The Exception

Chapter 17: A Secret Garden, and A Secret Truth

"This way," Ellie motioned for me to run outside. I followed her into the garden, and we did not stop running until we reached a hedge.

"How's this supposed to keep us hidden from Evan?" I asked her and she shushed me. She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the bushes. Surprisingly, it gave way, leading us into a deeper part of the garden.

"Wow..." I gaped. "You guys have a secret garden?"

"No," Ellie laughed. "I do...gardening is kind of my thing...and after reading that book...well, I just had to make one myself. My parents and Evan never noticed how the garden grew a touch smaller." She took a seat on a small brown bench and motioned me to sit too. I stared around. The small garden was encroached by hedges, and inside was thick lush grass, and roses. I grinned as I spotted a swing. 

"You really went all out..."

"What can I say? It's my hide away spot, especially when Evan and his douche bag friends are around..." Ellie said with a shrug.

"Yeah, I heard the other day he pranked a poor kid, got him into a week's detention afterwards..." I sat down and Ellie grimaced.  "What?"

"You know Evan wasn't always a jerk..."

"Yeah, right," I said and shook my head as I sat down. Ellie's face fell and she shook her head.

"I'm serious...it's my fault..."

I grabbed Ellie's shoulder. "You cannot blame yourself for Evan's actions...Ellie."

Ellie sighed. "When we first came...I was the target of a lot of bullying..."

"Yeah, you mentioned it..." I muttered. "I'm sorry."

"Well, Evan hated that he was all but powerless...I tolerated it, but one day I walked in with a black eye after one of the jocks decided to display his dominance..." Ellie  spoke softly. "Evan wanted to avenge me...so to speak." She gave a slight laugh. "But he got thrashed, and he was in the hospital for two weeks."

"I'm so sorry..." I said, my heart aching at the thought.

Ellie nodded. "When Evan came home, he was never the same again. He took up boxing, started to work more seriously on his singing and his popularity. He used to be unusually witty, but he destroyed that gift to become unusually insulting. He believed and still believes, that fear, pain and hurt is the only way to win...and the only way to protect me. Then..." Ellie paused. "He had another fight, with the same jock."

"What happened?" I asked, curious to know more.

"The other guy spent seven weeks in the hospital, and all Evan got was a slap on the wrist..." Ellie shook her head. "My brother became a jerk...and he has since never stopped being one..."

I sighed and sat back, thinking hard in about the story Ellie just shared. I could fully understand Evan's motives. Truth be told, I have a younger sister, and although we do not have a good relationship, there is nothing I wouldn't do to protect her. But breaking others down?

"Evan seems to have taken you under his protective wing as well...like I said, I think he has a crush on you," Ellie laughed. My stomach squirmed at the thought. What on earth did I do to gain his attention like this? I know I saved his life, and wandered how big a part of that may have to play in how he was treating me. I was relieved not to be on the receiving end of his antics, and flattered to have him protect me. He was a knight, just not necessarily white and good.

He made me so darn nervous, but what good would it be to date him if he actually liked me? One day, he would get bored and toss me aside just like he tossed Sally aside. The best thing to do was to spare myself such heartbreak and pain, and friend zone him. However, as adrenaline rushed through me and my cheeks flushed...I knew it would be easier said than done.