truth or dare - game on series #1

Stella

I can't breathe. It's like my chest is being squeezed tighter and tighter with every passing second.

Bree and I stepped into the bathroom and one big tear falls from my eye. I knew I shouldn't have come. The moment the soda spilled on my white crop top, it felt like everyone's eyes were on me, judging, laughing. The worst part? The way it all seemed so out of my control.

"Bree, I can't... I can't go back out there," I whisper, my voice shaky.

"Stella, calm down, okay? It's just soda. Those guys are jerks. Don't let them get to you," Bree says, trying to clean the stain, but it's not coming out. The shirt's ruined.

"It's not just the soda, Bree. It's... everything. I feel humiliated. I want to go home." I say, my voice cracking.

Bree stops, looking at me with concern. She sighs, running a hand through her hair, then says, "Okay, listen. You don't have to stay here if you don't want to. We'll get you cleaned up, and then we'll go back to the dorms."

I shake my head, feeling guilty. "No, I don't want to ruin your night. You go back to the party. I'll be fine. I'll figure out how to get home."

Bree looks like she's about to protest, but I'll outrun her. "It's really fine. I'll call a taxi, it'll take me to the dorms."

Then she just sighs. "Fine. I'll find something to clean the shirt."

"Thanks, Bree," I say softly, trying to force a smile.

She leaves the bathroom, and I'm left standing there, the silence weighing heavily on me. I can't stop staring at the stain on my shirt, wishing it would just disappear. After what feels like an eternity, the door creaks open again.

"Stella?"

Cameron. I freeze. My heart starts to race, and I try to ignore the tightness in my chest. I don't want him here.

"Please... just leave," I whisper, not even able to look at him. I don't want to hear another joke, another remark. I can't handle it.

"I'm not going anywhere," Cameron says, his voice firm. "You're upset. Let me help."

I don't answer. I just stand there, clutching the ruined shirt. I want him to go away, but something about his voice makes me hesitate.

"I'm sorry," he says after a moment, his voice sincere. "For what happened. For my friends. For what I said."

I finally look up at him. He doesn't look like the same guy who had been joking around earlier. His face is serious, almost regretful.

"I didn't know it would affect you like that," he continues, stepping a little closer but keeping some distance. "We're partners for that project, right?" he asks, his voice a little softer now. "I don't want this to ruin our work together. I don't want you to be upset with me. I didn't realize I had gone too far."

His words hang in the air, and I'm unsure of how to respond. I've never seen him like this before. Then, without another word, he takes off his hoodie and holds it out to me.

"Here. Wear this. It'll cover the stain."

I blink, confused. "What?"

"Wear it. No one will notice the stain if you have this on," he says, still holding it out. "I don't want anyone making you uncomfortable."

I hesitate, staring at the hoodie in his hands. "But... it's got soda on it. I can't—"

"I don't care," he interrupts gently. "Your shirt's see-through now, and I don't want anyone staring at you. Please just put it on."

I feel my cheeks warm. I hadn't thought about how exposed I was until now. Cameron's offering a way out, and for some reason, it feels like the right thing to do.

"Please," he says again, his voice quiet but persistent. "No one will make fun of you when you're wearing my hoodie."

There's a pause as I stand there, unsure. Part of me wants to refuse, but the other part of me knows it's probably the best option right now. I nod reluctantly, reaching for the hoodie.

Just as I slip it over my head, Bree bursts through the door.

"Whoa," she says, raising an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the scene in front of her. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No, it's nothing," I say quickly, stepping away from Cameron. I try to act normal, but my heart is still racing. "Thanks for the hoodie."

Cameron gives me a small smile. "Are you okay? Do you need a ride home? I can take you back to the dorms."

No way.

"I'll just call a taxi," I say, trying to avoid looking at him.

"Oh come on, it's Friday night, everyone's at a party somewhere and everyone's drinking so no one's driving themselves. You'll wait forever for a taxi to come. "

Honestly... he's right but I'm not going to admit it to him. "No," I shake my head. "You've been drinking."

"I'm sober," Cameron says, his voice calm and reassuring. "I've only had one beer, and I didn't finish it. I'm fine to drive you."

I feel unsure. I don't want to accept any more help from him, but then Bree speaks up.

"I'd feel much safer if you went with him instead of waiting on your own," Bree says.

I look at Bree, then back at Cameron.

"Okay," I say, my voice soft. "I'll go with you. But only because I don't want to wait alone."

Cameron smiles, his expression softening. "I'll get you there safely. I promise."