The Dare

    By enyarenfrow

    The Dare cover image

    04 Apr, 2024

    a group of young people standing in a hallway together smiling at the camera with a backpack on their shoulders, vancouver school, a stock photo, Ben Thompson, promotional image

    Jake, the popular eighth-grader, was dared by his friends to ask the new kid on a date. A dare was a dare after all.

    a group of young people standing in a hallway together, all smiling at the camera, with one boy in the middle of the room, northwest school, a stock photo, Ben Zoeller, kai carpenter

    Alex was the new kid, who had just started binding their chest. They were shy but held their head high with a quiet resilience.

    a boy with a backpack standing in front of a group of people in a hallway with a poster of him, photorealism, a photorealistic painting, F Scott Hess, official art

    Under the dare, Jake approached Alex at the cafeteria. 'Hey Alex, would you...um...go out with me?' he asked, his usual smirk replaced with a nervous grin.

    two boys sitting in a classroom with a pizza in front of them and people in the background watching them, vancouver school, a photocopy, Felix-Kelly, cinematic still

    Alex looked surprised but agreed, 'Sure Jake, I'd like that.' Their voice was soft but steady, their eyes curious but cautious.

    two young men sitting at a table with cups of coffee in front of them smiling at the camera man is sitting next to the man, antipodeans, a stock photo, Andries Both, symmetrical facial features

    On the date, Jake found himself genuinely enjoying Alex's company. They talked, laughed, and shared stories. Alex was different, intriguing.

    two young men standing next to each other on a sidewalk in front of a store front window with lights on, aestheticism, a photocopy, Andries Both, symmetrical facial features

    As they left the café, Jake felt a strange flutter in his stomach. He glanced at Alex, their eyes meeting in a silent understanding.

    a boy sitting on a bed in front of a wall of sports memorabilia and posters on the wall of a bedroom, lowbrow, a poster, Dan Scott, kai carpenter

    Back at home, Jake replayed the date in his mind. He could still feel the warmth of Alex's laughter, the spark in their eyes.

    a couple of kids standing next to each other in a room with pictures on the wall and a window, sots art, poster art, Aaron Jasinski, official art

    He realized he was imagining being with Alex, holding their hand, kissing them. It was unexpected, but it felt...right.

    two boys standing in a hallway with lockers in the background and a third boy standing in the foreground, vancouver school, a stock photo, Andries Both, symmetrical facial features

    The next day at school, Jake found Alex at their locker. 'Hey Alex, about that date...it wasn't just a dare. I really like you.'

    two boys are standing in a hallway with backpacks on their shoulders and smiling at the camera, with other people in the background, vancouver school, a stock photo, Andries Both, young

    Alex looked at him, their eyes wide, 'Really Jake? Are you sure?' Their voice was hopeful, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.

    a couple of kids standing next to each other in a hallway with a backpack on their back and a backpack on their shoulder, sots art, concept art, Brothers Hildebrandt, official art

    Jake nodded, 'Yeah, I'm sure. I really like you, Alex.' His words echoed through the hallway, a confession that marked a new beginning.

    two boys are standing in a hallway with a backpack on their shoulders and smiling at the camera, with a group of people in the background, vancouver school, a stock photo, Felix-Kelly, 8 5 mm f 1. 8

    Alex smiled, 'I'd like to go on another date, Jake.' Their words floated in the air, a promise for a future filled with possibilities.

    The Dare

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