baler- enemies

The Wheeler house was louder than usual. Downstairs, both families were gathered for a long-overdue dinner, adults chatting over old memories while younger cousins ran through the halls. The sound of laughter drifted upstairs, muffled by the closed bedroom door.

Mike had escaped to his room the moment he could, only to discover he wasn't going to be alone for long.

His mother had smiled far too innocently before saying, "Will, why don't you keep Mike company for a while?"

Neither of them had argued. They both knew it wouldn't help.

Now they sat on opposite sides of Mike's bedroom, silence stretching between them. Mike leaned against his desk with his arms crossed, while Will remained on the edge of the bed, avoiding eye contact.

Years of rivalry had made conversations between them nearly impossible. They'd known each other since kindergarten, attended the same schools, played against each other in every sport imaginable, and somehow managed to turn every meeting into an argument. Everyone knew they couldn't stand each other.

Will's eyes wandered around the room before stopping on a dusty deck of cards sitting on Mike's shelf.

"...Truth or Dare?"

Mike glanced over, raising an eyebrow.

"Seriously?"

Will shrugged.

"Unless you'd rather sit here staring at the wall."

After a long pause, Mike sighed and grabbed the cards.

"Fine."

He tossed the deck onto the bed between them.

"Truth or Dare?"