Hero // Ethan and Grayson Dolan

chapter 2 ~ a new home

2 days after crash

I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Doctors told me I can go home today, as I only suffered a minor concussion, along with all the cuts all over my body, of course. 

I haven't been in touch with mum, but apparently she called the hospital to ask how I'm doing. I'm not sure why she didn't directly call me, since I have my phone with me and it was safely in the back pocket of my jeans during the crash.

She's probably very upset about Dad, which is understandable. Doctors discovered he passed away because he was buried under the car, and one massive, sharp chunk of the windscreen went straight through his side.

Even though she is upset, she needs to come and bring me home today.

I look around the room and spot my rose gold iPhone 6s sitting on the end of my hospital bed. I dial mum's number, and she picks up the phone within four rings. 

"What do you want?" She snaps.

"What?" I ask, confused as to why she is talking to me like this.

"What the fuck do you want Brooklyn?" 

"Um ... I need to be picked up from the hospital today, I'm r-ready to come home." I stutter.

"You're not coming back to my house. No way. I don't have spoilt brats living under my roof,"

"Mum? What?" 

"I can't believe the way you were speaking to your father and I before you left. The only reason you were going to counselling is because we care about you, Brooklyn. You are my whole world, and you were your father's too. He lost his life in a car crash because he was trying to fix your problems by taking you to your appointment - and you didn't even want to go." I can hear my mum crying on the other end of the line.

"Mum, I'm sorry. I truly am, but where can I stay if I can't come back home?" Tears fall from my face uncontrollably. 

"You're a smart sixteen year old girl, I'm sure you are capable of finding a place to stay. I need some time alone, when I'm ready to face you again I'll give you a call."

"I love you, mum." I say softly.

"I love you too. I dropped your clothes off in your room last night when you were sleeping. "

She ends the call, and I sit on the end of my bed crying like a baby. Where am I going to stay? I can't stay with Jordyn, she is staying at university, and I don't have any other friends close enough to stay with them. 

"Are you okay?" 

I jump. It's Ethan, and I can't help but laugh.

"You always seem to scare me when I'm crying!"

He chuckles. "Sorry!"

"What are you doing here? I thought I was meant to call you?" I give him a little smirk.

"You were taking too long and I wanted to see you again," He says, and looks down at the floor in attempt to cover up his red cheeks.

"Aww, Ethan that's sweet." I smile.

He looks up again. "Anyway, why are you crying? Is everything okay?" 

I sigh. "No, not really. Mum said I'm not welcome back home because she needs some space, and I can't stay with Jordyn because she is staying at uni."

"Aww, I'm so sorry Brooklyn." He sits down beside me and brings me in for a hug. WOW, he gives amazing hugs.

He pulls out of the hug. "You can stay at my place if you like. It's just me and my brother living there." 

My face lights up. "Really! You would let me stay there?!" I say excitedly.

"Of course!" 

I give him a huge grin and throw my arms around him. "Ethan thank you so much!" 

I pull out of the hug and smile at him again.

"Lets go out for ice cream!" Ethan suggests. "I know a really good place!" His smile is honestly the most beautiful smile I have ever seen in my entire life.

"Yes! Let me get ready, I'll meet you in the hospital lobby in 10 minutes!" I jump up and grab the bag full of my clothes, stepping into the bathroom.

I unzip my bag and notice mum has packed me all of my favourite clothes, charger, favourite toiletries, laptop, my purse, some money ... and a picture of her, dad and I. My dad has his arms around mum and I, and we all look genuinely happy. A tear drops onto the silver photo frame. 

I end up throwing on a plain black crop top, along some high waisted denim shorts and my Adidas superstars. I put my short black hair up in a messy bun, grab my bags and head downstairs.

Ethan is sitting on one of the chairs on his phone. 

"Hey, I'm ready to go!" I say, smiling. He stands up. 

"Do you need help carrying that?" He asks, and takes the bag out of my hand.

"Aw, thanks Ethan!" He smiles.

....

After Ethan buys us both a vanilla ice cream, we take a walk along the beach.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, why didn't your mum let you back home again?" He asked, looking into my eyes.

"She said she needed some space because she didn't like the way I was treating her and my dad before he died. You know, we had the crash on the way to a counselling appointment? For me."

"Oh, why were you going to a counselling appointment?" 

I look down and watch my feet moving, making footprints in the sand as I walk. 

"You don't need to answer if you're not comfortable, but you know I wouldn't judge you." 

I look up at Ethan, who is smiling softly.

"Emetophobia." I say, blushing.

"What's that?" He asks, seeming genuinely interested.

"It's ... don't laugh, ok. It's the fear of vomiting." 

"Oh, I don't like vomit either. Sometimes my brother and I do videos and we vomit its disgusting!" He laughs, and I laugh with him. He makes videos? That's so cool!

"Most people don't like vomit. But this phobia is more severe. Anything to do with vomit can trigger a massive panic attack. It sucks. I can't help friends when their sick, I can't stand to be in the room when someone feels sick, I can't watch certain movies and the worst thing of all, I can't travel." I tell him. 

"When I have one of these panic attacks, I can't stop shaking and I feel like I'm are going to vomit, and to me, that's the worst thing in the entire world. You know how when people have panic attacks they feel like their going to die? Well, these panic attacks make you feel like you want to die. Because in that moment, you would honestly rather not be alive than face your biggest fear."

"Wow ... just wow." Ethan says, stunned. "I'm so sorry."

"It's ok." I smile softly. "I've had it since year three."

I look into the ocean, focusing on the waves as they crash softly against the shore. 

Ethan turns to face me. 

"I told you I wouldn't judge you. And I won't. I'm going to support you, Brooklyn."

I look into his brown eyes, and I can't help but smile.

"Ethan-"

He leans forward, places his hands on my neck and softly touches his lips against mine.

"-I like you a lot," I say smiling. He smiles back without saying a word, and leans in for another kiss.

Heres the second chapter, hope you enjoy!! :)