The Exception

Chapter 13: A Car Ride With A Jerk

I sat in Evan's car in the parking lot. He kind of just put me here and left for a few minutes. It left me alone with my thoughts. Which, in itself, was kind of dangerous. I never wanted to leave my hometown, but I was cautiously optimistic of the new beginning. However, now I felt like mashed potatoes...dished out to every hater ready to tear me apart. I wiped away a tear that slid down my cheek again. The only reason Evan was being nice was overtly over the fact that I had saved his life. And worse yet, it was by accident. Otherwise I would have been trampled. He scared me more than Johnny did when it came to being a jerk. He was smart, and that gave him a great advantage over the rest. It made him rule the school.

The pain was building up in my gut. I had friends when I left, but keeping long distance relationships was surprisingly harder. None of them had contacted me since I left. And truth be told, my relationships were sorely superficial. Seems like things might not be any better here.

I gritted my teeth and slammed my head back against the headrest of the car. I was humiliated, and I wanted to tear out that heavy weight in my chest. It was just not going away.

My heart started to beat as I saw Evan walk out of the school building. He was carrying a piece of paper and headed straight towards the car. He gave me a wink as he unlocked the vehicle and climbed in. I swallowed. With Ellie in the car, it gave me some reassurance. Now I was completely alone.

"Got you a release for today," Evan handed me the paper. "Just all your assignments and homework from your other classes...doesn't look too bad." 

I stared at it and nodded. "Thanks..." I spoke softly, but remained staring out of the window. "What about Ellie?"

"She's catching a lift with Tyler...I organized it personally," 

"That's aweful nice for you," I remarked. I heard another chuckle, which made my heart jump.

"Just common sense...I may not like my sister, but I still am responsible for her. Don't want to leave her stranded at school..."

"I thought you didn't like Tyler..."

"I don't, but he's better company than all my other pals," Evan strapped his seatbelt and started the ignition. Before I knew it, Evan's arm was almost in my face as he grabbed my seatbelt and strapped me in. I stared at him. 

"I could have done it myself...you know,"  I crossed my arms. Evan just winked.

"I know..."

I shook my head, and returned to watching the view. It was mostly shopping stores, and old garages. Not much of a view.

"If you know Tyler is better company than your friends...why are you even friends with them?" I asked and Evan just shook his head.

"Am I good company?" he asked and I shrugged.

"If you want to be...I'd say, yes," I brushed my fingers through my tangled hair.

"Thanks, but I like being on top of the food chain," Evan responded. "I like that people like me."

"Most of them hate you secretly..."

"That doesn't bother me," Evan shrugged. "I don't like them either."

I shook my head. "How'd you come to be this way?"

Evan only smiled in response. This was highly frustrating. I was trying to have a decent conversation, but I guess it just won't be happening. 

"So, interesting about your dad, huh?"

I shot him  glare and he only raised his shoulders. "People talk...probably one of the student's parents that work in the same company of your dad spoke about him...it's really not that hard to figure out where rumours come from."

"Do you believe it?" I asked him. "That my dad is a criminal?"

"I'd have to meet him first before I can make any accusations," Evan replied diplomatically. It was smooth. I'd give him that. 

"I bet you have a ton of insults building up in your brain against me..." I said. "Just waiting to spill out in all it's glory."

"A few..."

"So...what are they?" I asked crossing my arms. I knew it was stupid. I was literally asking a jerk to insult me. But I guess I wasn't in my right mind.

"Well,  for starters, those shoes do not go with that top..."

I glanced down to see  my blue sneakers and looked at my red top. I rolled my eyes. "Ok, so I'm not exactly a fashion icon..."

"And the fact that you dip your chips in your ice cream...I mean what is up with that? Something must have stirred you brain at that time, because that  is not  normal,"

I punched Evan's shoulders and laughed. He smiled back and I gaped in amazement. He had successfully managed to evade a fight with me...with insults? I shook my head.

"Don't let Johnny and his pals get to you. They're all talk and no bite. A big bunch of wussies dressed in sports clothing making them think they are the warriors of the earth. It's one thing to play sports, it's another to play sports and leave an impressionable mark on the people around them. Jocks are meant to inspire the school, not bring them down..."

"And what you're doing is inspiring?"

Evan simply shrugged. "Doesn't matter much what I do in school."

Evan pulled in at my house and I climbed out. 

"Thanks, Evan...I appreciate what you did...standing up for me, and all. You really didn't have to."

"No, I didn't have to," Evan nodded and I frowned. "But I did, and I will do it again if need be..."

"Is it because I saved your life?" I asked and Evan chuckled.

"No, you saved my life...true, but in all honesty, that might stop me from being a jerk, doesn't necessarily mean I'll be your knight in shining armour...I guess there is just something about you...I can't quite put my finger on," Evan raised his brow at me. "Guess I'll just have to spend more time with you to figure it out." 

With that he winked and drove off. I just grinned. Darn, it. That smile of his was soooo cute, and he some how, despite the circumstances, actually managed to cheer me up.

So...I guess my car ride with a jerk wasn't too bad after all.