Chapter Three

RICHARD'S POV

My eyeballs were about to pop out of their socket because of the dare I was given. I was the king of dares, but Stein was a stone-hearted player. 

He used and dumped women. Kyla was a boring, and plain girl. She would never catch his attention. I can't do this dare.

"I can't…" I said and everyone in the room gasped.

There was a first time for everything. This was the time when Richard Lockwood turned down a dare. It barely counted as a dare, more like a mission impossible.

Joanna seemed to have another plot in mind though. She made me a pawn in a much bigger game.

Kyla's POV

My mind was in turmoil. Several thoughts ran through my mind at the same time.

Joanna overheard our conversation earlier and figured this was the perfect way to get back at us—pin us against each other and destroy us from within.

If this Richard guy took the dare, it would indirectly mean being pushed to love the guy my best friend was crazy for. No way I could ever try to make it up to her or make her feel better about it. The thought of it already hurt.

There was only one option—back out of the game. I mean, Richard can't try to make me fall in love with someone if I don't want to?

The group of students present had not dropped any thoughts on the dare. I was still in deep thought when someone spoke up.

"I can't."

At first, I thought I didn't hear properly until students began to whisper among themselves. 

"He never turns down a dare."

"He accepted the blowjob, so why can't he do this? Is he scared?"

I listen to everyone whispering, and it registers that the voice belongs to Richard. A light at the end of the deep tunnel. If he wasn't going to do it, I did not need to worry.

One look at Riley and I tore my gaze back. She looked angry, furious even.

"That's not possible Richard! You always go through with a dare. Yeah, man, and I like this one," Stein said making me shift back. I didn't dare look at Riley.

"I'm not going to make a fool out of myself for thirty days on an impossible mission. How sure are you that I won't fall for her? She's beautiful," he complimented me, and I saw Riley squirm. I need to put an end to this.

"Richard, it's a dare, that’s the whole point, isn’t it?" The grin plastered on Joanna's face was glaring.

"I guess so," Richard states and finally looks at me. For a few seconds his gaze is all I can see. Then, I quickly remember my best friend and her pain.

"You're all making dares about me when I won't even do it in the first place,” I spat out with an angry look.

"Buzzkill…" some students mock me, then chuckle. If only they knew how little I cared.

"You can make your dares but leave me out of it. I'm not interested,” I add in a firm tone.

"That's the point of everything! Getting you interested. The bet isn't necessarily about you, per se. It's like when guys make bets about girls. The dare is about you and Stein, but you can't oppose it since you're not the one doing it. You can't do anything. We both know the only reason you're even saying anything is to try to be a good friend. Everyone knows you'll fall for Stein before it's over,” Joanna cackles after. Riley got up and stormed out of the room.

"I'm not falling in love with anyone. Like I said, keep me out of your dare. I'm not interested. Pick another dare but leave me alone!" I exclaim before running after Riley. She can't seriously let Joanna get to her. Joanna’s spouting rubbish as always. I'm not going to fall for my best friend's crush.

Riley and I have been friends since kindergarten!

I finally catch up to Riley trying to get a drink.

"Riley, wait please."

"What do you want, Kyla? Go back to your game." She shoves me slightly.

"You don't seriously believe what they're saying in there, do you? I thought you knew me better. I'm your best friend! I would never fall in love with a guy you love."

"Right, that's what I said too actually..." she trails off chuckling. "But you know what? When the heart opens up, there's nothing we can do."

"I promise you; I won't fall for him," I reassure her, hoping I can still reach my best friend.

"Okay Kyla, let's say I believe you. I trust you and you're my best friend. You don't fall in love with him, but how do you know he won't fall for you? You're perfect,” she snorted. I couldn't answer, at least not a fully honest one. But I at least knew I was not perfect.

She scoffed after my pause.

"You know what, Kyla? I felt tonight was it, my night. I never would've taken you with me if I had known you would ruin everything. I hoped for a perfect night. Too bad. Thanks a lot, best friend."

She grabbed a bottle and walked away. Hot tears stung my eyes and rolled freely down my cheeks in the middle of the dance floor where everyone was having such a good time.