12 Chapter 12: Seasonal Cold

Maryanne dips further into the water, embarrassment causing her body to go numb. She should be yelling at him to get out, to look away. Maryanne holds any words at bay, not sure of what to say.

“Uh, I’m sorry,” Max pivots away, his knuckles turning white as he grips the door knob tightly. Red tints his ears and he clenches his jaw. “I was trying to find you. I—no sorry—this is stupid, but Geneva left and won’t be back until the morning.”

Maryanne wants to ask where she has gone, probably back home, but the fear that is now taking over Max’s features has her overlooking that topic.

“What is it?”

“Riley is acting strange. I think she might be getting sick.”

It takes a moment for Maryanne to understand what he has said, as his face is turned away while he speaks.

“What, does she have a fever?” Fear begins to pound in her head.

“I’m not sure.”

“Well go get a thermometer,” she commands, standing up abruptly as her mind races with thoughts of Riley being sick.