T O X I C

10: West

Everyone is silent, shifting in their places as we are sitting in a complete circle. The air is chilled and the atmosphere is dark. Most of the room is a crumbling ruin. We all have the same thoughts but no one dares say a word. At least, not yet. I exchange glances with Violet, and she does the same, but we are silent. Bry claps her hands together and the sound echoes in the room. My eyes dart around the room as she begins to speak.

“So, how about a game of Truth or Dare?” She says with an enthusiastic expression on her face. The light in her eyes are sparkling with anticipation.

Axios’s eyes turn to look at Violet. His composure tells me that he doesn’t want to, but willing to do so if she is in. Violet doesn’t speak at first, but she does. “Sure.” Axios sighs with irritation, but he gives himself in as a player in the game.

“Good, we have enough players to play a fair game of Truth or Dare.” Bry says with a smile smeared on her face.

“What’s that? I know it’s a game, but is it a Human game?” I arch an eyebrow at Bry. She looks at me with a quizzical expression, but continues to explain.

“It’s a simple game where you go around asking people to either confess or do a dare. Really, it is simple and easy to grasp.” She says with ease. “You’ll catch on. I’ll start…” Bry looks around the circle to pick. No one seems eager to be volunteered, but no one rejects it. “How about… Violet, truth or dare?”

“Dare.” She says with confidence, a smirk sliding across her face.

“Hot.” I say with a grin spread from ear to ear.

“Dare me to slap him, please.” Violet says, still looking at Bry. I glance over at Axios who has his head in one hand and is glaring at me.

Bry shakes her head with a huge grin on her face, like she’s been expecting me to say that all day, regardless that I’ve said it more than I probably should. “I dare you to put your feet on Axios’s cheek.” Bry bursts into laughter. Axios’s composure alters into a dramatic scowl of disapproval. It makes me chuckle.

“Excuse me?” Axios says, but Violet doesn’t hesitate.

“Socks or no socks?”

“Socks.” Axios begs.

With a wide grin, Violet strips her feet of the socks to disobey Axios’s request. Axios clenches his teeth, revealing a disgusted look. It is amusing to watch him cringe with disgust. “What was that? No socks?” Axios tries to cover up his smile. Violet laughs as I talk nonchalantly.

“You’re so mean to me.” Axios says, turning his cheek for Violet. “This dare is more miserable for me than it is for Violet, you know.” Violet throws back her head and laughs, putting her feet on his cheek. As soon as it’s done, Axios pulls away.

I shift uncomfortably in my spot, but a smile still lingers on my face. It’s hard not to smile with moments like these - genuine moments with friends that lift your spirit, my spirit. Violet looks around the room, waiting for a thought to come to her head. At least that’s what it seems like. Violet’s eyes lock on mine. A grin cracks on my face, and she rolls her eyes. Though she can’t hide that smile on her own.

She takes a deep breath, then says, “West. Truth or Dare?”

“Dare, make it a good one.” I say with a cocky grin.

She flicks her eyebrows up, almost as if she said, ‘Challenge accepted’. Her eyes dart over to Bry and a grin gradually cracks, her lips revealing a row of very straight teeth. She glances back to me and smugly says, “I dare you to kiss Bry.”