escape | ethan dolan

caught • 10

I was about to kiss Grayson Dolan. I almost freaking kissed him- and now I regret it.

What the hell was I thinking?

"Oh my God," After I back away from Grayson, I sputter out the words, unable to catch my breath. "What just-"

Ethan cuts me off by slamming the door shut. Grayson and I are left in complete silence, not totally sure of what to do next. Should we leave Ethan alone or go and talk to him? We both just stand there, stunned.

"What have I done?" The realization hits him and he runs his hands through his hair in frustration. Grayson looks like he's just killed somebody. He must really care about his brother...

"Oh my God," I repeat. I can't seem to say anything else. I'm in total shock. "What should we do?" I look up to him wide-eyed, but I can't catch his gaze. He continues to look down at the floor in misery.

"I don't know," Grayson eventually spurts out. I bite my nails nervously. "I'm going to go talk to him."

"Okay," I stutter. "Should I come with you?"

"No," He blurts out right when I finish my sentence. "I'll go alone."

"Oh, alright," I reply with a hint of disappointment in my voice. I wanted to see Ethan and apologize, but I guess I'll have to do it first thing in the morning or later tonight.

When Grayson rushes out of the room, I slump back onto the bed, rethinking my whole night. First, the party: Ethan kissed Meredith and then said he had no feelings for her. Then, Grayson and Ethan having a full on screaming battle in the living room. And now, I almost kissed him. Kissed, him. I can't believe I was about to give away my first kiss to Grayson- of all guys.

For the next few minutes I try to listen through the door to see if I can hear anything. All I catch is the occasional shift of floorboards, but that's all.

"Ugh," I mutter to myself. "What did I do?" Feeling defeated, I make my way back over to the bed and crawl under the covers. A sudden rush of exhaustion piles on me like ten tons.

Once I'm settled in, I close my eyes and try to take my mind off everything, but it's not working. All I can think about is Ethan, Grayson and that stupid "almost kiss". My mind won't shut off enough for me to get some rest, even though I desperately need it. I haven't had a proper nights sleep in about two days, so it's highly needed.

At the same time, I'm afraid to go to sleep. Every time I do, I have the same, painful nightmares. I don't want to wake anyone up by screaming at three in the morning. Maybe tonight, I'll doze peacefully and not have to worry about the terrors.

I pray as I fall asleep.

Sadly, no matter how hard I wished, the nightmares didn't disappear.

In my dreams, I see my mother. Chloe is there too, and so is my dad. They're facing me with such expressions on their faces it's almost impossible to put into words. It's scaring me; everything is. The most terrifying aspect is that I can't seem to move at all. All three of them just stare at me in the midst of the clouds.

Wait, am I flying?

Chloe, my mother and father then all say the same two words in unison: "Help us.". They keep repeating it over and over again- and that's when I click. I immediately spring up in bed, gasping for air. My forehead is glossed over with sweat, and so are my palms. The visions of my petrifying nightmare continue to creep back into my mind.