Runaway Destiny (Completed!)

Chapter 8

We returned to the group and nobody seemed to take notice that Ethan was still holding my hand until I walked away to grab the cooler to put the drinks in. 

“I heard they broke up” Rachel whispered while giving me a wink. She knows I find him attractive but I can’t go out with him, he’s Toby’s best buddy. 

“Stop Rach, they just broke up. Plus he doesn’t even like me.” 

“I don’t know Ella, he seems really into you and super protective of you. I bet if he’d come running to you if you ever needed help.” The idea of me being important to Ethan made me happy but again, he’s off limits. 

“How about we play a game?” Joshua suggested while grabbing a ball.

“What are we playing?” 

“How about beach rugby?” He suggested

“With a volleyball?” I pointed and laughed as he shrugged and motioned for everyone to come and play. 

“Rachel and you can be captains and pick your teams” Toby suggested, we were the only two girls here after all so it’s only fair that one of us is on each team.

“Called dibs on Toby” I pointed as soon as I beat Rachel in a quick game of rock, paper, scissors. 

“Fine. Ethan you’re with me than”

“Joshuaaaaaaa” I giggled as he made a ‘you better pick me next’ look 

“Grant”

“That means Timbo you’re with me” I smiled as Timmy gave me a look. He hated it when I called him Timbo but Timmy was too meh. 

“Alright losers will have a punishment!” Grant suggested which made up all suddenly very competitive. 

“Look out for Grant!” I screamed at Timmy as he was trailing behind, currently Grant had the ball and was very close to our goal so we really needed to get him now. 

“Got it!” Toby screamed while throwing me the ball making me take a quick turn and dashing for the opposite side towards Rachel’s team’s goal. I was so close when Ethan stood right in front of me and gave me a wicked smirk before bringing me to the ground. 

“Darn it, not fair!” I pouted while he lifted me from the sand. I almost fell from the sudden shift in the ground but luckily Ethan caught me in his arms. Something about being in his arms just makes me feel so comfortable. I quickly pulled away from him, flustered and I’m sure he noticed, as he threw the ball at him. 

“I’m taking you down” I threatened him as we started another round. 

“So, the loser will have to choose someone and kiss them!” Grant smiled while pointing at our team. Sadly, even with Toby and I being super competitive we still lost as Toby couldn’t win against Rachel, she was their trump card. 

“Out of you three, pick one person at random and you’ll have to go and kiss someone here!” Grant pointed at Timmy, Toby and I. 

“Rock paper scissors?” I suggested holding my hand out. They quickly gave each other a look then smiled at me nodding. 

“On three. One, two, three” Rock, Rock and Scissors. I quickly looked at Toby and Timmy and they high fived each other while making kissy faces at me, they definitely planned this. 

“Assholes” I sighed and looked at Rachel. I smiled at her when Toby grabbed her quickly and pulled her away.

“My girlfriend princess, back off.” He protectively covered her lips making everyone laugh. Who else was I supposed to kiss then if not Rachel? 

Before I figured out who to kiss I suddenly felt someone grabbing my arm and turning me around. Before I could register what was happening I felt a pair of soft lips on mine. My eyes widened when I felt a tongue licking my lips before it pulled away showing me a beautiful pair of green eyes. Ethan’s eyes. 

I blushed and held my hands up to my lips. Ethan just kissed me! 

“Done. Now let’s eat. I'm hungry.” He quickly broke the silence and headed towards the tables grabbing the guys with him. 

“Oh my gosh Ella! How did that feel?” Rachel squealed as she shook my frozen body. 

“I...did we just? Ethan?” 

“I knew it! He definitely likes you! Or else why would he take the initiative and kiss you instead of letting you kiss Grant!” 

“No Rachel, he’s probably just helping me out. You know, like a bro type of thing. The kiss probably meant nothing to him.” I sighed as she continued to giggle and tell me otherwise. Why would Ethan like someone like me? I’m so different from Lacey, and if she was his type I’d never have a chance. I wasn’t cute and small and needed to be protected. I was independent and stubborn, the complete opposite. 

After another BBQ on the beach, minus the awkwardness between Ethan and I, we ran out of beer again and I offered to go buy some, to clear my mind a bit but Ethan offered to help. I couldn’t reject it as he was so nonchalant about what just happened before. 

The silence was painful as we walked to the closest store from the beach, a good fifteen minute walk. We finally bought the drinks and was on the way back to the beach.  

“You know...about that kiss…” I wanted to ask him why he did it but I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear the answer. To be honest, I am very attracted to him but he treats me only as his little sister. 

“I didn’t want to see you kissing Grant.” He replied right away and turned around to me. 

“I don’t know why but it bothers me just thinking about it.” He sighed. 

I couldn’t help but think maybe he likes me, that’s why he feels bothered if I were to kiss Grant. 

“Ethan, I...think I like you.” I brought up using every ounce of courage I had in me and looked up at him only to find him shocked. We stood there for a good two minutes in silence before I realized what a huge mistake I made. I quickly shoved the drinks I was carrying in my hands and told him I had to go as I worked tomorrow leaving him there. His silence towards my confession was the affirmation I needed to know that he meant nothing more in that kiss other than a kiss for his ‘little sister’.