“Can’t. I have hockey practice,” Daniel said. “I can do Thursday night.”
“We’re at the shelter Thursday, remember?”
“After the shelter. How much time do we need?”
“Couple of hours?” He’d only be watching me play once, and somehow the next day he had to pass as a level-fifty Dark Mage.
“I’m free all night after the shelter.”
“All right,” I said. “Until then, you have homework. Calculus, and MCU andDragon ArenaWiki.”
“Got it, teacher. Talk soon.”
I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but there was no turning back now. In three days, I was going to unveil my fake boyfriend to the world.
17
Nerd-Boy Interrogation
After I got home from the shelter on Thursday evening, I warmed up a bowl of leftover biriyani. Mom was working late tonight, so she told us all to fend for ourselves for dinner, which worked well for me. Daniel, Cass, and I were meeting on the Discord channel in about half an hour to start Daniel’sDragon Arenatraining.
I was in my room at my computer logging in to the game when I got a text from Daniel.
Daniel:Not going to be able to play tonight. Something came up. But still good for the party tomorrow. See you then!
I stared at my phone. He was canceling on me? Why? The party was tomorrow. Today was his last chance to learn aboutDragon Arena.
I texted Cass, sending them a screenshot of Daniel’s message.
Cass:Did you respond?
Me:I don’t know what to say. He didn’t even tell me why he’s canceling.
Cass:Yes, he said something came up.
Me:I know. It’s just he promised. I spent hours working on calculus with him this week.
Cass:And he’s still coming to the party. We’ll stay close to him and make sure no one interrogates him on the best armor for Dark Mages.
I sighed. Of course Cass was right. I’d already been worried that this arrangement was benefiting me more than him. I couldn’t be mad here. When I didn’t write anything back, Cass wrote again.
Cass:You’re too hyper focused on the details here. No one will care about what he’s into or what he’s wearing. All that matters is that the guy from your insta comes to the party. He doesn’t need Dragon Arena lessons.
I huffed at that.Of courseI was focused ondetails. I was a math and programming nerd.
Me:Well, I don’t have much of a choice now.
Cass:Write back to him. And be nice.
I opened the text to him.
Me:Okay, I understand. See you tomorrow!
“Is he going to change into that shirt in the car?” Aimee asked. She was sitting in the front passenger seat, while I was in the back of the car. “I wouldn’t mind a peek of some hockey abs.” She turned back to look at me, waggling her brows up and down.
“Don’t objectify my fake boyfriend,” I said.
It was Friday evening and we were ready for Hana’s party. Cass had picked up me and Aimee, and we were on our way to the shelter to get Daniel.
