escape | ethan dolan

a taste of freedom • 8

When I was younger, I didn't have many people I was close to. My family moved around a lot, so we were always in new places. I've never had a best friend. Frankly, I've never even had a boyfriend. No first kiss. No first time. Nothing. I'm sixteen now, so all of that is a little overdue. It's time for me to catch up.

With a half-forced smile I charge to Ethan's room. When I enter, I spot him and Grayson hunched over at a computer in the corner. They both whip around, surprised by my sudden appearance.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I interrupting?" I'm suddenly embarrassed. The smile that was previously on my face has melted away like ice cream on a hot day.

"No, of course not," Ethan says calmly. He stands up and heads in my direction. Grayson sighs, frustrated. He's clearly not happy that I intruded on them.

"I just wanted to let you know... I changed my mind about the party."

"Oh, great! So you're coming?" Ethan beams uncontrollably. Is he actually happy I'm going? I thought maybe he was just pretending to be disappointed.

"Yeah," I smile before I exit and return to my room. Now that I have plans, I need to figure out what I'm going to wear.

As I begin to rummage through my newly bought wardrobe, I hear a knock at my door.

"Harlowe?" Lisa's faint voice reaches through the door. It opens slightly before I can acknowledge her call. "I talked to the doctor and he's going to be taking Chloe in for a few weeks. I had to sign off as the legal guardian since your parents are away."

"Oh," Is all I can think to say. I want to tell them how I really feel- that they shouldn't take Chloe at all. That she's the only sort of comfort I have left. But as usual, I have to shut it inside and let it eat me away.

"I hope that's okay. He told me she was really sick and needed the correct care right away. She's at the risk of dying, Harlowe," Lisa's words fade away. I turn in the opposite direction, angrily, I refuse to look at her.

After a few deep breaths, I've somewhat collected myself. "I understand," But I don't completely mean it. I know I shouldn't be angry, but an ungovernable feeling of reluctance in my heart can't help but take over. "I know that she... needs to get better and all," The words slowly ooze out of my mouth. I'm trying so hard to be reasonable.

"Thank you, dear," She says. There are a few seconds of silence before she speaks again. "I also came into let you know that I'm going to be out the rest of the night. I have some... errands to run," For some reason she seems oddly suspicious right now. "If you need anything, the boys will gladly assist you."

"Okay, thank you," I reply. The door clicks and I know she's out of the room.

I feel like she hiding something, but I don't want to make any assumptions. Whatever. Shrugging it off, I turn back to the pile of clothes stacked on my bed.

After a few minutes of throwing on different outfits, taking them off, then putting them on again, I finally decide on a yellow medium sleeve sweater and some jean shorts. I slip on some black flip flops that I grabbed on the clearance rack at the boutique and head out the door. Ethan and Grayson are waiting for my in the living room when I arrive.

"You ready?" Ethan asks, swinging his keys loosely in his hand. I nod, and we all head out.

A black truck awaits us at the end of the driveway. It's far less fancy than Lisa's car, but it still looks like it's on the expensive side.

"Nice ride," I say, impressed. Ethan opens the passenger door and motions me to get in. "Won't Grayson want to sit in the front?"

"Nah," He remarks casually. "He'll be fine in the back."