To say I was annoyed was an understatement. I eye the man carefully, he was really biting the bud at this point. And he was definitely way too close to her. I clear my throat, "Ms. Howard, Mrs. Evans needs you" I lie. But I couldn't help it, I wanted nothing more than to get her away from this dude.

Mr. Rossen eyes me. He frowns, "I guess I should head back to class then" he dismisses himself. He walks past me, his eyes boring into my own, but I stand my ground not even bothered by his tactics. Once he was out of sight, Kathryn let out a breath. She closed her eyes and sat still for a few seconds.

I clench my jaw. "Why haven't you told the principal about him or even better the police?" I question walking further into the room. Kathryn's eyes land on me. "Casey he knows about us. He'll tell them in a heartbeat and I can't risk my job like that."

I shrug my shoulders, "What proof does he have? I'm not even your student so he has no viable evidence."

She sighs and glances away. "I didn't mean to yell, but Kathy you got to do something about him before he gets out of hand again. As much as I want to, I'm not always going to be around to save you from that creep and nor will Mrs. Evans."

The woman nodded her head. I ball my fists up as I eye her longer. I could tell that she was scared. I wanted nothing more than to hug her and tell her that everything was going to be fine. But I couldn't. Not in this building. "I should go back to class. I'll be back for lunch" I spit. I eye the woman a little longer before turning on my heel and going back to class.

And for the remainder of Class, I could only keep my mind on Kathryn and Mr. Rossen. I sigh as I try to focus on work. Once the bell rings I head towards Mrs. Evans. "Can we talk?" I question.

She nods her head. We wait for all the students to leave before I start. "Did Kathryn tell you about what happened on thanksgiving?" I question. I felt like there was a 50% chance she did. But while she was with me, I never saw her with her phone. Mrs. Evans shakes her head, "Last I heard from her, she was searching for you. Why? What happened?"

I swallow and pull up a chair. I let out a breath.

"Uh, Mr. Rossen... tried to take advantage of her. I wasn't with her when it happened but supposedly he didn't take rejection well and he tried to force himself on her. When she finally made it to me, her shirt was ripped and she was really scared. She ended up staying with me at my dad's for the rest of the week."

I could see the anger boiling in her blood. But that's what was going to happen. She was Kathryn's best friend after all. "I... I've been checking up on her all day and when I asked to go to the restroom I went to make sure she was good and I saw him in there, really close to her. Luckily I made him leave."

She sighed and threw her head back. She placed her hand on mine, "Thank you. Thank you so much for taking care of her."

I nod my head. "I'm telling you because I know she's your best friend and I don't think she wants to go home because Mr. Rossen knows where she lives. If there are times when I'm not home, I rather her have someone else around."

The blonde nods her head. She stands. "Okay. You can got to lunch now."

"I actually told her I would take her to lunch today." Her blue eyes land on me and she smiles. "God, I'm so happy I shipped you guys." I frown in confusion. What was she talking about. She grabs my hand, startling me. "C'mon we're taking her to lunch."

I nod my head as she pulls me out the classroom and towards Kathryn's class. Where I once again spot Mr. Rossen at. Mrs. Evans knocks on the door, causing the man to move away from her. Kathryn's scared eyes land on me before to Mrs. Evans. "I expected you to have an idea of where you wanted to eat, not talking it up with Mr. Rossen" Mrs. Evans plays it cool.

Kathryn offers a timid smile to the man. She excuses herself. "I don't think it's quite appropriate to have a student going with you guys."

Mrs. Evans frowns, "It's fine. We've known Casey since she was a child" she lies. The man frowns in annoyance. I slyly flick him off before walking away with the two women, leaving him behind.

As soon as we got into Mrs. Evans' car she rested her head on the steering wheel for a few seconds. Kathryn glanced at her in confusion. "Em, what's wrong? Did something happen with Soph?"

The blonde glances at the brunette with tears in her eyes. She just stared for a while before speaking. "Kath, why didn't you tell me?" she questions, sounding very heartbroken. The beauty in front of me raises her brow, not understanding what was going on.

"Tell you what?"

The blonde wipes her tears, "That he tried to rape you! How long were you going to keep me waiting with that kind of information? How long would you have kept hanging around him without telling me you were uncomfortable? Why didn't you tell me this?"

At this point, tears were forming in the brunette's eyes as well. I felt out of place. Kathryn glances at me. "No, don't you dare get mad at her! What she did was right" Mrs. Evans defends me.

It grows silent in the car, we were unmoving. I don't think we were going to get lunch. They would definitely regret this later. "Kathryn--"

"I didn't tell you because I didn't want to think about it. The only reason I told Casey was because I needed to get it off my chest and I didn't have my phone. I know she was in the right to tell you, I'm happy she did because I don't think I was going to tell you. I don't want to make it awkward at work so I bare it."

"You shouldn't have to bare that, especially not after what he did" I spit. The two glance at me. "I never liked him and I'm happy I chose not to. He needs to be thrown in jail, Kath."

Mrs. Evans nods her head in agreement. "Afterschool you and I will have a talk with the principal."

"I- we can't" Kathryn sighs. I roll my eyes. Here she goes with this again. The blonde eyes her in confusion pushing her to continue. "He knows about Casey and I. If I tell anyone it would put my job at risk."

"Fuck this job Kathryn! If he wants to threaten you with Casey first of all he's going to need proof. Casey isn't your student."

I knew Mrs. Evans was my favorite teacher for a reason. And of course before we knew it lunch was over. Mrs. Evans glances at me, "Do you mind going to get us food? I'll pay you can get you something as well."

I shake my head, "It's fine, I can pay." The woman eyes me before shoving her card into my hand. "Save your money Casey. I mean it, Take your time." I watch in awe as the blonde and brunette head back into the building, reminding me of my task.

- - - - -

School should be over by now. I stretch and walk into the school building and head towards a very familiar hallway. Before I could make it to my destination the bell rang and students piled out of the classrooms. I roll my eyes as I continue making my way through the overcrowded hallway. I peer into the classroom spotting Ms. Howard too focused on the work on her desk.

"You've been hanging awfully close around Ms. Howard" I hear. I turn my attention to the dark haired man, standing on the other side of Kathryn's door. I clench my jaw and roll my eyes.

"So have you" I spit in annoyance. I didn't want to see nor talk to him. And I thought I disliked Thomas. Now that I think about it I haven't seen Thomas around Kathryn since they broke up. I was sort of proud of him.

My eyes land on the hardworking brunette once again. "Oh, good afternoon" I hear. I turn my head to spot Mrs. Evans. Her eyes remain on Mr. Rossen in disgust. She composes her disgust and hatred and turns her eyes to me. "You can head home, Kathy and I are going to hang out for a bit."

I nod my head and watch as she heads into the classroom. I turn on my heel when I feel a hand grip my shoulder. I clench my jaw and glance at the man. "Let's talk" he spits.

"I have nothing to say to you." His grip on my shoulder tightens. "Well, I have plenty to say to you. So let's go."

He walks around me and towards the school doors. I sigh and follow behind him. I had a strong feeling I already knew where this was going. We head out the school and towards the side of the building. He stops and pulls out a cigarette from his pocket along with a lighter. This was too cliché.

I lean against the building, waiting for him to get whatever it was out. After his first drag he eyed me. "I want you to stop hanging around Kathryn."

I roll my eyes and begin walking away. He stops me, "So you're going to stop?"

I slap his hand away. "Why should I? Because you can't handle rejection so instead you force yourself onto women? Are you scared that I'll take her away from you? She was never yours to delegate you pig" I hiss.

The man chuckles, "If you don't I'll tell the principal and the police about you guys."

I shove the man backwards in annoyance. "Like I'm scared of your little threat. How about you grow some damn balls and stop harassing her?"

I wipe myself off and walk away. There was no way in hell I was going to stop hanging around Kathryn. Not because of some small as threat like that. I make it to my car, spotting my friends. I smile and roll my eyes. "What are you guys doing?" I question walking around to the driver's side.

"Trying to figure out what the hell Mr. Rossen was saying to you" Duke and Edwin hiss. I unlock the doors and they all get in, silently waiting for me to explain the situation. I close my door and shrug my shoulders, "It's not important."

"Like hell it isn't!" Jasmine spits. "Why did he look kind of vicious? Did you kill his pet?" Edwin wonders. I let out a breath. "Who's up for drinks?" They all nod their head. I smile and text my sister to buy us drinks before heading to my apartment.

Once we make it into my apartment I head towards my room. I undress and get into something a bit more comfortable. I walk back into my living room just as a knock on my door is heard. I make way towards the door, spotting Cassandra and more. I roll my eyes but let them in. "I definitely remember asking for you to just bring drinks."

Alice and Juliet blow me a kiss.

"Well I was with them when you texted me. It's not exactly easy to say no to them."

She had a point. I notice Diana already fixing her a drink. "Alright well. Just sit and don't make noise" I spit at the four. The nod their heads and take a seat wherever they can. "So are you going to tell us about Mr. Rossen?" Duke questions with Jasmine on his lap. I frown at the two.

"I don't know if I should now since we have extra company" I eye my other friends. Cassandra shrugs her shoulders, "We don't kiss and tell."

I sigh, knowing they would only continue to push me into telling them. "Well, he was just basically threatening me to stay away from Kathryn" I sigh.

"Threatening?" Cassandra caught on.

"Who the hell is Kathryn?" Edwin spits. I glance at Edwin. How had he not noticed by this point? He nods his head, "Oh, you mean Ms. Howard. Okay. But yeah why is he threatening you?"

I sigh once again, "Because he likes her but she's already rejected him. He thinks I'm cutting into their 'time' but she's clearly uncomfortable and uninterested."

"What did he say?" Jasmine questions.

"Uh the usual cliché things all men say when they hate rejection. 'Don't hang around her or I'll expose you guys' relationship.' You know but that doesn't scare me because he doesn't have proof our relationship goes further beyond that of a student teacher relationship."

They all nod, understanding my situation. After a few minutes pass of us talking about nothing, everyone gets a drink. "Let's play a game. Truth or drink!" Alice raises her glass.

"I'm totally down for that."

8 shots later, and I'm barely tipsy. I couldn't exactly say the same for the others. Alice and Juliet found themselves in my bedroom already making too much noise. Duke and Jasmine were flirting heavily with each other basically on the verge of making out. My eyes move to my sister and Edwin who were already making out.

Then there was just me and Diana. The two who didn't looked buzzed at all. "I'm gonna go get some air." I stand from my spot on the floor and swallow my last shot. "I'll go with" the blonde says. She sets her glass down and we head out the apartment and towards the elevator.

"You know these apartments would be so much better with balconies" Diana spits as we get into the elevator. I nod my head. She was definitely onto something. I press the ground level button and wait in silence.

We make it to the first floor and step off the elevator. Diana takes my hand as we make it outside. I take in a deep breath, allowing the cool winter breeze refreshen me.

"How are things with you and Jeremy?" I question. Was that his name? I feel bad for forgetting it. Diana shrugs, "We broke up." I frown at her reply. "Aw, why?"

The blonde sighs and looks around. "Because I'm in love with you."

My eyes widen a fraction as I glance at the woman. "What?" I chuckle, feeling like she was in fact joking. Her blue eyes land on me, with seriousness in them. "Don't worry, I'm not going to get in the way of you and your girlfriend. I always knew we wouldn't be a thing so no hard feelings."

"N-no hard feelings? Diana, how long have you known? Why didn't you tell me?"

The blonde inhales then she exhales. "I've always known. And I didn't tell you because our relationship was simple. You wanted someone to have sex with, without the strings attached."

I frown. I felt bad. Diana was the first person I'd been sexually active with and we've known each other for years. Though I wasn't exactly interested in her, in that way, I did love her. It kind of broke my heart that she knew I wouldn't see her the same way.

A car pulled in, grabbing our attention. It didn't park. I watch in silence, seeing Kathryn exit. I was a bit surprised to see Mrs. Evans' wife in the driver seat. "Thank you" Kathryn smiles to her friend before closing the door. She walks my way, finally taking into realization that I was right here. Her eyes land on Diana then towards our intertwined hands.

Diana immediately lets go of my hand. "You must be Kathryn" she spits. The brunette glances at me in confusion. "Uh yes... that's me."

Diana smiles. "She said you were beautiful but my god, she didn't say you were breathtaking. 10 out of 10 honestly. Uh, I'm Diana a friend. I'll give you two some space. I'll see you upstairs Casey." The blonde heads back into the building. My eyes follow behind her in confusion.

"That was kind of awkward" Kathryn admits. I laugh and nod my head. "Yeah, she just confessed so, you came at a wrong time. Might've been lucky and got a kiss too" I joke. The brunette eyes me with a teasing smile. "Well then, I shouldn't keep you behind. Go ahead, go get your kiss."

I let out a breath. "She wasn't lying" I admit as I take her in. She raises a brow in confusion. "You are breathtaking. 10 out of 10."

Maybe more. Kathryn smiles. "Wow, just a few weeks ago you were avoiding me. Now you're so flirty." I roll my eyes as we head into the building. Once we get into the elevator she speaks up again. "Why were you avoiding me anyways?"

I choke on the air as she presses the button. "Uh, I was avoiding you because... well I had a dream about us on Christmas day and I told you I love you and I felt really weird after I woke up so I thought avoiding you was the best idea so that I could never say that" I spit out quickly.

I could hear my heart clench in hopes that her brain wasn't quick enough to figure out what I said. Kathryn lets out a low chuckle as she eyes me with those beautiful brown eyes. She takes a step towards me. I swallow the lump in my throat as my back hits the wall. Kathryn smiles before capturing my lips with her own.

I melt against her lips, reminiscing the soft and warm feeling I'd been missing for weeks. I missed this.