Let's Get Ethan ✔

Chapter 9

"Hey Aaron," Ethan said over the phone.

"Not, Aaron, James. But, I'm in front of Charles Hall?" James questioned confused. As he should have been, Ethan didn't live in Charles Hall.

"Actually, I'm in Kent."

Ethan heard his friend mutter a curse under his breath, and a reply came back faint as if James was putting down the phone.

"Okay, I'll be out in front of Kent Hall. Meet you there. Bye." The suddenness of the call ending both confused and excited Ethan.

Ethan hadn't specifically mentioned he was in his dorm, though obviously James just put it together. His introverted friend hanging out on campus? Nah, that's too far-fetched. It made him smile sadly. Though instead of dwelling on that thought he got up and sighed, shoving back on his sneakers.

He took off his sweatshirt knowing that once he was out of the air-conditioned dorm the heat would be unbearable. He walked quickly to the exit of the dorm, his keys jangling in his jeans pocket. He was still not used to that sound. Living on his own was something else.

When Ethan reached the sidewalk in front of the massive dorm building, he saw that plenty of cars filled the parking lot at Kent Hall. There were even quite a few lined up, waiting for students by the sidewalk. He looked down the line. Immediately, he recognized the beaming faces of Aaron, James, and Olivia from a little blue car. Smack dab in the middle of the vehicles.

They all greeted him as he hopped in the back next to Olivia.

Olivia had clearly dressed up for her first day of school. She wore a pair of blue patterned shorts and a matching flowy blouse. She was going for a more mature look.

"How was the first day, Ethan?" Olivia asked, tearing her eyes away from her phone. She looked like she was texting someone.

"It was okay, I'm not a big fan of the first day of school," Ethan replied, she just nodded.

"Pressure to impress everybody in those stupid class introductions, yep, not my forte at all." Olivia then proceeded to continue talking to everyone about her first day, and everyone told each other about their classmates and professors.

His friends had been in school longer than he had, and therefore they seemed to know everyone. Ethan felt left out but didn't add to the conversation either as they talked about their other friends. Strangely enough, he didn't even question where the group was going even as Aaron pulled onto the highway.

"Okay, Ethan, we have a special tradition in this group. During the beginning of a new semester we go roller-blading!" Olivia said. Ethan peered over at the eager eyes of everyone, except for Aaron. Who scrunched up his nose and frowned in disgust.

"Roller-skating, Olivia, roller-skating," Aaron corrected. Olivia rolled her eyes, then smiled eagerly at Ethan waiting for his response.

"I've never been roller-skating. What is this? An '80s music video?" Ethan asked confused by their obscure hobby. The group sighed at his answer as if it was a ridiculous claim. How have they not met someone that didn't go roller skating? Sure, it's common enough activity, especially in California. But not everyone and their mother owned a pair of skates.

"You are ridiculous, and roller-skating is cool, okay?" James added gruffly. Ethan relented with a huff, lowering down in his seat. He was making his friends pay for skates. They were probably like some professional speed skaters, or something, and had dragged him on this trip to show off.

"So, what is the difference between a roller blade and roller skate?" Ethan asked, pretending to be invested in the topic of skating.

Everyone talked over each other, eager to explain. Ethan was uninterested in the subject but as they argued he couldn't help but find their bickering amusing.