"My mum didn't go to college and she invented the Tampon Gravity Bong," Izzie said and sipped on her orange juice. "That was your mum?" Gretchen asked, dumbfounded. The next morning had arrived faster than I hoped. Evan, Sharice, Zahid and his new girlfriend he met at the back of Techtropolis, Gretchen had come over for breakfast. Elsa absolutely loved it whenever my friends would come over. It was a chance for her to be a mother again and get her mind off her absolutely destroyed relationship with Dad. Right now, they were all talking about the importance of going to college but I wasn't paying attention at all. Izzie's dad was on my mind more than I would like to admit. I suddenly felt a soft and familiar touch on my thigh and I looked up to see Izzie looking at me. She communicated with her eyes as if saying "You okay?" and I nodded with a smile. From the corner of my eye, I saw Gretchen stare at us weirdly but I ignored it. Gretchen was nothing like I expected. Zahid had mentioned her several times but always described her as "innocent" and "sweet". Trust me this girl was nothing like that. But she somehow managed to complement Zahid which was cool.

    I reached over the table to grab a cheese cube from the bowl that was next to Izzie. She took a cube from the bowl and put it in my mouth before giggling, making my face go deep red. Everyone looked at us and then looked at each other. "You two dating?" Gretchen asked causally and I choked on the cube of cheese. I kept coughing, trying to get the cube out and Izzie slapped my back. "I'll take that as a yes?" Zahid asked. "We're not dating," I said, side-eyeing my mum who was looking at me. I felt Izzie look at me for a while and I knew I would have to talk to her about it later. "Well, even if you guys are I fully support it. You guys would be so cute together!" Sharice exclaimed.

    "Thanks Sharice. It's nice to know we would be supported. But it's fine I guess Casey doesn't want it," Izzie said sarcastically. I bent my head down. Fuck my life...

    "So... we better head off to school?" Evan said and everyone nodded, standing up. They went to the kitchen to put back their plates. "Iz..." I mumbled, taking her hand and she walked away, letting go of my hand. "Case, you know no matter what I'm going to support you right?" Elsa said, coming to sit next to me. "Yeah mum I know..."

    Everyone left and got into Evan's car and they were off to Newton. I sat down on the couch, scrolling through Instagram as I waited for Izzie to get ready. When she came down, she grabbed her bag from the kitchen and walked towards me. "Im ready," She mumbled and I nodded. I took her hand and we both went to my car but she held loosely on my fingers instead of firmly holding onto my hand. That hurt...

    "Iz I'm really sorry," I said, looking at her and she sighed. "Come on, we're going to be late," She said, not looking at me. "Izzie please," I said, taking her hand. "Are you embarrassed of me?" She asked, whipping her head to look at me. "You know that's not true," I replied as she bit her lip, trying to control her tears. "I'm completely fine with holding your hand and kissing you in the school corridors because I couldn't give two shits what any of them think. At home... it's different..." I explained, starting the car.

    She didn't say anything for a while but I completely get it. Hearing your girlfriend immediately deny any form of romantic feelings towards you would really suck. "My family's going through stuff because of my dad... and I just left my friends at Newton and I don't wanna dump this huge news on them just yet."

    "But I will soon. And I can't wait to," I said, grabbing her hand and kissing the top of it before interwining our fingers. It was good to see her smile again. "Take all the time you need Newton. I'll wait forever for you..." She whispered. "And since we're being honest here... I'm gonna go see my dad after training today," She said and I looked at her in shock. "Really? So soon?" I asked. I was dreading this day but I knew it would come. I absolutely hated her father and wanted him to have nothing to do with her but I knew it wasn't fair to just completely keep him out of Izzie's life. "Yeah... and I want you to come with me..." She said.

    What would I even say to her dad? What would he say to me? What are we even going to talk about? "Yeah... ok..." I mumbled and smiled at her. At school, we walked to the lockers and had our usual morning chat with the track team. I leaned against the lockers as I listened to Tanya's crazy story about the dream she had the night before. Nate walked past our group and the entire team shot him death glares but he only looked at me before subtly shaking his head. I knew he was trying to tell me that I had to let Izzie go before I got my heart broken. "Woah... did Nate just communicate with you?" Quinn asked me and I sighed before turning around to open the locker. "Nah... death glare. His face probably still hurts from when I punched him," I lied and everyone started laughing. "We have assembly today. We gotta be in the auditorium soon," Penelope said, looking at her schedule.

    "How does that work?" I asked as I had never been to assembly in Clayton before. "Ehhh... it's really boring. The track team usually sits at the top platform to watch. Just a bunch of award giving ceremonies and the principal giving us stupid life advice. Telling us to seize the day or some crap," Penelope explained and I snorted. "Izzie absolutely hates assembly. She says the auditorium is too cold," Quinn said and I laughed. "You are so lame Captain," Tanya said and Izzie rolled her eyes.

    "Come on you idiots lets go," Penelope said and she, Quinn and Tanya started to walk through the corridors. Before Izzie could follow them, I pulled her hand back. "Here," I said before giving her one of my hoodies. "Newton you know we can't wear non-school sweaters in school right?" She asked, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I know... just hold it," I said and she smiled before we both went towards the auditorium. The rest of the school day was fine. I had Izzie with me for most classes and thank God that there was no Geography today so I didn't have to deal with Nate's questions.

    Training ended especially late today and my legs were sore. I felt like if I moved even an inch my entire muscular system would just collapse. I saw Izzie on the floor opposite me catching her breath as well. Training at Clayton really humbled me. The training was a lot harder than what I did back at Newton but I loved a good challenge. And it's definitely a bonus that I get to train alongside my beautiful girlfriend. I saw Izzie smile at me and I built the strength to smile back. She looked around for a while to see if Crowley was anywhere to be seen before she gestured her finger, asking me to come sit with her. "Don't even think about it," A booming voice suddenly said and we jumped when we saw Coach walking back from the restrooms.

    Izzie and I headed back to my place first to take a shower. "Babe what do I wear?" I asked and she laughed. "Anything. You're not trying to impress him here. We don't need his approval," She reminded. "I know that but... I can't just turn up looking like a slob..." I said. The drive back to Izzie's place was horrible. Usually I loved driving there because it meant I could see her but now it was for a completely different reason. I parked the car outside her house and saw her staring out of the window. "We don't have to do this if you don't want to," I told her and she took in a deep breath. "No I want to. I wanna know what he wants exactly," She said. We both got out of the car and slowly walked to the front door.

    Izzie closed her eyes before knocking on the door. We stood rooted to the ground for a while before it swung open to reveal her dad. "Izzie my darling," He cried out, bringing her in for a hug. I watched as he held onto her tightly and she awkwardly placed her hands by her side. He seemed like he really loves her and that he wants to change. But I wouldn't know. When he released her, he slowly looked up at me and nodded. "Can we come in?" Izzie mumbled and he moved aside to allow us in. I awkwardly placed my hands in my pocket, not knowing what to do with myself. Izzie stood next to me and I felt her tug gently on my shirt.

    "Alright look, we just gotta know what the fuck is happening," Izzie said, sitting down in front of her dad who was stirring his cup of coffee. "It's not that deep Izzie. I'm the CEO of a real estate company and we deal with clients all over America. Just got myself involved in some illegal business that's all. Thankfully, your boyfriend's dad managed to get me out of jail," He said. "He's not my boyfriend anymore. I'm dating Casey," Izzie said, leaning back on the chair and crossing her arms. I felt my body collapse in fear when I heard her say those words but I would be lying if I said it didn't turn me on a little bit. Her confidence is so goddamn sexy. "Casey?" He asked in confusion and I stepped forward. "Um... I'm Casey," I said. "And I'm Izzie's girlfriend," I said and I saw Izzie bend down and smirk. "Girlfriend? Well that ain't right..." He said and I raised my eyebrows at him. "Excuse me?" Izzie scoffed and he got up. "It's fine. It's just a phase. You'll get over it."

    "Who the fuck are you to tell me what's right and what's wrong?" Izzie said, pulling his hand back so that he would face her. "Izzie..." I whispered, touching her shoulder and she shoved it away. "Izzie, I paid for this house. I paid for your shelter and your bed. So you better respect me," He said in a deep and stern voice. "Oh yeah? Well she fucks me on that bed you pay for," Izzie said and I saw his face get redder by the minute.

    "LISTEN! YOU ARE BANNED FROM EVER SEEING MY DAUGHTER AGAIN!" He pointed and yelled at me. "You're not talking to her you're talking to me!" Izzie shouted. I wanted to cry. I just wanted to take Izzie and get us both out of here. "So this is what you do huh? No parents for months so you just go off and do what you want?" He asked. "You think it was easy for me?! Having to take care of myself. I'm still a fucking teenager!" Izzie said, choking on her own words.

    Soon, he walked towards me and I looked at him with my eyes clouded. "You seem like a nice girl. But I really need to talk to my daughter in private," He said softly and I laughed. "Yeah I'm not leaving her with you," I said and looked behind him to see Izzie clearly flustered and in distress. "Casey... it's okay just go..." Izzie whispered. I shook my head no and started crying. "Your girlfriend told you to go," He said and I stared at him. Before I knew it, he slammed the front door open and pushed me out, leaving me sprawled on the floor. I stayed on the floor and groaned, holding on my hip. "Leave her the fuck alone!" I heard Izzie scream before the door slammed shut. I got up immediately and started smashing my wrists on the door. "IZZIE! IZZIE!" I repeatedly screamed through my tears. "Izzie, oh my God," I mumbled, my head against the door. My hands shook as I reached into my pocket to fish out my phone.

    I took all my effort to click on Sharice's contact through my blurred vision and shaking hands.

    "Hello?"

    "Sharice..."

    "Casey... are you okay?"

    "I'm losing her oh my God..."

    "Casey? What are you talking about?"

    "Izzie..." My voice trembled and I clutched onto my phone harder.

    "Come over right now."