Prologue

Truth or Dare

Anton

The empty glass bottle spun again, and this time it landed on Pietra, the most beautiful girl in the entire school, whom I'd been in love with for exactly two years, ever since the first moment my eyes met the brightest, blackest eyes in the world.  

"Your turn, Pietra!" Priscila said excitedly. "Truth or dare?"  

Pietra smiled. She always smiles. Her eyes also smile, even when she isn't smiling.  

"Truth!" Pietra chose.  

I did not doubt her choice. Pietra would never risk getting a dare because she's always so straight-laced, completely the opposite of me, but that would never be a problem between us. I love her just the way she is.  

"What are you going to do from now on?" Priscila asked.  

Some people expressed disappointment, clearly thinking the question was boring. But that question was perfect for me. Pietra is always so reserved about her life outside of school that only this way could I hear from her what her plans are now that we're finishing high school.  

"I got a scholarship to a college in England," Pietra shared excitedly. "I'm going to London in two months."  

That news caught me by surprise. London? It wouldn’t be a problem for me, of course. I have enough money to visit her as many times as I want. I released the breath I had held for a brief moment.  

Everyone applauded and celebrated Pietra’s big achievement, but we soon returned to our game, and a few rounds later, it was my turn to be asked truth or dare.  

"Dare, for sure!" I said with a loud laugh.  

I couldn't risk being exposed in front of the girl I love. There are aspects of my life it's better Pietra doesn't know about, I thought with a sly smile. Yes, I love her, but I also have my needs.  

I was forced to take two shots of tequila, which wasn't hard for me at all. We got back to the game, a few more rounds, and the bottle once again pointed at Pietra. By that time, I had drunk quite a bit, things seemed a little blurry, and I wasn’t sure if I could still hide how special that girl is to me.  

"Truth!" She cheerfully chose.  

"Are you still a virgin?" The question, of course, came from that idiot Tony.  

"You don't have to answer that!" I said, raising my voice in annoyance.  

"Calm down, Anton!" Maria Luiza urged, holding my arm. "Pietra knows it's just a game. No one's forcing her to do anything."  

"Yes, Tony, I’m still a virgin," Pietra answered. "I’m only seventeen!"  

Everyone laughed at Pietra's words since age has nothing to do with sexual experience, but I wasn't surprised by my girl's way of thinking. She’s always so proper, I thought with a smile.  

Pietra, still with a slight blush on her cheeks, spun the bottle once more, this time pointing at none other than me, Anton.  

"Truth or dare, Anton?" she asked, with a curious and playful look.  

I stared at Pietra for a brief moment, feeling my heart beat faster. The truth was tempting; I wanted to reveal my true feelings, but a pang of fear made me hesitate. Hiding my love for so long had created a comfort zone, and admitting it could change everything. Still, something inside me screamed, to be honest, to risk it all.  

"Truth," I finally answered, deciding to be honest, at least this time.  

Pietra's eyes met mine, seeming to search for something more than just an answer to the game’s question.  

"You always flirt with a lot of girls, but you’ve never really gotten involved with any of them. Why?" she asked bluntly.  

"In other words, Anton," Lucas cut in before I could answer, "you hook up with everyone, but you’ve never dated anyone. That’s what she’s saying."  

"Everyone understood what she said," Anneliese chimed in, rolling her eyes as if she were bored.  

Anneliese is my sister, and she really must’ve been bored, I thought with amusement.  

"Guys, let Anton answer!" Priscila tried to steer the game back on track.  

Now all eyes were on me. Our senior class was waiting for my answer. Only the background music continued playing, and I realized that every face had a smile of expectation, waiting for some sarcastic response.  

"Because I’m in love with you, Pietra," I confessed, forgetting about all the people around us.  

The moment my words echoed in the room, the mood changed instantly. The air became heavy and tense, and the excited expression on Pietra’s face vanished. Her reaction was the last thing I expected.  

"I... I need to go... now," she said with a trembling voice, glancing nervously at the watch on her wrist.  

The storm of emotions on her face was evident. Pietra stood up quickly, avoiding looking at me, and ran out of the room. Without thinking twice, I ignored everyone’s curiosity and comments and decided to follow her. I found Pietra already on the sidewalk.  

"Pietra, wait!" I called, running to catch up with her.  

She stopped but still avoided looking directly at me. Her silence made me nervous, but I had to know what was going on.  

"I’m sorry, Pietra, I... I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just... had to say what was here," I said, pointing to my heart.  

Finally, Pietra raised her eyes to meet mine. The sadness in her gaze was palpable.  

"Anton, I’m so sorry..." she began, her voice heavy with emotion. "I didn’t know you felt this way. I have a boyfriend, Tales. And... I’m in love with him."  

Her words hit me like a knife to the heart. I had never felt such deep pain before. Everything I feared had just become reality.  

"I didn’t know..." I murmured, struggling to hold back the sadness threatening to overwhelm me.  

Pietra looked at me with compassion, but her words were firm.  

"Anton, you’re a nice guy, but we both know we’re very different. I like you as a friend, but... I can’t see myself being involved with someone like you. You’re a playboy, always surrounded by girls, and I... I want someone responsible and treats me with care."  

Her words felt like successive blows to my heart. She was right.  

"I understand," I murmured. "Sorry for messing everything up."  

Pietra put a hand on my shoulder, showing understanding.  

"It’s not your fault, Anton. We’re just different. And I never imagined I could hurt you."  

I knew she was being sincere, but it didn’t lessen the pain I felt. Pietra gave me a comforting hug before pulling away.  

At that moment, a car pulled up in front of Priscila's house, where we had been having our farewell party.  

"I have to go now," she said, looking at the parked car.  

I nodded, unable to say anything else as I realized that was probably her boyfriend. Pietra walked away and left me with a broken heart, feeling like I could never be the man she wanted, and without the slightest desire to fight to change that.