Unbreakable threads

Chapter Sixty-nine: The drinking Game

Alyssa chuckled softly, though her smile was tinged with understanding. She knew what Beth was feeling—that urge to do something wild, something that reminded them they were still young, still alive.For Alyssa, this wasn't something new, but she understood that for Beth, this small act felt like a taste of freedom, a rebellion against the world that had tried to take everything from them.

Daryl watched them both, his face shifting to a cautious frown. Memories of his own past, filled with the smell of liquor and the weight of bad decisions, made him hesitant. "I dunno if that's a good idea," he muttered, glancing between them. "Liquor and I don't exactly get along... and it ain't somethin' to mess with, especially out here." There was a protectiveness in his voice, a concern rooted in the rough life he'd left behind and the awareness of how quickly things could go wrong when alcohol was involved.

Beth shrugged, a defiant spark in her eyes as she held up the jar. "Come on, Daryl. Just a little taste? It's not like we have much else to do tonight." She glanced at Alyssa, seeking encouragement, and Alyssa gave her a small nod, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Daryl sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he weighed his options. He didn't want to dampen Beth's spirit—she'd been through so much, and he knew she deserved a moment to just feel... normal. But he also felt an instinctive urge to protect her, to keep her from slipping into something dangerous. Finally, he relented, albeit with a resigned look. "Fine. Just... don't overdo it, alright?" He softened, giving Beth a small, reluctant smile. "One sip, and don't blame me if it tastes like crap."

Beth looked between Daryl and Alyssa, her mischievous grin widening as she held up the jar of moonshine. "Alright, how about we make this interesting?" she suggested, her tone filled with playful excitement. "Let's play a drinking game. You know... like 'Never Have I Ever.'"

Alyssa's smile faltered a bit, her eyes flicking to Daryl, who shifted uncomfortably but kept quiet. He knew Alyssa was gay, knew that Beth's innocent suggestion might lead to some awkward territory. But he didn't know how to stop it without drawing attention to the very thing Alyssa would probably rather keep hidden. Instead, he gave her a look, a silent expression of understanding, as if to say he was there for her if things got weird.

Beth was too excited to notice the subtle tension between the other two, and she quickly launched into the game, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Alright, I'll go first," she said, taking a seat on the worn-out couch and holding up the jar of moonshine like it was some prize. "Never have I ever... kissed a boy." She smirked, glancing between Daryl and Alyssa, clearly expecting them both to take a drink.

Alyssa's stomach twisted, the uncomfortable feeling creeping up her spine. She shifted in her seat, glancing at Daryl, who gave her a sympathetic look but stayed quiet. This was a game Beth didn't realize she was playing, a game where Alyssa's reality didn't fit into the assumed normal. She hesitated, unsure whether to play along and pretend or to reveal something Beth might not be prepared to understand. Reluctantly, she took a drink, trying to mask the discomfort with a small, forced smile.

Beth looked at her with a playful curiosity. "You have? Well, what was it like?" she asked, oblivious to the slight tension in Alyssa's smile. "Was he cute?"

Alyssa chuckled awkwardly, brushing off the question with a shrug. "It was... fine," she said, keeping her answer vague, hoping to steer the conversation away from herself. The truth was, she hadn't kissed a boy in any way that mattered to her, but she didn't want to get into that right now.

Beth, undeterred, continued with her questions, oblivious to Alyssa's discomfort. "Okay, okay... my turn again," she said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Never have I ever... had a crush on someone in this group." She giggled, nudging Alyssa's shoulder, assuming they were just two girls sharing harmless secrets.