escape | ethan dolan

control • 12

"Um, sure- of course. What do you want to talk about?" A big bubble of fear engulfs me like an ocean sweeping in the hovering sand on the shore.

"I was just wondering if anything happened with you and Ethan. He seemed very off this morning and he usually never leaves for Los Angeles without his brother. Was there something that happened?" Lisa bites her nails and looks at me. I can't tell her what really happened. Maybe Ethan's already told her and she's just asking me to see if I say the same thing.

"Oh, uh, I don't really know. To be honest he's seemed off to me too but he hasn't mentioned why," I swallow. All she does is nod, but I can tell that she's not done yet.

"Did something... happen-" She points her finger in the direction of Ethan's room and then at me, gesturing that something happened between us.

"With me and Ethan?" I scoff. "N-no! No way! Why would something happen with us? That's crazy!" I purse my lips and blow it off with my hand, nonchalantly. Lisa nods again, but doesn't say anything. We don't say anything for the next few seconds.

"Well," She coughs. "That's all I wanted to talk to you about. Thank you, Harlowe."

"Mhm," I hum. Lisa smiles and begins to walk away.

"Oh!" She turns around and holds up her hand. "I'm just letting you know that I'm going to be out the rest of the day. Don't forget to put some alcohol on your leg. If you need help the boys are here. Take it easy, honey," Lisa gives me a sympathetic look before she grabs her purse and heads out the front door.

Left alone, I'm not sure what to do. I assume Grayson is still talking with Ethan, so I choose to continue making breakfast for the time being.

I'm about to pour more pancake batter onto grill when I hear shouts surface from down the hall. Here we go again.

I turn off the grill and set the pitcher down on the counter. I slowly make my way down the corridor, various thoughts of what I should say clogging my head. Should I even get myself involved? Maybe I should go back to the kitchen-

Suddenly, before I can even blink, Grayson whips open the door and stomps into the hallway. With a grunt, he slams the door shut and turns around to see me standing there, bewildered.

"You were listening again?" He huffs and puts his hands on his hips.

"Uh, no. I wasn't. I was just... heading to my room."

"Sure," Grayson rolls his eyes slightly.

"What?" I mock. "I was!" I can't help but smile. I always do that when I lie.

Grayson is about to answer when Ethan throws open his bedroom door and barges out.

"I'm going on a run. Don't wait up for me for breakfast," He spurts out as quicker than I can comprehend. Next thing I know he's jogging down the hall and out the door. Me and Gray are left in silence.

"I'm assuming things didn't go so well?" I ask, sheepishly.

"Um," Grayson scratches his chin. "Not really."

"Oh."

"Anyway," He quickly changes the topic. "Why don't we go finish breakfast?"

~~~

Grayson and I are sitting at the counter, eating our pancakes when I remember something.

"So," I begin, scraping the last bit of food off my plate. "Can you tell me what you meant by "fans" earlier?" I've been trying my hardest not to bug him about it, but the thought has been lingering in my mind and I couldn't help but bring it up again.