier was still fresh in her mind. And I also could tell she was going to ask me about it pretty soon.

The first store we enter together is Adidas. My eyes instantly land on a shoe that's on display. "Hi, welcome to Adidas, is there anything I can help you with?" a voice startles me. I turn spotting a cute girl with a pink pixie cut. Definitely gay. And totally my type.

"Yes actually, how much are these?" I question.

I notice Jasmine's jealousy sink in as she realizes the girl. She steps a bit too close to me, giving off that possessive aura. Except I wasn't hers. "These will be $180. This is a nice choice, I got these last month and they're very comfortable."

"Oh really? Maybe we'll match" I joke as I pick up the shoe.

The girl smiles.

Jasmine leans in, glancing at the girl over my shoulder. "Uh, do you have these in a size 7, Traci?"

Traci clears her throat and nods her head. "I'll go see if we have any in the back." The cutie walks away, my eyes following her ass. I bite down on my lip before feeling a shove to my side. I glance at Jasmine in confusion. "Are you serious? We're supposed to be on a date and you're flirting with someone else."

"This is not a date Jasmine. And there's nothing wrong with flirting plus she was cute."

The brunette frowns and rolls her eyes before walking away. I watch her exit the store and head off in another direction. I sigh loudly as I force myself to walk after and ruin my chances of getting Traci's number.

I catch up to her and grab her hand causing her to yank away from me. "Jasmine, slow down. Let's talk about this, why are you so angry?"

This causes her to stop in her tracks. She spins around to face me. I notice the onlookers that pass us. I hope she doesn't cause a scene. "You know how hurtful it is to see you flirt with another girl as if I wasn't with you?"

"Why should it even matter to you? You know where our relationship stands. Have I never made it clear to you?"

"It matters to me because I like you. But all you ever want from me is sex! You know how degrading it is to know that I'm only good for you when sex is involved? I tried to ignore my feelings and just drop it, but you continue to hurt me. When we met, you said I was more than sex but all you ever use me for is sex! I'm tired of getting played with!"

I couldn't even find the right words for this argument. I open and shut my mouth a few times before she shakes her head. "Forget it Casey, I'm going back to the school."

"You're being dramatic, it's already extremely late you're practically absent for the day. Just stay here and I'll take you home afterwards."

"No. I don't want to spend a second longer with you. I'm done Case, I really am done. I'm leaving. I don't even care if I get caught. I just want to be as far away from you as possible."

The brunette sighs before walking away from me. And I let her. If this is where she wanted our relationship then I would respect that. Soon enough she's no longer in my line of sight. Rolling my eyes and feeling slightly fed up, I head back into the Adidas store.

Traci catches my eye. I make way to her, "Hey what time do you go on break?" I question. She glances down at her watch and looks back at me with a small smirk playing on her lips.

"In about 5 minutes."

- - - - -

"I think you should apologize to Jas" Edwin speaks as I pull into his driveway. "Why? I didn't do anything wrong."

Edwin glances at me, his face stern. "No, but she's our friend. I don't need her feeling uncomfortable because of what happened between you guys. Just apologize to her and end whatever the hell y'all had. Hopefully she'll accept your apology and our little friend group doesn't get torn."

"Why the hell should I care about our 'little friend group'? Before them it was just me and You. What happened to that Eddie?"

"Things change. After Ms. Howard moved in next door to you, you changed. I'm not saying I dislike this new found you, I like it actually. You're more open about things and you actually talk to Duke and Jasmine. You're comfortable with them like you are with me and you know it. Don't let one little argument ruin what you built." Edwin leaned over and gave me a small hug before exiting the car and heading into his house.

I sit in the driveway a little longer as I contemplate about fixing things between Jasmine and I. Edwin was right, I grew to be really comfortable with them. Not having them around would make me feel rather empty.

I exit the driveway and head home.

I arrive quickly and head up to my apartment. As I exit the elevator I notice the annoying appearance of Thomas. I really was beginning to hate seeing his face. I walk towards my apartment when I notice him lean in to kiss Kathryn.

But she notices me and she turns her head causing his lips to land on her cheek. She moves him aside as if he's trash. "Oh Casey, you're finally here. You got a package earlier, I kept it in my apartment until you got here. Let me go get it."

Kathryn walks back into her apartment leaving me in the hallway with Thomas. "I don't like you hanging around my girlfriend" the tall man spits.

I couldn't get anything out before Kathryn exits her apartment. She ignores the obvious tension and hands me the small package. I glance at the name, my heart sinking as I do.

I clear my throat and glance up, "Uh... I- uh thanks. Uh, good night" I stutter. I feel their eyes on me as I fumble with my keys, struggling to unlock my door.

"I'll see you tomorrow, I love you" Thomas says loudly. I ignore him, finally able to get my key into the lock. I hear him kiss her before walking away. It's when I hear the elevator, that I realize I'm still in the hallway. I open my door just as Kathryn calls out to me. Instead of answering her like I usually would, I enter my apartment and shut the door behind me.

I drop my items off on my coffee table as I sit on the couch. My eyes continuously reread the name on the package. It was this person's fault I struggle to date anyone. She was the reason I couldn't commit to someone else. She was the cause of my 'relationship downfall'.