I let out a breath as I land face down on my bed. I wanted to scream out, but I hold it in, not wanting to scare my parents. I need to calm down, I only had 2 more months until I graduate. Just two months and I would be free of stress for just 2 months until I would get back into the routine.

Luckily in college, you get to pick when you want to attend class. But it wasn't just school that was stressing me out. Rolling onto my back, I glance up at the ceiling. I could see Kathryn deteriorating physically and mentally. And I am too petty to talk to her. I'm too angry to talk to her.

Knocking at my door brings me from my thoughts. The door opens, revealing my mother she smiles kindly. "How was school?"

The question causes me to sink into my bed. I didn't want to think about school because the only thing I could vividly remember was Kathryn's tired eyes staring back at me. I groan, hoping she would change the topic to something less annoying. "Have you talked with Kathryn yet?"

I glance at the woman, who was almost an exact but older replica of my sister. And to think she would ask if I ate. "No" I answer. I sit up as I watch her walk into my room. She timidly takes a seat beside me. She knew I didn't want to talk about my recent failure of a relationship. But she was going to speak her mind anyway.

"I think you two should sit down and talk."

"I tried talking. I tried for weeks mom! And all she did was shut me down and ignore my feelings!" I hiss as I jump up from the bed. I pace around my room, remembering how frustrating it felt to be in the relationship the last few weeks.

My mom sighs, "Casey if you're in love with her like you continuously say you are, you'll wait for her until she's ready. There's one thing I've learned while being in any relationship, it's that sometimes your partner feels like their feelings and emotions are burdening you so they keep everything in to protect themselves."

I clench my jaw, not really in the mood to listen to the woman. Her brown eyes scan me, "I may not have been in your life for 3 years Casey, but I know you. You're scared and you're hurting and you think if you avoid this any longer eventually you'll get over it. But you won't. You're going to bury it deep inside you and you won't dig it up until it's too late and she's already moved on."

My blurred vision falls onto the woman. "I can see it in your eyes. You love her, you're in love with her and she makes you happy. Don't let whatever this is, get in the way of your happiness. Take a few more days to calm down if you need to but I am demanding you to talk to Kathryn. I was the reason your first relationship didn't end well. I want to be the reason this one ends on good terms."

My mom doesn't wait for me to say anything as she stands from the bed and walks towards my door. "Also, we invited the Lewis' over for dinner." I wipe my tears and nod my head, knowing I only had about 7 hours of freedom until Edwin and his parents came over. Which also meant Cassandra was going to find her way here any minute now. My mom makes her escape back towards the living room.

That was a relationship I craved. I was growing rather jealous of my sister and best friend. They seemed almost perfect. I calm myself down before heading over to my bed. I grab my phone from the nightstand and unlock it. The first notification to grab my attention is from Cane.

I furrow my brows and open the message, shocked she had the guts to actually text my phone. We exchanged numbers in Utah but never actually texted each other. I guess we were both too awkward to do so.

It's like I will never get away from anything concerning Kathryn Howard. I take a seat on the edge of my bed and text the woman.

I smile at myself. Not allowed to use my phone, but I do it anyway. However, today was different, I had actually forgotten all about my phone as it stayed in my back pocket during all of my classes. I was too busy trying to make sure my GPA stayed above 4.0.

I frown at the message. I had no idea Kathryn had been avoiding Emily. I glance away from my phone thinking about their interactions these past few weeks.

I let out a breath as I rush out of my room. "Where are you going?" my father questions as I walk past the living room. I stuff my phone into my pocket, slipping on my shoes by the front door. "I need to go see Kathryn" I admit glancing at him. I could see my mom in my peripheral vision smiling at me.

But I wasn't going to see her to talk things over. I was going over because I was worried. She had drastically changed her entire demeanor after the pep rally. Had we been caught in the hallway that day? What happened to her once the rally was over? If I could get her to tell me about that day, I could get to the bottom of her weird behavior.

"I'll be back. If not by dinner, don't wait up for me" I spit, grabbing my keys from the key holder and exiting the house. I unlock my car and slip in, not even bothering with my seatbelt as I take off in the direction of my old apartment building. As I got to the first red light, I reread Cane's message in my head.

She was at a restaurant with a guy. But who was this guy? Was it Thomas? Immediately, I trash the thought. Cane could identify if it was Thomas or not since she's been friends with Kathryn for a while. My mind searched for an answer. Vincent?

If I remembered correctly, Thomas mentioned a Vincent. Neither Cane nor I knew what this man looked like. It could be him. Maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe she was on a date and treated Cane the way she did because she didn't want him to know she used to like her. I shake my head, why would she pretend not to know one of her best friends for such a petty reason?

Before I know it, I arrive in the parking garage of my old apartments. I let out a breath of relief as I spot Kathryn's black Toyota Camry. At least I knew she was home. I park my vehicle on side of hers. I shut off my car and open my glove compartment, grabbing the spare key she'd given me months ago.

Exiting the car, I make my way inside the building and towards the elevator. Nostalgia hits me hard as I press the button for the 5th floor. I did this for 3 years. I ignore my nostalgic moment as I try to focus on possible reasons Kathryn was acting strange.

Maybe once I figured everything out, we would get back together. I smile as the elevator dings and the doors open. Exhaling, I make my way towards her door, trying to calm my beating heart. Suddenly it hits me. I frown in confusion, why the hell wasn't Kathryn at school? She never left during her free periods unless to get food. She never came back home.

I quickly use the key, unlocking her door.

I remain silent, sure not to scare her. I squint my eyes, realizing that for once in the time that I knew her, she had curtains covering her windows causing a gloomy setting to her apartment. I shut the door behind me, realizing the light in her room. Making sure the door is closed, I tip-toe towards her room.

Stepping into her bedroom, my heart drops. My eyes widen as my lips part in shock. Any ounce of anger or hurt I felt towards the brunette standing next to her bed, back towards me quickly vanished. My eyes crawl over her bareback, bruises showing on her skin in various places. I swallow the lump in my throat and sigh causing her to turn around.

Her eyes widen, in shock as she tries to cover her body with her shirt. Sadness and pity take over my heart as I notice the bruises traveling on her arms and even her neck.

My eyes water in disbelief. I open my mouth to call out to her but my voice immediately cracks. I blink my tears away as I shake my head. I walk further into her room, wrapping my arms around her small frame.