Seventh grade. Sleepovers always made Shera uncomfortable. It was fine when she arrived, but as soon as it got dark outside, she wanted to go home. The darkness made their friend group unpredictable. Lexi, outgoing as she was, went along with it, seemingly unbothered. On one particular night, for the first and only time in their nearly ten-year friendship, Lexi and Shera got in an argument. The girls were jumping on the trampoline at their friend Daisy’s house. It was the end of summer, a time meant for soaking up the last few drops of sunshine and freedom before heading back to school. Daisy and two other girls wanted to play truth or dare.
Lexi volunteered to go first. Truth, she said. “Lay it on me, whatcha got?”
“Who do you like right now?”
“LAME. Can’t you come up with a better question?”
“Fine. Who is your least favorite person on earth?”
“Hmmmm, Mr. Smalls. He always makes us run laps in gym class and it’s dumb.”
“That’s lame, too.”
“Oh well! Looks like it’s your turn now, Daisy.”
“Dare,” she said with a smirk.
“I dare youuuu… tooooo… run over to the garage and wall twerk on it.”
Daisy burst out laughing. “Happy to!” She flipped upside down and attempted to shake her butt. The girls burst into laughter, singing some R&B song while she danced until she fell down.
Shera was sweating, though. What if Daisy’s parents saw? Would they be mad she put her shoes on the garage door? What if they were muddy? Why was she here? Did she even like these girls?
“Shera, you’re up!”
Oh god. Shera was dreading this all night. She didn’t want to share any secrets. Nope. It’s better to keep those to herself. “Dare, I guess.”
“I dare you to call your crush.”
Shera’s heart stopped. Lexi was the one who said it. She would never betray her like this. Why was she doing this? How could she? She ran into the house and into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her, not caring if Daisy’s parents heard. She broke down. Lexi had been the one who wanted to come to the sleepover. Daisy just wanted to hang out with her. She didn’t even want to be here. Hyperventilating, she lowered herself onto the ground, hugging her legs. One, two, three, four, five. Breathe. More tears. A knock on the door.
Fearful it was Daisy’s mom, she said softly, “Who, who is it?”
“It’s me, Lexi.”
“Go away. Just go away.”
“Shera, I… It was a joke. I didn’t mean… I just…” Lexi was sobbing.
Shera opened the door, staring at her friend with puffy eyes. “It was your idea to come here. You didn’t even notice that I was having a bad time. All you ever think about is yourself!”
“I… I had no idea, Shera. I’m so sorry.”
“I don’t even like half of these girls, Lex.”
“Honestly? Me neither. They’re kind of mean.”
“Then why are we here?”
“I just wanted to hang out, and your mom keeps saying no to our hangouts lately and my mom never lets anyone come over. I… I just wanted to hang out.”
“You did? Why would you dare me to do that?”
Lexi cried harder. “I wasn’t thinking. I just, I just said it and immediately regretted it and, and, and I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Full of forgiveness—and hormones—they both burst into tears, grateful that they were on the same page. “From now on, can you just tell me how you’re feeling? We could’ve faked an illness two hours ago,” Lexi sighed.
“Promise.”