Excuse Me, I Quit! novel Chapter 16

Evan's P.O.V.

Mike ignored my glares and continued to flirt with Annie. I don't know what his deal was. Does he really like her or is he just trying to fuck with me for some reason?

But Mike wasn't that type of guy. I've never seen him 'play' around. He just broke up with his long time girlfriend Mary 2 months ago so maybe he was on the rebound? But was Annie even his type? I stared at them while he chatted away about some game. I was burning with jealousy every time Annie was smiling at him. I am going to kill him later.

"So, how come you have to wear such thick glasses? You can't see without them at all?" Mike asked.

"I can a little. Just not well. Everything is blurry and kind of disoriented without them," she said.

"How about contacts? You have such pretty eyes. It's a shame that you have to hide them," Mike smiled.

"Thank you," she gave him a shy smile. "They don't work on me."

You really are blind as a bat, aren't you?" I chuckled.

"Yes, it's a rare eye disease. Pretty soon I won't be able to see anything at all. Even with glasses," she said casually like it was no big deal.

"What? What do you mean? You are gonna go blind?" Mike looked at her with shock.

She nodded. "It's okay though," she smiled.

What? No, it wasn't. How can she stay so calm about it?

"How can you say that so casually? Isn't there a treatment? You can get better right?" I asked. My little Hamster couldn't become permanently blind. I don't accept it! I looked at Mike who looked just as shocked.

"I don't know. That's what my mom told me. She said I will be a burden then. I won't be able to be your errand girl either," she giggled. I could feel the pain in her voice even though she was trying to brush it off.

Mike put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her. "Don't worry. I am your friend now. I'll protect you," he winked.

Um...excuse me, hands off my girl, I thought instinctively and grabbed her arm and pulled her towards me.

"She doesn't need you. She has me," I said gruffly.

"Yeah but you act like she is your slave. She needs a friend, not a master. And I am a better choice for a friend. Right, Annie?" he said and glared at me. He was joking around in the beginning but I sensed a little bit of hostility in his voice. Is he trying to challenge me?

"I...I have to go to the bathroom," Annie said and got up then hurried off. Probably glad to be away from us.

"What the fuck are doing?" I sneered at Mike when she was out of earshot.

"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.

"See, you can't even accept her right away. She doesn't look like the typical supermodel looking girl you are usually with so you aren't even brave enough to call her yours in public. Do you even care about her or are you just feeling sorry for her?" Mike asked. His eyes were hard. I don't know why he was giving me such a hard time about this. Maybe he does like her.

"Yes, she is not my type. She looks like a nerd with those glasses. I couldn't take her out with me in public without people talking about it and making fun of us. And it does bother me but..." I stopped when I realized Annie came back and she heard everything I just said. That came out much harsher than I intended.

"Annie, I didn't mean it like that," I said quickly.

"I am gonna go home," she said. Sadness enveloped her face and her voice shook.

"Wait...just let me explain what I meant," I said.

"No, I get it. I already knew I am not much to look at I am not good with people. But I appreciate you being so nice to me lately. I never asked to be your girlfriend or anything, so you will never have to worry about me clinging to you and making you look bad," she said quietly. "So you don't owe me any explanation," she lifted her glasses and wiped her eyes.

Mike stood up and walked over to her. "He wasn't trying to be mean to you, Annie," he whispered.

"I...I know, but do you mind walking me home? My eyes are kind of blurry and my glasses are all fogged up so I can't see too well right now," she choked back her tears.

"Of course," Mike smiled reassuringly and walked her out.

Fuck, I messed up. She must really hates me now.