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Part 43
The evening had stretched long. The competition preparations were exhausting, and the group decided to relax in the common lounge of the campus. Someone suggested a game to break the tension.
"Truth or Dare," Kylie announced with a mischievous smile, twirling a strand of her silky hair. Her voice dripped with challenge, like she was waiting for drama to spark.
Nick raised an eyebrow. "Are we really doing this? High school level stuff?"
Kylie smirked. "Sometimes childish games reveal very… adult truths." Her eyes flicked to Anna.
Ethan tightened his grip on Anna's hand, already sensing trouble. But Anna, who had been quiet all day, finally spoke. "Fine. Let's play. At least it'll be entertaining."
The circle was small but intense — Nick, Ethan, Anna, and Kylie. Each of them carried their own secrets, their own battles.
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Round One — Nick
The bottle spun first and landed on Nick. Kylie leaned forward instantly, eyes glittering. "So, Nick… truth or dare?"
Nick thought for a second. "Truth."
Kylie smirked, clearly disappointed, but she wasn't going to waste her chance. "Alright, then tell us… who do you secretly think is the most attractive person in this room?"
Anna's heart skipped. She didn't dare look at him. Ethan stared at Nick, unblinking.
Nick leaned back, a small smile tugging at his lips. "That's easy. The most attractive person here is the one who doesn't even realize it herself."
His eyes flicked briefly toward Anna before he looked away, casual as ever.
Anna's breath caught, Ethan's jaw tightened, and Kylie's smile faded for a moment before she forced a laugh. "Smooth answer, Carter."
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Round Two — Anna
The bottle spun again, landing on Anna. Nick was the one to ask this time. "Truth or dare?"
Anna bit her lip. Everyone was watching her. "Dare."
Nick smiled faintly, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Alright… I dare you to say something you've never said out loud before, something you've kept hidden."
Anna's pulse raced. Why would Nick…? Did he want her to admit her feelings in front of Ethan and Kylie?
Everyone leaned closer. Anna inhaled deeply and finally said, "I… I'm stronger than people think I am. Even if it doesn't always look that way."
Ethan squeezed her hand proudly. Nick's eyes softened, knowing she had avoided the real confession but still said something powerful. Kylie only rolled her eyes. "Cute. Moving on."
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Round Three — Kylie
The bottle pointed at Kylie. Ethan asked with no patience, "Truth or dare?"
"Dare," Kylie said instantly. Her smirk was sharp, dangerous.
Ethan leaned back, uninterested in giving her something silly. But before he could speak, Anna interrupted, her voice firmer than usual. "Then I dare you to admit your biggest insecurity."
Kylie's smirk faltered. For a split second, the room caught a glimpse of the real girl behind the mask. Then she laughed coldly. "Fine. My biggest insecurity? That no matter how hard I try, someone else will always steal the spotlight."
Her eyes darted toward Anna. The room fell silent.
Anna's chest tightened, but she held Kylie's gaze, refusing to look away.
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Round Four — Ethan
The bottle spun and stopped at Ethan. Kylie clapped her hands dramatically. "My turn! Ethan… truth or dare?"
Ethan's eyes narrowed. He knew what she was up to, but his pride didn't let him back down. "Dare."
Kylie leaned forward, her smile poisonous. "Then I dare you… to kiss me."
The air froze.
Anna's heart lurched. Nick stiffened. Ethan's jaw locked.
Kylie smirked, crossing her arms. "What's the matter? It's just a game, isn't it? Or are you too scared, Rosé?" She deliberately used Anna's surname, twisting the knife deeper.
Everyone waited. Ethan's eyes flicked to Anna. She looked pale, her fists clenched.
Ethan stood slowly. The tension was unbearable. He walked toward Kylie, who tilted her chin up confidently. Everyone thought he was about to do it.
But instead of kissing her lips, Ethan leaned down, his face just inches from hers, and pressed a firm kiss on her forehead.
The room gasped. Kylie's smirk vanished completely.
Ethan pulled back, his voice steady and loud enough for everyone to hear. "Don't mistake me for someone who'd betray Anna. Even for a game."
Anna's breath trembled, relief washing over her like a wave. Nick's lips curved into the faintest, proudest smile.
Kylie, however, was fuming inside. Her plan had failed spectacularly.
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Round Five — Group Twist
Nick, sensing the tension, leaned forward. "Alright, last round. Let's make it fun. All of us — one more chance. But this time, the girls pick truth, the boys pick dare."
Kylie raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Works for me."
Anna's Truth: Nick asked, "Anna, do you believe in true love?"
Anna's eyes flicked to Ethan… then briefly, painfully, to Nick. "Yes. I do. But it doesn't always come the way we expect it."
Kylie's Truth: Ethan asked sharply, "Do you ever actually care about anyone other than yourself?"
Kylie hesitated, her mask cracking again. "…Maybe. But caring makes you weak."
Nick's Dare: Kylie seized the chance for revenge. "Nick… I dare you to whisper something in Anna's ear that you've never told anyone."
Nick didn't hesitate. He leaned close to Anna, his breath brushing her ear. His voice was low, private. "You'll always mean more to me than you think."
Anna froze, her eyes widening.
Ethan's Dare: Nick smirked, returning the favor. "Ethan, I dare you to prove in front of everyone how much Anna means to you."
Without blinking, Ethan pulled Anna into his arms and kissed her — not on the forehead, not on the cheek, but full on the lips, deep and unapologetic.
The room exploded with gasps.
Anna's knees went weak, her heart racing. Kylie's nails dug into her palm, jealousy twisting in her stomach. Nick looked away, his jaw tight, masking the storm inside him.
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The game ended, but its aftermath hung heavy in the air. Every truth, every dare had pulled their tangled feelings into the open.
And Anna knew — this was only the beginning.
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