Casey POV

It was a month into school, and I found myself getting a little overwhelmed with my schedule. With yoga, dance, and the recent job I had gotten at a diner, studying was getting harder and harder to do.

It was around 2:00 in the morning, I was trying to study for a test I had the next day. I was drinking energy drinks, and even with those, I could feel my eyes getting heavy.

*ding*

I picked up my phone and opened the message.

Case, I know you're still awake. You've got to slow down, go to bed.

I sighed and wrote back.

I will, Mary. I will. Just 30 more minutes.

Let's just skip yoga in the morning. That way, you can sleep in.

I can't. It relaxes me, which is what I need before a test. Gotta study. See you in the morning.

I sighed and put the phone down. I had to do all of this to succeed.

Mary POV

I didn't know what to do. Casey was doing fine until she got the job at the diner. With the long hours, she hardly had time to study. If she'd drop her dance class or yoga, it wouldn't be so bad.

But, I kept the information to myself. Casey had become one of my best friends, but I didn't know enough about her to know if I should worry. I also avoided a certain person because of it.

Derek POV

Mary had missed the last two times we were suppose to meet up, but I didn't think too much of it. People get busy in school.

I was one of those people who were busy. With class, hockey, and a job, it was a little stressful. I just knew how to keep myself in check. I knew if I needed to relax, so I did. So far, school was going great for me.

Casey POV

I had taken the test, and I actually felt pretty good about it. I had a rare day off, so I decided to go to my dorm to take a nap. Before I could even get settled, my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Casey, how're you doing?"

I sat down in my chair, really just wanting sleep.

"I'm fine, mom. How're you?"

"I'm good... I just... I haven't heard from you in almost a week... You sound tired."

I shrugged.

"What do you want me to say? I'm exhausted, but that's a part of being here, right?"

"Well... Maybe it would be a little easier if you made up with your dad..."

I rolled my eyes and rubbed my forehead. I didn't need the extra stress.

"I'm not doing that. I'm fine. Derek's doing the same thing I am, why are you not lecturing him?"

Edwin gave me updates on Derek. I knew he had a job and hockey, too. Our load was about the same.

"Yes, well... He doesn't sound like you do... He doesn't sound so exhausted all the time."

I was getting annoyed.

"I'm fine. I gotta go, okay? I'll call you soon."

"You were suppose to call everyday..."

I slammed my hand down on my desk do hard, I'm sure she heard it through the phone.

"I'm trying! Gosh, I'm doing great in my classes and dance, I've got a job that I'm doing great at, what else do you want?!"

At the silence, I could tell that I had stunned her. I actually stunned myself with my little outburst. It definitely wasn't like me to do that to anyone other than Derek. After a moment, she cleared her throat.

"I'm proud of you. You know that... I just don't want you to run yourself ragged."

"I won't. Okay?"

"Okay..."

Nora POV

I hung up with Casey. George looked at me curiously.

"So, how's Casey?"

"I... Don't know."

I sat down at the table and looked at my husband.

"She just sounds so tired. So exhausted. If only she hadn't fought with Dennis."

"He started it, Nora..."

I sighed.

"I know."

I sat back and thought of that fight. Dennis was going to send Casey money every month, but after she'd started going to school, she'd decided that her major would be creative writing. That wasn't what he wanted. He wanted her to be a pre med or pre law major. They fought about it, and she told him to just forget about the money. So, she got a job. But, I'm not sure that was the best thing for her.

"I'm calling Derek."

"Why?"

"Because, George. He's there. Maybe he knows more than I do."

Derek POV

"Hello?"

"Hi, Derek. How's it going?"

Her voice was overly cheery. I leaned against the building. I knew when she was being too casual, it wasn't good.

"Whatever it is, it wasn't me."

I smirked, and she laughed.

"Derek, I wouldn't put it passed you to be able to do something from four hours away, but you're not in trouble. At least, not yet."

"Okay, so what's up? What's going on?"

"I was wondering if you could tell me how Casey's doing?"

I was confused.

"Uh, we don't really see each other, Nora. But, as far as I know, she's fine."

"How do you know that if you don't see her?"

"We have a mutual friend. She would've told me..."

She let out a sigh of relief.

"That's good. She was worrying me."

I could feel my eyebrows scrunching together. According to Mary, she'd been fine.

"Why was she worrying you?"

"It's just, she always sounds so tired. Especially since she got this job."

"Job?"

That was news to me. Nora told me about Dennis and the fight.

"I'm sure she's fine. You know how Spacey is. Just let her get used to it."

When I got off the phone, I shot someone a text. I had a bone to pick.

We need to talk. Sandy's 7:00.

Mary POV

I was nervous. I didn't know why he wanted to see me, but if it had anything to do with Casey, I was pleading the fifth.

I was thinking about what I should say when he startled me by sitting down in front of me.

"Mary."

"Derek."

He crossed his arms.

"I wanna know why Nora called me worrying about Casey, when you've told me everything's fine."

I put on a smile.

"Everything is fine. Why wouldn't it be?"

He gave me a doubtful look.

"Here's the thing, Mary. I can take one look at Casey and tell how she's doing. For instance, if she's not caring about her appearance, that's a red flag."

Uh oh...

"If she's staying up too late to study, that's a red flag. If she's doing something to help her stay up, that's a red flag. If she's working a lot of overtime, that's a red flag. Any of those things happening?"

Dammit.

"Nope. She's studying a lot, sure, but she's fine."

I hated lying to him, but I'd already had this conversation with her. She'd get better. He gave me a look.

"You sure?"

"Casey can handle herself, don't you think? She's a big girl."

He stood up.

"Casey can handle herself. Mostly... If she gets too ambitious, you let me know."

He walked away, and I was hoping that this wouldn't come to bite me in the ass.