​171: Fake Emotions

Camilla Samantha’s steps echoed down the stairs, each one deliberate. When she saw Drake, her eyes widened in shock, then darted to me. I wasn’t in the mood for games. I wanted answers. I shot her a glare, my patience becoming ragged. Drake’s hand tightened around mine, a silent plea for calm. I looked at him, and he shook his head slightly. It was clear he didn’t want me to confront Samantha now, but I wasn’t in the mood to play it safe. We were in the middle of a crisis, and this was not the time for restraint. I pulled my hand free from Drake’s grasp and faced Samantha, my expression serious. “Samantha, I need to know why you lied about Drake,” I said, trying to keep my voice unfluctuating. “Why did you tell me he was involved in that video?” My mother’s face shifted to confusion. “Sex video? What’s going on here?” I glanced at her. “Mom, the reason Austin was so upset with Samantha was because he caught her cheating. That’s why he was angry.” My mother froze, her eyes locking