The rooftop was alive with music, laughter, and the scent of expensive perfume mixed with the crisp night air. The Brooklyn skyline stretched beyond the edge, glittering against the dark sky.
Lana wasn't much of a party girl, but she was trying.
Mason had convinced her to come, promising it would be a great way to meet new people. And for a while, it wasn't bad. She stuck close to him, exchanged a few polite introductions, and even laughed at a joke Xander made—though she wasn't sure if he had been serious or not.
But then came the game.
Bailey, in her usual charming yet dangerously sharp way, had insisted on playing Truth or Dare. It started simple—harmless questions, lighthearted dares.
Then it got personal.
One girl was dared to call her ex and confess she still loved him. A guy had to take a body shot off Bailey's neck. Someone else admitted to cheating on a past boyfriend.
The group roared with laughter, but Lana felt her chest tighten.
She wasn't used to this kind of openness, this sharp-edged game where vulnerability was entertainment.
And then—
"Lana's turn!"
Bailey's voice rang through the circle, all eyes snapping to Lana.
She stiffened.
Bailey smirked. "Truth or dare?"
Lana hesitated.
Truth felt too dangerous Bailey would undoubtedly ask something humiliating. But dare? That could be worse.
"Truth," she said finally, keeping her tone even.
Bailey's eyes glinted. "Alright," she purred, savoring the moment. "Have you ever had a real first kiss?"
The group reacted immediately, laughter and whispers buzzing like static.
Lana's stomach dropped.
She could feel the heat creep up her neck, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Of course," she said, hoping her voice didn't shake.
Bailey tilted her head. She wasn't buying it.
"You sure?" she pressed, her smile sickly sweet. "Because real means, you know—actual chemistry. Not just some awkward peck."
Lana's fingers curled into her lap.
The way Bailey said it made her feel exposed, like she was being picked apart in front of everyone.
"Yeah. I'm sure," she said, her voice firmer this time.
Bailey held her gaze for a moment longer before giving a shrug. "If you say so."
The conversation shifted, the group moving on, but the damage was done.
Lana sat there, pretending to be engaged in the next turn, but her mind raced.
She needed air.
Slowly, she pushed to her feet, slipping away from the circle. No one noticed—except Xander, who gave her a fleeting glance but said nothing.
She stepped toward the quieter side of the rooftop, away from the flashing lights and drunken chatter.
And that was when she realized she wasn't alone.