Facing Crossroads

XXI - Dare

                                                      Shane

Theo’s mesmerizing gaze as we danced on the balcony came back to my mind. It was like a cheesy fairytale, something I hadn’t expected to happen. It felt magical yet weird, if that even made sense. I pressed my lips together, trying not to smile, but I think I failed. I was so grateful that he was willing to replace my sad memories, just for the sake of me moving on.

Now this part scared me.

This part where I stared up the ceiling, hearing nothing but my thoughts. The part where I replayed my moments with Theo, as I watched us in my mind while we danced, exchanging encouragements and smiles, laughter and ideas. He held me like I was a strong lady and not a fragile package, something I had never felt before.

Damn it.

He was invading my head! Not good. Not good.

As I went down the staircase and headed to the kitchen, my stomach churned at the smell of pancakes.

“You’re up so early,” I said.

Theo smiled widely, shrugging. “Can’t sleep.”

A guy in a kitchen actually looked sexy. Or maybe it was just Theo. And maybe I should stop, like stop ‘stop’ observing him.

“Do you always cook?” I asked, watching him swiftly moved, as if he was the one who owned the place.

He halted for a moment, returning my gaze. There was this kindness in his eyes, like he was a cute puppy, and I couldn’t help but not to notice it. It was like a gateway to his soul.

“Most of the time, yes,” he answered and turned his back at me.

I sat on the mini bar just at the side of the sink, watching him. He fidgeted, his movements trailing. Turning back at me again, he asked, “Do you need anything, Shay?”

“Nope.”

We stared at each other.

“Do you need help on that?” I asked, pointing to whatever he was cooking with eggs.

“No,” Theo replied. “But I just… it’s uncomfortable.”

My forehead creased, eyebrow slightly raised. “What’s uncomfortable?”

He tapped his long finger on the counter. “It’s uncomfortable being watched.”

Oh. “I like watching people, you should get used to it.”

Theo had a look of surprise but just let me be. “Alright, ma’am, your call.”

Voices rang out from the living room and not long after, footsteps neared the kitchen. When Kevin and Rosie walked in, Theo and I greeted them a good morning in unison.

Kevin beamed at me, waving a hello.

“Do you need help, Theo?” he asked.

“No, buddy,” he answered, not giving him a look. “This is my thing. I got this.”

****

Jellaine and Meryll had an innovation of the Truth or Dare game. This time, no need to spin a bottle. There was a box full of small scrolls and each scroll contained a question or a challenge. If you chose not to answer, you have to drink three shots of vinegar and the same applied to a dare. Everyone would have their turn.

Since we had two freshmen and the others were just underage, Jellaine was firm to no alcohol rule.

I picked up a scroll from the box and read what was written.

Question: What is the worst thing you did?

Their eyes were on mine, awaiting my answer. I think it was no secret at school that our group did drugs almost a year ago.

I cleared out my throat. “Smoked Mary Jane with my friends,” I answered, my voice not as steady. I wasn’t ready for judgments, especially coming from them. “Or maybe, they aren’t really my friends.”

“What’s a Mary Jane?” Farrah asked. She was still limping when she walked but we were happy she could join us to this little trip.

“m*******a,” Theo answered when I didn’t say anything.

Some of them nodded, some didn’t give a reaction.

“I’ve tried it too,” Kevin muttered. “But it’s in a cookie.”

They shrugged their shoulder, like it was a norm to do that. I was about to tell them not to think of that as normal because it shouldn’t be a norm but Kevin, who sat on my left, already picked up a scroll for the game to move on.

“Dare, kiss your elbow.” He looked around us, a funny look on his face. “Seriously? Who wrote this?”

“Just do it,” Jellaine said with a laugh.

Kevin tried to reach for his elbow, but he was unable to reach the very tip.

“This is impossible,” he argued as everyone laughed with his failed attempts.

“Then do the consequence,” I said, pointing to the shot glass.

He shrugged and gulped down the vinegar.

We moved from Kevin to Jellaine, who got a question and answered it right away. It was about her most embarrassing moment, where she stumbled down in the hallway, face first. And her crush was there, laughing at her.

Everyone waited for their turn and when it reached Meryll, the question was if she ever betrayed anyone. She thought for a brief moment before reaching out for the shot glass to drink the vinegar.

Theo, who was sitting on my right side, reached out for the box to pick up a scroll. “Dare, slap the one on your right. If you can’t, kiss the one on your left.”

I am on his left and Denise, a freshman, was on his right.

“Don’t be a party pooper, Theo. Don’t you choose to drink the vinegar,” Jellaine warned, giving him a look.

“Whoever wrote this is evil,” he said, shaking his head.

Looking at Theo, he looked trapped on what to do. He glanced at me and turned to his right to look at Denise. She was a petite girl with pretty face and dolly eyes. Who would hurt a girl like her?

But then, I wouldn’t know what to do if he chose to kiss me.

“Can I say something first?” he asked. “Look, I won’t ever lay a hand on a girl,” he said looking at Denise who went stiffed when he turned to her. Theo then shifted to me. “And I know you will beat the hell out of me. So, sorry J, I don’t want to die today.”

He reached for the shot glass and gulped down the liquid.

“It’s your chance to kiss a girl, man!” Vince called out, a chunky guy with a tan skin. “It’s Shane. I’ll kiss her if I were you.” He grinned, so amused to himself.

Theo shot him a look. “Yeah, you do that. Come tomorrow, we’ll see your corpse hundred feet under the sea. That is, if we ever find your body.”

We all fell silent for a second.

“He’s right. I’m sure as hell that I will kill you, Vince,” I chimed in, looking at the frozen grin on his lips. “But it’s worth it, right?”

They laughed at Vince’s reaction.

“Bottom line is, don’t you touch my girl Shay!” Kevin said, wiggling his pointer finger at his friend.

“Damn it,” I snapped, glaring at him. “I am not your girl.” And don’t you f*****g call me Shay.

Kevin paled but still managed to keep his cool. “I- I know.”

Tapping his back, I nodded. “And don’t you ever forget that.”

My eyes darted to Jellaine and noticed her hiding an amused smile on her lips, eyes fixed to someone. Following where she was looking at, I saw Theo’s glare to Kevin, and the latter was oblivious to it.