Lesson 50- Always play fair and take turns.

“Laura! Truth or dare?” I choose her, partially because I want to ask nost questions, but mostly because I suspect that Eli would enjoy telling us all sorts of stories, and I doubt I could come up with a dare that he wouldn’t thoroughly enjoy.
“Truth.” She answers with a smile.
“Alright, do you like anyone?” I ask. She laughs.
“Sure, lots of people.” She answers cheekily. Eli rolls his eyes.
“She meant LIKE like and you know it. That didn’t count as answering!” He argues. Laura shakes her head with a smirk.
“That’s not in the rules. I answered the question truthfully. She should have asked a better question.” She sasses and I pout.
“That’s just mean. Fine, whatever. It’s your turn to ask something.” I sigh. Laura grins and turns to face me directly.
“Truth or dare?” She asks.
“Hey! Why didn’t you ask me? It should be my turn!” Eli objects.
“Because I would rather ask Rina.” She answers blandly while continuing to stare at me.
“Truth.” I answer again without hesitation. Truth is usually the easiest. I don’t particularly have anything to hide.
“Do you REALLY enjoy hanging out with Torin?” She asks and I raise an eyebrow. That seems like a wasted question.
“Of course I do. We’re friends.” I respond easily.
“But are you JUST friends?” She asks and I shake my head.
“That wasn’t the question and I don’t have to answer.” I refuse to answer the question but I suspect that she’s going to ask it again as soon as she gets a chance. I guess I’m choosing dare from now on. So much for truth being easier. Sure, Torin and I ARE just friends. But I don’t want to talk about my relationship with him. It’s too confusing. This time I decide to ask Eli, mostly to delay Laura’s turn.
“Eli, truth or dare?” I ask.
“Dare!” He answers excitedly and I grin.
“I dare you to buy us a round of drinks using your own money.” His jaw drops.
“How cruel. Making me spend my own money! Not to mention breaking my streak. I’ve never bought someone ELSE a drink before.” He frowns and I giggle. Yes! I managed to think of a fun dare for him.
“That’s the dare, do it or you lose.” Laura taunts.
“What happens if I lose?” He asks suspiciously. I have no idea. What DOES happen if you refuse to do something in truth or dare?
“When I used to play in highschool we said the loser had to ask their crush out.” Laura says, a dazed look of horror on her face. I get the feeling she has some scary memories related to that.
“Easy. I can ask someone out, no problem.” Eli says confidently.
“Hold up, that’s too easy for you. We need a different penalty. It’s got to be something that works for all of us.” Laura objects. She thinks for a minute.
“I know! If you refuse a question or dare, you owe a ‘no questions asked’ favour to the remaining players.” She decides. Well that’s vague. Actually, it’s just vague enough to be threatening. I don’t think I WANT to owe Eli a favour and from the look on his face, he isn’t keen on the idea of owing either of us either.
“Ugh, fine. I’ll get you drinks. Eli sulks and we both stare at him as he makes his way up to the bar, shoulders drooped. Catcher laughs as he gets the drinks ready and I notice that once again he gets me the good rum. Nice to see that Eli isn’t cheaping out on us.

Daring Eli to get us more drinks seemed like a good idea in the moment, but now I’m halfway through my drink and I’m realising I’m more than a little drunk. Oh what the hell, it’s not like I have to get home or anything. Plus I might need the liquid courage to get through this game. I down the rest of my drink and delay the next round a little longer by returning the glass to the bar myself. Kyle is there talking to Catcher.
“Hey Kyle!” I say cheerfully.
“Hi… Are you drinking with Elijah?” He asks incredulously. I shrug.
“Apparently. But he’s not so bad.” I announce before heading back to the table, ignoring the way Kyle is muttering under his breath.

“Rina, truth or dare?” Eli asks. Yeah these guys are totally picking on me. This seems unfair, I have twice as much chance of losing! I’m trying to decide what to pick when Torin arrives, sweeping into the room faster than he usually does. He tends to move in fairly slow, measured movements designed not to startle people.
“TORIN!” I call out enthusiastically, jumping to my feet and waving him over.
“Heeeey! You should come and hang out with us! We’re playing truth or dare, but I think they’re picking on me a little bit. It’s still fun though. You can join the pyjama party!” Torin approaches and I look him over with a frown. He’s wearing jeans and a black shirt.
“Wait, do you have pyjamas? Laura said I had to be wearing pyjamas.” I add in way of explanation. Torin blinks and looks over at Eli, then back at me.
“HE isn’t wearing pyjamas. What do you mean they’re picking on you?” He says darkly. Laura lets out a hint of a squeak beside me and Eli shuffles in his seat. His eyes dart towards the door as if wondering if he could escape. I fight the urge to roll my eyes, they’re so dramatic.
“Don’t worry about it. Oh, and Eli isn’t wearing pyjamas because he said he sleeps naked and I told him he needs to keep his clothes on.” I ramble away. Torin continues to glower at Eli. For a second I think Eli might actually leave, but he straightens his shoulders, downs the rest of his drink and turns to me.
“Go on Rina, it’s your turn. Truth or dare?” He repeats his earlier question. I glance sideways at Torin. I don’t want them to ask any more truth questions about him. I don’t think he would like it very much. I’d rather not embarrass him. Or me.
“Dare.” I respond reluctantly. Eli smirks, although the smirk seems to be directed at Torin. Damn, he’s about to start trouble, I just know it.
“I gave you a dare earlier, I want you to go through with it.” He grins. I stare dumbly for a moment trying to remember what he’s talking about, then it hits me.
“You want me to convince a guy to buy me a drink?” I say doubtfully and he nods. Laura breaks out in a round of giggles.
“I don’t think I should drink any more.” I admit, reluctant to go through with it. Eli shrugs.
“Then I’ll drink it. You just have to get a guy to buy you a drink. It should be easy.” He nods firmly. I frown.
“I’m literally in pyjamas!” I object.
“You’ll do fine. Go on. I bet one of those guys would get you a drink.” He gestures to a table of guys towards the back of the room. I don’t know them and I don’t particularly want to approach them. I know I’m safe here, but talking to random drunk men just doesn’t sound appealing. I’ll make a total fool of myself.
“She doesn’t have to play your stupid game.” Torin practically growls the words. Eli and Laura both flinch. Eli falls silent while Laura busies herself sipping her drink.
“Yes I do! I don’t want to lose. I’ll owe them a favour and I don’t want to owe them right now.” I complain. Torin lets out a deep sigh and crosses his arms over his chest, clearly unhappy. I notice more than one person get up and leave the bar, that table of drunk guys included. The rest of the place has gone quiet. Damn, I should have just done the dare and gotten it over with. Now Torin is grumpy because I acted so reluctant and he’s scaring people which I know he doesn’t particularly like to do. I feel kind of bad.
“Fine. Rina will complete the dare.” Torin announces with a glare.