Bella
I guess we are friends now.
For the next few days, things were simple. We said hi to each other and made small talk. I saw him at college or Jake and Jane's place. He kept his promise and didn't hit on me or touch me anymore.
I started to hang out with Damien a lot, although he didn't ask me out or anything. Not that I know whether I will say yes to him. I still wasn't sure if I was ready to date someone yet.
It was a Friday night, and all five of us ended up together at the apartment again. This time, I didn't drink. I've learned my lesson.
"So, are you two good now?" Jake asked and looked at Aaron and me. We were sitting far apart from each other on purpose. Or rather, I was the one who put some distance between us.
"Yup. We are just friends, right Freckles?" Aaron smirked.
"Right. Friends," I said and let out a nervous giggle.
"A-ha...sure. Anyway, I gathered you guys today to share some important news," Jake said.
"What's that?" I looked at him curiously.
"I'm throwing a new year's eve party, and you guys must attend. That means you too, Damien," Jake announced.
"Sure, man. Thanks for the invite!" Damien said excitedly.
"I invited Macie and Zack too. Is that cool with you, Aaron?" Jake asked.
Aaron waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. Macie and I or on good terms."
"Well, that settles it," Jake said.
"I'm bored. Can we play a game?" Jane yawned.
"I'm not playing Monopoly again," Aaron said determinedly.
"Fine, how about truth or dare?" Jane said.
Oh no, this sounds like a bad idea.
"I don't think..." I started to say.
"I'm in!" Damien said.
"Jake?" Jane asked.
"Whatever," he said gruffly.
"I'm cool with it, but Bella doesn't look like she is comfortable with it," Aaron looked at me and smirked.
I quickly changed my mind. "I'll play," I said. What could go wrong?
Famous last words.
"Truth or dare?" Jane looked at Damien and smirked as it was his turn.
"Dare!" Damien said enthusiastically.
"I dare you to kiss...Aaron!" Jane declared. Jake burst out laughing and rolled on his side.
"HELL NO!" Aaron looked terrified.
"Um...no thank you," Damien shook his head.
"You have to, it's the rules," Jane said. I could tell she was trying hard not to laugh herself. "It can be on the cheek."
"Whatever. I'm comfortable with my sexuality. Lay it on me," Aaron relented.
Damien sighed. "Okay, try not to fall in love," he grinned and pecked him on the cheek. I pressed my palms on my mouth to muffle my giggles. Poor Aaron looked so uncomfortable.
"How was that?" Damien said and winked.
"Oh, it was great. I never knew your lips were so soft," Aaron chuckled.
"Eww...go get a room," Jane laughed. "It's your turn,
Bella," she looked at me and said after everyone had their turn.
"Truth or dare?" Damien asked.
"Truth," I said. There was no way I was picking dare after that display.
"If I asked you to go out with me, would you say yes?" Damien asked.
I was caught off guard a little. I could feel Aaron's eyes burning a hole in my skull, waiting for my answer.
"Yes," I said quietly. Damien is a nice guy, so why not? I didn't plan on staying single forever.
"Whaat! I think Damien just asked you out!" Jane exclaimed.
"That's so cute," Jake mocked, but he was smiling.
Aaron didn't say anything and just stared at us intently. He didn't look too happy.
After a while, it was Aaron's turn.
"Truth or dare?" Jake asked him.
"Dare," he said. His eyes were dark. He kept looking at me. I fidgeted nervously.
"I dare you to strip down to your underwear and run outside," Jake said with a straight face.
"Dude, it's 30 degrees outside," Aaron winced.
"So? A dare is a dare. You only have to stay out for a minute. Don't be a little bitch," Jake chuckled.
"I'll kill you later," Aaron groaned and took his shirt off.
I couldn't help but look and blushed profusely. He had always been in good shape, but it was as if he had gotten even more toned and perfect. I sneaked another peek when he took his pants off. Oh god...it was like looking at the body of a Greek God.
He smirked when he realized I was looking at him in a not so innocent way.
"Well...here I go," he said and went outside. After a minute had passed, he came back inside, shivering.
"Jake, you asshole, get me a damn blanket," he roared.
Jake laughed and threw a blanket at him.
We finished playing and just laughed and had a good time for the rest of the night. It was time to go home, so I got up.
"Wait...I need to go to the bathroom first," I told Damien. He nodded.
I thought about Damian as I was washing my hands. I know I said I'd go out with him but did I really like him like that? Guess I won't know until I try.
I came out of the bathroom and headed towards the front door, but suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me to the side.
Aaron!
"Hey, what is it?" I asked nervously.
"Are you really going to go out with Damien?" he asked.
"Y...yes? Why do you want to know?" I asked and looked him in the eyes.
He opened his mouth to say something but stopped. He picked up a lock of my hair and ran his fingers through it. "I saw the way you looked at me," he whispered.
"Wha...what? What do you mean?" I asked. He was so close I felt his warm breath on my neck.
"You were looking at me like you wanted to do bad things to me," Aaron smirked.
"No, I wasn't!" I protested.
"Hmm...are you sure?" he asked and looked at me innocently.
"Yes, I'm sure! I'm going out with Damien now, so I have no reason to look at you that way," I said. I was suddenly feeling hot and restless.
He picked up my hand and kissed it. "Okay," his voice was low and husky. He didn't look like my declaration convinced him.
"I gotta go. Damien is waiting!" I said and pushed him off. I said bye to Jake and Jane and let Damien take me home. My heart hammered against my chest the whole time.