Page 108 of Truth or Dare

I waved her away, trying to appear nonchalant. “I’m fine. Where’s Neil?”

I didn’t want anyone to overhear my conversation when Reagan got here. There would be no rumors or hearsay, only the truth.

“He’s over at Brad’s house. I think they’re doing some game challenge or something,” she replied, trying to gauge my mood.

I rolled my eyes, picturing my brother spending his summer days holed up in his room with headphones on, lost in his virtual world. “I guess he’ll be enjoying his summer until football practice starts.”

My mother’s eyes softened with a mix of worry and guilt. “You just enjoy your summer.”

That sad look on her face—it mirrored the one on both my parents over the past two weeks. They felt guilty that they couldn’t protect me.

“Fine,” I replied firmly. “Go play tennis. I’ll see you later.”

She hesitated for a moment longer, then nodded and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The final act was about to begin.

After my momleft for her tennis lesson, I went upstairs to change. I slipped into a bikini, pulling a long t-shirt over it. The outfit was casual, perfect for the summer heat, but the real reason was the comfort it gave me. I wanted to feel strong, in control, ready for what was about to happen. I took a deep breath and grabbed my phone, scrolling through the screenshots Jennie had sent me. Each one was a dagger, a reminder of Reagan’s betrayal.

Minutes felt like hours, but finally, the doorbell rang. I steeled myself and walked to the door, opening it to see Reagan standing there, looking as innocent as ever.

“Hey, Presley,” she greeted me with a smile. “What’s up?”

“Come in,” I said, my voice steady. I led her to the living room, the tension thick in the air. “We need to talk.”

Reagan frowned, taking a seat on the couch. “What’s going on?”

I stood in front of her, my heart pounding but my resolve firm. “I know what you did,” I began, my eyes locking onto hers. “I know you set me up.”

Her eyes widened in feigned innocence. “What are you talking about?”

I took a deep breath and pulled out my phone, opening the gallery with the screenshots. “These,” I said, holding the phone up so she could see. “These texts between you and Evan. You told him I’d be at the field that night. You knew I’d eventually head off to the woods by myself.”

Reagan’s face paled, and she shook her head, trying to deny it. “Presley, I would never?—”

“Don’t lie to me!” I snapped, the anger boiling over. “Jennie sent me these. She saw everything. You betrayed me, Reagan. You let him know exactly where I’d be. You set me up to be attacked.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, but I felt no sympathy. “I didn’t mean for that to happen,” she stammered. “I just thought?—”

“A real friend wouldn’t do something like that,” I interrupted, my voice cold. “You let me walk into a trap, knowing what could happen. You broke my trust, and you put me in danger. We are done, Reagan. We will never be friends again.”

Reagan’s tears fell freely now, her face a mixture of guilt and sorrow. “Presley, please?—”

“Get out,” I said, pointing to the door. “I don’t want to see you again.”

She stood slowly, her shoulders slumped as she walked to the door. She turned to look at me one last time as she opened it. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, but I turned away, unable to look at her any longer.

The door closed, and I stood there, my heart heavy but resolute. I had settled the score. The final nail was in the coffin of our friendship, and there was no turning back.

Manhattan was trulythe city that never sleeps. My cousin, Freda, was four years older than me and had been living there in a small one bedroom apartment with two roommates. She worked at an art gallery in SoHo. I spun around in the warm humidity.

The streets were quiet but not without traffic. A couple of taxi cabs drove by as she led me into a twenty-four-hour diner – Big Apple Bites. The scent of fresh brewed coffee and bacon hit my nose as we entered. It was 3 a.m. and tonight was my second night here.

“I love this place,” I said excitedly.

“A college students’ best friend when you’re pulling an all nighter.”

She grabbed my hand, squeezing it. “When are you moving?”

“The lease starts next month but my parents wanted me to wait until August.”

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