Friendship Core

Chapter 3

The room went quiet again, but this time it was anticipation that filled the air. Michael's gaze darted around the room before finally settling on Tyler. She leaned back into the couch, her eyes challenging him. He took a deep breath, his heart hammering in his chest. He knew this was his chance to show Tyler how he really felt, but the words remained lodged in his throat.Zinnia, the ever-perceptive artist, watched the scene unfold with a knowing smile. She had always seen the way Tyler looked at Michael, the way she leaned in when he spoke, the way she laughed at his jokes even when they weren't funny. It was clear she had feelings for him, too. But the air was already charged with Stormie's confession, and Zinnia knew that this moment wasn't about her or her own desires. It was about Michael and Tyler."You can't chicken out," she whispered, nudging him with her foot. "You've got to go for it."Michael took a moment to gather his thoughts, his heart racing. He glanced at Stormie, who offered a small nod of encouragement, and then back at Tyler. She was leaning back on the couch, a smug smile playing on her lips, but there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes. He took a step forward, his knees feeling like they might buckle under the weight of his own nerves. As he leaned in, Tyler's smile faltered, and she closed her eyes, her breath hitching in anticipation.Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss, a spark of excitement passing between them. It was a moment that seemed to last an eternity, filled with the whispers of their racing hearts and the gentle brush of their breaths. When Michael pulled away, Tyler's eyes fluttered open, and she stared at him, her cheeks flaming red. "Well, I didn't expect that," she murmured, her voice a mix of surprise and something deeper.For a moment, the room held its breath, the tension palpable as everyone waited for Tyler's reaction. But she surprised them all by throwing her head back and letting out a full-throated laugh. "You got me, you sneaky bastard," she said, playfully punching Michael in the arm. The group relaxed, the moment of vulnerability giving way to the familiar comfort of their banter.But the confessions had only just begun. "Alright, since we're playing this game," said Michael, his gaze lingering on Tyler for a beat too long, "I dare Thomas to tell us his darkest secret."Thomas froze, his thumbs stilling on the game controller. His heart hammered in his chest, and he swallowed hard. He knew he had to come clean about something he'd been hiding for months now. "Fine," he said, his voice a little shakier than he'd liked. "I've been stealing money from my mom to buy games. And I've been skipping school to play them." The room went still, the only sound the distant wail of a siren. Michael's smile faded, and Stormie's hand tightened around Lia's leg. "What?" Tyler said, her voice a mix of shock and concern. "Why would you do that, Thomas?"Thomas stared at the floor, his cheeks burning with shame. "It's just... the games, they're my escape," he mumbled. "When everything gets too much, I just... I need to get away."