THE ONLY EXCEPTION (BOYXBOY)

Chapter Twenty Five: Declan

Declan’s POV:

I’d never thought I’d say this but… I think I’ve had too much sex. Funny isn’t it. Micah and I have been going at it like rabbits for two days. We’d take a few minutes to rest then we’re right back at it. That’s how we spent the entire day Saturday. Sunday we kind of took our time. Going as slow as possible to make it last as long as possible. I’m not gonna lie, it feels like I’m on my honeymoon or something. I don’t feel like the bride or anything like that but I feel… I don’t know how to explain the exact feeling…

I know I feel like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman right before Stucky comes in and messes everything up. Minus the being a hooker part… and being a girl. Even though we’ve been together I still feel like something is between us. I don’t want to keep harping on it but I can’t help it. I may have been in a coma and almost overdosed but I’m not some delicate flower that needs to be protected all the fucking time.

                “You’re frowning.” Micah whispered as he peered down at me. Turning my head to the clock I was surprised to see it was two thirty-five in the morning. We would have to check out pretty soon. We got Monday off but would have to resume school Tuesday morning.

                “I don’t want to go back.” I said. Smiling Micah shook his head.

                “You think they’d let us rent this place permanently?” He asked. That would be nice. Never having to go back and deal with the real world but as nice as that sounds we couldn’t stay here forever.

                “What about school?” I whispered. The mention of school snatched Micah’s smile from his face. Threading my fingers through his hair I pulled his face close to mine. His miss matched eyes stared into mine as if he could see into the very core of me.

                “Tell me what’s wrong.” I whispered. There was surprise in his eyes at my request. It slowly melted away to pain then finally nothing.

                “Nothing’s wrong…” He whispered back. Shaking my head I tightened my fingers.

                “Your left eye twitches when you lie to me… what’s wrong?” Pulling back Micah sat up. Raking his fingers through his hair he turned away.

                “Why do you keep asking me what’s wrong? I told you nothing is wrong, just drop it already.” Pushing up I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at Micah’s turned face.

                “Bullshit and you know it. I’m not gonna drop it because something is eating you alive. No matter how much you smile and laugh it’s poisoning you on the inside. Ever since that shit with Todd you’ve been over protective and don’t get me wrong I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me but—“Jumping from the bed Micah turned to me.

                “EVERYTHING I’VE DONE?! THAT BASTARD ALMOST KILLED YOU!! I COULDN’T DO SHIT BUT WATCH YOU STRUGGLE TO STAY ALIVE!! I WAS USELESS, DECLAN!!” Whirling away he went to the French doors and snatched them open. The breeze coming in off the water filled the room. Turning back to me Micah sniffled a bit while running the back of his hand across his face.

                “I couldn’t save you then… I couldn’t stop Todd from poisoning you but I can protect you now. I cannot and will not let you get hurt again. I won’t fucking allow it. So if I have to be the one who causes you pain then so be it. I rather it be me then someone else…” I didn’t understand what he was talking about. I got the feeling he was on a whole other subject altogether. I stood from the bed and watched him stomp to his suitcase. Pulling on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt he headed for the door.

                “I need some air.” Was all he said before he disappeared. I stood there staring at the door for the longest time.

                ‘Go after him.’ My conscious said. Shaking my head I spotted my shorts on the loveseat and pulled them on. I don’t know what it was but something was making Micah act like this. I’ve been around enough guys to know when they say ‘I need some air.’ It’s best to let them get air. Sitting back on the bed I leaned against the headboard and waited. I felt sleep trying to pull me under but I refused. I wanted to be awake when Micah returned. Propping up more pillows I leaned on them while stifling a yawn and waited.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When I woke I realized it was mid-morning. Looking around the room I saw no sign of Micah. Rubbing my eyes I stretched my body when I realized something. His suitcase was gone. Climbing from the bed I went to the bathroom and sure enough his stuff was gone. I could feel the panic in me starting up. Jumping across the bed I went for the phone. Snatching up the receiver I was about to dial down to the front desk when I caught sight of an envelope. My name was scribbled across the front in Micah’s distinctive handwriting. Placing the receiver back down I picked the envelope up. With each second my heart thumped harder and harder. Sitting up straight I pulled the flap open and pulled out the folded piece of paper.

Declan

When you wake thIs morning I Won’t be there. I couldn’t fAce you after laSt night. It got me realizing That maybe this isn’t what I shOuld be doing. I’ve never been attracted to guys before and I know now that I’m not. Whatever that was with you was just a fLuke. I can’t be in a relationship with you. I want a wife. I want kiDs and acceptance in socieTy. If I pretend to be in lOve with you I’lL nevEr get those things And I’ll keep you from who you were meant to be with. I’m sorry but I don’t loVe you. I just lovE the sex and sex with You is mind blOwing bUt I can’t do it with yOu anymoRe. It iSn’t natural. I won’t tell anyone about your secret. I promise to keep it to myself. I can at least do tHat much. I’m sorry I wastEd your time and Led you on but nothing good can come from this. I see that now. I’ve taLked to KATLIN and patcHed things Up with heR. She’s who I really want noT you. So I’ll see YOUaround.

Micah

p.S.: I’ve paid for a car service to bring you HomE when you’re ready to leave the hotel. They was KiNd enOugh to Waive the rental feeS. They recOgnized yoUfrom the stoRy on the newS.  ThEy Really wanted to make sure you were Comfortable so they sent a Really expEnsive car. Don’t keep them waiTing.

I read the letter three more time. Finally a fourth time because I had to be reading this wrong. There had to be some kind of mix up. Some kind of error. There was a fucking a mistake!! Searching the room I found my cell and dialed his number. I waited and waited listening to its ringing. Finally the female automated voice came on.

                ‘I’m sorry. The party you are trying to reach has had this service disconnected.’ I stood there staring at the phone for who knows how long. I hurt to breathe. It hurt to move. I thought I could make it back to the bed but I couldn’t. I crumbled like a wet piece of paper on the floor. It felt like my insides had been ripped out in the most violent and painful way possible. I don’t know what happened next. I really stop paying attention after that. I have no idea how Megan and Sean came to be in the room with me. I couldn’t understand their words. It didn’t matter though. He was gone. He left me to be with… her… to be accepted into normal society. I blinked and next thing you know we were driving down the road headed home. I sat in between Sean and Megan in the front of the cab. I leaned my head on her shoulders as she brushed away the tears I hadn’t known I was crying.

                “So this is heartache… it fucking hurts.” I whispered to myself. I felt Megan’s arms squeeze my shoulders.

                “Getting your ass kicked by your best friend is gonna hurt even worse. I’m gonna kill Micah.” Sean growled as he sped down the highway.

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Video/Song: Paramore 'Breathe' It's a unreleased song which I really wish they'd release so I could listen to it over and over without running down my laptop battery.