The Magic That Made the Playboy Who Never Dates Fall for Me Chapter 04
School’s out. I’ve just packed my bag when Mason slaps a hand on my desk.
I look up.
“Why’d you do a trick for Sophie?”
He holds my gaze. “You’re not jealous? Of me and her?”
System chimes in inside my head: [HOST. In this situation? Just act generous. That’s literally all you need to do.]
Got it.
I take that very seriously.
I say to Mason: “You like her. If she makes you happy, then I’m happy for you.”
Mason freezes like he just got hit by lightning. ⚡
He drops his head, rubs his face, then looks back at me.
“Are you stupid or what?”
Seeing him so clearly moved, I know—I nailed it.
“It’s not like I like her or anything. She’s just someone I grew up with. Both our families told me to look out for her.”
He explains it all casual, then looks at me.
“Is there anything you want?”
“Huh?” I say.
His eyes dart away. “Like… a gift. Can’t just let you take all that for nothing.”
Truth is, Mason already gives me a ton of stuff.
Buys too many things, then tosses them at me after class with some excuse about them “taking up space.”
Once I got a new deck of cards. Looked it up later—that deck cost a few hundred bucks. 💸
System is going nuts inside my head: [HOST. GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY. LEVEL UP. DON’T BLOW THIS.]
I think carefully.
Then I look at him. “Anything I want?”
He shrugs, no pressure. “Yeah.”
So I say: “Can I hold your hand?”
Mason stiffens. Turns his head away.
Just when I think the answer’s no—his hand reaches out to me.
I smile. “Thanks.”
Then I just barely hook my pinky around his index finger.
After that little gift, Mason starts stammering a bit.
But even so, he sticks to his whole flirt but don’t date in high school code, stuttering:
“D-dating? Forget it. I, I don’t date in high school.”
Then he looks at me with something almost like anticipation.
I know exactly what he needs—a reassuring answer to put his mind at ease.
So I nod firmly and say:
“Okay. I definitely won’t date you.”
Mason deflates like a popped balloon. 🎈💨
I ask System why.
System: [Hard to read. Maybe he’s hungry.]
I nod. Makes sense. Sophie’s breakfast portions really aren’t as filling as mine. 🤷
Student council president John’s birthday. He invites everyone in our class to his place for a party.
That includes me, Mason, Sophie, and Evan.
At some point, John suggests Truth or Dare. Mason says no—calls it boring. Sophie’s in the bathroom.
I say yes.
Surprisingly, Evan says yes too.
Everyone’s hyped—the guy who usually keeps everyone at arm’s length is actually joining in.
I just didn’t expect to get paired up with him.
When I draw my card, Evan’s the one asking.
From the corner of the room, I swear I see Mason glance over.
“I’ll take truth,” I say.
Evan lifts his eyes to mine.
“Do you have feelings for anyone?”
The room goes dead quiet.
Not just because of the question—but because Evan is the one asking it.
I catch Mason’s silhouette shift in the corner.
I think for a moment.
If I say yes now, someone’s definitely gonna ask who next. That might end up being a headache for Mason.
So I say:
“No.”
Mason shoots to his feet.
I look at him. Jaw clenched. He turns and walks out of the private room.
A few people go after him. I’m about to get up too—
“Keep playing.”
Evan’s cool voice cuts through.
He shuffles the deck. Deals again.
So I have no choice but to keep going. 😐
After that day? Everything between me and Mason did a full 180.
Into a wall.