Jayliana knows I'm deadly serious, but she doesn't seem to believe me. "Secrets? Are you joking? You're saying so just to hype up the situation a little bit, right?"

I shake my head. The fact she's oblivious to my intention worries me, if I have to be honest. This, however, isn't an excuse for me to back down on my goal. If I really want to succeed and get her and the others to play Secrets with Chastity and me, then I need to be more persistent.

"No, no hype. It's that I really want to play. We've kept it in the attic for too long and now it's a good time to play before, you know, Mom throws it away." Okay, this is a lie, but is there another way to convince Jayliana?

"Does your mom really want to throw that game away? No way! I'm in. Do you want me to call the others? I'm sure they'd be thrilled if they joined in." Perfect. One more player. I just need at least other three, and then we can start. I never thought convincing Jayliana would be so easy, honestly.

While I think of who to call next for this match, Chastity inexplicably bolts into my room with pleading eyes. "Dell, I heard you calling Jayliana," she says. "Now, you're planning to invite all your friends, but what about me?"

"You're in, of course, Chastity. You don't need to worry," I answer, but she frowns at me, as if I didn't get her point. Okay, now I'm confused. What does she want me to do this time?

"I know I'm in, Dell. What I mean, it's not fair that you get to invite your friends and I don't," she explains, trying hard to hide her jealousy but somehow failing. I don't want to make her feel uncomfortable, but I don't know any of her friends that much. I mostly hang out with Jayliana and our other friends, Perrie and Presly.

Chastity continues, seeing my confused look once again. "I mean, could I call Brooke, please?" Silence. I don't know what to say. "You know, Brooklee LeBlanc?" The girl I pranked with a fake snake, now I know. As much as I want to grant her wish, Chastity doesn't know that Brooklee and I have beef. I don't want to involve her or make things awkward. But, hey, this is the meaning of Secrets. Screw past issues. Let's start fresh!

"That's a great idea! You know what? Call her now, I'm sure she'll appreciate your offer!" I exclaim, showing off the fakest smile ever. I don't want my sister to suffer; after all, this is supposed to be a game where we do our best and ease tension among us.

"Thank you!" She holds me tight in a hug and kisses my forehead. "I promise, you won't regret it." She lets go of me and runs out of my room, overjoyed at the chance of having her best friend take part in this game.

Now that this matter is sorted out, I can focus on calling Perrie and Presly. I dial the former's number, but receive no answer. Maybe she's busy. I'll try later. This means that I have to call Presly.

Unlike Perrie, she answers immediately. "Hi, Delanie. How are you? I'm so surprised that you decided to call me now. Perrie and I are hanging out together at the Luna Park."

"Cool. Are you having fun?" I ask, a little envious that they get to spend some quality time just the two of them. Is there something more between them? I guess I'll find out soon, but right now this isn't what matters. I have to get them join the rest of us for a Secrets game.

"Yeah, it's great! It's a shame you couldn't come with us, we'd have fun all together." She has a point. And this takes exactly where I want. Time to tell her the plan.

"I have an idea, but I'd like to see if both you and Perrie agree, you know?" I hesitate, knowing that, if one of them says no, the other one is likely to follow in her steps. "When you're back from the Luna Park, would you like playing a game of Secrets? I promise, it's going to be fun!"

"I don't doubt that, but do you want to start today?" Presly is hesitant. She really believes we're jumping the gun immediately. I mean, I have to re-read the instructions, make sure everything is ready for the game, be certain that no-one backs out.

"No, no, not today. Tomorrow. I need time for prepping, re-reading the rules and all that stuff, so that we'll be ready to play, okay?" I can hear Presly sigh on the other hand. She looks rather relieved. My argument seems convincing enough, so I think she can try and convince Perrie to join us.

"Okay. I'll ask Perrie if she wants to join us. I'll call you tomorrow to let you know. Bye." She hangs up without letting me tell her that Jayliana has also accepted and that Chastity is keeping in touch with Brooklee to have one more player.

Speaking of my sister, she comes back again to my room. She's beaming, which I take as a sign that her friend must've accepted the invitation. Good for us. "So?" Pretending to be surprised, I say, "You told her everything, right, that there are set rules and-"

She cuts me off. "Not really. She doesn't seem to care much about the rules. She seems interested, so she's in." As she's about to leave, she stops at the door and mutters, "Actually, I forgot to tell her that it was you who's organizing this game. She thinks I am."

Oh my God. Brooklee is so not going to like this situation. Secrets isn't a game for quitters, though. If you quit or refuse to join a game, you're doomed. This is another thing that should be taken into account.

Still, I shrug it off. "Never mind. As long as she doesn't have a change of heart last minute, then we're fine, right?" I show off my best smile until Chastity leaves the room, but then it slowly turns into a groan. What the heck am I doing? Is it worth it?

Too many pointless questions, Delanie. Focus.

I go to the attic, where I expect to find the box of the full Secrets game, along with the booklet containing rules, basic instructions and an explanation of how the point system works.

And here it is.

The game in all its beauty.

The wooden box that contains it is literally shining. I guess this is the perfect timing for a match.

But how do I tell the others that they're supposed to gather here now? Won't they be suspicious? I mean, a Secrets game isn't something to be taken as if it were nothing serious, just as a pastime.

No. Once you're in, you can't get out until you spill all the truth. And this is what I want to do. I trust my friends, and believe Chastity is a loyal sister, but I want to put everyone to test.

Including myself.