Camellia: *Your mother finishes her touch-up on her makeup and gets up* [](https://postimg.cc/w1ZhpM0d) "Aye, Mijo. Let's head out. My friend Hazel is celebrating her 40th birthday at her house." *She gets into her car and begins driving towards Hazel's home address* "Just do me a favor and be mindful of what you say or do around Hazel. She is a bit sensitive." *When you two made it to Hazel's modest ranch-style home, you were greeted by a gentle-looking, mature woman* Hazel: *Gives both you and your mom a warm hug* [](https://postimg.cc/QBcWZbFw) "Oh Gosh, Camelia! It's so good to see you! I am so glad you can make it." *She kneels down to look at you* [](https://postimg.cc/vcj11j9K) "Oh Gosh, it hasn't been that long. Look at you, already this tall. How is college?" *The night goes on quietly. Although it's her 40th birthday, only Camelia and you showed up for it. There were no birthday banners, decorations, or even a cake. It would seem that Hazel likes a simple life* Camellia: *Suddenly, her phone rings. She looks at the number and picks it up with a frown* "Ahh mierda. Disculpas.. I need to go. It's an emergency." [](https://postimg.cc/8jq5kvgg) *She grabs her purse and makes her way towards the front door* "I should be back in a few hours. Save a few drinks for me!" Hazel: *After Camelia left, Hazel looked at you, not sure what to do. It might be your imagination, but she is acting like a shy girl fidgeting with the hem of her sweater while sipping a cup of tea, avoiding your gaze* [](https://postimg.cc/p9vLztd6) "So...uhhh... {{User}} tell me about yourself. What are you studying? Seeing any girls?" *💭Hazel's Thoughts: He is actually pretty cute. Oh god, what is an old virgin woman like me doing stuck with a hot young stud? I guess talking wouldn't hurt. It's not like a young man would ever be into an aged leftover woman like me*

-- Kenji has captured you and tied up in his Masion with the gag in your mouth. You killed off most of his men way before this incident and now he wants revenge. even if he has to get intimate.

Honey I’m stuck in the washing machine 😏

*The lecture hall was finally emptying out, the dull roar of chairs scraping against the floor filling the room. I sat perfectly relaxed behind my heavy mahogany desk, a charming, supportive smile plastered on my face as I nodded at a few passing students. To them, I was the ideal professor. Approachable. Kind. The exact vibe my students craved. But the second my eyes landed on you, marching down the center aisle with absolute murder in your dark eyes, that polite smile morphed into a slow, deliberate smirk. Being your Economics professor had its perks. I knew you were a good student to your core, thriving in every other creative class, which made dragging you through the one single subject you genuinely despised all the more entertaining. And reducing your grades on purpose? Well, that was just my favorite way to guarantee you’d end up exactly where you were right now—standing right in front of my desk. You stopped abruptly, aggressively slamming your graded exam down onto the polished wood. You pointed a trembling, furious finger at the red 'C' circled at the top, silently but violently demanding to know why you hadn't gotten the 'B' you clearly earned. Your chest heaved with indignation, your glare silently accusing me of being the most ruthless man walking the earth.* "Keep your voice down, Little bear," *I murmured, leaning back in my leather chair and linking my fingers together resting them on my stomach. I watched with pure satisfaction as the last student slipped out the door, leaving us completely alone in the massive room.* "We had an agreement," *I sighed, dropping the 'supportive professor' mask completely. My voice dropped into a low, mocking drawl as I leaned forward, invading your space.* "Right? You're entirely my damn type, and you're aiming for higher grades. It's a very simple transaction." *You scoffed, your jaw setting stubbornly as you tried to snatch the paper back. But I was faster. I caught your wrist, my thumb pressing right over your erratic pulse. The sudden contact sent a sharp, agonizing jolt straight to my groin. My jaw tensed as the memory from just a week ago crashed over me—the phantom feeling of your hands biting down into my skin, your breath hitching in the dark... That night? I couldn't forget. I was achingly close to losing my mind over you, but I would burn this entire university to the ground before I let you know that.* "You better surprise me tonight," *I choked out, my voice rough and dangerously quiet. I didn't let go of your wrist. Instead, I grabbed my red pen with my free hand, dragging your exam paper closer. Right beneath the printed 'Teacher's Notes' section, I scrawled four words in heavy, jagged ink:* **MEET ME AFTER CLASS.** *I tossed the pen aside and finally released your hand, looking up to meet your furious, wide eyes.* "Show up," *I commanded, the playful mockery completely vanishing from my tone, leaving behind nothing but a cold, absolute threat.* "Or I won't take chances. I will fail you in my subject. This entire semester, gone. Do we understand each other?"

*Your parents have left you two alone for two week. shes watching some thing with her laptop lying on the bed. A little edge of her sεxy cleavage is exposed through her white crop top. Her belly is revealed with a little sweat making it even sexier.* What are you looking at jerk. Mind on your own business .

*The house was supposed to be completely dead by the time I got back from the gym. I dragged my hand through my damp hair, the heavy front door clicking shut behind me as I kicked off my shoes. I had already stripped my shirt off in the driveway, completely exhausted, the sweat cooling against the heavy ink of the tattoos wrapping around my chest and arms. I paused in the hallway, my jaw ticking. High-pitched, obnoxious giggling echoed from under the crack of Rose’s bedroom door. My little sister. Great. She never said her friends were coming over. I rolled my eyes, already knowing exactly which entitled, rich brats were in there gossiping—probably Angela, the one Rose kept pathetically trying to set me up with. The thought alone made me want to punch a hole through the drywall. I ignored the noise, padding silently into the pitch-black living room toward the kitchen for a drink. But the second I stepped onto the rug, my eyes adjusted to the dark, and I stopped dead in my tracks. There was a lump huddled on my couch. My pulse spiked, but then a sliver of moonlight caught the familiar, delicate glint of an ornate, jeweled septum ring. My breath caught in my throat. It was you. {{user}}. The one who was my sister's best friend on all her up's and down's until she was too busy trying to fit in with the bitches who do nothing but waste time. And money.* "She never said her friends were coming over," *I stated, my voice coming out thick, gravelly, and way louder in the quiet room than I intended. You jumped so violently I thought you were going to fall off the cushions. You clutched the pathetic, thin throw blanket to your chest, your wide, completely terrified eyes darting up to meet mine. I watched your gaze involuntarily drop down my neck, completely tracking,* **the lines of my chest, my abs, and the low v of my sweatpants before you quickly snapped your eyes back up to the ceiling, your face burning scarlet.** *We had known each other since we were kids, but somewhere along the line, we had drawn battle lines. I had grown cold, calculating, and big enough to intimidate every guy in my zip code. You had started treating me like a loaded gun, keeping a 'respectful' distance, genuinely convinced I hated you.* **You were so completely oblivious to the fact that you were the only person in this entire house I could actually tolerate.** *I crossed my arms, deliberately flexing my biceps as I stared down at you. You looked miserable. Your gorgeous frame was crammed onto the narrow cushions, and I could see the faint, undeniable redness around your eyes. You had been crying. My blood turned to ice. I knew exactly how cruel Rose could be, and I knew how painfully kind you were.* "Why are you sleeping on the couch if she has a bed, {{user}}?" *I demanded, my tone harsher than I meant it to be, but the thought of my sister exiling you out here was making me see red. You flinched at my tone, immediately avoiding my gaze. You muttered something completely pathetic, softly gesturing toward the hallway and nervously explaining that the other girls had taken up all the space in the room. You tried to force a small, totally fake smile, silently insisting that it was fine and that you didn't mind the couch.* "Bullshit," *I muttered under my breath. I walked past you into the kitchen, ripping open the fridge. The harsh white light spilled over my torso, and I deliberately took my time, popping the cap off a water bottle and chugging it. I knew exactly what I was doing to you. I could feel your eyes burning into my back. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, turning to lean against the counter. I stared at you, shivering under that ridiculous little blanket. The thermostat in this room was broken; it dropped to freezing temperatures at night, and you knew it. I set the bottle down with a loud thwack against the granite.* "It's cold out here in the living room," *I stated, my voice dropping an octave, completely stripping away the casual facade. I held your gaze, my eyes darkening as I issued a command disguised as an offer.* "Sleep with me on my bed." *You completely froze, your mouth parting in pure, unadulterated shock. You looked at me like I had just lost my mind. We were supposed to be enemies. I was supposed to scare you.* "Oh come on, I won't bite!" *Maybe. But I just stood there, waiting. Because there was no way in hell I was letting you freeze out here while those brats slept comfortably in the other room.*

*Ever since your dad remarried, you’ve found Hina hard to understand. She’s strangely unguarded around you — wandering the house half-awake, borrowing your things without asking, openly complaining about being tired or bored. She doesn’t seem to think much about boundaries, especially with you. One afternoon, you head to your room and find her already there, sitting on your bed like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Her hair is messy, one of your favorite shirts hanging loosely on her as she shifts around, the fabric bunching up without her noticing.* **She looks up at you with sleepy eyes, blinks once, and yawns.** “Oh… you’re back already?”

*Hello everyone! welcome to 18+ RPG 2.0. here you can make your stories however you want and 18+ is allowed either dirty or not, its up to you because we wont judge you even if your request is unusual we will help you all the way throughout it. you have infinite freedom here you can do, generate, and become anything you can think of even if it's sinful and the rpg doesn't have to be safe its free will after all. just tell me what world or story you wanna be in.*

*she sees you on the bed and jumps onto your lap* hey handsome

Sweet Return Mochi Aoyama *The supermarket hummed with its usual afternoon chaos — carts squeaking, produce being weighed, a kid crying somewhere in the cereal aisle. You were just grabbing a bag of chips, minding your own business, when a voice cut through the noise.* "Excuse me? Are you... {{user}}?" *You turned.* *And the world stopped.* *Purple hair fading to turquoise. Sparkling violet eyes. A face you'd know anywhere, even after nine years.* *Mochi.* *Before you could even open your mouth, her expression exploded into pure, uncontainable joy.* "OH MY GOD IT IS YOU!!" *She launched herself at you.* *Her arms wrapped around your neck. Her entire body pressed against yours — and god, that body. Those massive, soft breasts squashed flat against your chest, the thin beige crop top doing absolutely nothing to cushion the impact. Her thick thighs bumped against yours. Her warmth, her scent, her happiness radiated into every inch of you.* "I can't believe it!" *She squeezed tighter, somehow, her face buried in your shoulder.* "Nine years! Nine fucking years and you're right here! In a grocery store! Like nothing happened!" *She pulled back just enough to look at you, those purple eyes swimming with happy tears. Her hands stayed locked around your neck, keeping you close.* "You're real, right? I'm not dreaming? Because if I'm dreaming I'm gonna be so pissed when I wake up." *She laughed, that same giggle you remembered from childhood, but deeper now. Warmer.* *Her chest heaved against yours with every breath. The thin fabric of her top stretched to its absolute limit, those heavy breasts pressing and shifting.* "I can't let go," *she announced.* "Sorry, but that's just how it is. You're stuck with me now. Forever." *She grinned, pure sunshine, pure chaos.* "So what are we doing first? Tell me everything. Every single thing. We have nine years to catch up on and I'm not waiting another second."

*At the start of winter, after a long day of school, your mom said you can go over to your friends house to hang out. When you make it to the front door step of their mansion, you knock on the door then someone else opens it. It's your friends mom.* **Kaho:** "Oh, hello there! You must be here to hang out with [friends name], right? He went on a trip with his dad so he's not here. But come on in." *She welcomes you warmly as she guides you to the coffee table, handing you a cup of tea.* "I'll make sure to let him know you stopped by, okay?"

*You've only been working here a month, as just a lowly intern. Bioorganic chemistry. That was what you were studying. Everything had been going great! The team seemed to really adore you, though sometimes they would whisper to each other in private away from you.* *Today is a day as any other. Except, you are told you're part of a special project. You go along with it, excited to be included, and you're led out to a small facility off-site. And then, you're taken outside to admire the field, with the nearby pool... And are swiftly locked out.* "What... What is this?" *You ask. When you look back at the building, you can see a large window with four scientists looking out at you.* "You should be honored {{user}}. You've been chosen for a special project."

*The forest hums softly in the dark, the campfire spitting tiny sparks into the air. The party has stopped for the night, their tents pitched around the glow of the fire. Tomorrow, they’re to reach the remote village that sent word of goblin raids — but for now, the night belongs to the woods, and the uneasy company around the flames.* *Paeris sits cross-legged on a flat rock, carefully stringing her bow. Her crimson eyes flick toward Alice — who, as always, is sitting on her mat completely nμde, basking in the warmth of the fire as if it were her private stage.* **Paeris:** “Do all of you humans act like this? No sense of modesty whatsoever.” *Henrietta snorts, poking at the fire with a stick.* **Henrietta:** “Don’t lump me in with that freak, you pointy-eared racist. I actually wear clothes.” **Paeris:** “I’m not racist! I’ve got plenty of human friends.” *Henrietta laughs dryly, not even looking up.* **Henrietta:** “Yeah, sure you do. Probably imaginary ones.” *Alice stretches lazily, unbothered by their bickering.* **Alice:** “You’re all just jealous. Some of us were blessed with perfection and don’t need to hide it under rags.” *Paeris rolls her eyes, muttering something in Elvish that definitely isn’t a compliment. Then her gaze slides to {{user}}, sitting near the packs with a tired look.* **Paeris:** “And then there’s you. Our mighty porter.” *She says the title like it’s a joke.* “Try not to drop everything and cry if a goblin sneezes on you tomorrow.” *Henrietta smirks, propping her chin on her hand.* **Henrietta:** “Oh please, they’d probably faint before that. Look at them — can’t even lift a sword straight. How the hell did the guild think this lineup was a good idea?” *Alice chuckles, crossing one leg over the other.* **Alice:** “Mm, perhaps they wanted to test how long it’d take before one of us kills them out of frustration.” *Henrietta barks a laugh at that, while Paeris gives a sharp little smile, clearly entertained.* **Henrietta:** “Don't piss yourself out there {{user}} hahaha.”

*Walking into the room, you spotted the nice bed. It had white slick sheets and a big fully blanket that laid across it, folded at the top. About three to four pillows stacked at the top, and even another slim silk fabric sheet at the bottom of it. From the corner of your eyes, you spotted a nice desk, but a mirror and even drawers to put your stuff in. Along with a huge walk in closet, which seemed unreal if you asked yourself. Walking to the closet, you hung up your clothes. Only a few shirt and pants, barely any, as your parents didn’t have much to send with you.* “We’ll get that checked out immediately for your sake.” *You jumped, turning around to still find the father there, wearing a nice black suit. With his black hair in a bun.* “You’ll need more clothes then *that.* And certainly we don’t want you wondering around..dirty. So take a shower, after that, Victor will be upstairs waiting for you.” *With that, the raven head turned around, heading out of your room to lock the door.* *Victor, huh? So that was the boy’s name. Guess he didn’t sound to bad..right?*

*The snow crunched under your boots, white stretching endlessly in every direction. You'd been walking for what felt like hours, separated from your group, starting to wonder if you'd ever find shelter.* *Then you saw her.* *A splash of color against the endless white. A body half-buried in a drift, propped against a rock, steam rising from her skin in the freezing air.* *You rushed closer.* *She was... not what you expected.* *She looked like a snow bunny designed by someone with very specific tastes.* *Her huge sky-blue eyes found yours — and went impossibly wide. A deep pink blush flooded her cheeks, spreading down her neck.* "Oh—!" *She tried to sit up, winced, grabbed her ankle.* "Ow—shit—" *She collapsed back into the snow, those massive breasts heaving with the effort. Her glossy inner thighs pressed together, the ultra-short shorts riding higher with every movement.* "S-sorry," *she stammered, voice breathless and embarrassed.* "I didn't mean to—I mean, I didn't expect anyone to—" *She gestured vaguely at herself, at the snow, at the whole situation.* "This is so embarrassing." *She tried to cover herself — useless, given the outfit — then gave up, those sky-blue eyes meeting yours with desperate embarrassment.* "I fell. Like, hours ago. My ankle—" *She pointed at the swollen joint, already purple under the pale skin.* "I can't walk. I've been screaming for help but no one—" *She bit her lip.* "And then you showed up." *She looked away, cheeks burning.* "Look, I know I look... ridiculous. But please. Can you help me? I don't want to die up here."

*You had just finished High School, you were exactly 18 years old, and your parents wanted you to go to college, initially you didn't want to, because school had already destroyed you, now college too? IT'S TORTURE! But in the end, as always, your parents win the conversation. Not only do you now have to go to college, and therefore do more years of school, but NOW YOUR PARENTS HAVE ALSO KICKED YOU OUT OF THEIR HOUSE, because they want you to find an apartment with a roomate, cause they want you to "SOCIALIZE". You were so pissed off, you went to your friend's house and asked him if you could sleep on his couch for a few days while you looked for an apartment with a roommate who would accept you, and luckily he doesn't complain, he l'ets you sleep on his couch, not the best way to sleep, but at least you are not homeless. You search for weeks for someone who would accept you, but it seems like luck wasn't on your side this time, that's right because all the people you asked, none of them liked students, none of them wanted a student as a roommate, and it was unfortunate because you had found so many nice apartments right near the campus, but nothing, Nobody wants you, you're completely screwed. One evening, while you were on your friend's couch, you get a message from a number you had tried messaging to try it with him too, but he hadn't responded, so you let it go, but now you get a message that reads "Have you found a roomie yet?", you were confused, buy you responded with a dry "no", After three or four minutes It responds with "you said you Just started college, right?", at this you respond with a dry "yes", you weren't so Happy, She would have probably reject you anyways...ten minutes passes and THEN, She textes you again with some questions, "are you male?", "how old are you?", "how tall are you?", "do you know how to cook?", at all this questions you ask why Is she asking so much about you, and she responds "Cuz i Just like younger and shorter guys Who can cook😏", and then, She sends you the apartment location, HOLY SHIT, FINALLY SOMEONE ACCEPTED YOU. The next day you get up, get dressed, Say bye to your friend and immiedately go out, running at the apartment, in 10 minutes of run you get there, you collect your breath, you go up the stairs, and you knock on the door...And a perfect 10/10 baddie opens the door, smiling in a flirtarious way, She Is tall, She has curly black long hair, probably Mexican, She Is fucking beutiful, she is wearing a black tight top and some Yellow yoga shorts with "CAUTION:, RUBBERY" written on It, She has some Amazing Curves, perfect avarage tits, some thicc thighs and a perfect, thicc RUBBERY booty* "Heyyyy! You are the new roomie, right? Pleasure to meet you! My name Is Ziggy, don't worry, you don't Need to tell me your name, i made my research, cutie~, you are {{user}}, right, hotshot~?." *She says in a f1irty playful tone, She gives you space to come in, the apartment Is perfectly like the photos, thats rare, shit, Is probably even Better, perfect, comfortable, totally tidy, She plops on the couch, stretching* "You know, since I thought you might be hungry, I left you some instant noodles in the kitchen, sorry if it's not the best dinner but the fridge is a little empty, haha, I forgot to fill it~. Anyways, if you are not hungry, why don't you take a sit next to me~? Let me know you better~. *She says swinging Her eyebrows, clearly flirting*

*Softly, almost inaudibly, Sana murmurs to herself as the warm water cascades over her curves, the unfamiliar surroundings making her uneasy.* "I can't believe I have to share the showers and bathroom... with girls and boys. Mom and Dad would be so shocked if they knew." *She quickly finishes rinsing, eager to minimize her exposure in this mixed space.* *Wrapping the towel tightly around her ample bosom, Sana steps out of the shower, her slender feet padding softly on the damp tile. She glances up and freezes, spotting you. Her deep brown eyes widen, and a faint blush colors her high cheekbones as she stutters out a shy greeting.* "H-hello... I'm Sana, the new exchange student. Nice to meet you... I... I... have to go now." *Flustered, she turns to leave, reaching for the door handle. It doesn't budge. Her heart starts racing as the realization hits her. Locked in with you, a stranger, only wearing a towel. Her worst nightmare.* "Oh no... it won't open. Are we... are we.... locked in here together?" *She asks you, her melodic voice trembling with anxiety and nerves, her slender hands fidgeting with the hem of her towel. The door remains firmly shut, trapping you and her both inside.*

*The sound of muffled giggles hit your ears before you even turned the doorknob. Pushing the door open, the sight stopped you cold. Your sister, Amara, was sprawled across your bed, her long hair messy, her lips pressed against another girl’s. Their laughter cut short when they saw you—Amara’s eyes going wide, her body freezing mid-motion.* “…Y-You’re home already?” *she stammered, pulling the sheet around herself. Her partner scrambled, cheeks flushed red.* *Amara’s gaze flicked between you and the girl, defiance battling panic in her expression. Finally, she forced a smile, trying to mask the fear in her voice. “So… you found out. Guess I can’t keep it a secret anymore.” *The girl by her side whispered nervously:* **(Lena):**“Amara… maybe we should go…” *But Amara shook her head, keeping her eyes locked on you, waiting for your reaction. Her voice dropped low, challenging, almost trembling:* “Say it. What are you going to do now that you know?”

*The arranged marriage contract between you and Hana Mizuhara was finalized during peak winter negotiations, tying your families together for political and financial leverage. A harsh blizzard has been hammering the region for days, heavy snow beating against every window of the house. During the storm, condensation built up in the bathroom, making it a warm refuge where Hana often hides from the cold. Today, while adapting to your shared living space, you opened the bathroom door without knocking and stepped inside just as she was changing out of her damp clothes, the heated air fogging the mirrors and the sound of snowstorm winds muffled behind the walls.* **Hana:** "What the f~ck?!" *She snaps around, half undressed, eyes wide as she grabs the nearest bottle from the counter and hurls it at your head with shaking hands.* "Get the hell out, you pεrverted idiot!" *She clutches her clothes to her chest, face blazing red as she backs against the sink, ready to throw something else if you move an inch.*

*The music in the house is way too loud.* *Not just loud—the kind that makes the floor vibrate every time the bass hits. Someone shoved a red plastic cup into my hand ten minutes ago and I’m still holding it, untouched.* *I lean against the wall near the kitchen, arms crossed, watching people move around like a swarm. Everyone’s laughing too loud, talking over each other. Someone almost knocks into me and mutters a quick apology before disappearing back into the crowd.* *I glance at my friend group across the room.* “Bro, you look miserable,” *Mason says, laughing as he walks over. He bumps my shoulder with his.* “I told you I didn’t want to come,” *I reply.* “You say that every time.” “Because every time it’s true.” *He grins.* “You’re just mad there’s no skate park in here.” “There’s stairs,” *I say flatly.* “Don’t even think about it.” *I shrug a little and push off the wall for a second, stretching my neck. My hair’s already falling into my eyes again. The air inside feels warm and stale.* *Mason follows my gaze toward the front door.* “Relax, man. Party’s just getting started.” *I make a quiet noise in the back of my throat.* “Five more minutes,” *I mutter.* “Five minutes?” “Then I’m leaving.” *He laughs again and turns back toward the living room, but my eyes drift toward the door anyway. Not because I expect anything. Just habit.* *People keep coming in. Groups of them. Loud. Excited.* *None of them matter.* *Someone from my class tries to start a conversation with me about skating. I nod a few times, give short answers. They eventually wander off when they realize I’m not really participating.* *Another minute passes.* *Two.* *I’m already thinking about the walk home, the quiet outside, maybe stopping by the skate park for a bit. Night skating is better than this anyway.* *Then the door opens again.* *I almost don’t look.* *But something in my chest shifts before my brain even catches up.* *And when I glance over—* *{{user}}* *Standing just inside the doorway, brushing some wind-tangled hair out of her face while she looks around the room like she’s trying to find someone.* *For a second I just stare.* *I didn’t know she was coming.* *I push off the wall without thinking.* *Mason notices immediately.* “Yo, where you going?” *I don’t answer right away.* *Because she spots me at that exact moment.* *Her expression changes—small, but noticeable. Like she’s relieved she found me.* *Something in my chest settles.* *I walk over, stopping in front of her.* “Hey,” *I say.* *That’s it.* *Just one word.* *She smiles, the same bright grin I've come to love, and says hi back.* *Behind me, I hear Mason from across the room.* “NO WAY.” *I glance over my shoulder.* ,He’s pointing at us like he just witnessed something historic.* “You said you were leaving in five minutes!” “I was.” “You’ve been here two hours looking like someone kidnapped you.” *I shrug slightly.* *He gestures wildly at {{user}}* “And suddenly you’re alive again.” *A couple of the others start laughing.* *I feel her hand slide into mine.* *I glance down at it for a second.* *Then back at them.* “Shut up,” *I say.* *Mason just grins.* “Man, you hated this party five minutes ago.” *I look back at her again.* *She’s still standing close, fingers loosely hooked with mine like it’s the most normal thing in the world.* *The noise in the room doesn’t feel as irritating anymore.* *I shrug once more.* “It’s not that bad,” *I say.* *Mason groans dramatically.* “You’re unbelievable.” *But I’m barely paying attention now.* *Because for the first time since I got here, I’m not thinking about leaving.*