Page 52 of The Cuffing Game
I bet Mia reads physical books,he thought. And stopped himself. Why was Mia constantly popping up in his head today?
Rolling over onto his side, Noah forced himself to think about his date with Celine, something he’d avoided thinking about ever since they got back from the slopes. Compared to how bad the beginning had been, the end had been decent. Even though they didn’t talk much, they’d still shared a brief kiss—initiated by Celine—during the car ride back. Which was nice. Sort of.
Everything else about their date, though, gave him pause. Celine had barely made an effort to talk to him. And for what? Because he couldn’t shovel snow?
Maybe she just hadn’t been feeling great yesterday. Or maybe Noah had done something wrong. Or maybe it really was the skis, all in all. He hated guessing. Why did he have to do so muchguessing?
Wanting to clear his head, Noah got up and went downstairs.
The house was silent, like it had been the other night when he’d talked with Mia. But this time, Noah’s attention didn’t stray anywhere else. As if in a trance, he made a beeline for the firepit, coming to his senses only after he’d stepped outside into the frigid night and realized he’d forgotten his coat.
A sigh escaped from Noah’s lips. He sat down at the pit and lit the fire.
Whatwas hedoing? He and Mia had sat at the firepitonetime. Not twice. Not thrice. Butonce.Mia had even told him that her walking out in the woods was a one-time thing.
And yet, he’d somehow ended up here, by himself, staring at the lodge and wishing a girl in a pink puffer jacket would somehow magically appear in the doorway.
He wanted to talk to Mia and hear her thoughts on Matías and Jack, on Celine, on everything.
Noah doubted Mia would ever call him a friend. But he also wasn’t sure if they were still enemies like they had been back at school. What he did know was that he had genuinely enjoyed his time with her the previous night. And from the way she’d smiled and laughed while they talked, he thought Mia had too.
But maybe it’d all just been in his head.
Day Four
The Cuffing Game
Behind-the-Scenes Contestant Interview
Shirin Ahmad
ALEX:Shirin, thanks for joining us today. Please look at the camera and state your name, year, major, and crush.
SHIRIN:Hi, my name is Shirin Ahmad. I’m a sophomore and I’m an engineering major. And if it’s okay, I’d rather not reveal my crush’s name yet, just in case I can’t bring myself to confess during this show.
ALEX:That’s fine. Is that why you first cuffed with Matías?
SHIRIN:Yeah. Because he was also too scared to confess to his crush. But now he did! And I’m so, so happy for him.
ALEX:Is your crush still in the game?
SHIRIN:Yes. I’m looking for the perfect opportunity to confess, but...
ALEX:But?
SHIRIN:It’s scary. Sorry, I’m trying to be vague. Hopefully people will know why soon enough.
ALEX:That’s completely fine. Whatever you’re comfortable with.
SHIRIN:Thanks.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mia
Mia woke up to countless comments on episode three screaming in all caps about Matías and Jack. People also laughed at Noah and his shovel, while others griped about how the show was a bit slow and less exciting than others.
It’s because it’s not supposed to be a traditional dating show!Mia thought as she lay in bed. If she’d had the time and energy, she’d have written up a response to those people explaining exactly that. But she didn’t. Plus, she didn’t want to bethatperson.
