escape | ethan dolan

reasons • 15

It's been a few days since I've been admitted in to the hospital. Not only has Ethan not visited me, but Lisa hasn't spoken one word about him- which is understandable. She's going through a lot. I can hear it in her voice.

The days go by slowly. I wake up, the doctors come in, I watch television, eat a meal, Lisa comes in and sits with me, and then I go to bed. The next morning, I repeat everything.

That's what I love about hospitals: you know what's going to happen and nothing is unexpected. I like routine. It keeps my mind busy.

After lunch on Wednesday, Lisa comes in and checks up on me- the usual. She tells me how Grayson is, (of course I asked), and then takes a seat beside me. We watch television in silence for a few minutes. Once and a while, a nurse will float through the room, review some things, and then leave again.

Right as Lisa is about to go get a drink, a doctor comes in, followed by three young girls. They all wear dark blue jeans with a light spring jacket. Each face looks highly familiar, and I come to realize that these are the same girls I had encountered at the party.

"Abby? Tina?" I ask. Two of them nod. The third one walks in a little ways behind. "Aria?"

"Harlowe," Abby says sympathetically. "I'm so sorry to hear what happened." She frowns.

"Here," Tina presents her hands in front of her, which were folded behind her back earlier. "We brought you these." A bouquet of daisies and marigolds is held out to me, along with a small stuffed teddy bear. I gasp in disbelief.

"Guys," I smile. I can't believe they did this for me. "Thank you so much." All three return the smile.

"So..." Abby begins. "What happened?"

"Uh," I bite my lip nervously. "I don't really want to talk about it," That's what I always say. To anyone who asks, that's my answer. Even Lisa- especially Lisa.

"Oh, okay. I understand."

For the next few moments, we ponder in silence. Finally, Lisa gets up and brushes off her sweatpants.

"I'm going to go to the cafeteria. Would you like anything girls?" She asks. They all shake their head 'no' in unison and thank her. "Harlowe?" Lisa turns to me.

"No, I'm okay. Thank you," I say, she nods her head and leaves the room.

"We saw Grayson," Tina peeps up. I wince at the sound of his name.

Aria looks around, as though she's about to cry. I can't take the sight of it. Everyone is so upset and it's all because of me. All of it.

"Ethan was in there... he said he hasn't left Gray's side," Abby sniffles. Another wave of guilt washes over me.

"I'm sorry," I peep. They all look at me with puzzled faces.

"I'm gonna go use the bathroom... I'll be back in a bit," Aria announces, gives us all a thin smile, and exits. Tina and Abby take a seat in two chairs in the corner.

"The fandom is freaking out," Tina blurts out.

"Fandom?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Yeah... you know," Abby pipes in. "Their fans?"

"Oh, right..." I let out an unsteady breath.

"So," Tina begins. "When do you get out of here?"

"I don't know," I scrunch my nose and think. "Hopefully soon."

"I hope," Abby gives me a sympathetic look.

Just as I'm about to speak again, two police officers enter the room, along with an older man. He is holding a sketch book and some papers, while the two others carry notepads.

"If you don't mind, I'm gonna have to ask you ladies to step out for a few minutes," One police man says. Intimidated, my heart begins to pound out of my chest- I know what they're here for. I watch as Tina and Abby walk out of the room and close the curtain behind them. Abby turns around at the last second, I give her a pleading look of help, but she brushes it off.

Damn it.

Ethan's POV

I remember when Grayson and I were younger, he had to come to the hospital to get stitches because our sister threw him off the trampoline. I thought he was going to die. I was too young to realize that it wasn't nearly the most severe thing I would witness him go through.

Right now, I've concluded that this was. Never in a million years would I think that I'd be here- sitting day in and day out watching my non-responsive brother lay on a hospital bed, barely alive. He's dying and there's nothing I can do about it.

It's all Harlowe's fault. If she hadn't run off and gotten all of us into this mess, Grayson wouldn't be hurt. She wouldn't be hurt. I wouldn't be hurting. I don't think she realizes how affecting this all is. Everything is put on hold now. She doesn't know about the constant uploading and social media and the fans.

I've only checked my social media once since this all has happened. I tried to explain the best I could... but I know how disappointed everyone will be. I hate letting the fans down. However, there was a lot of support. I got spammed with loving texts and comments, which put a genuine smile on my face.

I haven't smiled since then.

I'm so lost in thought that I don't even hear the curtain open. Two girls peek in, curious if they can come in. I gesture them towards me and they enter.

"Hey, it's-"

"Tina and Abby. I know, I remember you both from earlier," I recall them from a visit they paid this morning. '

"Yeah," The one replies. "We just wanted to come back and check on him."

"Thanks," I sigh. "He's not any different though." Abby comes over and gently touches my shoulder. Her tender hand suggests a feeling of love and comfort- I can sense it. I turn my head and smile. "Thank you."

Just then, another girl enters the room. I remember her coming in earlier too, but I forget her name. Aurora? Ashley?

"Sorry, I was in the bathroom," She scratches her chin uncomfortably. "How's Grayson?"

"The same," I answer. We all don't speak for the next few moments.

"Ethan we're here for you, you know that right?"

"Thank you, guys. I really do appreciate it," I look over at Grayson in his bed. "I'm sure Grayson would too." All three girls smile at me.

For once since this all happened, I feel a hint of hope. Maybe everything will turn out okay? Grayson will come out of this alive and well, and we can go back to how things were.

But a few moments later, his monitor goes flat, and I regret putting my hopes too high.

~~~

OMG GUYS! I'm sorry for such a long wait for a new chapter. I had actually been writing this on and off for the past two months but today I motivated myself enough to finish it, finally! I've been so busy with school and everything... I'm also sick right now so I've been resting. I'm planning on writing more tonight and hopefully it will be up by then or at least tomorrow :) Love you!