Page 104 of Rules

“Jeanette?” I call out, panic setting in. “Jeanette, open your eyes.”

Her eyelids flutter weakly, but fall closed once again.

“C-c-can’t,” she rasps, her voice barely audible.

Her body sways, legs giving up on her.

“Dammit,” I curse. “Don’t let her fall, Lia.”

Lia’s panicked eyes meet mine over Jeanette’s shoulder. “What’s wrong with her?”

I want to reassure her that everything will be fine, but first, we have to make sure Jeanette is okay.

Swallowing hard, my eyes dart between the two girls in front of me, one almost unconscious, the other one freaking out. I can’t help them both.

“I think she’s having a panic attack,” I say. “Help me get her on the ground. Jeanette, open your eyes.”

Once she’s lying down, I try softly slapping her cheek, but when that doesn't help, I get up and grab a towel. Wetting it with ice water, I squeeze out the excess before I get back on the ground and pat the rag over Jeanette’s face.

“Why? Because she has a bug?” Lia asks, confusion and fear written all over her face.

“No, because she’s pregnant.”

I see Lia’s mouth fall open, but no words come out. Not knowing what to say, I turn back to Jeanette, but she’s still out. I nibble at my lip, debating what to do.

“B-but…”

Frustrated, I puff a strand of hair out of my face as I look at Lia. “Snap out of it, Lia. She needs us.” My words are harsher than necessary, but I can’t coddle her right now. Not when inside I’m scared and panicking too. But we don’t have the luxury of falling apart. Not now. Trying to recall the knowledge of first aid, I say, “Get over here; help me lift her legs in the air. It should get more blood to her brain, which will hopefully help.”

Lia moves to do as she’s told. “Do you think we should call an ambulance?”

Working her sweater off and leaving her in a tank top, I tilt her chin back to open her airways. Then I rinse the now-warm towel and reapply it to her newly exposed skin. “Give her a few minutes. If she doesn’t wake up…”

I shake my head. The image of an angry and worried Max from last week enters my mind. I’m not sure what their deal is, but one thing is for sure. If he finds out about this he’ll freak. If something happens to Jeanette…

“Ugh…” The moan is so soft it’s almost inaudible, but I can feel her body stir.

“She’s waking up,” Lia says, her big eyes searching mine before they look back down at the girl lying on the floor. “Jeanette?”

Dark eyelashes flutter a few times before they open, narrowing at the sudden light. “W-What ha-appened?” she rasps, blinking.

I move away a strand of hair glued to her forehead. “You fainted.”

Silver eyes find mine, and I know the exact moment when it all comes back to her. Her eyes grow even wider than before, her complexion ashen. Her fingers grip mine in a deadly lock so tight I want to wince in pain, but I swallow it down.

“I-I…” Her voice trembles, breaking at that one word.

“It’s all okay,” I whisper softly, my hand brushing her hair in a steady movement. “We’ll figure it out. But first, I need you to calm down, okay?”

My heart constricts in my chest at the pain and fear I see etched on her face, but not once do I let go. I continue whispering, in hopes of soothing her, when inside I’m a panicking mess.

Chapter Forty

BROOK

“Are you sure you’re feeling better?” Lia meets Jeanette’s gaze in the review mirror. “You scared us to death.”

My hands grip the steering wheel tighter, but I concentrate on driving.

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