Chasing The Sun

chapter 9

I opened my eyes, squinting and trying to block the sun. My head was pounding and I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I looked around and saw that I was in my dorm room, Aspen was awake already making coffee. The events of last night came rushing back to me and I groaned, covering my head with my blanket.

"Morning, sleepyhead," Aspen laughed. I heard her walking towards me. "Have some coffee, it'll make you feel better."

I groaned once more and sat up, taking the coffee from her. "What time is it?"

"Just a little after ten," she responded.

My eyes widened and I jumped out of bed, spilling my coffee a little bit. "Shit, shit, shit. Where's my phone?"

"It's on the table. Charlie made sure you didn't lose it," she chuckled. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Ethan's going to be here soon!" I exclaimed.

Now it was turn for Aspen's eyes to widen. I rushed over to the table and grabbed my phone, plugging it into the charger. I began tapping my foot impatiently, waiting for it to go on.

"Are you going to tell your boyfriend about Charlie?" Aspen asked quietly.

I turned to look at her and sighed. Was I going to? I should. That would be the right thing to do. But what would my father say if he found out? I couldn't be the reason he died.

"I want to, but it's so much more complicated than that. I don't even know what the kiss meant and —."

"Kiss?!" Aspen cut me off. "You guys kissed? When did this happen? Why am I only finding out about this now? Is that why she was in such a rush to leave? Oh my actual god, what happened?"

Before I could respond, my phone began buzzing nonstop. Eighteen messages and thirty-four missed calls. Fuck. Just as I was about to pick up the phone, it started ringing again. I answered immediately this time.

"Nova? Where have you been? I've been trying to get ahold of you the whole morning. Your parents are worried sick!"

Of course he called my parents.

"I overslept, I'm so sorry? Where are you? I'll come meet you."

"No need, I'm on campus. I'll be coming up to your room in a few minutes."

He put down before I could respond. I turned to look at Aspen. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she had a disappointed look on her face.

"Look, I know you have questions and I know you're mad at me and I know I shouldn't have done it. I promise I will tell you everything. Just let me freshen up and let's deal with Ethan and then we can talk," I promised her.

She walked towards my bed and began making it. "I'm not mad at you because you guys kissed, Nova. I ship you two so hard. I just need you to think nicely about what's going to happen after this."

"Yes, I know," I replied, gulping down my coffee. "We'll speak about this as soon as he's gone, I promise!"

I put the cup in the sink and ran to the bathroom to freshen up. Within ten minutes I looked semi-decent, and just in time because there was a knock at the door. I took one last look in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable before rushing over to the door to open it. Aspen was sitting on her bed, typing away furiously on her phone. I would deal with that later.

I opened the door and met Ethan's blue eyes. He was frowning.

"Nova," he greeted me curtly.

"Hi Ethan," I responded, hugging him awkwardly. "Please, come in."