Knock, Knock

Twenty-nine

Casey

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.