Chapter 30: Chapter 30

: Britney’s Dare:

See, Life has a way of challenging you.

Sometimes we pass sometimes we fail, it's the way of the world.

For the Ryder's it came six months later. Life gave them slap in the face, and this is where it all began.

*****

Britney had been spending more time with Ted. They had just finished their project but she was using this week to give him some pointers on how to be much more appealing to Mckayla.

Truth be good she was rooting for him, but Mckayla seemed adamant on insisting Ted was more of a friend than anything else.

However Britney knew her cousin quite well and even if she was denying any attraction toward him, she couldn't help but feel there was something there. Some sort of attraction Mckayla was masking for some reason.

At least that was what she thought.

In the meantime, she and Chris had gotten closer over the last six month. Actually, they usually had lunch together.

Chris and Justin as well as the rest of the crew were quite busy as Justin was in the midst of recording his first studio album.

Its due date for release was quite near and there were still some songs not yet done.

This went on for the next six months Chris would only call Britney from time to time. They text each other and meet on weekends, but they run out of things to tell each other.

It seemed like was running out for all of them. In between being and understudy and actually trying out for a role in an upcoming movie, Chris hands we're tied.

Anna on the other hand was different, she always had something unique to say and kept Chris smiling and fulfilled. Justin noticed so did Mr. Ryder and Bree.

They had no problem with it at all because ever since Anna came she had showed them that she was nothing but a darling.

On the other hand Britney had not been to the villa ever since there first encounter.

The group grew fond Anna to the extent where she was practically part of the crew. Always happy and bubbling with joy they found it hard to believe that she was best friends with Lucy who had become more cold and less of a ray of sunshine.

It didn't take a genius to see whatever was going on between Lucy and Justin had hit a dead end.

Justin and Lucy's relationship was simply not working as much as Justin tried, he felt as if he was only damaging it further.

Nothing was working.

It was a bright six months for Justin's career, being hosted on one of the biggest shows in a America, "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon," even performing on huge stages and platforms and opening acts for big singers such as Rihanna and Jason Derulo.

He was becoming a worldwide favorite. His fans, the stars were one quickly becoming some of the largest growing in the world.

Unfortunately his family was being torn apart. Apart from the issues between him and Lucy as well as those between Chris and Britney there was also issues between Bree and Robin.

Things were going to get ugly and it was all going to happen pretty fast.

***********

It all begun with Britney and Ted. Who were spending more time together than they should have? Making everyone raise an eyebrow in their direction.

Not that they had feelings for each other but actions do speak louder than words.

On this fateful day, Britney was at school, it was lunch time and people where lounging around.

She went looking for Ted to help her with something. She found him in his class room surrounded by a bunch of other guys, Mckayla stood opposite him as well as some other girls.

Ted was one of the popular kids at school, I mean they all were.

"Hey Couz," Mckayla greeted as she Britney joined the group, "what took you so long to get here?"

"Oh you wouldn't believe me if I told you," Britney replied, with a soft groan as she placed her bag on  one of the tables, before leaning against the table.

"Mr Godwinson class?"

"Yes and you know just how long he takes,”

Mckayla nodded in reply as the rest of the group greeted her, spotting Cassie whom she had not seen around for quite some time.

"So what's going on?" Britney asked giving the guys some special handshakes,”

"Where playing truth or dare," Bridget, a tall beautiful dark skinned, slim girl who was head of the cheer leader squad replied.

She was pretty and had thick dark hair that reached her shoulders in beautiful curls.

Her name was usually shortened to Bridge.

"Truth or dare you say," Britney replied smiling, with a cunning chuckle.

"So you in?" Ted asked eying her. Teds best friend Michael then backed him up, "or are you too chicken?” he mocked.

Britney looked at him in an as if you don't know me way. "I'm definitely in," she responded receiving a hell ya! From everyone else.

"Cool, let me spin the bottle," Bridge said as she spun the bottle around till it reached Fred, the captain of the football team, "oh...its captains turn!" Michael hollered as the rest if the guys hooted,

Fred leaned in, his face gardening as he breathed out and faced Bridge, "fine, give it to me," he said bravely while the rest of his mates patted his back encouragingly

Bridget smiled cunningly, "truth or dare?" She asked

"Truth!" "Dare!" "Truth," the guys hooted from behind.

"Shhh...Let me think," Fred hushed, "I'll take truth,”

The boys grumbled in disappoint but Bridge took it upon her to utilize his answer

"Okay, your crush?" She asked.

"Ooh," Ted and the other guys hooted,

He licked his lips, a small blush appearing on his cheeks as the Boys hooted behind him, as if they already knew his answer, "can I change?" He asked.

"You’re a captain, isn't one of your rules no retreat no surrender?" Bridge asked, folding her arms. Her best friend Kelsey backed her up with a "it sure is"

"Tell us! Tell us! Tell us!  Tell us," Mckayla began to chant as the others joined her

Fred begun to feel over heated, as he glanced at his friends who only chanted louder,  " dang it! It's Bridget alright?!" He yelled back.

Silence flooded the room.

"What just happened?" Mckayla asked breaking the silence lancing at everyone's surprised faces.

"I've been your secret crush all this time?" Bridget asked, softly.

Fred's shy eyes met hers, "Not anymore," Fred replied.

"If you liked me, then why did you kiss Melissa (another cheerleader) the other day?"

.

"Simple. To make you jealous,” Fred replied in his stead.

"Ooh!" The guys backed up. Before shutting one look from their team captain shut them up.

"It might not mean anything to you, but I regretted it, the moment I did. I was just desperate,” Fred explained softly, his eyes finding the floor in clear embarrassment.

Bridget smiled, walking toward him "you didn't have to try too hard," she said as she sat next to him. No one saw the kiss coming, hell it startled Fred more than anyone else, but it was not long before he kissed back sending the crowd into an uproar.

Britney couldn't help but wonder whose idea this was to play truth or dare at lunch time. This was a game for drunk people at parties.

"You see that ladies and gentlemen, that's why truth or dare is the best game ever, it can tear you apart or bring to people together," Ted announced, "whose next?"

Cassie raised her hand, moving toward the bottle and spun it around. It stopped on Britney.

"Looks like it's your turn Couz," Mckayla giggled turning to Britney.

Britney's mouth hang open for a second, a little surprised it was already her turn.

Karma was not on her side today, "Okay I guess I choose dare," Britney replied with a careless shrug.

The group of friends clapped, "Looks like we have a date devil in our hands," Bridge replied as the others cheered.

Cassie smiled, "okay, " she began turning to face Britney, she folded her arms giving her a sly smile, "I dare you too-" she paused taking a step closer to Britney, "Kiss Ted, right here right now, just like the French"

"Boom!" Micheal shouted out.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Mckayla whispered above the chant someone had started, as she glanced at her cousin with a slight shake of her head.

"You got to do it Brit! If I did, you can too," Fred argued as the rest agreed.

Ted was silent glancing over at his mates who kept the chant. Lord knows he didn't want to do it. He didn't feel anything for Britney other than that of a friend. How could he kiss his crushes cousin, right in front of her?

He cleared his throat, “Nah, guys I Think I'll pass" he replied.

"Oh you've got to do it, Rules of the game, no backsies" Cassie retorted, heavily supported by the others.

The gang went into a louder chant, "do it. Do it, do it," as they pushed Ted and Britney together.

Cassie took out her phone as the two got flow to each other.

Ted's eyes rested on Mckayla for moment "Let's just do it, to make them stop," Ted said, his eyes never leaving Mckayla.

Britney leaned in and they kissed, it looked slow and passionate to everyone who was watching but it was anything but that to either of them, breaking apart the moment they had joined.

"What's going on here?" A voice boomed from behind them.

Everybody looked behind stunned, it was Miss Litchfield, the principal. She caught the two of them right in the act.

"You two! Follow me!" She said sternly as the gang quickly dispersed. Britney and Ted stood up as they walked to her. Miss Litchfield adjusted her glasses.

"Britney? I did not expect such behavior from you!" She said sternly as they walked past her and out of the door, she gave the gang one last stern look before taking them to her office.

She made them explain what the meaning of their public display if affection meant. Especially on the scroll area.

However she was considerate having known that both Ted and Britney were one if the best students at school and this was their first blemish. She let them go with a warning never to do it again, and some detention.

Ted escorted Britney back home after detention before going back to his house. Aunt Molly was already home when Britney arrived, she was talking to Mckayla.

She walked into Mckayla's bedroom.

Mckayla looked up as her aunt entered, coming into contact with her Aunts stern gaze.

"Is there anything wrong?" Mckayla asked sitting up, her eyebrows furrowing.

"You tell me," Aunt Molly replied, folding her arms.

Mckayla wondered what possibly could have happened.

Aunt Molly sighed, lightly rolling her eyes as Mckayla's dumb expression "why didn't you tell me about Britney?"

"Britney?" Mckayla asked, her body stiffening.

"And her boyfriend,” Aunt Molly added, tilting her head, watching her niece closely.

Mckayla froze. Her Aunt knew! She knew about everything, about Chris. Oh they were in for it! She groaned knowing she probably would never hear the end of this and that she would be grounded forever and ever for keeping such a secret.

She stared at the ground, playing with her fingers in embarrassment and utmost guilt, there was no use lying to her Aunt now.

"Aunt Molly, I'm so sorry, I know how you felt about any of us dating a cele..."

"Why would you hide her Relationship with Ted?" Aunt Molly cut her short, as she straightened her posture, looking at Mckayla in disbelief.

"Ted?"

"You can stop playing dumb with me Mckayla, I know there dating. They usually have lunch together, she comes by the office often, he escorts her home and today I received a call from the principal that they were found…" she trailed off closing her eyes for a moment, "smooching."

Makayla was at a loss for words, half relieved her Aunt didn't know the real truth and half confused at the sudden news, she was about to say something when Britney barged into the room,  "Mckayla, I'm so sor-" she paused, as she saw her as, freezing in her steps.

Glancing from her mother Mckayla who sat on the bed in her fluffy pink pajamas, looking back up at her with wide eyes.

"Great, your here,” Aunt Molly began eyeing her daughter closely.

Britney paused, feeling small under her mother’s look.

"Tell me about your boyfriend," her Mother gritted out.

Britney's heart melted as she stared at the ground.

Tears filled her eyes, knowing fully well her mother would not in any way allow her to date Chris.

She blinked a couple of times before she broke, moving toward her with a playful look, "Mom please don't be angry with me," she pleaded taking her mother’s hand in hers, she had not looked at Mckayla who was desperately trying to get her attention.

Aunt Molly's eyebrows furrowed taken aback by the sudden display of affection as she watched her eyes cloud up with tears.

"I know you are angry, but please don't break us up," she pleaded

"You really like this guy?" Her mother asked, still confused. She was surprised Britney would reach the level of pleading for her to date Chris.

She was not Angry that she was, on the contrary she would rather Ted dating one of her daughters. She knew him quite well, but honestly she had always thought he had a thing for Mckayla and not Britney.

Britney nodded, starting up at her mother in anguish.

Aunt Molly smiled, "honey, you don't have to beg. I know Ted is a nice guy, and he is ideal for you. Frankly at first I thought he loved Mckayla but I guess love is love."

Britney's eyebrows furrowed at this as he mother went on, "I know that boy, he's a good person, of course I'll allow you two to date. I just want to know who you girls are with at all times," she said smiling, "that's why am mad you didn't say so earlier."

Britney paused for a minute as a tear rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away

"Ted?" she echoed, wondering to herself as she looked at Mckayla who rolled her eyes at her.

That what she got for not paying attention to her.

"It’s okay baby, you have my permission," Aunt Molly, said giving her a hug. "I'll go and prepare dinner," she said leaving the two of them, "Ted, who would have known?" She asked over her shoulder with a playful giggle as she left the two.

Britney looked at Mckayla, still recovering from both the shock and the surprise.

"Now look what you just did," Mckayla said, slapping her forehead.

"What just happened?" Britney asked in disbelief.

"You...” Makayla began pointing at her cousin, “just became a cheater," Mckayla replied, standing up, "I told you not to kiss him, now you’re in a mess."

"It was a dare,” Britney replied with a slight eye role, "it’s just a stupid game.'

"Oh goodie!  ah well then all is forgiven" Mckayla replied in a mockingly high voice, "I'm absolutely sure,  Chris understands that, oops, will understand that, " she turned to face her cousin, " I mean it's not like you two have been distant lately, if he hears about this, he won't get upset, "

"Stop being sarcastic. C'mon, you know I don't like Ted, he has a massive crush on you and anyways Chris won't find out, there's nothing to find,”

"Are you really sure about that?" Mckayla asked as she showed her the tablet she had been watching before Aunt Molly walked in. "Because right now, the whole world knows," she said as Britney watched the video of her and Ted kissing. Cassie had uploaded it in on the school web.

Britney stared at Mckayla, wide eyed, "That little witch!"

"You can't say I didn't warn ya," Mckayla responded, sitting back on her bed.

"What should I do? Uhmm.. Alright, alright, .this is just the schools website right? How in the world would Chris know about it?" Britney asked dropping beside Mckayla.

"I know Cassie, and I know ever since you snatched Chris away from her-"

"Snatched?! Psh, she didn't even want him!" Britney retorted.

"Hey! I'm just the reporter! Don't crucify me, “Mckayla replied.

"Then get your facts right!" Britney snapped.

Mckayla rolled her eyes, “Just, pray to God, that Chris doesn't see it," Mckayla replied, laying back.

Britney grabbed a pillow and screamed into it. Something told her things had just gotten messier.

*****

Unfortunately, Chris did see it. A link sent to his phone. He was startled to see that it was Cassie's number, one that he hadn't talked to since he met Britney.

Just one message that said, 'watch' with a link down below.

Needless to say, Chris did not see it as just a dare.

"This is the Ted guy I told you about," Chris said walking into Justin's room and showing him the video.

Justin took the phone from him, his eyebrows furrowing as he watched the video, Chris pacing around in the room.

"Damn Chris, is this Britney?" Justin asked.

"I don't know, what the hell does it look like to you?" Chris snapped back.

"What the hell is she doing?" Justin asked looking up at Chris. Chris was tense and walking about the room, "she said that were only friends," he repeated mostly to himself.

"Chris it says down here it was a dare, I know Britney she's a nice girl," Justin said in disbelief, after reading the tag below…

"That doesn't justify the fact that she did it, "

Justin sat up in bed, "cool down bro, "  he said soothingly, " it's just a game."

"What do you mean cool down?" Chris asked quite offended, "look, my girlfriend is right there kissing another man and your saying I should cool down?" He asked angrily.

"Bring my phone, I need to talk to her!" He boomed.

Justin clenched the phone tightly, "you're not going to talk to her in that temper," he said

"Give me the phone," Chris repeated calmly, in a commanding tone.

"That's not going to work on me," Justin defended.

"Give me the damn phone Justin!" Chris yelled just as Bree walked in. She passed immediately noticing the tense air between the two brothers" guessing you've seen the video," she said with her phone in one hand.

"How did you-" Chris began

"We love you boys, very much and we do respect your privacy, but we put tabs on the people that come into your life to avoid…uh...Scams.” She trailed off clearing her throat.

Chris turned around and hit the wall. He breathed out slowly and turned back to his startled family, “I need to talk to her, give me the phone,”

"No,”

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Chris asked his temper rising, "Give me my phone back!"

"I told you are not talking to her like that!" Justin argued.

Bree blocked Chris from approaching Justin.

"Chris,” she began soothingly.

Chris' jaw ticked

"Listen to me baby, Justin's right, you're too mad, you can't talk to a girl in your condition," she.

Chris looked at her with red eyes, "she said he was only a friend,”

"And he probably is, at best it's just a misunderstanding,”

Chris kept shifting from place to place, grumbling about being lied to.

"Look go and sleep and tomorrow when you've cooled down, you can go talk to her in person calmly," Bree soothed.

Chris clenched his fists, "I am your mother Chris, now do as I tell you!" Bree said in a strict tone.

Chris gritted his teeth and walked away hitting the wall again as he left.

Here and Justin exchanged looks.

"He'll be fine" Justin assured her.

********

The next day happened to be a Saturday. After having a bad night Chris woke up, not speaking to anyone, he ate his breakfast silently then went out straight to Britney's house.

He needed to know the truth. He knocked at the door.

Angrily he waited, nobody came. He knocked again harder this time. The door opened and a woman came out.

He felt slightly embarrassed as he realized it was probably Britney's mother. He was wearing a hood and so she didn't recognize him yet, which she probably would have given her job description.

"Yes young man, may I help you?" She asked, glancing at him, up and down.

He looked down a little embarrassed he smiled, "hi, I'm...I'm looking for Britney," he finally said not really knowing what to say.

"Britney?" She asked suspiciously,

"And who are you?"

"Chris," he replied boldly thinking she should have heard of him from Britney. Britney must have mentioned him to her mother right?

"Chris...I don't know you, are you a friend?" She asked, this time a little more suspiciously.

Chris looked at her astonished, he had told his family about Britney why didn't Britney tell her mother about him?

After a moment of silence she spoke up again, "Any way Britney just left with Mckayla and her boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" Chris echoed.

"Yes, Ted, her boyfriend."

Chris froze.