ETHAN

Chapter one

“Can you explain why this bottle is full?” Daniel asked as he waved the bottle of anxiety relaxers in Ethan's face. To say the 27-year-old man was pissed would be an understatement. He couldn't believe this was happening — he couldn't believe they had been dumb enough to trust Ethan with his health

Silence fell on the room for a while, the other three pairs of eyes watching from a distance— knowing fully well that at this point, well, Ethan was in serious trouble.

“I- I don't need it!”Ethan defended himself in a loud voice, matching  Daniel's glare, He had no clue what was in store for him today. he just needed space. He didn't want to be around people, he wanted to be alone. He hated that they felt they and some sort of opinion on his life— that wasn't fair. That would never be fair!

“I don't  want your help!” He spoke again.

Daniel ran his hands through his hair as he tried not to pull the twenty-year-old boy over his lap and smack some sense into him. How could Ethan not see that he needed help? how? Daniel was almost sure that they had arrived at the amazing conclusion that it would be best for Ethan to keep taking his drugs — That's what his doctor said — Daniel himself was a doctor. so why did Ethan feel the need to lie to them by not taking the drugs at all?

“What you are doing is completely unacceptable! Do you know the effects of suddenly stopping your medications? Do you? huh? You'll start having withdrawal syndromes because those drugs have been stimulating certain hormones instead of your brain! then your brain would have to learn how to reproduce those hormones again! Do you know how painful withdrawal syndromes are? is that what you want? Hm?!” Daniel lectured loudly.

Daniel glanced behind to see Max's eyes stare back at him, The twenty-five-year-old man seemed furious. Daniel knew that Max had a temper, most certainly out of everyone who lived in their huge apartment — Ethan feared Max the most.

Daniel could still recall when they had gotten the apartment years ago. it had been  Adrian's idea. The twenty-three-year-old blonde had always been one for coming up with crazy ideas, his big idea was that they started up their own company, the truth was, the four of them were just rich kids from rich families seeking independence and since they found people with common interests to build their dreams on — why not?

A few years ago they had found Ethan lying on the street — passed out. One thing led to another and they allowed him to stay with them because the boy was so vulnerable. They all treated him like their little brother but over the past few months, Ethan had decided to be a little bit — Defiant. He would Lash out at the slightest things and throw what the boys considered to be a tantrum. While Alex, the fourth of the group tried to convince the group to not go along with Max's idea to 'spank' Ethan. Daniel was starting to think that it might just help.

Ever since they had found him Ethan had anxiety disorder and it affected every single aspect of his life — that was the reason why they had to consult a physiatrist. The Doctor — who was Daniel's Colleague prescribed anxiety relaxers that would help keep him stable. Everything was going well from there — that was — of course until Ethan stopped taking them.

Right now, Even though he was trying to look strong, Daniel could see his walls breaking, Daniel wondered what could have happened in this boy's past to terrify him like this, but Ethan refused to tell them anything, and as the years passed they stopped asking. Daniel watched as the boys' hands shook terribly. He knew he was working himself up to a panic attack but before he could stop him, Alex had gotten to him.

“Hey boo, calm down, no one's mad at you.” Daniel heard Alex coo as he wrapped his arms around Ethan— whose eyes were currently filled with tears. The twenty-six-year-old had always been the emotional one in the group. Daniel sighed and left the room

“I-I'm sorry!” Ethan cried into Alex's shirt, the boy was dressed in some baggy sweat pants and Daniel's jumper. He was closer to Daniel than anyone else so he was completely frustrated at the outcome of this situation.

He hadn't meant to make him mad at him. he just didn't want those tablets anymore— he didn't need them— they made him feel unstable. he wasn't unstable right?

“Lee?” Ethan whispered once he had calmed down.

“hm?” Alex hummed as he rocked the boy back and forth in his lap. The remaining two boys had sat around them on the ground now.  “I-I'm not unstable right?” He whispered. Alex stopped rocking at that statement and realization suddenly hit him. the other boys froze too.

“Bub, no. Is that why you haven't been taking them? because they make you feel unstable?” Alex whispered. Alex shared a glance with the other boys before he continued. “ No bub. that's not true at all. Max takes tablets for his insomnia, that doesn't mean he's unstable right max”

“of course boo,” Max said as he directed his response to Ethan and took his small hands into his. His anger had dissipated now. he could never stay mad at Ethan, the boy was just so vulnerable. “taking your tablets does not make you unstable, it means you are doing the right thing and it helps you avoid this—” Max said as he gestured to the leg Ethan was bouncing on the ground. Ethan didn't respond even though he had things to say to oppose that, he just wanted to forget this whole thing had occurred. he— He should have kept those tablets hidden. He should have thrown them away. that way Daniel would not have found it.

He intended to do so next time. he would hide it well so no one would find it. he didn't need those tablets. Insomnia and Anxiety weren't the same. He was stable. he didn't need to take them. Instead of responding he nodded into Alex's warm clothes before he moved to stand up but Alex was quicker and just picked him up. Ethan whined. they were always treating him like a kid. he was twenty for crying out loud. he didn't need all this well—Well he would be twenty in a few months but still!

He could not deny that he felt sleepy as Alex carried him over to his and Daniel's room. He didn't have a room of his own even though the apartment had six rooms.  Daniel and Alex turned down the idea every single time because according to them it was better if he stuck with one of them — again. Ethan didn't like this idea. He slowly drifted into blissful slumber as Alex bounced him — just like a child until they reached the room

Should I continue?