1. Gabriel.

I spun the bottle with a good twist of my wrist. As it whirled, I glanced around the room for my next prey. If it landed on Lydia, truth would be best. We've got to know if she and her 'Sweet Danny', as she called him, took the next step during the last class trip to the beach, but if it landed on Ray, though, a dare would suffice. He has to have a loud bone in his body. Our eyes met. He blinked and turned back to the punch cocktail in his hand. Target locked, I smirked. The glass bottle slowed, and we held our breaths. It clinked against the table and stopped. Suren whooped and Lydia giggled. A pit of dread dug into my gut. "Alrighty then!" Lydia stretched her fingers and lay against Daniel's shoulder, crossing her legs like a boss. She smiled and eyed me. "I'll go. Truth or dare." Revealing secrets was a no-no, and I'm too lazy to lie. It's best to get over it.

"Dare." 

Their grins widened, and I heard the gears in their minds turning, ready to torture me. I steeled myself against the dread and lay in the armchair to hide my nerves. "Better be doable or I'm pulling out."

"Oh, it's doable alright," Suren said with a smile as he supported his chin. His dark eyes flickered with mischief that made my hair stand on end. Suren's dares were always outrageous. I've gone commando tens of times, and I once streaked at a party. Punched a teacher or two as well. What's the worst he could do? "I dare you to... Kiss your best friend in front of the entire school at the Senior's Ceremony. Nice and deep." The emphasis on the last words froze whoever didn't gasp. Ray turned to me, hazel eyes wide as saucers, and I returned his gaze.

"Wh-what?" I frowned. "But I'm straight."

"I know."

"Justin is too."

"I didn't say he wasn't." My jaw clenched. Kiss another guy? It happened but putting myself in that situation... And in front of the entire school, no less?

"I can't do that-"

"Seven thousand." I gripped my seat. Even Lydia sat up and Sarah, Suren's twin, choked on her drink. That's 2k more than usual. I'm saving up for a new Mac after the last one broke; he knew, yet he pushed my buttons.

"Hey, Suren. Isn't that too much?" Lydia asked with an uneasy laugh. "I mean, even the dare itself, not saying I don't wanna see it, but still!"

"Yeah," Ray spoke, his mouth twisting in a wry smile. "Lay off a little. Gabe, you don't need to do this. I'll pay."

"Nope!" Suren said. He sat back on the sofa, arms over the backrest, grinning like a cat on catnip. "His dare, his pocket. Gabriel, what do you say?" Ray was right; I didn't have to. But everyone's watching. I thanked the heavens that Justin backed out of this. Otherwise, it would have happened right here. I could imagine the tongues flaring if I gave up that 7k. Why did he refuse it so hard? Is he hiding something? Losing that much would set me back by months, and I'd work double shifts at the diner to earn it all back. I sighed into my hands. It's fine, Gabriel. It's just a kiss, one stupid kiss. No strings attached. 

"I have a wager," I said as I looked up. "Not in front of the school, and I'll give you 2k." 

"Gabe!"

"You're okay with this?!" Lydia asked.

"No, but anything to wipe that stupid smirk off his face," I said and eyed Suren when he chuckled.

"Ok, deal." 

The game went on, but I remained distracted as I replayed the scene over and over in my head. I couldn't take it, the eyes glancing at me when I gave up spinning the bottle again, the tease in Suren's eyes. "Bathroom break," I said as I left the table, finally getting away from the self-declared torture master's smirk.

"Gabe?" I looked up from the sink and saw Ray in the mirror. His face was stony, but his eyes betrayed him. "You're sure about this?" I frowned at the question. Why sound like you don't believe me? I wanted to ask, but then he pulled out his wallet. "Look, if you don't want to, take this, tell them you changed your mind and give it to that crackhead." I stared at the cash in his hand and scoffed, then took the bills and stuffed them in his pocket.

"Don't think I can't pay for myself. Appreciate the effort, but I got no choice."

"You do!" The snap caught me off guard. So he can be loud. I thought over his words and shook my head. Changing my mind so suddenly was just too embarrassing, and if I took that money, I'd owe him a debt. 

I hate debts.

His brows crashed together from under his mop of coppery hair, the first bit of emotion on his face since the party started. "Fine. Die with that ego of yours, why don't ya!" He said and stormed out of the bathroom, shutting the door with a bang. Weird, I thought, then shrugged; Raymar's always been a miasma of whatever. No one ever knows what goes through his brain with the face he always pulls.

          I'd never dreaded Mondays like I did this one. My feet dragged my body from bed to school, up to my locker, where I banged my head against the metal. Why did I accept? Come on, Gabriel, it's just one little kiss. Won't mean anything- "Gabriel!" I jumped at the call. He approached from the doors, adjusting his bag over his shoulder, his black curls bouncing over his forehead at the speed he walked with. His smile was wide, as it always was, accentuating the smooth lines of his face and the dark brown eyes thinning under the grin. "I finally caught up. No thanks to you." He then smacked the back of my head.

"What was that for?"

"You weren't home when I came over. Made me waste time waiting for ya," he said as he opened his locker right next to mine. "What gives?"

"Uh, I-"I couldn't say it scared me he'd sense my intention, so I bowed my head and gathered my books. Even then, Justin's eyes followed my every move with that slight frown he got when something frustrated him. Suddenly, he grabbed my shoulder.

"Is something up, Gabriel?"

"No, why?" I spun around and raised a brow. A failed attempt at looking nonchalant. He tapped my cheek.

"Dark circles. That's not good."

"Oh, that! Just had a bit more than usual last night, so I'm nursing a hangover." This was half true since I couldn't think sober after that dare. Justin massaged his nose bridge and pursed his lips. My eyes dropped there. The girls he hooked up with said his kisses were gentle and perfect, whatever that meant. What would he taste like, maybe what he just ate? Then we should get ice cream or fried chicken.

"Why would you drink on a school night, dimwit? You got a fail wish?" His voice brought me back and, ashamed, I turned away. My eyes darted to the ground, searching for a lie, any lie when I spied Suren and Ray not far off. Suren smirked and did a kissy face that made my stomach tumble. No. Man up, Gabriel. He's your best friend; he'll understand when you explain everything as a silly prank. I took a deep breath and felt my confidence return. It's not such a big deal after all. I mastered a smile to ease his concern and leant against the locker. 

"Hey, Justin, funny story. Last night-" The bell cut me short. Geography, and with that old boy who had our skin for breakfast if you're late. "Ah, shit! Look, I'll see you over lunch; gotta scram!"

"Oi, wait!" He called, but I dashed off.

                 It was meatball Monday, so I sat at our usual table with a plate of rice and meatballs and a juice box. No one knew what exactly made up the meatballs, but it was delicious, so no one questioned. Suren and Sandra were beside me on one side, and Lydia, Daniel, and Ray are opposite. I searched the hall for a certain golden goose who I'd saved a spot for. "Justin's not with you?" Lydia asked.

"Obviously." 

"Chill out, dude," Suren raised a brow and winked. "Impatient much?"

"Oh, sock it!" Just then, my phone dinged on the table. I put it to my ear. "Where are ya?"

"That's what I wanted to tell you before you went all Sonic on me," Justin sighed on the other line. "I've got music practice, so I can't make it." A paperweight dropped into my gut, sending a ripple of disappointment through me. Right, finals. Right around the corner, next year, it would all be over. Would we keep in touch after that? I smiled to myself. Of course! We've known each other since second grade! "Save me a meatball, though!"

"Like hell, I will," I said and hang up. 

"Ohhh, that smile, was it him?" Suren asked, peeking at the screen. I pocketed the phone.

"Why do you care?"

"I'm your friend!"

"You're ruining my life."

"That's what friends are for!" He said and slapped my back. I swung an elbow at his gut so hard he keeled over. Sandra chuckled but stopped at a glare from her brother. "Anyway, when are you gonna do it?" I stared at the phone for a moment.

"This evening." Cutlery clinked against the plate, and we all looked up at Ray, whose forkful of spaghetti splattered onto his plate. Something flashed in his eyes, but he regained himself in a second. He blinked. 

"What?" He asked. "Why're you all staring?"

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"No, I thought I saw something in my food." Daniel's face paled as he stared at his plate of spaghetti. In the short time I'd known him, I made note of the way he always tied his cuffs and ironed his shirts, and gathered that he was a clean freak. Lydia rubbed his back.

"You're... joking, right?" Ray only glanced at him, pushed the plate aside and reached for his milk. 

"I dunno," Sandra said, picking at her homemade lunchbox. "You can't trust schools these days." Daniel's face darkened to a vile green, and he held his mouth.

"Don't listen to them, Danny. They're just scaring you," Lydia said, frowning at Ray, but her encouragement did nothing.

"Babe, I think I'm gonna hurl-"

"Oi, Oi! Enough of that!" Suren glanced at Ray's plate, nose twisted, face betraying his words. I shrugged and went on eating. As long as I'm full.

After lunch, I took a quick bathroom break, and as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I tried to see myself do it. Take Justin's hand, and kiss Justin's lips, but the image was too hard to conjure. But it can't be that hard, I encouraged myself. It's like kissing a girl, just that the gender changed. With this thought, I tried again, but still nothing. I groaned into my hands. This is pointless; let's finish it, the quicker the better. I pulled out my phone and rang. He picked on the second ring.

"You're quick. I thought you were practising," I said, not hiding the tease in my voice. He clicked.

"I'm on break. It's about to end, so this better be important."

"Meet me at the old junkyard after school." He paused.

"Why?" He asked in a low apprehensive voice. 

"Just be there. I'll explain." The next pause was longer.

"Okay, but-"

"Just show your face. No questions asked." I took a breath and gulped. "Please?" That's a word I rarely used, but in this situation, I had to. If it's for Justin, I'm okay with it.

"Fine. I'll be there."

When he hung up, I stared at the man in the mirror. The man that would kiss his best friend and lose two thousand in a few hours. I smiled to encourage myself; what's the worst that would happen? He's your best friend. He'll understand.

He always does.

                 The old junkyard was a scrap metal park a block away from the school buildings. We collected them from a flood that came back when I was in 8th grade. After that, the government sort of forgot to clear the place and left the metal to rust in the rain. The school complained but gave up after nothing happened. As long as the water sources in the system were alright, no one cared. They deserted the place, save for the raving night parties. Justin and I walked in silence and made our way through the chained wire gate by a space between the two bars. He stopped and turned to me. "Gabriel, you're seriously freaking me out. What's going on?" I stopped in my tracks. Now? No, he might run.

"I can't say."

"Why?" He looked around the silent hills of rusting metal and leaned in close, his voice but a whisper. "Are you a druggie?"

"No!"

"You owe someone money?"

"Well, sort of."

"That you spent on drugs." 

"What part of me looks like a druggie?" I stepped back a bit to get away from his scent. It hit me harder than usual today. His eyes skimmed over me as he wore a look of ignorance.

"I dunno; the parties, the drinking, that time you said pot was great-"

"That was one time! And I felt terrible afterwards, so I haven't smoked another joint since. Pinky swear!" I raised my pinky for emphasis, and he snorted, then burst into laughter. His face shone in the evening sun as he pushed his curls back. No wonder so many girls went crazy after him; with that face and his personality, he should have the angel's name, not me. I shook off the thought. "I just need you to do me a little favour, otherwise it'll shatter my dreams."

"Damn, that serious?" I nodded solemnly and walked on, as he jogged to keep pace.

We stopped at a clearing in the middle of the yard. As soon as I looked around, my phone rang. Suren. "We see you," he said in a sing-song voice.

"Where are you?"

"Out of sight, but we can see everything from here." I eyed the crevices and high-rising pile of junk but saw no one other than Justin shifting on his feet, hands in his jeans.

"Who's with you?"

"Lydia, Ray and Daniel; said he was interested. Sandra's home, as usual."

"As should you?" I hissed back.

"Oh, pooh, just do it already. And remember, nice and deep." He grinned as he said the last words before hanging up. 

"Who was that, your supplier?" Justin asked with a smirk. I sighed and run my hand through my dark tousled hair, then down my face. It's now or never. My heart thudded and my palms clammed up. To walk off the butterflies, I took our bags and placed them against a heap of car doors. "Gabriel?"

"I need to do this," I said half to myself as I turned back to him. "Please hold nothing against me." As I spoke, my breaths laboured. I can't say it did not excite me, though it wasn't on my bucket list. I stepped towards him and he stepped back, so I grabbed his hand. He stared at our hands, then at me, and his brown eyes trembled.

"Gabriel?" His voice was a high whisper. "What's going on with you?" I rubbed his knuckles to calm him, but I was calming myself. Strong hands, roughened by plucking at strings all day, then traced up his olive skin and toned arms. By this time, the thudding in my chest was so loud that I couldn't think straight; like a generator in my ears. I'd never been this excited, not even for my first kiss ever. I closed the distance between us and run my hands over his neck.

"Just bear with me."

"Wait-"

I cupped his cheeks and pulled him to my lips. I expected anything, a backlash, disgust, horror that would scare me stiff, anything, but it never came. Instead, a wave coursed through me that gave me goosebumps. It shocked through my body, to my feet and back. It was... thrilling. His hands balled up my T-shirt on my chest, and mine ran through his soft black curls. More, I kissed him again, more! I tugged at his soft lip and a sound escaped; small, strong... cute. I'd never heard it. It sent that wave again, electrifying, through me and my hands roamed the gentle curve of his back, searching for the sound again. I pulled away, and he gasped for air, and then I caught the look in his eyes. They trembled with something, not fear, no hatred, but something alien. And his ears flushed red, prominent against his olive skin.

It came so fast, even if I'd seen it a split second before, it wasn't enough. 

One second, he was in my arms, the next, I stumbled back with a throbbing jaw from his right hook. When I looked up again, he was panting, his fist ready for a second strike, though his body shook vigorously. His lips pulled tight, then he lowered his hand. Wordlessly, he strode to the bags and picked his bag. Icy dread replaced the warmth of the wave. "Justin?" He didn't respond, but pulled the bag over his shoulder and walked to the entrance. "Justin, wait! I can explain-" When I grabbed his arm, he jumped back as if my hands were hot iron. This cut me, and hurt more than my nose bridge. He backed off, eyes downcast, then speed-walked away. "Justin... Justin! It was just a game, I swear! I- I didn't mean to-!" He broke into a run, past the gate, without a glance back. The taste in my mouth was coppery. I watched the backpack bouncing on his back, waited for him to turn back, to listen. My brain urged me to run, but my feet remained rooted to the spot.

"Gabe?" I didn't hear Lydia until she was right in front of me. Until she winced at the sight of my face. I turned to her, but she blurred in my eyes, and so did whoever came up behind her.

"Yeesh! That's a pretty sweet punch- oof!" Daniel said, by the nudge she gave him.

"Happy now, Suren? Look at his face, all because of your stupid game, so I bet you're having a whale of a time!" Lydia snapped over my shoulder.

"That's enough, guys." An unfamiliar voice said. "He doesn't need this right now. Dan, take Lydia home before she rips someone's head off. I'll treat him." A hand took mine, and suddenly, as if by magic, my feet moved. When I came to, my feet dangled over the bed in the infirmary. A figure stood silhouetted against the sun's golden rays in the window, reaching into an enormous wardrobe. Only when the lean figure approached, with his mop of copper hair over his brow and a first aid kit in his hands, and hopped up beside me, I recognised him. "Are you okay?" I nodded. He reached for a cotton swab in the box. "Sorry about Justin. He's probably in shock; he'll come around... This might hurt a bit." Ray began dabbing at my nose and cheek. I winced but shut my eyes to lock on the pain. "But that shouldn't justify what he did. He should've listened. If he hadn't run off like that..." 

"He's in shock." I squinted at his round hazel eyes and saw a deep frown under his hair and tight, drawn lips. Another rare sight of emotion from Raymar Wesley.

"He's your best friend, so of course, you'll shock him more down the line. I would've understood if you explained because there has to be a reasonable explanation..." He stopped dabbing and looked straight at me, eyes searching mine. "You don't like him, do you?" The question took me by surprise, and I frowned back. 

"Did I look like I did?" His face hardened again and he pressed band-aids on my face. 

"It's late. Let's go before the guards lock up." He rose with the kit and drew the curtains. Cool-faced Ray was back. As I watched him put everything back, something hit me. 

"Wait, I thought you did music too." He froze and turned to me. After a few blinks, he shut the wardrobe.

"Yeah, but I already practised my percussion, so I had time for lunch."

"So, you knew he wasn't coming?" He shrugged.

"How would I know? We don't talk that much, and I'm in a different field. I play the drums." He walked past me and held the door open. I guess that's my cue to shut up.

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