Montana Mansion

Fainting Spells

Maybeck's POV:

I knew she was faking. But still I couldn't help but rush over and be with her, comfort her. I shot a nasty look back over my shoulder at Jess. I knew this was a bad idea. It was too public. I never wanted it to come to anything like this. 

I admired Charlene's slender neck as Finn removed her choker necklace, whispering to her all the while. That should be me, I seethed. She doesn't even want him. Why couldn't I have been the red herring?

Wait. What am I thinking? I stopped myself. I wanted her to love me for real. Not for fake. Not to hide her true feelings. 

Willa had crouched down beside her head, holding her hand comfortingly. Finn stroked her cheek softly, still whispering to her. Amanda had gone to get her a glass of water. I stood at her feet, not sure what to do. I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to push Finn away from her and scoop her up in my arms and hold her and tell her I'd make sure that no one ever found out about hers and Philby's secret. That I would take care of her forever. 

But I knew I couldn't do that. So I just stood at her feet, studying her pretty frame.

Amanda's POV:

I raced down the stairs to the kitchen, nearly tripping over myself. What were you supposed to do when someone fainted? They should should replace Calculus with that class because Calculus sure wasn't helping me now! 

I fumbled through the cabinets for a plastic glass which I quickly filled with water and a few drops of ice. In my haste to get upstairs I sloshed almost half of the liquid from the cup but there was little I could do to stop the intense shaking of my arm.

"Here," I panted, extending the cup to Jess at the top of the ladder. She accepted it begrudgingly. She didn't look very sympathetic at all nor nearly as panicked as I was.

I watched as Maybeck took over and snatched the cup from her, his eyes hot and angry. Angry? Why angry? This was not an angry situation. It was terrifying!