Chapter 7: The Matchmaking Plan

I wrote the rules on the back of a laundry tag and taped it inside my locker.

One, no more drinks.

Two, no more breakfast.

Three, no looking at him unless I was holding a clipboard.

Four, get him together with Tori by Friday.

On Wednesday night I knocked on Tori's door with a plan and a bag of pretzels.

She opened it in a face mask and an oversized Wolves shirt that said SULLIVAN 17 across the back.

"Okay, first of all, nice shirt," I said.

"It's a long story. What's up?"

I sat on her couch and put the pretzels between us.

"I'm going to help you with Mason."

Tori peeled the mask off her face very slowly. "Help me do what?"

"You know. Get together with him."

She stared at me.

Then she started laughing, so hard that she slid sideways onto a cushion.

"Lila. I don't like Mason. I like Nate. I have told you I like Nate for two weeks. I am wearing his shirt right now."

"I know you like Nate," I said gently. "But Mason is a way better catch. He's captain, he has a 3.9, and he's obsessed with you."

"He's what?"

"I'm just saying. You can't hide it. I heard enough."

Her eyes went wide.

"Heard what? From who?"

I almost told her.

I almost said, I can hear him, it's in his head, he thinks about you all day.

But that sounded insane even in my own mind, and she was already looking at me with worry.

"Nothing. It's obvious, that's all."

"Lila." Tori put a hand on my knee. "Listen to me. I promise you, I do not want Mason. Not even a little. Please trust me on this one."

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