Wednesday morning, Cassie and I showered up together. She really did like getting wet with me, and I didn't have the heart to deny her. We made a note to get moving earlier on mornings she slept over so we didn't have to risk anyone seeing her sneaking out of my house at dawn. It would be so nice after graduation with the reduced pressure to hide everything. For now, though, it was off to work.

It was a stormy day, but that was fine by me. Rainy days were always more subdued, the students calmer. I'd even managed to line up reading days for all six sections for once,...