Runaway Destiny (Completed!)

Chapter 3

It was three in the afternoon before Toby came back with his friend. We were in the middle of making some apple pie when the door opened and we heard two men laughing. Within seconds Toby showed up with another man. 

He was tall, tanned, had a sleeve tattoo on his left arm. He had very dark brown hair which almost looked black and brown. He smiled showing off his dimples and pearly whites. 

“Hi I’m Ethan Tanner.” He introduced himself while putting his duffel bag down and offering a handshake. 

“I’m Ella Rivers.” I took his hand and shook it. The moment I shook his hand I can feel some sort of tingle but it’s probably because my hands were too numb kneading the dough for the pie as we made it from literally scratch. 

“And this is my beautiful girlfriend Rachel Young” Toby introduced to Ethan.

“I can figure that out, I’ve seen her photos so many times as you keep rubbing it in our faces.” Ethan laughed as he gave Rachel a quick hug. His laugh was so sexy and deep. 

“Well I explained to Ethan the situation and he’s okay with living with you sleeping beauty”

“Quit calling me that Toby, and what do you mean he’s okay with living with me?” I narrowed my eyes and glared at him.

“Toby says you’re a mess and hates doing chores. But it’s okay with me, I enjoy cleaning.” 

“YOU DID NOT. THAT WAS ONCE WHEN I WAS DRUNK!” I threw a dish rag at him and he dodged making it hit the wall behind him.

“Ethan, he's a liar. I was drunk and threw up on the floor one night. It was one night and he never lets anything go.” I grilled at Toby as he was now hiding behind Rachel. 

“Save me honey” he looked at Rachel and she looked at me shrugging. 

After lunch we called the landlord to sign the contract and headed to our own apartment. It was a small two bedroom apartment with just enough space for the two of us. It was already furnished as the previous tenants didn’t want their furniture since they were moving to another country and just decided to sell it to the landlord to resell. Our bedrooms were next to each other on the left side of the apartment with a bathroom separating our rooms. We quickly and quietly settled in. 

“What do you want for dinner?” I asked knocking on his door as he was still unpacking. 

“Want to call in or eat out?” He looked up from doing whatever he was doing and something quickly caught my eyes. 

“Wait is that the new edition of 2k20? I tried buying it but every time I go it’s on back stock!” I grabbed the game and quickly skimmed it at it. 

“Wait, you play basketball games?”

“Yeah, I love sports. Why did Toby tell you I’m a princess?” 

“Well he did call you sleeping beauty” and there he goes again with his beautiful laugh. If he wasn’t a good friend of Toby’s, I probably would consider dating him but I didn’t want things to be awkward in case we ever break up. It’s always awkward to date within your social circle and when you break up, the group kind of has to choose one over the other. 

“That’s because compared to his precious girlfriend I prefer to sleep in so every time when he used to come over I was still sleeping.” I pouted finding it weird that I have to explain myself to a stranger. 

“Well if you’re up for it I can set up my xbox and we can play some 2k” He held up his console and I nodded frantically until a noise disturbed us making us both break out in laughter. 

“Maybe after dinner” I laughed, clenching my stomach to prevent it from growling again.

“Sounds good to me!” He laughed and got up from the floor before walking to the doors and opening it for me like a gentleman. 

“After you sleeping beauty” 

“Oh no Ethan, not you too” I rolled my eyes and laughed as he gave me a quick pat on the head before locking up the doors. I think we’ll get along just fine. 

Ethan’s POV

“Wait, you play basketball games?” Was she just trying to get my attention like all the girls use to do or does she really play basketball games?

“Yeah, I love sports. Why did Toby tell you I’m a princess?” 

“Well he did call you sleeping beauty” and to be honest she looked the part too. Ella wasn’t short as she was about 5’7 given my 6’2 stature. She wasn’t on the skinny side either as she had a bountiful chest and curvy bottom. She had long dirty blonde hair and brown eyes and every time she blinked her eyelashes fluttered beautifully. Ella Rivers was definitely a beautiful woman but she’s Toby’s friend, more of like his sister so she’s off limits, even though she’s very attractive. 

“That’s because compared to his precious girlfriend I prefer to sleep in so every time when he used to come over I was still sleeping.” She pouted and it was just adorable. I wanted to squish those cheeks of her as you would to your puppy but that’s probably inappropriate since we just met. 

I wasn’t sure why a beautiful young girl like her would be here in Chicago alone. Maybe she was also running away from something. I definitely was. I didn’t want to be home because I wanted to live my life making my own choices, not letting my parents decide what I want to do for me. 

Just as I was deep in thought I heard a loud stomach growl and looked up at a very embarrassed Ella who couldn’t stop laughing. Gosh she’s adorable honestly. She then broke her laughter and made a good suggestion. 

“Maybe after dinner” 

“Sounds good to me!” 

“After you sleeping beauty” I think I’ll call her that from now on too, until I maybe come up with something of my own for her.