HUNDRED AND THIRTY TWO

The night went on, cloaked in silence and twinkles of light, but for the four friends seated on the patterned blanket on the balcony, time remained frozen.

“Your turn,” Amanda chirped as she returned the bottle to the floor and turned it. They'd been playing a game of truths, and it had been pretty superficial, not going beneath the surface.

The questions that were asked were the usual, name of their schools, favorite color, best childhood memory, and preferred TV show. Amanda smiled when she mentioned the Simpsons. It was so cliche but even after all these years, her love for it never reduced.

Anders watched the spinning bottle, heaving a sigh of relief when it stopped at Veil's side of the blanket. She rubbed her hands together and waited for Amanda's question since she was the last person to have a question asked of her.

“Have you ever been in love?”

The question took everyone by surprise, including Veil. She let out a breath and cast a slow glance at Anders. She swallowed when