The Exception

Chapter 76: When All Is Said And Done

When Ellie opened the door, a look of surprise lit on her face she saw me.

"Is he here?" I asked her and she nodded.

"He's in the garden...if you need any help, just shout and Brett and I will be there..."

I nodded as I walked into the house. I gave Ellie a long deep hug. I was so grateful for her support.

It was the next day. After Keith and I shared a blissful moment we had returned back to the party. Lo and behold, the monkey song played, and we goofed off. However, Keith organized to meet up with me today in the afternoon when he dropped me off. I was nervous. However, this is what I needed to do first. I know Keith would have insisted to be here. But something told me, that Keith would just add fire to the flame.

I walked into the garden and saw him sitting at the bench near the pool, the singer, the jerk, the player, Evan. The guy who had so well captured my heart, but chased me away when the truth came out. His eyes met mine, and he stood up.

"Agnus..."

"Evan," I whispered and stopped walking towards him. He didn't move either. The silence was daunting.

"Agnus...you have no idea how sorry I am...for everything..."

I sighed and took a deep breath.

"I don't know what came over me..."

"Let me give you a clue," I said. "You didn't get what you want. So you hurt the one who did."

Evan remained quiet. "You must think I'm a monster."

"I would've... if you hit me, but something stopped you...what was it?"

"Because it was you I'd be hurting..."

"You've already done so...so what stopped you?"

Evan nodded and looked at the ground. "Because I knew, that then, you would be right. I would be the same guy that struck my sister and changed my life forever. All this time, I thought I was stronger...better...smarter...but evidently not enough for you." Evan took a deep breath. "I've lost you...now, haven't I?"

I nodded and Evan clenched his jaw. "Is there any possibility..."

"No," I responded. "Evan, I don't want to give you any hope. Because that was what was eating you up inside in the first place."

Evan stared at me and nodded again quietly. "I'm so lost Agnus...I don't know what to do."

"Maybe it's time you take a step back, from everything, as see things from a different point of view..."

"You don't hate me...do you?"

I shook my head. "I'm mad, but I don't think I could ever hate you, Evan."

"Can you help me?"

I opened my mouth then closed it. Thinking hard over what he had just asked. This was the most vulnerable and honest I'd ever seen him. However, I did not trust him to stay like this, and for me to stay rational around him. 

"Take some time...get away from the crowd you're in, show to me, you're different. Maybe then, we can be friends...but only ever friends..."

"How would I know if I do something wrong without someone to guide me?"

"You've always had someone...someone who cares for you deeply, but also kept her distance because she didn't want to become like you. However, I'm sure if you asked her...she'd help. You've protected her, kept her safe...and she really appreciates you for it..."

Evan shook his head. "Ellie..."

"She's been knocked down, like you, like me, and like Keith. But she found her way...maybe it is time, you ask her how..." I said.  "Ask her...not me. There's too much between us, for it to work."

Evan nodded again. "I'm so sorry, Agnus."

"I'm sorry too,"  I glanced around and back at the pool. 

"You love him...don't you?"

I knew Evan was talking about Keith and I nodded.

"How did he do it?"

I snorted and shook my head. "I think, that is up to you, to figure out." I turned back towards the house. But spared one more second to look at Evan. "Goodbye, Evan."

"Goodbye Agnus," Evan spoke, and I turned around to leave. This was the last time, I would be speaking to him for a while. I knew that. He knew that. But in all honesty, it was better this way. 

What was left on the agenda made me nervous...

A coffee with Keith....or was it a date?