The Love Dare: One Game, One Kiss, One Night That Changes Everything.

**Val's P.O.V:**

The morning sun spilled through my curtains, and the cheerful chirping of birds outside my window tried its best to convince me that today would be a good day. I stretched lazily, contemplating the idea of opening the window to let in the crisp morning air. Maybe today would be different. Maybe today, I'd wake up as one of those people who greet the day with a smile and a sense of purpose. Yeah, right. Let me paint you a more accurate picture of how **Valentina "Val" Torres** actually starts her day.

Spoiler alert:

It's not pretty. I was deep in a dream-probably something involving a beach, a hammock, and zero responsibilities-when my alarm blared like a fire alarm in my ear. My hand shot out, slamming the snooze button with the precision of someone who'd done this a thousand times before. Five more minutes. That's all I needed. "Valentina Torres! If you're not downstairs in two minutes, I'm leaving without you!" My brother, **Reynolds**, bellowed from the hallway, his fist pounding on my door like he was trying to break it down. "Go away!" I groaned, burying my face in my pillow. It was way too early for his nonsense. Then it hit me. *Crap, I'm going to be late.* I launched myself out of bed, moving at a speed that would make Olympic sprinters jealous, and threw on the first semi-presentable outfit I could find: a baggy black shirt I'd doodled on to make it look artsy and a pair of high-waisted mom jeans. I dashed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, splashed water on my face, and grabbed my glasses before bolting downstairs. I snagged an apple from the fridge and sprinted outside to Reynolds's black Mustang. I'm not a car person-as long as it gets me from point A to point B, I don't care what it is. But of course, Reynolds treats that thing like it's his firstborn child. I yanked open the passenger door, only to find **Jaxon "Jax" Steele** already sitting there, smirking at me like he'd just won the lottery. "Morning, princess," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Morning, *princess*," I shot back, rolling my eyes and sliding into the backseat. I plugged in my earphones, determined to drown out whatever nonsense Jax and Reynolds were about to start.

---

### **At School**

The school parking lot was its usual circus of chaos-kids laughing, backpacks slung over shoulders, and the faint hum of drama already brewing. I made a beeline for my locker, where my friends were huddled together, chatting like they hadn't seen each other in years. Reynolds and Jax strutted through the entrance like they owned the place, their smirks and swagger drawing attention from every direction. I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. A girl with enough makeup to supply a Sephora tried to flirt with Jax, but he looked at her like she'd just offered him a plate of broccoli. One thing about Jax: he hates when girls wear too much makeup. Not because he's some feminist icon, but because, in his words, "It gets everywhere, and I don't need foundation on my collar." Charming, right? I couldn't resist messing with him. I blew him an exaggerated kiss, and he responded by sending me a flying one. I caught it mid-air, pretended to stomp on it, and smirked as he clutched his chest like I'd shattered his heart. He mouthed, *'You're cruel,'* and I mouthed back, *'I know.'* Turning back to my friends, I asked, "What are you guys talking about?" "What are *you* talking about?" **Juliette Monroe** asked, her blue eyes narrowing suspiciously. Her blonde hair was tied up in a loose bun, and her freckles stood out against her minimal makeup. "We were just talking about the party tonight," **Brielle Hayes** said, her dark curls bouncing as she spoke. "You in?" "Oh," I said, hesitating. Parties weren't really my thing anymore. Not after...well, let's just say I had my reasons. "Come on, Val! It's been forever since we went out together," Juliette whined, dragging out the last word like a toddler begging for candy. "A year and a half," I corrected. "And I already have plans for tonight." "Plans like binge-watching *The Office* for the hundredth time?" Brielle asked, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe. You never know," I said, trying to sound mysterious. "I do," Brielle muttered under her breath. "If you come, we'll get ice cream at 3 a.m. and do something stupid," Juliette offered. "Fine," I relented. "But I'm not drinking." They all nodded in agreement, and I felt a tiny spark of excitement despite myself.

---

### **English Class**

English class was my sanctuary-well, it would've been if Jax hadn't decided to sit right next to me. I was scribbling down notes from the board, trying to ignore him, but he kept poking my arm like a child with no concept of personal space. "What do you want?" I finally hissed, glaring at him. "I wanted to...uh...wait, never mind. I forgot," he said, shrugging like it was no big deal. I sighed, counting down the minutes until class ended.

---

### **The Party**

Fast forward to the party. The bass from the music thumped through the walls, and colored lights flashed in every direction. Brielle parked a few blocks away because the street was packed with cars. We walked up to the house, and I could already feel the energy buzzing in the air. Mason, the host, greeted us with a bottle of champagne in hand. "Hey, ladies! Glad you could make it. Looking good, Val," he said with a wink. "Thanks," I said, forcing a smile. Brielle and Juliette headed off to grab drinks, leaving me alone at the bar. I ordered a non-alcoholic drink and scanned the room, my stomach sinking when I spotted Jax across the room. "Shit," I muttered under my breath. Brielle followed my gaze and smirked. "Worried all the girls won't be able to take their eyes off him?" "No," I said, rolling my eyes. "If Jax is here, Reynolds is here too. And I didn't tell him I was coming. If he sees me, I'm dead." "Just avoid him," Brielle said, like it was the easiest thing in the world. But as I turned back to the bar, I saw Reynolds walking toward me, his expression anything but happy. "Shit," I said again, louder this time.

**Val's P.O.V**

"Heyyy, Reynolds..." I forced a nervous smile, my voice wavering as I tried to sound casual. "Don't 'Hey Reynolds' me," he snapped, his tone sharp enough to cut through the party noise. "You said you were staying at Brielle's. What are you doing here? And what are you even wearing?!" He paused, taking a deep breath. "Do you have any idea how worried I was when my friends told me you were here? And you didn't even bother to tell me you were coming to this party!" He spat it all out in one breath, his frustration palpable. "Well, you didn't ask..." I mumbled, avoiding his gaze and staring at the floor. He sighed, his anger deflating as he took a seat next to me. "Look, Val," he began, his voice softer now. "I just don't want to see you get hurt again." "I know," I said, finally meeting his eyes. "It's just...I haven't been to a party in forever, and I wanted to remember what it felt like. And don't worry, I'm not drinking. I'm the designated driver." I waved Brielle's car keys in his face, hoping to lighten the mood. He groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. Just...be safe, okay? I'll see you tomorrow." "Okay, Reynolds," I said, grinning. "Love you, Old Guard." "Don't call me that," he muttered, standing up and walking away. I watched him disappear into the crowd, feeling a mix of relief and guilt. Before I could dwell on it too long, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see

**Mason** smiling at me, his dimples on full display. I had to admit, Mason was undeniably attractive. "Hey, Val," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "Hey," I replied, returning his smile. "You enjoying the party?" he asked, leaning in slightly to be heard over the music. "It's...alright," I said with a shrug. "Not really my scene, but it's something." "We're playing truth or dare over there," he said, gesturing to a group of people gathered in a circle. "You wanna join?" "Truth or dare? Uh...can I just watch?" I asked, already feeling my social anxiety kick in. "Of course," he said, leading me over to the group. As we approached, I recognized a few familiar faces from school. Mason announced my arrival with a dramatic, "Look who decided to join us!" Everyone turned to look at me, except for the two people who were too busy making out in the middle of the circle. "Hey," I said awkwardly, waving at the group. The reactions were mixed. Some people looked surprised, others confused, and a few muttered things under their breath. "Is that Val?" "No way, she looks so different." "Ugh, what's *she* doing here?" "Damn, she's hot." I felt my cheeks burn as a few guys whistled in my direction. This was beyond embarrassing. "Have a seat," Mason said, gesturing to the armrest of the couch next to him. I sat down carefully, aware of how short my dress was. The last thing I needed was to flash someone accidentally. Finally, the two people who had been making out pulled away, and I froze. It was **Jax**. His eyes locked onto mine, wide with shock. He looked like he'd just seen a ghost. The game resumed, and I tried to focus on the dares, most of which were ridiculous and borderline inappropriate. Then, the bottle landed on Jax. "Alright, Jax," Mason said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Truth or dare?" "Dare," Jax said without hesitation, his confidence unwavering. "Okay,"Dragging out the word as he scanned the circle, his eyes landed on me, and my stomach dropped. "Kiss...Val", Mason says with a smirk. "Wait, what?!" Seriously? There are other girls here, you know. Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. This is just perfect. Jax starts walking toward me, shoving aside the girl he was making out with, his eyes locked on my lips with a hungry look. Oh no. Jax is completely wasted. In seconds, his soft lips are on mine, and it feels incredible. He pulls me closer, his strong arm wrapping around my waist. He stumbled slightly, looking at me with a mix of surprise and confusion. "Sorry," I mumbled, trying to push past him, but he grabbed my wrist. He leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered, "You look stunning." His voice sent shivers down my spine, and I felt my cheeks flush. Then he pulled away, leaving me speechless as he returned to his seat. I excused myself and bolted for the bathroom, my heart pounding in my chest. As I climbed the stairs, a guy I didn't recognize grabbed me and pulled me into a corner. I tried to scream, but his hand clamped over my mouth, muffling my voice. "Get off me!" I shouted, my words barely audible as I struggled against him. He twisted my arm, sending a sharp pain shooting through my body. "Stop struggling, and I won't hurt you," he said, his voice cold and menacing. Yeah, right. I kicked him as hard as I could, aiming for his most vulnerable spot. He doubled over, and I took off running, not stopping until I was sure he was far behind me. My heart was racing, and I realized I had no idea where the bathroom was. I was lost somewhere on the second floor, feeling dizzy and struggling to catch my breath. Then the memories came flooding back.

---

### **Flashback**

"Don't you just love it when I touch you?" he said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. Tears streamed down my face as he caressed my arm. "Ryan, please don't. You promised me," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "I did? Even if I did, it meant nothing," he said, his tone cold and detached. My breath hitched in my throat. This wasn't the Ryan I thought I knew. "Oh, baby, I can't hold back anymore when I know you're mine," he said, his grip tightening. "No! Get off me!" I shouted, pushing him away, only to be met with a sharp slap across my face. "You little piece of shit!" he snarled, shoving me back.

---

### **Back to Reality**

"Val, it's okay. I'm here." I looked up to see Jax standing in front of me, his eyes filled with concern. "Please, just breathe," he said softly. "I'm sorry," I sobbed, my voice breaking. "I...I can't forget it." Without thinking, I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder. He hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around me, his hand gently rubbing my back. "You don't have to apologize," he murmured. "I've got you." "Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. I could feel him smile against my hair. "Do you want to go home?" he asked after a moment. "Yeah," I said, pulling away slightly. "I think I should." "I'll take you. I'll let Reynolds know." "Please don't tell him what happened," I said, giving him a pleading look. "But-" he started, but I cut him off with a sharp glare. "Fine," he relented, sighing. As he turned to leave, I grabbed his hand. "Can you give these keys to Brielle?" I asked, holding out the car keys. He nodded, taking them from me. "I'll be right back." I watched him walk away, my mind still reeling from everything that had just happened. He'd seen me at my weakest, and for some reason, that thought terrified me.

---

### **Later That Night**

"The door's locked," Jax said, cursing under his breath. "Where's your mom?" "Out of town," I sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "My parents are out too," he said, running a hand through his hair. "You can stay at my place for the night if you want." "Okay," I said, nodding. "Thanks, Jax." He smiled, and for the first time that night, I felt a small sense of relief.

---

**Val's P.O.V**

Jax unlocked the door, and we stepped inside. He headed straight for the fridge, pulling out not a can of beer. Actually, let me reword that.....he takes out five cans of beer. I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms. "Jax, you've had enough to drink tonight," I said, trying to sound firm. "You're going to regret it in the morning." "Relax, babe," he said, cracking open a can with that infuriating smirk of his. "This is nothing. I'm Jaxon Steele. I don't get drunk." "Suit yourself," I muttered, shaking my head as I made my way to the living room.

---

### **Half an Hour Later**

I was scrolling through Netflix, trying to find something to watch that wasn't *Tyler Perry Sisters*, when I heard Jax call my name from the kitchen. "Val!" His voice was louder than necessary, and I could already tell he was past the point of no return. I sighed, setting the remote down and walking into the kitchen. "What is it?" I asked, bracing myself for whatever nonsense was about to come out of his mouth. "You have really pretty eyes," he said, his words slightly slurred. For a moment, I felt my cheeks heat up-until I noticed the five empty beer cans scattered across the counter. "Jax," I said, my tone firm. "It's time for bed." "But it's still early," he protested, his goofy smile making it hard to stay mad at him. "It's past midnight," I said, crossing my arms. "You're done." "No," he said stubbornly, before promptly passing out on the kitchen floor. Great. Just great. I couldn't just leave him there-he'd basically saved me earlier, and I owed him. But carrying him upstairs? That was going to be a workout.

---

### **The Struggle**

Ten seconds into trying to lift him, I was already regretting my decision. "Oh my God, how are you this heavy?!" I gasped, struggling to drag him up the stairs. His muscles, which usually looked so good, were now my worst enemy. By the time I reached the top of the stairs, I was sweating and out of breath. I grabbed his ankles and dragged him the rest of the way to his room, apologizing silently for the rough treatment. Finally, I managed to hoist him onto the bed, collapsing beside him as I tried to catch my breath. I turned to look at him, my mind drifting back to the almost-kiss at the party. A small smile crept onto my face as I remembered the way he'd looked at me. But before I could get up, his hand shot out, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back down. In one swift motion, he flipped us over, pinning me beneath him. His eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe. But then the memories came rushing back-memories I didn't want to think about. Before I could spiral, his lips were on mine, soft and insistent. My mind went blank, and I kissed him back without thinking. When he finally pulled away, his lips lingered just above mine. "You still owe me a kiss," he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

---

### **Morning After**

I woke up the next morning, disoriented and confused. It took me a second to realize I wasn't in my own bed. The events of last night came rushing back, and my eyes widened as I took in the room around me. This was Jax's room. And Jax himself was lying next to me, shirtless and still asleep. I bolted upright, scrambling off the bed and stumbling onto the floor. I was wearing his sweatshirt, and he was in nothing but his boxers. My face burned as I realized what this must look like. I needed to get out of here. Now.

---

### **Back Home**

I slipped into my house as quietly as possible, only to find Reynolds asleep on the couch, still in his clothes from last night. I tiptoed past him, hoping to make it upstairs unnoticed. "I'm awake!" he said suddenly, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "Okay," I said, trying to sound casual as I headed for the stairs. "Are those Jax's clothes?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "Maybe," I said quickly. "Why are you asking?" "No reason," he said, leaning back on the couch. "You guys didn't do anything...?" "Ew, no," I said, cutting him off. "Okay, bye!" I sprinted up the stairs before he could ask any more questions.

---

### **Alone in My Room**

I collapsed onto my bed, my mind racing. Did last night really happen? Did Jax actually kiss me? And did I kiss him back? My stomach fluttered at the memory, and I couldn't help but smile. But the smile didn't last long. The memories of what happened before the kiss came flooding back-the way that guy at the party had grabbed me, the way his hands had felt on my skin. I felt sick. I barely made it to the bathroom before I threw up, my body shaking as I leaned over the toilet. It had been a year, but I still couldn't forget. I couldn't escape it.

---

### **Breakfast with Reynolds and Bridget**

Later that morning, I sat at the kitchen table, picking at my breakfast. Reynolds was unusually quiet, but I could tell he was waiting for the right moment to bring something up. "Jax told me something yesterday," he said finally, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "Oh?" I asked, not looking up from my plate. "He said you had a panic attack at the party," Reynolds said, his voice softening. "Is that true?"

**Bridget**, our housekeeper and basically a second mom to us, turned from the stove, her hands on her hips. "Is this true, mija?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and scolding. "Yeah," I said, shrugging like it was no big deal. "It wasn't a big deal." "Valentina, didn't I tell you?" Bridget said, her voice rising. "You must always tell me when something like this happens!" "It slipped my mind," I muttered, avoiding her gaze. "Slipped your mind, my ass," Bridget said, shaking her head. "Next time this happens, you come straight to me. I'll give that boy a good beating." I laughed despite myself, covering it up with a cough. Bridget's protective streak was both endearing and slightly terrifying. "This is funny to you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Of course not, Bridget," I said quickly, trying to keep a straight face.

---

### **Flashback: Ronan**

His hands were all over my body, touching me wherever he could, but I couldn't move or make a sound. I was paralyzed. I had to watch as he unzipped his pants while I tried as hard as possible to move or at least scream-but I couldn't. I was stuck, and there was nothing I could do about it.

--- ### **Nightmares**

Later in the evening as l went to sleep, an hour after, I gasped for air as I jolted out of bed, terrified. I quickly turned on the lamp on my nightstand and looked around my room. I'm alone. Alone and safe. There's no one here but me. I clutched my blanket in my fist and tried to even out my breathing, placing my hand on my chest as I did so.

*You're safe. Reynolds is in the next room. If anything happens, he'll be right here. Nothing and no one can hurt me. I'm safe.* I repeated the words to myself, trying to calm my racing heart. But every time I closed my eyes, I saw him. I saw the guy from the party. I saw Ronan. I saw every man who'd ever harassed or assaulted me. It's hard.

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