Almost There

The Daring Game

*present*

My apartment is a mess. I had moved in a month ago and still nothing was kept at its place. The past month had been very hectic for me, moving in a new place, finding my apartment, and then joining my new job.

I had always dreamed of either becoming a doctor or joining a publishing house. I became the former.

I was keeping the things I bought from the grocery store in the cupboard when my phone beeped. It was an unknown number and I could totally guess who that was. Xavier.
*The get together is tomorrow at 8.00 pm. FYI it's a small one, just 5 people. I'm really glad that I saw you today.*
*Btw I am not a stalker, you just happened to be there in the store, coincidentally*
Wow he remembered.
Another notification beeped
*P.S: You looked hot today, just wanted to add*

I laughed out loud at that. Same old Xavier. He never changed. Back in school, he flirted with almost every girl, I think it always came out naturally, couldn't blame him for that.

17

Our school was on an educational trip to "Museum of Modern Arts" in NYC. It was late afternoon, summer time. Almost all of the students were in the hotel auditorium, some were busy chattering, some were studying and some were busy making out.
My nose was stuck in a novel, Percy Jackson, my favourite. I was practically in love with Percy and Rick Riordan at that time.

"You are such a bore." Xavier said to me. I lifted my eyes from the book to look up at him. He was pouting and he looked cute.

"Let's do something. Let's play truth and dare."
"Just we two." I laughed.
"No I mean let's make a group and play."
I gestured at the book in my hand and said "things are starting to get interesting now"
"You have read that thing for like a gazillion times."
"I can read it one more time. After all it's a free country."
"C'mon Mashby listen to me, just for once in your lifetime."

"Okay, I give up. You're such a dork. Emotional blackmailer."
"No I'm not and I know you secretly love me and can't defy me."
I rolled my eyes at that, "in your dreams Scott"

We made a group of 8 people. 5 girls and 3 boys. I began to realize what I had gotten into, the last time I played this game, I ended up getting grounded for two days, and in the one before I got batshit drunk. Xavier must have seen me getting stiff as he softly said to me "Just chill Avery, you're not gonna die."
I relaxed at that. He was right it's just a game, I should chill.

Everybody made a circle and sat. Xavier sat beside me. On my other side was Isabel, she was a nice girl, sweet, we had hung around a bit.
A guy, maybe his name was Ben spinned the bottle. It landed on Isabel and I prayed silently, it was a close call. She chose truth.
Edward asked her who she'd hook up with right now right here. She said Xavier, obviously. I nudged him at that. He gave me a lopsided smile and winked at her. The next time the bottle landed on Ben, he chose dare so he was asked to kiss a guy. He made a face at that but anyways kissed Edward. Xavier looked quite relieved by that.

The next time, the bottle fell on Xavier. He chose dare and Isabel asked him to kiss a girl playing this game. I don't know why out of nowhere I felt nervous. Nervous about the fact that Xavier could possibly kiss me. I felt shy and blushed.

I somehow had the feeling that Xavier was gonna kiss me. I could feel that zest between us, he was coming near me. I looked down, I couldn't handle the proximity and also I didn't want everybody to see me blush.

But the kiss didn't happen.

He kissed Isabel. It was so obvious. And I felt like an idiot of even thinking that Xavier would choose to kiss me. Suddenly I felt angry of even having this thought, I never felt like that for Xavier, like ever. What happened now, so suddenly.

While I was lost in my thoughts, Isabel mouned. They were still kissing. It's like they didn't care that they had an audience. They were all hands and tongue. Someone whistled and said, "Get a room" and I on the other hand could only think of murdering someone. Why did I even decide to play this stupid game?

I was so angry at that moment but I couldn't show it to anyone because it was not my place to be angry at Xavier for kissing someone. He was not my boyfriend.

*Present*

Suddenly my alarm beeped, I'd set that for watering my plants. I smiled wistfully at the memory but then I smiled happily because I vividly remembered, later that day we did kiss.