The night air wrapped around us as Perry and I found refuge by the pool, a silent witness to the tangled emotions that lingered from the day's revelations. Frustration etched lines on my face as I spilled my discontent about the producers' manipulative tactics, their use of secrets for shock value in a game where genuine connections should be the ultimate goal.

Perry, with her calm demeanor, absorbed my frustration. In the glow of the moonlight, she spoke of the necessity of knowing someone's secrets to truly understand them. Her words resonated, and for a moment, the artificiality of the show's setting faded away, leaving behind the authenticity of shared vulnerabilities.

As Perry comforted me, the weight of the producer's ways lessened. In the quietude of our conversation, she became not just a fellow contestant but a secret confidante in this bizarre journey. Her presence was genuine and grounding.

"I completely understand why you're upset about this," Perry said, looking at me, "Though in order to truly get to know someone, you do have to know their secrets. The whole world doesn't have to know, though."

"Youre right," I sighed, "I just felt bad, that's all."

"That just shows how much you care about all of us," Perry said.

"Especially you," I said, looking into Perry's hazel eyes.

She suppressed a smile and then said, "Hopefully I can know some of your secrets one day."

"I'll tell you one now, if you want," I said to Perry.

"Only if you want," she said, "I don't want to push you to do anything."

"I trust you, it's okay. In nursing school, I was having so much trouble with my schoolwork and studying. My brain felt like it was all over the place. I started taking adderall to study and keep up with my school work, as many do in college. But for me, it turned into a problem, with more pills than just adderall. I wound up having to go to an intensive outpatient rehab program."

Perry looked at me, wide eyed, "Thank you for sharing that with me, Amelia. Are you...doing better?"

"I am. I haven't touched anything in over two years."

Perry then put her hand on mine, and stroked it with her thumb, "I'm really glad to hear that. And I am proud of you, Amelia."

Looking into Perry's eyes, a spark of connection ignited. "I can't help but want to run away with you, too," I confessed, the words slipping out almost unconsciously. It wasn't just a response to the frustration but an acknowledgment of a growing bond that surpassed what stage I was supposed to be at in the show.

Underneath the moonlit sky, the pool's rippling waters mirrored the complexities of our emotions.

Perry smiled at me, and I knew that she was thinking the same thing.

The morning unfolded with a soft glow seeping through the curtains. But as I rested in the quietude, contemplating the events of the previous night, a gentle knock on the door heralded a conversation that would reshape the contours of the show.

Callie entered with a subtle gravity in her demeanor. Her words, measured and cautious, carried the weight of a delicate balance she sought to maintain. "You can't say things like you did last night," she began, leaving me momentarily bewildered.

Confused, I sought clarification, wondering if it pertained to my vocal disdain for the scripted revelations during the challenge. Callie's response, however, redirected the focus to a moment that had unfolded in the quiet intimacy by the pool. It wasn't my frustration with the show's manipulations that raised concerns; rather, it was the heartfelt admission to Perry that I wished to run away with her.

"I understand if you feel like you've found 'the one' early on. We want you to find love, Amelia. But the show also must go on, and the show is not only about you and Perry," Callie said.

"I understand. I'll be more conscious."

Callie gave me a smile and said, "Wonderful. Let's get you ready for the day."

As the morning unfolded, the routine of hair and makeup became a familiar prelude to the day's events. The skilled hands of the stylists worked their magic with makeup and hair tools.

With the touch of a makeup brush and the sweep of a hairstylist's hand, the veneer of the carefully curated reality deepened. As the final strokes of makeup were applied, I found myself drawn to the pool area, looking to possibly get some color on my pale skin.

There, by the poolside, I discovered Serena, absorbed in the pursuit of a sun-kissed glow. The lingering traces of our shared frustrations hung in the air, a testament to the challenges that defined our journey.

Serena shielded her eyes and sat up on the lounger when she saw me. She then said, "You have such gorgeous hair, Amelia. I love your natural waves."

"Thanks, Serena. I love your hair, too."

"A lot of it are extensions," she laughed.

"As are a lot of mine," I admitted, and she laughed.

I approached cautiously, aware of the emotional undertow that Serena navigated. "Are you okay?" I inquired a genuine concern lacing my words. Serena, though still harboring the residue of her previous upset, acknowledged the outreach and expressed regret for her earlier outburst.

"I'm sorry about getting so mad at the producers. I wasn't mad at you one bit, I hope you know that. The secret was just...something I was not ready to reveal on national television. But...I can whisper it in your ear if you'd like."

"You really don't have to," I said.

"I want to," Serena said, and then she got very close to me and leaned in, lightly cupping my ear. She proceeded to confess, "I used to be a stripper."

I tried to keep a poker face, though I wasn't expecting that.

I whispered back, "I would never judge you for that."

Serena pulled away then and smiled at me, "Thank you, Amelia."

The day unfolded with a certain weight, the announcement of an impending elimination casting a shadow over the mansion. As Callie's voice resonated through the carefully curated atmosphere, the looming prospect of saying goodbye to one of the contestants added a layer of tension to the air.

The revelation of a solo date further heightened the stakes, as the power to choose rested solely in my hands. The internal conflict simmered as I grappled with the desire to explore connections with other contestants while acknowledging the undeniable pull of the bond forming with Perry.

I considered each contestant, evaluating them one by one. Perry lingered in my mind, a magnetic force drawing my thoughts back to her. Yet, the unspoken rules of the show demanded a more equitable distribution of attention.

As the decision loomed, I felt the weight of conflicting emotions. Perry's gaze, though fleeting, betrayed a hint of disappointment as I said Casey's name. It was a choice guided not by a lack of interest in Perry but by the necessity to navigate the delicate balance of the game.

"I choose Casey," I said, "Casey, will you go on a date with me?"

Casey's face broke into a grin and she said, "Of course."

The rooftop, unexplored until now, offered a secluded sanctuary against the backdrop of the mansion. Casey and I settled into the intimate setting, a tableau for a date that promised to unravel layers beyond the show.

The rooftop, adorned with carefully arranged furnishings and a table set for two, became a canvas for a conversation that held the potential to deepen connections. Casey, typically exuding a competitive edge, seemed to shed a layer of restraint, revealing a more relaxed version of herself in the solitude of our private enclave.

Seated across from me, Casey's gaze held a newfound warmth, a departure from the competitive vigor she often projected

"You look more relaxed than usual," I said to her, "I like it."

"I know I can be on edge a lot," Casey said to me, "I do better with one-on-one conversations, not in a whole group. Besides being on a team of course, but that's different because I'm strictly there for the sport. At my core, I am an introvert. Maybe not as much as Perry, but I am."

The mention of Perry made my heart skip a bit,

Concentrate on Casey.

"I get it," I said, "I'm an introvert on the inside, but my profession forces me to be an extrovert."

"That's right, you're a nurse," Casey said, "I can imagine the types of things you see. You know, I am looking to go to school to become a Physical Therapist. I have my bachelor's degree in Kinesiology."

"That's amazing," I said to Casey, "I work with so many good PT's."

Casey nodded and asked, "You're an oncology nurse, right?"

"I am."

"How do you handle that? It must be so tough."

"It truly is at times, but it is extremely rewarding that I am able to care for someone while they are going through one of the roughest, if not the roughest times of their life."

Casey looked at me, admiration in her eyes, "I really respect that, Amelia."

"It's always been my passion, to want to help others," I said, "What have you been doing since graduating college in the meantime before going to PT school?"

"I've been coaching high schoolers," Casey said, "It can be fun- but I think I want more. Also, my mom is almost forcing me to do more."

"Tough mother?"

"Oh, yeah," Casey said, "I know she just wants the best for me, though. She is first-generation Japanese, and has always been pretty tough on me about everything, from school to sports."

I appreciated how open Casey seemed to be- I didn't get any inclination that she was trying to skim over important topics- which was something I liked a lot.

How are you supposed to get to know someone if all you talk about are surface-level details?

The ease of my interaction with Casey left me with a certain conviction that she wouldn't be the one leaving tonight.

The internal deliberations intensified, narrowing down the choices to Zoey and Serena. Each held unique qualities, but uncertainties lingered.j

Zoey's unpredictable nature, initially intriguing, now raised concerns. The erratic ways of her emotions and unpredictable actions presented a challenge for a relationship seeking stability.

Serena, with her undeniable allure, carried a different set of questions. While drawn to her, I grappled with the compatibility of our differing qualities, wondering if they could harmonize to define a lasting connection.

The anticipation in the air was palpable as the elimination ceremony approached. As I sat in the makeup chair, the weight of the decisions ahead settled on my shoulders. The choice was clear in my mind, yet the twinge of guilt lingered, a testament to the emotional toll the process exacted.

The room hummed with subdued energy as the cameras prepared to capture every moment of the impending eliminations. The contestants lined up in anticipation, exchanged glances that held a mix of genuine concern for each other and underlying tension.

The ceremony commenced.

Callie asked me who I would be saving first- and I said, "Casey."

It wasn't just a strategic move; it was a recognition of the surprisingly genuine connection that had unfolded on the rooftop date. Casey's appreciative smile acknowledged the unspoken understanding.

The next person I decided to save was Luna, her vibrant aura brightening the room. The gratitude in her eyes mirrored the sincerity of our interactions, a testament to the growing bond we shared. She was an obvious choice for me to save.

"Who is next?" Callie asked me.

It was time to call her name.

"Perry," I said.

Perry gave me a nod and a small smile, a subtle acknowledgment passing between us that we would meet later, away from the scripted gaze of the cameras.

I noticed that Mia's usual confident demeanor wasn't quite there as her, Serena, and Zoey stood in line. I decided to call her name next, knowing I was saving her.

As Mia's name echoed in the room, a confident smile adorned her face. The atmosphere crackled with a mix of relief and tension, knowing that the final choice held the potential to alter the dynamics within the mansion.

The moment of truth arrived as Serena and Zoey stood side by side.

Callie turned to me and asked, "Amelia, who is going home?"

I took a deep breath and said, "Zoey. I'm so sorry."

Serena looked relieved- and Zoey gave me a smile and said, "I had a feeling it would be me. No hard feelings."

Zoey then embraced me in a hug, a silent acknowledgment of the shared journey we had embarked upon.

As she left the elimination room, she turned to Mia and said, "Find me on social media if this doesn't work out. We can have some fun."

Mia's eyes widened, and Zoey walked off before she could say anything.

Well, that affirms I made the right decision.

The air by the pool was tinged with a sense of quiet reflection as midnight approached. The dim glow of the cabana provided a soft ambiance, casting shadows that danced with the night breeze. Perry, deep in thought and lost in the world of her own words, was the solitary figure beneath the shelter.

As I approached, the pool water shimmering in the moonlight, Perry looked up from her writing, a thoughtful expression on her face. "How are you doing after the elimination?" she asked, her concern evident in her eyes.

I settled down beside her, "I know I made the right decision," I replied a reassurance to myself as much as it was to Perry.

Perry chuckled and said, "Yeah, especially with Zoey telling Mia to find her after the show."

Perry's next question, delivered with a gentle touch, cut through the night air, "Did you enjoy your date with Casey?" There was an unspoken acknowledgment that even in this alternate reality, emotions were real, and connections mattered.

I shared honestly, "Yes, I did. But, you know, deep down, I wanted to choose you."

Understanding flickered in Perry's eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the delicate balance we were navigating. "I have to play fair, though," I continued, the weight of responsibility evident in my voice. Perry nodded, a subtle agreement that spoke volumes about her understanding.

Perry then said, "Honestly- I've been having a bit of a rough day, mentally. This place does that to me sometimes."

In a moment where words could only convey so much, I leaned in to gently kiss Perry. Our lips met in a tender connection. Breaking the kiss, Perry looked into my eyes and confessed, "I really like you, Amelia."

"I really like you too, Perry," I said back.

The night seemed to stand still, our connection deepening under the veil of the cabana.

Once again, I went to sleep that night in the mansion, with Perry on my mind.