Dare
813 Words
Chapter Ten: “The Dare
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Nina was curled up in bed, hoodie on, watching dust swirl in the golden evening light. The house was quiet. Heavy. Her mom entered without knocking — again.
“You haven’t left the house since the performance.”
“I’m fine.”
Her mom raised a brow. “You’re always ‘fine.’ But I heard there’s a little gathering at Malik’s tonight. Raina’s going.”
“I don’t feel like—”
The doorbell rang.
Her mom smiled and stepped out.
Seconds later, Raina was in the doorway, arms folded, braids swinging, lip gloss popping.
“Don’t fight me. I’m in the mood to fight a demon and I’d rather it not be you.”
“I’m really not up for—”
“Shhh.” Raina walked in, eyeing her. “Your mom already said you’re going. She literally told me, ‘She needs to breathe.’ So come and breathe, you antisocial mermaid.”
“I don’t want to—”
Raina climbed on the bed. “I brought lip gloss, a hoodie that’s not depressing, and gum. Either you walk out of here or I drag you out like you’re a kidn*pped princess. Choose.”
Nina rolled her eyes… but a small smile snuck out. “Fine.”
“Say it louder for my screenshot,” Raina joked, already pulling her off the bed. “We’re gonna be chaotic, mildly tipsy, and absolutely unhinged.”
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Malik’s living room was low-lit, cozy, and filled with beats, banter, and the smell of popcorn and suya. Fairy lights wrapped lazily around the ceiling, and someone had already mixed drinks in water bottles.
Zeek was connecting a speaker. Janelle scrolled t****k. Jayden was stretched out on the couch, hood off, curls wild, cup in hand.
He looked up and did a double take.
Nina walked in, hoodie unzipped, face bare but glowing under the lights.
Jayden whistled low. “Look who’s outside for once.”
Nina didn’t answer. She just slid onto the couch across from him.
“Drink?” Malik offered, holding up a pinkish mix in a plastic cup.
Raina took two. “Obviously.”
Nina hesitated.
“Just sip,” Raina whispered. “No one’s asking you to twerk. Yet.”
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Hours blurred into laughter, playlists, bad jokes, and half-drunken games. The drink buzzed warm in Nina’s chest, the music pulsing low.
Truth or Dare started like a joke. Just Zeek asking Janelle if she ever had a crush on a teacher (she blinked twice, then looked away).
But it spiraled fast.
Raina dared Malik to sing the chorus of “Under the Influence” like he meant it.
He did. Voice low, stupid smooth. She blushed. Hard.
Everyone screamed.
Janelle dared Zeek to lie down and let her sit on his lap for a full minute.
“No hands,” she warned.
Zeek grinned. “Then use yours.”
She did. And she didn’t move when the minute passed.
Jayden dared Raina to give Malik a lap dance.
“You wouldn’t,” she said.
“I just did.”
Raina rolled her eyes, stood up, and absolutely murdered it. Malik sat frozen, too stunned to flirt back.
The room exploded.
Nina? She was laughing. Actually laughing. One more sip and her legs were a little loose, her filter fading.
That’s when the bottle spun and landed on her.
“Truth or Dare?” Jayden asked, already looking amused.
She squinted. “Dare.”
He smiled slowly. “Kiss me.”
The room fell silent.
Raina’s head snapped around. “Jayden…”
Nina blinked. Then laughed. “You’re joking.”
“Back out if you want,” he said, cocky.
Nina finished the drink in her cup. Licked her lips.
“Fine.”
She crawled toward him on the carpet, leaned in — and kissed him.
It was soft. Slow. One hand braced on his chest. His lips tasted like juice and trouble.
She pulled away.
No one breathed.
Jayden just looked at her, slightly stunned. “Well, damn.”
Raina gaped. “Nina!”
Nina flopped back onto the beanbag, laughing. “Oops.”
Her heart was racing. Her face was warm.
And in that moment, she didn’t feel broken or haunted.
Just dizzy. And a little free.
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Later that night, as the group drifted to sleep in their spots — Nina curled in a corner, hoodie back on.
Jayden was on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
One hand over his chest.
Malik whispered something to Raina and she actually blushed again.
Janelle stayed awake longer than the rest, fingers grazing Zeek’s hand when she thought no one was watching.
But Nina?
She just closed her eyes — and the taste of that kiss still lingered.
She was already regretting it.
But not for the reason she thought she would.
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