The twins stumbled into their dorm room just before midnight on their second Friday night as college students. Jordan was laughing at something Jake said, both of them drunk from their first keg party as college freshmen, as she turned on the light.
Jordan was dressed to the nines, wearing a short skirt and black, low-cut shirt. She kicked off her heels and tied her hair up in a ponytail. Jake flopped down on his bed.
"I still can't believe how unfair it is," Jordan said, "that I have to do all that work to get dolled up for a party, and all you do is throw on jeans and a t-shirt and you're all ready to go."
"I think that just proves that you try too hard."
"Shut up, I do not," she said.
"It's not just you," Jake said. "Girls spend way too much time getting ready."
"Hot take Jake," Jordan said, sitting on her bed. "When does your stand-up comedy album drop?"
"Women be shopping," Jake said, laughing.
The twins shared a laugh, which faded out into silence as they laid in their separate beds.
"I'm not really that tired," Jake said.
Jordan sat up and said, "Thank god, me neither."
"Well, let's do something," he said.
"I'm down," she said, "but you have to come up with something."
"Why me?"
"Because I came up with our last activity," she said. "Remember? I suggested the Taco Bell run."
"Oh yeah, that was a really good idea."
"Yep, so it's your turn."
"Okay," Jake said. "Same rules as usual?"
"Yep," Jordan said. "Whatever you say goes."
"This is going to sound childish," he said, "but what the fuck -- we're drunk."
"You make the rules tonight," she said.
"Then we're playing the greatest game ever invented," he said, "the centerpiece of all great sleepovers."
Jordan started laughing. "Oh shit, please tell me we're going to play Truth or Dare."
Jake plowed on, pretending not to hear her. "It's the game that middle schoolers everywhere are playing so that someone will finally kiss them, the revealer of all embarrassing secrets...."
"Just say it's Truth or Dare."
"it's Truth or Dare!" Jake announced.
"Outstanding," Jordan said. "Just an outstanding choice."
"Since I have selected such an amazing activity for the evening," Jake continued, "you may have the first choice. Truth or dare?"
"I feel like you have to start with a truth," Jordan said.
"Pussy move," Jake said.
"Fuck you," she laughed. "You heard me -- truth."
"How many guys have you made out with in the week and a half since we've been here?" Jake said.
"Not that many," Jordan answered with a smile. "Just three. But to be fair, two of them were at the same party."
"And how many had you made out with before college?" he said.
"Three guys total, but I only actually 'made out' with Dyl -- hey! No free questions in Truth or Dare!"
"You caught me," Jake said.
"Your turn," Jordan said. "Truth or dare?"
"I'll take truth," Jake said.
"Pussy."
"Sure, but it's still the safe move."
"Fine. Same question."
Jake turned slightly red.
"Only one girl so far," he said. "But we got to second base."
"Which one is second base again?" Jordan asked. "I always thought the baseball analogy was awkward, so I never learned it."
"Second base is basically boobs and over the pants stuff."
"Ooh so you felt her boobs?" Jordan said.
"Yeah, it was so hot," Jake said.
"What was her name again?" Jordan asked with a knowing smile.
"No free questions in Truth or Dare," Jake replied. "Truth or dare?"
"I'll take a dare," Jordan said.
"I dare you to show me your last 10 texts with Brian," he said.
"We don't really talk much," she said.
"You guys dated forever," Jake said. "He was your prom date and took your virginity -- you can't tell me you never text each other."
"I didn't say never," she said.
"Well then show me," he said.
She unlocked her iPhone and handed it to her brother. While he read, she went to her dresser and pulled a bottle of tequila out of her underwear drawer. She took a big swig and handed the bottle to Jake without speaking. He took a sip and then handed the phone back to her.
"That's sweet that you're still friends," Jake said. "He's definitely still into you."
"I know," she said. "I'll always care about him, but I always knew I wanted to be single when I got to college."
"And you're off to a great start," Jake said.
"You're damn right," Jordan said. "Truth or dare?"
"I'll take a dare too," Jake said.
"I dare you to streak to the end of the hallway and back."
"No fucking way," he said. "Nothing that can get me kicked out of school."
"You can't get kicked out of school for streaking when you're drunk on a Friday night," she said.
"I'm pretty sure you can," Jake said.
"I don't think so," Jordan said. "Besides, you can't take back a dare after it's been issued, so my hands are tied."
"I think you're making up rules at this point," Jake said. "But before I take my shirt off, I just want to make sure you want to do this. Because once I get back in here, the gloves are off."