Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 19:48:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: Brad Wiley <newbie2k79@yahoo.com>
Subject: to the end

This is my first attempt at writing a story to Nifty.  After reading quite
a few, I feel ready to take on one of my own.  If you are not old enough to
read this, go away.  Flames will be taken into consideration, but not
necessarily heeded.  ;) I claim all rights to this story, so leave it be.

     I couldn't believe we were doing it again.  Every time we play this
stupid game, someone always ends up getting hurt.  I sighed and sat on the
floor, waiting for the inevitable.  Sure enough, Jason pulled out the
quarter.
     "Call it, Brent!" Jason said.  "It's between you and Peter."
     "Heads," I called.  I sighed again and closed my eyes.  I didn't
really want to know what it landed on.
     "Ha! It's tails.  Ok, Peter, now it's you and me.  Call it."
     "Whatever it doesn't land on." Peter said.
     I opened my eyes and grinned at Peter.  We exchanged knowing looks.  I
guess I wasn't the only one who was getting tired of this game.  We looked
at Jason, who looked like he was ready to cry.
     "Okay, okay, I'll call tails." Peter said.
     Jason brightened up instantly and peeked at the coin.  His face fell,
but then he smiled up at Peter.  "You win, you go first."  Peter rolled his
eyes.
     Let me explain a few things before we go much further.  For nearly a
year, we have been known as the Three Musketeers.  We were 14, all within
weeks of each other.  Jason's birthday was the 16th, Peter's was 21st, and
mine was the 27th.
     Ever since my family moved here last November, Peter, Jason, and I
became instant friends.  I had always doubted the possibility of that
happening, but these two proved me wrong.  We did everything together:
camping, school baseball, and family things.  You almost never saw one of
us without the other two close behind.
     We weren't perfect, not by a long shot.  But since we have come to
realize that, we get along just fine.  I'm not exactly sure when it
started, but for the past several months, we would end up at one house or
another and play Truth or Dare.  Honestly, I thought a 14 year old was a
bit old to be playing a children's game.
     Peter and I knew that one way or another Jason always lost.  Even if
he won.  He was addicted to the challenge, and hated asking.  We played
along, but like I said, it was getting old.  One of these days, I'll find a
way to break it to him slowly.  Until then, we continue to play...
     "Ok, Jason." Peter began.  "Truth or Dare?"
     Jason pretended to think for a moment.  "Dare."
     "I dare you to run up and down the street in your boxers."
     Jason immediately began to strip down to his boxers.  Peter and I just
watched.  I don't think we've ever found anything he won't do.  We followed
Jason to the front door and watched him parade down the street.  I swear he
was enjoying this just a little too much.
     Jason strutted down the street, walked around the cul-de-sac, and came
back up the other side of the street.  When he reached the entrance to the
neighborhood, he crossed back to our side of the street and walked back.
Peter and I moved out of the way as Jason reentered the house.  He calmly
put his clothes back on and sat on the couch.
     I sighed and led Peter back into the front room.  Peter sat on the
other side of the couch, and I took my customary position on the floor.
Jason rubbed his hands together, and with a gleam in his eye, looked
straight at me.
     Now, I'm not usually afraid of anyone or anything.  I'm fearless.  But
when Jason gets that look in his eye, I cringe.  I don't think its Jason at
that point.  Some crazed lunatic is controlling him, but I can't stop it.
I brace myself and await my fate.
     "Brent, Truth or Dare?" Jason asked.  I nearly peed myself hearing the
way he said it, but I swallowed hard.  Then I realized that my mouth had
gone dry.
     "Truth." I managed to croak out.
     "Truth?" Jason almost looked crestfallen, then that dark fire came
back to his eyes.  "Ok, fine.  I know you have a crush on someone.  Who is
it?"
     Instantly, I felt cold.  All the heat of the late summer afternoon
just vanished.  My eyes begged him to take back the question.  I'd answer
any other question but that one.  I felt trapped.
     "Good question, Jason." Peter piped up.  "Tell us, Brent, who do you
have a crush on?"
     Although I knew he was innocent, I wanted to kill Peter just then.  He
betrayed me with that simple, innocent question.  I felt the tears
building.  My breath came in short gasps.  The walls started closing in.
No, Jason was leaning closer.  I couldn't take it any more.
     With a sharp intake of breath, I jumped up from the floor.  Jason's
look of surprise almost calmed me down.  Almost.  My hands were balled up
into fists, and I was forcing myself to breathe normally.
     "I've had enough." I blurted.  "I can't do this anymore."  I spun
around and walked out the front door.  The moment I hit the sidewalk, the
tears finally overflowed.  I couldn't tell them.  I just couldn't tell them
I had a crush on Jason.  Peter was yelling at me to return, but I barely
heard him.  I just wanted to get away from those eyes.

Sorry this first chapter is so short.  I'm still trying to get used to the
idea of writing.  I'll have the bugs worked out by the second chapter.
Thanks for bearing with me.  Any comments should be directed to
Newbie2k79@yahoo.com