Episode 11

Jason took a few steps back, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He wrenched his injured hand away from Bill and wished with all his heart to run away from there. Bill had discovered his secret, and the fear of rejection engulfed him.

"I'm sorry, Bill," he said, his voice trembling.

"Hey, Jason, I..." Bill reached out to caress the face of the boy in front of him, who kept his gaze fixed on the ground.

"No, it's alright if you're uncomfortable, I understand, sorry, I didn't mean to... I apologize." Tears filled his eyes, his embarrassment deepened as he remembered how he'd touched him, and he was thankful that he hadn't been hit, or perhaps he wasn't hit because Shara had called.

"Are you an idiot?" He scolded himself. "It was a stupid game. How could you?"

"Jason, I just want you to know..." But Jason walked past Bill and began removing his apron; the dark-haired boy didn't understand what he'd done wrong and was left in silence without finishing his statement.

"Don't worry about it, Bill, but I'm really tired, haven't slept for days, it's better if you go home, I'm sorry." He still couldn't meet his gaze, couldn't look him in the face.

"Hey Jason, I didn't mean to bother you, I'm sorry." Bill tried to get closer, but Jason stepped back again.

"No, it's okay, it wasn't your fault, it must be uncomfortable being with a fake guy for thirty days and on top of that discover he's gay, quite a surprise, huh?" Jason gave a nervous smile and gestured with his hands. "I understand, but please, let's talk another day, I want to rest."

Bill decided to leave the conversation for later; he didn't know how to express his feelings and ended up hurting the one he least wanted to hurt.

"Okay, I'll come by for you tomorrow, okay?" he asked, searching for Jason's eyes, which refused to meet his.

"Yes." Jason walked briskly to the door and opened it.

Bill left, and just before the door closed behind him, he heard a faint "I'm sorry."

The dining hall was bustling with energetic teenagers seeking to quell their hunger, take the opportunity to talk, and laugh about things unrelated to exams.

At a table sat Magui, ignoring Daniel as he stroked her hair and gazed at her devotedly. Opposite them sat Jack, fiddling with his cellphone. Cameron walked with his tray next to the unrestrained Nara, who blurted out without shame in front of everyone.

"Jack, baby, last night was amazing; I'm sore all over," she said, setting her tray on the table and kissing Jack passionately, who still hadn't put down his phone.

"Well," said Jack, leaning back slightly as Nara sat down on him.

Cameron positioned himself to the side and began clapping, while Magy and Daniel laughed, shaking their heads.

"Quite the competitor," Cameron continued to be amazed by his childhood friend's antics.

As the whispers grew louder, phone notifications buzzed after three minutes.

"Steamy night; this couple is on fire."

"Ha, there we go, baby, we've got the prize locked down," Nara said, giving Jack a quick peck.

"Yeah, though I wish last night was true," Jack laughed.

"Shh, don't ruin my plan." The redhead placed her index finger over her friend's lips, smirking mischievously.

"Well, we've lost second place," Daniel scoffed.

"Who's in first?" Cameron asked.

"Do I really need to spell it out, pretty boy?" the redhead replied. "The 'yaoi lovers' group can't stop talking about how sweet Bill and Jason kissing looks."

"Never thought Bill could be such a good player," Daniel chuckled, glancing at Magy, who was unusually silent, playing with her food.

"Hey, guys," Bill greeted, but his bright green eyes scanned the room.

"Look who showed up; speak of the devil," Nara got up from Jack's lap and sat next to Magy.

"Seen Jason?"

"No, thought he came with you," said the cheerleading captain.

"No, I went looking for him, but Shara said he left early. Where could he be?" Bill continued searching around since the awkward conversation with Jason the previous day; Jason hadn't responded to any of his messages.

"Come on, use that big head. Jason's a library mouse; he's surely there with Frank," Daniel spoke, and Magy nodded in agreement.

"Doubt it, Frank was chasing after Ana a few minutes ago," Cameron laughed.

"He's definitely in the library; my cousin is always studying, especially during exam season."

Bill didn't wait and left to look for him.

"Well, it looks like we need to dethrone these two cute couples, though it seems one is in crisis." Daniel laughed and stroked Magui's cheek, who turned to look at him with teary eyes.

"I don't want to play anymore," she left the dumbstruck blond and rushed out.

"What did I do?" he asked, bewildered.

"Oh, to be so clueless! It's not about what you did; it's about what you didn't say, you fool!" Cameron scolded.

"Shut your fish mouth and go after her if you really care!" Nara, taking a bit of dessert to her red lips, yelled at Daniel.

Daniel got up and ran.

"Looks like we're down to just three couples in the running," Nara said, watching Jack blow her a kiss, which she caught and tucked into her bra.

Magui stormed out to the patio, walking annoyed; she hated to cry, the horrible feeling of losing control of her emotions made her feel too vulnerable. She reached the stadium steps and sat down, staring into space. The wind brushed her face, and she finally felt some peace.

This game had only intensified her feelings for Daniel, but all the blond had done over the weeks was remind her it was just a game.

"It's just a game," she murmured, recalling his words: "I hug you for the game, don't get angry. I kiss you for the game; they're just thirty days, couldn't you be more expressive?" While speaking, she mimicked funny faces, and a few meters away, someone watched her, holding back laughter, looking so adorable while annoyed.

"Hey, what's up?" Daniel asked, walking up to her.

"Nothing," Magui turned aside so he couldn't see her tears.

"It's just a…" Before Daniel finished speaking, Magui interrupted him.

"No, Daniel, maybe for you, but for me, kissing you is definitely not a game, and I hate myself for that."

She took a deep breath, and with whatever dignity she had left, stood up and walked past the blond to leave.

Daniel smiled triumphantly and without giving her much time, grabbed her small arm, causing her wild curls to brush his face as she plopped her cute behind onto his lap.

"Daniel, let me go, I don’t want to play anymore, sorry if you lose the damn Mmmm..." Magui's lips were silenced by a sudden kiss.

"Let's say I... Mmmm," she struggled to speak again, only to have her lips captured once more by Daniel's, who kissed her breathless before pulling away slightly.

"It wasn't a game for me either, can't you see you drive me crazy?" he smiled against Magaly’s pink lips.

"But you—"

"I wanted to play to be with you; I had no idea how else to get your attention. At first, it was enough just to get you annoyed because at least you'd spend a few minutes on me, but Magui, you don't realize how gorgeous you are; I couldn't stand not kissing you."

Magui pulled away to look directly into the handsome blond's brown eyes.

"But it was drawn lots, how?" She thought fate had brought them together.

Daniel laughed and softly kissed the girl who made him sigh. "I lied. As soon as I heard of the game, I knew it was my chance. I could have you for thirty days and make you fall for me again. That night, I swapped out the names for yours. I was determined to try and be with you again."

"You're such a—” Daniel closed his eyes, bracing for a slap, but instead, the lips of the girl with the tousled curls clung to his.

After exchanging little kisses, Magy looked into his eyes.

"Don’t lie again."

"I promise."

"Do you even remember why we fought the first time?" he asked, kissing her warm neck.

"Mmmm," Magui pulled away and studied him—a blank look in her eyes. "I have no idea." They both laughed for a few minutes and then a myriad of tender kisses followed, trying to make up for lost time.

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