truth or dare - game on series #1

Stella

I stood outside Cameron's front door, clutching my bag like a lifeline. My heart hammered in my chest as I rehearsed the same mantra over and over in my head: Don't let him in. Don't fall for him. This isn't going anywhere.

Last night was a cruel reminder. Whatever flicker of hope I had felt, whatever warmth had bloomed between us, was crushed the moment my body betrayed me again. Cameron deserved someone easy, someone whole. Not someone like me.

The door swung open, and there he was, smiling like nothing had happened. His messy hair, his easy confidence, the way he leaned casually against the doorframe—it all made my resolve wobble.

"Hey, Star," he said softly, stepping aside to let me in. "Come on in."

"Hi," I said, trying to keep my tone neutral. I walked past him, keeping my distance.

Inside, his room was surprisingly tidy, though the clutter of textbooks and notebooks on his desk hinted at our impending project. I busied myself pulling out my notebook, avoiding his gaze.

He didn't let the awkward silence last long. "Okay, what's going on?"

I froze, my pen hovering over the notebook. "What do you mean?"

"Last night," he said, his voice low. "You shut the door in my face, and now you're acting like I've done something wrong. If I said or did something to upset you, just tell me."

The idea of him blaming himself made my chest ache. I set my pen down and turned to face him. "You didn't do anything, Cameron. I promise. It's not your fault."

His brows furrowed, concern etched in every line of his face. "Then what happened? Because something obviously did."

I couldn't do this. I couldn't tell him about the seizure. I couldn't expose the part of me that I worked so hard to keep hidden. The part of me I hated.

"Cameron, please," I said, my voice shaking. "Just let it go, okay?"

His jaw tightened, but he nodded, though I could see the reluctance in his eyes. "Fine. Let's get back to the project."

I exhaled in relief, flipping open my notebook. "So, the essay. What's your favorite scene in Me Before You?"

He tilted his head, clearly not ready to let the previous topic go, but he played along. "Probably the one where Will takes Lou to that wedding. She's so happy, and you can tell it means the world to her."

I nodded, smiling despite myself. "That's a good one."

"What about you?" he asked.

"The birthday scene," I said immediately. "When Will gives Lou the bumblebee tights. It's so thoughtful, and it shows how much he really sees her, you know? I loved it in the movie, too."

His eyebrows shot up. "Wait—you've seen the movie?"

I blinked at him, incredulous. "You haven't?"

"Nope," he said, shrugging. "I don't usually watch romcoms."

I gasped, clutching my chest dramatically. "That's not just a romcom—it's a classic! You're missing out."

He chuckled. "Alright, alright. I'll take your word for it."

"Not good enough," I said, crossing my arms. "You have to watch it. Like, tonight. The sooner the better."

He laughed, leaning back. "How about right now? We can watch it together."

My heart skipped a beat. The idea of sitting next to him, watching a movie that always made me cry, sounded both wonderful and dangerous. I couldn't let myself get closer to him. Not after last night.

"I don't know..." I said hesitantly.

"Okay," he said, leaning forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Truth or dare?"

I blinked at him, confused. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just pick," he said, smirking.

Truth felt too risky. If he asked about last night, I wouldn't know how to lie. "Dare."

Without a word, he reached for his laptop, pulled up the movie, and hit play. He shifted on the bed, leaning back against the pillows and making himself comfortable. "There. Dare completed."

I stared at him, torn between laughing and groaning. "That's not how dares work."

"Sure it is," he said, patting the spot beside him. "Now come on. You said it's a classic. Show me what I've been missing."

My heart wavered again. Every logical part of me screamed to say no, to leave, to stick to the decision I'd made this morning. But the way he looked at me, so casual and warm, made it impossible to refuse.

With a sigh, I climbed onto the bed, keeping a safe distance between us. As the opening credits rolled, I promised myself it was just a movie. Nothing more.

But deep down, I knew it was a promise I wouldn't be able to keep.