Chapter 2

Melissa's POV.

“Suck Jeremy off.”

The room breaks out in gasps and murmurs as everyone exchanges glances with each other.

 “Are you being serious?” I ask, hoping Briella is cracking a cruel joke.

She scoffs, “Are you going to do it or not?”

My lips part but no words come out. How the hell am I supposed to do something this insane to a random guy?

 Hell, if I even do as much as consider this, everything–my morals, my reputation, my social life– everything will get ruined.

And I know that's what Briella wants.

But I didn't think she'd go this far just to get that.

“I'm not doing it. You know better than–”

“Oh please!” She cuts me off.

“Don't try to talk your way out of this. Ain't nobody interested in having a moral police at a game alright?” She snaps, rolling her eyes.

I scoff, “Last time I checked, I could decide whether or not I want to do something. Or have you suddenly become my mother?” 

The room breaks out in small chuckles– a reaction that makes Briella’s freckled cheeks burn red.

She steps closer, and that makes my heart skip a beat but I maintain my stance.

She grabs my arm, shoving me back, ”If you won't do the dare, then get out of here!”

I yank my hand free, “No I won't.”

“And if you're going to really bring me down, you had better come up with smarter plots. Horny little Brie,” I whisper loud enough for only her to hear.

She steps back with a dropped jaw and before I blink twice, she launches her palm at me.

I close my eyes, waiting for the impact but nothing happens.

When my eyes open, I find Xander in between us, his hand trapping her wrist.

“If you try to do something this stupid again, I'll make sure you never use those hands.” He threatens, and that makes me feel at peace.

I move from Xander's back to his side with a sly smirk.

Briella's eyes move from Xander, her expression soft and yearning until they move to me.

They burn with fury–something I've come to find as normal since the incident between us.

Briella yanks her hand free from Xander's, “If she won't do the dare, then she has to leave.”

Xander frowns, “Who makes the rules?”

“I’m a co-host. Doesn't that give me the privilege?” 

Xander shakes his head, and turns to the host who happens to be enjoying the drama from the grin on his face.

“What’s the problem with Briella’s dare?” The host immediately asks, noticing everyone's attention moving to him.

My brows twitch, “The problem is she badly wants me to be slutty with a stranger.” I blurt out, earning a glare from Xander.

My lips press together as regret seeps through me. That definitely didn't come out right, I should have shut up.

The host clears his throat, adjusting himself on the beanbag at the corner of the room, “If that's the problem, then I suggest you should suck off someone you're familiar with.”

Hell no, that's even worse.

“Someone like Xander.”

My stomach dips with disbelief, I sincerely wish my ears aren't working fine.

“Excuse me? She can't–” 

“Xander please. You already broke one rule by letting a nerd in here. Don't think of breaking any other.” The host declares.

My palm grow clammy, my pulse grows louder and faster, but I stand with crossed arms, feigning confidence. 

“What if I can't do it?”

“You get the fuck out.” Briella snaps.

I glare at her, before turning my gaze to the host.

“Umm, I–”

“Melissa, I think you should leave.” Xander cuts in, his gaze peering over me like a protective cloak.

But I don't want to leave!

Leaving equals mockery–which I already face–but in a higher standard, I'll be seen as the nerdy coward who couldn't handle a naughty dare.

“Yeah, you heard him right. It's even a better option, considering the only thing you might be good at sucking is straws.” Briella taunts me, making my blood boil.

God help me–I might kill someone if they don't shut the hell up.

Xander grabs my hand, “Melissa, please leave.”

Briella reaches out for my chin, “Be a good girl and listen to Xander. Run out of here like the coward that you are.”

Her words add fuel to the fire inside of me, and it's taking over my senses.

“Briella, shut up.” Xander warns.

His head moves back to me, his eyes pleading for me to think straight.

“Just go.”

“I'm not leaving.”

If Briella wants to disgrace me, then I'll put on a show for her.

But not without her going down as well.

“I'll do the dare.”

Xander shakes his head slowly, hoping he heard the wrong words but I know exactly what I'm doing.

“But Briella has to step down from the school's editorial board.” 

At least then, she'll be unable to damage my image the way she plans.

Briella snorts, “Not happening. Next.”

I narrow my eyes at her, ignoring Xander's confused expression, and turning to the host.

“Do you object?”

The host hums, moving his hand to the back of his neck.

“Fine. If you, however, can't do the dare, you'll equally have to step down from the science board.”

I need the science board to get into Stanford, and Briella knows that.

“Deal.” 

“Melissa?” Xander calls out to me, but I don't respond.

“Xander, unbuckle your belt.” I order, ignoring the voice in my head that tells me I'm about to make the biggest wrong decision of the semester.

Deep down, I want to stop myself, but accepting defeat and letting Briella spread news of me being a coward? Yeah, no thanks.

“I'm not doing that, you're definitely not thinking straight!” Xander protests.

Swallowing hard on the lump in my throat, I shrug.

“Okay, fine.”

I move to stand in front of him, and my hands grow shaky but I don't stop myself.

While trying to unbuckle Xander, he peers down with an icy look.

“If you move any further Melissa, you'll stop being my best friend.”