The Only Exception

Chapter 3: Part 3

“How about him?” Hilary points eagerly towards an old ash tree. I don’t bother to look; Hilary has already considered 5 other boys and we’ve all found problems with them. I feel bad for those guys though. All attractive young men with so much to offer except just one trivial factor that rids them of anymore deliberation. “Wait. But he’s a freshmen, isn’t he?” Just one factor. I realize how fastidious Hilary is so I don’t reason; I’ve tried so many times and Hilary will just be Hilary. So then I am thinking about how uncharitable it is of Hilary to find interest in only guys who appear to be flawless, while she is driven by flaws. And Hilary points out yet another guy and I am waiting for her to reconsider or for Mia to draw attention to something but there is just solid silence. Hilary takes a hold of my arm and begins to shake it aggressively. “I’m kind of trying to deliberate social justice. Is it really important?” I plot to take a quick glance over but instead, my eyes don’t shift away.

                “Tall, brooding and handsome.” Mia observes, and I can’t help but agree. Standing just a few feet away from us is a 6 foot something figure with slicked up dirty blonde hair, a toned build and if I didn’t have a boyfriend I would say, a particularly suggestive appeal. “Not bad at all,” I remark, “And he’s even taller then you. That’s a plus.”

                “I think he’s the one.” Hilary tightens her grasp on me causing me to flinch in pain. “Of course he is,” I roll my eyes, “Now will you please let go of me! If my arm was a person, the poor thing would be deceased from asphyxia by now!” She then releases my aching arm, eyes still locked on mystery boy. “Go talk to him, if you really think that he’s ‘the one’” I suggest, even though I know that Hilary doesn’t have the balls to do such a thing. “No! Are you kidding? He’s going to think that I’m thirsty!”

                “You are thirsty!” Mia and I concur. Hilary glares irately at me with her glassy green eyes, but then pouts from acceptance. “I know. But I need a valid reason to talk to him!”

                “Hmm,” I cock my head to the side, “Oh! I know! He’s new, and you want to welcome him like a genuine human being!” I grab Hilary by the arm like she had before, and yank her up along with me. “Hey, what are you—“ She struggles to maintain her poise as I drag her towards him. “Hey!”

        The nameless boy turns his attention –which was previously on Bianca and Brendan— to us. Uh oh. I think, what if he already has a thing for Bianca? There’s a good chance. “Hello.” He finally says after what seems like forever. ­“Uhm, I assume that you’re new here? I’m Amanda,” I bring Hilary’s limp arm up for her and manage a waving motion, “And this is Hilary. Isn’t that right?” Hilary quickly turns to me and scolds, before facing back to no name and beams. “Right. Uhm, and who might you be?”

                The man of many names takes a second to look back at the flag pole before finally responding, “The name’s Caleb.”