The Exception

Chapter 56: Hesitation

It was a late Sunday afternoon. I was sitting in the Cafe, in the corner. Just like I had when it all started. My thoughts drifted off to the moment that I unplugged that wire. This was when it all started. Right here. I guess it was fitting...

That this was where it should end.

I looked up as I saw Evan walk in. He glanced around and his eyes caught mine. My heart skipped a beat as he smiled an walked towards me.

Why was this so darn hard?

Did I really have to do this?

I took a deep breath, and gripped the cup tighter.

"Hey princess, on the phone you sounded upset, what's up? Tyler hasn't bother you, has he?"

"No, he's at home, under house arrest, so to speak," I spoke softly. 

"Struggling to sleep? You look tired?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "It's been a miserable few weeks, and this whole week has just been the cherry on top."

"Trust me, if I could do more against Tyler. I would, that waste of space deserves everything coming at him..."

"Like loosing his job?" I asked with a raised brow. Evan frowned.

"How did you..."

"He mentioned it to me...before he punched me in the eye..."

"Well, he came onto you at the party...he insulted my sister, he deserved more than a knock-out..."

"That's not exactly up to you to decide, Evan...the same as going behind my back, and manipulating my own mother as such to get her to make me lose my job..."

Evan's smirk suddenly dropped. "How did you..."

"Does it matter how?" I asked coldly. "Why? Actually, don't tell me...a part of me, really doesn't want to hear it."

"Agnus," Evan gently grabbed my hand as I wanted to stand up. "Wait, please, let me explain..."

"Explain? You've got a heck of a lot of explaining to do...including the fact that you didn't tell me what happened between you and Keith, or the fact that you got me fired, or the fact that I have to question every single motive you have when you are nice to me..."

"I'm nice to you, because I like you...Agnus, I really, really like you...ok, I admit...I may have messed up in a few areas, but it was all in an effort to protect you.."

"Protect me? How are you protecting me? Evan?" I slammed my fist on the table, and sighed.

"Look, Agnus, you're tired, stressed, you've been through a lot, I get that, so now is not the time to make any quick sudden emotional decisions..."

I raised my brow. "Emotional decisions? You think I'm overreacting?"

Evan shook his head. "No, that's not what I'm saying. What I'm trying to say, is that everything I did...was for you...for us... I need you to understand that...I protected you from the very beginning...I don't want you to throw it all away."

I gaped at Evan. I couldn't believe what he was just saying. Sure. Yes. He did stand up for me. I cannot deny that. Nor can I deny that he did me no favours. In fact, I had a whole list of favours, the swimming pool incident being in the top of that list. I opened my mouth and closed it. Hesistaion filled my mind. Thoughts of the ice rink, the karaoke bar, him pulling me out of the pool, standing up for me against Johnny, Tyler...

"Agnus, please, give me another chance, just to explain everything...please, I promise, I will make all of this up to you..." Evan looked at me pleadingly, and I was at a loss of words. 

"I want to go home...you're right, I need some rest," I finished shortly. "Don't follow me..." I walked out of the cafe. I was so confused. So utterly lost. And now, when I wanted things to end, he made me think of why it all started.

Why did he have to mess with my heart so badly?