escape | ethan dolan

feelings • 22

UGH IM HAVING MAJOR WRITERS BLOCK BUT ANYWAYS ENJOY THIS CHAPTER
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Fate has a weird way of working sometimes. I'm not saying I regret meeting Ethan and Grayson. The moments with them have been amazing. I shared not only my first kiss with Ethan, but feelings I've never felt for anyone before. And it happened so quickly, too. How does that even happen? How can feelings develop so sudden, for someone who you barely even know anything about?

But maybe it's not about what you know- maybe it's about what you feel when you're with them. Ethan didn't tell me about all the places he's traveled, whether he prefers chocolate or vanilla, or what his favorite color is. He showed me that he was kind and understanding, and he has a goofy and fun side too. When I'm with Ethan, I don't feel like a girl who's trying to escape from her terrible life, I feel free- like I can go anywhere with him. I want him to be my future.

My eyes are so dull that I can hardly read the time on the electronic clock beside my bed. Does it say 3:06? Nope, it definitely says 5:06. I haven't gotten an ounce of sleep tonight. Everything that happened yesterday keeps replaying in my head. The kiss, the fight. It's like a rubix cube that I just can't seem to figure out. Was Ethan mad that I turned myself in, or was he only mad because I didn't tell him? He didn't even come chasing after me when I left Grayson's room. Does he not care?

"Ugh!" I let out a groan, much louder than intended. I hear someone shift in their bed in the room beside me.

"Can't sleep either?" A girl says quietly. I look to my left where her voice came from. I get up out of bed and go over to the curtain. When I pull it back slightly, I see a girl im a room that almost looks identical to mine. She has thick brown hair and light skin, from what I can see in the dark.

"You heard that?" I say ashamed. "Sorry if I woke you up."

"No," The unknown girl sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed. "You didn't. I haven't slept all night."

"Same," I inch closer into her room, letting the curtain fall behind me. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," She gestures me to come sit on her bed. "I could really use the company."

I sit on the edge of the bed. "I'm Harlowe," I say quietly. She smiles.

"I really like that name," The girl pauses, letting it sink in. "It's unique." My mind flashes back to the first time I talked with Ethan. It's unique. "I'm Lena."

"I love that name," I pause and bite my lip. "So how come you can't sleep?"

"Well, it's mainly because I miss my family. It's hard being in a hospital so long and only being able to see them during visiting hours," Lena sighs and puts her hands in her lap. "But... I'm also really scared."

"Scared?" I retort confused.

"I, um, recently found out I have leukemia. I start my first treatment tomorrow," Lena scrunches her knows and diverts her eyes away from mine. I can tell she's about to cry.

"I'm so sorry," My heart breaks for her. I scooch closer and put my hand on hers, hoping that it might slightly comfort her. "It's gonna be okay. I know we just met, but I can tell you're a strong girl. You're gonna get through it."

I can see the tears slowly creep down her cheek. "Ugh," She furiously wipes the tears away. "I'm sorry, it's only been 2 minutes and I'm already crying," Lena chuckles and takes a deep breath. "If I can be honest, I just don't want to lose my hair." I feel comfortable enough so I giggle with her. "Anyway, let's not talk about me anymore. Why can't you sleep?"