Runaway

Chapter 5: Ethan

It's summer break and I'm so glad I chose to stay here this year instead of heading home. Getting to spend the summer with my friends to going to be awesome, since in a years' time, college will be over and we'll each be going our separate ways. Although I know we will stay in touch, we have been friends all through college and have created this bond that I've never had before.

Tonight, we are hosting a small party at our place. Apparently, we have the best place for these things, and I can thank my parents for that. They have rented this apartment for me since freshman year and Jake and Alex moved in after about 6 months. They apparently wanted me to live comfortably while in college, even though I would have been happy in the dorms, as long as I got to play hockey, that's all that mattered, I didn't need flashy things in my life. Jake, Alex and I formed a friendship over hockey. We all play and have been on the team since the beginning of college.

The apartment itself is 2 storeys and on the top floor of the building, level 15, nice big open floor plan living, kitchen and dining, views of the city and glimpses of the river. I must admit the city lights look amazing. There are 4 bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. Not sure why they chose this place to begin with since it was just me living here and it's way too big for a single person. It was quiet, too quiet, before my 2 best friends moved in and now, I can't imagine living without them. Although I just wish the parties were held elsewhere, I hate the clean-up the next day and sometimes I just want a quiet night by myself. Not that my room mates don't help with the clean-up but it's still annoying to do.

Small parties like this I can handle, I hate the thought of people around and touching my stuff. I make sure I lock my bedroom door before they even start. Tonight, it's just our closes friends although Jake told me Sienna invited some girl that has just started working at the bar. Hey what's one more person right. Jake said she was hot, but Jake will find anything with legs and boobs hot, so I'll be the judge when she arrives.

Jake, Alex and Sienna where here helping with the setup, not that much needed doing since there was only going to be like 20 people here. We put out some chips and other food and had the drinks stacked in the fridge to keep cold.

Most people had arrived already when Sienna jumped to her feet and left the apartment. I looked over at Alex, her boyfriend, with a what's going on look, and he just shrugged his shoulders.

We continued sit around on the couches chatting and catching up like we always do when the front door opens. In walks Sienna followed by somebody I'd never seen before. I knew this had to be the new girl from the bar, and Jake wasn't lying, she was hot. No scratch that, she was absolutely gorgeous.

She looked nervous. Her chocolate hair fell just below her shoulders. She wore a simple light blue tank top and denim cut-off shorts showing off her tanned and toned legs. She was a natural beauty. She had curves in all the right places, and I couldn't help but stare as they made their way into the kitchen.

I felt a jab at my side and when I turned saw Jake grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Told you she was hot. I'm going to get another, you want one?" Jake asked holding up his empty beer bottle as he stood from the couch.

"Nah I'm good thanks" I reply taking my focus back to the mystery girl.

I watch as Jake goes towards the girls still in the kitchen and starts up a conversation with them. She offers a small smile to Jake but still she doesn't seem comfortable being here. Not wanting to get caught staring, I go back to talking with the guys, but my eyes keep betraying me and I find myself constantly checking to see where she is.

Our conversation mainly revolves around the up coming year at college, being our last and our hopes of making the frozen four and possibly winning, something we haven't been able to do the last 3 years, only just missing out.

After about 15 minutes, Sienna decides to join us on the couch along with her.

"Hey everybody, this is Mia. She's just started working at the bar" Sienna draws the attention to her and Mia, who are just sitting down on the couch opposite me and Alex. "This is Alex, my boyfriend, Ethan, his best friend, Raya my BFF and you already know Jake."

She gives a small smile and wave while saying hi to everybody. I noticed that she has a bottle of water in her hands, not that that's a problem, its just most people see free alcohol and just go for it.

"So Mia, where abouts did you move from?" asked Raya before taking a quick swig of her beer.

"Um, well" there was a short pause before she continued "Originally about an hour from California and I just moved here with my sister, Ella, she starts at Northeastern after summer break" she answers nervously whiles looking down at her hands in her lap.

"So, the rest of your family are back on the west coast? You and your sister must be close because Cali is awesome, I've only ever been once before but just loved it. The beaches, the weather, the women, just wow, if I lived there don't think I'd ever want to leave" Jake rambles on as Mia shuffles in her seat a little. I can tell she's uncomfortable with what Jake's saying so I try and steer the conversation in another direction.

"What is your sister studying?" I ask and she seems to relax a little.

"Digital communications and media. It's been her dream course at her dream college for ever" You can just tell she is proud of her sister and that they are really close. After that the conversation goes back to general chat about what everybody is doing for the rest of summer break. I watch as Mia just sits quietly and listens to our conversation, fiddling with the hem of her top and eyes down to her hands in her lap only occasionally looking up but not saying anything.

Only after about another 5 mins she excuses herself and asks Sienna where the bathroom is. I watch as makes her way down the small hall towards the bathroom, I excuse myself and go into the kitchen to grab another beer for me and the boys.