It Started with a Dare

21

Ridge texted me the next morning, claiming he wasn't feeling good, so I decided to catch a ride with Emilee. She pulled into my driveway and honked her horn.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and made my way out the door, calling out an goodbye to Kyle and the twins. I always got to school before the twins. They were usually late.

I hopped into her car, tossing my bag into the backseat. "Ow!" someone said. I turned and saw Xavier.

I looked at Emilee, who gave me a small smile. I looked back at Xavier, who waved. "Hey," he said.

"Hey," I greeted back then turned back around. I fastened my seatbelt, and the car ride to the school began. It was awkward, to say the least, and silent.

Emilee let out a sigh, "You guys need to work whatever 'this' is out. I'm tired of this," she said.

"'This' is nothing," I lied.

"Yeah," Xavier agreed.

Emilee looked back at him when she stopped at a red light.. "You need to tell her," she said.

Xavier went silent, and they stared each other down. Then, the light turned green. "Em," I said. She turned around then continued the drive.

The school parking lot was almost full when we got there, which was shocking. Emilee got one of the last parking spots, and we all piled out. "I wonder why everyone is here early," I said as we walked in the school.

"Probably preparing for a pep rally or something. You know how they get. Hey, isn't there a dance coming up? The Spring Formal?" Xavier said.

I shrugged. "I don't remember," I said.

"Yeah, the Spring Formal is next month," Emilee said.

"Right you are!" said an overly enthusiastic voice. All three of us turned our heads. "My name is Megan Princely, and I am the Student Council President." Megan handed us each a flyer.

"Everything about the Spring Formal is on there. There's a pep rally later today. Hope to see see you there!" She said cheerfully.

Xavier, Emilee, and I hurried away. "She scares me," Emilee said. "How can someone be that happy?"

"I don't know," a new voice said. Marcus kissed Emilee's head, and set himself in between her and me.

"Jerk," I mumbled.

"What was that?" Marcus asked.

"Jerk. J-E-R-K," I replied, spelling it out.

Xavier sent me a look of approval. It was like everything was back to normal, but it really wasn't. I couldn't think about it. I just focused on how comfortable it felt. "Braelyn, do you plan on going?" Emilee asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. I have to see if Ridge wants to go."

"You don't have to go with him," Xavier said.

"He's my boyfriend," I replied, looking at him. Xavier's eyes found the floor.

The whole group fell silent until we arrived at my locker. "I'll see you in homeroom," Emilee said.

"Yeah, see you. Bye, guys," I said. They all walked away, and I opened my locker.

"Braelyn," someone said. I froze. It was Jared's voice. I pretended to ignore him. A hand lightly touched my shoulder. "Hey, Braelyn."

I forced my eyes to the warm, brown ones that used to make me melt. "Hi." It came out a whisper.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked.

"You're talking now," I replied a little bit louder, shutting my locker and sliding my lock back onto it.

He chuckled for a moment then grew serious. "I know we ended on bad terms, and-"

I scoffed, "'Bad terms'?"

"Okay, terrible terms, and I just came to apologize. I hope you can forgive me, and I hope we can be friends," Jared said.

I swallowed a lump that formed in my throat and forced my eyes back to his. I thought about my answer carefully. "I forgave you a long time ago, Jared."

He looked relieved. Then, I sighed, "But I don't know if I'm ready to be friends with you, yet. Trust is a hard thing to gain back, J. I hope you understand."

Jared slowly nodded. "I understand. I'm sorry about what I did. I never forgave myself, Braelyn. I never did," he said.

"Don't beat yourself up. I forgive you. Now, I better go, or I'll be late for homroom," I said.

He smiled. "You always were a goody-two-shoes."

I rolled my eyes, smiling. "And you always had an ego higher than your IQ."

"I've missed your insults," he laughed.

"I've got plenty to give away," I replied then made my way to homeroom, feeling...relieved.