I woke up the next morning, the conversation between Caroline and Ian flooding my mind.

Try to get it out of your head. What Caroline says doesn't matter.

I brushed my teeth in the bathroom attached to my bedroom, and before even getting ready for the day, I decided to go down to the garden.

I sat by the sunflowers, captivated by their golden brilliance, when I noticed Casey joining me in the garden. Surprised to see her here, I greeted her with a warm smile, and she returned it, looking a bit lost in thought. As we exchanged pleasantries, I couldn't help but notice a distant expression on Casey's face.

Expressing my admiration for the sunflowers, I received a nod from Casey. There was a quiet beauty in the garden, and it seemed like Casey found solace among the vibrant blooms.

Concerned, I asked Casey if everything was okay, prompting her to share a personal piece of her life. She spoke about her dad, recounting the moments of affection when he used to call her his "sunflower."

"It wasn't often that he was affectionate, and I don't even know why he called me his 'sunflower'- but it does mean something to me," Casey said,

During our conversation, she mentioned how her dad would sing "Brown-Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison during those moments of warmth.

Casey then looked at me and asked, "Are you not wearing makeup?"

"No, I came down here before hair and makeup stole me," I said back.

"You look really pretty, Amelia," Casey said.

"Thank you," I smiled at Casey, "That's sweet of you. You don't wear a lot of makeup, right?"

Casey shook her head, "Maybe some blush and mascara here and there. I've never really worn it much. My older sister, Mallory- she's the one you'd want to talk to about makeup."

"Well, you don't need it," I said to Casey, "You have gorgeous features- and such clear skin."

I swore I saw Casey blush and she then said, "You know who had beautiful, clear skin? It almost didn't look real. Isabella."

I thought back to the very first contestant I eliminated. It felt like so long ago.

"You're right," I said, "Isabella was stunning."

I hoped that she was doing okay since leaving the show- same with Zoey and Serena. Soon enough, another contestant would be leaving the show- which never quite seemed real.

The sun-drenched pool area became the setting for an entertaining challenge orchestrated by Callie. As the contestants gathered around the pool, Callie explained the rules of the trivia game- she would state a fun- or maybe a juicy fact- about one of the contestants, and the other contestants could guess who it was about.

"Can we guess someone else even if it is our fact to throw everyone off?" Mia asked.

Callie rolled her eyes but smiled, "If you wish to, Mia."

Callie had notecards in her hand, and she read the first fact.

"Starting off strong- this contestant had a relationship with her college professor," Callie said.

Immediately, Luna guessed, "Mia?"

"I agree with that," Perry said.

Callie shook her head and said, "It was not Mia- it was Casey!"

We all looked at Casey with surprise, who didn't give much away with her facial expression. She then said, "I was 19, she was 30. Now looking back on it, it was kind of weird."

Callie then said, "Okay, next fact! This contestant has been in five threesomes."

Immediately, Casey said, "Mia."

"Yep. Mia," I agreed- and I saw Mia smile.

"Agreed," Perry said, and Luna nodded.

"I agree," Mia said, with a cheeky grin.

"It was, in fact, Mia," Callie laughed, "Mia, you definitely know how to have fun."

"Do I ever," Mia said, with a laugh.

Callie then said, "Next fact. This contestant is the only one out of all of you to never have had a one-night stand."

Could it be Perry? She doesn't seem like she would.

Everyone was silent for a moment, until Mia said, "Perry?"

"I think I agree," I said.

There was a pause before Callie said, "The answer is Luna!"

Luna smiled and said, "Nothing against one-night stands. I just prefer to get to know someone more."

"I'm surprised with how much you've traveled that it's never happened," Casey said.

Callie then said, "Next fun fact! This contestant once showed up to Thanksgiving dinner when she was 18 with a giant hickey on her neck that she tried to cover- unsuccessfully."

We all laughed at the ridiculousness of the fact.

"That's gold," Mia said, "I think it was Amelia."

"Same here, actually," Casey said.

Callie then said, "The answer to that one is Perry."

"Perry, look at you!" Mia laughed.

Perry gave a sheepish half-smile and said, "It was really embarrassing. I also owned no turtle necks that could have covered it."

I want to find out more about that story.

Callie then went on to the next fact, "This contestant has a major thing for older women."

"That is so obviously Mia," I said, "Without a doubt."

Callie laughed and said, "I don't know why the producers gave this fact. I think we all knew that."

"How old was your ex in the video?" Casey asked Mia.

"12 years older than me," Mia said, "What can I say?"

Callie then said, "Next fact. This one is cute. This contestant knew she was a lesbian from a young age because she had crushes on all of the Disney princesses- especially Snow White."

Welp. That one is about me.

Perry spoke and she gave me a small smile, "I think it's Amelia."

"I agree with that," Casey said, "Either her or Luna."

Callie nodded and said, "It was Amelia."

"I guess my liking for the princesses never ended, I actually dressed up as Sleeping Beauty last year for Halloween. A more...revealing version of her, though," I said.

"I'd have liked to have seen that," Mia said- and I saw Perry glance at her.

"Alright, last fact," Callie said, "This contestant went to college for one day and dropped out."

"Well, we know it's not Amelia- she's a nurse," Casey said.

It's not Casey either.

Or Perry.

"Come on, this one is obvious. It has to be Luna," Mia said.

"You all know each other well," Callie smiled.

"I spent one night at a University, and came home the next day," Luna said, "My parents were so angry. But University just wasn't my path. I'm still finding it."

After the challenge, I went into my bedroom. As I laid down in my bed, I realized how tired I was.

Filming this show can be exhausting.

A little while later, Caroline came into my room.

I sat up and said, "Hi, Caroline."

"Hello, Amelia," she said, "I wanted to let you know ahead of time that there will be an elimination tomorrow. I figured that you should have more time to decide since we are really getting down to the wire here."

I took in what Caroline said, and nodded.

"Thank you for telling me."

"Of course," Caroline said and then scurried out of my room.

In the minutes before going out to the pool to meet Perry, I thought about who I would possibly eliminate out of Mia, Casey, and Luna. Of course, I wasn't going to eliminate Perry.

I couldn't come up with a decision at that moment- so I decided to wait until tomorrow to think about it.

I then knew it was time to visit Perry.

As Perry and I nestled under the comforting shelter of the cabana, the night wrapped around us like a warm embrace. The soft glow of the pool lights added a touch of magic to the scene. Perry, engrossed in her writing, looked up with that gentle smile of hers when she sensed my presence.

Drawing close, we snuggled together, a silent understanding weaving between us. In the midst of the peaceful night, Perry posed a question that tugged at the threads of homesickness within me.

"Is there anyone you're missing from home?" she inquired, her hazel eyes reflecting genuine curiosity.

I took a moment, contemplating the people and places I left behind to embark on this unpredictable journey. "Yeah, I miss my family," I admitted, though the prospect of them witnessing my romantic endeavors on national television made me uneasy. "And my best friend, Samantha."

As I began to share the story of Samantha and our enduring friendship, Perry listened attentively. I shared that Samantha and I met in nursing school, and we were each other's anchor throughout. I told Perry that she was the one who really encouraged me to stop taking pills.

"She sounds wonderful," Perry said, giving me a smile.

As we continued to share the intimacies of our lives under the cabana, I found myself curious about Perry's connections back home.

"Do you miss anyone from home?" I asked.

A wistful smile touched Perry's lips as she delved into her own set of cherished relationships. "Yeah, I miss my two close friends, Justin and Olivia," she revealed. The mention of their names carried a fondness that added a layer of warmth to the night.

Perry went on to describe how they grew up on the same street, the twins becoming her steadfast companions. In a world where friendship often takes varied forms, Perry held onto the simplicity of two close friends who knew her best. "They're really my only two friends, but I'm fine with that," she shared an acceptance of her chosen family.

As Perry painted a portrait of her friendship with Justin and Olivia, she extended an invitation into a part of her world that held sentimental value. "They would love you," she expressed.

Our conversation took a turn towards a more intimate turn. Unable to ignore the emotional weight she seemed to be carrying, I gently broached the subject.

"How are you feeling mentally?" I inquired, my concern evident.

Perry, with a vulnerability that spoke volumes, confessed to the ongoing struggles that had shadowed her in recent days. The demanding environment of the show had taken its toll, leaving her feeling overwhelmed. Yet, as she spoke, her gaze locked onto mine, revealing a depth of sincerity.

Despite the challenges, Perry held onto gratitude, a sentiment that seemed to emanate from the connection we were building. "I'm really grateful to know you though," she admitted, "If I wasn't here, then I would've never met you."

"I'm so grateful to know you too, Perry," I said- and then she leaned in and gave me a gentle kiss on the cheek.

The kiss lingered, and while found myself wanting more- I knew I would have to wait.

Though I would wait a lifetime for Perry.