TRUTH OR DARE.

FRANCESCA'S POV I never liked parties…especially not parties hosted by the rich kids at Qingwu International College. People like Nicole Su lived in a world that girls like me were only permitted to be quiet. If not for Meilin dragging me out of our dorm and practically threatening to dress me herself, I would’ve spent my Saturday night studying like every other scholarship student trying not to get kicked out. I kept telling myself I didn’t belong here. A Black girl from Marine island, raised by a single mom who worked two jobs just to send me to China with enough money for transport and a suitcase of thrift clothes. Everyone here spoke money like it was their first language. I don't even know what I speak. Still… Meilin was right. It wouldn’t kill me to have one normal teenage moment. Or so I thought. The music was loud, the room even louder, everyone laughing, drinking, showing off their designer outfits. I sat on the floor with Meilin, trying to shrink into myself, praying no one noticed me. But my prayers clearly didn’t reach heaven tonight, because Nicole suddenly sat in front of us with that mischievous smile she always wore whenever she was about to ruin someone’s life. And then she spun the bottle. “Truth or dare…?” Nicole said, after the bottle landed in my direction. I looked at my friend, meilin nervously… she was the one that pushed me into doing this… “Umm… Truth..” “Truth?” Nicole said, smiling mischievously. “Who's the last guy you had s*x with? And in deets…” “All the deets,” Genevieve added. I took a quick glance at Meilin again. She knew I've never had s*x, and admitting that would be worse. I've never played truth or dare before… but everyone on campus knew that you can't get out of a dare. Especially if Nicole is involved. “I… um, can I switch to dare?” “Cesca, what are you doing..?” Meilin cut in immediately, whispering close to me. “You know you'll have to do whatever they dare you to…” “I got this, Meilin…” I assured her “You do know that you won't switch again, right?” Nicole asked. I only gave a nod. I know how Nicole is, of course she's the queen of this campus and crossing her would be a death wish, especially when she's the governor's daughter. Nicole turned to Gen… and after whispering and agreeing, she turned back at me. “Fine. I dare you…” she paused, looking at the other people behind us, who also came to the party. “To hook up with Kai…” For a second, my brain couldn't process the words, I blinked repeatedly.. “WHAT?!!” “No, no she can't do that, that's… that's” Meilin tried defending me but Gen cut her off. “She has to,if she knows what's best for her.” I stood up from the mat. “How would I sleep with Kai… he doesn't even know I exist…” Nicole also stood up. “Well, that sounds like a ‘you' problem..” she turned to Gen. “Come on Gen, let's leave these amateurs…” “What if she didn't do it?” Meilin asked, standing up from the mat too. Nicole turned, smirking. “ Then, I'll have to tell everyone, including the executive departments of this school, how you sold drugs, illegal drugs to underaged students back in Marine islands…” “Ho… how…” I was shocked, I couldn't even form a proper word. How did she know about that, I only did that to sustain our trip to China. “Oh poor Cesca…” Gen said, tapping my shoulders. “We do our research here” They can't do that. “But… but, that could cost me my scholarship…” “Then you should have thought twice before playing this game…” Nicole said, grabbing her bag… about to walk away. I looked at Meilin, she was the one that forced me to come to this party in the first place. She looked back at me with an apologetic look. I turned back to Nicole, who was ready to leave… “Come on, Nicole. I thought Kai was your ex, you dated him…” “Yeah I know. And that's enough reason for you to sleep with him… And I want a s*x tape of it.” With that she left, and Gen followed suit. Meilin walked closer to me. “We'll figure it out, okay?” “Figure out what? I, I can't possibly have s*x with Kai…” I said almost in tears. My Mom and I didn't have much and this scholarship was the only reason I even stepped foot here.. this is an international college in Qingwu, only the elites come here. I'm just a black Marine island girl,raised by a single Mom whose Dad ran away. And Kai… Kai's the heir to the Qin group, yeah ‘The Qin group’. His father owns half of the City and here in school, he's being treated like a god. He dated Nicole, for a year or so I heard. Nicole is the governor's daughter, which made it class stable for them to date… Now how can I sleep with someone that has never glanced at me before… “Meilin, I'm done for, I don't wanna be expelled…” “Shh, you won't be expelled,” she said, holding my hand. “Not under my watch, okay?” I nodded and leaned my shoulder on her… Now I'll have to give my first time to a jerk and brat like Kai.