“Liv, she’s right. You can just walk away.” I turn my head to Jensen now, who seems to be giving me an out; breaking the rules tohisgame.
Funny, seeing as I thought he would want me to do the dare. His eyes seemed hungry for it even. Or maybe theywerebut then it took him a moment of common sense and he realized how humiliating it would be for me, remembering that I am someone he cares for. Or used to care for. Not that I need his approval or concern.
“Then why the fuck am I here, Jen?” I shoot his own words from earlier back at him and the look on his face is priceless. Shocked. Everyone reacts with atheatricaloh shitand he just shrugs his shoulders in defeat before sitting back down right as I stand up.
A few cheers break out as I step up to the fire pit, a little unsure of where to position myself.Am I going to actually do this?
My heart starts to race and something hot swarms my skin.
I look over at Trace who’s jaw is set so tight as he stares at me, locking me into his intense glare. He moves his lips, mouthing very slowly, “Don’t you fucking dare,” as he squeezes his fists between his knees.
He scares me. Just a little. And seeing the threat in his eyes and knowing the danger that would likely be in his tone causes my need to defy him. To want to do what he’s warning me not to do.
I keep my eyes on him as I drop down to my knees.
“Fuck you,” I mouth back with pride swelling in my chest knowing that he’s got to be fucking reeling right now. I am reeling. It’s dangerous. It’s humiliating. It’s an adrenaline rush that I can’t deny I crave.
He doesn’t move, keeping us locked into eye contact. I notice a few people stand up to get a better look, cheering and whispering as I tilt my head up, now looking up at the stars but I know Trace still has eyes on me.
My body is on fire. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel my ribs vibrate.
I open my mouth.
Water dribbles from the sky, wetting my hair and gliding down my face. For effect, before the final step, I pull my hands behind my back and clasp them together. And then I stick out my tongue.
I can hear the girls judging, some even laughing and saying how pathetic I look. But the guys are all high fiving each other and I hear one say, “damn I bet she gives good head.”
I try my best to zone it all out, keeping my eyes shut as I finish out the dare but it’s the flash of a camera, which wouldn’t have been noticed if the sun hadn’t just gone behind the clouds, that flusters me. But before I can act on my own accord, someone is yanking me up off my feet by my elbow. I turn to see Banks behind me, but I don’t have time to question it before a commotion pulls my attention away just in time to witness Trace pulling someone up by their shirt.
“The fucking phone you piece of rotting shit,” he demands.
Everyone is silent as they watch on.
“Fine, fuck.Sorry.” Landon; a kid from the MCU football team. Of course it would be.
Alli approaches me from behind, pulling Banks’ hand off of me and giving him a very stern look. And while he lets go, he doesn’t back off. Alli and I watch as Trace snatches the phone from the asshole’s hand and doesn’t even think before tossing it into the fire.
No one moves.
“Dude what the fuck! You owe me a new phone!” Landon pushes his finger into Trace’s chest and I think the moment he does it, he realizes it’s a huge mistake.
Trace reaches out for Landon’s shirt once more, crumbling it up in his fist before rearing back his other and swinging.
The sound of cracking bones rings in the dead of day, not even a single breath can be heard. Bloodimmediately fills Landon’s face as he starts whimpering, holding his nose.
I gasp, bringing my hands to cover my mouth. So does just about everyone else.
“Dude, what the fuck?” he cries out, but not a single person moves to help him.
“Get the fuck out of here.” Trace’s tone is sharp and sinister, causing Landon to scamper away, leaving a blood trail behind him.
Now, everyone starts to chat amongst one another, likely in observation of what just happened.
Banks finally sits down and so does Trace, not even looking at me this time. But I can’t move. I don’t know what the fuck just happened or what to say. But no one else seems to act on what just happened, almost as if it isn’t a big deal, even though everyone reacted in shock.
“Let’s sit,” Alli murmurs to me, but I don’t want to.
My bones feel heavy and my blood feels like ice. I let her pull me back down anyway, Trace still not looking up at me. And the moment I take my seat, the game continues.
