Birthdays at Maplewood University had a way of turning into small festivals, especially when the celebrant was someone like Dav. Charismatic, well-loved, and always surrounded by friends, he could hardly escape the spotlight. His twenty-first birthday was no exception.
His close friends, Sly and Brown, had been planning something "different" for weeks. Dav wasn't usually one for grand parties he preferred a chilled hangout, maybe a movie night or football match with his circle. But Sly and Brown insisted that twenty-one was special, a milestone that needed proper celebration. So they organized a small party in one of the off-campus lounges, complete with balloons, music, snacks, and a crowd of familiar faces.
Ruth, of course, was there. She wouldn't have missed it for the world. She had helped him shop for a new shirt earlier in the week, teasing him about how much time he spent in front of mirrors at the gym. She even wrapped a thoughtful gift for him a sleek wristwatch she had saved up for, knowing he had been eyeing something similar for months.
When she walked into the lounge that evening, Dav's face lit up in a way that made Ruth's heart stumble. He was dressed in a crisp button-down shirt and jeans, simple but effortlessly stylish. His friends gathered around him, singing loudly as he cut his cake, laughter spilling into the room like music. Ruth stood by his side, clapping, smiling, her presence a quiet constant in the chaos.
It was a good night. At least, until the game started.
It was Brown's idea.
"Truth or Dare!" he announced after the cake had been eaten and the drinks were flowing. "Come on, we need to spice this up. It's Dav's birthday, no dulling allowed!"
The suggestion was met with cheers. Truth or Dare was a staple at student gatherings equal parts harmless fun and risky tension. Dav hesitated for a moment, but seeing how excited everyone was, he shrugged and gave in.
"Fine," he said, grinning. "But don't think I'll go easy on you guys."
The circle formed quickly, with Dav at the center, Ruth seated beside him, and Sly and Brown opposite them. The rules were simple: pick Truth if you wanted honesty, Dare if you wanted adventure. And no skipping.
The first few rounds were lighthearted. Someone was dared to sing the national anthem in a dramatic opera voice. Another had to do twenty push-ups while the circle counted exaggeratedly slow. Laughter bounced off the walls, the energy warm and playful.
Then it was Brown's turn.
He grinned, eyes glinting with mischief as he spun the bottle. It landed on Ruth.
"Truth or Dare?" he asked, his voice carrying more weight than the game warranted.
Ruth hesitated, sensing the intensity in his gaze. "Truth," she said finally, playing it safe.
Brown leaned forward. "Do you have feelings for anyone in this circle?"
The room erupted with laughter and whistles. All eyes turned to Ruth. Her cheeks burned, and her mind scrambled for an answer. She forced a laugh, shaking her head.
"No," she said quickly. "Not in this circle."
The crowd groaned dramatically, but the game moved on. Still, Dav noticed the way Ruth avoided his eyes.
As the game continued, Brown's dares grew bolder. He seemed restless, eyes flicking toward Ruth more often than not. Sly caught on, nudging him playfully, but Brown only smirked.
Finally, when the bottle spun again and landed on Brown, Sly grinned wickedly. "Dare," Brown declared without hesitation.
Sly thought for a moment, then said, "I dare you… to kiss someone in this circle."
The room erupted in cheers, the air electric. Brown's eyes moved immediately to Ruth.
Ruth froze.
Her pulse quickened as Brown rose to his feet, his gaze locked on her with a determination that made her uneasy. He had always been friendly, always part of Dav's circle, but she had never once looked at him that way. Not the way she looked at Dav.
Now, with everyone watching, Brown stepped closer.
"Don't be shy," someone teased from the crowd.
Ruth forced a nervous smile, glancing instinctively at Dav. His expression had shifted, the laughter in his eyes replaced by something harder, tighter. He didn't say a word, but his jaw clenched, and his hands balled into fists on his knees.
Brown leaned down, closing the gap.
Ruth's mind raced. Should she let it happen? Refusing would draw attention, make things awkward. But letting it happen felt wrong, like betraying something unspoken between her and Dav, even if neither of them had admitted it.
At the last second, she turned her head slightly, and Brown's lips brushed her cheek instead of her mouth. The room still cheered, oblivious to the tension. Brown laughed it off, but his eyes betrayed his disappointment.
Ruth forced another laugh, hoping it looked natural. But inside, her heart was pounding not because of Brown, but because of the way Dav's eyes had darkened, watching the scene unfold.
The game went on, but the mood had shifted. At least for Ruth and Dav.
Dav barely spoke, his laughter subdued, his focus elsewhere. He answered questions, completed dares, but his usual ease was gone. Ruth noticed, every second of it. She wanted to reach for him, to explain somehow that Brown's daring move had meant nothing, but the words wouldn't come.
Later, when the crowd thinned and the music softened, Dav finally pulled Ruth aside. They stood near the edge of the lounge, away from the chatter.
"You didn't have to let him do that," Dav said quietly, his tone controlled but sharp.
Ruth blinked. "It wasn't… I didn't"
He shook his head, looking away. "Forget it. It's just a game, right?"
But his voice betrayed him.
Ruth wanted to say more, to tell him what that moment had felt like, how she had turned her head because it wasn't right, because it wasn't him. But surrounded by the laughter of friends and the hum of the party, the words caught in her throat.
For the first time, their friendship felt fragile, like something delicate balancing on the edge of change.
Neither of them realized it yet, but the game of Truth or Dare had planted a seed one that would grow into questions neither could keep running from.