𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐒𝐈𝐗

AS THE EVENING GREW DARKER, the sounds of music from inside Asher's house grew louder. Teens began to filter indoors, leaving the backyard behind. Emberly had done her best to enjoy herself, but she had only made it through a couple of lemonades and a few awkward conversations with Olivia and Spencer before retreating to the game room. Spencer had rejoined them a while ago, and while Evelyn had said it wouldn't be so bad being here, Emberly still felt out of place.

Inside the game room, she found herself standing in the middle of the action, watching a round of poker unfold. Layla, Asher, JJ, and a couple of others were gathered around the table, cards in hand, focused on their game.

"Why's JJ shirtless?" Spencer asked, his eyes narrowing on the half-naked boy at the table.

Emberly chuckled softly. "In this version of poker, you can bet anything. Clothes, money, whatever. Asher's parties are legendary for a reason."

Olivia, still looking worried, leaned in closer to Spencer. "Just remember what we said, alright? Stay away from the dare chips."

"Dare chips?" Spencer asked, confusion evident in his tone.

"You'll find out soon enough," Emberly warned. "Trust me, you don't want to end up with one of those."

Just then, Asher's voice rang out, catching their attention. "Yo, Spencer, come join us!"

Of course, it was just the push Spencer needed. He glanced at Emberly for a moment, then shrugged. "Nah, I'm good," he said, but everyone around the table groaned in response.

"The only guy here who doesn't want in?" Asher teased, gesturing to the empty chair.

"I'm just trying to keep my clothes on, man," Spencer replied, earning a round of laughs from the group.

"Come on, just bet some money," Asher continued, trying to coax him into the game. "I saw you holding onto that cash today. What's it, an emergency fund?"

Spencer shot a quick glance at Emberly before stepping forward. "Alright, deal me in," he said, taking a seat at the table. Emberly could feel the weight of the situation shift as he joined. She knew exactly what Asher was doing — turning this into a game of peer pressure. Spencer wasn't the type to back down from a challenge, but he didn't know what he was walking into. If he lost, he'd be stuck doing a dare, and with people like Layla at the table, who knew what that might entail.

JJ raised an eyebrow. "What are you playing with?" he asked as Spencer pulled out an envelope of cash.

"Is this enough?" Spencer asked, offering a stack of bills.

"That'll do," Asher confirmed, dealing out the cards.

Emberly stood by, silently watching the game. Olivia noticed her quiet tension and tried to reassure her. "It'll be fine," she said, but Emberly wasn't so sure.

Spencer, as competitive as he was, had probably just sealed his fate. He wasn't great at poker, and if he lost, that dare chip would be coming his way. She could already feel the anxiety building in her chest, but she couldn't let it show.

The game went on, and to Emberly's surprise, Spencer didn't lose immediately. She watched, trying to convince herself that it was just a game. But when Asher folded and Layla pushed a dare chip toward Spencer, her heart sank.

"Game over," Emberly muttered under her breath.

Spencer hesitated but then shrugged, clearly not understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'm gonna call you," he said, flipping over his cards.

Layla leaned back in her chair, showing off her full house. "Two pair," Spencer muttered, throwing down his cards. "You got me."

Layla smiled wickedly. "I won your dare chip, so now you have to do anything I say."