"Peter, truth or dare?"

It's a question which had the ability contort one my reputation faster than Nixon's rep after Watergate. I sit next to Nadia, keeping my eyes as far away from my roommate, Jason, as possible. He's wearing that t-shirt I like and those jeans that frame his ass so well and- Oh god! I need to stop before I pop a hard-on in the middle of the game. Ivy sits across the circle, a bottle of beer in one hand and one of Mary J's brownies in the other. It smells like puke and smoke in here and I feel so out of uncomfortable that I just might contribute to the overwhelming stench of throw-up. There's something about parties that made me uneasy, like I always have to be on guard. If I drink too much, I'll forget about the closet I'm stuck in and start grinding on Jason. If I get really high, I'd forget about the closet, Jason and grinding, gay, gay, gay, etc. So, I keep away from the liquor, the brownies, or any other intoxicating substances which could lead to me and my secret boyfriend's accidental coming out.

"Peter, it's your turn."

Sometimes, I wonder if anybody really cares. About being gay, I mean. My classmates do loads of things that are considered worse than liking boys the way you're supposed to like girls, so why should my feelings for Jason be frowned upon? I am truly happy when I'm with him, when we cuddle in bed at night, when we skip Mass and make out I our dorm or when he sneaks me a kiss in the hallway. Surely that counts for something? So why should anybody care about—

"Peter!" Ivy slurs, her voice dripping with intoxication. "Take your fucking turn or I'll make you kiss Lucas."

"Don't bring me into this."

"Just shut up and let 'im take his turn."

Jason is staring at me. I can feel my cheeks flushing and there's something about the way he's looking at me… He wants me to pick truth, which is my natural response when playing this game, but, as I look around the circle, at the friends I've made and the trust I've allowed them, I know that it's exactly what I shouldn't do.

A smile spreads across my face as I answer: "Dare."