A Dare With The Player

Chapter 3: The Girl On The Ferris Wheel

Cristiano Ferreira

I hate being here. I hate the sun and how it burns your skin or the wind and how it gets too cold for no reason out of nowhere. I hate that it’s too noisy with the screeching and honking of cars or the people that act so boisterous in public. I hate it all.

I tried to brush it off, focusing on what was in front of my lens. I snapped a photo with my camera, of the view of a seagull standing atop the bridge on Santa Monica Pier. The background is of the waves crashing upon one another and the searing sun shining brightly on it like a spotlight.

I looked down at my camera and admired the photo. It looked like it was from a different place, not the one where I was standing right now. There was no noise and no heat, nothing unpleasant. It was just a beautiful sight.

This is why I like pictures. You see it and you don’t find what’s wrong at the moment, all you see is just the beauty of what your lens has caught.

The seagull flies away and a kid runs across the same spot, dropping its ice cream right in the middle.

I shake my head irritated.

Another reason is that it can capture things before it becomes ruined. Before everything has gone to s**t.

A buzzing in my pocket disrupts me and I immediately pull my phone out. It’s from my father.

Onde está você aqui (where are you)? As caixas estão aqui (the boxes are here).

I let out a deep exhale, lifting my head up to the skies, and just taking one last sharp inhale of my surroundings and my sense of smell is immediately bombarded by a mix of things - the smell of the ocean, the sand, the sweat, different food around the area, and even smoke. Yeah, that kind.

“Welcome back, Cristiano, to the land of the free.” I mumbled to myself before sighing.

As I walked back to my car parked at the side of the road, a noise caught my attention. It sounded like a group of people cheering on something or someone. Intrigued, I followed it first.

My curiosity has led me to the side of the beach where there is a group of what seemed like high schoolers being rowdy in the small amusement park on the pier. They’re all looking up, widened eyes and mouths as if anxiously waiting for something.

I don’t understand, but I am drawn to the situation so I stay at the side.

Suddenly, a high-pitched scream came from the top and there I realized what had gotten them so glued.

A girl. She was on top of the ferris wheel, holding tightly on the rail as she stood on the chair… as well as blindfolded.

What the hell is going on?

“You’re out of your f*****g mind!” Someone in the crowd shouted before they all started cheering.

I smiled amused before pulling up my camera to my eye level. Zooming in… a little more…. more… and there. Perfect.

I snapped a photo exactly at the moment she’s halfway out of the ride itself, but she doesn’t seem bothered by it at all. On the contrary, she looked to be… living. Her smile is from ear to ear and although her eyes are covered by the cloth, I could tell they were gleaming with happiness.

My phone buzzed another time and I am sure it was my father telling me to go home again. I didn't bother to open it as I just walked away from the crowd and to my car.

I let out a deep sigh as I held tightly on to the steering wheel. Looking out from the windshield, I feel restless all of a sudden.

It wasn’t like this before. This place didn’t make me feel like I was in a waking nightmare every second. She ruined it. She ruined everything for me and as much as I wanted to stay away from all of this, I couldn’t.

“Ugh, fu-”

I was getting ready to curse my anger out in my car when a knocking on my window surprised me.

Three girls in small and tight bikinis stood with big smiles. I could just shift the gear and start driving away, but f**k it, I have nothing else to do. Might as well entertain them.

“Hi!” They greeted me cheerily.

I merely gave a nod and a half smile. I’m not in the mood.

“Here! Eight o’clock.” The other girl passed me a piece of paper that literally said pool party with an address and nothing more.

“Uh…” I stared at it confused. Are they inviting me to a party? They don’t even know who I am.

“We saw you a while ago by the rides! We think you’re really hot, so. Come by. We’ll make it worthwhile.” She shot me a wink before biting her lip, obviously trying to flirt with me.

Right. The rides. The high schoolers. I say it as if I’m not. Technically, I won’t be any longer. After this last year, I’ll be free from all this bullshit and I can do whatever I want, wherever I want.

“Okay,” I said unbothered before lifting my hand up as a wave and driving my car backwards to exit the parking space.

I looked at my side mirror and caught a glimpse of the three girls jumping up and down before I continued driving away.

As if I'm going to some high school party where they all just get drunk and do jackshit. Boring.

-

“You’re late. The movers have put your boxes in your room already. Help me with the last one.” My father said in a disapproving tone, not bothering to look me in the eye.

“Traffic,” I mumbled to myself before grabbing the other end of the box.

He lifted his head up to look at me and I clenched my jaw. “There’s no traffic here, unlike Brazil. Make up a new excuse next time.”

Oops.

I cleared my throat as we lifted the box into the living room.

“What is this, anyway? Didn’t we say to not bring heavy things?” I asked him as I got a box cutter to cut through the tape.

“Don’t-”

When I opened it, the smell of a familiar perfume spread throughout the room and the first thing I saw were pieces of yarn used for knitting.

My breath started to get heavier and my fists clenched tightly. “What the hell is this doing here?” I asked my father who had a look of dismay.

“You weren’t supposed to open it,” he merely replied with a soft tone before walking towards it to cover it again.

“Yeah, well you weren’t supposed to bring this back here! We promised not to have any more of her things! What is this s**t?!” I felt myself start to get heated. As much as I didn’t want to, I couldn’t help myself.

The mere thought of her hurt my heart and to mask that pain, I chose to express it with anger. To cover it with resentment.

“Cuidado com o que você diz nesta casa (careful with what you say in this house).” He points a finger at me and speaks up in a vexatious tone.

It’s rare for him to get a temper. My father is soft spoken and patient. I know I got this side of me from her. How ironic the only thing she left me was the most displeasing attitude of all.

“She’s not coming back, you know? You said we were going back here for your job, but I know a part of you still believes that your wife will someday come in through that door. Word of advice, she won’t. She left us. The sooner you understand that, the better off you will be.” I told him, frankly, out of patience, before storming up to my room.

I pursed my lips as a tear tried to trickle down my cheeks, a prickling sensation at the back of my eyes, but I pinched myself before it could. I won’t shed a tear, not for her, not for anyone. Not anymore.

As soon as I get inside my room, I connect my phone to the speakers and blast music as loud as I can. The louder it is, the more I can’t hear anyone else around me, and most importantly, myself, my own thoughts. I let myself drown in the music as I pull out my things from the boxes.

Two cardboard boxes. That’s all there is of my things. A few clothes and photography stuff. I wasn’t much for possessions. I didn’t see the point of owning so many things that would one day just disintegrate. Photos - those were what mattered to me. They stayed the same, even when everything else changed.

I flopped on my bed, and fortunately, I didn't choke on all the dust that flew off. I guess the caretaker my father hired while we were away did his job well.

I let out an exasperated sigh before shifting all my body weight to the side. That was when I saw it, an old family picture.

It was by the San Francisco Bridge. I think I was around six here and my father was carrying me on his shoulders and I was smiling widely. She was there, holding my hand and the other my ice cream.

There was a strong tug at my heart, but before the feeling could overpower me, I quickly stood up from bed and grabbed the picture frame from my bedside table, throwing it in the trash can.

I turned around and saw another one, but just as I was about to do the same thing to it, I realized it wasn’t another family picture. It was instead, my friends back when I was still a kid.

I had almost forgotten about them, but seeing this picture of us definitely brought back memories. The weekends at the lake, the barbecue nights, and racing in boats. Those were the days.

I set back the frame on the table before sitting back on my bed.

Turn your music down!

My phone buzzed and it was my father complaining about the music. I rolled my eyes before getting up off my bed and turning the music off. I proceeded to the bathroom to wash up and when I got out to put on a change of clothes, a piece of paper fell out of my pocket.

It was the pool party invite. I almost forgot.

I looked down at the piece of paper for a few seconds, debating whether or not to go. I said I wasn’t interested, but between sticking with my father, who was hovering behind me and free booze, the latter definitely sounded more interesting.

“f**k it.”

I changed into sweatpants and a shirt, not bothered to dress up any more than that, and besides, I didn’t have any other clothes that had more color. Whoever was throwing this party should be flattered I was even gracing them with my presence.

“Where are you going now? You just got back,” my father commented, clearly not amused.

“Out. Don’t wait up,” is all I said before giving him a quick wave and stepping out of the house unbothered.

Land of the free, right?

I hopped in to my car and just drove off, not really having any specific destination in mind. The feeling of the wind blowing on my face as I drive with the windows down is exhilarating, like your past or your thoughts are gone with the wind.

I wish it was as simple as that as well.

Before I knew it, I’ve passed the highway and somehow found myself in front of the edge of Griffith Park. I haven’t been here since I was a little kid but we often hiked here on the weekends. I don’t know what brought me here all of a sudden, but now that I was here, I had this urge to do something…

Illegally climb up to the Hollywood sign.

It was a weekday, so there weren't really many people. I thoroughly scanned the place before making my move. When I see the arched opening in the wall near a gate, I know I’m getting closer.

As I was walking towards it, I heard footsteps and immediately took cover behind some bushes. Fortunately, the guards roaming around didn’t seem to have seen me as they were too busy on their phones.

I continued my walk and my last obstacle was a fence. Based on the wires attached to it, it’s most likely electric and there’s a high-tech alarm system that will get triggered if I go anywhere near it.

But I was determined, and by that I mean I always find a way to get what I want.

I spotted an opening, a very small opening of ground that looked like it had been dug so one person could fit underneath it and get to the other side. Seemed cramped, but it was my best shot.

I slid through it slowly and, metaphorically speaking, it was like I was entering a whole different world. As soon as I stepped next to the sign, I couldn’t help but softly chuckle at myself.

“So this is the other side?” I muttered as I overlooked the city.

It was high, that’s one thing. Colder, too, as the wind seemed to be getting more breezy up here, but it was the quietness that stuck to me. There were no screaming kids, arguing couples, or cars that honked for no reason.

It was just… the wind and me. Peaceful.

I sat down at the back of the sign, continuing to look out into the bustling city of California.

I can’t believe I’m back. All these years, I tried to stay away from this place, but when my father got a job opportunity as principal again, he wanted to take it, and who am I to stop him from pursuing a job he’s always wanted? As painful as it is being back, I had to suck it up. I had to… move on.

I exhaled deeply as I laid down on the ground, staring up at the sky that was now filled with the blazing colors of the sunset. The sun was setting and the skies were turning fiery. I didn’t realize how tired I was until I closed my eyes and felt sleep taking over me.

-

“Oh, s**t!” I shouted in panic, but immediately covered my mouth with my hand when I saw a flash of light turn to where I was.

“Who’s there?! Is someone here?! You better not be loitering around here!” An authoritative voice spoke up and I pursed my lips to keep me quiet.

I can’t believe I fell asleep! My surroundings had turned much darker, and when I looked up, the sky was no longer orange, but instead filled with small twinkling stars. They were beautiful and I wished I had my camera, but I had no time to admire them more. I need to get out of here before any guards find me.

As soon as I heard the footsteps getting further until there were no more, I stealthily and carefully began my walk back down where I parked my car. Fortunately, it didn’t take that long and there were only two guards I passed by.

When I got back to my car, I let out a sigh of relief, and as I drove away, I told myself that I'd be back. I know I will.

“Alright, I guess we can head to that party…” I concluded, typing in the address on my GPS screen and of course, it was some mansion in Beverly Hills.

Am I really ready for this? I looked at myself through the rearview mirror. Brushing my hair backwards is as much as I can do to look a little less haggard. Probably shouldn’t have fallen asleep on the ground, since my shirt is now dirty. I guess I’ll just take it off later.

“Whatever. We’ll see where the night takes us.” I said to myself before following the directions.

And there I was. Standing in front of a mansion blasting music as people that were obviously tipsy almost rolled on the grass from how drunk they were. Either that or they were making out on the grass. Classy.

When I stepped into the place, it was already packed. Looks like the party started about an hour or more ago.

“Hey sexy, are you new here?”

I turned my head to find almost a half naked girl trying to flirt with me. Her face was blushed red and her eyes absolutely stoned. That’s one way to greet someone.

“Where’s the alcohol?” I asked and she must be so high she didn’t even realize I had just rejected her.

She pointed out to the side and my eyes followed where her finger was. “There, by the girl dancing on the table.”

That’s a weird sentence and I thought she was joking, but then I realized I was in Los Angeles where nothing was weird; it was just normal.

And like she said, sure enough, when I looked, a girl dressed in a bikini with a skirt was up there… dancing. I would be lying if I didn’t say it was pretty hot.

“So, do you want to go inside a room with me?” I had completely forgotten the other girl’s existence, slightly entertained by the one on the table, until I felt her hand on my chest.

I quickly stepped backward, holding her wrist away.

“Ouch! What the hell? Don’t you want me?!” She cried out annoyed.

“f**k off,” I said before pushing her wrist away and taking her with it.

I didn’t bother to turn around, my eyes glued to the mystery girl giving all that she’s got on this dance. Her song choice was quite adventurous, too. I could tell this one was a wild one. Everyone in the crowd screamed in shock and awe when she did a cartwheel on the table.

Oh, we’ve got ourselves a little daredevil here.

As I watched her dance, her body swaying rhythmically and hypnotizingly, I caught a familiar face at the edge of the table. He had such a tense aura around him, his body stiffened up as his eyes were like eagles staring at the girl on the table protectively.

Wait a minute… is that T?

I guess it only makes sense that I know what my childhood best friend would look like even after all these years. It also helped that he still had the same hairstyle since then, his signature Ivy League haircut, the hair on top a little longer, allowing for a sleek side-parted style. How could this bloody i***t not even change after three years?

Shit, I can’t deny that it was nice seeing him again, though.

Then my eyes wandered to two other familiar-looking boys behind him and it didn’t take me long to know who they were - the Harries twins. This time, they looked much different, much more mature. I have always looked up to the twins since they were the older ones, the big brothers, as we liked to call them. If T’s hair was Ivy League inspired, the Harries twins were actually Ivy League. I can tell from how they composed themselves, but even so, I know that they still have a party side in them. I wouldn't even be surprised if one of them threw this one.

All this is like a reunion I didn’t expect, and for a while I felt guilty because I hadn’t even kept in touch with them since then, but it was only because I couldn’t bear to. When my mother left, my world came crashing down and I couldn’t think of anything else. I couldn’t be here and I couldn’t let others see me like that.

I ran away from this place three years ago and didn’t think I was going to be back, but here I am. Seeing as I have no choice, I’ll just have to make the most out of it.

When the dance was over, I saw T come up to the girl frantically. He looked like he was ready to scold her and I watched them curiously. Why was he so worked up about a stranger’s dance? Unless…

Oh.

It hit me. An amused smile formed on my lips as my eyes narrowed directly at her, scanning her up and down.

I can’t believe it. The once little girl has truly… grown up.

Thalia Donovan. What a sight for sore eyes. I guess going to this party was a good idea after all.

“Hey hot stuff.”

I turned around and there was another girl obviously eyeing me, but I was feeling much more energized and conversational now, so I let it be.

“Want to play truth or dare with us?” She asked, twirling her hair on her finger as she licked her lips.

“What’s the dare?” I asked, warming up to tonight’s festivities.

She tiptoed in order to get closer to my ear.

“Make out with me,” she whispered teasingly.

I let out a light huff before exhaling deeply and then turned to the circle where I saw all the eyes on me, looking hungry and insatiable.

I turned to the girl next to me with a carnal smirk.

“This ought to be fun.”