My sister a dentist my brother a doctor

Sick

PAIGE'S POV

I knew I should have told Mum or Dad. But if I did, Mum would panic, and Dad would probably start checking my temperature every five minutes. And if Uncle Austin or Aunt Selena found out? I'd be in for a full-on doctor interrogation. No, thank you. It was just a fever. It would go away. At least, that's what I kept telling myself as I curled up under my blankets, trying to stop shivering. My head was pounding, my throat ached, and every muscle in my body felt heavy. But I'd been playing it cool all morning, and no one had noticed. Yet. Dallas had, though. Of course she had. She was my twin. She caught onto things faster than anyone else.

"You look terrible," she whispered after Mum walked past our room.

"Gee, thanks," I muttered, trying to sit up.

Dallas rolled her eyes.

"I mean it, Paige. You need to tell Mum."

"No way," I shot back, forcing myself to stand up even though the room spun around me. "She'll freak out, and you know it."

Dallas didn't argue. She knew I was right. Mum worried about us even when we weren't sick. If she found out I had a fever, she'd probably cancel everything and keep me stuck in bed for a week.

"I'll help you hide it," Dallas sighed. "But if you get worse—"

"I won't." I forced a smile. "It's just a little fever."

I should have known better. Because, of course, today was the day Uncle Austin and Aunt Selena were coming over. And the second they stepped into the house, I knew I was doomed. I managed to keep it together for a while. I stayed quiet, avoided too much movement, and Dallas covered for me when Mum asked why I wasn't eating much. But then Aunt Selena sat down next to me on the couch.

"Hey, kiddo," she said casually, but I could feel her eyes scanning me. "You okay?"

I nodded quickly.

"Yeah, just tired."

She hummed, clearly not buying it. Before I could come up with an excuse to leave, she pressed the back of her hand to my forehead. I flinched.

"Paige," she said, her voice shifting into full doctor mode. "You're burning up."

No. I tried to move away, but Uncle Austin was already watching me too.

"How long have you had a fever?" he asked, crossing his arms.

"I don't—" I started, but Dallas cut in.

"Since last night," she blurted.

I turned to her, betrayed.

"Dallas!"

She shrugged.

"What? You do have a fever!"

Aunt Selena sighed and stood up.

"Alright, that's it. We're checking you out."

"I'm fine—"

"Not up for debate," Uncle Austin said. "Come on, kiddo."

Mum turned at the conversation, eyes narrowing.

"Wait. What's going on?"

"Your daughter has a fever and tried to hide it," Uncle Austin said, giving me a pointed look.

Mum's face went from confused to full-on Mum Mode in less than two seconds.

"Paige! Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I didn't want you to worry," I muttered, crossing my arms.

She sighed, rubbing her temple.

"Sweetheart, I always worry about you. That doesn't mean you don't tell me when you're sick."

Aunt Selena patted my knee.

"Alright, let's get some vitals before we go into the lecture."

I groaned but didn't argue as she pulled out the small medical kit she always seemed to have. Uncle Austin took out his stethoscope, and before I could protest, Aunt Selena stuck a thermometer under my tongue. Dallas sat beside me, looking like she was way too entertained by all of this.

"101.8," Aunt Selena read aloud.

Mum let out a worried sigh.

"Paige..."

"Still fine," I mumbled.

"Uh-huh." Uncle Austin lifted my wrist, checking my pulse. "Heart rate's a little fast."

Aunt Selena frowned.

"Any other symptoms? Sore throat? Cough? Headache?"

I hesitated, but one look from Mum told me lying was not an option.

"Sore throat, headache, and I feel kind of dizzy when I stand up."

"Any nausea?" Uncle Austin asked.

I shook my head.

"No."

Aunt Selena nodded, clicking her tongue in thought.

"Sounds viral. Probably just a bad flu. But we'll check your throat to be safe."

I made a face as Uncle Austin grabbed a tongue depressor.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously," he said. "Say ahh."

I groaned but opened my mouth. He pressed down on my tongue, shining a light in my throat. I could tell by the slight frown on his face that he didn't love what he saw.

"Inflamed," he said, pulling back. "Tonsils are swollen but no pus, so not strep. Probably just viral pharyngitis."

Aunt Selena nodded.

"We'll get some fever meds in you, push fluids, and keep an eye on it. If it doesn't improve in a couple of days, we'll run some tests."

Uncle Austin set his stuff down and gave me a pointed look.

"And no more hiding fevers."

I sighed.

"Fine."

"Good," Mum said, brushing my hair back. "Now, let's get you in bed."

I groaned but let her guide me upstairs. As I curled up under the blankets, Dallas sat beside me, smirking.

"Told you you'd get caught."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile.

"Stop" I sighed kinda annoyed