Bloodlines and Bullets

twenty-two

The barbecue is in full swing, and the golden hues of the sunset paint the garden in a warm, dreamlike glow. The sound of laughter and the sizzle of the grill create a vibrant, almost hypnotic backdrop. I'm sitting on the grass, feeling pleasantly buzzed, the alcohol coursing through me making everything feel a bit unreal, as if I'm watching from a distance yet fully immersed in the scene.

The young crowd around Sofia's friend group has taken over the Truth or Dare game, and the energy around us is electric. The combination of alcohol and the soft glow of the string lights has everyone's spirits lifted. It's a merry chaos, the dares and truths getting more daring and scandalous as the night progresses.

Marco turns to Sofia with a twinkle in his eye. "Alright, Sofia," he announces, his tone teasing, "Truth or dare?"

Her cheeks flushed from the combination of alcohol and embarrassment, hesitates for a moment before choosing. "Dare," she finally says, her voice wavering slightly.

His eyes light up with devilish intent. "I dare you to post an old, embarrassing photo of yourself on your social media account."

A collective gasp of excitement rises from the group. She groans but is soon swept up by our cheers. She reluctantly digs through her phone, her fingers fumbling as she searches for the perfect photo. The laughter and encouragement around her make the task a little easier, and she finally finds a particularly awkward teenage snapshot. She hesitates for a moment, then posts it with a caption that reads, "Throwback to my awkward phase. Enjoy!"

The circle erupts in laughter. I can't help but join in, the sight of her mortified face only adding to the hilarity. Her cheeks turn a deeper shade of red, but she tries to laugh it off, taking a sip of her drink to steady herself.

It's her turn to pick someone next. "Truth or dare, Livia?" she asks, her grin returning as she passes the spotlight.

Livia, her eyes gleaming with mischief, opts for "Truth." "Alright, spill it," Sofia says with a challenging look. "What's the most scandalous thing you've ever done at a party?"

Livia seems to relish the attention, leaning back with a playful smirk. "Alright, so last summer, at a party, I ended up sneaking into the host's bedroom with a guy I barely knew. We were caught by the host's parents, and let's just say, it was a very awkward situation."

We burst into laughter and applause. Livia takes a theatrical bow, clearly enjoying the spotlight and the scandalous nature of her confession.

She then turns her gaze toward me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Truth or dare, Thalia?"

"Dare," I reply, feeling a thrill of anticipation. I'm bracing myself for whatever she has in store, my heart racing a little with both excitement and nervousness.

Her grin widens. "I dare you to do your best impression of a celebrity of your choice."

I take a deep breath, trying to think of a celebrity whose mannerisms I can mimic. The drinks have made my thoughts a bit hazy, but I settle on a classic. "Alright, I'll do my best Marilyn Monroe," I announce with a dramatic flair.

I stand up, feeling a bit unsteady on my feet. The laughter and cheers from my friends only fuel my confidence. I start to saunter around the circle, my movements exaggerated and graceful, my hands placed dramatically on my hips. I blow kisses to the imaginary crowd, trying to channel Monroe's iconic wiggle. I can't help but laugh at myself as I see the amused and laughing faces around me.

Before leaving for the bathroom I dare Nico to do a lap around the garden in just his underwear. There's a collective gasp followed by laughter and he hesitates only for a moment before stripping down to his underwear and running around the garden. The sight of him sprinting, whooping and waving his arms, has us all in stitches.