"Truth or dare?" My friend Carlos asked. This was a normal day for us. We played truth or dare a lot at lunch. If we didn't do a dare or tell the truth we had to do whatever the rest of the group decides. It could be anything. "I dare you to go sit with Emery." My friend said not letting me pick truth or dare. "Hey that's not fair I didn't even pick whether I wanted truth or dare." I snap back. I didn't want to sit with Emery.. Shes was a very weird kid. She came here from Australia and avoided human contact at all. No one ever heard her voice. She looked almost dead in her weird clothes. She was either in all in black or in black and blue. Everyone said she was mute or deaf. "You got to do it bud or your self esteem is at our mercy." Carlos said while a wide grin played on his face as I took my fate. I grabbed my lunch tray and books. I did the walk of shame over to Emery's table. She was seen drawing.. Drawing what? I couldn't say. It looked very detailed whatever it was. I sat down next to her reluctantly. "Hey" I muttered as I ate my food. She said nothing back. "Uhm how are you?" I asked quietly still not looking over. "Good" she mumbled. I never thought she had a voice that.. Oh how do you explain it. My jaw basically hit the floor. I continue eating with not another word said.
Lunch ended and I caught up to my friends. "Hey dude what did she say to you" my friend jay asked patting my back. "Just good but like she talks.." I said my brain still trying to process this fact. I looked over in the hallways to see her pass us up. I kept staring my eyes locked on her. It's like I couldn't look away. I don't know if I was trying to figure her out but it was weird. "Dude eyes off her you're gonna burn a hole in the back of her head you keep looking." My friend joked hitting my shoulder. This had been a long going joke between my friends and me. It's because my eyes are amber and look like a fire. She looked back at us really fast but kept walking.
I finally parted ways with Carlos and jay as I headed to math. I sit down in my seat and just take a big deep breath. I feel as though someone was staring at me. I take a quick glance around the room to see Emery glaring at me. I can't tell if she was mad at me or what. Her face was expressionless. It was kinda scary. She looked behind her and started whispering into someone's ear. Apparently she had one friend or whatever. I kept glancing over to her every now and then. Studying her was weird. Usually I can figure out a person in like an hour or so. I couldn't get anything on her.
Class had ended and I was packing my stuff up to carry to my last class. Emery came up to my desk and slipped a note into my open hand. Then she just walked off. I was so confused. I quickly walked to my last class of the day. I finally made it there and I sat down. I set all my stuff up on my desk then took a good look at the note.
"If looks could kill I would be dead. By the way, Mr. Detective that was my cousin. Stop trying I know about your little games Asher Michael Adams."
-Emery"
How the fuck does she know my full name? That's kinda scary. And what does she mean my little games? Wait the truth or dare? Probably, but like I didn't want to be friends with her right? Nah, I will be fine she's weird anyway. I try not to think of it the rest of class.
I was so thankful when the bell rung. I picked up my stuff and raced to my locker. Jay and Carlos were already there. "Bro she knows my full name." I said showing them the note. They both looked at the note. Then they looked at me. "Did you talk to her at all after lunch." Jay asked genuinely freaked out. "No I didn't I just kept looking." I said pretty defensively for some reason. "Wow dude chill do you have a thing for her or something." Carlos teased. "No I don't thank you very much." I replied sarcastically.
We made it outside and started walking back to my house. It was Wednesday so we all hung out at my house after school and had food on me.
We made it to my house after about 30 minutes of walking. Oh yeah we also stopped at a gas station. I walked into my house. I greeted my dad. All my friends also greeted him. He's a very respectful man. He walks with a cane because he used to be in the military. He said someone dropped something heavy on his leg. I know there is a cooler story behind it though. "Good afternoon Asher, Carlos, and Jay. I was just leaving." My dad said as he started walking towards the garage door. He doesn't really go anywhere. He just stays in the garage or hunting. This time he was just in the garage.
"So truth or dare ash." Carlos asked like he did at lunch. "Hey what the I went at lunch that should have counted as 2 dares." I said my voice cracking a bit. "Nah the rules are the rules. We always start every session with you, then me, then Carlos." Jay added. "He's right man so what will it be" Carlos said in a snarky tone. "Fine, dare" I said rolling my eyes. "I dare you to be friends with Emery for a grading period." Carlos dared. My eyes widened. "9 WEEKS?" I screamed. "Yup" jay replied, the smile on his face widening. I put my hands on my head. I wasn't letting these guys force me through anything humiliating so I agreed.
We continued to play truth or dare for another hour. I ordered pizza after that. We watched a movie and then the boys got picked up.
My dad walked in from the garage as jays mom pulled off. "Asher adams. We need to talk. " I swallowed hard. When my dad says that I know I'm in trouble. I turn towards him. "I heard your whole thing about that Emery girl. What's it all about." My dad asked, glaring me in the eyes with that blinding parental look. The look every dad gets when he's upset. "She's this girl at school. She never talks, dresses in all black and looks deadish. My friends have been daring me to talk to her. She is a sweet girl and I don't mind talking to her really. She didn't say anything to me today." I explained. My dad has always been big on respecting women. "Asher it's one thing if you want to be her friend actually its another if you are just plain rude and get her attached to being your friend and then leave. I did not raise you that way." My dad said giving me that disappointed look. "I'm sorry I understand." I said putting my head down. "Look son I love you but you know how I feel about that stuff. Be respectful. That's all I have to say. Your mother will be home shortly with dinner." He said as he walked away. His cane clanking against the ceramic floors.
The rest of the day went by and I couldn't stop thinking about her. About what if I hurt her. Or what if she's mad at me.
Maybe I will talk to her tomorrow on actually terms. Not just a stupid dare.
