A Year to Remember: The beginning

Chapter 2: Dustin

We stuffed into the car hysterically laughing about our clumsiness. On the way back I had fallen face first towards the concrete, but luckily Dustin had grabbed me by my hood just as I was about to smack into the ground. But that wasn't even the worst of it, today I had walked smack into the garbage and plunged face first into the oozing waste. Lets just say I ended up calling home for clothes.

"Oh god", Dustin laughed out loud, "and that time that I ran into the glass door", he snorted as his hands reached up and covered his nose in embarrassment. We stared in silence and then broke into laughter again even louder this time. Dustin is and always has been my best friend. We met in kindergarten and our parents forced us to have a play date together. We hated it and made a plan to get our parents into a fight. We ended up having a ton of fun and did it every Thursday after that. And now... Eleven years later we still hang out, but mostly everyday now. I'm not what you call 'popular' or whatever so I don't have that many friends, but I have enough for me. Dustin has only had one girlfriend ever which surprises me a lot because of his great looks. He's blonde with a muscular build, but unfortunately I think it's me that's his downfall". Hanging out with people like me gives him a bad rep. and although he says no and that it doesn't matter I know that it hurts him. Anyways Dustin is also just a great guy. Not a jerk like some of the others, but caring and always supportive. And that's why Dustin Tinter is my best friend.

"Hey you in there", Dustin waved his hand in front of my face with a smirk. I shooed his hand away and laughed. "What were you thinking about", he asked wonderingly.

"Nothing", I lied not wanting to tell him that I was thinking about his hotness.

"You're lying", he smiled and grabbed my hand. "what were you thinking about", he laughed.

I gave in "you", I answered quietly.

"Is that so", he laughed in a good way, " well Im hoping you were thinking about my specialness", he smirked.

"Why of course", it was me who laughed this time. We made our way home and Dustin dropped me off and my house. He walks with me to the door and looked cooly at the house. My brother hated Dustin and they were always looking for a fight. Ryan, my 18 year old brother, thought Dustin was some prick that was just going to ditch me in the end. And Dustin always stood up against that saying no way and not going to happen. I never knew why Ryan got so agitated about Dustin and whenever I would ask him he would always look away and just mumble, "he's a bad egg". I always just thought he was delusional. Only one time had they gotten out of hand. Ryan had come full force at Dustin and they ended up bloody and rolling on the floor. Ryan had been grounded for four months not that that mattered. Dustin was in the hospital for a day and got three stitches in his hand. My mom and dad both knew that they had something against each other and they didn't try to mend it just put up with it and try to make them not get out of hand.

"Here we are", Dustin stood at the edge of the door glancing around.

"Look over there kids now there's a filthy prick with no good use of air", Ryan trudged down the stairs daring Dustin to fight back.

"Shut up Ryan", I spat in his direction. "got get a life".

"I see how it is... he can't even speak for himself has to get his toy to do it", Ryan searched for a reaction.

"I'm not his toy, shut the fuck up", I screamed at Ryan. I pushed him back with little results. He didn't budge and pushed me aside. He walked up to Dustin and I swore I heard him whisper

"Ever come hurt her and I'll pound your face in and make sure I finish you off this time you no good prick", Ryan spat the last few words. Dustin's face was stoned with anger I could tell, but he didn't move or say anything. "Hope you die in a ditch" and with that Ryan walked off leaving Dustin standing in the doorway.

"I'm so sorry, he's not usually that messed up", I pleaded to Ryan.

"No it's fine", he looked hurt and a hint of guilt sprawled across his face.

"No it's not", I said pulling him inside.

He let go of my hand and looked up at me.

"Actually I really should be getting home to my mom, I told her I would be home hours ago", he blinked.

"Yeah ok.. see you later", I stammered.

"Bye", he turned and walked out to his car. I waved goodbye and shut the door. I peeked out at the window to see him banging his head against the car door and cursing loudly... Something was definitely wrong. He go in the car and drove off quickly not looking behind him.

"Ryan", I yelled going to kill him. I went out to the deck to search for him when a bottle hit my foot. I glanced at it curiously. What is it I wondered. a clear wine bottle corked with a screw sat at the foot of my legs with a message inside. I slowly bent down and picked up my findings. How did it get here and what is it I thought aloud. I turned the bottle over to see a tiny inscription on the back;

Hello!! And welcome to my game. I know you'll love the game I have chosen and oh what a treat. With dares and truths and points and rules you'll have a ball I swear. Open this bottle and read the directions and make sure to follow every exact correction. With a simple mistake your whole world could dip... but remember two is always better than one.

I stared confused what is going on....