The Exception

Chapter 25: Peppermints, Pool Parties, And Ghosting People

I wanted to freshen up, but as I reached my front door again, I head yells and froze. It was my parents, again. I swallowed. I guess I'll freshen up after work, and I wasn't feeling much better. However, I swore to myself not to be in a foul mood again in front of Keith. The poor guy has had to cheer me up more times than I could count, and I was working there in order to help him. Not the other way round. I turned around and walked to the Candy Store. However, as the sun beat on my skin, I couldn't help but feel more sick. However, I had to try and grit it through. Besides, I was able to fool the teachers, and even Ellie that I was ok. I suppose I could do the same with Keith.

As I arrived and opened the door, I saw Keith leaning on the counter with a packet of chips reading a newspaper. He looked up.

"You look like you've seen a ghost with rabies," he remarked and I sighed.

Guess that plan flew out of the window.

"Not feeling too well, but I feel better than I look. I just got this freakking headache that just won't go away," I said as I slipped past him and put the bag in it's place. 

Keith raised his brow at me before walking to the hard-candy isle. He grabbed some peppermints and walked to me..."Hold out your hand..."

"How are peppermints supposed to help?" I asked him and frowned.

Keith shrugged. "It's known to have a soothing affect..."

I smiled as I took one and popped it in my mouth. "I'm paying for it, but thanks," I said and smiled.

"Ahuh...and I also spelled it... with my wizard mojo"

I frowned, "Spelled it?"

"Yeah, with a few droplets of truth serum...so that you can hopefully stop lying to me..."

"Keith..." I spoke softly. "What are you talking about?"

"You don't think I recognize Evan's car? And now you come back with a classic hangover look? You don't think I can't put two and two together huh?" Keith crossed his arms and I accidently swallowed the mint I was attempting to suck. Luckily it was small enough not to cause problems and I popped the next one in.

"Look Keith, I just...didn't really want anyone to know..." I said and walked to behind the counter to start working on the stock. "It was meant to just be a one time thing."

Keith crossed his arms and tilted his head. I groaned. "What?"

"Evan doesn't do one time things," Keith said.

"And how would you know? How do you know him by the way?" I asked as I took a booklet and started walking around the candy store.

"I wasn't always homeschooled," Keith spoke. I stopped what I was doing and looked up at him. "You were in the same school as him?"

"Once upon a time," Keith grabbed a box and placed it on the counter. "Look, I just don't want to see you getting hurt, that's all."

I smiled. "That's very sweet, Keith...but I can take care of myself."

Keith nodded. "I have no doubts about that." He took a marshmallow and chucked it at my head. I staggered back and he laughed.

"Real mature..."

He just shrugged and carried on with work. My phone buzzed and I took it out to quickly see who messaged me. It was Ellie.

Hey, so I'm having a pool party on Saturday! You are invited (naturally). Feel free invite some other pals ;) Starts 18:00 ok?

I smiled. "I think I can make up for lying to you..."

Keith frowned. "By growing a six-foot-long nose? Cause that I would love to see."

"Ha-ha-ha...." I replied sarcastically. "I'm inviting you to a pool party."

"I don't know...."

"Come on," I said. "You and Ellie are practically my only friends at the moment. I'm trying to ghost Evan, and I think Tyler being at the party will mean I'd be pretty much on my own. I'd really like you to be there."

"Hmmm...will there be yellow floating duckies? Because I'll only go if that's there."

I laughed. "You're joking right?"

"Maybe,"

"You are such a five-year-old," I said and Keith laughed. "I suppose you'd like bubble and lollies with it?"

"Now you're talking my language," Keith winked and I shook my head. 

"You are impossible," I said and we carried on working in peace. For the next two hours, we had a few customers, and I started to slowly feel better. I kept sucking on mints and logging in stock.

"You better hide..." Keith spoke as he casually started stocking up the jars with sweets.

"Why?"

"The guy you're trying to ghost is here,"

"Oh, dang it..." I ran behind the counter and ducked down. The bell rang.

"Evan,  I didn't take you as the sweet-sucker..."

"I'm looking for Agnus, rumour has she works here..."

"Oh, rumour is it? I I guess there is a rumour of me sending her home early...she wasn't feeling too well," Keith remarked. "I guess I have you to thank for that."

"What, are you jealous?"

I frowned as Evan asked that question. That was strange.

"Just know that if you hurt her,  I'll come for you..."

"Oooh, you are sure the masterpiece of intimidation with a candy-floss stained t-shirt and wannabe Disney Prince hair..." Evan retorted. "Besides, I have no intention of hurting her...she's the first person that actually fascinates me."

"Ah," Keith remarked. "Well, can you be fascinated somewhere else? Your cologne is scaring all the customers away."

"If Agnus is here, please tell her that I'd really like to talk to her,"

"I'll sure to let her know," Keith responded.

I sat there, quite amused at the banter being exchanged. It sounded so friendly, but the words itself was very much condescending. Not that I could blame Keith disliking Evan. I heard the door open and after a few more seconds Keith walked around.

"That was interesting," I remarked. Keith nodded.

"Your boyfriend told me that he'd really like to talk to you," he said. 

"Yeah, I heard...."

"I know, I'm just keeping my word is all," Keith winked and I shook my head. "So...pool party?"

"I'll try and make an appearance," Keith said. "Now, my suggestion is go get yourself a coffee at the cafe and then go home and rest....Evan should be heading to your house and then to the cafe...it's a good ghosting strategy."

I laughed and shook my head. "You are the best."

"That I am," Keith grabbed my bag and gave it to me. "I hope you feel better."

I nodded and walked out, taking a deep breath. I glanced back at Keith and watched as he grabbed a broom and started sweeping. He was a really nice guy, but curiosity swarmed in my mind. What history did Keith and Evan have between each other? Why was Evan so persistent in talking to me? And how on earth do I get Sally off my back? All I knew, was that this weekend was going to be very much interesting. And I couldn't avoid Evan forever. The problem was, if a confrontation were to happen, could I really tell look him in the eyes and tell him it was over?