Episode 7

The rules of the game were clear, Jason. "You must treat your partner as if it were a real relationship," Bill said, knowing this wasn't solely for the blessed game's rules but needing an excuse to justify those actions.

Jason gulped, recalling the rules, mentally kicking himself for having been so foolish to lose sleep over this.

"Stupid, stupid," he chided himself.

"I'm sorry, Bill, I had forgotten," he shook his head, looking down at his hands resting on his legs.

"It's okay, if you feel uncomfortable I understand, it was hard for me at first, I won't lie, but after you kissed me, I thought I should take it easy like you. Maybe I got it wrong."

What Bill said held some truth; when he decided to help Jason, it was because he overheard the boy's conversation near the bathroom with his classmate. He regretted his reaction and after his friends almost lynched him, he went to apologize to Magy's cousin, not intending to play. But everything changed after hearing the boy's sacrifices.

He promised himself to last thirty days, but strangely, having Jason near had changed something inside him, and that's why he chose to test himself for thirty days, after which he would move on with his life.

"No, I'm sorry, I'm just stressed about work, school, my mom…" Jason flashed a side smile that baffled Bill.

"I'm sorry if I..." Before he could finish, Bill was kissing him—kissing him desperately. His tongue invaded Jason's warm mouth, and his hands cradled the boy's soft face, who still had no idea what the heck was happening.

A few seconds were enough to recall how Magy advised him to enjoy the moment, and without reservation, his tongue intertwined with Bill's in the most intense and heated kiss of his life, not his first—that was delivered while pinned against a wall two days ago, with the same boy who now left him breathless.

Bill snapped back to reality, abruptly pulling away with both hands on the steering wheel.

"Okay, now that we're clear, we just have to make it through thirty days, and that's it."

What was he thinking, dammit Bill, control yourself.

"A-ha," was all that Jason uttered, his swollen lips parting as he looked forward.

He wouldn't lie; the word "endure" stung, but since he couldn't leave and have a normal teen life, he was determined to relish these damn thirty days, unreservedly.

"As long as Bill endures, I'm simply going to devour him," he thought to himself.

They breakfasted at a small cafe, somewhat remote but exuding a warm, cozy ambiance. Initially, few words were exchanged; Bill was unsure what to do after his outburst, but Jason wasn't angry, and that comforted him.

"Brennan," Jason broke the awkward silence.

"Yes?" Bill answered attentively, chocolate donut remnants adorned his cheek.

Jason smiled at this and reached out to wipe away the mark, and Bill froze at the sweet tone of his companion's voice.

"Do you realize we'll be late?"

Bill nodded and somehow reclaimed his voice after savoring a touch that had previously meant nothing to him but now set off an explosion of colors in seconds.

"We'll make it for the second period. No one will notice. Besides, you're with one of the best players, so no one can scold you," the cocky smile returned to the dark-haired boy's face.

"As you say," Jason responded playfully.

"How did you find this place?"

"Well, once Lau brought me here."

"Lau?" Jason frowned, puzzled.

"Lauren Anderson," Bill mimicked her notable features with a gesture to his chest.

"Oh, one of your girls," Jason acknowledged, glancing around uncomfortably.

"Jealous?" teased the dark-haired boy.

Jason's smile sparked a special gleam in Bill's eye or perhaps it was just the light filtering in, illuminating his radiant skin like porcelain; regardless, Bill couldn't stop watching him.

"Relax, Brennan, you're not that important."

Their conversation continued, covering various topics, growing increasingly at ease with each other.

Both read the countless comments about their cafeteria scene, clearly well-positioned to win the bet.

An hour passed, and they arrived at school. Students were rushing around; the second period was about to start. Bill parked, and as Jason reached for the door handle, the dark-haired boy stopped him.

"Wait, I'll open it for you."

"No need."

"Come on, Jason, I need to treat you like my past girlfriends."

"They were girls; I'm not. Plus, like you said, they're your past partners, and you didn't last with any of them."

"Ouch, that hurt, Jason."

"Relax, if we want them to believe this is real, you should change some things. It'll convince them it's something long-lasting, right?"

"Alright, what am I supposed to do?"

Jason glanced around, noticing the curious onlookers.

"Let's give them something to talk about."

He grasped Bill's chin, his tongue gracing those soft lips and then delving uninvited into the warmth of the other's mouth. They surrendered to the kiss, their tongues fought for dominance, but Bill yielded, savoring the caress inside his mouth. Jason pulled away, his thumb wiping the traces of salvia from Bill's mouth.

"Alright, off to class, handsome." He smiled and got out of the car, striding triumphantly through the student crowd, who'd captured images of the steamy kiss in the car.

"This was way beyond hot," Bill muttered, adjusting his trousers. He grabbed his backpack, using it as a shield to conceal his arousal.

Control yourself, Bill, it's just a damn game, and he's a boy.

In math class, Jason reveled in the memories of his kisses with Bill, unable to wipe the smile off his face. The teacher noted his model student's happiness and let him be, taking pleasure in seeing the boy finally at ease.

Towards the end of the period, the teacher called on Jason, asking for assistance with carrying some materials to the next class.

"How have you been, Jason?"

"Very well, sir."

"Are you preparing for college entrance exams?"

"Yes, it's tough, but I'll make it."

"That's the spirit. Whatever's happening is good; I haven't seen you this happy in a long time."

"Thank you."

They reached the classroom, to Jason's surprise belonging to Magy and Bill. Some students lounged on tables, others scribbled on the blackboard. Jason entered, setting the books on the teacher's desk while the professor retrieved his forgotten briefcase.

"Princess!" Magy exclaimed, causing everyone to turn.

"Damn it, Magy, don't call me that."

"Come on, I've always called you that. What's the issue, your boyfriend?" she teased.

Jason smiled and felt Bill's arms wrapping around him, his chest against his back, chin settling on his shoulder.

"Hello, dear, did you miss me?" Bill whispered, his warm breath permeating every fiber of Jason, who bit his lip nervously.

The class buzzed with whispers, some chuckling as if watching a live-action Yaoi drama.

"Bill, the teacher could enter; let go," Jason murmured, while Magy shook her head, laughter spilling from her lips.

"Someone told me to do what I hadn't with my past girlfriends. Just following orders," the dark-haired boy chuckled.

"Ok, but now you need to let go, I can't be late to my next class."

"If you give me a kiss."

"Bill, I'm not going to kiss you in the class."

"Just a peck, please, baby?" He coaxed, turning Jason to face him. "Come on, be nice." Bill admired the beautiful face before him, cursing himself internally for feeling so attracted to a boy.

"Darn you, you know that?"

"Yes, but you like me," Bill grinned shamelessly.

Jason grasped his boyfriend's chin; Bill closed his eyes, anticipating another memorable moment like in the car. However, with a swift turn, Jason's soft lips brushed against his cheek, followed by a whisper,

"Your bag's too far; if we go on, you'll have nothing to cover with, baby."

Jason released him, and Bill stood with his mouth agape.

He noticed, didn't he? Clever, Bill, maintain self-control. Bill thought.

"See you," Jason sauntered out of the class with an air of superiority.

"Thank you, Jason, for helping me," the professor said as they passed in the hall.

"It's nothing."

"If only you knew that you just made my day far more interesting," he murmured.

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