Let's Get Ethan ✔

Chapter 26

"Who is Linda, again?" Aaron asked puzzled by Stephanie's statement. Ethan hadn't mentioned his ex in daily conversation, hardly said her name more than once.

"My ex."

James let out a hiss. "She's one of those overachievers, nobody-gets-in-her-way types, right?"

"That was Linda, yes," Ethan admitted. Was he sure she was even human? No, but the fact that she dated him and was abnormally good at Calculus gave him pause.

"Ice queen, probably," Aaron observed. Everyone nodded then.

They continued to talk about other people and their friends, pretty much leaving Stephanie and him out entirely. But that feeling was familiar as they always had something to talk about. He heard his name in the middle of a fragmented conversation on homework.

"Ethan, did you find a place to live next semester?" Olivia asked.

"Ethan, you're moving out?" Stephanie asked excitedly, probably impressed with herself as he was taking her advice. Which wasn't entirely true, he was thinking about moving out for his own sanity.

"Well, I will be moving out of the dorms. I can't stand my roommate, so I am going to find another dorm."

"Well, if you want you can move into our house and share rent with Aaron or something. We were thinking about adding someone anyways," Olivia suggested.

Ethan was ecstatic.

"You guys are serious?"

"Well, rent is impossibly high, but it's not as expensive as living in a dorm. It's a good deal for both of us," Aaron said, then added with a warning tone, "as long as you don't snore."

Thinking back to the abysmal snorer he currently lived with, he shook his head no.

"Wow thanks guys, I will definitely move in next semester then." He was so glad he had friends like them, willing to take him in for the strange person he was.

They were in the middle of a game of darts when they were greeted by the host, Alan. He was a tall guy with glasses and an orange beard. Aaron was surely caught off guard by Alan, as he stole his signature lumberjack, hipster look.

Olivia greeted the guy smiling, "Hey Alan, what's up?"

"Hey, nothing much. How are you guys doing?" He was asking us all, but his eyes fell on Stephanie who smiled sweetly. How in the world were all words directed to her, at all times?

"We are doing great. Hey Alan, do you mind getting me a beer? Thanks," Stephanie barely asked before Alan smiled and nodded.

"Of course, Stephanie." Obediently, he began to make his way back upstairs.

"How do you do that?" Olivia whispered to Stephanie in awe. Ethan half expected the reply to be "magic."

"Everyone thinks I am in a sorority and they want to be invited to parties. Sorry guys, I should have asked for something for the rest of you. Oh, Alan?" she trilled.

Alan came halfway down the stairs, "Yes?" he inquired as if dangling his neck backwards wasn't uncomfortable. He was literally bending over backwards for Stephanie.

"Bring a round for my friends too, and some chips, please."

"Okay, sounds good, Stephanie." He nodded giving her a charming smile, his teeth practically sparkled, with a comical ding. Ethan could swear Alan was about to break down doing a Grease number as John Travolta, but Alan continued on his quest.

"I'm both shocked and impressed, Stephanie," James beamed.

"Oh, that's just one example of my privilege. Guess you could say it's a blessing and a curse though."