The Dare Game

Emilys POV.

I woke to light snores all around me. I peeled myself away from Luke and looked around the room only to see the boys had also fallen asleep while watching tv. I turned the tv off and quietly tiptoed into the kitchen to get myself a glass of water.

I opened the fridge to get hit by a blast of cold air. I sighed in relief and heard a chuckled behind me.

"What's the time?" Calum asked me. I pulled my phone out of my pocket.

"About 3.15." I yawned. I poured myself a glass of water and raised my eyebrows at Calum. He nodded and I poured him one too.

We sat down at the table in silence, more from it being the middle of the night than having nothing to say.

"Emily." He laughed silently.

"Calum?" I questioned.

"What are you going to do?"

I was confused. What was he talking about?

"Uh go back to sleep?" I guessed. He laughed again.

"You're so oblivious." He smiled. "You have two of my best friends pretty much in love with you and you pretend you don't know anything about it." I sat still, waiting for him to explain further. When he didn't I had to ask.

"What do you mean, two?"

"Is it not obvious? I thought you and Ashton..."

"No no no. Not me and Ashton." I giggled at Calum's thoughts. "We've been best friends for ages. Not us. Nah."

"You just said no in different forms six times." He stated. "Sounds likes you're in denial."

"No, I like Luke. I have liked Luke for a long time."

"Well just don't mess it up with Ashton then okay? Even if you don't believe me, he cares about you in a different way." Calum stood up and put his glass in the sink before heading back into the lounge and lying on the couch.

I laughed to myself. Calum is a sweetheart, but he has it all wrong, I thought. I walked back into the lounge and looked around. Calum was already fast asleep and was snoring loudly. Ashton had his back towards me, but his breathing was slow so I guessed he was asleep. I curled back up beside Luke and I felt his arms wrap around me protectively. He was still fast asleep.

I lay in Luke's arms smiling. Calum said he was pretty much in love with me. But then again, he said the same about Ashton.

I closed my eyes and fell back into a deep sleep.

---------------------------------------------

As I woke up a second time, no one was left in the lounge, but me. I looked in the kitchen to find it empty. I glanced at the window and saw the top of the boys heads outside. As I opened the door they all turned to face me.

"Morning beautiful." Luke grinned at me. My knees felt weak.

"Hey." I replied quietly. I sat down and they stopped their conversation. "You guys can keep talking you know." I laughed.

"Nah we finished anyway." Luke said.

"I gotta go." Ashton told us. He walked inside to grab his stuff and I followed him.

"Hey Ash."

"Emily." He said formally.

"Did I do something? Why does everything feel awkward?" I asked.

"It doesnt." He shot back quickly.

"Ashton, you know it does. Why are you acting strange?" I tried again.

"I think we should stop playing the dare game." He said out of the blue. My heart sank. I will admit it, at one moment I thought I was falling for Ashton, but that left rapidly when I saw Luke. But it was the only thing that seemed normal between us now.

"Oh." I sighed.

"You're busy with Luke and everything." He said walking towards the door. It felt like a slap in the face.

"Is that why you are acting strange?" I asked.

"I'm not."

"You are."

"Emily, stop being immature." He said firmly. "That game was stupid anyway, just let it go. I don't care you and Luke go out, why would I? You're such a drama queen."

Luke and Calum walked in at that very moment.

"Ashton wait." I said desperately, knowing what was coming next.

"Emily, I still want to be friends, but at the moment, I need some others."

Luke and Calum stood awkwardly by the door, not knowing where to look or what to say.

"I'll talk to you all later. Okay?" He asked angrily walking out the door.

I was so confused.

"Why is he acting so weird?" Luke asked. Calum gave me a knowing look. I shook my head furiously.

"He'll come back later, wanting to hang out, I bet." I said, trying to convince myself. Calum let out a sigh as we walked back outside.

"I think we should leave Luke." He said, grabbing his stuff on the way out.

"Okay, bye guys." I said, still puzzled.

Luke pulled me into a tight hug and pressed his lips against my forehead. "I don't know what that was about, but text me if you need anything, okay?" He mumbled.

I nodded as they walked down the path and out onto the streets, the opposite way Ashton had went.

I walked back inside and flung myself onto the couch. I groaned loudly so frustrated that I couldn't understand Ashton.