escape | ethan dolan

mask • 4

"Harlowe," I hear the sound of Grayson's voice when my eyes flutter open. "I have breakfast for you."

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize I fell asleep again," I apologize as I sit up, rubbing my tired eyes.

"You need all the sleep you can get. Rest is important when you aren't feeling your best," He smiles his gorgeous grin, and I giggle at his rhyme. Grayson holds out a plate of french toast drizzled in maple syrup, with a side of bacon. "I hope you like french toast."

"I do, thank you." I take the plate from him, amazed by the food that comes with it. I can't remember the last time I actually had a decent breakfast. "You're quite the chef," I remark, taking in the beauty of the plump bread and the perfect texture on the bacon.

"Try to get my brother to believe that," Grayson rolls his eyes. I smile at him and pick up the fork to begin eating. He sits on the bed, just passed my legs like before. I'm too busy submerged in my food to notice that he's watching me. I look up from the plate, my mouth stuffed with french toast. "Can I help you?" I get out, but it sounds more like Cwan I hewp oo? Grayson chuckles and I hurry up and swallow the food so I can shoot him a smile, so it doesn't seem as though I was being rude.

"It's just," He sighs, itching his stubble. "How were you- why were you-" Grayson stutters as my heart starts to race rapidly. "What happened to you?" He finally spits out. A full face of empuzzlement sits upon him. I can't tell him what really happened.

"Oh, well... me and my sister went exploring in the woods and I fell," I lie. Grayson doesn't seem to buy it. I try to cover up my fib by explaining myself more. "We were looking at the....trees! Yes, trees. And I, uh...tripped. I guess I cut my leg on a rock or something," I laugh it off, but Grayson keeps a poker face.

"I don't think a rock can make that deep of a cut. But anyway, it's not going to be my problem. My mom's taking you over to the hospital soon," He holds his hands up in surrender. My heart races faster. "What's your parents' number by the way? My mom wants to call them and let them know you're safe."

Just as I'm about to answer, another boy walks in, almost identical looking to Grayson. Behind him follows a middle-aged woman, who I'm guessing is their Mother.

"Grayson!" The lady yells. "Give the girl some space!" She swats him away and comes rushing over to my side. "Hi honey, I'm Mrs. Dolan, but you can call me Lisa," Lisa gives me a warm smile and gently touches my arm.

"Nice to meet you, Lisa," I say. "I'm Harlowe Williams."

"Me and Ethan," She points to the other boy standing in the doorway. "We just went out and got you a few things for you. Would you like some ibuprofen? Or maybe some ice cream? I got plenty of it for-" I cut her off.

"Thank you, Lisa. I'm fine, though. I think I just need some rest," I hope that she won't mention taking me to the hospital. I don't know how I would explain how I was bleeding out in the middle of the woods at one in the morning.

"I totally understand!" She gives me a sympathetic look.  "But in a few hours I would like to take you over to the emergency room and get your leg checked out." A pang of terror shoots my stomach.

"Um, I don't think that's necessary," I chuckle, trying to get her to change her mind.

"Honey," She laughs. Great, now she thinks I'm a total fool. "It's most certainly necessary. You could have an infection."

"An infection? No way! My leg is totally fine, see?" I gesture towards my leg and begin to lift it up. I manage to get it a few inches off the bed, cringing the whole time. It feels like a million needles are being jabbed into it, over and over. Luckily, Lisa doesn't seem to notice my discomfort. However, Grayson does. His face shows pure confusion and dismay and I struggle to lift my injured limb. Ethan just stands there, biting his nails, watching. After the few moments of me trying to prove my point, I drop my leg back onto the silky blue quilt. I let out a relieved sigh, glad that those major spurts of pain are over.