The Exception

Chapter 19: Well, This Is Awkward

"Baby Bear!" I called out and raised my arms.

My little sister, with her long brown hair came storming towards me from the steps. She jumped into my arms. "Why is mommy not here?"

"Mommy and daddy need to sort some things out," I said and gave her a squeeze. 

She looked at me with her crystal blue eyes. "Again?"

I opened my mouth and closed it. I couldn't find a proper response. Luckily, my sister, Mila, took notice of my friend Keith standing next to me. "Who's he?"

"This is Keith,"

"Is he the boy you knocked out or the jerk?"

"Mila!" I scolded, but she just gave me her sweet smile. Keith laughed.

"Well, I am very grateful to actually be the one that was knocked out," Keith grinned at her. "Nice to meet you Mila."

Mila smiled. "Can he come with us?"

I smiled. "I don't know, can you?" I asked him and he nodded.

"Would love to..."

"Don't have any school to do?"

Keith shrugged. "I worked ahead this weekend, and can catch up on everything else tomorrow...lead the way."

I smiled and put Mila down. She pouted, and I shook my head. "I can't carry you all the way there...my hips will never make it."

"But I can," Keith said as he swooped up my little sister and placed her on his shoulders. 

"Awesome," Mila said.

"Just don't throttle me, please," Keith winked at me.

"What is throttle?"

"Choke," I responded and we headed towards the café.  We walked in to be met by Tyler.

"If it isn't the favourite lady of the house," Tyler responded. His eyes landed on Keith and he frowned. "Keith, what are you doing here?"

"Wait, you know him?" I asked and turned to see Keith grimace. "Unfortunately..."

I rolled my eye as I glanced at Keith's and Tylers distant stares. "Well, I'm here to actually enjoy myself, so please, no drama...ok?" I walked to the corner and Keith followed, setting Mila down on a chair next to me, and taking the next seat.

"Agnus, you're here" Ellie squealed and I stared at her in surprise.

"Hey, I thought you were going on a blind date or something..."

Ellie sighed and sat down. "He cancelled on me, the prick, something about my brother, blah blah..." Ellie caught sight of Keith. "I'm so sorry...am I interrupting your date?"

"What, no," I shook my head. "Keith is just a friend, and I'm bringing my little sister with."

"Oh, hi Mila," Ellie winked at her. She then turned to Keith. "So, candy dude, what's new?"

"Candy dude?" Keith frowned. His eyes froze on something...or someone behind me. I turned and frowned. It was Evan,  and he was with another girl. The same cheerleader I saw next to his car. A pang of disappointment filled inside of me. Why was I so damned surprised?

"Jerk-alert," Mila spouted out. 

"Shhh, Mila!" I scolded, but as my gaze returned to Evan, he was already staring at us. A grin plastered on his face, and he headed straight towards us. And I just wanted to disappear.

"Hello Agnus....hello everyone else, what's up?" he asked as he draped his arm over the girl. She was beaming and I took a deep breath. I needed to control myself. "And who is this little bundle of joy?"

"Mila," my sister grinned as he winked at her.

"And who's the donkey?"

"Very funny," Keith retorted. "You know exactly who I am, Evan..."

I frowned. Keith and Evan had a history too? Why wasn't I surprised? 

Evan simply shrugged. He pulled up a chair right next to me and sat down. I looked up at the cheerleader who rolled her eyes in disapproval and took another seat.

"Hey guys," Tyler appeared. "I'm here to take orders."

"I'll have a..."

"In all respect, I was asking Agnus and Mila first..."

"And Keith," I inserted. "My sister will have a milkshake, and I will have hot chocolate and Keith?" I looked at him expectantly."

"Just a coffee, thanks,"

"With three sugars and milk, thanks," I added.

"You remembered?" Keith asked.

"Of course," I said and smiled.

"So you guys have a history huh?" Evan asked as he looked at me.

"Yeah, quite," Keith answered. "I mean, when we first met, she really knocked me off my feet."

I snorted and tried to hide the laugh bubbling inside of me. I stared at Keith and he grinned. 

"I see," Evan responded. "She has that affect."

"So...Evan," the cheerleader pulled Evan's face towards hers and I shook my head. I looked up at Tyler. 

"Can we have the orders to-go please?"

"Why?" Ellie pouted. "You guys just came."

"Yeah, and things went from real nice to real awkward," I stood up and was about to walk to the till when Evan stood up, straight in my way. 

"Xcuse me," I spoke softly. I tried to really hide the pain and anger churning inside of me. I was a stupid fool, but then...I wanted to friendzone him. Emotions boiled inside of me, but I knew one thing, I was jealous. I hated this feeling, and I just don't understand how he managed to evoke that. 

Evan moved out of the way, slowly.

"Keith, please watch my sister, I need to go to the restroom," I said and walked off. I headed into the bathroom and leaned over the basin. I splashed some water over my face. I was going to head back there, grab our stuff, pay for it, and then head to the park. I am not going to let this day get any more ruined.

Well, that was my plan, but as I opened the bathroom door, things drastically took a turn. Evan was standing outside the door.

"Finally, I thought you were deciding to take a shower in there...."