An Outdoorsman's Guide To The Calls Of Common Thieves

Truth or dare

08/04/2024 - 09/04/2024

Wait... - Logan Alexandra

When I'm strolling through the streets of Haven with Ryan, talking and laughing, I feel like I've done this all my life. Whenever I'm with him I'm beaming, and he is too, grabbing every opportunity to crack a cheesy joke knowing that he'll get me. He seems shy at times, which is incredibly cute, but he's also confident, and funny and charming. And don't forget handsome.

"So he just ... ran?"
"Ran right out of the room. Didn't even look back."
"Did they catch him? Did they try?"
"No and yes."
"Dang, he must be fast."
"Don't forget, he was drunk."
"Drunk and running? Ok, that's a stretch."
"Drunk people can run fast."
"Pictures or it didn't happen." He gets out his phone and pulls up a picture of Gabe Chen, Alex's brother and his best friend, running out of the restaurant without paying.
"No way!"
"I saw the whole thing."

We finally make our way to the record store.
Z: "Oh my gosh I think that's a tear!" I say as I wipe my eyes.
S: "No way you cried laughing at Ryan's lame ass jokes Z. I refuse to believe it."
R: "Well believe it. I am just too funny."
A: "Just wrapping up here, we'll be out in no time."

Thorn in My Side - Nik Ammar,  Lucy Underhill, Micheal Orchard

We all leave the record store together and go back to my room, which has already become a regular hangout spot for our little group in a week and a half of me being here.
S: "You guys wanna play truth or dare?"
A: "I'm in. You?"
Both Ryan and I look at each other, waiting for what the other is going to say.
R + Z: "Uh ... sure."
A: "Aren't they so cute?" she whispers to Steph.
S: "Totally." she whispers back.
S: "Ok," she says as she and Alex sit next to each other on a couch and me and Ryan sit apart on the floor opposite them, "any ground rules before we start?"
No one has any limits.
S: "Alrighty then ... Alex. Truth or dare?"
A: "Dare."
S: "Do a broom guitar solo with no music."
A: "Done." She says confidently as she stands up and starts playing her broom as if it were a guitar so convincingly that you can almost see the strings.

Z: "You must have a lot of practice!"
A: "All in a days work. Ok, Z. Truth or dare?"
Z: "Uh ... truth."
A: "Why did you move to Haven?"
Z: "Honestly, to get away from my home. Too much fighting. I would've gone anywhere. Ryan was just so convincing." Ryan smiles. "Speaking of, I pick Ryan, truth or dare?"
R: "Dare, please."
Z: "Can you please ... try to imitate a bird call from your guide?"

R: "Uhh ... " He thinks of one and does the best he can, which is not too bad. We all still laugh regardless.
Z: "Wasn't as bad as I thought you would be."
R: "I do listen to that guide a lot. Steph."
S: "Dare. Hit me with it."
R: "Drink the most revolting-looking shot from the menu downstairs."
S: "Aww come on."
We all run downstairs like unsupervised children and look at the menu.
S: "Harry? Can I have a 'cement mixer' please?"
H: "S-sure thing Steph." He replies softly, looking unsure of Steph's order.
After a few anxious minutes in waiting, Harry places the shot down in front of us.
S: "Thank you!" She says loudly.
R: "How is that disgusting?"
A: "It's barf colour."
R: "I'll give you that one."

She throws it down.
S: "I have to admit, it's not that bad."
We split the cost in coins and add a few dollars tip before running back upstairs to continue the game.
S: "I'm gonna ask ... Ryan. Truth or dare?"
R: "I picked dare last so truth."
S: "Have you been single your whole life?"
R: "Matter of fact, yes."
Z: "Really? No one at all?"
R: "Not one."
Z: "I refuse to believe that."
A: "And why would that be?"
Z: "What are you talking about? Ryan is such a catch."
R: "Thanks, Z."
Z: "N-no problem." I totally forgot he was still in the room.
R: "Alex, truth or dare?"
A: "Dare."
S: "Someone's feeling brave."
R: "You have to let Steph win a game of fooseball."
S: "You're right Z, Ryan is a catch."
A: "Aww come on Ryan, anything but that."
R: "It's a dare, can't back out now."
S: "First to 5?"
A: "You're on." She says sarcastically with a depressed sigh

It was a tough battle, but a dare is a dare.
S: "Hahaaa! I am never making fun of you again Ryan!"
R: "She's totally gonna make fun of me again." He whispers to me.
Z: "Totally." I whisper back.
A: "I'm gonna spare Ryan a horrible fate and ask Steph."
S: "I'm sure I can spare some information. Truth."
A: "Craziest thing you've ever done."
S: "It would have to be that thing with Diane."
R: "Are you talking about the distraction?"
S: "Yeah, that was pretty rad."
Z: "What distraction?"
All three of them start excitedly explaining everything that happened with Typhon last year, mentioning people like Mac, Diane and Jed.
Z: "So Mac was ... Riley's boyfriend? And Jed ... gosh."
A: "It was really crazy."
Z: "Sounds like it."
I can see that Ryan is a little sad. The poor guy, having to find all of that out about his own father.
S: "Alright Z, it's your turn. Truth or dare?"
All I can think about was making Ryan feel a bit better. I think maybe I can make him laugh so "I pick dare."
S: "Hmm, what dare to give ..."
As she thinks, Alex gets an idea and whispers it to her.
S: "But that's- are you sure? Wouldn't that mes-"
They turn the other way to discuss it in hushed voices and I start to get nervous.
S: "Alright alright alright. Z, you have to kiss someone in this room-"
Z: "-excuse me what? Did I hear that right?"
S: "On the lips. Three seconds maximum."
This is basically a trap. And by the look on their faces they know it. I couldn't kiss either of them, because they're dating obviously, but I'm not sure if Ryan even wants to kiss me.
Z: "R-ryan? Do you mind?"
R: "Uh sure. Um ..."
I shuffle over to him awkwardly, and he turns to face me. We both take a deep breath in and out, and as we move closer together like magnets, lips so close to touching and eyes shut ...
bang!
All four heads turn to the window, from where shouts can be heard.
Z: "What's going on out there?"
We get up and rush down the stairs to see what's going on.