It Started With a Dare

Chapter 11

"I expect you do your homework and submit it on time tomorrow," Ms. Harold said. "Class dismissed."

Ms. Harold left, and everyone else left for their next class. I groaned and slammed my head on my desk. This week going to pass by too quickly, while it'll leave me on this day to rot.

"Anna, get up," Belle shook me. "No time for napping. We have Business Class."

I groaned even louder and slammed my head again, this time repeatedly. I don't want to go to class. Especially Business Class. Opening a business is clearly not going to be my future.

I sat up straight and packed up my things. Since Business Class was my last class for today, I can skip without being noticed. I prepared to leave and escape like I always do.

"Hey, where are you going?!" Belle demanded, grabbing my elbow.

"Skipping," I answered, shrugging. "I'll be back for volleyball practice. I promise." Then I ran off.

Seriously, I don't get how some people are so lucky they get the things they want without asking for them. Like classes. Valerie, Katia, and Sara are on the same Baking Class.

At least, I got Belle as a fellow mourner. But I have to leave her for now. I seriously need to go somewhere else to relax.

I snuck off the campus easily. I was at the same place where I go when I skip class—the kindergarten playground. I sat on the bottom of the slide and leaned back. I fell asleep easily.

"Hey, Annie, we're friends now, right?" a kid's voice echoed in my head. I can't see anything. It was dark.

"Fine," I said, but my voice was a child's voice. "Let's race?"

"Okay."

"Ready? Go!"

"Wait, Annie! I'm not ready yet!" the kid yelled. "Stop!"

I was forcibly awaken by insistent pokes at my cheeks and nose. I saw Alex leaning down to meet me eye level as he smirked at me. I scowled and pushed him, making him fall on his bottom. I laughed when I caught eye of his bitten jeans from this morning.

"Very funny," Alex frowned. "I'm sure you'll find it funny when I tell the teachers you snuck out during school hours."

"You're stalking me now?" I accused. "What a creep."

"It's not stalking," Alex scoffed at the word. "I just got here."

"Oh yeah? What are you doing in a kindergarten playground?"

"I followed you," he replied, making me snort and roll my eyes at him. "I could ask the same to you."

"This is my hiding spot."

"Pretty neat," Alex said, sitting down on the ground in front of me. We stayed silent, just looking at each other. Then, he spoke, "Who's Charlie?"

"Who's Charlie?" I asked back. I didn't know a Charlie. Where'd this idiot pick up such a confusing question this time?

"Don't answer a question with a question," he said.

"Don't give me questions I don't have the answers to then!" I snapped.

Alex raised a brow at me. Then he just smiled. I actually had the time to look at him properly. For almost a year, he didn't change much. He just looked older.

His black hair was still long that its tips covered half of his ears. He styled his hair up like those celebrities in television. His dark brown eyes were still the same mischievous ones that were hard to read. Then his smile. I liked his smile. It just gives you the urge to smile back before you started goofing off along with him.

"You don't know a Charlie?"

"I would tell you if I did, dumbass," I said.

"Then what was all the," he closed back and leaned back, following my position when I was asleep, "'Charlie? Where are you?'" He made his voice childish and high pitched.

It occurred to me that he was trying to imitate my voice. It sucked though. I definitely didn't sound like that.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I scoffed. "I didn't have friends when I was a kid. For all I know, she's probably just an imaginary friend."

"How do you know this Charlie is a female?"

"I don't know," I shrugged. "I named my Barbie doll Bruce once because nobody wanted to buy me a Batman action figure when I was a kid."

Alex bursted out laughing. "Seriously? You're seriously the most awesome and lamest person I know."

I half-smiled, "Gee, thanks." I didn't consider myself awesome, but when it came from Alex, it was pretty much believable.

We were both silent again. My eyes strayed to the edge of his jeans again. I felt kind of guilty for his jeans this time.

"Sorry about your jeans, Alex," I mumbled. I had half a heart not to let him hear me apologize to him.

"Don't worry about it," Alex chuckled. "I can tell my friends I got bitten by a baby wolf." I snorted. "But you have to pay me."

"Fine," I sighed. "How much?"

Alex pointed at his cheek. I raised a brow at him, but I crouched down to meet him face to face. Then I flicked his cheek... hard.

He yelled in pain, rubbing the sting on his cheek away. "Now, you really have to kiss the boo-boo on my cheek away."

"I'd rather rot right now," I laughed sourly. "Seriously? 'Boo-boo?' What a baby."

"Well, I can go to the principal and tell him about your little escapades with Imaginary Friend Charlie here," Alex waggled his finger in front of my face. When I stayed still, he stood up and slowly walked in the direction of the school campus.

"You're sick," I scowled at him. I seriously do not want a mouthful from any of my folks back home just because I skipped the class of doom. I caught up to Alex and grabbed his elbow, pulling him downwards. My lips were to hit his cheek when he moved his face. I quickly squeezed my eyes shut, scared of the result.

But my lips didn't land on a pair of lips. It felt like... a nose. I opened one eyes and saw Alex's eyes half shut. I pushed him away.

"Jesus! I almost kissed you... ON THE LIPS!" I shrieked, wiggling my arms around to release the tension on them.

"Technically, that was the plan," Alex grinned. "I didn't expect you to be so short." He added, "Do you also store fats in your lips? They sure are soft."

For the first time since I was born, I flipped a person my middle finger, which was Alex Chase. How's that for a first time?