Excuse Me, I Quit! novel Chapter 21

Mike's P. O. V.

Now that I have my eyes on Annie, I decided to find her at school and hang out with her as much as possible. I knew she had the same lunch period as Evan which put me at a disadvantage. But I won't let that discourage me.

I asked around and found out where her locker is and headed there after class. Thankfully, I was there right on time. She was standing there struggling with three big books, trying to keep her balance.

"Hey, let me help you!" I exclaimed and grabbed the books from her hands.

"Hey Mike, you don't have to," she said.

"Don't worry about it. So I was wondering if you want to go out after school is over?" I asked.

"I can't...my mom wants me to finish chores at home," she said quietly.

"Oh okay, how about afterward?" I asked. I didn't want to be pushy but I didn't want to give up easily either.

"I don't think I can," she said meekly.

"Is it because of Evan? Look, I know he is very aggressive and always forcing his authority on you but you don't have to be scared of him. I've known him for years, he is not gonna do anything to you if you decide to hang out with me," I said reassuringly.

"I'm not scared of him or anything. I really like him," she said.

Ouch...should've seen it coming. Girls always go for the bad boys.

"Even though he torments you every day?" I asked.

"He promised not to do that anymore," she said.

Can't argue after that. Evan is a lot of things but he is not a liar. But I can't just give up. He may be being nice to her now but he wasn't the type of guy who would jump into a relationship. He hated being tied down. I had a feeling Annie needed someone more open who will own up to their feelings and take care of her. I wanted to be that guy.

"I know you probably have feelings for him but I want you to know that I really like you and I want a chance to be with you," I took her hand and squeezed it.

"Y...you do?" she asked and fidgeted. I guess I made her nervous.

"Yes. If Evan doesn't show you how he truly feels about you or if it doesn't work out with him for some reason, I'll be right here waiting," I leaned over and kissed her cheek after I said that. She looked shocked but she didn't look disgusted. Maybe I still have a chance.

"Thank you," she said.

"For what?" I asked and looked at her with surprise.

"For liking me. Not a lot of people do," she said.

I felt an ache in my heart. I reached over and pulled her into a hug. How can people not like a sweetheart like her? She had done nothing wrong to anyone. I wanted to make her happy.

I felt sick to my stomach. I wasn't looking forward to getting beat up today.

"I'm sorry, it was an accident!" I cried. Please please please don't hurt me!

"Oh, it was an accident she said," mom said in a nasty tone. "You think I work all day to pay for these things so you can destroy them? You leech."

"I'm sorry. I'll be more careful next time," I said timidly.

She came closer and smacked me as hard as she could. I fell on the floor and couldn't look up for a second. I was seeing stars.

I don't know if it was because of the pain I was feeling or I finally had enough of her mindless beatings, I felt like standing up for myself.

"Why do you always beat me for the smallest things? What did I ever do to you that was so bad?" I cried while struggling to get up.

"Excuse me? You are asking me why?" she looked at me with a shocked expression on her face.

"Yes! Why? Why do you do this? Why do you hate me so much?" I asked between sobbing. Tears started to pour out of my eyes.

"Because you are the reason he left! If you weren't born we would still be together," she said.

Huh? Who is she talking about? I thought.