~Eliza POV~

Maria met them at the park that weekend. Everyone was there as well: Thomas, John, Hercules, Theo, Aaron, Laff, Alex, Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy.

They went down to their usual meeting spot, by the creek.

"So," Maria whispered to Eliza, who was sitting on the grass on her right. "What exactly do you all do here?"

Eliza shrugged. "Either talk or play a game."

Hercules cleated his throat. "Well, if no ones got anything to talk about, we'll play truth or dare."

Eliza groaned softly. No one objected though, so Hercules started the game.

"Peggy, truth or dare?"

"Dare," Peggy responded.

Hercules grinned. "Initiation rituals to Maria."

Eliza winced.

Peggy threw creek water in Maria's face.

"Welcome to the club," she said, sitting back down.

Maria wiped the drops off her face. Sorry Eliza mouthed. Maria smiled. It's fine she mouthed back.

"Thomas, truth or dare?" Peggy asked.

"Dare."

"Eat a leaf." Peggy dared.

"What?" Thomas yelled as everyone else laughed. "No way!"

Peggy shrugged. "Then choose truth."

"Fine" Thomas groaned. He plucked a leaf off a tree and shoved it in his mouth. He spat it out when no one was looking.

"Maria, truth or dare?" he asked.

"Dare, I guess," Maria said.

Eliza's phone rang in her pocket. She excused herself from the group to answer it. Angelica, Peggy, and Alex went with her.

~Maria POV~

After Eliza had left Thomas continued.

"Kiss Alex,"

Maria fell backwards. "What?"

"You heard me."

"Fine," Maria said, not noticing the looks everyone else except for Thomas was giving her. Alex was single, as far as she knew. She didn't know if anyone in the group was dating.

When Eliza and Alex got back, the Schuyler sisters ducked into the woods to cross the wooden bridge, while Alex hopped over the rocks. Maria stood up and approached him. She grabbed his shirt collar and kissed him roughly.

She didn't notice Eliza staring at her, or Angelica and Peggy leading her away. She only noticed that Alex kissed her back.