Lost Now, Found Later

Chapter 25 - Rachel's POV

"Ethan!" I shout when I suddenly spot him standing outside, his shoes on his hands and his equipment bag hanging off of his shoulder. He immediately turns in the direction of my voice and sees me next to the concession stand.

Even in the dark, I could see his shoulders sag in relief as he jogs his way to me and Liz. When he approaches us, he doesn't bother to acknowledge Liz and just drops his belongings to give me a bone crushing hug. I slightly run out of breath but still somewhat manage to pat his back while Liz stares at him indifferently. I guess she expected this reaction.

"You okay love?" he asks with light concern and I assure him with a smile while Liz adds on too. "Dude, why would you think she would leave without seeing you?" she blurts out without hesitating, which causes my cheeks to redden a little and for some reason, that seemed to rationalize with Ethan and he nods with a small smirk.

"Thanks Liz"

"Yeah yeah. I'll leave you two now" Liz comments, before leaving.

"Text me when you get home" I yell, hoping she heard me and I know when she gives me a thumbs-up without turning around. I smile at her silliness when Ethan pulls me towards him, his arms secured around my waist.

"So..?" he starts off, making me tilt my head in question.

"How was the game?" he prods, looking at me expectantly. I could not help but gush over how cute he looked with his damp hair and the child-like look on his face. "It was crazy. Like Mason. I did not know he was that good" I answer, ruffling his hair, causing a few water droplets to fall on his face.

He lets out a small laugh at my action and gently takes a hold of my hand and holds it. "Yeah he's serious about basketball. He actually got recruited so technically he's a student athlete" he clarifies, and I nod in admiration. I seriously respect student athletes. Balancing practice and classes wasn't the easiest thing.

"Did you and Arjun get recruited too?" I ask, suddenly feeling curious.

"Nah it's just Mason. Arjun and I decided to try out for the team so that we didn't lose touch and also because we love the sport. But not as much as Mason does" he adds, as he picks up his belongings and we exit the building, heading back to the dorms.

After a while, we reach our dorms and as usual, Ethan was stalling. "You should go. You must be tired from the game and oh wait- don't you guys have a party?" I ask, remembering that the basketball team does that after a win.

"Yeah but it's fine. I can miss a party or two" he simply answers, making me doubt him. "And I'm not tired. Don't worry" he adds on before I can answer. "Plus I could literally spend the whole night out-" he goes on to say something cheesy but I cover his mouth with my hand.

"And that's enough. Save that comment for some other day. Now go" I say with somewhat of a firmness but I know it doesn't work with the way Ethan is looking at me. He stares into my eyes and we just stand there for a moment before I feel him kiss my inner palm, making me retract it in surprise.

"Try that next time and I'm not letting you go" he threatens with an evil look in his eyes as he holds me tightly against him and I just throw him a fake glare. "Oh by the way I wanted to ask. When are you going back for fall break?" he inquires, and I try my best to recall when I had planned to go back home.

"Mmmm probably the day before break starts so Tuesday of that week. I have a midterm in the morning and then I'm leaving. Why? When are you going?"

"I'm leaving that day after you are. I have practice on Tuesday evenings so I'm staying the night and leaving next morning" he replies, and I slowly nod in understanding.