Just Try It

Chapter 2- Truth or Dare

Saturday, February 11 9:20pm

Seymour Dojo on Swisher Street

Sondra watched as Danica cranked up the music before bouncing back to the group.  They had gone a few rounds of truth or dare already, and so far there had only been lots of laughing and cheering as the dares had made them look silly.  It was her turn again, and Danica was the one giving the challenge. 

Danica's evil grin made Sondra pause. Taking a dare from Danica was never good, but there was no way she was going to do truth. It was sure to involve who she liked. While Jamie and even Hillary had hinted that they thought she liked Moe, she wasn't ready to admit it out loud. First off, she wasn't sure how Danica would feel about that change after all these years. It was too big a chance to take when Moe didn't seem to feel the same. Besides, even if they were all supportive, they would try to help by making plans and pushing her to say or do something. She needed time to figure out a strategy that would work for her and she was sure that rushing would be the worst thing to do. She took a deep breath and blurted out, "Dare."   

When Danica's smile grew wider, Sondra knew that she had played right into Danica's hands.  There really wasn't any other choice, Sondra reminded herself and tried to prepare herself. 

Danica quietly named her dare, and smiled at Jamie and Hillary's shocked gasps.  Sondra narrowed her eye and considered refusing, but she wasn't a quitter.  Besides, Danica was firm about taking every dare, and she would just pester her until she followed through. Sondra blushed and glanced at the fire pole before she went and adjusted the music. She had an idea what to do, after all, she had looked up a couple of You-Tube videos before she knew why Jamie's family had kept the fire pole.  To keep her nervousness down, she reminded herself that she liked to dance.  Pole dancing shouldn't be too much different.

Sondra glanced out at the empty street before heading over to the pole.  The street was still empty and someone would have to be directly in front of the door and looking in to see the area with the fire pole  since it was off to the side.  When she was close enough, she closed her eyes and let the music sweep over her.  She started to just move with the music with her back against the pole.  She added a little backwards grind, before trying something a little fancier.  When she spun around the pole her friends went quiet in surprise before letting out a loud cheer.  Sondra kept her eyes shut, but smiled and grew a little more bold.  She hooked a knee around the pole as she spun again.  Just in time, she realized that if her feet didn't move she would end up on the floor.  She kept moving to the music, and her friends cheers encouraged her to try some more. 

Everything was going well until she tried bending back toward the floor.  When the sound of knocking offset the beat, Sondra's eyes popped open and flew to the glass door.  Her eyes met Moe's shocked gaze through the door.  As she turned bright red, her hand slipped from the pole.  Her arms flailed wildly, just before she flopped to the floor. 

When her head thumped, a surprised, "Ow," burst out of her mouth, but she was sure she wouldn't even end up with a tiny lump.  No permanent damage, darn it.  Right now, she wouldn't have minded a little memory loss.  Sondra sat up cautiously, turned her back to the door, and rested her head on her knees.  Really, why did the guy she most wanted to impress always have to be watching when she did something stupid?

Of course he would be the one to show up just now, she thought ruefully as she watched her friends in the dojo mirrors.  Jamie rushed over to make sure she was alright.  Hillary turned off the music, and faded into the shadows.  Danica was the one that strolled to the door with her eyes dancing wildly.  It was obvious that she was trying not to burst into laughter.  There were still a few snicker that escaped and her lips were twitching as she went out the door.