The Exception

Chapter 67: A Shattered Heart

"Keith!" I called out. Joey, Cara, Lisa and I had teamed up to find Keith. The fact that he was just gone rattled everyone. I knew it was serious when even Lisa paled. We needed to find him. Fast. I glanced around. I was designated to visit a field that Keith visited often in his childhood. It had a small meadow and a lake. However, he hadn't been here in a while, that was until I heard that his grandmother was the last person to take him there.

It was a clue, and I decided to go there. Lisa visited a park, and Cara the mall. Joey took to searching the forest he and Keith new well.

I made my way down a trail towards the lake. I shivered as a gust of wind blew past, but froze as the lake came into view.

There was a small wooden porch built over the lake. Probably to invite fishermen and tourists. However, it was completely empty now, except for a familiar figure, leaning on the railing. I hurried my pace as I made my way towards him. My heart pounded, but I was relieved. He was here, he seemed ok.

"Keith?"

He turned around, his face completely still. "Agnus? What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you...actually, your mother is worried sick..." I said. I stood next to him. He turned back to watch the lake. "I'm so sorry Keith."

"You know, she used to take me here before her knee operation...she told me, that if I was ever sad or confused, to come to this lake, and make a wish...and if the water glittered...I'd be happy again..."

"That was sweet..."

"It didn't take me long to realize it was a complete and utter lie..." Keith spoke softly. 

I sighed and took my phone out. I gasped as he grabbed it. "What are you doing?"

"Letting everyone know you're ok..." I responded.

"No," Keith spoke. "No, don't tell them, otherwise they'll come...and then..." Keith shook his head.

"I know this is hard for you..."

"Fighting bullies...being in the hospital, firing you....that was hard..." Keith spoke. "Losing someone because you failed to save them...that is impossible.." Keith breathed in and out before stretching his arms out then bringing it in again. "Please leave, Agnus. I want you to go."

I frowned. "No..."

Keith clenched his jaw. "I don't want you here."

I took a deep breath. "Well, that's too bad, because I am not going anywhere...and if you don't want me telling anyone where you are...then you will except that I am staying...ok?"

Keith shook his head. "Whatever..."

My chest stung as he said this. However, I realized that I really could not hold this against him. He was hurt. He was angry. But I sure as hell was going to make sure he wasn't alone. He didn't leave me, I wasn't going to leave him. Especially when he needed someone.  I stood there in silence, watching him then watching the lake. He stayed there for at least ten minutes. He took a deep breath. I focused on the birds singing, a soft silent rustling of the wind.

"Why do you say you failed to save her? Your grandmother?"

"Because I didn't catch her, ok!? I was there...I  saw her trip...I saw her fall...I wasn't fast enough!" Keith slammed his fist against the ledge, and I jumped. "I just watched...frozen...I should have done something!" Keith slammed his fist again, and I swallowed.

"If I was Evan...I would have..."

"No, Keith, you did everything you could..."

"So I wasn't enough...she didn't die because of cancer, or because she was sick...no, she died because she came to visit us...and she fell," Keith shook his head as he dug his hands into his hair. He leaned over the railing again. "Please, Agnus, if you know what is good for you...you'll just go."

"No..."

"What do you mean no?" Keith raised his voice. I took a step back.

"I won't leave you on your own..." I said and stared at him firmly. "Because you cannot and should not be on your own right now..."

Keith just stared at me, and it was really hard to read him. He shook his head again and clenched the railing. He swung back and forth, and I swallowed hard.

"Keith, you have been through so much hell...so many things, that I can't even imagine, and for most of it...you battled it on your own..." I spoke softly. I walked towards him slowly.  "But you're not on your own, not this time..." I took his hand, and gripped it tightly.

Keith's jaw was clenched tightly, and he shook his head.

"You are not alone, Keith...you have me, you have your mother...you have Lisa, Cara and Joey...I won't let you face this on your own..."

Keith took a deep breath.

"People care about you, Keith. They won't abandon you,"

"But then why did she?" Keith's eyes grew glossy. "Why did she leave us?"

Keith collapsed down, onto his knees, as if he had been forced by some invisible enemy. I bent down and drew him into a hug. He only barely responded. "Why did she leave me?"

"I don't know," I whispered, and it was quiet for a moment. Then I felt Keith's shoulders shake. His head rested on my shoulders, and I knew he was crying. He was soft, so much so, that if it wasn't for his face contorted in pain, I would not have known. I wrapped my arm around his head in comfort, and I felt his arms wrap around my back. And for that moment, he was a boy who lost someone very special to him. Tears formed in my eyes, and my heart broke for Keith.

It was in that moment, as his heart shattered, and my heart broke...

 I realised that I loved him.