Page 19 of The Cuffing Game
Behind-the-Scenes Contestant Interview
Celine Huang
MIA:[from behind the camera]Hey, welcome, have a seat. Please look at the camera and state your name, year, major, and your crush.
CELINE:Hi! Thanks for having me. Ooh, so cool. Is this like one of those one-on-one interviews that they have for reality TV shows? I feel like I’m onThe Kardashians.
MIA:Yeah, so, you’re the first person to be interviewed. I’m going to give you a quick rundown before we begin. My voice will be edited out later so it’s just you talking to the camera. We’ll also edit out any awkward parts so don’t worry if you stumble on your words. But for now, please state your name, year, major, crush, and any other information you want to share.
CELINE:[coughs and gives her biggest smile]Hi, my name is Celine Huang. I’m a sophomore. I was born and raised in San Diego, but my family is originally from Shanghai. I’m going back there to visit my relatives after this, actually! We go every year. Anyway, you may know me from my YouTube channel,Makeup with Celine. I’m a business major and my crush is obviously Noah Jang.
MIA:Sorry, why obviously?
CELINE:Noah is sodreamyand he’s the closest thing to a K-pop star we have at Marlon. Although, come to think of it, I’ve never heard him sing... but whatever. He’s an amazing dancer. I’ve been watching his videos since I first came to campus. The fact that I’ll meet him in person soon is... wow, I hope my mind doesn’t go completely blank.
MIA:Well, good luck. And what is the thing you’re most looking forward to on the show? Besides meeting Noah?
CELINE:Honestly, just the chance to unplug and find true love.[makes a heart with her hands]
MIA:And by true love, do you mean Noah?
CELINE:Of course! I won’t have eyes for anyone else.
MIA:No matter what?
CELINE:No matter what.
Chapter Seven
Noah
If someone had asked Noah how he’d planned on spending his last winter break from school, he would have said something like “swimming in the Florida Keys” or “skiing in Aspen with Thad.” He definitely wouldn’t have said, “staying in a cabin in the woods with a bunch of strangers.”
Cabin in the Woods,Noah thought.Now that was a great movie.
Noah smirked as he thought of how Mia would react if he said her show reminded him of the horror-comedy movie. She’d probably pass out in frustration.
But as he drove his Jeep farther up into the mountains, that spark of amusement slowly died out. Throughout his time at Marlon, Noah had heard his fraternity brothers talk about going up to ski in the Big Bear Lake area. But they’d all failed to mention just howremoteeverything was despite being less than three hours away from LA.
Goose bumps ran down his back. The road was windy, and whichever side wasn’t lined with snow-covered treeshad scenic yet humbling views of the surrounding mountains. He gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles went white and glanced at the colorful line of rubber ducks on his dashboard for fortitude. Maybe he shouldn’t have been thinking aboutCabin in the Woodsafter all....
When their cabin finally came into view, Noah breathed a sigh of relief.
Instead of being a haunted-looking dilapidated shack, their lodging was more of a two-story mansion made of polished wood that looked like it could be onSelling Sunset. He’d heard through the SPC grapevine that theCuffing Gameteam had managed to raise a record-breaking amount for the show. It was nice to see that money being put to good use.
Noah parked in the line of vehicles in front of the lodge and opened his car door. In just a split second, the freezing mountain wind cut through him, chilling him to his bones. He immediately shut his door again.
Although he was born in Seoul, his last three years in LA had softened him up, chipping away the tough, winter-resistant shell he’d had back home. He was wearing a heavy black coat and a thick blue scarf, but somehow, it wasn’t enough.
Drawing his clothes tightly around himself, he watched as the people in front of him slowly got out of their cars. They all had their backs to him and were bundled up in winter wear, so Noah couldn’t make out much. But hecounted six contestants, excluding himself. Which meant they were missing two.
He spotted Mia going from car to car, greeting everyone. When she got to his Jeep, though, she stopped in her tracks. Noah lifted a hand to give her a small wave, but she only widened her eyes in response, giving him a tight grin before turning back around toward the lodge.
Okay,he thought.I see how it is.
He guessed her reaction was to be expected. Only a couple days after their surprise phone conversation, he and Mia had gone back to their usual, comfortable routine of arguing with each other in class. Then finals had hit, and Noah hadn’t seen her since they’d turned in their exams. Most of their interactions together this past semester had consisted of arguing. What were he and Mia supposed to do when he arrived at Big Bear, miraculously make peace and engage in friendly conversation? Noah did have his optimistic moments, but he wasn’t delusional.
He shook his head, reminding himself of why he was here in the first place. He wasn’t here to talk toMia.The girl who nominated him could be right in front of him, walking to the house this very second.
