ETHEL PAIGE
All what my brother said is true. We haven't had a mother figure in our lives for three years. But it's not a big deal, we're perfectly good without her.
My name is Ethel Paige, and I'm a total opposite of my brother. Y'all better remember that.
"I can't believe you spent $80,000 on a makeup kit, Elle. That's so absurd."
That's Mavis, my best friend and platonic soul mate.
"Yeah , I don't even know what came over me. But it did feel good to spend Han's money." I replied.
"So what was his reaction?" Mavis asked.
"Gosh, Mave! You should've seen his face. He looked like a volcano." I said as I imitated an angry face.
Mavis couldn't hold it anymore, she burst into fits of laughter. I could've sworn I saw drops of saliva on the screen.
I stood up from my bed and made my way towards the bathroom.
"Guess what!"
"Ooh, tell me." She inquired.
I placed my phone on a platform, opened the mirror-closet and removed my dental tools.
"It's Dallas. He's here." I said as I turned on the faucet and placed my toothbrush under it.
"That's not my problem, Elle."
"Says the girl who had a crush on him in eighth grade." I coaxed.
"That was before he did what he did. Right now, I don't give a damn about him or where he is. Can we not let a guy destroy our rules of feminism, at least, for the mean time?" Mavis said as she scoffed and rolled her eyes.
"Come on Mavey, you and I know that deep down you give more than a damn. I don't give a damn about Han, do you believe that?" I muffled.
"No." She curtly replied.
"Okay, maybe I do. You're supposed to play along, Mave. How old are you? 90? Let me give you platonic advice, one you'll never get from any other Ethel Paige alive..."
I stayed quiet for a while before rinsing my mouth and fixing my dental tools back ion the mirror closet.
"Let me guess, you have no advice for me." She said as she gave me a bored look.
I chuckled nervously.
"No, I don't." I replied.
"Then, I'll just keep living like this."
"MAVEY WAVEY!!!"
"Yes, Mom..."
"Could you please come down for a minute. I can't seem to figure out which cereal would be good for your sister!"
"I'll be there, Mom!"
"Sorry, girl... duty calls."
"No bigs..."
"TTYL!!" We said simultaneously and I stepped out of the bathroom.
As I made myself comfortable on my bed, the person with the least number of followers in the whole world barged into my room.
"Did you flush your hands down a toilet?" I asked as I glared at him.
"They're obviously glued to my wrists, genius." Ethan said as he displayed his hands before me.
"What the hell do you want in my room?" I asked.
"Well, I just came to tell you that I'll be borrowing Prime for a moment."
"What do you mean by "a moment", Han? I just got her."
"Which is why I won't be taking her far away from you." He said as he raised his eyebrow and stared at me for approval.
I didn't say anything.
"Relax, you're not gonna lose her. Just let me borrow her for "five" short minutes." He begged as he made an emphasis on "five".
I let out a frustrated sigh as he lifted Prime from my bed.She barked in excitement and wagged her tail.
"See? She even wants to get out of this sick room."
"It'd better be five minutes." I warned him as made his way out of my room.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." He said carelessly as he shut the door behind him.
>>>LATER AT NOON<<<
"OMG!!! I can't believe it. Taylor Swift has been nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Music Video at the 2025 Grammy Awards." Mavis said as she tapped on her phone.
"I will always be her number one fan." I said dreamily.
"Quit dreaming, even she knows I'm her number one. I even promoted the sales of tickets for her Eras tour."
"I don't wanna argue with you. So just stop what you're starting." I said as I rolled my eyes.
I could've sworn I saw her smirk.
As we were still going through our phones, a knock came on the door, so I went to get it. Unfortunately, it was Han.
"Your five minutes turned to five hours." I said as I glared at him.
"Thanks anyways. She's been of great help."
He said.
Prime, my three weeks old Maltese ran in and jumped on my bed, barking and licking Mavis' face cutely.
I turned back to find Han staring at me with waiting eyes.
"What now?" I asked.
"Kelbo wanted to have a taste of your room, too." He said as he gave me a wicked smile and paved way for the Australian Husky.
WHAT!!!
Kelbo's actually Dad's dog and he's very protective of her. If one little strand of fur comes off her, Han and I would be in big trouble. He's probably bringing her here to torture me for using his credit card.
But it's okay. I'm Daddy's girl, so I'll get past it... one way or another.