I'm back! Who missed me? Anyone? Anyone?

Anyways, I've come to attempt to dazzle you with my new knowledge and writing talents.

Dedicated to Luchia

I'm sorry my first story back is.. not so happy. You probably guessed it, since you helped with my summary (which is now more awesome, thanks to you).

Summary

Under the proper circumstances, dares can make you do foolish things. The results could tear apart your dreams, leaving you to face off a living nightmare. Of course, my rotten luck just had to make me one of their many victims.

Dares Are Officially Stupid

By SOSNoel

Chapter 1

'Heartbreak'

Grunting, I stood up and threw my notebook across the room. My precious notebook fell with a thump and sprawled, pages first, on the carpet. Filled with distress and anger, I stomped out the room, too depressed to see if it was damaged.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't write. Words evaded me; there was no more inspiration.

I frowned as I sat on my bed. My hands covered my face as tears trickled down onto my lilac embroidered comforter. The dress Tomoyo specially designed for me was right beside the ever growing stain of tears. Each perfect, fabric cherry blossom seemed to taunt me; they made me remember my now shattered dreams. The frills joined in and laughed at my sorrow.

I didn't move, not even when the doorbell rang. I sourly thought, 'It isn't exactly the best time for company.' A minute later, footsteps were heard rushing up the stairs. The door slammed open, revealing a sympathetic Tomoyo. She rushed right in and took me in her arms.

Tomoyo comfortingly held my sobbing figure as she talked about the gossip of the day. Touya's sister had, yet again, ran away when the last bell indicated the end of school. She seemed to have fully abandoned her clubs, and the volleyball team was now desperately searching for a new teammate. Meanwhile, the shy Naoko was rumored to be seeing some guy from our rival school, and Rika had suddenly stopped visiting our old elementary school.

"I don't want to hear about gossip." I got out of her embrace, and it seemed that I was almost desperately trying to hide the fact I was crying. Tomoyo always got upset when I was sad. I tried to stifle my sniffles and those little hiccups that always annoyed me.

Tomoyo frowned at me. Her sympathy turned into anger. "I can't believe you, Sakura!" Tomoyo's outburst made me jump. It was never a pretty sight when my cousin was angry. "You've been acting like this for two weeks now and won't even tell me what's going on!"

Tomoyo's distressed look rivaled my hopeless one. "I want to help you, Sakura. I really do. How am I supposed to help you if I don't even know why you're upset?"

My normally calm cousin continued her rant without even pausing to breathe. "I mean, we're best friends. I'd like to think you'd trust me enough to tell me when there's something wrong. What do I have to do? Listen to gossip until a twisted version of the truth emerges? I mean, really, that's when I know I've hit rock bottom. It's so pathetic."

Tomoyo's last word was filled with disgust. She looked at me, but I could not give her a response. My face was void of emotion. "Well then. I'll be there when you decide to act normally." With one last glance at my horrible state, she briskly walked away.

I sighed. Today was Tomoyo's first solo singing performance at one of the town's holiday events. She was hoping for me to attend and support her, but it became obvious that I wouldn't. I wasn't getting ready and looked far from suitable.

I then recalled Tomoyo's harsh words. It was probably obvious to everyone that cute, little Sakura was depressed and stayed holed up in her house.

Two weeks ago, I was perfectly happy. I was my usual self, and nothing seemed to get me down. Two weeks ago, I did that stupid dare.

Two weeks and still counting, I'm suffering the price for agreeing to it. Life couldn't get worse than this, right?

R&R? It turns out that they got a new, big button for reviewing after I left. It's right in the very center. Isn't it cute? That button and I would be really happy if you pressed it.

(Yess... Even the people in real life that I know have to review. I know you're out there.)