It Started With a Dare

Chapter 18

I actually finished this about a month ago, but I didn't wanna publish it until I finish my slight editing on the other chapters like typos and a certain detail. Remember how Anna is supposed to have braces? Yeah, I took that detail out because it seemed irrelevant to the story. So... That's it. Enjoy.

~

It's stuffy and hot.

I groaned sleepily and rolled over. No, I tried to roll over but failed. I opened my eyes and looked at my surroundings. Apparently, I fell asleep on the couch and saw empty beer cans on the floor.

Then I felt something move behind me.

I prayed a silent prayer and hoped that it wasn't who I thought it was. A sleepy groan was emitted behind me and pulled my body closer. My eyes trailed down and saw two extra arms that were wound around my torso. I slowly turned my head and paled at the sight.

Holy mother of God.

I slept with Alex. Scratch that. I fell asleep with Alex.

I couldn't contain it anymore. I screamed bloody murder. Puppy Alex yelped from the foot of the couch, and Idiot Alex pushed me off the couch from the shock of his rude awakening.

"Geez~ I thought there was a fire or something," Alex muttered. He sat up and stretched his arms as he sighed sleepily.

"You... We... What..." I breathed. Everything started to come back to me. I became a happy drunk to an honest drunk to a dramatic yet gutsy drunk. I almost kissed Alex.

"Honestly, I think I drank too much that I don't know which is reality and which was a dream," Alex said, scratching his head. "And I really need to take a piss. What time is it?"

Both of us simultaneously turned our heads to the clock. Then we both jumped to our feet and yelled at the same time, "Shit!"

"I'm late for school!"

"I'm late for my bus!"

~

"No proper goodbye then?"

"Seriously? I'm late for school, and you're late for your bus," I said, running a quick brush on my hair. Today my hair decided to be a jerk and be crazy and wild.

Alex laughed. "Oh, right," he nodded as if he had forgotten that very important fact. "But before I go," he trailed off as he approached me with his mischievous grin.

I watched him warily. I could feel the hair on the back of my neck stand as my nerves were on high alert. Alex looked like he was up to no good.

Alex stopped right in front of me. We stood there looking at each other - me with a cautious look and him with a sly one. Before I knew it, he swooped down and kissed me.

I felt my soul exit my body as his lips touched my skin. Then I felt my soul when I realised that he only kissed the spot right on the corner of my lips. Despite that fact, I felt the warmth of him on my lips.

Alex pulled away still having that same grin plastered on his lips. He stuck our foreheads together and rubbed his nose against mine. I would do something, but I was far shocked out of my mind.

"The next time we meet," Alex whispered, "I would be definitely taking that kiss."

"You can try," I taunted. "And let me remind you that the dare is off already. You made me do your laundry in exchange for calling off the dare."

"Sure, but who was it that wanted a kiss last night?" Alex smirked, running a thumb over my bottom lip.

I smacked his hand away and pushed him to create some distance between us. "Last night didn't happen. I was drunk. It didn't count," I huffed.

Alex laughed, "Sure, sure, whatever you say." He headed off to the door, waving. "See you, Annie-chan."

~

"You know, I'm guessing Alex was the reason for you being late today," Sara stated in the middle of lunch.

When I arrived at school, I already missed my first class, and the second one already started. I blamed it all on stomach ache and cramps. Mr. Knowles couldn't stand my explanation of women's health and gave me the okay without any punishment.

"What makes you say that? He's already on his way home," I said, biting on my sandwich. After finding Alex hiding inside my closet, they didn't need to know about last night. There were so much misunderstandings already.

"You know, you guys already spent a night together doing whatever stuff that happens at night," Sara shrugged.

"Yeah, like sleeping."

"Sleeping together," Sara added.

Then Belle, Josh, and Drake came over to the table with their own trays of lunch. As usual, Drake sat beside Sara, Josh sat beside me, and Belle sat in front of me on Sara's right.

"So is it true that you spent the night with Alex doing the badonk-kadonk?" Belle asked before biting into her apple.

"Seriously?" I glared at Sara, knowing that she was the one who spilled the beans to Belle. I turned to back to Belle, "First of all, I don't even know what that word means. Second, if that word means the act of making babies without actually getting pregnant, no. I did not."

Belle chuckled and held her hand out to Josh. "Pay up," she said. "You told me she did. I know Anna. She might be easily fooled and gullible, but she won't ease up that fast."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" I yelled. Me? Gullible? Easily fooled? I paused, coming into realization. Never mind. I humphed and shut my mouth.

Belle laughed at me and patted my head across the table. Then she took the five dollar bill Josh gave her.

"I still don't believe that nothing happened," Josh declared. "There are things called 'lying and denying,' you know." He continued, "And besides, as far as I know Alex, he's one of those people who really sticks with the ladies. If Anna and Alex didn't sleep together, something else must've happened."

"Oh, come on!" I banged my fist on the table. "You guys are making a big deal out of this. Is it really that hard to believe that nothing happened? We just talked and fell asleep."

"It's not that we're making a big deal," Belle said. "It's just that it's very unusual for Alex to do nothing. He did torment you for ages during his time here. Either he likes you a lot not to do anything, or he's reeling you in for a lot of pain."

I flinched at her words. Belle was right. Alex would never go this far in being so nice to me. It really was unusual.

Fear bubbled up in my gut. He had so much leverage to hurt me. He knew so much about me. He spent so much time with me.

"Look what you did, Belle," Sara said in a mean tone. "You scared her out of her wits." She rubbed her thumb over the top of my hand, soothing me. "It's probably not true, Anna," she assured. "Alex is probably being nice to make up the times that he bullied you. It's been years. I'm sure he matured not to do anything bad." She turned to Drake, "Right, Drake?"

Drake shrugged, unsure of himself. "I agree with Belle on this one," he said. "There's just something off with him. Best if you be careful of yourself, Anna."

"Come on, guys, you're talking as if Anna is being chased by some psycho killer," Josh said, trying to lighten up the conversation.

I squeezed Josh's shoulder in thanks. He always knew how to lighten up a moment. Then I stood up and took my tray.

"Where are you going?" Belle asked.

"I'm going to the clinic and ask for painkillers," I said, walking away.

My head was hurting like hell again. I just hope it was a hangover.