Yes, I know Ridley Pearson refers to Jess, Amanda's sister, as 'Jez' in the entire KK2 book, but I thought I should give her j
Yes, I know Ridley Pearson refers to Jess, Amanda's sister, as 'Jez' in the entire KK2 book, but I thought I should give her justice and refer to her by her real name. The one Pearson christened her in the first place.
Amanda gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. I blushed.
"See you tomorrow, Finn," she said softly, her lips barely parting. She closed the door, biting her bottom lip to refrain a smile.
"Bye…Amanda."
"So, gushing over my sister again, are you?" came a voice from behind.
Finn yelped, and jumped to his right. "Jess, what the Mickey Mouse do you think you're doing?" Finn cried. After his dates with Amanda, Jess always hid, unseen, in the bushes so that she could make sure Finn wouldn't try to 'make a move' on Amanda. For the past month that Amanda and Finn had been dating, Jess had managed to scare Finn every Friday. It was a good thing it was wearing off a bit now.
Jess ignored Finn's remark and smirked, walking in behind her sister.
"And, by the way—you still haven't answered my question."
"What?"
"If you were gushing over Amanda again. I could tell you were, sorta."
"Well—yeah, I mean, she is my girlfriend, Jess. It's not like I like Charlene or something."
"Interesting…"
"What? What'd you dream, Jess?" Finn asked tiredly. He was tired of Jess's mind games—especially since she teased him every chance she got.
"Guys, what're you doing?" called Amanda from the second-floor.
"Finn's in love with you!" called Jess. She took off into the house, shutting the door quickly behind her. Finn and Amanda were left alone.
It wasn't as though Finn and Amanda loved each other. They had only dated for a month, and at fifteen, Finn didn't quite know what love was. Was it love that had persuaded him to not say yes to Amanda right away? Or was it mere disinterest?
Finn blushed scarlet while Amanda giggled.
"Finn, don't worry. You don't have to say anything. We've only dated for a month anyway," said Amanda, waving a hand.
"Thanks. To be honest—"
A pale hand grabbed Finn's shoulder and yanked him inside. Jess's hand.
"What the—"
"JESS!" someone's voice called from above. Finn ducked as a pillow was aimed near him.
"Sorry, Finn. Aiming for my sister."
"Why don't you two go upstairs and talk so that everyone doesn't realize we live here?" Jess sneered. Finn liked the idea, and walked towards the stairs.
Ice cold froze his body. He felt like an ice cube, and felt as though he were melting. His throat went dry, and he thought he heard a rasping sound: his voice? Suddenly—warmth. And he wasn't feeling as though he were slowly inching towards the floor vertically, either. He felt as though he were lying down, though he couldn't see.
"Finn?! Finn?!" a voice—like an angel's—called out.
"Mhmm?" he said faintly. A sigh of relief.
"Finn, I'm calling Wayne. Jess, get him to the fireplace."
"What? No go…Amanda…Amanda…"
"Finn, I'll be right back, don't worry. It's going to be okay. Hold on, please!"
Running footsteps. More black. Warmth. He felt the melting sensation again, however.
"…called me. Amanda, I think you're meant for him."
"We've hardly gone out. Every Friday, that's it."
"Still. And Jess, thank you for acting so quickly and putting the heating pads on the doors and windows. Very smart. And Finn, thank you for taking my eavesdropping lessons seriously."
Amanda turned to Finn, her eyes lighting up. She kissed him on the cheek—more warmth. And then he blushed. Slowly, he was gaining back to 98 degrees.
"What…happened?"
"Finn!" Amanda cried, and she threw her arms around Finn's neck.
"How long have I been out?" Finn asked, unaware.
"Umm….about half a day. Have you noticed, exactly, where you are?" Amanda asked.
"No." After taking a quick look around, he said, "St. Legend County Hospital?"
"Yes. Your parents went to go and get something to eat."
"Okay. And…what about your parents' story? They didn't catch on? They didn't—"
"Patience, my boy. I'm posing as Amanda and Jess's grandfather. Refer to me as 'Mr. Lockhart' or 'Henry' from now on. And the story is her father passed away two years ago, when she was thirteen, and her mother got a teaching job in Alaska. Amanda and Jess didn't want to leave Orlando, so they stayed with me."
"Good one."
"Haha. I'm Wayne Kresky, Finn."
Just then, Finn felt unbelievably tired. He laid his head down and closed his eyes.
"Tired?"
"You don't know how much."
"Good. And Charlene, Willa, Maybeck, and Philby are safe under DD's watch."
"Good. Erm…Henry?"
"Yes?"
"Can I go to sleep, possibly?"
"Of course, Finn. Every great leader needs to take a break. Philby's in charge for the next twenty-four hours. Well…he basically just makes sure everyone's in order."
"Okay. That's fine. Tell my parents I'm okay and I love them and everything."
"Fine by me. Night, Finn."
"Night, Jess. Amanda."
"Night, Finn," the girls said in unison. Finn fell dreamily asleep, lulled by his last memory: Amanda's beautiful, intriguing eyes.
