The Only Exception

Chapter 2

I was starting to wonder just how stupid I was.

I mean I was in this strange, but kind man's car and he was driving me to a gas station.

That was what made him kind. But on the other hand I had known him for about 10 minutes. That's what made me stupid, but I really want to go home.

I can just hear my Dad rolling in his grave, and my Mom to for that matter.

Well at least he didn't look like a serial killer, but you never know. 

Wow, I was starting to think that I watch way to much Criminal Minds.

"So... uh...... you never told me your name." Henry said trying to break the awkward silence. He ran one of his hand through brown hair, making it stand up in every direction.

" Oh, Allyssa, Allyssa Danes." I said wincing as I realized that I sounded like a backwards James Bond movie.

"Well, Miss Danes if you don't mind my asking, what were you doing in that part of town?" Henry asked me. He turned to look at me for a spilt second, before going back to the road. He looked more curious than any thing else, which surprised me. Most people get repulsed at the thought of being near Coal Heights. But not me, to me it was an offer to help someone, that's why I love my job. It screamed cliche, but I love it.

"I'm a English teacher at Coal Heights high school." I replied.

"That's cool. Do you teach a specific grade or just English in general?" he said, asking another question.

Still the only emotion I saw was curiosity so I didn't have any reason not to answer.

"Mostly 10th and 11th grade." I said, then deciding to turn the tables. "What were you doing in Coal Heights?" I asked hoping to get some information out of him.

"Same as you. coming home from work." he replied. I was glad he didn't mind my questions. But since he was doing the same thing it would be really hypocritical if he did.

I was about to ask him what his job was, when me cell got service and starting ringing.

"Um did you mind if I get that? Its probably my roommate wondering where I'm at." I asked since it was his car and I didn't want to seem rude.

"Oh, sure go ahead. I don't want them to worry." Henry replied, he looked thankful that I asked.

I hit the answer button and put the phone up to my ear and immediately regretted it as Vanessa shouted, "Where the hell are you! I have been calling you for a hour and a half! Why didn't you answer your damn phone?! Are you okay?" I winced pulling my cell away from my ear in the middle of her first sentence. I was still able to hear her perfectly.

"Van, calm down I'm fine. My car overheated I was still in Coal Heights so I couldn't just leave it. And my cell didn't have any service, so I couldn't call you."  I explained to her. Other than just being my roommate I had known Vanessa Reynolds since I was born. Our fathers had been friends before the both of us had been born. Even though she was 6 years older than me, we had always been the best of friends. We considered each other to be family, she was like another sister to me.

"Oh Adds, where are you? I'll come and get you." Vanessa asked, concern clouding her voice. I couldn't help but smiling at the nickname that Vanessa, her brothers, and my siblings had given me when I was a little. When I was about six they realized that were A.D.D. so they started calling me and Adds and it just stuck.

"No its okay, I got a ride." I said, purposely not saying who or where the ride came from, praying that she would let it go.

"From who? Please tell me you didn't hitch-hike?" Vanessa asked disbelief clearly shown in her voice. In our parent's book that was a no-no you do not get rides from strangers. What I was doing right now definitely broke that rule.