The Only Exception

Capítulo Diez

I couldn't sleep.

Abby's words kept racing through my head. Is she right? Am I hurting my future because of the past?

No, my brain said. Boys are disgusting pigs. You said it yourself. They don't mean anything they say. "I love you" is just a game.

But, Tyler seems different, said my heart.

He seems. That doesn't mean he is. You're just a phase. He'll throw you away when he finds a new interest. He's just like that bastard! You can't trust him.

I couldn't disagree. I didn't know Tyler that well. I could just be a phase. Or you could be something else to him, something important.

I ignored my heart. It's broken enough. I don't need to risk another crack in it.

I sighed and close my eyes.

You're just a phase and so are your feelings.

---

"Abby, what are you doing here?" I asked my friend, as she walked in through the diner entrance.

"What?" she said innocently. "I can't eat here now?"

I gave her a dead-panned look. She hated the diner. She said only freaks come here. I pointed out her brother comes in here sometimes and she just nodded, proving her point.

"Okay, okay. I just wanted to hang with the girl who has a crush on my brother." She winked.

"Jennifer is in the back." I tilted my head towards the backroom. This time she gave me a look and I gave her an innocent face, shrugging. "What? Jennifer does have a crush on Tyler."

"Come on, Amy! Remember the talk we had? I thought you were going to give Tyler a chance."

"No," I shook my head. "You said to give Tyler a chance. I never agreed."

Abby sighed. "I know about the challenge thing between you and Tyler." I paused. No one supposed to know. It would be unfair if someone decided to help one side out.

"No one's supposed to know. Tyler wasn't supposed to tell anyone."

"You never made any conditions. He can't be penalized."

"I'm going to-" Then something hit me. "Wait! Does that mean you're on Tyler's side?"

"Nope, I'm on neither side." She smiled happily.

"But, you're trying to make me fall for Tyler."

"Nooooo," she dragged out her 'no', "I'm just helping you let yourself out. Admit it. Deep down you have feelings for Tyler."

I shook my head. "I don't like Tyler."

"But, you admitted it last night."

"Last night, I was confused. Just because he made a few stupid paintings of me, doesn't mean anything. Anyone could have done that. I'm just a phase."

"You're important to him. Those paintings proved that."

"A painting is just a painting. Nothing more,"

Abby sighed deeply. "I know I said I wouldn't meddle. But, you don't get it! You have the opportunity of a lifetime! A chance at true love!"

"True love doesn't exist."

"How do you know that? Have you ever experienced it?"

"No, but my mother did and look what it did to her! She's six feet under because of this silly fantasy." I countered. "She's dead because of love. Love doesn't heal, it just hurts. I'm not going to fall in that trap." This is when I noticed the tears streaming down my face.