4

(RORY’S POV)

“What the fuck, Laurel!” Todd roared angrilly.

“She took it when I wasn’t looking I swear!” Laurel said glaring at me.

I giggled, because I could not stop myself and then crossed my legs where I sat.

“Really, stop yelling at him. I was the one who took your drink. This was supposed to be mine.” I said pointing at the empty glass of Juice before realization hit me and I giggled. “Oops! I drank that too.”

Todd sighed. “Come on, let’s get you home, This was a bad idea.” He murmured coming to take my hand in his but I swing my arm away.

“No! I don’t want to go home.” I whine narrowing my eyes. “Who’s a party popper now?”

“You’re drunk Rory!” He growled at me.

He only ever called me Rory when he was serious or mad. I guess it was both for now.

“I’m not. Tipsy, maybe.” I say and then I throw my hands up. “I’m trying to be fun not boring like Jason said! I mean he’s here having fun so I must have been really boring.”

Todd’s brows furrowed and he came closer to me with a deep, concerned look in his eyes.

“Is he the reason why you took the shot?” He asked.

“What else was I supposed to do when I saw him having fun and sucking some girl’s face off?” I said blowing a raspberry.

Hurt flickered through Todd’s eyes and then it was replaced with anger as he balled his fists.

I wagged my fingers at him.

“Na-ah, Todd O’Connor. I know that look.” I said. “Don’t do anything crazy.”

Todd was just about to say something when someone out shouts some words and I see a number of kids darting towards a direction .

“What’s happening?” I asked confused.

“They want to play dare.” Laurel said excitedly as he rubbed his hands and headed for the door. “I think I’ll leave you two to sort out your issues. I’m going for some fun.”

“We’re coming too.” I said standing up but Todd stood in front of me immediately.

I groaned. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked him.

“You’re drunk and whatever decision you’re taking right now is because of the Alcohol. Trust me, you don’t want to play dare.” He said.

“Well I do! I’m not always boring and safe you know?” I spat back with a slur.

That’s not true. I think I’m always boring and safe. If not for my books or my podcasts, I’m hardly ever interested in any more things.

So yes he was right. It was the Alcohol but it was not making me swoon or say rubbish. I just felt excited and energized.

“I feel guilty for this. I shouldn’t have brought you here.” He said and there was genuinely a flash of regret in his eyes.

“Oh my goodness Todd!” I complained this time with a strain in my voice. “You’re the one who said I could come here and have fun and forget about Jason. I’m old enough to have some alcohol and I’m not acting a fool so please stop being a bummer! You’re acting like my strict dad!”

Todd pursed his lips at my scolding and then he sighed.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. You’re not acting silly or anything…..” he hesitated before saying in a soft tone. “I just don’t want you doing what you don’t want to do.”

I smile and cup his face in my hand. Something flashed in his eyes and I gave myself an inner blow for this action. It was the booze obviously, I was too shy to hold Todd’s face.

Ruffle his hair? Punch him in the shoulder? Flick his ears? Pinch his side? Hell yes! That was a normal thing!

“I appreciate your care, kind sir but I promise you I’m fine.” I said before taking his hand in mine. “Now let’s go and play Dare.”

He let me pull him along . I didn’t know the directions but seeing where others were headed, I followed.

We soon got to where it was holding. Outside a very large patio, kids were seated in a big circle giggling about. Some just stood afar and watched while others watched from the transparent sliding doors and from the balcony.

Laurel called us over to sit beside him after making some kids scoot over.

As we got settled, Todd’s hand instinctively landed on my waist in a protective manner to pull me close to him. It was just a simple friendly action to him I’m sure but it exhilarated every single feeling in my body.

“We have our players people!” Joe the boy who was hosting this party said as he stood in the middle of the circle. Everyone erupted in cheers

“Now, anyone who dares to back away from the game has to strip naked and walk to the pool.” He announced.

There were squeals of excitement as he pointed at the pool which was some distance from where we sat.

“Hell yeah!” Laurel cheered on.

I gulped imagining walking naked.

“Candy, we can still back out now.” Todd leaned over and whispered in my ear sending waves of thrill round my body.

I could see Jason and his partner watching from the balcony. Call me whatever but I didn’t want to look like a chicken. Not just any chicken. A boring chicken.

“No. I want to play.” I said with a forced grin.

Todd looked surprised and then he shrugged.

“Now lets play dare!” Joe announced accompanied by anticipated cheers.

The spinning of the bottle began and each time I could feel my chest tighten. Someone was dared to lick someone’s toes, someone was dared to give another a two minutes blow job (in front of everyone might I add! I was shocked to my bones!) Leslie was dared to take of her top for two rounds of the game and she did it in a heartbeat, guy’s whistled at her hungrily and I could not help but still a glance at Todd who to my very surprise wasn’t paying attention.

The bottle was spinner several times and I was beginning to relax because I thought I would not get involved n the game. But then the bottle stopped and it was facing Todd. The other side was pointed at Majorie Kennedy.

Majorie used to be best friends with Leslie but from what we all heard, they stopped being friends when Leslie fucked Majorie’s boyfriend when she was on one of the many breaks with Todd.

The tension was obvious in the room and I heard Laurel guffaw and whisper to Todd.

“She’s totally going to dare you to fuck her in the bathroom.” He whispered.

I couldn’t help the hairs on back that stood in alarm. I tried to fight it back repeating to myself that this was a game and that Todd was not my boyfriend.

“I dare you.” Majorie began with a smirk on her face. The silence stretched on with everyone holding breaths. I could see Leslie glaring at her former best friend.

“I dare you to French kiss your Nerdy best friend, Rory for three solid minutes.” She finally announced with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

I felt like I had just been punched in my stomach.