I smile as I enter Kathryn's apartment, unannounced. Spring break was finally here, which meant Kathryn and I were going to Lake Whitney as we had planned weeks ago. I bite my lip as I step into her bedroom to find her in bed on her laptop. Her chestnut eyes meet mine and she quickly shuts her laptop.

"I'm starting to think giving you a key was a bad idea," the woman frowns as she sets the laptop down on the nightstand. I frown and kick off my shoes before jumping into her bed. "Bad idea? Do you not love seeing this face every day?" I tease as I plant my lips to hers.

I pull away a bit startled by the taste of her lips. I lick my own as I glance at her, "You taste weird. What did you eat before I got here?"

I watch the woman's adams apple bob as she swallows. "I haven't eaten yet actually. What are you doing here exactly? I didn't know you were coming over."

My lips curl upwards, remembering what I had come over for. I move my head from side to side, "We are going to Lake Whitney tomorrow" I sing happily. Kathryn's brows raise as if this was the first time I had brought it up. My brows knit together, "You remember right? We planned this in January."

Realization settles on her features before she looks at me apologetically. My smile drops. "You made other plans?"

"Not really. I guess it slipped my mind, the school wants me to teach for spring break. For seniors and juniors who need their required credits in order to graduate. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

Sighing, I nod my head. I couldn't be mad because she had a job. I was mad at the job for stealing away her life but it wasn't something I could do anything about. I just had to accept it and move on. I lean back onto the headboard, my eyes landing on Kathryn's opened closet door.

Suddenly the ringing of her phone grabs both of our attention. Kathryn throws a side glance at her phone before ignoring it. I knit my brows together before leaning over to see who it was she was ignoring. However, a hand comes into view. I raise my brows in shock as Kathryn pulls her phone away from my eyes.

I eye my girlfriend. She keeps her eyes ahead, not daring to look at me. I cock my head to the side as I stare at the woman. What was she hiding? I bite on my lip and turn completely towards the woman. "Kathryn" I mumble. She hums but doesn't bother to glance at me.

A few minutes pass by and the woman tries to get out of bed but I grab her wrist. "What is it you're not telling me?" I question, keeping her in her spot.

The woman smiles, her eyes finally meeting mine. And unlike the past few months, I could see nothing but fear. I furrow my brows as I just stare at her. I knew her fear wasn't towards me, I wouldn't dare lay a hand on her. The brunette swallows loudly, "I would like to eat."

I search her eyes a bit longer before letting her go. I remain in bed for a few seconds longer, wondering what could've caused her this much fear.

I feel my anger rise at the thought of the man. We hadn't seen him since Christmas but that didn't mean he wasn't still out there lurking, watching our every move. But I doubt he would've made a move without me noticing. Kathryn and I are together majority of the time, minus school. I shake my head, he's not allowed on campus.

Rai wouldn't be able to get within 50 feet of Kathryn without me noticing. So what was she scared about?

My face falls at all the possibilities. Was she cheating on me? I mean, that would explain why she hid her phone from me. My eyes move across the bed, in search of her phone only to be disappointed when I don't see it.

Would Kathryn really cheat on me?

I couldn't put it past me. I hear glass shattering, bringing me from my stupor. I jump out of bed and rush into the kitchen finding Kathryn on her knees crying next to broken glass. I step around the mess and place my hands on the woman's shoulders. "Kathryn," I begin.

Before I can get any other words out, her arms wrap around my body. With her face in the crook of my neck, she continues to sob. I glance at the glass, ashamed at myself for ever thinking Kathryn would cheat on me.

Something was going on and I didn't know what it was. I pick the woman up in my arm and make my way back into the room, ignoring the stinging pain in my foot as I attempt to step over the glass. I set the woman down but she doesn't let me go.

"I'll be right back. I'm just going to clean up the glass" I kiss her forehead. Kathryn still doesn't let go so I forcefully pry her arms away. Once I'm free from her grasp, I take in her broken state. I clench my jaw and wipe her tears before kissing her cheeks. "It's okay. I'm here."

I quickly exit the room and take a seat at the dining room table. I remove my sock and glance at the bottom of my left foot. Just in the center of my foot is a small shard of glass. I groan and use my nails to dig it out. Once it's out, I put my sock back on and clean up the mess.

Before I head back into the room I call a particular blonde. She answers immediately.

"Hey, Casey."

"Emily. Hey, did something happen with Ryn? She's acting skittish recently" I admit. These past few days she's been a bit secretive, but today makes my radar spike. Something just wasn't right.

The woman hums, "Not that I know of. But now that you're saying this, she was acting really weird after the pep rally. I figured it was because of the way Desire asked you to prom, I never really thought too hard about it. Do I need to come over?"

I glance towards the room and rub my forehead and let out a breath. "No. No, I'll call you later if something happens. Thanks."

I don't wait for her to say anything as I hang up. I walk towards the bedroom, finding Kathryn on her phone. Tears were dried on her cheeks but she was a lot calmer than she was 5 minutes ago.

Her eyes land on me and she quickly shuts her phone off. I frown at her action. I don't step into the room as I eye her curiously. She sets her phone down and sits up, her eyes never leaving mine.

"Kathryn what are you not telling me?" I hiss.

The woman flinches at the harshness of my voice. My heart falls at her reaction so I force myself to calm down. "Baby, I need you to tell me what happened. Otherwise, I can't help you."

I make my way to her, watching her reaction. She shakes her head. "Nothing happened. I- I'm on my period so my emotions are all over the place." I glance away from the woman, remembering her cycle was last week so the lie wasn't good. However, I decide to drop it, for now.

She would tell me when she's ready, right?

- - - - -

I bite on my lip as Desire gives Cassandra her best lap dance. My apartment was loud and honestly, it was a great distraction from everything going on. My eyes leave the dark-haired girl and land on a very delicate gem. Kathryn was laughing as she 'made it rain' on our friends.

This was a lot better than yesterday. At least today she was acting normal.

My front door opens revealing the life of the party. I smile and welcome everyone in. "Make yourselves comfortable! I've got drugs and alcohol" I joke causing Emily to shake her head. "You do not want to say that to me. As your te--"

I slap the woman's arm, shutting her up. She smiles and pulls me into a hug. "Though I would much rather have this kind of gathering at my house, thank you for inviting us."

I nod my head and make my way into the kitchen to grab a drink. Diana joins me in the kitchen. She hops onto my countertop while taking sips from her plastic red cup. My eyes land on her exposed legs, noticing a nice size hickey on her inner thigh. The woman notices where my eyes are and smirks.

"You know Casey," she speaks up to get my attention. My eyes leave her thighs, meeting her oceanic eyes. "I love that you're in a relationship and you're finally happy. But I am fighting every fiber in my body not to kiss you right now. I didn't realize how much I missed fucking you until right now."

My eyes widen, I don't know if I take this as a compliment or not. What do I even say to that?

"What happened to Cane and Jasmine?" I question glancing away from the blonde. Diana glances towards our friends. "Jasmine is, she's kind of all over the place. Cane and I can tell she still has feelings for Duke and it's weird for me to be with the girl my brother used to date. And things with Cane and I are great, beyond great. But she's not you. No matter how many people I date, Casey, they're not going to be you."

"Well, that's kind of the point" I chuckle. Diana rolls her eyes.

"Why did it have to be Kathryn? I mean, like I said I'm happy for you, but why her? Why not me? Casey I've been with you since you came out, I've supported you, I've loved you. I gave you space when you needed it. What is so different about me and Kathryn that makes you choose her over me?"

I glance at the blonde, feeling slightly uncomfortable. She sighs. "I don't want to make things weird between us. You know I love you. I will not do anything to come in between you and her. I'm just..." she trails.

She raises her drink, "Drunk. I'm drunk and spilling the truth. Casey, I want nothing but your happiness. Please know that I am telling the truth. Yeah, I believe you can also be happy with me but I know Kathryn has your heart and it hurts a little."

I bite on the inside of my cheek. I eye the woman a bit longer before opening my mouth to speak. However, we're interrupted by her girlfriend or one of them. Cane wraps her arm around the girls' waist. "What are you doing all the way in here?"

Diana sighs. "I was just telling Casey what a good idea this get-together was. We all really needed it."

The two dismiss themselves and exit the kitchen, leaving me to my thoughts. I take a sip from my cup. I glance up from my feet just in time to spot Kathryn making her way towards me. I smile as I take in her appearance for the umpteenth time. Beautiful could not describe this woman.

"Hey," I say. I approach her and lean on the counter next to her. We keep our eyes on the small party in front of us in silence. I lean a bit closer to the woman, feeling electricity run through my cells as our shoulders come into skin-to-skin contact.

I let out a breath. "Thank you," Kathryn says softly, so much so that I almost don't hear it. I eye her, "What?"

A smile graces her features and I feel my heart skip a beat. God this woman is breathtaking. "I know you put this together for me. I've been acting weird the past few days and you were worried. I'm sorry I'm not telling you the truth about everything, I guess I'm not exactly ready to unload everything on you."

I swallow the lump in my throat and chuckle, "Unload everything?"

The woman eyes me for a hot second before she leans into me pressing her soft lips against mine tenderly. Once she pulls away I bite my lip. "I love you, Casey. I am in love with you believe it or not. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you."

My heart clenches at her small confession. She doesn't give me time to reciprocate her feelings as she leaves me in the kitchen. I glance down at my drink and shortly follow in suit, joining our friends.

By the time 8 PM hit everyone was settling down. Emily and Sophia were cuddled up on the love seat. Duke, Jasmine, and Desire were seated at the dining room table playing cards. Diana and Cane were cozied up on the couch, while Edwin and Cassandra sat on the floor.

Kathryn had long gone to bed since she had to be at the school tomorrow. I felt bad for her. But she insisted I stay with everyone and watch movies. She would be fine without me. I wanted her to stay over but of course, she said her apartment was a bit quieter.

I park my ass on the floor next to Edwin.

- - - - -

I wipe my sweaty palms on my shorts as I enter my apartment building. Instead of taking the elevator, as usual, I decide to take the stairs. I take them two at a time, getting to my floor quicker. I exit the stairwell spotting Kathryn sneaking her way back towards her apartment. I furrow my brows.

She should still be asleep since she had to be at work in 3 hours. I watch the woman. She fumbles with her keys as she struggles to unlock her door. She drops her keys and exhales. Her head turns towards my door as if hoping I wouldn't hear her, but she had no idea I went on a run since I couldn't sleep.

I continue to watch the woman. She yelps as her phone rings. Once she realizes what's going on she places her back to the door and slides down, pulling her knees to her chest. "Casey" she cries.

She reaches her hand over and knocks on my door, not bothering to move from her spot. I decide to make my presence known. "What are you doing out so early in the morning?" I question as I approach her.

The woman glances at me with tired eyes. The color was completely drained from her face and it honestly broke me. "Oh baby, what happened?" I question ignoring my previous curiosity. I cup her face and bring her lips to mine, tasting her salty tears.

The brunette shakes her head, completely tired. I nod my head and help her stand before moving to my apartment and unlocking the door. Once inside, I close the door behind us and lock the door. I guide my lover to my bedroom, where she immediately lays on my bed.

Once I turn off the light and get into bed, the brunette cuddles close. Her head rests on my chest and I can feel her tears seeping through the fabric of my shirt and staining my chest. I hold her close, afraid that the smallest thing will send her running. I don't ask questions. I don't think about anything but the woman crying in my arms.

I just wanted to keep her safe.

Not too long after, her weeping is replaced by light snoring. I move a bit to eye the woman before pressing my lips to her forehead. "I love you, Kathryn. I really do, I wish you'd tell me what's wrong so I can help you."