Emily's PoV:

I wasn't exactly thrilled about this game of truth or dare. Honestly, it felt like a waste of time, especially with Regina stirring up drama like it was her life's mission. Still, I wasn't about to let her walk away without consequences.

Maybe it was the alcohol talking—tequila sunrise, vodka colas, tequila shots (how many was it again? Five? Six?). Either way, my inhibitions were pretty much gone, and I was ready for whatever came my way.

The game started off relatively harmless.

"Okay, spin the bottle," Jaden announced.

The first round landed on Nate.

"Truth or dare?"

"Of course, dare," Nate said confidently, crossing his legs and leaning back like he was a king.

Jaden smirked. "I dare you to call or text your crush and confess your feelings."

The room buzzed with excitement as everyone leaned in to see what Nate would do. He didn't hesitate. Pulling out his phone, he started scrolling through his contacts. Moments later, he pressed call.

The suspense built as the phone in the room began to ring. Everyone started checking their phones until it was obvious—the ringing was coming from Luke's jacket.

Luke's face turned bright red as he quickly silenced the phone, stuffing it back into his pocket.

"I think he got the message," Nate said smoothly, smiling at Luke with a wink.

"I would've answered," Jaden teased, earning a laugh from everyone.

"Of course you would," Nate shot back, grinning.

The bottle kept spinning, leading to increasingly ridiculous dares:
• Kiss someone in the group.
• Swap phones for the next round.
• Take off an article of clothing.
• Send a voice note to an ex.
• Reveal search history.
• Dance provocatively to a random song.
• Lick something off the person to your right.

By the time it was my turn, the alcohol had dulled my nerves, but when the bottle pointed to me and the bottom to Regina, I knew the stakes had just been raised.

"Regina to Emily," Cameron announced, like we couldn't already see where the bottle was pointing.

"Okay, this is going to be fun," Regina said, her voice dripping with faux sweetness.

Selena leaned over, whispering, "Should we go?"

"No, I'm fine," I said firmly, crossing my legs as I got comfortable on the couch. Regina wasn't going to intimidate me.

"Truth or dare?" she asked, smirking as though she already had her move planned.

"Truth," I said calmly.

"Is it true that you and your boyfriend are having a hard time?"

I didn't flinch. "True."

Gasps rippled through the group, even from my friends. Aiden, sitting across the room, looked at me with wide eyes.

"Not all sunshine and rainbows, huh?" Regina said with a smirk.

"Not everyone can be like you," I shot back.

"That's true," she said with mock humility.

"But then again, look at how your sunshine and rainbows ended," I added, raising an eyebrow. The room fell silent except for Nate, who was barely holding back his laughter.

"Let's spin the bottle again," Luke interjected quickly, trying to defuse the tension.

But Regina wasn't done.

"Let's spice it up a bit," she said, narrowing her eyes at me. "I choose Aiden. Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Aiden said cautiously.

"I won't ask if you love her, but do you even like your girlfriend?"

"Yes," Aiden said firmly, his jaw tightening.

"More than me?" she pressed, her voice sharp.

"That's another question, Regina," he said, his voice colder now.

"Just answer the goddamn question, Aiden."

"Then... yes," he said, his gaze unwavering.

"What a liar," she muttered under her breath.

"Okay, my turn," I said, cutting her off. "Truth or dare, Regina?"

"Dare," she said smugly.

"I dare you to name one thing in your life that matters to you besidesm life or  my boyfriend's," I challenged, my voice steady and calm.

The group erupted in giggles, her friends shifting uncomfortably as Regina's face flushed.

"I do other things," she said defensively.

"Like cheerleading?" I asked, my tone dripping with mock interest. "This obsession you have with us—it's getting unhealthy."

"I have no interest in you," she snapped.

"Well, you clearly have some in my boyfriend. So, truth or dare again?" I continued. She opened her mouth to answer, but I interrupted her. "Actually, let's make it truth: Do you like my boyfriend? Or better yet, do you want my place?"

Her face twisted in anger as she shot up from her seat. "How dare you?" she spat, her voice rising. "Do you think I want to be as low as you? Poorly dressed, ugly, and with fake blonde hair? I'm the cheer captain. I'm starting my modeling career. I'm the goddamn prom queen!" she shrieked, stomping her feet like a tantruming child.

"Yet, you're not his girlfriend. I am," I said coolly, standing up to meet her glare. "So do yourself a favor and admit it."

"I'm going," I mentioned "this game is boring"

"Do you want company?" Nate asked,

"No," I said, shaking my head. "I need some time alone."

As I walked away from the room and the chaos, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. Let Regina have her meltdown. I was done with her games.

Well I think I just made Aiden's life easier, she will confess and they can be together and I will be out of the picture, thank god.

I am so done with this kind of people, I don't even have time for reading or talking about Greek Mythology or even thinking about it which is so not me.

I haven't felt the sun in a while and looked at the stars and see the constellations. Oh that will change now!

I made my way through the crowd, finally stepping outside to the cool night air. The stars above glittered like tiny diamonds, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt at peace. I wandered through the massive parking lot until I found a quiet spot to lay down, carefully smoothing my blue dress as I settled onto the grass.

The constellations above stretched across the sky, their beauty calming the storm inside me. I smiled softly to myself. It was time to remember who I was—to reconnect with the girl who loved Greek mythology and stargazing.

This was my moment to breathe. To reset. And to finally let go.

Emily's PoV

"Holy shit—" a deep voice startled me out of my quiet stargazing. My eyes shot open, and the stars were obscured by the silhouette of a tall figure standing over me. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. You scared me."

"Sorry," I murmured, blinking as the figure crouched closer to me.

"Are you okay?" the man asked, his tone genuinely concerned.

"Yes," I replied softly, still slightly disoriented. "I was just... looking at the stars."

He glanced up at the night sky and nodded. "Any favorite constellations?"

"Orion," I answered without hesitation.

"And why is that?" he asked, sitting down beside me and tilting his head back to admire the same sky.

"For the story," I said simply.

"Of his love for Artemis?" he guessed, surprising me.

I turned my head to look at him. Few people ever brought up the myths I loved so much. Most would smile politely or ask, "Who's Orion?" But this stranger? He knew.

"You know it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Barely," he admitted with a small shrug. "I prefer happy stories, like Andromeda."

"That's a good one too," I said, nodding.

"Care to share?" he asked, turning his gaze from the stars to me.

I smiled and nodded, lying back again and pointing toward the sky. "Let's start with Orion, then." I traced the constellation with my finger, imagining its shape against the vast canvas of stars.

"Orion was a great hunter who fell in love with Artemis, the goddess of the hunt," I began, my voice soft but steady. "Their bond was strong, but Artemis's protective brother, Apollo, disapproved. So, Apollo tricked Artemis into killing Orion by challenging her to shoot a distant target—Orion swimming in the sea. Heartbroken when she realized her mistake, Artemis placed Orion among the stars to honor his memory. She also placed his loyal dog, Sirius, beside him, so she could always look up and see them."

"Love and loss," the stranger murmured thoughtfully. "That's beautiful."

"It is," I agreed.

"By the way, I'm Kyle," he said suddenly, extending a hand in the air toward me.

"Emily," I replied, laughing softly as I shook his hand. We lay there in a strangely comforting silence, staring at the stars together.

"EMILY!"

The voice broke the stillness of the night. Kyle glanced toward the source of the sound, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Looks like you're famous around here."

"Not really," I said, sitting up and scanning the parking lot.

"Emily, where were you?" a familiar voice called, and then he stepped into view.

"Aiden?" I asked, confused. What was he doing here?

"What were you thinking? It's cold out," he scolded, his tone a mix of worry and frustration. He shrugged off his blazer and draped it over my shoulders, the familiar warmth and scent grounding me. That's when he noticed Kyle.

"Aiden Anderson," Kyle said, standing and extending a hand toward Aiden.

"Kyle Davis," Aiden replied coolly, ignoring the gesture.

"Present!" Kyle quipped with a grin, raising his hand in mock salute before shoving it into his pocket.

"What are you doing here?" Aiden asked, his voice flat.

"Mason invited me," Kyle said casually. He turned to me, offering his hand to help me up.

I was about to take it when Aiden reached down and grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet before I could accept Kyle's help. His grip was firm, almost possessive.

"I see," Aiden muttered, his gaze briefly meeting mine before darting back to Kyle.

Kyle grinned, either oblivious to Aiden's tone or choosing to ignore it. "You know Mason—he's always inviting his other best friend."

"Sure..." Aiden replied, clearly unimpressed.

"Oh, don't be jealous," Kyle teased, his tone lighthearted. "You're eighteen. Mason can have more than one best friend."

"I know, Kyle," Aiden said tersely, his patience clearly wearing thin.

Kyle glanced at me again, his expression softening. "So, you know Emily?"

"She's my girlfriend," Aiden said without hesitation, his voice steady and firm.

"Lucky guy," Kyle said, smirking at Aiden. His words left me feeling more confused than flattered, though Aiden's grip on my hand tightened ever so slightly.

"If that's all, we're leaving," Aiden said abruptly, tugging me closer to him.

Kyle didn't argue. He simply smiled, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer before turning back toward the house. "See you around, Emily," he said, walking away without looking back.

As Aiden led me away, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder. Kyle's easy confidence contrasted sharply with Aiden's tense energy, and I found myself wondering what, exactly, had just happened.

"What was that about?" I asked as we walked, my voice quiet.

"Nothing," Aiden said shortly. "Let's just get inside."

But I knew better. Whatever history Aiden had with Kyle, it was anything but nothing.