The Exception

Chapter 43: Frustrating Friendships

I scribbled in my notebook on my next assignment. It was for my history class, and the task was to write about something historical about this city. Problem was, I was new here. I would ask Evan, but he did not normally take this seriously, and besides. We had other problems to fix. I was sitting in the cafeteria as I saw him approach me. I stiffened, and struggled to maintain a straight face as he smiled.

His smile was so addictive.

"Hey, Princess," he comes and sits down. "Look, about yesterday..."

"What'd you tell Keith?" I interrupted, followed by a frown on Evan's side.

"What did I tell him? Nothing," Evan spoke. "I just simply said hi, and then popped into the Arcade to say hi to you guys..."

"Yeah, well, minutes after you left, he did, and I just think you may have been the culprit..." I responded. I also did not mention that Keith did not pitch up for the planned jog this morning either.

Evan pursed his lips. "Look, what I wanted to say or offer...is a way to make it up to you..."

"Which is?" I asked.

"Well, before our date tonight, I will personally take you to Candy Delight to talk to him, and I will wait in the car, for however long it takes..."

I raised my brow as he said this. "Even if it is three hours?"

"I'll buy snacks and even make sure I don't need a toilet break..." Evan winked at me, and I smiled. 

"Ok, you've got yourself a deal, mister," I said.

Evan picked up my hand and kissed it, sending another shiver through me. "Glad to do business with you Miss Rider." Evan remained with me for the rest of lunch, and Ellie soon joined us. Most of the time was spent listening to her rant about her fight with Tyler.

"Sounds like you gave him a piece of your mind, sis, which is maybe dangerous, considering you don't have much of it left," Evan said. Ellie rolled her eyes.

"You're lucky I hate Tyler more than I hate you at the moment..."

"I'm just lucky that I'm not him, period...one punch from Agnus, one knock-out from me, and one very frenzied verbal attack from you...it's lucky if anything of him is left,"  Evan said and grinned at me. I decidedly did not mention the knee cap incident seconds earlier. 

"Either way, I'm so done with him..." Ellie remarked. She glanced at me and smiled. "So, how'd your bowling go with Keith and his pals last night?"

"It was eventful...I think I made a few new friends even," I responded. I glanced a look at Evan who smirked.

"That's so great," Ellie remarked, completely oblivious over the fact that I was staring at Evan with  a raised brow, and he was simply shaking his head. Boy, was he still in trouble.

Two hours later, Evan kept his word, and drove me to the candy store. I knew it was Keith's shift then, and so there was no 'running out' now. It still hurt that he left with no warnings, no goodbyes, and didn't even pitch up to the promised jog. I opened the door, and the familiar bell filled me up with nostalgia. I did not work here for long, but I sure did miss it.

"How can I help..." Keith came into view, and as he spotted me he sighed. "Hey Agnus, what are you doing here?"

"Well, my mom said I couldn't work here any more, she didn't say I wasn't allowed to visit..."

Keith crossed his arms. "Aren't you supposed to be some where else? Like with your perfect boyfriend maybe?"

I frowned. What was going on with this guy? "Ouch, now who's being the jerk?" I asked and his face softened. "And besides, Evan's outside, waiting in the car...this was his idea."

Keith frowned. "Are you sure it's not some robotic clone that has taken over his body?"

"No, he made a mess, and he wants to clean it up,"

"But that would involve him being nice..."

"And maybe he is," I said. "But I want to ask my normally nice friend, why the sudden change? You didn't even pitch up for our jog..."

Keith took a deep breath, but said nothing.

"What is going on between you and Evan? Because this is clearly what it is all about..." I said. "And I'm not leaving until you tell me."

Keith stared at me and shook his head. "Maybe you should..."

"Why? You said you would always be here for me, to help me with my problems, why can't you let me help you with yours..."

"Because you are dating him," Keith spoke. He leaned on the counter. "I'm sorry Agnus, but wherever he goes, people get hurt. And I thought, you would not be one of those girls, who would fall for him."

I took a step back. This was  not what I expected for him. "What did he say to you yesterday?"

"Nothing," Keith turned around and leaned back and forth. "Nothing at all."

I swallowed the tears that were forming in my eyes. I did not understand Keith's behaviour. A part of me wanted to storm out of the Candy Store, but another apart wanted things to get back to normal. This wasn't the Keith I normally knew. He was troubled, frustrating, and at the moment, I'd take a guess he was hurt. However, figuring  out why, was not so easy.  But I wasn't about to give up on him just yet.

"Look, if you don't want to tell me what happened between you two, then fine," I said. "You don't have to tell me. But I don't want to lose my friend...especially the one who made me feel so welcome, and got me this job, and helped me through a difficult time. But, I'm not exactly ready to let go of what Evan and I have either..."

Keith turned to face me again. His stare was intense, but this time, he did not look angry. "I don't want to lose you either..."

"You won't," I said. "Trust me." I took  step closer. "The minute I knocked you out was the minute you got stuck with me. Cause I still have to pay the hospital bills back, and make sure you don't sue me for hurting the city's precious superhero."

Keith smiled, and I could feel the tension lifting. "I still need to buy that cap with flashing lights on..."

"And that neon orange jacket," I answered.

"I'm sorry, about yesterday night, not saying good bye, and all..."

"Something tells me, you have a habit of running away from your problems instead of facing them..."

"Who told you that? Cara? She is quite the nosy bird...found her beak even in my favourite breakfast porridge once..."

I laughed. "Yeah, but she's nice. All of your friends are. You hang out with a good crowd..."

"And you can too..."

"Well, if it causes Evan to pitch up, and for you to run away..."

"If Evan pitches up again, uninvited, I will seriously question his motives then, if I were you," Keith responded. "Besides, the next thing we're doing is not his criteria of fun..."

"Which is?"

"We're watching a Disney movie...at the theatres...so, if you want to come...please do," Keith said.

"As long as you pitch up for our daily jog tomorrow morning..."

"Six o clock, sharp," Keith answered. "Enjoy your day."

I nodded and smiled. "Yessir..." I said with a salute. I walked out of the store and stared back. Keith was still inside, waving good bye. I hoped, truly, hoped, that our friendship could go back to the way it was. I looked at Evan, who had slid his chair down in the car and had a school book covering his face as he was lying down. If Keith would not tell me what happened, maybe my boyfriend could. Or if he wouldn't tell, I'd have to discover it some other way.