Chapter Five

Kiara’s POV

I should have known better than letting Aurora drag me into it. 

“Stop being a party pooper, Kiara,” she said as she moved closer to me. “Try this outfit out, it’ll look perfect on you.”

Swallowing hard, I took the black dress from her and moved to change my clothes. The dress was body hugging and as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help but feel self conscious. It wasn’t the usual baggy tops and pants I usually wore—everything was on display with this mid length dress.

“I know what you’re doing, and you need to stop,” Aurora said, noticing my hesitation. “You look stunning.”

“I don’t know…” I bit my lips. “Don’t you think it’ll be better if I cha—“

“No,” she said as she placed her hands on my shoulders. “You need to trust me when I say you look beautiful in this dress, and no one would be able to take their eyes off you.”

She seemed so sure, and her confidence rubbed off on me. I decided to be delusional and hoped that the night would turn out well for me. 

The school yard was alive with activities. The air was filled with music as color changing lights beamed through the gathered crowd. The moment we stepped into the opening, I felt every eye on me. 

My stomach twisted, my throat suddenly feeling tight. 

I wasn’t used to so much attention. I wasn’t used to so many people looking at me. 

I tugged on my dress, trying to pull it down, suddenly regretting coming out.

I turned around and tried to walk away big before I could, someone walked past me, their shoulder bumping against mine violently. 

“Enjoy the attention while it lasts, pig,” Cassie said with a venomous and mocking smile on her lips. “Dressing up in expensive clothes wouldn’t make you feel like you belong. If anything, your fatness is ruining the quality of the poor dress.”

My heart clenched, and tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall—I wasn’t going to let her see the damage her words had done to me. 

“I’m not even surprised,” I said, mustering up courage. “You think about me so much that the first thing you did when you saw me was to be bitchy.”

She turned red with anger but as she opened her mouth to respond, a voice cut her to it. 

“You look really good.” A familiar voice said. 

I turned to the owner of the voice, and my heart stuttered as my eyes fell on Xavier. 

He barely ever spoke yet here he was dishing out compliments to me. I blushed as he handed me a drink, before I could thank him, he wrapped his arm around my waist and a shiver ran down my spine. 

“Th- thank you,” I finally managed to say, my body burning from the warmth seeping into my body from his touch. 

His signature smirk curled at his lips. “Isn’t there a better way to thank me?” He asked in a low and sexy voice. 

Was he trying to flirt with me? What exactly is going on? I swallowed the knots in my throat as I tightened my grip on the drink. 

“Everyone!” Aurora yelled excitedly, her voice drawing me out of my thoughts. “Let’s play a game of truth or dare.”

Everyone yelled in agreement as people gathered around her. Xavier didn’t let go of me; instead he leaned and his warm breath gently fanned against my skin. “Let’s go play.”

I didn’t hesitate as he pulled me into the circle, but my nerves were all over the place. 

Everyone was enjoying the game, they were laughing, kissing and taking shots but suddenly, the bottle landed on me. 

Fuck. 

“Truth or dare?”

I swallowed, taking a sip of my drink for courage before I answered. 

“Dare.”

Aurora smirked. But it wasn’t her usually bubbly smile or mischievous grin; it was a smirk I had never seen on her, and it made my stomach twist. 

“I dare you to kiss Xavier for five minutes. In the cupboard over there.”

Everyone went mute. Some still whispered while staring at me expectantly. 

I froze. “What? No… I… what?”

“You heard me.” Aurora tilted her head.