Betty
The circle formed fast—pizza boxes kicked to the side, cushions dragged from couches, someone turning down the music just enough that we could hear each other over the beat. Someone lit a candle that didn’t match any of it—vanilla and orange. It made me feel weirdly more nervous.
Kate pressed into my side, her shoulder solid against mine. She smelled like coconut and lip gloss. I leaned toward her without meaning to. On my other side, Marcus had his arm stretched out behind me on the couch, fingers occasionally brushing the edge of my shoulder. He didn’t say much, but I could feel him. And for once, I didn’t want to disappear.
Then Stacey stood up, flipping her hair with enough drama to let everyone know she wanted the spotlight. She had a red soda bottle in her hand and a look on her face like she was already bored of everyone in the room.
“Alright,” she said, spinning the bottle in her fingers. “We’re starting strong. Dare.”
A guy across from us called out, “Kiss the hottest guy in the room!”
The room hooted.
Stacey smirked and turned slowly, dragging her eyes across the group like she was selecting prey. When her gaze landed on Marcus, my body went still. My lungs forgot how to work. She stared too long—like she was challenging me without saying a word.
Marcus didn’t move.
Then Stacey scoffed like it was all beneath her and pivoted on her heel. She grabbed Vel by the shirt. “Lucky day, handsome.”
She kissed him. Full-on, lips lingering, hands on his face. The room howled. Vel played along, arms raised, eyes wide like he couldn’t believe his luck.
I laughed lightly, trying to play it off, but my cheeks burned. My hands were sweating.
I turned slightly toward Marcus. He was still staring straight ahead. Jaw tight. Knuckles white on his knee.
I felt something twist in my stomach that wasn’t just jealousy. It was a flicker of pride. Maybe it was petty, but I liked that he didn’t like it. That it wasn’t funny to him either.
Stacey flounced back to her seat and shot me a look. All smugness. All venom. Like she’d just peed on territory that didn’t even belong to her.
The bottle spun again. More dares, more yelling. A guy had to dance shirtless. Someone else had to call their ex. Then it landed on Marcus.
“Truth or dare?” someone called.
He looked at me first. Just briefly. Then at the group.
“Dare.”
Kate grinned. “Seven minutes in heaven. With your girl.”
Marcus didn’t hesitate. “Make it five. We don’t need more.”
Laughter. Applause. A few whistles.
I blinked. My heart thudded loud enough I thought people might hear it. My whole face felt hot.
He leaned closer, voice low. “You okay?”
I nodded even though I wasn’t sure. “Let’s go.”
He stood, pulled me up by the hand. I followed him through the crowd, past people laughing and couples leaning on each other. Someone offered us a drink as we climbed the stairs. He waved them off.
Upstairs was quieter. The hallway was dim. Someone was making out against the bathroom door. I kept my eyes down. My heart was racing. My palms were damp.
He opened a door at the end of the hall and pulled me inside.
The light was off, but string lights glowed along the top of the walls. The room was warm, messy, still. He closed the door gently behind us, and it clicked with finality.
I stood there, arms folded across my middle.
Then he turned and looked at me.
“Betty,” he said, softly but firm. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
I didn’t answer.
He stepped forward, slow and careful, and placed his hands on my waist.
Then he kissed me.
It was deep. Hot. Like something he’d been holding back for weeks.
I kissed him back. My arms wrapped around his neck before I even thought about it. My fingers slipped into his hair. I felt his breath catch. Mine did too.
His lips moved to my neck and I gasped. I felt his hand skim the side of my waist, not grabbing, just touching. Just letting me feel that he was there.
I wanted more.
I wanted to forget all the times I’d hated my body, all the times I’d been laughed at or whispered about. I wanted to believe this was real. That I was real.
My hands slid under his shirt. I touched skin, warm and strong. He groaned—a real sound—and pulled me closer.