“Yeah, I’m pretty sure all the girls voted that way. At least that was what they were saying last night. Natasha was the only one that sounded uncertain.”
She probably slept with him or wants to.
Where did that thought come from? Am I that much of a bitch? I mean, she is sleeping with Milo. Or she was. Who really knows after what was heard the other night. I haven’t seen them near each other much this week. With the exception of when they were partners for volleyball. Not that they did more than high five and celebrate their ultimate victory.
Once we’re all standing in our assigned spots, my legs begin to shake, my nerves kicking into overdrive. Jace tries to grab my hand, but I pull away, clasping them in front of me. I can’t right now. I can’t let him hold my hand if I’m going home. It would be leading him on, and I already feel guilty of that enough.
Three. Two. One.
“Welcome back to Love or Lust,” Ed begins, his fake smile in place as he focuses his attention on the camera. “After a long week of competition, tonight we have to say goodbye to two of our participants. But before we announce who has to leave the ranch, let’s take a look at some of the highlights from this week’s events.”
Clear.
Turning to us, Ed’s smile falls before he starts talking. “After we come back, I’ll announce the winners of immunity. I’ll need both of those people to step off the stage and stand to the side. Then we’ll move on to the elimination. I’ll ask all the girls to step forward, and you’ll each receive an envelope. In that envelope will be your fate. If you have a golden ticket in your envelope, you are safe, and you can step back on the stage. If your envelope doesn’t have a ticket in it, you’ve been voted out. I’ll need for you to step over by Claudia. She’ll take you to your exit interview and then to pack your things.
“We’ll take another break,” he continues, “then we’ll repeat the process with the guys. Golden ticket means you’re safe. No ticket and you’ll be asked to leave. Claudia will be busy so Jim”—he points to a scrawny guy standing next to Claudia—“will take you to your interview and to gather your things. Are we clear?”
Everyone nods in unison as Ed turns back to the camera and starts talking again, moving us into commercials. It’s the longest sixty seconds of my life before we’re back. I’m starting to feel faint, the pressure in my chest rising. A panic attack? Anxiety? I’m not sure. Not until I hear him call my name.
“Will you please step over here, Presley,” Ed says through gritted teeth. You’d never know he was agitated by the sound of his voice, but the look on his face... Yup, I spaced out.
Once I walk off the stage and stand on the taped X on the floor, Ed continues. “In the guy’s competition, the winner of immunity this week is Lennon. Congratulations, Lennon. You can join Presley as you are also safe from elimination.”
Safe.
Shit. I won immunity. It hits me as Lennon slides up next to me and takes my hand, giving it a light squeeze and whispers in my ear, “Just breathe.”
Was I holding my breath? Shit! I was.
Letting out a sigh, I focus my attention on the rest of the girls. They’re standing at the front of the stage, all holding hands until they’re handed their envelopes. When they’re told to open them, Bella, Natasha, and Teegan rip into theirs, holding up their golden ticket in victory. Courtney and Kyra stare at each other for a brief second before slowly opening the flap. When Courtney holds up her golden ticket, my heart drops.
Kyra’s out. She’s going home. Not that I would have wished elimination on anyone, but I was hoping she would be here with me. We’ve grown close. I know her situation and was hoping I would be able to help her. Not to mention, she deserves this as much as any of us, maybe more after what she’s been through.
She glances in my direction, a weak smile on her face and tears threatening to fall, as she walks over to Claudia, who whisks her away. I at least hope I get the chance to say goodbye to her.
Another commercial and we’re back. All the guys are standing in front of the stage. My eyes are focused on Jace, silently praying he’s not the one voted off. The only positive thought I have is that the coin landed on heads. If it had landed on tails, Jace would have been my number two this week. Hopefully having that number one slot helps. And I really hope the girls were honest with Kyra last night about wanting to get rid of Gage.
They’re each handed an envelope and when told to open them, they take their time, unlike the girls. As they begin to pull out golden tickets, I let out a sigh of relief. There’s only one person not holding a ticket, and he seems to be shocked by the outcome.
“Gage, you have been eliminated. Thank you for being here and best of luck to you,” Ed says when Gage doesn’t move. The rest of the guys are back up on the stage and he’s standing there, looking like someone just slapped him across the face.
Because we kind of did. We voted him off. Me, personally, for the way he treated people this week. For being a poor sport. For ruining everyone’s fun. For making my friends cry. That’s not the kind of person I want to spend more time with. I imagine at least a few of the girls feel the same way I do.
Finally storming off, he brushes past poor Jim and out the doors we came in. I have a feeling he won’t be giving an exit interview.
“We’re down to ten, and things are just heating up. This week is Tourist Week. There will be day and nightly dates. What better way to get to know someone than a little one-on-one time, right?” Ed asks the camera as if it’s going to answer him. “I guess we’ll have to wait to find out if it’s love or lust next week. Goodnight.”
Clear.
Dropping Lennon’s hand, I rush out the door and head straight to Kyra’s villa. The front door is open, and Claudia is standing just inside, hands on her hips. Kyra’s sniffling in the other room, but when I try to go in, I’m blocked.
“I’m sorry, Presley, but you need to go to your villa and stay there,” Claudia says, her apology not matching the look on her face or the tone of her voice.
“I can’t even say goodbye?” I ask in protest, throwing my hands in the air.
She shakes her head and closes the door in my face. I’m left standing there with my mouth open and a tear in my eye. I never gave any thought as to how it would feel when people were eliminated. How I will feel when it’s my turn and I’m not able to say goodbye to anyone. To the girls. To Lennon or Jace.
And at that moment, I make a vow to myself to say all those things before the ceremony. Because I just lost a friend. I may have only known Kyra for two weeks, but when this is all over, I’ll find a way to get in touch with her.