The Exception

Chapter 12

*Josh POV*

I am so glad that today was a half day. I am still so exhausted from being at the lake yesterday. Not to mention, I was late to my first class because I overslept.

I took out my cell phone texted Tyler.

"Hey, meet me at my usual place. I'm starving!"

I walked off to my car and put my book bag in the passenger side and shut the door. As I climbed into the driver's seat, I got a text back from Tyler.

"Man, you must really love that Diner! I'll meet you over there."

I locked my phone and tossed it on the passenger seat. Starting up the car, I set off toward the Diner. I parked in the parking lot and walked in to the smell of food I had become accustomed to. Closest to the window and the door I just came in, I sat down in my usual table in the back corner of the restaurant. It wasn't long until a familiar waiter came up to me, smiling.

"I assume you want your usual?"

Smiling back, I stated "You know me so well."

"Well, I'll get right on that, sir," he replied.

"Thank you," I said as he headed off to put in my order.

Checking my phone, I had hoped to see where Tyler was. Knowing what I was thinking, Tyler responded over the link.

'There's a lot of traffic over here. I may be a little late.'

'Ok. Well, get here as soon as you can I suppose.'

'Nah, I was planning to take my sweet time as I stroll through the park on my way here.'

I scoffed out loud. That's Tyler's sarcasm for you. I still can't get used to the mind-link yet. It's been nearly two years since I last heard another voice in my head aside from my own.

Before I even knew it, the waiter came back with my food and tea.

"Here you are, sir. You let me know if you need anything else."

"Well, I have a friend coming in late so I may need a menu for when he gets here."

"Sure thing. I'll go get that for you right away," and off he went.

As I was looking down towards my food, a familiar intoxicating scent hit my nose. I kept my face on my food, knowing exactly who it was.

'You can't continue to ignore her forever,'  My inner wolf reprimanded.

I ignored the guilt tugging at me and kept staring at my plate. I anxiously glanced at my phone, hoping that Tyler would get here soon.

However, before I could even comprehend it, my eyes had already found themselves caught in her gaze. I looked into her eyes, unable to detect any emotion as she looked back at me. I silently wondered what she might be thinking. In attempt to free myself, I decided to distract myself by focusing on the food I had just received.

I picked up one of my fries and stuck it in my mouth.

I kept checking my phone as if something would change, but deep down I knew it was just a way to distract myself. My attempts weren't as successful as I would have hoped they'd be. I reached for another fry, eating it swiftly afterwards.

"Hey, Josh!" A voice startled me as I looked up to see a girl from one of my classes.

"Remember me? It's Allison!"