Exceptions [short story]

This is a short story I've written in Short Story Writing class. It was a future chapter for a novel I was working on, but I decided it could work as a stand-alone short story. Enjoy it. :3

She didn't realize that he tugged her too hard until he let go of her to get inside his car. He didn't say anything, just motioned with his head for her to get inside the car. Lacey obliged without any questions.

He gripped her hand harshly, pressing his palm over her bracelet, and it bit down on her wrists. Lacey looked at Chuck, wondering if he's okay, if he'll need a few moments of silence to let everything process. He seemed fine on stage, but now, he was just… out of it.

In the car, Lacey took off her bracelet, rubbing on the bruise on her wrists. She noticed Chuck’s eyes on her wrist.

“I'm sorry," he said, clearing his throat. "I hurt you.”

Lacey shrugged, making a dismissive sound. Chuck didn't apologize again and Lacy did not need him to. She looked at his face. He was focused on the road. He looked the way he always did when he focused on his sketches; his brows would furrow, and he would bite the inside of his cheek. At that moment, when she was close to him, she could see his hair near his temples was graying.

She didn't ask him if he was alright. Not now, she thought. Not until they've reached wherever he was taking her.

He parked the car in front of a large, luxurious building. Expensive cars that Lacey needed to save every paycheck for the rest of her life if she ever wanted to buy one were parked outside. Chuck got out of the car, and she did as well, hands clutching the scarf around her shoulders. Chuck sighed, looking up at the building.

“You know,” he breathed out. “I designed this.”

Lacey eyed the building again, but didn't comment.

“Let's go inside.”

He led the way to the elevator. The hallways were empty, so her heels clicked loudly against the marble floor, and she was afraid that she would wake up the tenants. Lacey stopped midway and took off her heels. Chuck looked back at her and titled his head.

“It's cold,” he told her.

“I'll walk better like this,” she said, the cold of the floor biting her feet. Chuck turned his head and continued to the elevator.

When they got inside the elevator, Chuck pressed the button for the top floor. As they waited, he looked down on Lacey, who was avoiding his gaze.

Chuck cleared his throat before he started talking, “most girls ask me where I'm taking them, especially if I dragged them out of a party.”

The corner of Lacey's mouth twitched, and she let out a quiet laugh. “I'm not like most girls, Chuck.”

He didn't smile, he didn't laugh. “Don't be,” he simply said.

Lacey's free hand slowly moved and brushed against Chuck's. She wouldn't mind if he pulled his hand away. But he didn't. He held her hand, and she rubbed soothing circles with her thumb on the back of his hand.

The elevator door opened, and Chuck dug out his apartment keys as he walked out of the elevator. He didn't let go of Lacey's hand, and she didn't want to let go. He opened the door, and the lights automatically turned on.

Chuck's apartment is how she imagined it to be. It was grey and white, and it was modern, full of technology, and surprisingly tidy for a bachelor’s apartment. It wasn't as big as she thought. It had one bedroom, two bathrooms, and a kitchen that was open to the living room.

"Fascinating," she commented.

Lacey felt the warmth of Chuck's hand leave hers, then she watched him take off his coat, then his suit jacket, and throw them on the couch in the living room. He didn't speak, and she wondered if she should ask him anything at that moment.

He walked to the kitchen and got out a bottle of rum, and she knew that he wasn't alright. Lacey got rid of her clutch bag and heels and rushed over to him.

“I don't think that's very wise, Chuck,” she said as she stood in front of him, feeling smaller now that she was not wearing her heels. Chuck sighed, and pulled out two glasses.

“What if I let you try it?” he offered, pouring a drink for her.

“I'm not legal to drink yet.”

“I'm not a cop.”

She looked into his eyes, trying to convince him not to do this. The last thing she wanted was for him to get drunk with her. But, he wasn't giving up, and she sighed and took the glass, but decided not to drink it.

“Very well," she said. "But, I have the police on speed dial, in case you try to get freaky with me.”

Chuck breathed out a laugh and poured himself a drink then took a large swig.

“So?” asked Lacey, circling the rim of the glass with her index finger. Chuck looked into his glass. He took a seat on the dining table and motioned for Lacey to sit as well. She did.

“I was just shocked, and I felt betrayed,” said Chuck, taking a sip from his drink. “Honestly, I should have seen it coming. He kept ignoring everything I present, and told me to do whatever I want… that's why I built this building.”

Lacey looked around then nodded. “Do you have any idea why he didn’t choose you?”

“I can't think of a single reason,” he replied, taking a long swig from the bottle. Lacey reached out and cupped his hand with both her hands.

“Don't,” she said, almost pleadingly. “I have an idea.”

He gave her a look.

“Get all your failed projects, and a metal trashcan, and let's go to the roof,” she said.

“Don't be ridiculous,” he scoffed. “I don't have any failed projects.”

It was Lacey's turn to scoff. “Come on, everybody failed once or twice in their life, Chuck.”

She got him. He nodded and got up and went to his bedroom. Lacey took the opportunity to try the rum in her glass. She took a small sip and grimaced at the bittersweet taste. Why would people even drink this, she did not know. She kept drinking, though. After she finished half of the glass, she then got up and scrimmaged through the drawers for matches. She found them in a cabinet over the sink.

Chuck came back with three files full of papers. He opened the cabinet below the sink in the kitchen and pulled out a metal trashcan. “Well, it's empty.”

“Good. That's good,” she said, taking the bottle of rum. She poured more into her glass which made Chuck shoot her a confused look.

“Hey, you’re not a cop,” she said, pointing a finger at him.

Chuck laughed and led the way to the rooftop. The busy city of Dubai welcomed them. Standing up there, the sound of the city was muted, seemed far.

Lacey shivered when the cold December air hit her. “Is this rooftop all for you?”

Chuck nodded, setting the trashcan down. “I own this building.”

“You made that clear, Chuck,” Lacey said, taking one of the files. “Now, are you sure that you don't need them?”

Chuck stared at the file for a moment. “Chuck?” Lacey called softly, holding the scarf tightly around her shoulders.

Chuck shrugged. “Well, it's great to start over, right?”

Lacey smiled and emptied the contents of the file in the trashcan. Chuck poured some of the rum inside and Lacey lit a match and threw it in. The black hollow burst into flames, the burning papers crackled.

Lacey didn't speak, only looked at Chuck. He opened another file and stared at the papers, examining every line he drew, and every detail he wrecked his brain on. He threw one paper after another, sighing loudly, white fog forming at his mouth.

“You okay?” Lacey asked, stepping closer to him. Chuck nodded, emptying the rest of the second file inside.

“Hey, look at me,” she demanded. Chuck turned. “Repeat after me ‘I am better now. I will start over.’”

Chuck shook his head, but he mumbled it nevertheless. “I'm better now. I'll start over.”

“Louder,” said Lacey, a smile tugging at her lips.

Chuck sighed, “I'm better now. I'll start over.”

“Say it like you mean it!” Lacey yelled.

“I'm better now and I’ll start over!” Chuck said loudly.

"Yeah, that's the spirit." She smiled.

“I'll be okay! I'm better now!” Chuck yelled throwing the last batch of papers inside the burning mess.

“You're strong and nothing will bring you down!” She downed her glass to the last drop then smashed it on the ground. They fell silent stared at the broken pieces.

            “Was that expensive?” she asked, moving away from the glass, careful not to injure her bare feet.

            “It doesn’t matter, it was a gift,” Chuck said, his voice came out chocked. He cleared his throat and smiled at Lacey.

            “I know something that'll make everything better.” She turned to Chuck

“And that is?” he asked.

“Dance party,” she said, rushing back inside. When she entered his apartment, she saw a CD player besides the couches. She paced towards it and shuffled through the CDs. Of course, most of his CDs were classics and oldies. She wouldn't expect anything less from Chuck. She found an old CD of Steps. She held it up and looked back at Chuck.

“Really?”

Chuck scoffed, “don't even pretend you don't like Steps.”

“It's just the thing we need now, Chuck,” said Lacey, placing the CD in the player and held the remote. The first song started, and Lacey jumped on the couch.

“What in the world?” Chuck tilted his head.

“Come on, you know you want to,” said Lacey, winking playfully at him. She moved her hips and Chuck laughed at her.

“Seriously, get off the couch,” he said, walking towards her. Lacey jumped down and gripped his shoulders.

“Loosen up, Charles,” Lacey whispered, smiling, “dance a little, I'm sure you're good. You’re good at waltzing.”

Chuck rolled his eyes, but he danced. He danced pretty well, but he was better at waltzing. Lacey laughed at him, but he didn't stop.

“You wanted this, Lace,” he said, grabbing her arms. “You can't back out now.”

He called her Lace. She didn't want to bring it up, thinking that it might be a slip of a tongue. But, she danced. And they went on for a long time.

They sat at the dining table again, had a cup of tea, and talked about their childhood, their lives, and their family.

“How many exes do you have, Chuck?” Lacey asked suddenly. She leaned on the table, folding her arms and resting her chin on them

Chuck tensed up at the question, going silent. He looked at Lacey and she smiled at him, and it made him relax just a bit.

“Um, four, perhaps,” he replied.

“Expected a little less,” she said sleepily.

“I counted the two I had in kindergarten,” Chuck said jokingly and took a sip from his tea.

“So, how long was it since you've been single?” she asked, and he sighed.

“Not long,” he said, and it dragged on the whole story of how much he loved his ex and how she broke his heart.

“Usually, I'm the heartbreaker, but, God, she was amazing,” he said, staring into his mug. Lacey chuckled in a low voice.

“Didn't anybody tell you not to talk about your exes on first dates?” said Lacey, resting her cheek on her arms, facing away from Chuck.

“What?” Chuck asked. Since when did they see this as a first date? Or any other time they’ve went out?

“You're the one that asked, kid.”

Lacey yawned and mumbled. “Carry on, Chuck…”

She was sleepy and that one glass was probably too strong for her. She did not realize what she was talking about. He chuckled and dismissed her comment. This wasn't a first date, and will never be. Not with her. No.

Chuck took his cup and sipped his tea, smiling. “Well, you know, she ran away. She left some of her stuff and ran away… she left a note. Who the hell leaves a note and runs away?”

“Your ex-girlfriend,” answered Lacey, smiling lazily.

Chuck narrowed his eyes at her. Was she aware that she was even speaking?

“Hey, Lace,” called out Chuck, and Lacey hummed out a response. “I really like you.”

He was lying. He wasn’t sure though. He saw Lacey smile a little and close her eyes, nodding.

“I knew it.”

Chuck sighed and rolled his eyes. “I'm afraid, though. I'm afraid that you're too young, or I'm too old, and I hate the way this feels. Cause if I'm not mistaken, you're the best thing that ever happened in my life, Lacey, and you hold on to those things.”

Lacey didn't reply, and he noticed she had already fallen asleep.

"And I will be damned without you, Lacey," he whispered. He stood up and walked to her side of the table. He slightly shook her, but she only groaned.

She didn't hear him. He was glad she didn't hear him.

He felt a sting in his heart. He wished that he would actually tell her these words.

Chuck slightly shook her, but she mumbled something he couldn't understand. “Do you want me to drop you home?” he asked.

She slightly opened her eyes, and then closed them again. “I'm tired,” she responded.

Chuck slightly leaned forward. He held her closely and stood up, carrying her. He didn’t realize how small she really was until she cuddled against him, and it made his heart sting again.

Not her.

He walked to his room and placed her on his bed gently, careful not to wake her up. Chuck closed the door and went back to the bed, lying down besides her, his back against hers.

He wasn't sure if he could sleep with his heart drumming loudly against his ears.