The Exception

Chapter 7: Homework, Drama And Dancing

I arrived in the coffee shop and made a beeline towards the table in the corner.

"Hey Agnus..."

I turned around. "Tyler..."

"Come to collect your free coffee?" Tyler grinned at me and I nodded. 

"Why not?" I asked, then headed towards Ellie.

"So...Tyler seems to have taken an interest in you," Ellie muttered and I shook my head.

"Oh, dear, I hope not...I'm not really into jocks...or jerks, or any of that kind of thing..."

"Come on, there is something attractive about a hot guy, that works out, can catch a ball and fight others off for glory, destiny, honour..."

I laughed as I took my math notes out. "Whatever you say..." I start scribbling down things that I needed to do then look up at Ellie. "Is your brother..."

"He may pitch up later with his girlfriend, but by then, you and I will be long gone to catch a movie..."

"I said I couldn't  stay that long..." I said.

"What about a movie at your house?" Ellie asked, and I grinned as I started texting my mom. 

"Sounds doable..."

"Here's your coffee ladies," Tyler placed the two cups down and scrambled off to help some other customers. I had to admit. He was cute, and had a naughty smile, but some how, I didn't really feel anything for him. Ellie and I spent the next hour working on school. Granted, it was tough, but I wasn't as behind as I thought. I dramatically slammed my Geography book and cheered. Ellie's shoulder's were shaking in amusement. Then she froze. "Time to leave..."

I turned to see Sally and Evan walk in, Evan's arms draped over her shoulder. She  caught my eye and smirked. Like I was jealous. But then...I might actually be.

"Yeah..."

"But ladies, my shift is over," Tyler sat down and Ellie smiled. She glanced at me pleadingly.

"Fine...what's one more hour?" I asked. My heart beat fast. Just survive one hour with Evan in the same room as me...easy right?

"Hey everyone..." Evan's voice rang across towards us. "Hey, Princess."

My stomach churned and I turned to see Evan standing a meter away with Sally clinging tightly to him. She glared at me...again.

"What you up to, folks?" he carried on and Tyler shook his head.

"And there comes my headache again,"

"Maybe you should drink more water..." Ellie suggested.

"Gee, Einstein, great idea, I wonder if he didn't think of it before..." Evan remarked and grinned.

"It's a wonder that anyone likes you..." Tyler retorted.

"A...people love me...they love my ooze, my charisma, my ..." he glanced at me and winked. "Charm...my voice...and I can actually dance. That attempt you tried on last spring/flower's dance more looked like a penguin in a desperate need of a potty trip."

I spat out some of my coffee at this and tried my best to keep whatever remnant of drink in my mouth to swallow. "Excuse me..." I said and tried to walk past Evan and Sally. 

However, to my dismay, something struck my foot and I fell forward, straight onto my face.

Sally's laughter filled the room like a muddy blanket.

"Are you ok?" Tyler was at my side and helped me up.

"Don't worry, my ego is bruised enough..." I responded. "What's one more punch?" I rushed to the bathroom and closed the door. I glanced at myself in the mirror. My hair was ok, and everything else seemed fine. But I just had enough of today. I wanted to go home, but I promised Ellie one hour. Just...I checked my watch. fifty-five minutes to go.

Or I could stay in here all fifty-five minutes.

"Man, I'm a wuss," I insulted myself. I shouldn't be so darn scared of what others think. Or humiliated. Accidents happen. But why did it have to happen in front of Evan? I bet he was stockpiling it for great insults in the near future. I rolled my eyes. Granted, his insults were actually very intelligent, and everything thrown at him seemed to bounce of him like a tennis ball on a wall. I walked out and back to the table. I frowned.

"Where is Sally?" I asked Ellie. She pursed her lips.

"She's calling it a night...I guess I might have tripped her up a little too much," Evan spoke. I looked at him and wanted to squirm. He was, however, sitting in my seat.

"Do you mind?"

"Not at all, Princess,  I'm open to share,"

Another blush crept up my cheeks and I looked away. I grabbed the chair behind me and dragged it to the table. Tyler and Ellie had hit it of in a great conversation, and I decided to take out my headphones and listen to music instead.

"And why would you like to cut yourself off from the world?" Evan asked me.

"Not the world, just you," I remarked.

"Ooof...that stung, hit real deep..." Evan patted his chest, but judging by that plastered goofy grin, I knew it didn't touch him at all. 

But before I could hit the play button, a good upbeat song started playing from the music box.

"Ooohh, I love this song, please dance with me..." Ellie pleaded to Tyler. Tyler  glanced at me, but I pretended to already be listening to the music. He took Ellie's hand and lead her to the dance floor.

"You know, those headphones only work if you use that play button in the centre. It looks like an arrow...you know...pointing in the right direction," Evan said and I grinned. 

"Guilty," I removed the headphones and placed them in my bag. Now that they were playing good music, what was the point in searching for one on my phone?

"Do you want to dance?" Evan asked me, and I sorely wanted to say yes. Judging by his moves last night...

"I'm sure you're girlfriend wouldn't approve..."

Evan shook his head. "She doesn't approve of a lot of things. One dance isn't going to kill her."

He stood up and offered me his hand. My heart raced inside of me, and I was tingling in excitement. I wanted to dance with him. So bad, but I looked at him dead in in the eyes. 

"Sorry, but I have enough self-respect to know that if  I had a boyfriend, I wouldn't want him to be dancing with some girl...and so, I'd rather not be that girl either."

Evan chuckled and took a seat again. "Was worth a shot..."

I watched as Ellie and Tyler danced, laughed and had fun. I so wanted to be there with them, but I just refused my one opportunity to do so.

Was that a mistake?