I Dare You

1 || A Quick Plea For The Power Of Invisibility

January 28; 11:03 p.m.

"Okay, Truth or Dare, Quinn?"

I sip from my bottle of scotch, easing myself into a buzz, as I sit with my two best friends. "Mmm... Truth."

Rowan and Queenie share a look. It's Queenie who speaks. "Is it true that you cheated on the Spanish test last week?"

I groan. "That was lame, and no; if I had, I would've helped you cheat too."

Queen smirks, eyeing Row through her dark lashes, the green of her eyes just peeking out from behind a silky clump of bright red hair. "Told ya."

Rowan just twirls a strand of her beautiful black waves around a finger, eyes tracking about the room.

"Rowan, Truth or Dare," I say.

"Dare."

It only takes me a moment to think it up. An evil grin twists my full pouty lips up — a rare occasion.

"Uh-oh," Queenie murmurs.

I lift my glass, and throw the rest of the drink back. Once I've swallowed, I slur, "I dare you to kiss my brother."

Rowan's sky-blue eyes round, a blush creeping up and rosey-ing her porcelain skin. "I — Sailor!"

Raising my free hand in mock helplessness, I say, "You used up your chicken already; you've gotta do it. Oh and —" I chuckle, "— we get to witness it."

"Damn, Sailor Quinn, you're evil." Rowan climbs to her feet, raking a hand through her hair.

"I know." I join her as Queenies rises too.
We traipse through the white and grey living room, into the white and grey hallway; ascend the left flight of the twin white marble staircases; turn left down another white and grey hallway. And then stop at the third door on the right.

Rowan raises her hand. Knocks.

"It's open!" my brother's deep voice sounds from inside. He's two years older than me at twenty, and usually hides in here while he's in his sketchbooks. We have a 23-year-old step-brother, but he has his own place in town. Anyway, the art thing is about the only thing Tiernan (my brother) and I have in common, and I have no idea what Ashton (the step-bro) likes.

Row sets her chin, rolls her shoulders back, and pushes inside.

"Hey, did Mom come h —" He finally looks up.

"Oh. Hey, Rowan."

"Hi. Look, can you stand up for a sec?"

Tiernan set his pencil down, brows furrowed.
"Uh, sure."

Quicker than lightning, my friend darts forward, grabs the front of my brother's shirt, and pulls him down, her lips crashing into his. When she pulls back, they kind of just stare at each other for a good four seconds.

Then, Tier says, "That was... something."

Rowan glares back at me. "It was a dare."

He looks taken aback for a moment before he deadpans completely. "Sailor? Come in here."

I step just inside the doorway.

"Next time you dare her to kiss me, make sure she's sober?"

I frown. "Why?"

His smile matches my evil grin from earlier. "So I can make her remember every. Single. Thing. That I do to her."

"Uhhhh, whoa, Tier. TMI, much?"

He shrugs. "You've got hot friends."

I shudder. "Yeah, but I don't need you saying it. C'mon, let's go finish our game."

***

Back downstairs, I pour us two shots each of tequila. We throw them back and resume the game.

Three more rounds go by before an alarm sings from my phone.

"Be right back, chicksssss." I run to the kitchen, hurriedly light nineteen candles, and rush the plate of brownies into the living room.

"You didn't." Rowan's voice is almost breathy, her excitement crystal clear.

"I did." I set the plate down in front of her. "Twelve sharp."

Queenie squeals. "Make a wish!"

Row closes her eyes, her full lips moving silently, then blows all nineteen out in one breath.

Queen and I cheer, then Row speaks, "I have one last question for you, Sailor. Truth or Dare?"

I've been doing mostly truths tonight, so, "Dare."

She doesn't even hesitate. "I dare you to go spy on Luca's meeting."

The two watch my reaction. I inhale sharply. I didn't use my chicken yet, but I have never backed down from a dare.

Even if it means doing something my mom and stepfather have specifically forbidden me from doing.

So, I close my eyes, shoot up a quick plea for the power of invisibility — which, of course, doesn't happen, damn the universe — and stand. "Okay. Let's do this."