Happy Birthday Rebecca (part 2)

"...Truth or dare!"

"Yes! Let's play!"

"Not you kids. Things might get spicy."

"What does that mean?"

"It means things could get a bit risqué."

"Okay, fine, we'll play on our own."

After sending the kids away, Ken and his friends gather around the table in front of the TV. Briar grabs some Pocky sticks from the dessert section.

"Ohoh... it's so odd that you all want to play~" Briar teases.

"Take one of these sticks, so we can decide the order." They each hold a stick in their fist to hide its length as much as possible.

The one with the shortest stick would start; and the order is established: Brayton, Will, Ken, Briar, Rebecca, and Ghalen.

"It'll be really interesting~ Come on, Bro. Let's begin~"

"Don't call me 'Bro'. And shut up."

"I choose 'dare'."

"So bold~!"

"Remember I'm in a relationship, Bro."

"Say one thing you hate about everyone."

"I've been waiting for this." Will cracks his neck.

"Bro, why?" Ken asks.

"I've been craving some chaos ever since I arrived here." Brayton and Will high-five.

"Briar, I'll start with you. There are so many things to list, but you're lucky I only have to say one. You have a habit of touching people when you're excited, and it creeps me out."

"S-should I stop doing that?"

"You wouldn't even be able to stop even if I paid you, plus, I exaggerated. It doesn't bother me that much."

"Dude—" Briar looks at him speechless.

"Next, Ken. You should listen to my advice more often. I am older than you, after all. The rest of you are fine."

"That's not fair! You have to say something for them too!" Briar raises his fist in the air.

"Actually, I prefer them over you two."

"How can you say that..."

"Calm down, Briar. Will's joking." Ken says calmly.

"Right?"

"Riiiight. Let's move on.

"Will."

"Ken. Truth or dare?"

"...Truth."

"What's a secret you've never told anyone? Even me."

"When I was little, I accidentally broke a vase and blamed it on Alec."

"You did what?!" Briar exclaims loudly to make sure Alec hears, and Ken immediately rushes to cover his mouth.

"This is one of the reasons why Will hates you." He says to them, and they start protesting against him (and Will).

"When did it happen?" Brayton asks.

"A couple of years ago? I'm sure he forgot about that." He sweats.

"Your turn, moron." He removes his hand from Ken's mouth.

"If you ruined my makeup, it will be your last day!"

"Before ending my life, choose between truth or dare, please." Ken sighs.

"Truth, of course. I know you would make me do something outrageous if I chose dare." They cross their arms.

"Let me think... What's the worst thing anyone's ever done to you?"

"Bully me! Like you all always do!! You mean bit—" Ken covers his mouth again.

"There are kids here. Watch your language." They both mimic 'mph,' and right after, he removes his hand from Ken's mouth.

"I'll get you back. Rebecca, truth or dare?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't quite trust you, so I'm going to choose truth."

"Not you too!" Ken and Will both grin.

"Who would you like to kiss in this room?"

"No one really..."

"If you had to choose someone. Actually, you have to."

"I think... um..." She scans all of them. "Ghalen. He seems nice, and the fact that I wouldn't have to see him in class like I would with the others makes it less embarrassing."

"Why? Wouldn't it be nice to have your boyfriend as a classmate?" Briar asks.

"I can't imagine myself with a boyfriend."

"You've never had one?"

Rebecca nervously chuckles before starting with a simple, "No."

"Would you like to?"

"I don't know... maybe? I think I might like it in the future."

Rebecca doesn't pay much attention to Will patting Ken on the back and turns to Ghalen.

"I'm feeling bold, so I choose dare."

"I really don't know what to make you do..."

"I'm good with anything. Just nothing too hard or dangerous..." She tells him with a smile.

"Oh then, kiss someone in this room." She takes a cue from the truth question Briar asked. She smiles, feeling proud of herself, until she looks at the others who are also looking at her with their mouths open.

"T-too much?"

"No~ It's perfect!" Briar hums.

"Alright." Ghalen gets up from his seat to go over to Briar, kneels down, and gives him a light peck on the lips.

"Are they a couple?" Rebecca whispers to Ken after blushing furiously, making him blush too due to the proximity.

"No, they're just best buddies. I think they're so comfortable with each other that they can do this without being embarrassed."

"I-I see. Friends can do these types of things and still be friends."

"Friends don't usually do these things. They can do them because they're friends, because they don't feel anything for each other."

"I don't think I understand..."

"If you were to kiss me right now and you felt something different from what you usually feel when you're with me, it would mean you like me. Want a demonstration?" They gaze intensely into each other's eyes, the silence filling the air. The others are chattering about something or arguing in the background, but Ken's ears are muffled, and his attention is solely on the girl in front of him and her bewildered and amazed expression. Blood rushes to his face as his eyes go from her large green eyes to her small rosy lips.

I don't know how I managed to say something this bold. I'll pass out if she doesn't say anything soon.

"Guys! You've been distracted the whole turn. We're done playing. We all want cake now." Brayton warns them, and Ken turns lightning-fast, still blushing deeply.

"W-we're coming." He announces, trying to appear calm.

"F-forget what I said. I was just messing with you."

Together they join the others at the dessert table.

"It's a matcha and white chocolate cake, I hope you like it." He informs her as she cuts and serves slices. Once everyone has their portion, even Lisa, they wait for Rebecca to take the first bite.

"It's good!" She says after the first bite. The others start eating too. Once everyone finishes their portion, Ghalen speaks up.

"What if we let her open the presents now?"

"I was really looking forward to this part!" Briar says excitedly.

Everyone moves around the table in the center of the living room, each bringing their own gift, wrapped or packaged. Makeup from Briar, various books from Will, Ghalen, and Brayton, and Mary Jane shoes and strawberry-patterned socks from Ken. She stops for a few minutes to look at all the gifts.

"I-I don't know what to say... thank you all..." She immediately covers her face as tears start to fall.

"Aw, don't cry!" Briar exclaims as Ken hugs her, followed by Briar.

"I'm just happy..."

"Sorry, guys, I didn't mean to interrupt this nice moment..." Lisa enters the room.

"It's okay, Mom."

"The weather has gotten worse. Maybe it's better if you all stay here tonight."

"Good idea! Let's have a pajama party!" Briar slightly yells.

"Let your families know you're staying here tonight, okay?"

"Of course, Mrs. Douglas." Will politely responds.

"I'll help you all get settled for the night whenever you're ready to sleep, okay?" Lisa smiles, and the guys nod.

"Now, if you're finished, clean up everything." She concludes before leaving the room. They all sigh.