Excuse Me, I Quit! novel Chapter 10

Evan's P. O. V.

"What's her problem?" Lily said.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" I raised my eyebrows.

"The girl who is always following you around? Don't you get annoyed?" she asked.

"Annie? I don't know what you mean. She doesn't follow me around," I shrugged.

"Well, I think she has some weird obsession with you. She didn't like it when she saw us talking," Lily said.

"She didn't?" I looked at her curiously.

"Nope. Didn't you see how she ran away when she saw us being close? Ugh, she is so creepy," Lily scowled.

That made me feel angry at Lily. She has no right to talk shit about my hamster.

"So she was jealous, huh..." I said distractedly. I suddenly felt like seeing Annie. Lily was starting to irritate me.

"I gotta go. I'll talk to you later," I said and walked away before she said anything else.

I didn't see her all day. She must've been avoiding me. And frankly, that pissed me off.

I waited for her at lunch but she never showed up. This girl, she is so gonna get it when I get my hands on her.

When I finally caught her after school and asked her about it, she flat out denied it. Liar. I could see it all over her face that she hated seeing me flirting with Lily. Her pink cheeks revealed the truth. I bet my little hamster got a little crush on me. Which is crazy considering how badly I treat her. Maybe I should take it easy on her from now on.

Nahh... there is no way. It is too much fun to tease her.

I convinced her to let me give her a ride home again. After whining and squirming, she finally gave in. I always win.

She didn't say anything to me the entire ride home so I decided to take the initiative after I parked the car next to the curb.

"You gonna be pouting all day?" I asked.

"I'm not pouting," her voice sounded small.

"Then why are you so quiet," I said and ran my fingers through her hair.

She shivered as my fingers touched her neck. I do like that reaction, I thought.

"I didn't think you'd care enough to hear what I have to say," she said quietly.

I hesitated a little but I needed to ask her so I decided to go for it. "Annie...is someone hurting you at home? Your mom?" I asked, making my voice as gentle as possible so I don't scare her.

"Uhm...I don't know...I should go inside," she stammered and tried to get away but I grabbed her shoulder.

His hug felt so warm and comforting and he smelled amazing. I could stay like this with my face buried in his chest all day. He told me I could talk to him about my mom being cruel to me. Does this mean he'd be nice to me from now on? Or did he just feel pity for me at that moment? I didn't know.

"Sneak out tonight and go somewhere with me," he whispered.

"Huh? Where?" I looked at him questioningly.

"My friends having a get-together. I want you to be there," he paused. "As my errand girl," he smirked.

Ah. I should've known.

"Meanie," I looked down and smiled.

"Hey, maybe you will meet someone who is not a loser like Brent. Then he can rescue you from me," he chuckled.

"Yeah right, I wish," I said.

He turned my face toward him and cupped my cheeks. "And if anyone tries to do anything to you, you call me and I'll kick their asses," he said. "Say yes," he demanded.

"Yes. Y...you confuse me! Are you mean or are you nice?" I exclaimed.

He chuckled. "Both. I'm your bully and you are my little hamster. Now stop wasting my time and scram!" he opened the door and kicked me out.

I went home feeling confused but happy. The pain in my chest was gone. I don't care if his kindness was temporary. All that matters now is that he showed me a different side of him. I never felt such warmth coming from anyone. I just wished we could've stayed like that a little longer.