One Broken Dare, Forever His

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Clara!"

The harsh cry roused her to her senses.

"Clara!"

She shook her head twice and cleared her eyes. Amelia came up directly in front of her, palm against her arm, brows pulled together in suspicion.

"What? 'Here,' said Clara, steadying her voice, as though she had not just been reading in that mistiness; she had been daydreaming all day.

"You're lying." Amelia's tone was firm. You have been gazing on the wall so long. I was on the point of pouring water over your head.

Clara managed a crooked grin. "Don't be dramatic. I heard you."

With her arms crossed, Amelia glanced keenly. "No, you didn't. Something is chewing on you, and you are not telling me what it is.

Still Clara smiled, and this time she hoped she would be fooled.

Amelia moaned and shook her head. "That fake grin again? You do it like that when you have got something to hide. Not working this time. You missed half the day at first, and now you are acting like a ghost. Thou art withholding something of me.

"I'm fine. Really?"

But the reality came nearer to her heart. She wasn't fine. She had not been since the dream – the one that was like smoke and could not be loosened. She couldn't tell Amelia. She couldn't tell anyone.

Amelia poked her nose in a gentle and yet teasing tone. "You're terrible at lying. So when you will not talk, then play my way. Answer my questions. Truthfully."

Clara lifted an eyebrow. "Questions? What's this about?"

A roguish smile came over the face of Amelia. "It's a test. Answer or confess. Your choice."

Clara groaned. "I don't like the sound of that."

"Too late." Amelia leant forward, and excitement came into her eyes. The first one: what is the best way to put an elephant in the fridge?

Clara stared at her flatly. "Seriously?"

"Yes. Answer."

"I don't know... you... shove it in?"

"Wrong. Simple. You simply pop the fridge and place the elephant in it.

In spite of herself, Clara smirked. "You're insane."

"Next one. What is the question? How is it possible to place a donkey into the fridge?

Fridge, open it and push it in.

Amelia gasped dramatically. "Wrong again! You take the elephant out, and you put the donkey in.

Clara threw her head down at her laugh. "You're ridiculous."

"And it gets better. The Lion invites a birthday party, and all animals attend it. Which one's missing?"

Clara groaned. "I don't care."

"The donkey! Since it remains in the fridge. You donkey."

Clara snatched up a cushion and threw it at her. "You're killing me."

Amelia ducked, giggling. "Last one. A crocodile river. You need to cross. What do you do?"

"Get a boat?" Clara guessed.

"Nope. You swim. The crocs are all at the parties of the Lion.

That was it. Clara sprang forward and clasped her hands about the neck of Amelia. "You menace!"

Amelia screamed, falling on the couch, weeping as much as she could until she was out of breath. "Alright, alright! Stop! I surrender!"

Clara dropped and continued to laugh, her pulse returning to normal. Amelia smoothed her shirt, inhaled and flicked her phone.

"We've wasted enough time. Go get ready."

Clara blinked. "For what?"

"Tonight."

"What's tonight?"

Like a cheered child, Amelia applauded. "Club night!"

Clara had bent herself against the cushions. "No way. Not with your friends."

"No way." Amelia pulled an arm. "Get up."

"Amelia—"

"No excuses," she said, before retreating to her room.

Clara sighed. Amelia was not a yes-no person.

Hours later, the bassist of the club was beating more viciously than Clara was. Flashing lights and passing colours illuminated the surging mass of bodies that were crushed close together, dancing, shouting, and drinking.

Her ears were ringing, yet Amelia stared directly at home, tossed her hair, grinned and dragged Clara deeper into the noise.

They found themselves in the coupe lounge with the friends of Amelia who were half-drunk and laughing too much at everything. Dresses were tight, glasses were clinking, and smoke was floating in the air. Clara moved restlessly and wished she had not come out.

Why did you come? You knew this was a mistake. But perhaps the dream will be smothered under the noise.

"Truth or Dare!" someone shouted suddenly. One of the bottles was spinning on the floor, striking glasses and a half-dozen people whooped with delight.

Clara had not yet realised that she was in their circuit when everybody stared.

The bottle had halted at Victoria.

"Truth or dare?" someone asked.

'Truth', said Victoria, head thrown back.

How many guys have you slept around with? A boy smirked.

Clara's stomach tightened. Far too personal, too invasive, too shocking – just the kind of question she feared.

Victoria leant forward, breasts bulging out of the neck of her dress, tongue ticking her lower lip. "Five. Maybe six. If you're lucky."

Cheers erupted. There were whistling sounds, laughter, and some hands slapping the table. Victoria was enjoying it as she sat upon the lap of the boy, as though she were on a stage.

Clara's face burned. Not because of the alcohol, but because it is disgusting.

She turned away. Amelia prodded her, with a comfortable smile. "Relax. It's just fun." She had put a glass in the hands of Clara.

Clara was too fast in shooting. The burn slid down her throat. The bottle spun again.

Not me. Please note me.

It landed somewhere else. Relief washed through her. Another, another shot poured in her. With every rotation her nerves were pulled more.

Your head's heavy. Stop.

But she didn't stop. The fire came to rest in her face, and her vision blurred at the edges. She had lost track of the number of them.

Then silence. The bottle stopped. At her.

'Oh no,' she said to herself.

"Truth or dare?" someone called.

"Dare!" The word flew out of her, too desperate to take the sting of the truth.

Chuckles spread round the table. Her cheeks flamed. “Alright,” a voice boomed from across the table. “Easy dare. Take ten steps back and kiss the first man you bump into.”

Clara froze.

Kiss a stranger? Just like that?

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her heart hammered against her ribs, drowning out the music.

No. She couldn’t.

But the circle leant in, eyes glinting, waiting for her move. Amelia’s gaze flicked to hers, concern clouding her smile. She didn’t say a word, though.

Clara swallowed hard. Her pulse quickened.

What are you going to do now, Clara?