Bad Teacher (Temp Title)

30| Ignorance Is Bliss

Casey

I was lost to my thoughts when movement in my peripheral snapped me out of it.

My familiar kitty cat cup appeared in front of me, steaming hot and the aroma of hot chocolate bombarded my senses. I smiled at my mother as she lowered herself down onto the sofa beside me where I had been watching an episode of Vampire Diaries.

My day had been a bit overwhelming. What with studying and having to deal with literally everything else, a break was in order. I had finished Charmed a week ago and recently started the re-watch of TVD. Since my room had been mentally cramped, I decided to snuggle downstairs in the living room when everybody had gone upstairs.

I hadn't sat in the living room to watch something in quite some time and I realized how isolated I've been. Especially lately. I was always in my room, much more than I usually was. Hadn’t kept my promise of going out with the girls.

Was that a bad thing?

Was I pushing people away?

I knew that was why my mother had joined me. It's been a long time since we've had a proper conversation that didn't involve the usual greeting, after school talks and dinner talks.

“Thanks mom,” I smiled again as I took a sip of the sweetish goodness. I really loved a good cup of hot chocolate late at night, and loved it even more when my mother made them.

She put all her love in the cup, and it tasted every bit as much.

“No problem, sweetie,” the corners of her eyes crinkled as she smiled and looked at me from behind her reading glasses. The black frames made her look prettier somehow, more nerdish, and I've heard my father tell her that discretely multiple times. “How is the studying going? You've been quiet.”

I took another sip as I stared at her while aware of Elena and Damon arguing.

“I'm getting there.” The studying was going good. “I have my first test next week so I've been studying like crazy. Decided to take a break for tonight though.”

She smiled kindly. “Right. I know you hate procrastinating.”

Especially when it came to studying. I was too stressed to try and study days before the time. I liked to get a head start that gave me enough time to get it all done. By the time the tests rolled by, I had nothing to worry about. Except, I did. I still stressed about it until I got my final marks.

“I do.”

She fell silent again.

“So, you've been quiet lately.”

It was the second time she had mentioned me being quiet.

I sipped on the coco to try and conceal my expression.

I knew my mother. I knew when she was fishing.

She was fishing like hell.

“Just busy,” I replied, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

She nodded, and when I turned to her I saw the curious glint in them. I turned right back around to watch the screen in front of me. Nope, I couldn't look her in the eyes and lie about this.

“Busy, yes. Daydreaming much more than usual too, I see.” She chuckled as I eyed her from the corner of my eyes.

Shit. Why did she have to be this observant?

“Is there something you want to know, mom?”

Her smile broadened as if I had given her an in.

“Yes. In fact, there is something I want to know.”