Chapter 10

Sophie's POV

Later that week, I found myself in Hailey's bedroom listening to some music and smoking a roach. My family didn't know I was seeing her and I didn't really know what we were doing. I'd never imagined being attracted to a member of the same sex, but there was just something so mysterious and exciting about Hailey. Damon and I hadn't spoken in nearly a week since the incident at the gym and while we had in fact kissed, I didn't feel any obligation to see our relationship as something steady. Besides, he had backed off almost completely which left me free to pursue other whatevers.

"So, I'm your first, huh?" Hailey stated with a flicker in her eyes.

"No," I lied. "I've been with plenty of girls."

Her raised eyebrows told me she didn't believe a word out of my mouth, "So what's your deal? You come from this big, rich Cullen family, yet you obviously don't fit the mold. Must be a lot of pressure."

"I'm not technically a Cullen," I reminded her.

"Close enough," she laughed at my protest, "I swear each and every one of them were made in a test tube and genetically engineered. They are fine."

"Yeah, I guess," I shrugged taking a long drag off the roll.

"You up for an adventure this weekend?"

"Maybe," I wasn't really one for going out, but lately, I'd be hanging with Hailey and her crew just to get away from the Cullens and my sister. "What'd you have in mind?"

"A few of us like to party at an island just off the bay. There's some cabins there. It's a lot of fun."

"Sure," I agreed receiving a moist kiss in response.

I'd waited til Edward and Bella went on their hunt to pack up my stuff, jump in the Volvo and drive to the meeting spot to catch the boat. There was a larger group than I had expected. They were dressed richly and had started the party early. Hailey greeted me with a kiss before pulling me along to join her at the front. On the ride over, I held tightly to her arm, hiding my cold face in her warm shoulder and hair as it cascaded down to cover her neck. Occasionally we'd exchange a kiss. Half way across she pulled out a bottle of pills, "To make you relax," she placed one in her own mouth before passing one to me.

When we arrived at the island, we found our cabin and got settled quickly. It was starting to get dark so a few of the guys started a bonfire and soon everyone sat around it.

"As is tradition, we will begin our weekend with a dare challenge. The timer will be set for each challenge and the only rule is you must complete the challenge given or immediately leave the island. Everything on the island is fair game. Nothing done or said here will be repeated outside of this gathering."

I rolled my eyes taking a sip off a bottle of vodka. Did these guys think we were in junior high? What a stupid game.

"You've never played it like this," Hailey whispered, giving my arm a squeeze. "Trust me."

"We will start with our veterans challenging our newbies to see just how much they want to be a part of this. The boat will be ready to return later with anyone we feel isn't a good fit." Reaching into a bowl, he picked out a piece of paper with just one name on it, "Sophie Swan, you're up."

I turned to Hailey wishing more than anything that she would help me out, but she just smiled giving my bottom a smack for encouragement as I stood to go sit closer to the fire.

A senior by the name of Chad took a seat on the bench directly across from me.

"The timer is set for ten minutes starting...NOW!"

Chad eyed me carefully from across the fire, "I dare you to join me in a salt and ice challenge," he grinned.

I shrugged though I wasn't sure what that was. He reached into a cooler to pull out a container of salt and a bowl of ice cubes, "You take your shirt off and lay on your belly. We pour salt on your back and place ice cubes on top. You keep them in place until you can't take it anymore. First one to give up loses."

That didn't sound so bad; I could take him. With a quick flick, I removed my top, lying to rest on the bench while the salt was placed in position.

"On your mark, get set, go," yelled the senior who did the earlier introduction. They poured the cubes and more salt to rest on my back. I had not expecting the depth of cold that it created. My back started burning and tears formed in my eyes, but I blinked them back refusing to let the spill. Time passed and the pain was excruciating, but I held tight refusing to give in. Before long, I realized the ice was actually sticking to my soft skin. The burning began to travel up and down my back into my shoulder and thighs. It was throbbing. A shriek escaped my throat and I quickly bit my lip to get from releasing any more.

"Time," the head yelled as the watch beeped. Before I knew it, I was on my feet wrapped in a blanket Hailey had brought with her. I shivered against the cold, but was warmed slightly by the fact that i held to it as long as Chad. He had not seen that coming. I felt kind of bad; he looked like he was in pain. I could see blisters forming on his back; it looked similar to frostbite. I wondered if mind looked the same.

"I can't believe you did that,"Hailey pressed a kiss into my neck before passing me a shot of vodka to match her own. Together we tipped them back and I was grateful for the warmth of the alcohol. My back hurt more than I was letting on and it was a challenge to walk with the aching in my thighs. I was just glad it was over.

Everyone cheered and Chad walked over to shake my hand. "Congrats, most don't make it that far," he winked at me before limping off.