Chapter Twenty Mia
Chapter Twenty
Mia
Mia had missed holding a camera.
The biggest irony of her film school experience so far was how little access she had to a camera that wasn’t on her phone.
Only students who’d already taken certain classes were allowed to even touch the school’s equipment, which meant that as a
freshman, Mia could only use the small, basic camera she had brought from home.
Her parents bought her this camera before they’d even allowed her to have her own phone. Since as far back as she could remember,
she was the designated “family historian,” dutifully taking pictures and recording videos of every birthday party and family
Christmas production. Mia figured this was probably how she first developed an interest in filmmaking, although her parents
would never admit it themselves.
Now, as Shirin and Tiana skied down the hill, Mia relished all the different emotions and details she could capture with her own two hands.
The girls’ conversation was casual enough, but nothing was casual about Shirin’s lingering glances at Tiana whenever she thought no one was looking.
Or the way Shirin bit her lip when their hands accidentally touched.
“Isn’t it weird how our families have never gone skiing together even though we’ve known each other for, like, ten years?”
asked Tiana.
“Oh my gosh, yeah. I feel like we end up unintentionally just missing each other,” Shirin replied. “My family goes to Tahoe
when you guys don’t go and vice versa.”
“I also feel like you guys go way more than we do. I’m barely holding my balance here!”
Tiana wobbled, and Shirin laughed.
Mia loved how Shirin’s normally serious face lit up whenever Tiana was around. Both girls were so happy when they were with
each other. It was really cute.
“Well, I’m glad we’re finally skiing together,” Shirin said, gently holding the other girl’s arm so she could regain her balance.
“I’ve always wanted to.”
Tiana was still looking down at her skis when she replied, “Same here!”
Shirin bit her lip, and Mia found herself doing the same from behind the camera. She was so nervous for Shirin. Having to
see Noah every day to record the show was hard enough. She couldn’t imagine what it was like to secretly have a crush on someone
who was also your best friend for ten years.
By the time Shirin and Tiana finished skiing, the other contestants were already in line to return their equipment.
Mia spotted Celine and Noah, who, along with Kallie, were almost completely silent. She winced. Well, that date seemed like
a bust. Before she could dwell on them for long, though, she spotted Matías and Jack farther along in the line, holding hands.
They both had wild, happy grins on their faces, and so did Damien as he filmed them.
“Hey!” Tiana exclaimed when she also spotted the boys. Matías came running to excitedly whisper in Shirin’s and Tiana’s ears.
The girls cheered.
After everyone had turned in their equipment and exited the rental cabin, Matías said, “Attention, please! Jack and I have
an announcement to make.”
Mia’s heart pounded. Something big was about to happen. She could feel it.
Matías nervously laughed when all eyes—and cameras—turned to him. He looked up at Jack, who nodded and squeezed his hand.
“We just wanted to let everyone know that we’ve decided to drop out of the show,” Matías went on. “Since Jack already gets
a lot of spotlight back on campus, we’re going to try dating on the low first while there’s still some time left before Christmas.”
A few people gasped. Damien looked like he was about to cheer and sob at the same time.
Kallie slow blinked in disbelief, while Alex clutched the sides of their head in a gesture of panic.
Mia didn’t blame them. Somehow the show was not one but two people down today.
It was a good thing they’d already thought of bringing in extra people.
Shirin and Tiana loudly clapped and whooped. And soon so was everyone else, cheering on the new couple.
“Best of luck!” Noah yelled.
“Yeah, so proud of you!” Shirin said. “Baby’s all grown up!”
Matías hugged Shirin and then blew kisses at everyone else while Jack waved.
As the boys went around to say their goodbyes, Kallie followed Jack with her camera while Damien followed Matías. Just in
case Alex needed another angle to work with, Mia filmed Matías as he gave Noah a big bro-hug.
Afterward, Matías and Shirin spent a good five minutes whispering back and forth. Mia couldn’t make out what they were saying,
but from their expressions, Matías seemed to be encouraging Shirin. To do what, Mia had no idea.
When Matías came to give Mia a hug, she stopped recording.
“Thanks for creating this show,” he said. “Truly, I wouldn’t even have had the slightest chance with Jack without you.”
“Nah, with your amazing personality? I’m sure you would have figured it out some way or another.”
He flashed her a mischievous grin. “Maybe. But you made it a lot easier.”
When Jack and Matías finished making their rounds, Damien motioned toward the parking lot.
“I’ll take Matías and Jack back to the lodge, so I can record them leaving with one of the nicer cameras,” Damien said. “Mia, do you mind riding in Kallie’s car on the way back?”
“Not at all,” Mia replied.
With a big smile, she watched as Matías and Jack literally walked off into the sunset together.
Our first Cuffing Game success story, Mia thought. It certainly didn’t happen the way she’d expected it to happen, but she was happy for them, nevertheless.
Back at the lodge, Mia had just gotten out of the shower when she heard a knock. After living with her for the past four months,
she knew it was Celine before she even opened the door.
The other girl was in her black silk pajamas, the very same ones she wore back in their dorm room. Seeing her wear the pajamas
now, hundreds of miles away in Big Bear, was disorienting to say the least.
“Hey,” said Mia. “What’s up?”
“Hi, sorry, can we talk?” Celine asked. “Roommate to roommate?”
Mia glanced down the hall. Faint laughter came from the production room on the other side of the house, where her friends
were currently finishing up the edits for today. She’d meant to join them as soon as she was done showering but . . . Celine’s
face was drawn tight with worry, in a way Mia had never seen it before.
“Sure.” She stepped aside so Celine could enter the room. “But I have to warn you, I can’t say much. In case it affects the results of the game.”
Celine nodded. “It’s okay. I just need someone to hear me out more than anything else. Shirin’s a good cabinmate but she doesn’t
know Noah like you do.”
“Got it,” Mia replied. She sat on her bed and patted the space next to her. “What’s the problem?”
With a heavy sigh, Celine sank onto Mia’s bed. Then, in a rush of air, she blurted out, “Noah is really different from how I thought he’d be in real life.”
“Different? How so?”
Celine frowned. “I mean, don’t get me wrong. He’s so hot. And he’s a good kisser too . . . but he’s more . . . reserved? On social media he’s such a daredevil and seems so fun
and outgoing. But I’m not getting any of that in person. Like, yeah, he’ll say stuff. But other than our second date, it’s
been mostly just small talk. Is he like that with you too?”
Mia squirmed. It took all her self-control to get over the thought of Noah being a good kisser and focus on the Noah she knew
from class instead. The Noah who annoyingly always had something clever to say about everything, especially during class discussions.
“Maybe he still has to warm up to you?” Mia asked. “He doesn’t shut up when we’re in class.”
Celine’s face fell. “Do you think he’s being like this because of me?”
“No, not at all!” Mia exclaimed, waving her hands frantically in the air. The last thing she wanted was for Celine to blame herself for Noah’s failings. “Maybe he’s just feeling shy? A lot of people aren’t themselves when they’re being constantly filmed like this,
even social media stars like Noah. Whatever the reason, you shouldn’t blame yourself for how he’s acting.”
Celine sighed. “Yeah, you’re right.”
Mia had just relaxed her shoulders when suddenly, Celine burst out laughing. “Oh! By the way, can we talk about how horrible
he was at shoveling snow today? It gave me the biggest ick. How can he still call himself a man after that?”
A burst of indignation and discomfort rose up in Mia, surprising even herself. Although she too had made fun of Noah, both
in her thoughts and with Alex, it felt odd hearing Celine, the girl he was cuffed with, the girl that was supposed to like him, say mean things about him.
I’m just protective of him because he’s a contestant on my show, Mia reasoned with herself. It’s how I’d feel about someone being mean to any of the other contestants.
When Mia didn’t say anything out loud, Celine covered her mouth. “Oops, was I being too mean? Wait, there aren’t any cameras
in your room, are there? I assumed not but . . .”
She looked around, and Mia gave her a polite smile. “There aren’t any, don’t worry. And sorry, I don’t think I should contribute
any more to this conversation.”
Celine’s face turned rigid, noticing Mia’s shift in tone. With a tight smile, she said, “Right. Well, it’s late, so I should probably go to bed anyway. Thanks for hearing me out and sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Good night!”
“Good night,” Mia replied, unable to hide the relief from her voice. “Hope you have a better day tomorrow!”
She’d meant it as a friendly send-off, but Celine groaned. “Now you’re making me wonder what sort of random event you have
in store for us next,” she complained.
Mia gave her another polite smile before returning to the production room.