Lost Now, Found Later

Chapter 14 - Ethan's POV

As Rachel and I walk back to our dorm, I get a text from Arjun and Mason.

Three Musketeers

Mason: Dude where are you? The party's already started and we're waiting for you.

9.01pm

Arjun: The rest of the team are here already man. Michael's here already.

9.18pm

Fuck I forgot about the party. I groan in annoyance at the thought of having to go to the party.

"What's wrong?" Rachel asks in a sweet voice, looking slightly worried.

"There's a party at Michael's apartment love. Because we won the game and I totally forgot about it" I say, really not wanting to go. I just wanted to spend some peaceful time with Rachel for god's sake.

"You should go. Aren't you already late?" she says, stopping on her tracks. "I can head back on my own. I'll be fine" she adds on, trying to reassure me.

"Not happening love. Plus I don't even want to go to the party"

"But you're in the team. Obviously you have to go. And you also played a huge role in winning today" she tries to convince me, but fails.

"Fine I'll go. But on one condition" I eventually give in, but come up with a plan. She nods for me to go on.

"You come with me" I say with a smirk, knowing that she wouldn't want to go to the party.

"What! No. Absolutely not. You know I don't like parties"

"You know I don't too love. Either you come with me or I'm not going" I answer, my smirk widening. She stands there quietly in a dilemma.

"Okay I'll go but I won't stay for the entire party" she hesitantly replies, causing my smirk to form a victorious smile.

"No problem love. We can leave whenever you want to. I'm only going because you are" I state, gazing at her. Her cheeks slightly grow red at my words as she shyly smiles, turning her head away to hide it.

Turning around, we head towards Michael's apartment which was in the opposite direction.

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"What took you so long dudee?"

"LINN finally you're here"

"Great game man"

A series of drunk greetings welcome me when I arrive at the party. Trying not to show the irritation on my face, I take Rachel's hand, not wanting to lose her in the crowd.

Her grip tightens around my hand and I return a reassuring squeeze, glancing down towards her anxious face.

"Drink this and wait here love. I'll be back in a few minutes" I yell over the music and hand her a water bottle, bending down to make sure she could hear me. She nods and takes a seat in one of the stools.

I quickly rush to find the team members and see Michael near the balcony.

"Ethan!! Where were you man? You left earlier than I did but I got here first" he jokes, clapping my back.

"Haha yeah. I went back to my room to get something" I come with a lie and luckily he buys it. He calls out for the other guys and we form somewhat like a circle and drink to our win.

"Here's to our first win guys and to more in the future" Michael shouts, eliciting cheers from the guys and the crowd there. I take a quick sip from my beer can that one of the guys handed to me.