At the age of 16 you can, if you so wish, walk out of your parents house and never have any further contact with them for the rest of your life. Even if, under such circumstances, your parents reported you as "missing" and the police became aware of your location, they would be prohibited from telling your parents where you were (although they could assure them as to your well-being).
So it follows that the lesser step which you're considering is equally permissible.
Chris