Let's Get Ethan ✔

Chapter 17

Ethan and James walked up to the entrance of his house. The wind had picked up and Ethan was reminded of the night they had spent chasing bears and drinking tequila, if only tonight was one of those nights. Surely, his friends were up to something just as epic.

Unfortunately, realization dawned on him as he walked into the kitchen to see Aaron and Olivia at the breakfast nook with notebooks, calculators, and laptops. Homework was not how he thought they spent their Friday nights. Considering they were technically "party crashers."

"Wassup," James greeted, awakening the two from their study session.

"Hey, James, and you caught a wild Ethan," Aaron said, staring at Ethan. His eyes were dull from the bleak florescent lighting. Olivia smiled, welcoming the new member by pulling up a chair.

"Come sit," she motioned toward the stool next to her, patting it, Ethan went over obediently.

"You've gotta be kidding me, you guys are stuck at home on a Friday doing homework?" Ethan asked, in awe of the three party animals.

They all threw him a dirty look.

"We didn't choose this, Ethan. At some point you'll learn college is more about academics than parties." James smirked.

He knew full well that he had suggested the opposite at the party. He too, began putting his work out on the table, about to take notes and study. Joining his academically inclined friends.

"I guess I just didn't know I needed to bring my schoolwork," Ethan said, admittedly he was kind of sad he couldn't study with them. If lack of studying was something you could be sad about, nevertheless he watched them work and talk.

But they must've exhausted all avenues of their lives, as the conversation came around to him.

"So, Ethan what was your first week of classes like?" Aaron asked.

Ethan drew up his face from the abstract mathematics displayed on the pages of James' textbook.

"Well, I got a job as a page at the library, I am exhausted from waking up early, and I may have a new hobby."

"Do tell," Olivia said.

"Well, I don't know how cool this sounds, but I recently went to an Improv Club meeting," Ethan said, semi-embarrassed, but also proud.

What he wanted to say was "I had the guts to show up for an Improv Club meeting."

"Ethan, I didn't pick you for an improv guy. Sounds cool to me," James said his eyes never leaving his laptop.

"Yeah, honestly I am sure it will be fun, break you out of your little freshman 'egg'," Aaron added.

"Hey!" Ethan said slightly insulted.

"What?" Aaron questioned, "we were all scared as freshmen, until we got involved in stuff like activities, I joined robotics my first year and that helped me out of my 'egg' too."

"Well, if you mean my 'egg' to be a term for comfort zone, I suppose I agree. I'm a little scared I can't be funny though on cue," Ethan admitted.

"Funny?" James asked, "I am the funniest guy I know," James said.

"Must not know a lot of guys," Olivia muttered.

"Hey, Olivia, how many times were you voted class clown in your senior class?" James asked her.

"All four years actually," Olivia said, "is that the answer you were expecting, Mr. Congeniality?" 

"Now, now, we don't want to rob James of his crown," Aaron said.