The Exception

Chapter 42: Coincidences Are 90% Planned Accidents

I stood frozen as Evan smiled at me. He turned to stare at everyone else. "Hey guys, I'm Evan..."

"And you're leaving," I said. I walked past Keith and gave a small apologetic smile before grabbing my boyfriend's arm and pulling him out of the Arcade. 

"What on earth...are you doing here!?" I snapped.

"Chill, look, I was just popping in to say hi, I wasn't planning to stay..." Evan frowned. "I was just grabbing drinks with my pals here at the mall, and when I saw Keith...I thought I'd say hi...is that also out of your boundaries?"

"Popping in to say hi, no,  potential stalking? Hell yes," I said. 

"I told you..."

"And I don't believe you..." I said and crossed my arms. 

"Look, I was actually gonna grab drinks here with my friends, Ellie mentioned it's possibly where Keith and you guys would bowl, because she spotted you and him talking here the other day...so, in conclusion, no stalking required. I knew of the possibility of you maybe being here, but only after I decided to come here," Evan spoke. I raised my brow. What he said, made sense, but I was still very suspicious.  "Look, I know I messed up big time on Saturday. Why on earth would I try and make it worse?"

I stared at him, contemplating what he said. I would have to confirm with Ellie, and from then on simply refrain on giving too many details of my activities outside of them.  "Evan, I am serious about those boundaries..."

"Because you don't trust me?"

"No, because at times, I don't trust myself," I said pointedly. "Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with you... you make my heart beat faster, you challenge me in ways I never even thought possible. My first two dates with you, were by far the best I've had in any relationship, but I also need time on my own or with other people. You're forgetting, I'm still very much new here, and if I am so focused on just being your girl, how can I focus on who exactly I am."

Evan nodded. "Look, I'm sorry, if I knew how much this would upset you, I never would have done it..."

I sighed. "Good night, Evan." I turned around and walked into the arcade. I was in no mood to try and finish this conversation, and did not want to linger too long away from the other group.

"You ok?" Cara asked me, and I nodded. 

"Yeah, Evan's complicated..." I said and smiled.

"You'll figure it out," Lisa spoke. "I'm sure you will...I mean, he's really cute."

I laughed at this, and glanced at Keith who was sitting hunched on the chairs. His hands were gripped together, and he was deep in thought.

"Keith, you ok?" I asked him as I took a step closer.

"I'm just gonna call it a night," Keith spoke abruptly. He stood up and walked out, without even saying goodbye.

"And that just happened," Joey remarked.

Anger and hurt filled inside of me. Keith was visibly upset, and he just left? I took a deep breath. If I wasn't here, I was sure the night would have gone so much better.

"I'm so sorry guys, this is all my fault,"

Cara shook her head. "Don't stress about it...this isn't the first time Keith just up's and leaves when he gets upset. But I do think this marks the end of our match."

"Yeah, and I have homework, so bye guys, good to meet you Agnus," Joey winks at me and leaves.

Some others dissipate and I took a deep breath.

"Hey, Cara and I are gonna get some ice cream, you coming?" Lisa invited me, and I nodded. Ice cream after all, was the number one medication for relationship problems.

And it turns out, I had a lot of them.