The Only Exception

CHAPTER 2

Stella slams her hands on the table " This is ridiculous, you can't constantly live in fear because of Chris we both know he needs to be locked up".

I roll my eyes as I sigh "we both also know there is not enough proof to make a case against him, besides, I don't think he'll be trying anything again, because he probably shit himself when the other guy saved me."

Stella raises an eyebrow at me in confusion. I stir the spoon in my cup.

"Ehh another guy?" she questions "how did I miss all of this?"

"You were extremely drunk remember? Dancing your heart out on the dance floor" I say laughing at the memory of her. I knew she would not remember. She frowns for just a second before casting a nosey smile.

"So, who's the other guy?" she asks wiggling her eyebrows at me.

I rest my head in my palm and sigh "I don't know really; he said his name was Joshua. He was some tough-looking guy anyways".

The noise of the small shop grows louder with chatter as soon as two males walk in. One wears a grey hoodie and football shorts, and the taller one...I recognize instantly. It is the guy from the night club. He wears a black athletic outfit with a blue fleeced hoodie and a grey sports bag hanging from his side. The two conduct their way towards the cashier to place their orders. My eyes widen as I turn to Stella, hoping not to be seen. I smack Stella's arm to alert her, but she only looks at me weirdly.

"That's him, that's him, that's the guy from the other night" I hurriedly whisper.

As I glance in his direction again, I find him already looking at me. The art of eye contact, oh how its suddenly made my world come to a holt. My breathing stops and my mouth dries up. My eyes widen. My hands sweat and my heart beats just a little bit faster.

Brown. All I am met with are the darkest brown eyes I have ever seen. Not hazel, not chestnut, not copper, dark...They are almost black. His features are so...defined. If I have ever seen a walking work of art, it is this piece here.

I finally manage to bring myself back into reality and before I get the chance to scold myself for thinking about a guy, I do not even know like that, I am interrupted by somebody blocking my view. I look up to see who it was rudely blocking my view from the stranger that saved me.

It was Jordan Malley, we were good friends in school before he graduated last year, he was a quiet guy. I was surprised to see he was standing Infront of me out of the blue.

"So, what do you think?" he said staring at me smiling.

I must not have heard him while I trapped in the stranger's eyes. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" I said looking up at him while I heard Stella snigger in the background.

"I said everyone's going to the party on Friday do you want to go with me?"

"Sure, I'd love to, as long as I can bring Stella?" I ask, not willing to go on my own after last weekend's events.

"Yeah sure, I'll see you girls then, Avelyn, I'll text you the location," he says smiling before walking away, and as I look up to see if the stranger is still there, he is gone.

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It was later that evening and my algebra book burns holes in my head. So, I close it and drop it on my bed. Stella sits across from me on the bed, scrolling away on her phone.

"I can't take any more maths" I blurt, exhausted.

Before Stella can reply my phone rings from my desk. I reach over to grab it and answer. I am told my medication is ready to collect from the pharmacy. I get up and pull on some shoes and grab my wallet.

"Where are you going?" Stella asks, looking up at me.

"I have to run to the chemist to collect my meds, are you coming?" I stare at my puffer jacket, wondering if I will need the extra layer.

"No, I should be heading home now anyway," she says while gathering her stuff off my bed.

I nod quickly and say goodbye as we part ways outside of my house. I walk quickly down the street. The sun is somewhat setting. People walk past after a hard day's work. I spot some students in the coffee shop from early drinking coffee and browsing on their laptops and in the small pub next door celebrating getting through another day.

Within twenty minutes I reach the pharmacy and collect my prescription. As I make my way out, I try not to bump into busy people coming in and out. But my eyes are drawn to familiar brown ones. I shortly gasp, quickly glancing in his direction as I make eye contact with him for the second time today. I'm so engulfed in his brown eyes I don't even realise him standing right in front of me.

"Hey love"

I take a breath in, looking up. The strange, yet familiar man stands right Infront of me. His brown eyes staring me down. I can see his face much clearer. He is beyond handsome; my heart begins to race at the mere sight of him.

"I just wanted to see if that idiot bothered you since last weekend," he says.

Slightly shocked he even spotted me in the busy street, I quickly look away. "No, he hasn't. Thank you again though".

"It was no problem really I'm glad you're okay"

It falls quiet. I turn my face away from his. Feeling embarrassed by the situation that took place, I fold my arms across my chest as it falls quiet. "I better get going anyways, it's getting dark," I say while rocking side to side on my feet.

"were you walking? Let me give you a ride."

"Oh, I just live a few minutes from here, you don't have to do that," I say.

He can tell I appreciate his offer, as he turns around walks towards what I'm guessing is his car behind us.

I smile in his direction and walk slowly towards his car to the passenger seat and climb in.

As he starts the car, I sneak a glance in his direction. One hand was on the wheel the other resting on the gear stick, looking forward out the front window. He is not smiling necessarily, but I can tell by the way he is holding his lips, and the way his eyes seem to rest, that he is relaxed and content.

"Where to?" he asks looking at me.

"Just down this street, turn left, and up the hill then on your left."

"You were going to walk all that way home by yourself after last weeks events?" He looks at me laughing in my direction.

"So..are you in college or what do you do? I've never seen you around until now" I ask feeling intrigued by his sudden appearance in the small town.

"I'm on a football scholarship in the city, I'm just visiting a friend here for a while, what about you?" he asks, quickly glancing at me.

"I'm in my last year of school, I'm hoping to study nursing next year if I get into college," I say shrugging my shoulders.

The journey remains quiet as the radio plays in the background. We approach my street as I gesture towards it, confirming his direction. When the car comes to a stop, I feel his eyes on me as I look up, he notices the bruising on the back of my neck, and he reaches up to touch it. His hands are surprisingly soft, and his touch is feather-light. His eyes fixed on the mark as he frowns.

"He would have done much worse if you hadn't helped me, trust me" I try to ease his sudden guilt. I am not his responsibility.

"You know him?" he asks looking at me.

"I guess you could say that" I manage to say.

He takes his hand off my neck, but he is still staring. "Don't worry, it won't be hard to cover this one" I freeze for a second not realising what I had just said.

"What do you mean 'this one'?" His voice sounds raspier, and it is so quiet.

I sigh and shake my head "Nothing" I say while placing my hand on the door handle to open it. What could I say, we do not know each other? I owed him no explanation.

I exit the car "I better go, thank you for the ride Joshua. I guess I'll see you around".

"See you around Avelyn" he repeats and starts to drive away.