Serendipity

Truth or Dare

"Since it was Tim's idea, he should go first," Tai says, pointing at me.

"Alright. Go ahead," I nod.

"Truth or Dare?" Tai asks.

"Truth."

"Uhh," He frowns. "I was hoping you'd say dare...but...is it true you have a crush on someone?"

"Yep," I grin when he coughs at my easy answer. It's not like I have to tell him who. "Now we'll go left...so, Heather, Truth or Dare?"

"Truth," She says confidently.

"Let's see...is it true that you kissed someone last year?"

She blushes, but nods. "Yeah." Then she grins. "Ream. Truth or Dare?"

"Dare," He cocks an eyebrow at her challengingly.

"Alright, I dare you to lick the fence," She replies with equal attitude.

Without a moment's hesitation, he turns his head and runs his tongue up the metal of the fence. Then he makes a face and spits.

"It tasted like shit," He explains. He casts an evil glance at me. "Now. Tim."

"Dude, chill," I scoot away slightly, accidentally bumping into Sydney as I do. The glint in Ream's eye when he says my name makes me nervous...and how come it's my turn again?

"Truth or Dare?" He asks me.

"I don't trust you at all," I mumble. "Dare."

---

Twenty minutes (and lots of borderline invasive questions and dumb dares) later, and we've completely forgotten the pattern we had in the beginning.

"Sydney," Ream asks, wiping tears from his eyes from the last dare— A staring contest with Heather, and the loser owed the winner a favor they couldn't refuse. Heather lost, but barely. "Truth or Dare?"

"Truth," Sydney replies, still trying to get rid of the dirt from under his fingernails.

"Oh, I have a good one," Ream nods. He nudges me with his elbow. "And I bet Timmy-Boy has been wondering it, too."

"Go ahead," Sydney waves for him to continue.

"How long as it been since you last ate? Seriously, man, you look malnourished."

Sydney freezes, and I tense up.

"Hey, you shouldn't ask that," I hiss.

"It's...fine," Sydney shakes his head. Tai glances at him, a concerned expression on his face.

"You don't have to answer," I tell him, resisting the urge to grab his hand.

There's silence, then,

"Monday."

My brain takes a second to remember what day today is.

"So you haven't eaten for two days?" Heather frowns. "More?"

I'm getting the feeling that the lighthearted vibe from just a few moments ago is dead.

"Yeah," Sydney nods, his face slowly getting more and more pale. A glance at his now trembling hands decide my next action for me.

I grab his arm and stand, scooping up our stuff and smiling at the group.

"I'm gonna excuse us real quick," I say, stepping back. "Go ahead and keep playing. I'll see..." I pause, trying to remember. "You, Ream, in the next class."

"Alright," Tai answers for everyone, then shields his mouth so the people on either side of him can't see his mouthed words.

Take care of him for me, he forms the words clearly.