Imperium

Chapter 1

Warm autumn air danced lightly across the pages of my book, causing them to flutter involuntary. I didn't mind. I was too absorbed, lost in my own world of reading. The comforting aroma of warm coffee surrounded my atmosphere, filling me with a warm pleasant feeling. Small pieces of chatter floated around me, giving the small outdoors coffee shop a lighthearted glow. Suddenly the sound of a metal chair scraping against concrete shattered my concentration. A shadow of annoyance flickered across my face as I looked up to see who disturbed me. Sitting across from me with a Cheshire grin playing on his lips was Ethan Green. "I knew I'd find my little bookworm here!" he said.
I rolled my eyes with a small smile and put my book down, "Well, you found me, would you like a gold sticker?" I commented.
"Oh cheer up Evelyn it's your birthday for goodness sakes!" he exclaimed throwing his hands in the air.
"Ethan, I know what today is." I huffed out and stood while gathering my things, getting ready to leave.
He stood abruptly, "Hey, come on Evelyn. It's my job as your friend to make sure you have an unforgettable Birthday!" He said trying to lure me out of my bad mood.
"Ethan, we're not doing this again. You tried the same thing last year. You remember how well that went?" I asked making my way back towards college campus.
I saw him slightly cringe at the remembrance of last year's attempt to celebrate my birthday, now that was an experience sadly burned to memory. He swiftly adapted to my quick pace to escape and continued to babble uselessly. "I know last year wasn't exactly memorable but-". I scoffed cutting him off, "Oh, it was memorable alright." I said.
"Give me some slack, Eve, I just met you last year! How was I supposed to know you don't like surprise parties!" he cried out.
"Well, now you do." I grumbled out as we approached the doors of our college building. My hand reached for the old chipped blue door. I mentally prepared myself to scramble, and push my way through hundreds of other people just to get to my English class. I've gone to Colorado State college for three years now. I still could get lost in these halls, and get swallowed in the waves of people during the process. Squished between body to body brought back unwanted memories from last year's birthday party. Flashes of memory skidded across my mind as I remembered the surprise party that Ethan set up for me. After an exhausting day from college and work. I had three exams that day along with listening to my professors yap long lectures. After enduring five hours of school, I had to yank out another three hours of my life for work. I worked in the coffee shop near campus, encountering the same people everyday and serving the same orders. One of the girls at work called in sick that day, making me work for an extra two hours. Being around so many people exhausted me, and I just wanted to go home. I remember just wanting to crawl into my cozy bed, cocooning myself in the sheets, and never wake up. However, fate had a different plan for me. I remember heaving out a sigh as I nudged my apartment door open welcoming the silence. I reached for the light switch on the wall, and as soon as my fingers flicked the switch I saw something daunting. At least fifty strangers stared at me intently with wide smiles plastered on their lips as they screeched "Happy Birthday Evelyn!"
I screamed at the top of my lungs, wondering who these people were, and how the hell they got in my apartment. Emerging from the mass crowd of people was Ethan looking proud as ever, but his smile faded into a frown when he saw my enraged expression. "What's wrong? Don't you like your surprise party?" He questioned me.
"This is insane! Do you know how exhausted I am from today, and I have so much studying I have to get done!" I shouted at him.
He shrunk back in intimidation, and his frown deepened. "I'm sorry. I thought you'd like it, and maybe wanted to take a break from all of the stress you've piled onto yourself." He explained.
I raised my hand to cover my annoyed look, and wiped the scowl off my face. Trying to tame my temper I took a deep breath. I knew I couldn't be mad at him, because let's be honest he's the only friend I have. I was never really the one to ever have friends, because I always isolated myself. I found being alone comforting, but I've realized now that I don't always want to be by myself. Now that I've been with Ethan since he trampled over me the first day of school, we instantly clicked even though our personalities are day and night. Shaking my head I gave him a small smile, "Thank you for trying. It was very thoughtful of you, and I appreciate it. Now let's get this party started!" I exclaimed.
His whole posture changed as his expression glowed with excitement. I remember the rest of the night being chaotic. People were having fun, but there was food scattered throughout the place, music so loud I could feel the bass pulsing throughout my body. Eventually it came to the point where people began throwing my stuff around, and only being able to tolerate so much I eventually kicked out all of the wild animals from my apartment. The rest of the night I was stuck with tidying up the pigsty they left for me, thankfully Ethan offered to help me get things cleaned up.
Shaking my head from the memory I was brought pack to reality as Ethan snatched my wrist before I could slip away further inside the building, he pleaded "Ok, how about we make a deal?"
I sighed, caving into his hopeful green eyes. "Alright, let's hear it." I said.
"You give me one night to celebrate your birthday, just you and me. If you don't have the slightest bit of fun, then I'll never pester you about celebrating your birthday ever again. I promise."
I stood there silently pondering on his offer. Raising an eyebrow I asked, "You promise?"
His face grew serious and said, "I never break my promises Evelyn."
"Looks like you have yourself a deal Ethan Green," I said smiling.
Relief washed over his face, "You won't regret this Eve. I swear! Besides you only turn twenty, once." he said while winking.
As we walked into the building I shook my head and thought, what did I just get myself into?