Make This Right (Y/N x Cassie Howard)

IX: A Baby?

WHEN YOU TOOK the first steps on the stairs on campus, the students came rushing in a hurry. The day hadn't even begun, and you were already on the verge of cursing. Traffic was also horrible, and some douchebag had taken your parking space.

As you walked into the hallway and tried to navigate your way among the vast amount of college students, Kat, the college's principal, stopped you.

"Hey, Y/N. I just wanted to talk to you for a sec."

You tried to give Kat a bright smile but had already faltered. This day had already taken a toll on you, and you couldn't fathom trying to be respectful to an absurd amount.

"Sure!" You said all too enthusiastically. "Just give me a minute. I'll just tell my class about it." You tried to reason out, but Kat had shaken her head.

"No matter, I'm sure you can leave them alone for a few minutes. This can't wait, I'm afraid." Kat said with an expression you couldn't decipher. Your heart started to beat a little too fast, and you tried to steady the on-set of outrageous thoughts spiraling in your head.

Did Kat figure out I'd slept with a student?! Jesus, she's bound to tell Maddy! She'll take Mia away from me for sure. Fucking damn it.

You smiled, not trusting your voice as you were sure I'd break if you tried to say something. You gestured to Kat to go ahead, and she smiled and nodded.

Once you were in the four walls of Kat's office, you tried to steady your overactive heart but to no avail. This is it, you thought. This was the moment where you'd be caught, and Casey would probably be shamed for it as well. Poor sweet Casey, you just couldn't keep your hands to yourself. You let out an audible 'tsk,' and Kat furrowed her eyebrows at you.

"Uhm, sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I was thinking... What is this about? I'm sorry for being so forward. I just-"Kat had put her hand up, signaling you to shut up. And you did. It was all you could do as you felt your life spiral out of control. You tried to steady yourself again as you mentally prepared for the weight of Kat's following words.

You had all but closed your eyes as you narrowed in on Kat, all your attention on her.

"Well, I know you're busy with your classes, and I know it isn't a straightforward subject to teach, far too complex. But... I was hoping you could take a few students back. Mrs. Miller, who, as you know, also teaches the same subject, just took up her maternal leave." Kat smiled warmly as she said that, and you couldn't help the smile that broke from your lips.

"Again, she's bound to be gone for a while, and I was hoping you could take them back. About three of them, since the rest just decided to find another class, it appeared too much hassle for them. They're Jason Harper, Micah Jennings, and what was that girl's name. I forgot." Kat pondered for a while before she came up with the name. "Ah, yes, Cassie- Cassie Howard."

The relief you felt was intense as you gratefully nodded your head. "But of course. I would. Consider it done, Kat." You smiled all too proudly as you said that. Once the relief washed, you realized you had heard Cassie's name. She can't run away from me if I'm her professor. Fuck.

Kat smiled at you back as she, too, nodded her head. "Right. I didn't think you'd be enthusiastic about it, but I know you love teaching. But... I did figure it is a bit of a hassle to have them back, so I figured I'd lessen the length of your class by an hour."

You were shocked to hear that. It wasn't every day bosses cut their employee's time. "Thank you... but why, though? Surely, you're not doing this for everyone." You said skeptically. This sounded too good to be true, and as it turned out, you were right.

"Well, actually, it was Maddy's idea. You know how much I adore Maddy." Kat said sheepishly. You nodded your head. Of course, Maddy had a say in it.

"Right, well, thank you, Kat. Again."

You were about to stand up from your seat when Kat hurriedly said. "Congratulations. I know, I know. Maddy told me not to tell you she had told me, but I couldn't help. You know how I feel about babies, and with Maddy being pregnant again, I know she'd need all the love and support she can get from you."

All you could do was smile, it hurt your cheeks to smile this brightly, but it was all you could do. Once again, Maddy had turned your whole world upside down. You quickly left Kat's office, unable to take another minute inside.

Quickly you raced through the hallway, trying to find your way outside. Your hand had blindly reached to the small pocket inside your laptop bag. It was a packet of cigarettes wrapped in a bundle of paper. You made sure you hid the packet well, fearing Mia might see it for what it was if she ever tried to look inside your bag.

Before you could exit the hallway door, a student of yours screamed. "Mrs. Y/LN! Preston and Mike are literally playing football inside the room right now." You closed your eyes at that. You took a steadying breath. Fuck! Slowly, you turned around and smiled. "I'll get to it, Evelyn. Thank you." So much for a quick break.

***

The class had been uneventful, except when Cassie Howard had returned to class late. With quick thinking, you decided that all late comers would have to sit at the back, the far back. Where you couldn't see the student much, and they couldn't see you all that well.

It was all you could do, seeing as Cassie seemed to grow more and more attractive in your eyes with each passing day. And the fact that she hadn't tried to contact you in any way had left a hole inside you. You felt just a bit lonelier than usual.

After a grueling discussion that ended with two students arguing, the class finally ended. Your students were surprised that the class ended earlier, but none complained. You were glad for that; if you had to talk about teaching for another minute, you'd probably explode.

When you finally got to your car, keying the engine to life, a faint knock sounded to your car. When you looked up, there Cassie stood, wide-eyed.

You rolled your window down, trepidation and curiosity spiraling all inside you. "Yes, Cassie? Something wrong?"

Cassie brought her gaze up from the ground to you. Her bright blue eyes were so mesmerizing you almost got lost in them.

"I- I just wanted to say sorry for running out on you. It was as much of my fault as it is yours." You quickly brought your hand up, telling her to stop talking.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she stared in confusion. "If anything, it was my fault, Cassie. Please don't worry about this. I'm truly sorry for dragging you into this-"

"I miss you." Cassie interrupted you. You stared back at her, shocked. You watched her watch you as you waited for her to elaborate, but she said nothing. You said nothing as well; not entirely sure what to say. You liked Cassie, but with the whole dilemma with Maddy now, things were already messy enough.

"I am your professor, Cassie. I hardly think this is appropriate." You said, knowing it was all bullshit, but you knew bringing her along for this feud with your wife was draining. And Cassie was far too unique, too bright to be drained. No, this was the right thing to do. At least that's what you told yourself.

Cassie said nothing. Her eyes stared right at you, never faltering. Her stance straight and somewhat rigid. Finally, she took her eyes away from you and muttered a quiet 'okay'.

You knew she had wanted to say more, to fight maybe. To provoke, you already prepared for the onset of harsh words, but Cassie just shook her and sniffled softly before leaving you alone. You were shocked; you weren't used to this. Then you realized that Cassie wasn't Maddy. She wasn't cynical and calculating. And most of all, not a goddamn cheater.

Your jaw clenched as you recalled the earlier happenings of your day. The mishap with Cassie long forgotten. It was finally time to get home to your darling wife. Let's she how she tries to bullshit her way out of this one.

***
C

hrist, this took way tooo long I know. Just got a bit busy.