I Dare You

"Aph don't listen to them, they're wrong about everything," Andy whispered into my ear as he held me in his arms.

"No...no, they're right. Janice has never lied to me about...well...anything," I looked into his eyes. Just the thought that she might be right scared me. All this, everything we've built for the past few months was nothing more than a lie. All for a stupid bet. "Was she right?"

Andy leaned back a bit as he gave me a confused look.

"What?," he asked.

"Was she right about you? Only getting with me just to...to sleep with me?"

He sat there, eyes shifting from left to right as he thought about it. His eyebrows scrunching together. I pushed myself back, moving away from him.

"Andy?"

"Of course not"

"Then explain why Janice would say that?"

"She...probably made it up"

"No, you see. Janice is not that kind of person. Someone who comes up with rumors, especially when it's something as serious as this. That's just not her"

"I don't know why she would say that, but I'm telling you right now it's not true". I stared into his eyes for a couple a seconds. He couldn't keep eye contact with me.

"I want to believe you so bad, Andy. I really do, but your eyes tell me you're lying," I closed my eyes and took a deep breath," please, just, tell me the truth. Was she right?". His lips shook a bit as he tried to bring out words.

"Aph...I...we..."

"Was she right?," I asked again as I raised my voice a bit more.

"Please don't do this," he said above a whisper, tears forming in his eyes. I looked at him confusedly at first. I exhaled as I finally realized what he was trying to say. She was right....

"She was right!," I laughed to myself as tears my started falling. "Mikey was right, I'm such an idiot!"

"I didn't mean for it to get this far"

"Really? Because it seem pretty clear to me the only reason you're with me right now is over a bet! How do you feel now? Huh?"

"What do you mean how do I feel?"

"How do you feel knowing you finally completing what you were after this entire time? You finally fucked me!"

"You don't understand..."

"I don't...then please, by all means, make me understand". He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before he spoke again.

"Yes, I made the bet with Ronnie that I could sleep with you. That was my intention at first, but...the more time I spent with you, the more it reminded me about our past. The more I came to realize how much of an amazing, beautiful, caring person you've become. The more I fell in love with you with every day that pass by, with every minute we spent together," he reached for my hands and held them to his chest," I love you, Aphrodite. I really didn't mean to hurt you. I know I should've told you the truth, but I was scared"

I closed my eyes as I tried to catch my breath, but couldn't control my cries.

"Aph, I'm sorry," he apologized as tears started rolling down his face. I shook my head as I tried to pull my hands back, but he held them tightly. "Aph, please!"

"No"

"Please, I didn't..."

"No!," I pulled my hands back and stood up," I ended my friendship with Janice, my best friend, my sister, for you! I put more trust in you, because I never thought you were never be capable of doing something like this! Now look what happening, she's dying, because of me! Because I didn't believe the only person who hasn't never been dishonest to me!"

"Please," he stood as he stepped closer. I put my hand on his chest, pushing him away.

"Get out". He looked away and made his way upstairs. I sighed, sitting back down, resting me head on my hands. Janice, I'm so sorry. I heard his footsteps making their way downstairs and towards the front door.

"I really do love you, Aphrodite. I didn't mean to hurt you. What I've done...I hope you can forgive me one day, but I will say I'm gonna try anything I can to fix this. I can't lose you for good this time". I looked up, straight into his eyes.

"You already have. Have fun telling Ronnie and the entire school about this, because even though they're going to laugh at me for believing someone like you could've actually give me a chance, I'm gonna hold my head up high. Because I know for a fact now, I will always be better than you. Now get the hell out of my house, the hell away from me, and the hell out of my life!"

He stared at me for a couple more seconds, before finally leaving.

"I'm sorry, Janice," I whispered to myself as I laid on the couch, curling into a ball as I began to cry.


Three week later....

"She looks like she's getting better," said Frank as we entered Janice's hospital room. Some of the bruises have begun to fade, mainly the ones that covered her face. They removed the breathing tube, since she was finally able to breath on her own last week.

"Yeah, I can finally see that little mole she has right below her right eye," smiled Heather as she ran the back of hand down Janice's face.

"Why don't you go home and rest, Ms. Gibson? You look exhausted," I put my hand on her shoulder.

"What if she wakes up and I'm not here?"

"It's going to be okay. I bet she prefers you getting some sleep then to sleep on that chair again"

"I don't know"

"I promise you I'll call you as soon as she wakes up". She sighed and nodded her head.

"Okay. Okay. You win. Thank you, Mikey," she stood up and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her.

"No problem. Gerard, can you give her a ride home?"

"Of course," Gerard nodded.

"Oh, no! No need to do that, I have my car"

"I don't want you falling asleep while driving"

"I don't want to be a burden to you boys, seriously, I can drive myself"

"Trust me when I say, you're never gonna win against him. I should know, we live under the same roof. He's a pain in my ass," smiled Gerard. Heather laughed as she placed her hand on my cheek.

"Fine, thank you, boys. I can't express how much it means to me to know now much you care about us"

"Are you kidding me? You're family!". She lightly patted my cheek and began collecting her things.

"Let me get that for you," Gerard grabbed her stuff as they made their way out.

"I should be the only pain in his ass" Frank frowned as he took the seat next to Janice.

"You already are," I laughed as I sat on the bed. Frank smacked my leg.

"Where's Jayy?"

"He went to work, but he's gonna come straight over here once he's done". He nodded as he leaned back in the chair.

"Do you have any idea how annoying everyone in school have been? What happened to Janice? Did she die? Did she lose a leg?"

"I know, I just tell them it's none of their fucking business"

"Same here". He gave me a high five. "Have you seen Aphrodite?"

"Only around school hanging out with Kimberly. I'm guessing Andy told the truth since last time I've seen, Andy is back that witch"

"No!," Frank gasped," Fucking asshole!"

"Yup. She was rubbing her hand all over him during lunch yesterday and he just stood there, staring at Aph from across the room". Frank began making gagging noises and sticking a finger in his mouth. I couldn't help, but laugh.

"I didn't even noticed. Too busy having my tongue down your brother's throat," he winked," Even though I'm mad at her, I can't help but to feel bad for her"

"Why?"

"She lost all her friends, the man she loved lied to her, took her virginity which meant so much to her, and she's alone. Don't you?"

"Of course I do! She's one of my best friends, but she made her choice". Frank shrugged.

"Still, it's pretty sad"

"Yeah," I sighed. We were both startled by a sudden knock at the door. It was Aphrodite.

"Hi," she said shyly. She stood at the door awkwardly, carrying a bouquet of flowers and a few balloons that read 'Get Well Soon'. I looked over at Frank, who looked at me kind of shocked.

"What do you want?," I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"I just...I wanted to see how she was doing"

"She's fine". She looked down as I heard say something under her breath, but couldn't make out what she said.

"Then I guess I should go," she slightly whispered.

"I guess you should". You can see the hurt in her face as the words left my mouth. I don't mean to be this harsh, but I'm just so mad at her.

"Can I set this down?"

"You should take it with you, she doesn't want it"

"Mikey!," Frank gave me a disapproving look," Outside please". He stood up and waited for me to walk ahead. I quickly made my way past Aphrodite and into the hallway.

"Go right on ahead, sweetie," Frank put his hand on Aphrodite's shoulder. She hesitated at first, but eventually nodded and walked in.

"Thank you," she said. Frank closed the door and turned towards me.

"What are you doing?," he asked angrily.

"What do you mean?"

"You're mad, I get it, but you're being down right cruel"

"She deserves it"

"She's hurting enough already. She doesn't need you attacking her right now. She's her friend too and she has every right to know how her friend is doing despite what she's done". I sighed as I looked down at my shoes.

"You're right, I'm sorry"

"Alright, now, let me tell you about the first time I topped your brother"

"Oh God!," I covered my ears.


Once Frank closed the door I let out a big breath. I looked at Janice for the first time since the day of my party and sighed.

"Look what I've done to you," I whispered to myself. I walked closer, setting down the flowers and letting the balloons float to the ceiling. I sat in the chair next to her and rested my arms on the bed. She looked so peaceful, just laying there. I grabbed her hand and held it to my mouth.

"Janice, if you can hear me, I'm so sorry," I sighed as tears started forming in my eyes," I should've believed you from the start. I shouldn't have doubted you. Out of everyone I shouldn't have...," I began crying.

"Look what I did to you. This is all my fault. If I would've just listened, we could've avoided all this. You would've been laughing at me, but at the same time helping me plot a plan on how to get even with Andy. And now look where we are. You're here, sleeping, covered in bruises and casts.

"Uh...I did it," I chuckled," I did the stupid thing and slept with him. Now I'm the one suffering while he's back with Scout. But this isn't about me, this is about you. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I'm so, so, so sorry. I know apologizing isn't going to fix anything, but I am and if you're willing to forgive me, I'd do anything to make it better. I love you, so much. I just wish there was a better way to show it besides just saying I'm sorry, but I can't think of anything"

"There isn't," I heard her say in a groggy voice. My head shot up and looked at her. Her eyes were slightly opened.

"Janice! Oh my, God! You're awake". I jumped on her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She didn't respond, she just continued to stare at me. I sat back down slowly, looking down at my hands. "There isn't what?"

"Much you can do". I sighed sadly.

"Please, Janice. I was so stupid for not believing you and for doubting you. I just..."

"You love him"

"...Yeah"

"How did that work out?"

"Um, he's back with Scout"

"As usual"

"Please forgive me, Janice. I need you more than anyone"

"You should've thought about that before. You hurt me, Aph and for you to think I came up with that because of what happened between Kimberly and I, was such a low blow"

"I'm sorry," I said above whisper.

"Yeah, you keep saying that, but I can't...I can't see you right now. I don't want you near me right now". My heart sank as she spoke those words, but I understood. I nodded as I stood up.

"I...I love you and...hopefully one day you can forgive me". She looked away as her tears forming in her eyes. I slowly made my way towards the door and opened it. Frank was giggling to himself as Mikey started at the ground with a look of terror on his face. I smiled softly and I walked out the door.

"Um, she's awake". Frank smiled widely and ran inside, followed by Janice groaning in pain. I looked up at Mikey, who was standing in front of me.

"Sorry I bothered you guys," I said as I started walking away.

"Hey," Mikey slightly yelled. I turned to look at him. "I'll...I'll keep you posted on how she's doing"

"I'd like that". He gave me a small smile before walking inside the room
. . .

"Did you see her?," asked Crystal as she walked in my room. I laid on my bed as I cried softly to myself.

"Yeah"

"And?"

"She didn't want to see me". Crystal sighed and laid down next to me. She wrapped her arm around my shoulder. I turned and cried into her chest.

"It's okay, just let it all out," she whispered into my ear as she rubbed circles onto my back.

"Why did I have to be so stupid?"

"That's what love does to you"

"I shouldn't have gotten with Andy. I shouldn't have never fallen for him. I'm so stupid. It's all my fault this all happened"

"No, it's not. If Andy truly loved you, he should've told you the truth form the beginning. As for Janice, you didn't force her to drink"

"I minus will have. He never loved me, it was all a stupid joke to him, but hey! He did what he set out to do"

"If I ever see that bastard again, I swear to God, I'm going to punch him right in his stupid, attractive face"

"Not helping"

"Sorry," she sighed," How about, instead of mopping around and feeling bad about yourself. Let's go downstairs, get some ice cream, chips, chocolate... everything, any junk food we can find and watch a whole bunch of chick-flicks. What do you say?". I nodded and smiled. She clapped her hands in excitement and jumped up. She reached her hand out and I grabbed it as she pulled me up. As we made our way downstairs, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," I said as I slowly made my way towards the door. Once I opened the door, I sucked in my breath. "...Andy"

"H...Hi"

"What do you want? What are you doing here?"

"I just want to talk"

"There's nothing to talk about," I said as I started closing the door. He put his foot in the way and push the door open.

"Please Aphrodite, just listen to me"

"Listen to you? I've heard enough already. We were nothing, but a joke to you. Just leave me alone already, please"

"I can't do that," he looked down," I love you and I don't to walk away from here without you listening to what I have to say"

"I don't want to hear it! I've lost everything, because of you! What more can you possibly say that can make this better?! You've hurt me enough already"

"Aph, what's going....," Crystal said as she came towards the door. She quickly made her way towards Andy and punch him right in the nose. He stumbled backwards as he groaned in pain.

"Like she said, she's not interested in anything you have to say, asshole!," she yelled as she slammed the door and locked it. "Now," she dusted her hands as she turned towards me," We have chocolate and vanilla ice cream"

Notes