The street is deserted and streetlights illuminate the sidewalks of houses. I never pass this way; Jasmine must be rich enough to afford to live here.

I ride my bicycle, the air is fresh and I enjoy this ride in complete silence. There is only the sound of the wheel friction on the asphalt.

Fortunately, Jasmine is a half hour from my house and having taken the bike was a good idea.

There is one house that is lit up more than any other, music invades the street and brings me back to reality.
Today is the Day of the Party.

I have been thinking about this party since the day of the cigarette in the bathroom. Everyone popular in the school will be there, and especially Paul will be there. Today, however, he was a little vague.
Why did he say we couldn't go together?
He didn't explain either what he had to do or if he was coming later.

I keep riding. I used to ride the bike with my phone in my hand to see the route, but now that I have put this mount on the handlebars it is easier. The navigator says Jasmine's house is right in front of me.

The out-of-tune singing of a few boys gives me the impression that the party for someone is off to a great start; from the downstairs windows, two girls are laughing with glasses in their hands; in the courtyard, three boys are high-fiving each other as they climb the stairs, and enter the front door.

I take a deep breath. Okay, now it's my turn.

I place the bike by the fence and put the chain on. If Paul or Lucas wanted to steal it, they would take a second. The memory of Paul opening the principal's office with hairpin and paperclip comes before my eyes. The memory of the kiss on the roof does the same. I smile.

My hands are damp, drying them on my jeans. But... Wait a minute. This car in the driveway is Lucas's. Did he bring Paul along, too?

I slip the phone out of my pocket: no new messages. Better to go inside.

I climb the steps and knock on the door. I wait, but I think the music is too loud. I knock louder. Now, someone should be able to hear me. No movement.

I lean out to see to the window, but the girls with glasses can't even see that I exist.
How did those three guys get in?

I knock really hard with both fists. A few seconds pass and the music stops. What?

Silence falls, the silhouettes of the girls at the window are gone. But what the hell has happened?

Someone clears his throat beyond the door, opens it. It is David.

He lets out a sigh of relief and turns to someone in the distance. "False alarm! You can put the music back on!"

I still don't understand and the chaos begins again.

"Martha, right?"

"Yes. And you are David."

"That's me."

"Can you explain what happened a moment ago?"

"You can tell it's your first year coming." He smiles. "You can't knock in the middle of the party."

"Why?"

"Because no one here knocks on the door, people just come in. It's always been done this way. When you knocked, we thought it was the police."

A boy passes me from behind and enters. "Hello, David." They high-five each other. "Hi, Bob."

What a bad impression, what a shame. "I'm sorry."

"You gave us a scare." With his hand he invites me inside. "Don't worry, you were just ruining the most important party of the year. Just relax now, though, and give the phone to him."

He points to a boy on a stool, not looking like he's having fun at all. He looks apathetic. He hands me a clear plastic box full of phones, doesn't say a word.

"How come?" I insert the phone among the others.

"Everything that happens here." He spreads his arms wide. "It stays here."

Here's Fight Club again.

"It's the rules: no videos, no photos, no calls. Simple rules, but fundamental to being here. If you were caught violating any of these rules, you would be excluded from anything and you would be hounded for the entire school year."

"Wow. All right, you've convinced me. I'm not going to do any of that."

"Follow me, I'll take you to Jasmine. I don't want to fight with her today."

We walk through the crowd.
The party seems to have started quite a while ago or people have settled in very quickly.
The music is loud, girls and boys are dancing, sweating, drinking. A group of them are playing beer pong, shooting hoops in the glass and drinking; around a table, others are playing cards, one guy has just lost, he throws his cards on the floor, takes off his shirt and remains shirtless, a girl in front of him is already in her bra and laughing; on two sofas, someone is kissing, without any inhibition.

We come to a sliding window; beyond, there is the pool. Okay, it's confirmed: Jasmine is stinking rich.

We go outside, the music is muffled, there is a group of boys and girls on the edge of the pool. They are sitting and chatting.

That's Paul! He didn't tell me he had already arrived. It's okay, it's okay, he must have forgotten. I don't want to be heavy, I pretend nothing happened. Lucas, Jasmine, Nicole and Chloe are also there.

"Hello, Martha." Jasmine gets up and walks over to me. Welcome to my Kickoff Party."

"Thank you."

"Come sit down, we were going to start a game."

"What game?" I sit down between them. "Hello everyone." They greet me.

"It's called 'Truth or Dare?'"

"How is it played?"

"It's simple. For example, I start and ask, 'Truth or Dare?' If you choose 'Dare,' you are forced to do what I tell you to do; if you choose 'Truth,' I ask you a question and you have to answer it. Simple, right?"

"It seems so."

"Okay, let's go." Chloe takes the floor. "I'll start the question." She turns to Lucas. "Truth or Dare?"

"Truth."

"What's the last lie you told?"

"I told my mother I wouldn't be late tonight."

There is a general chuckle.

"All right. All right. Nicole, Truth or Dare?"

"Truth."

"Tell me one thing about you that no one knows?"

"I killed a man." Her face turns serious and she looks at us making one eye twitch.

We laugh.

Chloe points her index finger at her. "Come on, answer the question."

"When I was a child, I broke a lamp that was in the living room and I never told my parents. I blamed it on my younger sister."

"David, Truth or Dare?"

"Dare."

"Take off three clothes and you can put them back on in two shifts."

He takes off his shoes. "Do these count for two?"

"Don't be a smart ass. The shoes count as one."

He takes off his sweatshirt and T-shirt. "Happy?"

"That's good. The air is getting warm. Martha, Dare or Truth?"

Maybe Truth is better, Dare might be something I wouldn't want to do. "Truth."

"Have you ever done anything illegal?"

I glance at Paul, who smiles at me and quickly looks away. Before him, I would have answered 'No' to this question, but, to this day, the answer has changed. I walked into the school at night, then into the principal's office and took back the Walkman that had been confiscated from me. Better to keep it for myself. "No, but this year I smoked a cigarette in the bathroom. Does that count?"

Jasmine wets her fingers in the pool and splashes on me, laughing. "No, that one doesn't count. Wait, hold on." She rummages in her pocket, hunting for a pack of cigarettes. "This is illegal." There is a joint inside. "If you want to say 'Yes' next time, smoke this." She lights it and takes a drag.

"No, thanks. I'm okay."

Jasmine shrugs, Chloe takes it. "Let me have a puff. Paul, it's your turn. Truth or Dare?"

"Dare."

"You have to bark for a minute like a dog."

"What?"

"You got it right. Do it."

"Woof, woof, woof, ..." He gets on all fours, walks around us, pushing us around, lifts his leg and pretends to pee on Lucas.

"Damn you, you don't have to pee here. Go away, you bad dog."

We laugh and Paul howls at the moon.

Chloe takes another drag. "Bravo, I see the role suits you. Jasmine, Truth or Dare?"

"Dare."

"Put this candy in your mouth." She pulls one out of her pocket. "And give it to Paul." She hands it to Jasmine. "No hands."

"So, do we have to kiss?"

"It's up to you. The important thing is that you give it to him without hands."

Jasmine unwraps the candy, puts it in her mouth, approaches Paul. Oh God, they are about to kiss, here, in front of my eyes. It's a stupid game, this doesn't count. They are getting closer and closer. I close my eyes. I don't want to see.

A loud noise, behind my back, jerks me up. A group of boys enter like a hurricane gone mad. Just in time! They block the candy game.

It's the basketball guys, picking Paul up by weight and throwing him into the pool. Everyone cheers. It's a sign, they weren't supposed to kiss.

On the wings of excitement, Lucas gets up, takes a run-up and dives in. Splashes of water come everywhere, I try to move, but I don't make it in time. I am wet. Jasmine, Nicole and Chloe get up and, screaming, dive in as well.

David watches me. "You know what's going on, don't you?"

"What?"

He picks me up. "Woof." He howls at the moon and dives in with me in his arms.

I'm inside the pool, my clothes are soaked. Tomorrow I'm going to catch hell, but the evening is really fun. Although for a moment Paul and Jasmine were about to... I don't want to think about it.

The boys dive in and splash the water repeatedly.

Jasmine swims toward me. "Martha, you're not offended, are you?"

"For what?"

"For the candy game I was going to play with Paul."

"No, don't worry. It's not like he's my boyfriend." Maybe I shouldn't say that, it would be better to make it clear that I care.

"I thought he was. You were so close these days."

"Let's say something is brewing."

"Do you trust him?"

"Of course. Why?"

"I don't know. Better to be on guard with guys like Paul." She smiles, turns and dives into the water.

What a strange conversation. Anyway, I trust him, he has never given me any reason to doubt him.

Meanwhile, fighting in the pool, on one side is Paul, sitting on Lucas's shoulders; on the other side is Nicole, on Chloe's shoulders. After a few pushes, Nicole manages to throw Paul off balance, and he falls off Lucas's shoulders and into the water. A roar of cheers goes up, as if we were at a basketball game. Everyone is on a high.

David approaches. "Are you having fun?"

"Yes, very much."

"You were off like a party pooper, and now look at you. You're in the pool, in your soaked clothes, enjoying the party."

"I just knocked on the door. It's not like it's the end of the world."

"You say that, because you didn't see people's faces when you knocked. We turned off the music! Do you understand what that means?"

"I guess it's a very serious thing."

"One of the most serious. It's equivalent to going over there and throwing out all the alcohol we have."

I smile. "I wouldn't dare."

David comes even closer. I can tell he's hitting on me. I move back a little. He's a nice guy, but I want to be with Paul. It's only him I'm interested in.

"That guy on the stool at the entrance, does he stay there for the duration of the party?"

"No, every hour he switches with someone else."

"Why do they do that? I mean, why did they decide to guard the phones?"

"People will do anything to be here, at this party." He comes up to the surface of the water, like a shark when aiming at its prey. "In this pool, with music, wet..."

Okay, too close. I move to the side. "I'm going out. It's starting to get cold."

"Go, go. I'll stay a little longer."

I get out of the pool. It's cold. I wring out my shirt and water is dripping on my feet. There are bathrobes on a lounger, I grab one and put it on. I swab my body and with the hood rub my hair.

I want to go and see if my mother has written me something.

I take off my shoes and socks, which are soaked with water, and enter the house barefoot and in my bathrobe. The music is very loud.

A couple is kissing, blocking my way, I slalom and get to the phone guy, who looks as still as a marble statue.

"Can I check the phone?"

"You can stay two minutes." The voice is mechanical. "If you take pictures, video, or make audio, I will have to report you to Jasmine, the one and only magnificent Queen of this house."

Oh God, he's been brainwashed. "Okay, okay, two minutes. I got it." I rummage through the phones and find mine. No message. Just as well, no problem.

I get a shove and the phone falls into plastic box. Two boys were running with a glass in their teeth.

I check the box, Paul's phone is right there. Why am I staring at it? I checked my phone, that's all I have to do. Stupid, Jasmine. She put the idea in my head. I'm not the jealous type, however, I would like to see his phone. What if he really hides something from me? No, no, Paul would never do that. My hands fall on Paul's phone.

The answering machine starts again. "You can stay two minutes. If you take pictures, video, or make audio, I will have to report you to Jasmine, the one and only magnificent Queen of this house."

"But is that all you can say? I'll do it right away. Settle down now."

Hopefully, he didn't put any password. Damn! I roll my eyes. What number will he have put in?

"I know the code." The answering machine boy speaks behind my back.

"Yes, just a moment, I'll give you the damn phone back now."

"Actually, I said, I know the number to unlock the phone."

I turn to him. "What? Why do you know it?"

"That guy unlocked it in front of my eyes. I don't have much to do here, so, I repeated it several times and learned it."

"Really? Could you tell me? Please."

"What's in it for me?"

"I'll tell Jasmine, the one and only magnificent Queen of the house, that you behaved well."

"Would you really do such a thing for me?"

"I promise."

The answering machine boy looks around. "741254."

"741254."

"I remember, because it looks like you write a 'P'. '741' form the long part of the 'P,' while-

"It works! It works! I'm in. Thank you." I give him a kiss on the cheek.

"You can stay two minutes-."

"Otherwise, the queen of the house will be pissed off. I know."

So let's see WhatsApp. Mom, Lucas, Jasmine. Jasmine? Why are they texting each other? Oh, right. They're in class together, it must be about something from school. I press on their conversation. I scroll to get the conversation from the beginning.

Jasmine: "So are you coming to the party tonight?"

Paul: "Yes, Lucas is picking me up."

Jasmine: "Do you want to come a little earlier? Then we can have some time alone. I have a free house."

Paul: "And what do I tell Martha? I told you I'm dating her."

Jasmine: "Tell her you can't come to the party together. It's not like you have to tell her everything anyway; she's not your girlfriend. She won't ask you any more questions."

Paul: "I feel sorry for her, I feel bad."

Jasmine: "Yes, I feel sorry too. She is a good girl. But you can't deny the attraction between us."

Paul: "I don't know what to do, I like you both. I don't want to hurt either of you. How can I do that?"

Jasmine: "Coin toss?☠️"

Paul: "No, really. I feel lousy just thinking I'm talking to you about this. Martha trusts me."

Jasmine: "All I can say is that it would be a great regret if you and I didn't try."

Paul: "..."

Jasmine: "What do you like about me?"

Paul: "I like your hugs."

Jasmine: "Hugs always last too short ❤️."

Paul: "Yes, they do. Instead, what do you like about me?"

Jasmine: "I love your hands. Your caresses are special."

Paul: "Do you tell that to all the boys you make fall in love?"

Jasmine: "No, I only tell those who are really worth it."

Paul: "..."

Jasmine: "Speechless?"

Paul: "..."

Jasmine: "Okay, I'll call a doctor."

Paul: "I've only known you for a short time, but I wouldn't want to lose you."

Jasmine: "I understand if you don't feel like hanging out with me. Poor Martha. I will accept whatever choice you want. I am always here."

Paul: "I would miss your kisses."

But what am I reading? Have they kissed yet? When? Who is Paul? I'm not understanding anything anymore.

"The two minutes are up."

I throw the phone in the box, walk briskly to the pool.

"Don't forget to talk well with Jasmine about me."

Jasmine wants to get me away from him, so she told me to be careful with Paul. She wanted to make me doubt. And she was also right, because she knew. What a bitch! She was being a friend: 'Will you meet us in the yard?'

I open the sliding window overlooking the pool. Nicole, Chloe, and David are in the pool splashing the water.

Lucas approaches. "Martha, where had you gone?"

"Where are Paul and Jasmine?"

Lucas scratches his head, embarrassed. "Martha, I don't agree with what's going on these days. I tried to tell Paul. I'm on your side."

I raise my voice. "Lucas, what is going on? Where are Paul and Jasmine?"

Chloe from the pool points to the tool shed. I move Lucas with a shove.

"Martha, don't go."

With great strides I reach it, open the door and there is no one there. I go behind and back to the wall is Jasmine, Paul is clinging to her and they are kissing.

I remain motionless, unable to believe my eyes. A dose of disappointment runs through my whole body. They are so quiet, kissing, they are with their bodies attached to each other. What about me, what is my place? Why are they doing all this despite my existence? They know of my existence and they kiss and play at destroying my feelings.

Paul turns around. "Martha!"

I run away. Lucas wants to tell me something, but I don't want to hear anyone. I advance the pace, enter the house, and tears begin to flood my face. The person to whom I would have given everything has betrayed me, without any restraint, without any remorse. In the conversation on WhatsApp, he said he felt guilty. But Those who feel guilty avoid it and would never do such a thing.

I open the door and am outside. I'm still crying, my breath is choked. I don't know how to breathe anymore. The crying goes on, my head is spinning. I sit on the steps and rest my wet face on my knees. Why did he do this to me? Why? We had all those good times. Is it possible that they meant nothing to him? Everything he said to me on the school roof was just bullshit. He had me by now, why did he want to tell me such things? He said he felt something. You don't act like that. You don't act like that!

I hear the door open, it's David.

"David, leave me alone."

He sits down next to me. "Martha, I'm sorry about what happened."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I can tell you were hurt by it."

"You think so?" I wipe away the tears that keep falling.

"Were you in love with him?"

"I don't know anymore."

"I don't know if Paul was in love with you, but I know Jasmine. And she's a real taker."

"I read the messages they were sending to each other. There seemed to be something strong between them. There was something binding them together. I felt like an intruder who was interrupting their attraction."

He hugs me. "No, you are not the intruder. You were dating him before she was. If he had been fair, he would have told you the truth instead of hunting two rabbits in one time."

"I read that he felt sorry for me and never wanted to hurt me."

"Those are crocodile tears. Meanwhile, he didn't stop and they kissed. Don't believe people like him. They look doubtful, but then they have no qualms about stabbing you in the back."

"What should I do now?"

"I would tell you to forget him, because people like that can only ruin your life."

Apnea continues, occasionally I cry, and sometimes I remember to breathe. "How can I forget? How?"

"That I can't tell you, maybe it takes time. Time is able to heal wounds you can't even imagine. I had to forget someone too, you know?"

"Who?"

"Jasmine."

"The girls say you were in another relationship while you were with her."

"What, but if she was the one who cheated on me!"

"That's not what they're telling people."

He removes his arm from my back. "And what are they telling? I want to know by now."

I wipe my tears with my hands. "I don't know if it's part of the same story, but apparently you got a girl pregnant."

"What did I do?"

"I knew it wasn't a true story, but it seems you are a Latin lover who cares so much about the growth of the world's population." I smile.

"That's all we needed. That's why I can't get laid anymore."

"Really?"

"Let's just say that before Jasmine, I couldn't complain."

"I believe you, come on. You're not so bad."

Through the window, Chloe is watching us, smiling.

"You're not so bad either. Even when you cry." He strokes my cheek with his thumb and intercepts a tear. He moves closer and our lips meet. We are kissing.

I surrender to the kiss, wanting to think of nothing at this moment.

Time has disappeared, Paul has disappeared, Jasmine has disappeared. The emotions? Gone.
There is only a kiss. A sudden kiss that comes out of the blue, that is able to interrupt everything.
And I, now, need a break.