We walked into that closet as best friends, but only one of us walked out pretending nothing had changed.
I hated parties.
Not just because of the noise or the stupid games or the way Lauren’s perfume made my throat itch. I hated them because I never knew how tobe.
Where to sit. What to say. How to make my body shrink small enough that no one would notice I was the extra. The one who didn’t quite belong.
They all noticed anyway.
I wasn’t funny like Dare. I wasn’t bold, or charming, or cool. I was just… there. Quiet. Strange. The kid who made people glance once, then look away fast, as if they didn’t want to catch whatever made me different.
The only reason I was even invited to Lauren’s birthday party was because of Dare. And the only reason I stayed wasthat he didn’t leave my side.
He made it easier to breathe, at least for a little while.
We swam, ate pizza, and split a bottle of orange soda even though there was plenty to go around. Lauren asked him to pick the music, and I pretended I liked it, even though I didn’t. And I laughed when he made faces behind Lauren’s back every time she touched his arm.
It almost felt normal. Almost felt likeus.
Until one girl yelled, “Let’s play truth or dare!”
And just like that, my stomach bottomed out.
I should’ve said no. Should’ve slipped away and pretended I had offered to help clean up or something. But Dare was already grinning, already plopping down in the circle as if this was the best part of the night.
So I followed. And of course, because the universe is cruel, someone said, “Tru goes first.”
I froze, my heart beating in my ears. “Uh… truth.”
Groans all around. “Lame,” one girl muttered.
Lauren leaned forward, smirking through her glossy lips. “Okay, fine. Who do you have a crush on?”
My lungs locked up. This wasn’t a game, it was an interrogation! I stared down at the floor, feeling my throat close up. My mind scrambled for a name.Anyname. But all I could think about was how Dare’s knee was barely an inch from mine because of how close he was. How exposed I suddenly felt.
But before I could answer, Dare spoke.
“My turn,” he said quickly. “Let’s make it interesting. Ask me anything.”
I didn’t notice I’d been holding my breath until it slipped out in a shaky rush.
Lauren rolled her eyes. “I’d rather you take the dare. Spin the can. Whoever it lands on, you have to kiss.”
Dare just smirked. “That’s it?”
He snapped the soda can with his fingers, and it spun, rattling loud enough to drown out the laughter. Everyone leaned in, holding their breath. I prayed it wouldn’t land on Lauren and her pack of hyenas. I prayed even harder that it wouldn’t land on me.
The can slowed, wobbled… and when it stopped, the tab pointed straight at me.
Laughter exploded. Shrieking. One girl clapped her hands like it was the funniest thing she’d ever seen. I could barely hear over the buzzing in my ears.
“Oh my God,” someone squealed. “You have to kiss Tru!”
I wanted to disappear.
Dare looked stunned. He wasn’t smiling anymore. He reached out to spin again, but Lauren said, “Nope. You already spun. That’s who it landed on.”
“It’s fine,” I said, though my voice cracked so hard it gave me away. My skin turned slick and prickly, heat creeping up my neck like I’d been caught doing something wrong.
