Let’S Play Dare.

(KAIRA'S POV)

What had come over me? Why am I crumbling at the sight of Slade Horton kissing someone else?

Why does it suddenly feel like someone stuck a hand into my chest and dug out my heart. Worst of all, I can't seem to look away, even though my eyes have started burning me.

Slade's hands are still, not pulling her to him, but she's not pushing her away either.

"Don't pay them any attention." Someone said, taking my hand and leading me away.

I noticed someone I hadn't seen in the room. Where did he come from?

A tall guy, with a familiar face that I couldn't place. He had golden brown hair, which was cut short but very neat and sharply carved. He had brown eyes which had golden flecks in them too.

"They're just messing around. They aren't even a real couple." He said, folding his arms.

"I don't care." I lied, releasing my hand from his hold.

The boy raised an eyebrow at me and then extended his hand for a shake.

"Germaine Sterling." He introduced.

I hesitated, but took it, desperate to distract myself from what I had just seen.

"My name is Kaira."

"Everyone, meet Kaira, Slade's stepsister." He announced with my hand in his as he waved at the crowd.

"Hello Kaira." Came scattered greetings.

I gave a tight smile and a nod, as I fought the urge to look in Slade's direction.

"Kaira, this is Jared Xavier and Matthew Ford." He pointed at the guys in the living room, short brown hair and shoulder-length dark hair. They waved back at me.

Then Germaine turned me to the girls at the table. I quickly stole a glance at Slade. They weren't kissing anymore but Shelly still had her arms around him, talking to him.

I narrowed my eyes away.

"This is Penelope Xavier and Jackie Vaughn."

"Heyy." The girls chorused.

One smiled shyly, she had straight long brown hair and big brown eyes. The other beamed at me, she had full blonde curls and beautiful grey eyes.

"We weren't expecting you guys this early. But it seems like you are right here on time." Shelly was coming forward, almost pulling Slade along with her.

"Yes!" The curly blonde said, rubbing her palms together and smirking at me. "We were just about to play a game. And six is better than eight."

"Come on, Kayla." Shelly held my hand and started to lead me to the center of the living room.

"My name is Kaira." I corrected.

"Sit here." She pulled me down so that I now sat down beside her.

There were scattered giggles around like there was something funny about Shelly's actions.

In less than a minute, eight of us were crowded around the center of the living room.

"You don't have to play, Makaira." Slade said, making me turn to him. I swallowed.

"Makaira? What did you just say?" Matthew asked, leaning forward to look from Slade to me.

"Oh come on!" Shelly let out a frustrated groan. "What are you, Slade? Some lame old big brother?"

"Kaira does need to have the freedom of choice though." The curly blonde said.

"It's truth or dare." Germaine said, placing the bottle in the center. "This side for the target." He pointed at the mouth of the bottle. "You have only one chance to avoid a dare and you must drink two shots."

"So are you in?" The other girl with straight brown hair said.

"Of course she's in, Penny. Only a slow kid will miss out on the chance to play a fun game with us. I mean it's just truth or dare." Shelly said from beside me. She wasn't even looking at me, like she already knew what my answer would be.

I glanced at Slade and his eyes were disagreeing. But then there was my ego. And it was all I was thinking of when I said.

"Sure." I had tried to get a reaction from Slade and I did, but he looked disappointed instead of angry. It felt like my insides were in twists.

"I knew she wasn't going to say no. She's not a geek." Shelly said, giving my shoulders a squeeze.

Okay, maybe I also didn't want to disappoint Shelly McKenzie too.

But then the bottle started to spin, the game began and my heart knew no rest. People were being dared to suck people's toes, and someone had to kiss seven places on someone’s body. Thankfully no privâtes, but still!

That's when I found out Penelope was Jared's twin sister. He kept screaming: fuck you, bro, that's my twin sister.

Slade's reaction to all this… so confusing! He looked bored, unfazed, but still somehow like it served as entertainment to him… because I noticed that he was paying attention.

I regretted saying yes. I wish I had had the courage to say no.

"Kaira!" My name jolted me out of my thoughts.

The mouth of the bottle was clearly pointing at me.

My cheeks went hot and my heart wanted to flee.

"Pick one of the cards." Jackie, the curly blonde on my left side, offered me the deck of cards.

I stole a glance at Slade. He was clearly smirking. So I straightened my shoulders and picked one.

"Okayyy," Jackie announced, her eyes twinkling in mischief. "Kaira. This is a dare. Pick a boy in the group and give him a lap dance.”

My heart sank.

The group erupted in different ways. Giggling, guffawing and even hooting. Slade's intimidating eyes were glued on me like he was very interested in my next move.

I cleared my throat and raised my chin. I didn't care if I disappointed the queen at this point.

"I'll have two shots, please." I said proudly like I had taken more than one before.

"Ooohh!" Germaine said, coming forward with a rack.

"Ugh! Here I was thinking you'd be more fun." Shelly said, pouting.

I have to admit that her words burned me like the vodka I downed. But I did not care.

No way!

It turns out that Slade was right and this game is too hot for me.

So I decided, to avoid looking like a slow poke, I'll wait and after the next three rounds, I'll pretend to be sick from the alcohol.

So I looked forward to doing that, ignoring the floaty feeling that was beginning to set in.

The next round was Slade, he was asked to give a belly shot to the girl on his right. He did one with Jackie and I hated the way my stomach crumpled. The second round, Jared had to take off Shelly's shoe’s with his teeth.

With his teeth!! And he did it.

I was so happy when the third round came but that stupid bottle had to settle for me with the mouth pointed. I sighed tiredly. I was just about to escape.

"Pick a card, Kaira." Jared said in a sing-song voice as he stretched forward with the deck. I picked one and handed it over to him before stealing a look over at Slade.

He had that smirk on his face, this time, it was even way deeper. And if it wasn't annoying me so much, I would have said he looked very handsome.

"Kaira, have a two-minute make out with the first guy on your right."

My vision became blurry.

I knew who it was but my eyes still confirmed it.

On my right was Shelly, Penelope and then Slade.

He was staring right at me, all traces of humor now gone.