𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐑 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐄? ; 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗳𝗶𝗰

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞

and so, it begins.

I'm fussing over nothing, I know it, I just can't help it.

I smooth out the wrinkles in my dress and force myself to stop picking at my fingernails.

Throwing my gaze around the room, I straighten the bowl of punch, just a couple of inches to the left. Before I have the chance to scrutinize my handiwork any more, the doorbell rings and I rush to get it before my mom does.

Carmen's standing outside and waiting expectantly when I open the door. He greets me with a "Hi, Poppy, great to see you!" like nothing had happened and as though the last time we saw each other wasn't two years ago. They wave good-bye to their mother, then look at me again.

I hover in the doorway for a moment, then realize my mistake. "Oh- come on in."

Carmen steps inside, and I close the door behind him. I lead them into the decorated living room, where my mom is about to leave, sending me an encouraging smile before she does.

—

"You would be murdering three defenseless people!"

"Your point?"

I watch on in amusement as Lotus tries to explain "the trolley problem" to Amari. He looks like he's about to explode, but Amari doesn't seem perturbed.

So far, the "party" has been going fine, but I was hoping for it to be a bit more... personable. Everyone is just breaking off into their groups from school, the exact opposite of what this is supposed to be about.

A hand claps onto my shoulder, and I practically jump out of my skin before I realize it's just Neva.

"This is... fun, right?" I ask haltingly, but I never could properly fake anything with her.

She smirks and says, "You're disappointed. I get it. How about a game, like you mentioned earlier?"

My eyes light up. "Of course!" I turn and clap my hands together once, twice, to get the group's attention. When they all turn to me, I regret calling attention to myself.

Luckily, Neva takes over for me. "Who wants to play a game?"

The sound of general, muttered affirmation reaches my ears, and I almost sigh in relief. Then Tyler looks to me and asks, "What kind of game?"

"How about 'spin the bottle'?" Amari suggests, wiggling their eyebrows.

"Ew, no." Neva wrinkles her nose. "We're all friends," she says, putting extra emphasis on the word "friends." Lotus is nodding frantically along.

"Fine," Amari huffs. She slides back into the bean bag, defeated.

"Actually," I begin slowly, "I was going to suggest 'truth or dare'."

Amari isn't as disappointed anymore. "Yes," they say firmly, eyes widening into an almost crazed expression. At the look on her face, I want to say "sike!", but I know there's no way to back down now.

"Who wants to go first?" I ask hesitantly, knowing ful well what the answer is.

Carmen opens his mouth to say something, probably to try to claim the first turn before a specific someone does, but Amari yells, "Me!"

"Go ahead," I tell them on impulse.

Amari surveys the room and I cringe on a reflex, not wanting to be picked. Her gaze finally settles on Simon, and I inwardly tell her, "Good luck." Amari's dares are horrid, the truths not much better.

"Simon," Amari announces, smiling, no, baring their teeth in a grin. "Truth or dare?"

All in good fun, I think to myself. All in good fun.

Simon sits in silence, thinking. "Dare?" His voice cracks.

Oh. Oh, no.

"Wait, how about some base rules-" I try, attempting to save Simon.

Amari ignores me. "Simon, I dare you to go outside and jump in the pool, with your clothes on."

Simon groans, like she was expecting it. "Really?" The second voice crack makes it better, but I can't help but feel sorry for him. "Can I wade into it, or does it have to be a jump?"

"Jump."

Simon gets up—I slide open the screen door—and looks back at me and Neva, but I shake my head. I won't interfere. Good luck.

aster.

sorry for the short
chapter! anygay, can
anyone guess how
they're taken? :eyes: