Runaway Destiny (Completed!)

Chapter 5

I’ve been in Chicago for the past 3 months now and Ethan and I are basically best friends. We always hung out together playing games and going out to the gym. 

I actually taught Ethan how to play squash. Toby dragged Ethan to the squash courts one time to watch us play and Ethan quickly became interested. I was obviously more than happy to teach him because it gives me another opportunity to kick his ass in something. 

Today after my shift at the local coffee shop, I got a job here two months ago so I can freelance and send it to wedding companies in Chicago, we decided to go hang out at the beach as a group. Since we’ll be there midday until night time I decided to wear my burgundy bikini with a white tank top and shorts so it’ll be easy to change in and out of. 

“Ella right here!” I heard Rachel’s voice before I looked around and bumped right into Joshua. 

“Hey little one, you’re late” he laughed while dragging me to our group. 

“Thanks Dad” Joshua was always taking care of me and helping me out so as a joke I call him dad. At first he kept arguing back that he’s not that old and all but eventually he gave in and now he just smiles while I call him dad. 

“Where’s Ethan?” I looked around and didn’t see him.

“He’s on his way with his girlfriend.” 

“Girlfriend?” Ethan didn’t tell me he got a girlfriend and we’re roommates and best friends. 

“Yeah, they just started dating today. She’s a fellow professor at his university, apparently she’s been chasing him since he got here.” Toby confirmed while handing me a beer.

“Thanks.” I took the beer and took a quick long gulp. Ethan never told me about this so of course I was shocked, I thought we were friends. 

“Hey!” I turned around and found Ethan holding the hand of a small stature brunette girl, pretty much opposite of me, as they approached us. 

“You’re late!” I threw a beer at him and he caught it before throwing an arm around my neck and dragging me down.

“My bad princess. This is Lacey, my girlfriend. Lacey, this is Ella, my roommate and basically little sister.” 

“Hi!” I waved and offered a handshake. She smiled at me in a reply and gave me a pretty lazy handshake, I couldn’t even feel the strength in her hands. Maybe she’s just weak? 

After the short introductions we headed for the water to play a bit, Ethan decided to stay with Lacey and Rachel as Lacey didn’t bring a change of clothes. 

“I didn’t know Ethan was into that type of girl” Toby said coming next to me after shoving me into the deeper end of the water as payback.

“What did you think was his type?” I actually didn’t know myself as Ethan and I never talked about relationships and our types. 

“I thought he’d prefer someone like you, someone who’s energetic and not girly.” 

“Did you basically just call me manly” I narrowed my eyes at him and Toby started to laugh.

“Oh come on princess, you’re not the type that needs protection and all and you don’t like wearing dresses and all.” I pouted and started walking out of the water. 

“Whatever Toby. I’m thirsty, want a beer?” 

“Nah, I’m gonna stay in the water longer with Joshua and them. Keep Rach company for me will ya princess?” I nodded and headed to our spot on the beach. 

“Beer me!” I smiled reaching my hand out to Rachel as she shook her head and handed me a White Claw. As soon as I opened it and took a gulp, I suddenly felt shivers as the wind blew against my wet skin. 

I didn’t even have the chance to grab a towel before Ethan took his towel and wrapped it around me before pulling me down to sit next to him and Lacey. I was on his left while Lacey was on his right side, as we sat down I couldn’t help but notice the look Lacey was giving me. Maybe I’m imagining things. 

“So what do you teach Lacey?” I asked Ethan a sip of my drink to which he nodded and took a sip before handing it back to me. 

“I’m an English adjunct.” Lacey replied before wrapping an arm around Ethan’s arm and snuggling closer. 

“How’d you two meet?” I looked over at Ethan who was more interested in his phone than our conversation. 

“At the lunch room, I saw him sitting there on the phone and fell in love at first sight.” 

“That’s cute.” I nodded and turned my attention to Rachel.

“Shall we start the BBQ?” I got up patting the sand from my butt and reached behind us to set up the grill and all. 

“Let me help.” Ethan offered and got up from his seat next to Lacey leaving her there. Guess he really treasures her as he doesn't want her doing anything at all. 

We began to grill some meat and vegetables when Toby and the guys came back from the water. 

“Food’s almost ready!” I yelled as they were messing around and not helping us at all. Boys will be boys sometimes honestly. 

“s**t!” I hissed as I accidentally cut myself with the knife while I cutting the steak into bite size for all of us. Ethan must have heard my low hiss as he suddenly grabbed my hand with his eyebrows pressed together and put my bleeding finger in his mouth. 

“You are always so clumsy, princess” he shook his head after taking my finger out of his mouth. 

“My bad” I laughed as this was a common occurrence. Whenever we, or I, cook at home, I’ll always somehow manage to hurt myself in the process. This was one of the main reasons Ethan banned me from cooking without him in the kitchen, the other being I often dropped things and broke a lot of our plates and bowls. 

“Lacey, do me a favor, go into my bag and hand me my wallet” She nodded and came back with his wallet in hand. He then took a band aid out and helped me bandage my wound up. 

“Why do you carry band aids in your wallet?” Lacey looked over his shoulder as he crunched up the wrapper of the band aid. 

“Princess here gets hurt often so I started carrying band aids in case things like this happen.” She nodded at his answer and looked at me before she semi-rolled her eyes and walked away pulling Ethan away with her. 

“I think she hates me” I whispered to Rachel as we were both finishing up with the food

“It’s because you and Ethan are so close. She’s probably just not used to Ethan being like this with you.” Rachel was right, Ethan and I had really no boundaries, well some but he really treated me like his sister. He would help me buy tampons and chocolate when I had my period and carried me when I had cramps.

“Ethan and I are like siblings, she needs to chill.” I laughed but a part of me wished for something more. 

“Ella, do you really not think of Ethan like that?” She turned around and looked me dead in the eye. 

“Well, he’s Toby’s good friend, I can’t do that to Toby. Plus he doesn’t see me that way so I told myself long ago to forget about it.” I shrugged and carried the plates of food to the table everyone was sitting at. 

“I wish you went for it, you two would make such a cute couple.” She nudged me but it’s too late, Ethan already has a girlfriend. 

I was about to sit down between Rachel and Ethan when Lacey quickly took my seat and motioned me to sit next to Joshua. I guess Rachel is right, she feels on guard with me because it’s just so natural between Ethan and I even though I’ve only known him for three months.