The Exception

Chapter 40: Following Advice

The school bell rang, and I slammed my locker shut. It took me many attempts and punches to get this locker door open, but I'm getting the hang of it. I walked to my class, taking a deep breath.

Evan was ahead, with his pals, they were talking and laughing. However, as his eyes met mine, he immediately excused himself and made his way towards me. I just stood there, waiting. I wasn't going to actively avoid him this time. I'd follow Keith's advice.

"Hey..." He spoke and smiled. "How are you?"

I bit my lip, glanced at the ground and back at him. "How do you think it's going?"

"Listen, about Saturday night..."

I raised my brow, and Evan hesitated.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't entirely myself, and if you want to wait, I fully understand..."

I nodded at Evan. "Look, a lot of things happened that Saturday, some that not even I am proud of, but it made me realize that ..."

"You're not breaking up with me are you? Because..."

"What? No,"  I said, flustered at the sudden turn of conversation. "No, it's just, I think I just need to start doing some things on my own. Have times where I'm not simply with you or Ellie."

"Like a hobby?"

"I have those," I said. "But if I'm not at home, I'm with you at school, and if I'm not at school, I'm with you guys at the café...and if not at the café, with you at parties...I think, some days, it would be good, if we just did our own things...if you understand?"

"Yeah, sure, I can respect that," Evan nodded. "We can still go on dates right?"

"Of course," I said and laughed at his cheeky question. 

"Ok, so maybe not tonight then, but how bout tomorrow, Tuesday night? You and me, and the ice rink?" Evan asked. "Considering I have yet again something to make up to you for."

"Look, I forgive what you did Saturday night, ok, I mean, we all weren't exactly on our best behaviour..."

Evan nodded. "Tell me about it."

"What'd you say to Ellie about Tyler?"

Evan shrugged. "The usual, but she doesn't believe  me...thinks I am a jerk...which I am...so that may unfortunately fall on you..."

I nodded and shook my head. "Sorry, what day did you want to make the date again?"

"Tuesday..."

"Yeah, I'm sorry, I can't... I'm going bowling with some friends, but Wednesday is good," I said. Evan frowned.

"Bowling? With which friends?"

I opened my mouth and closed it. "Keith invited me to bowl with his friends..."

"What'd so he thought it would be ok to invite my girlfriend to a random date?"

"It's not a date, it's a group social, it's different, and Keith is just a friend..." I said. "Remember?"

"Right, doing things  little bit apart..." Evan nodded. "I guess, I can live with that."

 I smiled at his smirk, but then soon caught sight of Ellie. This was going to be one painful conversation...