Sliding Doors - 2 (English Version)

Chapter 38

Josephine

We're at the self-service restaurant of Moxie's movie set.
We all came together, we're almost 20 people.
All girls except Patrick. Another guy from the cast was supposed to join us, but he's probably only joining us tonight.

"Okay, let's play a game... What do you think?" enthusiastically proposes Josie as she eats her sandwich.

We all watch her waiting for who knows what game she might have invented.
I've only known her since this morning, but I already know she's pretty unpredictable.

"Truth or dare!" She exclaims radiantly.

A general protest chorus rises.

"How boring, come on... It's to get to know each other better!"

We accept unwillingly, after various insistences on her part.
This kind of game never leads to anything good, especially for those who are reserved like me.

"Let's get started! Lauren... truth or dare?"
Lauren thinks about it a little bit before she answers "Dare!"

"This is fun!" Josie laughs, "I dare you to kiss Patrick!"

We start very well I must say.
If this is the tone of the game, it will definitely not end well!
Lauren kisses Patrick on the cheek, amid Josie's laments.

"You didn't say where I should have kissed him..."
We all laugh while Josie is visibly annoyed!

When it comes to me, I'm afraid of what might happen to me...

"Truth..." I say unconvinced.

"Are you engaged?" smiles Patrick, now it's his turn to ask the question.

I'm gonna take a breath.
I wasn't expecting that question.
Am I engaged?
At this point, I'd say no.

"No..." I say in a low voice and I feel like I'm full of shit, honestly.
Patrick smiles satisfied while the other girls invite me to ask someone a question.
It's up to Sydney.
The game goes on for a while and we answer more or less awkward questions.
I relax after answering that my favorite color is blue.

Aside from Patrick's question, the game isn't so bad I have to say...
It's my turn again, this time I choose Dare and I really hope they won't want me to kiss Patrick.

"I dare you to..."

I sigh.

"...read aloud the last five messages on your phone!" Says Lauren

The messages.

Oh fuck.

The messages!!!

Hero.

Panic.

Suddenly panic.

Lauren thinks she did me a favor, but it's worse even if they asked me to give Patrick a kiss.

"Hey Jo, are you all right?" Asks Josie worried.

I nod.
I can't tell her what's going on in my head.

"I don't know if I can read them but..."

"Are they spicy messages?" asks amused Lauren "Even better..."

"I don't know what they says... I didn't read them..." I turn around and turn the phone in my hands "I ignore them, usually..." I nod a smile.

"Jo, don't make me beg..." sighs Hadley

"Okay..."
I open the first, the oldest.

"It's an advertisement..." I smile "If you are interested in changing the telephone operator, this company seems profitable..."