Okay, so somehow I ended up stuck in this truth-or-dare circle with Kalpo and Ayaan. Honestly? I was not built for this kind of energy. They were bouncing off the walls, hyped like this game was the main event of the century. Me? I was just trying to survive without turning into a complete mess.
Kalpo went first, all confidence and sass. "Truth or dare, Lucian's partner in crime?" she asked with that trademark smirk.
Ayaan shoved her lightly and grinned. "Nah, I'm up. Let me show you how it's done." He plopped down like he owned the place.
"Okay, Ayaan," Kalpo teased, "truth or dare?"
"Dare. Always," he said, flexing like he was some daredevil king.
Kalpo's eyes gleamed. "Alright, Mr. Fearless, I dare you to text your last ex and send them a 'Hey, miss me?' message."
Ayaan's phone buzzed immediately. He grinned and tapped the message out. The whole room waited for the reply like it was some dramatic movie cliffhanger.
"Bruh," Ayaan groaned five seconds later. "No reply. Ghosted as usual."
Kalpo laughed, eyes sparkling. "Okay, your turn, Kalpo."
She flipped her hair, acting all casual but clearly ready to dish it out. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth," I heard her say — not me this time, thank God.
Kalpo's grin widened. "What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done for a party?"
She laughed right after, but the answer was a classic Kalpo move: "Let's just say I danced on a table... in a grocery store. Yeah, don't ask."
We all cracked up.
Then it was my turn.
Kalpo's eyes locked onto mine with that playful glint that always made me wanna both run and stay.
"Truth or dare, Lucian?"
I'm no hero.
I went safe. "Truth."
Kalpo raised an eyebrow, obviously ready to dig for dirt.
"Okay, spill," she said. "Who's the actual crush you've been lowkey avoiding talking about?"
I cleared my throat, trying to act like it was no big deal, but my brain was screaming, Don't say it, don't say it, don't say it.
Why did she have to be so good at this?
"A—no one," I lied, voice cracking just a bit.
Ayaan snorted. "Dude, please. You're about as subtle as a marching band."
Kalpo nudged me. "It's chill, Lucian. We just wanna know."
I glanced away, my cheeks heating up. "Fine," I said quietly. "There is someone."
Ayaan and Kalpo exchanged looks that screamed Gotcha.
Kalpo grinned wider. "Details. Spill the tea."
I huffed out a breath, trying to act casual but feeling like I was on stage. "That's all you're getting. No spoilers."
Ayaan smirked like he was already planning how to tease me for the rest of eternity.
Kalpo laughed. "You're hopeless. But cute."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop the small smile creeping in.
Truth or dare? Yeah, I picked truth every time.
Because some things were way too risky to dare