The Boy Next Door

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Girls, are you coming to play truth or dare?" Harley asked, squatting down as we sat on the poolside, paddling our feet.

I looked at her, then at Alex and around the bustling garden. "How can we play truth or dare? There are only six of us."

Harley grinned, "My friends are here now. They're upstairs."

"No, not a chance," Alex muttered.

"Come on, Ally, don't be a spoilsport," she pouted, ruffling Alex's hair.

She sighed. "Harley. You know I don't enjoy it. I'm boring and never do any dares."

"Okay then, how about seven minutes in heaven?"

I glanced at Harley, inquisitively chewing the inside of my mouth, "What is seven minutes in heaven?"

"Are you joking?" Harley gasped, looking at me gone out, and my lack of knowledge embarrassed me.

"You basically get locked in a cupboard with someone in the dark and have seven minutes to kiss or whatever," Emily explained.

"Ashley has a boyfriend. She won't want to play," Alex added.

"Ooh, well, what happens in the cupboard stays in the cupboard." Harley winked.

"Harley, we're staying here."

"Suit yourselves. We have a stash of alcohol, though. But, stay with the old people if you prefer," Harley mocked. "Good luck getting a drink off, Mum and Dad." She stood up, wobbled a little and stumbled off. I watched her talk to everyone around as she passed through confidently. I wanted to be like her, and I wanted to follow.

Part of me wanted to experience the games I had never heard of; it was what I had wanted to do for so long, but Alex was right; I had a boyfriend. What were the chances of having a boyfriend and the opportunity to party and play simultaneously?

I certainly never saw it coming.

"Alex, let's go and play," I found myself saying.

"What? Why? They are lame games."

I looked at her and the others, who seemed as bored as me. Our alcohol disappeared the minute we left Harley's room. My nose was also throbbing, and I needed something to numb the pain.

The minute that needle jabbed through my nose tissue, my eyes watered. It was quick and painful, like a sharp pinch, and until the effects of a few shots of Gold schlager wore off, it was smooth sailing. Now the dull ache pained my face.

"I have never played any of them lame games," I admitted, and they all looked sorry for me. It made me feel pathetic.

"Never?" Sammy asked. "Never ever?"

I shook my head and looked at my feet, watching the water surround them and then fall as I lifted them in and out.

How could I feel embarrassed about not playing silly games when I have had sex and have a boyfriend? Why did I care? I shouldn't have wanted to kiss someone else. I didn't want to. But I also couldn't explain why I was so eager to get up and experience it to say I had and not be the only one in school who hadn't.

"Fine, come on," Alex muttered with a roll of her eyes, rising to her feet. "But I promise you; these games are lame. None of Harley's friends will want to kiss us; we are too young."

"Yes," I shrieked excitedly, standing up, picking up my heels, and following her inside along with the others.

"Didn't take long to change your mind," Harley smirked as we walked into her bedroom.