Miranda

Matt looks at Nicole again, clearly considering giving her the next dare but before he can speak she leans in and whispers in his ear. You can't tell what she's saying but you notice both of their eyes flicking towards Miranda and Sarah. When Nicole stops whispering she leans back and they both nod at each other. "Miranda." Matt calls out. "I feel like it's been a while since you gave a dare so I say it's your turn."

Miranda looks glad to hear this. "John, pass me the hat?" She asks, extending one hand towards you without getting up. Leaning forward you grab the hat by the brim and pull it towards yourself. "No. How about you come get it."

"What?" She laughs in surprise, looking taken aback.

"You heard me." You tell her with a small smile creeping on your face.

Everyone looks confused as Miranda slowly frees herself from Toms lap and walks slowly round the table towards you, unsure what you have planned. As she walks closer you teasingly pull the hat a little further away from her and when she reaches forward to grab it you strike. Reaching forward you grab Mirandas slender wrist, spin her round and pull her in so she's sat on your lap." What the fuck John?" She laughs, her back pushed against her chest. "You're mine now." You simply reply, wrapping an arm around her midsection.

"That's not how it works." Sarah sneers, a look of distaste on her face. "Yes. It is." You answer bluntly. "The dare is every girl in a boys lap. You're stuck in Toms lap by another dare, Miranda was just there by bad luck. Now she's here she stays here until she draws another dare or gets drawn by someone else." When you finish your explanation there's a moment of quiet while everyone thinks over the rules and what you said. You could almost hear everyone's collective gears turning.

To break the silence you speak again "Unless you want to go back Miranda?" She doesn't waste a second before replying "Nope! I'm happier here." When she says that she lightly caresses your forearm wrapped around her. "Does anyone object?" You ask the room. Silence and shaken heads are your answer. "Well done John." Matt says quietly, impressed at your application of the rules to change your fortune. Tom and Sarah are both silent as they stare daggers at you. Suddenly your plan doesn't seem so foolproof after all as the realization hits you that Tom could just do the same right back, reeling in any girl within reach and trapping them with him. The can of worms you unintentionally opened could have consequences in the future.

You push that thought from your mind and try to get back to the game. "Anyway, your turn to draw Miranda." You tell her, finally giving her the hat she'd been chasing. "Thank you John." She replies taking the names with a dazzling smile. She's only been free from Tom for 30 seconds but she already seems much happier, like a cloud has lifted off her. She stirs the slips for a moment before drawing.