An Ariella Story

Truth Or Dare

I was excused from any activities the next day. So while Stazi woke up and got ready to see more French attractions, I stayed in bed and stared at the wall.

I couldn't help thinking about my parents. I'd almost died the exact same way they had. Taken out by a vehicle.

My mom and dad's car had been hit by a diesel on the highway, causing them to flip multiple times. My father flew through the windshield and was pronounced dead at the scene. My mother died in the ambulence on the way to the hospital. Her injuries had been too severe.

I remember getting the news that my parents were both dead. I'd been at school and the principal had called me down to his office. I'd only been nine at the time so I was still optimistic and clueless to the horrible things that were in the world. My tiny mind hadn't quite grasped the fact that I was now alone, with no family to take care of me and love me.

As soon as I'd walked into the orphanage, I knew things wouldn't be the same.  

A single tear escaped my eye and I quickly wiped it away.

"Are you going to be okay?" Stazi asked before walking out the door.

"Yeah."

She gave me a sad smile before leaving our room. I closed my eyes and tried to fall back asleep. Not even ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

I didn't want to get up so I just called out, "Come in."

I heard the door slowly open and then close. Footsteps traveled down the little hallway until finally resting beside my bed.

"I could be a serial killer for all you know and you just invite me in?"

Once I knew it was Gabe, I closed my eyes and tried to tune him out so I could go back to sleep. He wouldn't let me ignore him though.

"Are you in the mood for breakfast?" he asked.

"No." I mumbled against my pillow.

There was silence. I started to think that he left but then I felt the bed dip under his weight and I knew he was now sitting on my mattress.

"Why are you here?" I asked after awhile.

"You're my buddy."

Ah, that made more sense. He hadn't had a choice but to stay with me. Well, I pretty much ruined his plans for today.

The thought of today made me think of yesterday.

I tensed and started to wonder why he even pulled me out of the way of that car. We'd been enemies for years. If I was him, I would've let me become French roadkill.

"Why'd you save me?"

The question took him by surprise and he looked at me with a shocked expression. I turned so I was lying on my side and not my stomach. This position made it easier to see his face. And his face made me cringe. It wasn't just shock anymore. It was full on anger.

"Why wouldn't I save you? I'm not a complete dick like you think I am! You were in danger and I helped you. Can't you just be grateful that you're still breathing?"

Gabe ran his fingers through his short hair and then looked at me apologetically. I felt myself soften under his gaze. His dark green eyes filled with an emotion that was foreign to me. But I definitely knew it wasn't hate or anything like the looks he used to give me. For some reason, I blushed.

To change the mood, I sat up and said, "Let's play a game."

"A game?"

"Yeah."