The Truth About Faking

sad when we fake broke up?”
    I stare at him. This isn’t the question I expected. It’s quiet, and I can hear the trickle of the water flowing downstream in the creek. I think of that afternoon. The pain in my stomach, my urge to clutch my pillow and cry when we hung up the phone. I’m certainly not giving him that bit of information. Still…
    “Okay,” I nod. “Yes.”
    Jason laughs. “I knew it.”
    “So? It was fun. I mean… we had a good time together.”
    “Mm hm.”
    “Weren’t you sad?”
    “It’s not my question.” He grins.
    “It is now. Truth or dare?”
    “So we’re going again?”
    “Sure. Which is it?”
    “Dare.”
    “Jason!”
    He laughs. “What? You think I don’t know how to play this game?”
    “OK. Dare.”
    I look around again. What now? We’re practically in the middle of nowhere. And I don’t want to say anything too outrageous or personal because then it’ll be my turn again…
    “Go ring the doorbell five times on that house over there,” I point at a different house slightly farther down the street than the previous one.
    “Five times?” He frowns. “That’s just mean, H.D. They could have little kids.”
    “Doubtful. I don’t know anybody with little kids who can afford to live out here.”
    “That’s very stereotypical.”
    “That’s the dare.”
    He grumbles something and gets up. I watch him dash off into the night. The house is on the corner, so I lose sight of him briefly. My turn’ll be next, and I’m not sure what I’ll choose. Just then I see lights come on in the house and a slim, dark figure dash across the street and behind the neighboring houses. Moments later Jason’s dropping onto his back beside me again, breathing hard.
    “Shew,” he pants, staring up at the night sky. “Too much running.”
    “You have to be in shape to keep up with me,” I grin, leaning toward him. A piece of my hair slides into his face. He catches it and twirls it around his finger.
    “Next house better be closer,” he smiles giving it a little tug. “Truth or dare?”
    I slide my hair back and straighten up again. “Um… Dare.”
    “Ha ha! Now you’ve fallen into my clutches,” he evil-laughs, jumping up beside me.
    “Jason. Nothing ridiculous.”
    “Uh huh,” he nods. “Skinny dip in the creek.”
    I roll my eyes. “How did I know it would be something like that?”
    “That’s the dare,” he smiles.
    “No.” I shake my head.
    “You can’t say no.”
    “I just did.”
    “So you’re reneging?”
    “I’m not getting naked in front of you.”
    “That’s a nice image,” he smiles, leaning back again. “You realize that gives me the next two turns?”
    “I don’t care.”
    “You don’t have to undress here,” he says as if I could be persuaded. “You could do it over there.”
    “No,” I say.
    “It’s dark.” He’s still smiling at me. For some reason I think of his lips touching my neck and my stomach tightens.
    “No,” I say softly.
    He seems encouraged. “Why not?”
    I shake my head to focus. “Did you really just ask me why not?”
    “I’m just wondering what your actual reasons are.” He speaks like we’re on the debate team. “I mean, I can guess what they might be, but I want to be sure you’ve thought this through.”
    “First, there’s my stated reason,” I say, matching his tone. “Second, because what’s to stop you from running off with my clothes once I’m out there?”
    “I’d never do that to you, H.D.” He acts offended at the suggestion.
    “Of course you wouldn’t. Sorry. No.”
    “OK,” he grins. “Truth or dare?”
    I pause. Then I reach for another bottle and twist the top off. “Truth.”
    He watches me, still grinning. “Hmm… what would I like to know.”
    “This again,” I mutter, taking a sip.
    He looks around then brightens. “Who was your first?”
    I cough and send wine through my nose. “Ugh!” I squeal grabbing his sleeve to wipe it.
    “Now that’s attractive,” Jason laughs. “Nice. Do they teach you that at cheer camp?”
    “Did you just ask me what I think you did?”
    “Who was your first?” He repeats as if it’s the most casual question in the world.
    I sniff a few times and wipe my nose with the back of my hand. He’s still looking at me, waiting. I sit back and push my hair behind my shoulder, trying to be cool. I look off at the creek.
    “What makes you think there’s been a first?”
    Jason raises his eyebrows. “That answers two