CHAPTER 8

**VERONICA**

As I sipped my drink, Hunter took my hand and asked me to follow him. I followed him to a part of the room where they were playing truth or dare.

He asked if I wanted to join, and I agreed, so we sat down and formed a circle. Most of the people there were from my school, but I also noticed some unfamiliar faces. Bryan was in the circle too, and he kept staring at me until someone spun the bottle, which landed on him.

They dared Bryan to kiss Cindy since he picked "dare." He held Cindy gently by her jaw and kissed her slowly while maintaining eye contact with me. Jealousy surged within me, and I felt my face heat up.

What is wrong with me?

I wished I were the one he was kissing.

The bottle was spun again for the third time, and it landed on me. Nervous was an understatement for how I felt when they asked me, "Truth or dare?"

Why did I even decide to play this game in the first place?

"Truth," I replied, gulping down the last of my drink. As if on cue, one of the questions I had been hoping they wouldn't ask came up: "Do you love sex?" So cliché—who asks a question like that?

I didn't respond until they started counting to ten. When they reached eight, I blurted out, "No," not wanting to drink vodka. If I didn't answer, I figured they would probably know the truth anyway.

"Who doesn't love sex?" someone whispered from the side of the room.

You can't like something you have never experienced.

I felt both Bryan's and Hunter's eyes on me. Hunter smirked, and everyone started laughing. "Oh, way to be awkward," I muttered under my breath.

As the game progressed, things got more intense, and people became so engrossed that they didn't even notice what was happening around them.

Hunter offered me another drink, and I drank it without asking what it was. It tasted sweet, so I finished it quickly.

After a while, I started to feel uncomfortable and dizzy. Why does Cindy have four eyes and three ears? Why do I have eight fingers?

Then I felt Hunter's hand on my waist. At first, it felt strange, but I ignored it, convinced it was an innocent mistake. But when he didn't move his hand from my inner thigh, despite my disapproving glance, I realized something was wrong.

I tried to remove his hand, but he didn't budge. I stopped trying because I felt weak and tired.

"We'll go upstairs for a while," Hunter whispered as he stood up and took my hand.

I felt Bryan's eyes on us, but I wasn't in the right frame of mind to care, so I followed Hunter upstairs. I just wanted to lie down and rest. Then he took me to a room, and everything went black.

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**BRYAN'S POV**

I saw Veronica outside today; she looked really beautiful. I had never taken a close look at her face until tonight at the party. Plump, full lips, goddess-like eyes, skin like milk, and lustrous hair for days—she is perfect.

When I kissed Cindy earlier, I imagined I was kissing Veronica. What's wrong with me? Why would I want to do that with her? I barely even know her. Yes, she's stunning, and any guy would be lucky to have her, but… why am I even thinking about this? I need a drink, preferably something strong.

Suddenly, I noticed Veronica and Hunter standing up to leave after Hunter whispered something in her ear.

I wondered what Hunter was up to; my cousin can be really unreasonable sometimes. I tried to ignore them and continued the game, but I started to feel restless, so I decided to go upstairs and see what was happening.

When I got upstairs, everything was oddly quiet. They should have been talking, but it was silent.

As I hurried up the stairs, I saw Hunter hovering over Veronica, who was only wearing her panties. She has a rocking body, but this is not the time for that.

"Oh no, Hunter! I told you not to do this!" I shouted, pushing Hunter away from her.

"Bryan, stay out of this," he replied dismissively.

"What did you do to her? Why is she unconscious?" I asked, already furious.

"Don't tell me you spiked her drink," I said again.

"So, how is that any of your business?" he shot back, trying to push me out of the way.

"I don't think you should do this. Hunter, this isn't right!" I pleaded, trying to make him understand how wrong this was.

"I don't even know why you care so much about what I want to do with her," he snarled as he left.

I hurriedly dressed Veronica in her clothes, even though it was difficult for me to focus without staring at her body. I can't let myself have those thoughts right now; she is in a vulnerable state.

I carried her to my car, placed her in the back seat, and drove us to my house. She didn't even wake up during the ride. I wondered what Hunter had given her that knocked her out like this.

I considered asking Hunter for her address, but I didn't think her parents would be happy to see her unconscious.

When I arrived at my house, I should clarify that I do have parents, but they are rarely home. My mum and dad are no longer together, but I stay with my mum, and Hunter often stays here as well.

I took Veronica to my room, but she didn't look comfortable, so I decided to change her clothes. It took a lot of self-control not to touch her soft skin, and I was angry with myself for even thinking about that in this situation. That made me no different from Hunter.

I rummaged through my wardrobe and found a white shirt, which I put on her. When she stirred, I thought she might wake up, but she didn't. Instead, she relaxed and continued to sleep soundly, unaware of what was happening.

I covered her with the duvet and took one last look at her. Her long lashes and full pink lips were slightly parted, and her smooth face was free of freckles. She looked both beautiful and innocent at the same time.

I began to feel like a creep for watching her like this, so I went to the bathroom attached to my room and took a shower. Afterwards, I changed into sweatpants and a sweatshirt, then returned to my room and sat down on the bed.

She looked so peaceful in her sleep. I gazed at her lips and started imagining how it would feel to kiss her.

"Just one touch won't hurt," I told myself, but it felt wrong in this context, so I gently traced my thumb along her lips.

"Why am I even doing this?" I questioned myself as I lightly kissed the side of her head before stepping out of the room.

++++++++++++++++

VERONICA

I woke up to find it was already morning, and I had a headache.

As I slowly opened my eyes, I realized I was in a large, unfamiliar room with a big wardrobe.

Where am I? I quickly sat up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, and I felt nausea rising in my throat. I quietly made my way to the bathroom attached to the room and started vomiting into the toilet.

I can't be hungover; I didn't drink any alcohol last night, did I?

After rinsing my mouth and washing my face with tap water, I looked in the mirror.

Oh my God! I look terrible, and why am I wearing someone else's clothes?

Please, don't tell me what I'm thinking. Did I sleep with someone?

"Oh God, what have I done?" I asked myself, feeling a wave of fear wash over me.

I lifted the shirt to check and was relieved to find my panties still intact. Well, at least that's a good sign.

Moving my body around, I checked for any signs that would indicate I had slept with someone, but I felt normal. I couldn't have.

I rushed back into the room to find a way to escape. What had I gotten myself into?

I surveyed the room carefully. It was large, with a king-size bed in the centre, and the curtains were black and white. Even the bed sheets matched, and the room smelled distinctly like a guy's space.

It didn't smell bad, but it had that recognizable scent of a guy's belongings.

The room was a bit bare, but there were posters of various famous athletes on the walls and a basketball sitting by one side. This was obviously a guest room because it lacked personal touches. But who did it belong to?

I relaxed a little and sat on the bed to gather my thoughts.

As I tried to recall what had happened yesterday, I could only remember going to a party with Hunter.

Yes, Hunter—maybe this is his room.

As I buried my head in my hands, I heard footsteps approaching the room. Quickly, I lay back down on the bed, pulled the duvet over myself, and pretended to be asleep.