You Know

Chapter Three

"Never imagined we'd end like this."

- from Last Kiss by Taylor Swift

        The hug was probably the most awkward one Mika had so far in her life. Dan had muttered a "Sorry, so, so sorry" and had wrapped his arms around her waist. She'd squirmed a little at first, but when she realized how close she was to him and how she might have been affecting him, she just stood still and waited for the 30 seconds to end. His head had been over her shoulder.

        Near the end, she felt him dig his nose into her shoulder a little, felt him breathe her in. When the counting stopped, she moved herself away from him and took deep breaths through her nose to calm herself down. He'd smelled okay, no body odor or anything, and he had that men cologne smell she always associated with masculinity.

        But, and Mika blushed slightly as she thought of this, she still preferred the smell of Tyler's clothes. The detergent smell. What made you clean made you attractive by Mika's standards.

        Dan didn't look at her for the rest of the game, and especially tried not to look at her when the finger pointed in her direction. Everyone else in that part scooted away, till the finger was just pointing at Mika. But Kasey had chosen not to comment on that rule break.

        "Yap."

        "Yes."

        They were both silent for a few moments.

        Kasey spoke. "Well, what will it be?"

        "I..." Mika looked for something to say. "I think I want to go to the restroom."

        Classmates near her laughed, a * good luck with that* laugh.

        "Truth or dare?"

        No matter how many times Mika had heard it and had read it in books, it still felt like two roads that diverged in a wood.

        And she took the one less traveled by.

        "Truth. Crap, wait—"

        People started getting excited and whispering among themselves. What could they ask? What else would they ask?

        "Yay," Kasey said. "Sonia."

        Sonia looked up.

        Kasey jabbed a thumb at Mika. "Girl chose truth. You know what to do."

        Sonia patted Mika on the shoulder, and when Mika turned around, she interlocked her fingers and motioned for—

        "You want me to do that?" Mika stood up. It looked painful. "Nuh uh, no way, Jose."

        "Mika, sit." One girl pulled her down to an Indian sit, another brought her hands out and interlaced them. Sonia cracked her knuckles. Mika looked around.

        Half the circle wouldn't even hear her answer. All was okay. Chill, Mika.

        "So," Kasey settled herself near Mika. "Who do you like?"

        Sonia pressed down on her fingers.

        Mika suppressed a high pitched scream. It felt like a Cruciatus Curse had been cast on her.

        Who could she say? She couldn't say 'no one', because they wouldn't believe it. Like it wasn't possible to not have a crush on anyone at this age. She couldn't say Dan, because that would hurt him when he found out that she didn't really like him.

        "27, 26, 25..."

        They were counting so slowly. Too slow to befair.

        A new, unMika idea popped into her head.

        What if I said I liked a girl?

        Who would I say?

        Tayla?

        NO.

        "20, 19, 18..."

        "Since Mika seems to be speechless," Kasey said, meant to address everyone. "Let us provide her with a list of possibilities."

        Funny how her grammar was only polished when she's torturing someone.

        "16, 15, 14..."

        "Dan. Jake." Mika noticed the slight flare of jealousy in her eyes as she said Jake, but Kasey had nothing to worry about. Really. "Lance. Tyler."

        She heard herself gasp.

        Aaaaand, she blew her cover.

        "9, 8, 7..."

        "It's Tyler, isn't it?" Kasey asked.

        Mika met Tyler's eyes, from where he sat with Tayla. Tayla was also looking at her.

        "6, 5, 4..."

        "It's me, isn't it?" his eyes said. Mika felt the pain fade, Wait, no, she knew it was there, but her brain thought Tyler was more important than a silly Truth or Dare game consequence. That she had done for Tyler.

        "2, 1."

        The circle groaned. Another strong one who'd managed to survive the 30 seconds. Guess they hadn't heard her gasping as his name was mentioned, or seen her face when she realized she blew it. Not that they'd refrain from teasing her just because she didn't admit to liking him.

        Mika stood up, offered something more like a glare than a smile to Kasey, and fast-walked away. She heard hoots and calls behind her, and wondered if she'd bled through her skirt—even though she didn't have her period yet that month—unless that was now.

        A hand grabbed her shoulder and she turned around.

        Tyler.

        "Uh, hi—"

        His eyes said, "No more bull."

        He said, "Who did you say you like?"

        You. "Why?"

        "Why should there be a reason?"

        "Why should I tell you?"

        They were having a staring competition. Lose and you had to give in.

        Mika was beginning to get lost in his eyes full of stars, when he said, "It's me, isn't it."

        The way he said it...like he didn't even need to ask.

        "I..." Mika looked away.

        "Mika..."

        "It is."

        Tyler stared at her, like her reactions to her questions weren't a good enough answer. "You—you—" He started walking around the small space of the staircase.

        Mika watched him. "Is it so bad?"

        "It's shocking, okay? And I told you a lot of stuff. Stuff...about Tayla and..." He ran his hands through his hair. "I just can't believe this. I—"

        "It is that bad." Mika felt something pressing down on her chest, heavier and heavier, on her heart, till her eyesight became blurry and she turned away.

        "No, Mika, wait—"

        But Mika was already going down the stairs, feet carelessly clapping against each step despite the tears in her eyes.