“That’s certainly a way to uncover truths with a dare,” Thompson agrees.
“Thompson!” I bark, annoyed he’s leaning into this so much.
“But it’s not your turn,” Thompson says. He crosses his arms and leans back. “It’s mine. Candice, truth or dare.”
I lift my chin, gritting my teeth hard. “Am I not allowed to pick truth?”
“No.”
“Then, why ask?”
“You can choose truth,” Manuela says, her expression dimmed now that the power behind her plan is stolen away. “But you’d technically lose. Do you know the penalty for losing a game of truth or dare here?”
I shake my head.
“You wear your shirt backward throughout the day on Monday.”
I frown. That doesn’t sound so bad.
“No, not the worst punishment, except that everyone who’s in enough to know what it means will know you failed and why. Your revealed truths here only remain between us if you successfully finish the game. Lose and we spill it all. The rumors will be fierce but the pranks even worse. The backward shirt gives the other Elites that were playing a pass to mess with you. Ever hear of the girl spelled to act like a dog for a full hour during combat class?”
Uh, yes. Yes, I have heard of that.
“That’s what that was about?” Lola chips.
“Yep. She was a Major student at an ascended party and lost a game of truth or dare. That was her punishment. Of course, no one would do anything too ruthless with you, not with the way Jarron is acting, but…”
Right. Got it. Failing is a possibility but not a desirable thing.
“Trust me,” Thompson says under his breath. “We’ll do this on your terms.”
But truthfully, I don’t think I do trust him. With my life? Yes. But to push me farther than I’m ready or willing to go? Nope. He’d totally do that.
“You better not give her something stupid, Thompson,” the redhead says. “Or I’m declaring you the loser.”
“You can’t do that.”
“Sure as hell can.”
I sigh. Thompson is still the better option. “Fine, dare.” I spit it out before I change my mind.
Again, the group quiets, everyone zoning in on me and Thompson.
“You’ve been looking into that room every few minutes for the last two hours.”
Has it been two hours?
“I want you to do it.”
My stomach sinks. “Do what?”
“That thing you’ve been thinking about but are too afraid to do.”
My cheeks heat. Again, my attention drifts straight to Jarron. I can barely see him through the glare in the glass. A few people in the group begin whispering. Someone mutters, “That’s lame.”
But the majority of the group watches curiously.
“Th-that’s my dare?”