Chapter Twenty-Two: Truths, Dares, and Chaos
(Lyra's POV)
The room smelled faintly of popcorn and sugar, scattered with candy wrappers, plushies, and soft twinkling fairy lights. The group had claimed the living room, sprawled across couches, beanbags, and a pile of blankets, the air buzzing with energy.
"Alright," Saphira said, clapping her hands. "Sleepover tradition. Truth or Dare. Who's first?"
I sank deeper into my beanbag, glancing at Evan. His golden hair glinted in the soft light, eyes glinting with mischief, and my chest fluttered.
"Lyra," Soraya called. "Truth or dare?"
I hesitated. "Truth…"
"Aw, come on! Dare is where the fun is!"
Evan leaned closer, smirk tugging at his lips. "Or… you could do a dare. You might enjoy it."
I groaned, cheeks heating. "I'll… do a dare. Just don't—"
"Oh, we won't hold back," Saphira said, eyes sparkling.
The first dares were silly:
Cassian had to do a dramatic dance across the room.
Aveline had to serenade Soraya.
Saphira had to wear a sock on her head for ten minutes.
Then… it got serious.
Soraya grinned wickedly at me. "Lyra, dare. Kiss… Evan."
I froze. Golden eyes met mine, smirk fading into something soft, protective. My chest hammered.
"Wait—what?!" I whispered.
Evan shrugged, voice low. "I didn't suggest it… but I won't stop it either."
Before I could protest, Saphira and Soraya were clapping. "Do it!"
And somehow… I leaned forward, heart thudding, and our lips met. Soft, sweet, a little messy with laughter. My fingers curled against his shoulders. He hesitated, then deepened it slightly, careful, teasing… golden eyes locked on mine, chest hammering against mine.
I pulled back, face flaming. "I—"
"You're mine," he whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.
I groaned, hiding behind my hands. "Stop saying that!"
The dares continued, spiraling between funny, flirty, and emotional.
Saphira admitted her ex had been abusive, her voice tight, then laughed nervously.
Cassian confessed he often felt like he wasn't enough, even to his closest friends.
Aveline shared why she was so protective: she'd grown up guarding her little group, not letting anyone hurt them.
Evan opened up about his mom's death, his competitive nature, and why he had to push himself to be the best in everything. His smile faltered as he spoke softly, hands fidgeting.
Then came me. I swallowed, voice shaking. "My dad… he was abusive. One night, he went to pick me up from middle school drunk… the car crashed. Two people died, including him. I… survived. I… was bullied. People said I killed him." My voice cracked. "That's why… why Mom moved us here. A new start."
The room was silent for a heartbeat. Then Soraya reached over, grabbing my hand. "Lyra… I'm so sorry. None of that was your fault."
Saphira nodded, eyes soft. "We got you now. Always."
Evan, golden eyes gentle, brushed my hair back. "I… I didn't know. You're… incredible for surviving all that. And for being you."
Eventually, the dares shifted back to fun. Evan dared me to do a silly dance with him. I stomped, flailed, laughed until my cheeks hurt. Soraya and Saphira kept teasing nonstop.
Cassian and Aveline shared glances, smirking when the other got dared, tension crackling, flustered moments.
By the end of the night, everyone was laughing, exhausted, candy wrappers strewn across the floor, the room warm and cozy.
I curled into a blanket, my lavender pajamas soft against my skin, the teddies Evan had gifted me lined up beside me. Evan sat close, just enough that I could feel him without being crowded.
"You okay?" he whispered, golden eyes glinting.
I nodded, heart still racing. "Yeah… it was… amazing. Terrifying, but amazing."
He smirked. "Good. You're mine, remember?"
I groaned, burying my face in the blanket. "Evan… you're impossible."
He laughed softly, brushing my hair back, thumb ghosting over my cheek. "And you love me."
I whispered, almost to myself, "Maybe I do."
The night stretched on with laughter, secrets, flirty glances, and cozy warmth. Somewhere between dares, confessions, and candy sugar highs, the bonds of friendship — and something more — had solidified.