The night air was warm, a soft breeze coming off the water as the stars reflected on the dark surface below. The dock creaked slightly under their weight as they walked, their steps slow and unhurried, like neither of them was in a rush to rejoin the others.

When they finally reached the end of the dock, Louis sat down first, his legs dangling over the edge, and he tugged gently on Alexandra's hand. "Sit closer," he said softly, his thumb lightly brushing the back of her hand.

Alexandra smiled, stepping closer, but just as she was about to sit down, she stopped, a playful glint in her eye. She did a small twirl, the hem of her dress catching the breeze and fluttering around her thighs. "Wait," she said, grinning. "Before I sit, tell me, how do you find my dress?"

Louis chuckled, tilting his head as he took her in. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, shimmering slightly under the moonlight. "I like your dress," he said, his voice warm and genuine. "Actually... I like your whole look tonight."

Her smile widened as she finally sat down beside him, a little closer than before. "Of course you do," she teased. "I always be rocking the looks."

Louis laughed, shaking his head. "You really do. Fashion diva energy."

"Exactly!" she said, leaning into him, resting her head lightly against his shoulder. The feeling of his arm brushing against hers sent a small spark through her chest.

For a moment, there was just silence, the kind that wasn't awkward but comfortable, like they were both perfectly fine just being in each other's presence.

Then, softly, Alexandra broke the quiet. "By the way," she said, her voice a little lower, "I really liked your speech."

Louis turned his head slightly, his face just inches from hers now. "How much did you like it?"

She lifted her head from his shoulder, their eyes meeting, and she was surprised to see him already looking at her. His gaze was steady, the usual playful spark still there, but now mixed with something deeper.

"The most romantic one," she admitted softly.

Louis' hand slowly reached for her cheek, his thumb grazing her skin as they leaned in, closing the small distance between them.

And then, finally, their lips met.

The kiss was slow like they were both savoring the moment. It wasn't just a quick peck or something for show. It was real. It was gentle, but with an undeniable heat simmering just underneath the surface.

CONFESSIONAL

"Kissing Louis isn't new but it doesn't mean it doesn't get better after every kiss if I'm being truly honest. His lips are like magnets I just wanna kiss him all the time."

When they finally pulled away, Louis didn't move his hand from her cheek. Instead, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there for a moment before pulling back. "Can't wait to share the bed tonight," he murmured, his voice slightly husky.

Alexandra burst into laughter, swatting his arm lightly. "You're mad."

Louis grinned, his other hand still resting on her knee. "Just saying."

She looked up at him, a teasing smile playing on her lips, and kissed him again, once, twice, quick, stolen kisses before pulling back.

Eventually, they both stood, their fingers brushing together as they slowly walked back toward the villa. The night felt quieter now, the earlier drama and tension from the firepit a distant memory.

As they crossed the garden, Alexandra suddenly glanced around, taking in how eerily peaceful it all was. "It's so quiet," she said, her voice playful. "I could kill you out here, and no one would even hear."

Louis' eyes widened, and he took a half-step away from her. "What?"

Alexandra threw her head back laughing, shaking her head at his reaction. "Relax, I'm not thinking about it yet," she teased, bumping her shoulder into his. "Just in case you try something."

Louis smirked, his hand sliding back into hers, fingers lacing together. "Try something like what?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "You'll find out if you push your luck."

CONFESSIONAL

"This is kind of a warning to him and everyone y'all better not let him fuck me over."

Their laughter echoed softly through the garden as they finally reached the villa, and for the first time that night, it felt like they were in their own little world, far away from the chaos of the game.

The night air in the villa buzzed softly with the leftover energy from the dramatic recoupling. Conversations drifted across the garden and into the open-plan kitchen, where laughter mixed with the distant sound of the pool's gentle ripple.

Jana and Alexandra strolled over to where Serena and Leah were deep in conversation by the daybeds, the soft glow of the garden lights making everything feel a little more intimate. Alexandra flopped down next to Serena, her legs tucked beneath her, while Jana leaned back on her elbows, her head tilting curiously at the way Leah sighed dramatically.

Leah glanced between them, her face scrunched up. "I feel weird."

Jana furrowed her brows. "What's wrong?"

Leah shook her head, her voice flat. "I don't like him anymore."

There was a pause, then all four of them burst into laughter, Serena clapping a hand over her mouth while Alexandra threw her head back, the sound of her amusement echoing across the villa.

Jana, still giggling, tried to calm the situation. "Oh, come on, Leah. He's sweet!"

Alexandra, however, wasn't having it. She scrunched her nose. "He's weird as fuck."

The bluntness of her words set off another wave of laughter, even Leah struggling to keep a straight face.

After a few minutes of playful banter, Alexandra tugged on Jana's arm. "Come on, let's go find something to eat before I starve."

CONFESSIONAL
"Leah is my girl, but I just feel weird that she suddenly doesn't like Connor as soon as the recouping is finished. Not to mention she basically stole him from Jana which kind of left her vulnerable, but I'll try my best to stick by her."

The two girls wandered off to the kitchen, the open fridge casting a cool light over the room. Alexandra crouched down, rummaging through the shelves before pulling out a tub of ice cream with a victorious grin.

Jana raised an eyebrow. "Ice cream? That's not proper food."

Alexandra rolled her eyes dramatically. "My mom's in Los Angeles, not Fiji," she shot back, grabbing a spoon and digging in.

Jana burst out laughing at her sassy response. "You're actually something else."

As Jana leaned on the counter, talking to Hakeem who had wandered over for a late-night snack, Alexandra stood beside her, savoring each bite of ice cream, until suddenly, she felt a hand swipe the spoon from her.

She blinked, startled, and looked to her left, finding Louis grinning at her with a mouthful of her dessert.

"Seriously?" she said, shoving his shoulder. "You're so annoying."

The small crowd around them laughed, and Louis just smirked, moving behind her and wrapping his arms loosely around her chest, his chin resting on her shoulder. She tried to wriggle free, but his hold stayed firm, the heat of his body pressed against her back sending a familiar warmth through her.

Hours later, as the night wore on and the villa began to settle, everyone slowly trickled into the dressing room to get ready for bed. The atmosphere was lighter now, as the girls sat around the mirrors and vanities, brushing their hair, wiping off makeup, and chatting about the day's events.

Liv stood at the center of it all, a wide grin on her face as the others cheered for her.

"Coupled up with Miguel, look at you!" Serena teased, clapping her hands.

Andrea grinned. "Wait, wait, did you guys kiss?"

Liv's cheeks flushed slightly, but she nodded. "Yeah, in Soul Ties."

The girls erupted into cheers again, hyping her up like she'd just won a prize.

Nicole, brushing mascara off her lashes, turned her attention to Alexandra. "What about you?" she asked with a smirk. "You kissed Louis yet?"

Alexandra, dabbing at her face with a makeup wipe, shook her head. "No."

Alexandra smiled, glad the girls didn't push her on the subject. It wasn't that she didn't trust the girls, but there was something about her and Louis that she wanted to keep private. She would tell them later but not today.

CONFESSIONAL

"It's not that I don't trust the girls, I'm just a private person and would like to keep that information to the people I feel the most comfortable with. Which are Leah, Jana and Serena."

Finished with her routine, she grabbed her toothbrush and padded over to the bathroom, where Louis and Miguel were already brushing their teeth.

As soon as she walked in, she smirked. "If it isn't the fake Portuguese duo."

Louis rolled his eyes, his mouth full of toothpaste. "I speak Portuguese," he mumbled defensively.

Miguel held up a hand, grinning. "I do too, like, 60%."

Alexandra laughed, squeezing some toothpaste onto her brush. "You two are a mess."

She leaned in and gave Louis a quick peck, causing Miguel's eyes to widen.

"Wait, what?" Miguel blinked. "You guys—?"

Louis just smirked, grabbing Alexandra's waist and pulling her a little closer as she started brushing her teeth, both of them hushing Miguel playfully.

Eventually, the villa dimmed, everyone sliding into their beds, some couples whispering softly under the covers, others already drifting off to sleep.

Alexandra lay on her side, facing Louis, their hands naturally finding each other between the sheets. The soft moonlight streaming through the villa windows caught the curve of his smile as he gazed at her.

"You know," he whispered, his fingers lightly tracing the side of her face. "I'm really happy I coupled up with you."

Alexandra's heart fluttered, but she kept her cool, smiling softly. "Yeah?"

Louis nodded, his thumb brushing against her cheek. "Yeah."

She inched closer, their faces just a breath apart, before leaning in and kissing him, slow, lingering, like they had all the time in the world.

When they finally pulled away, Louis kept his hand on her face, his forehead resting lightly against hers.

"Goodnight, fashion diva," he murmured, his voice a low whisper.

Alexandra laughed softly, her hand resting on his chest as her eyes fluttered shut.

"Goodnight, ice cream thief."

And as the villa slowly fell into silence, the two of them lay there, hearts racing beneath the stillness of the night.

As the lights in the bedroom flicker softly, signalling the start of another day in the villa, the islanders begin to stir in their beds. Alexandra, however, has no intention of waking up just yet.

With a sleepy sigh, she cuddles closer to Louis, hiding her face in his chest to shield herself from the intrusive light. Louis, still half-asleep, instinctively wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer. Their legs tangle beneath the sheets as he mumbles something incoherent, clearly just as unwilling to greet the day.

Just as they manage to settle into a more comfortable position, the moment is rudely interrupted by the sudden weight of someone jumping onto their bed. Alexandra lets out a dramatic groan, her head snapping up to find Miguel sprawled across their feet with a mischievous grin.

"Seriously?" she grumbles, kicking at him weakly with her foot. "Get off!"

Miguel only laughs, making himself at home while Louis, still half-asleep, doesn't even bother reacting. He simply blinks once, shifts slightly, and closes his eyes again. Alexandra glares at him, exasperated.

"Are you really just gonna let him stay here?" she whispers, poking Louis's side.

He cracks an eye open, looks at Miguel, and shrugs. "He's not bothering me."

"Oh my god," she mutters, rolling her eyes before finally giving up. She pushes the blanket aside and slides out of bed, the cool air hitting her skin as she stretches. "You're both annoying."

Louis chuckles sleepily as she grabs her toiletries bag and heads to the bathroom.

Once in front of the mirror, Alexandra begins brushing her teeth, humming softly to herself. She hears the faint sound of footsteps behind her and, a second later, Louis appears in the doorway, his hair a messy halo around his head. He leans against the frame, watching her with a lazy smile.

Without a word, he steps closer and places a soft kiss on her forehead, making her pause mid-brush. Toothpaste foam threatens to spill from her mouth as she smiles around her toothbrush.

"Want me to make you breakfast?" Louis offers, his voice still hoarse from sleep.

She shakes her head, finishing up and spitting into the sink. "You don't even know what I eat."

Louis smirks, leaning on the counter beside her. "Then let me watch you make it today, and I'll do it for you tomorrow."

Her lips twitch at his effort. "You're really trying to impress me with that one, huh?"

"Is it working?"

She rolls her eyes again but nods. "Maybe."

Once she's done brushing her teeth, Alexandra heads to the dressing room, grabbing her shower stuff. As she makes her way back to the bathroom, Louis follows behind like a shadow.

"You're showering now?" he asks, his brows furrowed.

"Yeah, I always take a quick shower in the morning," she replies, adjusting the strap of her towel over her shoulder.

He watches her for a beat longer than necessary before finishing brushing his teeth. She waits by the shower door, tapping her fingers against the frame. When he finally rinses out his mouth and puts his toothbrush away, he steps towards her, his gaze soft.

Before she can step into the shower, Louis leans down and presses a slow, lingering kiss on her lips.

"Let me know when you're done so I can shower too," he murmurs, his voice low.

Alexandra bites back a smile. "I'm not your alarm clock."

He smirks. "No, but you're my favorite part of waking up."

She laughs softly, giving him a playful push. "Get out of here, Romeo."

Louis chuckles, backing away slowly before finally leaving the bathroom. As the shower water begins to run, Alexandra can't help but smile to herself, her heart racing just a little faster than usual.

As Alexandra steps out of the shower, steam still clinging to the air, she wraps a towel around herself and starts her skincare routine, patting her face dry before smoothing serum over her cheeks. Once finished, she grabs her toiletries bag and makes her way toward the dressing room to change into her bikini for the day.

On her way there, she passes the bedroom, peeking her head inside and spotting Louis sitting on the edge of a bed, deep in conversation with Kordell and Miguel. His hair is still a mess from sleep, but there's an easy smile on his face as he listens to whatever Kordell is saying. Alexandra leans against the doorframe for a moment before calling his name, drawing the boys' attention.

"I'm done," she says, her voice soft but firm enough to break through their chatter. "Come get me when you're finished?"

Louis's smile deepens, his gaze lingering on her. "You got it."

With that, Alexandra continues her path to the dressing room. The room is already filled with the girls, each one crowded around the vanity, makeup bags scattered across the surface. Jana notices her first, hopping up from her chair to give Alexandra a warm morning hug.

"Morning, babe," Jana grins.

"Morning," Alexandra replies, the embrace brief but comforting.

She moves to her drawer, pulling it open to sift through the collection of swimsuits she's brought with her. After a moment's consideration, she selects a bikini and begins to change, slipping into the pieces carefully before joining the girls at the vanity.

Leah, already blending foundation into her skin, eyes Alexandra with a sly smile. "So... how was it sleeping with Louis?" she teases, her voice light but clearly fishing for details.

Alexandra meets Leah's gaze through the mirror, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. "Better than you did next to Connor," she fires back playfully.

The room erupts into laughter, Leah gasping in mock offense while Serena leans forward, chin propped on her hand. "Did you guys cuddle?" Serena presses, her grin wide.

Alexandra nods slowly, the admission only making the girls squeal louder. "I mean... I couldn't lay next to him and not touch him at all," she adds, a dramatic sigh escaping her lips.

The laughter grows louder, the girls practically falling over each other with amusement.

Nicole, wiping away a tear from laughing, regains enough composure to ask, "But do you really want to get to know him? Like, properly?"

Alexandra's smile softens. "I do... but the last time I saw him, he was on 'Too Hot to Handle' being a total thot," she says, rolling her eyes. "So I guess we'll see if he's actually changed. It's not about him playing around, I'm just scared of getting hurt."

A brief silence settles over the group as they nod in understanding.

Serena speaks up again, her voice thoughtful. "It's kinda like you two were meant to be here together, though."

Alexandra's brow furrows. "What do you mean?"

Serena leans back in her chair. "Before you both came to the show, you'd seen each other on TV, right? But you never met in person. It's like the world gave you this chance to finally explore whatever this is."

Jana nods eagerly. "Yeah, like a weird twist of fate or something. You shouldn't waste it."

Alexandra lets the idea sink in, a small smile creeping onto her face. "I never thought about it like that," she admits softly.

Before she can say anything else, a knock on the dressing room door startles them all. The girls chorus, "Come in!"

The door opens just enough for Louis to poke his head in, his eyes immediately searching for Alexandra. "You done?"

She nods, taking one last glance at herself in the mirror and smoothing her hair down. "Yeah, I'm ready."

The girls exchange knowing looks, some stifling giggles, while Louis, completely unfazed, opens the door wider and waits for Alexandra.

As she walks past him, he leans down a little and murmurs, "Did they give you a hard time?"

"Always," she whispers back, a grin tugging at her lips.

Louis chuckles softly, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back as they head toward the kitchen, leaving the girls behind in a flurry of laughter and whispers.

As they make it to the kitchen, Alexandra gives Louis a pointed look. "I'm gonna show you what I have every day," she declares, her tone half-serious, half-teasing.

Louis raises an eyebrow, leaning against the counter. "I'm ready to be impressed."

With a confident smirk, Alexandra strides over to the freezer and pulls out three bags of frozen fruits, mango, pineapple, and a mix of summer berries. She holds them up one by one like she's unveiling the secret ingredients of a top chef.

"These," she says dramatically, "are the key ingredients."

Louis chuckles, but before he can say anything, she's already moving to the fridge, grabbing apples, oranges, a lemon, and a carton of tropical juice. She plops the oranges and lemon into his hands. "Peel these," she orders, already grabbing a knife to start cutting the apples.

Louis blinks. "I didn't sign up for kitchen duty."

"You wanted to learn," she singsongs, slicing through an apple.

Just then, Kordell strolls into the kitchen, hair still a mess and a lazy grin on his face. "What's going on here?" he asks, plopping onto a stool.

Alexandra doesn't even look up. "Making a smoothie. You want one?"

"Hell yeah."

She grabs another apple and more orange, sliding a knife toward Kordell. "Then start peeling."

Kordell laughs but takes the knife, shaking his head. "Damn, you run a tight ship."

Louis, halfway through peeling an orange, mutters, "Tell me about it."

Alexandra ignores their whining, focused on cutting the apples into chunks. When she's done, she tosses them into the blender and calls out, "I'm putting the apples in the blender now."

Louis, with mock seriousness, says, "Obviously."

She freezes, one hand on her hip, the other holding the blender lid, eyebrows raised. "What did you just say?"

Kordell immediately bursts out laughing while Louis throws his hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he grins.

Satisfied, Alexandra blends the apples until smooth, then adds the frozen mango and pineapple. As she's about to toss in one of the peeled oranges, Louis stops her. "Wait. What did you just put in?"

She rolls her eyes. "Mango and pineapple."

Louis squints at the blender like it's some mystical cauldron, and Kordell, still chuckling, says, "Bro, she's not casting spells. It's a smoothie."

Ignoring them, Alexandra pours in a splash of tropical juice and blends again. Once the mixture is smooth, she studies it for a moment, frowning slightly.

"Too runny," she mumbles to herself.

Without a word, she grabs a handful of frozen fruits, squeezes in the lemon, and adds two spoonfuls of sugar. Louis watches her like she's performing magic, while Kordell just sits back and enjoys the show.

"I don't like my smoothie runny, so when your making it if it's runny just play with it by adding frozen fruits." she explains, blending everything again until it reaches the perfect consistency.

When she finally pours the smoothies into three glasses, she slides them over to Louis and Kordell, crossing her arms and waiting for their reactions.

They each take a sip. There's a beat of silence.

Then Louis nods, impressed. "Bro, this is fire."

Kordell grins. "Yeah, this is serious. You gotta make this every day."

Miguel, passing by at just the right moment, leans over Kordell's shoulder. "Lemme try."

Kordell reluctantly hands over his glass, and Miguel takes a sip. His eyes widen. "Nah, you need to be in here every morning."

Alexandra laughs, pointing at Louis and Kordell. "Ask them. They just watched me do it. You can get it from them."

Louis shakes his head. "We were assistants at best."

Kordell raises his hand. "Yeah, unpaid interns."

CONFESSIONAL

"America if you're truly watching, this smoothie is where it's at. You won't regret it."

Louis turns to her, asking. "So, what do you actually eat for breakfast? Or is it just this every day?"

Alexandra leans against the counter, sipping her smoothie. "Mostly fruits. But not blueberries, I'm allergic. And no bananas. Can't stand the smell. Oh, and I don't like avocados either."

Louis nods thoughtfully. "Alright. I'll make the smoothies, and some breakfast tomorrow."

She raises an eyebrow. "Really?"

Kordell claps him on the back. "Good luck with that."

Alexandra just smiles, taking another sip of her smoothie. "I'll be waiting."

The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting a golden glow over the villa as Alexandra and Louis lounged on the day beds. The air was warm, a soft breeze occasionally stirring the palm leaves above them. It was the kind of day where time felt slower, and conversation flowed easily.

Louis had somehow maneuvered his way onto Alexandra, his head resting comfortably on her stomach, his arm draped loosely around her waist. She absentmindedly twirled a strand of his hair between her fingers every now and then.

"Have you ever been to Antigua?" Alexandra asked, her voice soft but curious.

Louis tilted his head slightly, still keeping his cheek pressed against her. "Yeah, I went when I was a teenager with my parents. Haven't been since though."

"Would you go back?" she asked, her fingers still playing with his hair.

"Oh, for sure," he replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's on my list. I wanna go as a grown-up this time, you know? Enjoy it my way."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, that makes sense. It hits different when you're older."

Louis lifted his head slightly, his gaze locking onto hers. "What about you? Been to Brazil or Kuwait?"

A small smile spread across her face. "Brazil? I go like every year," she said with a laugh. "It's basically a second home."

He raised an eyebrow. "And Kuwait?"

Her smile dimmed just a little, but her voice stayed light. "Haven't been in three years. I was actually supposed to go this year... so maybe September."

Louis nodded slowly, filing the information away. "What's a country you really wanna go to?"

Her eyes lit up immediately. "Japan," she said without hesitation. "I've been dying to do that Mario Kart street racing thing. It looks insane!"

A chuckle escaped him. "I've done it before. It's wild. We dressed up like the characters and raced through the streets."

Her jaw dropped. "No way! How was it?"

"Honestly? One of the best things I've ever done," he said, grinning at the memory.

She placed a hand over her heart dramatically. "I need to go even more now."

He laughed, his head dropping back onto her stomach. "I wanna go Korea as well, my sister went last year and she said it was fun. I want to give it a try"

Her fingers lightly drummed on his shoulder. "Yeah, I went in March with my cousins. It was so much fun."

He looked up again, a mischievous gleam in his eye. "Get anything done?"

She blinked, then burst into laughter. "What do you mean?"

He smirked. "I dunno... a little nose job or something?"

Her hand flew to her nose, still laughing. "Are you serious? No!" she giggled. "I just got a lot of skincare, thank you very much."

Louis reached up and gently poked her nose. "Just checking."

She swatted his hand away playfully. "You're annoying."

He only grinned wider. "You love it."

Rolling her eyes, she shifted the conversation. "I also wanna visit Thailand and China," she mused. "But China feels like a month-long trip, you know? It's so big, you can't just go for a week."

Louis nodded. "Yeah, you'd need proper time to really see it all."

A comfortable silence settled over them for a moment before he broke it again. "What's your favorite food?"

Her face brightened. "Oh, I love a good feijoada," she said, practically groaning at the thought.

Louis let out a deep, exaggerated groan. "My mom makes the best feijoada, maybe not better than your moms since she's Brazilian. But I'll stick by my mom's," he said proudly.

Her eyes widened. "I need to try it! Then I'll give you a review."

He smirked. "I'll have to invite you over then."

She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I also love picanha," she added, "and some good rissóis de camarão."

Louis's nose wrinkled slightly. "I'm not really into rissóis. I prefer coxinha."

She gasped, clutching her chest in fake outrage. "You're missing out! Rissóis are elite."

He chuckled, the sound rumbling softly against her. "We can agree to disagree."

She shook her head, still grinning. "I agree that you need better taste."

"Or maybe you just have weird taste," he shot back playfully.

Out of the corner of her eye, Alexandra spots Miguel sauntering over. His easy smile stretches across his face as he plops down on the day bed next to them, resting his hands behind his head.

"How's it going?" Alexandra asks, her voice warm as she leans back against the cushions.

Miguel lets out a contented sigh. "Good, just had a chat with Nicole."

Louis's head lifts slightly at that, a spark of interest in his eyes. "Oh yeah? How was it?"

Miguel grins. "Honestly? I liked it. Got the vibe she really wants to get to know me."

Alexandra's eyebrows shoot up. "Wait, really? What did she say?"

Miguel chuckles. "She said I'm her type on the outside."

Louis lets out a low whistle, while Alexandra gasps dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Damn, Miguel! Out here stealing bitches."

Miguel throws his head back laughing. "Stealing? I'm just talking to them!"

Alexandra nudges Louis with her knee, a mischievous glint in her eye. "What about you? When are you gonna steal some bitches?"

Louis rolls onto his back, resting his arm over his eyes. "Later. I'm tired right now."

Suddenly, a loud voice cuts through the air. "I GOT A TEXT!"

All heads snap toward Liv, who's sitting with the rest of the girls by the pool, her phone clutched in her hand and a wide grin plastered across her face.

Liv clears her throat, her excitement barely contained. "Islanders, it's festival time in today's challenge, Burning Love. Which couples' relationships are heating up, and which are going down in flames? #LoveTrip #HotMess."

A collective cheer erupts across the villa, everyone buzzing with anticipation.

"Burning Love?" Louis repeats, eyebrows raised. "What the hell do you think that means?"

Alexandra smirks. "It means you're about to get roasted, babe."

Miguel claps his hands together. "This is gonna be a mess, I can already tell."

Alexandra turns to him with a mock-serious look. "You're fucked."

Miguel's jaw drops in mock horror. "Me? Why me?"

Louis grins. "'Cause talking to Nicole's about to throw you in the deep end, my guy."

The islanders gather around the colorful challenge stand, the sun blazing above them as the "Burning Love" challenge kicks off. Laughter and cheers ripple through the air as they take their places, the vibrant setup featuring oversized props, a slushie station, and a wild-looking toiled seat at the end of the course.

Nicole is the first to step up, sliding on the oversized goggles that instantly distort her vision. Kendall stands behind her, his voice loud and clear as he guides her forward.

"A bit to the left... No, right!" he calls out.

Nicole giggles, stumbling a little but keeping her balance as she reaches out blindly. The group watches in anticipation, some already clutching their sides from laughing. Eventually, she finds a cupcake, bringing it up to her lips and giving it a dramatic lick before spinning around to find the next target.

"The mushroom cake! Straight ahead!" Kendall encourages.

After a bit of fumbling, Nicole locates the mushroom-shaped cake and picks it up, feeding a bite to Kendall, who theatrically moans at the taste, causing a fresh round of laughter. With the cake conquered, they move to the slushie station, each grabbing a cup.

Kendall squints at the label. "Which couple is most likely to burn another couple?"

The two exchange a look, their decision seemingly made without words. With a mischievous grin, they head straight for Liv and Miguel, tossing the icy drinks right in their faces. Liv shrieks as the cold liquid splashes onto her skin, Miguel laughing and shaking his head.

"You guys are done for!" Liv jokes, wiping her face as Nicole and Kendall strut off to the porta potty.

As they open the door, green slime rains down on them from above, causing Nicole to let out a high-pitched squeal. Still laughing, they grab the phone hidden inside and snap a messy selfie before dropping to the floor and sharing a passionate kiss, slime and all. The crowd goes wild, clapping and hooting.

Leah and Connor step up to the starting line, the goggles now firmly on Leah's face. Connor's instructions are less than stellar from the get-go.

"Go left. No, wait, right. Actually, no, straight!" he says, voice uncertain.

"Connor, shut the fuck up!" Leah laughs, wobbling forward.

It takes them a painfully long time to find the cupcake, the others shouting unhelpful suggestions from the sidelines. By the time Leah finally licks it and grabs the mushroom cake to feed Connor, they're already the slowest pair so far.

At the slushie station, they grab their cups and read the next question.

"Which couple would you not want to be abandoned in a desert with?" Connor reads aloud.

They glance around before making a beeline for Jana and Hakeem, throwing the slushies right at them. Jana gasps in mock horror, hands flinging up to shield herself.

CONFESSIONAL

"Connor.....genuinely gives me the ick I'm so sorry."

"Oh, really?" she says, raising an eyebrow.

Alexandra watches the exchange, and when Jana catches her eye, they both pull exaggeratedly offended faces before bursting into laughter.

The next couple up is Serena and Kordell. Serena slides the goggles on, and Kordell quickly takes charge, his voice calm and steady, helping Serena navigate the course with relative ease. She lick the cupcakes, swap bites of cake, and make it to the slushie stand in record time.

"Which couple is the most toxic?" Serena reads, the corner of her mouth twitching up in a smirk.

Kordell chuckles. "Oh, this one's juicy."

They throw the drink, at Leah and Connor's face. Serena tilts her head saying, "You know, separately they could be toxic..." Her gaze shifts pointedly to Connor. "Especially when he threw shade at Jana during his speech."

The crowd reacts instantly, a collective "Ooooh" filling the air.

Connor's face hardens slightly as Serena and Kordell head off to finish the challenge, making their way through the slime and snapping their selfie.

Once they're done, Leah wastes no time. "What did you mean by most toxic?" she asks Serena directly as they rejoin the group.

Serena, unbothered, shrugs. "I mean, because you're my girl, I know you like that toxic shit."

Leah's jaw drops in mock offense, pointing between Serena and Kordell. "And what about you two?"

Serena just laughs. "We're real."

Leah narrows her eyes. "Are you?"

Jana, ever the peacemaker, speaks up. "Guys, this is not very Plastics of us."

The tension cracks slightly as Alexandra mutters under her breath, "Kinda on brand, though."

Louis and Jana burst into laughter, while the rest of the group reacts with a mix of shock and amusement.

Connor, clearly ruffled, suddenly pipes up. "Coming from you," he says to Jana, a sharp edge to his voice.

Jana blinks, her smile fading just a fraction. "You think I'm the fake one?"

Connor shrugs. "You throw shade too."

Before the situation escalates, Alexandra leans forward, eyes locked on Connor. "It's funny how you were all over Jana's ass when you didn't wanna go home. Now that you're with Leah, you suddenly wanna come at her any chance you get." She tilts her head, a sweet smile on her lips. "Shut the fuck up and stop looking back. The challenge is in front of you, not back here."

The group explodes into laughter, some doubling over while others clap and cheer at Alexandra's boldness.

Connor, momentarily speechless, looks away, his jaw tightening, while Leah shifts uncomfortably beside him.

"Damn, Lexie didn't come to play!" Miguel howls.

Miguel and Liv step up next, the crowd of islanders cheering them on as they prepare to tackle the chaotic course. Liv ties her hair back, a determined smile on her face, while Miguel playfully stretches his arms like he's about to run a marathon.

"Alright, you got this, Miguel!" Alexandra calls out, still laughing from the last round.

They start with the blindfolded cupcake challenge, but it quickly becomes clear that Miguel is absolutely useless at giving directions.

"Go left! No, no, your other left!" Miguel shouts, his voice cracking slightly from the panic.

"Miguel, I swear if you tell me left one more time—" Liv snaps, taking a random step forward and tripping slightly.

The others roar with laughter, Louis clapping his hands while Kaylor leans into Aaron, shaking her head.

Eventually, Liv manages to grab a cupcake, biting into it dramatically before stumbling her way to the mushroom cake. Miguel, still confused, keeps shouting directions, none of which make any sense. Finally, Liv yanks off her goggles, glares at him, and mutters, "Never letting you lead me anywhere again."

CONFESSIONAL

"Liv and Miguel are one big mess I'm sorry."

When they reach the drink stand, Liv reads the question aloud: "Which couple is faking it till they make it?"

The crowd immediately starts to buzz, eyes darting between couples.

Miguel and Liv exchange a look before heading straight for Jana and Hakeem, throwing both drinks directly at Hakeem's face. The liquid splashes everywhere, dripping from his hair and shirt.

Alexandra bursts into loud laughter, doubling over. "Oh my gosh!" she howls, then looks at Hakeem, still giggling. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Hakeem wipes his face dramatically, grinning. "Nah, it's all good, keep laughing, Alexandra. I'll remember this!"

As Miguel and Liv finish, Kaylor and Aaron step up next.

They struggle almost immediately, Kaylor yelling, "Aaron, stop confusing me! I said right!"

Aaron, flustered, waves his arms. "That was right!"

"You're useless!" Kaylor shouts, making everyone crack up.

Eventually, they bumble their way to the drink stand. Kaylor reads their question: "Which couple is most likely to burn out first?"

Without hesitation, they head to Leah and Connor, dramatically tossing the drinks at them.

Jana claps her hands and starts singing, "I agree! I agree!" in a sing-song voice.

Alexandra chuckles, nudging her. "Stop it, you're gonna start more drama!"

Kaylor grins, but then adds, "I mean, they have no sexual chemistry. If you like someone, just couple up from the start. It shouldn't be that hard."

Jana, ever the queen of shade, pipes up again. "It's almost as if they already burned out."

CONFESSIONAL

"Brooo Jana is so shadey I'm dead, now I see why Connor called her ass shadey."

Connor's jaw tightens slightly, but Leah rolls her eyes and mutters something under her breath.

Next, Andrea and Rob head into the course, doing surprisingly well despite Rob's clumsy directions. They get to the drink stand and read: "Which couple would you like to see get dumped next?"

They exchange a glance before heading straight for Jana and Hakeem, throwing the drinks in their direction.

Jana gasps, laughing. "Wow, I'm just getting all the love today!"

Finally, it's Jana and Hakeem's turn. They play up their round, making it a whole comedic act. Jana over-exaggerates her struggles with the blindfold, bumping into random obstacles while Hakeem dramatically pretends to be a stern coach.

When they reach the drink stand, Jana reads, "Which couple is the most annoying?"

Grinning mischievously, they walk straight to Leah and Connor. Jana throws both drinks squarely in Connor's face, the liquid splashing everywhere.

Connor freezes for a second before wiping his face, clearly irritated.

The rest of the islanders are howling with laughter, Alexandra and Louis practically in tears. Alexandra whispers to Louis, "We didn't get drinks thrown at us... look at us being drama-free."

Louis smirks. "We're just too lovable."

CONFESSIONAL

"I know you guys are seeing how we didn't get any slushies...noticing."

Finally, it's their turn. Alexandra steps up, adjusting her top before slipping on the blindfold. Louis positions himself behind her, ready to guide her through the course.

"Alright, straight ahead," Louis says, his thick accent making the word "straight" sound like "strait."

Alexandra stops in her tracks, groaning. "Louis, your accent is hard enough to understand on a normal day, now you're shouting at me?"

The villa explodes with laughter as Louis throws his hands up dramatically. "I'm helping!"

CONFESSIONAL

"Louis accent is actually a torture chamber, with him shouting at me I can't understand shit."

She finally grabs a cupcake, taking a playful bite before moving on to the mushroom cake. Clearly fed up with Louis' chaotic directions, she grabs the whole cake and chucks it at him, the icing splattering across his chest.

Louis staggers back, laughing. "Lexie!"

"That's what you get for confusing me!" she shouts.

They finally make it to the drink stand. Alexandra reads their question: "Which couple won't last on the outside?"

Louis raises a brow. "Oof, that's rough."

They exchange a quick look before heading to Rob and Andrea, throwing the drinks at them.

"Sorry, guys!" Alexandra laughs. "But I feel like you have more sexual chemistry than romantic chemistry."

Rob shakes his head, wiping his face. "Fair enough!"

As they reach the porta potty, Alexandra steps back, shaking her head. "Louis, you look. I just oiled my hair, I'm not risking it!"

Louis laughs, bending down to search for the phone. When it's time to take a picture, Alexandra sprints away, shrieking, "No way, we're getting slimed!"

Louis calls after her. "Alex, get back here!"

As the slime falls on him, Alexandra cackles from a safe distance.

The challenge ends with Louis grabbing Alexandra, picking her up, and kissing her passionately on the floor as the others cheer them on.

After the challenge, Jana, Liv, and Alexandra are sat together on the sun lounge, the evening sun casting a golden hue over the villa as they sip on their water bottles and chat idly.

Serena and Leah soon walk over, their expressions neutral but their energy slightly more serious. Jana shifts slightly, making space for them on the lounge , and as they sit, she tilts her head curiously.

"So," Jana starts, her voice laced with interest. "How did your conversation with Connor go?"

Leah sighs softly, her nails picking at the label on her water bottle. "It was fine," she says, but the slight furrow of her brow betrays the cool tone of her voice. "I just feel bad, you know? He's really nice, but it's just a lot."

Liv raises a brow, leaning forward slightly. "Where's your head at though?" she asks, the question hanging in the air between them.

Leah exhales, her gaze fixed on a spot in the distance. "In the villa, it's different. I'm trying to build a new connection with Connor while seeing Rob, who I had something with not even three days ago, building his connection with someone else. It's just weird."

Alexandra nods knowingly. "Yeah, that's why it's so different here," she agrees. "On the outside, if a guy moves weird, you just block him and never see him again. But in here?" She shakes her head. "You can't escape it."

Later on, the atmosphere in the dressing room is a mix of buzzing hair straighteners, makeup palettes, and laughter as the girls get ready for the night. The scent of hairspray lingers in the air, blending with the faint hint of the perfume bottles scattered across the counters.

Andrea, carefully lining her lips in the mirror, suddenly speaks up. "You know," she says, her tone casual but pointed, "I think Connor was caught off guard earlier because everyone was speaking for Leah. He didn't know how she was feeling because she never really expressed it to him."

There's a slight pause. Alexandra, who's curling a strand of her hair, rolls her eyes subtly. "No one spoke for Leah," she says, her voice calm but firm. "Everyone gave their opinion because that's what the game was about. No one said, 'Leah has been saying these things.'"

Andrea purses her lips, shrugging slightly. "Agree to disagree," she says, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

Alexandra simply hums in response, her focus shifting back to her hair, letting the moment pass without adding more fuel to the fire.

Jana, sensing the slight tension, shifts the topic, turning to Alexandra with a curious smile. "So, how are you and Louis doing?"

Alexandra's expression softens, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's still new," she says thoughtfully, tucking a curled strand behind her ear. "We've only been coupled up for a day, so I'm not rushing anything. But I like the pace we're going at."

The girls nod, intrigued.

"I mean," Alexandra continues, "I'm obviously not going to forget his reputation. People talk, and I've heard the stories, I've seen his behaviour, but at the same time, I want to be open with him. This is the Louis I'm getting to know, not the one I've heard about."

Serena tilts her head. "That's fair," she says softly.

Alexandra smiles faintly. "And let's be real, if he's on Love Island, he's obviously looking for love, right? No one comes here just for fun."

CONFESSIONAL

"It's not that I don't trust Louis, it's just that I'm kind of scared of how it will turn out if I'm being honest."

As the girls descended the stairs, their dresses catching the glow of the soft lights scattered around the outdoor space. The boys waited below, smiles breaking across their faces as their partners joined them.

Alexandra's eyes instantly found Louis, his familiar smirk softening into something more sincere when he saw her. Without hesitation, she stepped up to him, giving him a quick but sweet peck on the lips, a simple gesture that still managed to make her stomach flip.

The group gathered around the table for the night's first toast, Rob leading the charge with a cheerful shout of, "To love, drama, and whatever the hell happens next!" Laughter erupted, and glasses clinked as everyone took a sip of their drinks, the night officially beginning.

As the energy buzzed around them, Alexandra gently tugged on Louis's hand, guiding him away from the crowd toward All the Feels. The two settled into the cushioned seats, the distant laughter of the other islanders filling the silence between them.

Louis turned to her, his hand resting lightly on her thigh, thumb softly grazing her skin. "Where's your head at?" he asked, his voice low, gentle, but curious.

Alexandra inhaled slowly, her fingers playing with the silver rings on his hand, twisting them absentmindedly as she gathered her thoughts. She glanced up at him, meeting his gaze. "I'm gonna be honest with you," she started, her voice steady but soft. "Because there's no point in hiding it."

He nodded, his expression serious, encouraging her to continue.

She shifted slightly, her hand still holding onto his. "I was talking with the girls earlier," she explained. "And I want to be upfront about how I feel. I really like where we're going, Louis. I like the pace we're moving at, and I feel like we're building something good here. But..." She trailed off, her thumb still grazing his ring.

"But?" he pressed gently.

"But sometimes I can't help but feel a bit hesitant about letting you all the way in," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... I watched you on Too Hot to Handle, and you know the reputation of the show. The way you were on there, it kind of scares me." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I don't want to give you all of me and then end up with my trust broken."

Louis's gaze didn't waver. He listened, really listened, his hand giving hers a reassuring squeeze.

"I'm someone who gets attached easily," she continued. "I fall in love fast. So if you have any other intentions, if you're not serious, I just need you to be honest with me about it."

CONFESSIONAL

"Honestly I just wanna know Louis intentions before I allow myself to get too attached."

A long silence followed, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It felt like the weight of her words settled between them, and Louis took his time before responding.

He reached up, gently brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Lexie," he said softly. "I get it. I really do. And I promise you, I'm not here to play games with you."

She searched his face for any hint of insincerity, but all she found was sincerity reflected back at her.

"Right now, where I'm at, with the people in this villa," he continued, "I don't want to get to know anyone else. I can't speak for the future, because I don't know what's going to happen, but I do know this." His thumb lightly traced the side of her face. "It would take a lot for my head to turn because you're someone I've had my eyes on for a while. I really do like you."

Her heart fluttered at his words. She gave him a small nod, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "As long as you're honest with me and respectful about whatever happens," she said softly, "we'll be fine."

Louis's smile widened, his hand cupping her face now. "Deal," he whispered.

He leaned in, and she closed the distance, their lips meeting in a slow, tender kiss. It wasn't rushed or heated, it was sincere, a quiet promise exchanged without words.

When they pulled away, Alexandra rested her head on his shoulder, her fingers still playing with his rings. The night buzzed around them, but in that moment, it felt like they were in their own little world.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Alexandra spotted Miguel and Nicole slipping away from the group, heading towards the dock.

She nudged Louis lightly, her voice a teasing whisper. "Look at that," she said, pointing subtly in their direction.

Louis chuckled, shaking his head. "That's gonna cause some problems," he muttered.

As they're sat there, the warm evening air buzzing with a mix of anticipation and leftover adrenaline from the challenge earlier, Miguel strolls back from his chat with Nicole, a cheeky smile playing on his lips. Louis notices it first, his eyebrows lifting with a knowing smirk.

"Here he comes," Louis mutters, his voice low and amused.

Alexandra shakes her head, letting out a light chuckle. "Again?" she teases. "This is the second time you've talked to Nicole and then come straight to us like we're your personal debrief station. What did you do this time?"

Miguel dramatically clutches his chest. "Why do you assume I did something?" he asks, feigning innocence.

Louis and Alexandra exchange a deadpan look, their synchronized silence speaking volumes.

Miguel cracks, laughing at their unimpressed faces. "Alright, alright!" he says, holding his hands up in surrender. "I kissed Nicole."

Louis lets out a loud, "My guy!" and reaches over to dab him up, their hands slapping together in celebration.

Meanwhile, Alexandra's jaw drops, eyes wide with surprise. "No way!" she gasps. "Already? How do you feel?"

Miguel grins, leaning back against the seat. "I'm definitely feeling her," he admits, a little bashful but clearly pleased with himself.

Alexandra tilts her head, her gaze thoughtful. "What about Liv?"

Louis, ever the instigator, pipes up, "What's wrong with having both?"

Alexandra's head snaps to him, her glare sharp enough to cut through the balmy night air. Louis instantly backpedals, laughing nervously. "I mean, yeah Miguel you should really consider Liv too," he corrects himself, giving Miguel a playful nudge.

Miguel chuckles at their back-and-forth, shaking his head. "You two are something else."

Just as the laughter starts to settle, a sudden commotion erupts from the garden. Their heads all whip around at the same time, eyes locking onto the figure standing at the fire pit, Ariana.

Her striking presence commands immediate attention, her signature smile hinting at the drama that's about to unfold. "Islanders," she calls out, her voice smooth yet firm. "I have some important news to deliver. Please join me at the firepit."

A beat of silence, then a collective rustle as everyone begins to move, the lighthearted atmosphere from moments ago evaporating into a tense hush.

Louis glances at Alexandra. "This can't be good."

She exhales slowly. "No, it never really is."

The islanders sit around the fire pit in their couples, the air thick with anticipation. Louis' hand rests gently on Alexandra's thigh, a small gesture of comfort as Ariana stands before them, her signature poised smile laced with a hint of seriousness. The flicker of the fire casts a warm glow over the group, but the tension is undeniable.

Ariana's gaze shifts to Miguel and Louis. "So, how has your experience been so far?" she asks, her voice steady.

Miguel speaks first, flashing a confident grin. "It's been amazing, honestly. I'm settling in nice, getting to know everyone."

Alexandra mutters just loud enough for Louis and Miguel to hear, "I bet you are," her eyebrows raising suggestively. Louis bites his bottom lip to stifle a laugh, while Miguel chuckles, shaking his head.

Ariana's eyes move to Louis. "And you, Louis?"

Louis leans back slightly, his hand still resting on Alexandra's thigh. "It's great. I'm really enjoying being coupled up with Alexandra," he says smoothly.

Alexandra's lips curl into a soft smile at his words, but the moment is short-lived as Ariana's expression turns serious.

"I have some very big news," Ariana announces. The fire crackles, the only sound cutting through the silence. "America has been voting for their favorite couple, and the bottom three will be vulnerable tonight."

A collective inhale echoes around the fire pit. Some islanders glance nervously at their partners, others clasp their hands together.

"Everyone, please stand up," Ariana instructs.

The islanders rise, still coupled, their hands brushing against each other for support. Alexandra instinctively grips Louis' hand, her heart pounding. She's confident in their connection, but the looming threat of Jana being vulnerable weighs heavily on her mind.

Ariana's voice cuts through the thick air. "I'm going to reveal the five safe couples," she says. "First couple safe tonight is... Liv and Miguel."

A small cheer breaks out, and Miguel throws an arm around Liv's shoulders, squeezing her. Alexandra's lips part in a quiet exhale, a mix of relief and unease.

"Next, Alexandra and Louis."

Louis grins, his arm wrapping around Alexandra's waist as they sit back down. Alexandra smirks at him. "Finally good for something," she teases, her voice a playful whisper.

The comment sends a ripple of laughter through the group, even Ariana cracking a small smile.

"Serena and Kordell, you're safe."

Alexandra lets out a louder sigh of relief this time, her shoulders easing slightly.

"Kaylor and Aaron."

Polite claps fill the air as the couple exchange smiles, Kaylor squeezing Aaron's arm.

"And the final safe couple is... Leah and Connor."

A small applause follows, but Alexandra's relief is short-lived. Her eyes dart towards Jana, whose expression is composed yet clearly disappointed.

"That means," Ariana begins, her voice taking on a more solemn tone, "Jana and Hakeem, Nicole and Kendall, and Andrea and Rob... you are all vulnerable."

The atmosphere shifts as the six islanders step forward. Ariana gestures, "Girls to my right, boys to my left."

Jana takes a steadying breath, positioning herself next to Nicole and Andrea. The boys do the same on Ariana's other side. Alexandra's jaw tightens.

"Now, here's how it will work," Ariana continues. "One girl and one boy will be leaving the villa tonight. The girls will decide which boy goes home, and the boys will decide which girl goes home."

A stunned silence follows, broken only by the sound of the fire crackling. Alexandra's mind races.

The girls all sit together on the left side of the fire pit, their faces serious as the weight of the decision looms over them. Liv, without hesitation, speaks up first. "We're obviously saving Jana," she says firmly. Alexandra nods immediately, a wave of relief washing over her at the unanimous agreement. Jana is their girl, there was no way they were letting her go.

That leaves Nicole and Andrea.

Kaylor and Liv exchange a look before Kaylor breaks the silence. "We have to talk about Nicole," she says, leaning forward. "She kissed Miguel on the dock, and Kendall doesn't know."

Alexandra's eyebrows shoot up. "Wait... what does the kiss have to do with anything though?" she asks, confused.

Liv sighs. "It's not just about the kiss. It's about how much she wants to get to know Miguel, Kendall has no clue."

Leah crosses her arms, thinking. "But with Andrea... when Miguel and Louis came in, she acted like getting to know them was pointless. She just shut it down right away."

Alexandra tilts her head, giving Leah an understanding look. "That's true. It did seem a bit strange. Andrea and Rob have only been coupled up for five days max, but she's already closed herself off like they've been together for weeks."

Kaylor jumps in again. "Right? Isn't the whole point to explore? To test the connection and see if it's really there? Andrea isn't doing that at all."

Alexandra nods, still mulling it over. "I get that, but at the same time... maybe Andrea's just already found her connection. I mean, that's part of the show too. If she's sure about Rob, then maybe that's just how she feels."

Liv leans back, tapping her nails on her thigh. "Yeah, but if we send Andrea home, Rob's just going to be walking around moping," she points out.

Kaylor raises an eyebrow. "But Leah and Rob still have a connection too. If Andrea goes, Rob might open back up to Leah, and they can explore that again."

Liv purses her lips. "Exactly. We came here to find connections, to actually explore and Andrea's not doing that. She's just... stuck."

Serena finally speaks up, her voice calm and even. "So we're choosing between someone who's playing the game the way they're meant to by exploring or someone who's already found a connection."

Liv shakes her head. "Right. Do we punish someone for playing the game the right way... or punish someone for finding their person already?"

A heavy silence falls over the group, the tension practically crackling in the air.

Kaylor claps her hands together softly. "Let's just vote. Finger vote, one for Nicole, two for Andrea."

They all nod in agreement.

"On three," Kaylor says.

"1... 2... 3."

Serena and Kaylor hold up two fingers for Andrea. Liv holds up one for Nicole.

Alexandra laughs under her breath, shaking her head. "Liv, you're only sending Nicole home because of Miguel."

Liv nudges her playfully. "Shut up."

All eyes turn to Leah and Alexandra, the tie-breakers.

Alexandra shifts uncomfortably. "I'm not picking," she says firmly.

Liv lets out a frustrated sigh, but she doesn't push her. "Then it's Andrea."

Ariana calls out, drawing their attention. "It's decision time," she says, her voice firm. The boys go first. Connor stands up, running a hand through his hair before making their speech.

"We chose based on connections and the relationships each boy had," he starts, his voice steady but somber. "It wasn't easy, but we had to make a decision. The boy we've chosen to send home is... Hakeem."

Ariana looks at Rob and Kendall, giving a small nod, "You can both sit down."

Hakeem sighs deeply, his jaw tight, but he nods, trying to stay composed. Rob pats him on the back as he passes, his own emotions simmering just beneath the surface.

Then, Ariana turns to the girls. "It's your turn now."

The girls exchange glances, and Alexandra inhales sharply before standing up. All eyes are on her.

"This was a difficult decision," Alexandra begins, her voice calm but direct. "We didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, and we understand that everyone is here to find a connection. But we also had to think about who has truly explored their options and who might have gotten the short end of the stick in their journey here."

Her gaze briefly lands on Jana before she continues. "Ultimately, the decision was made unanimously... and the girl we've chosen to send home is... Andrea."

The words hang in the air for a moment. Andrea's face crumples instantly, tears streaming down her cheeks. Rob, as if a switch has flipped, starts crying too, his face red and tight with emotion.

Alexandra, however, merely rolls her eyes at the dramatics and sinks back into her seat. The reaction doesn't surprise her, not one bit.

Aaron suddenly stands up, his voice booming through the tense silence. "Are you kidding me? Why did you pick Andrea?" His frustration is raw, his fists clenching at his sides.

Liv, trying to keep her cool, responds, "A decision had to be made."

Aaron scoffs. "Rob had the strongest connection in this villa! How could you send Andrea home?"

Alexandra, still fiddling with her nails, finally speaks up. "The decision had to be made. If Rob has a problem with it, he can speak up about it himself because this isn't your couple, Aaron."

Her words slice through the air, and the tension thickens. Serena, trying to soothe the situation, adds, "It was hard for us too, but we felt like Jana deserved a fair shot at finding love. We weren't going to send her home."

Rob, his voice cracking, mutters, "But how is that Andrea's fault?"

Alexandra's patience snaps. "Who said it was Andrea's fault? Did anyone here say that? No."

Serena nods. "We just believe Jana hasn't had a real chance yet."

Aaron's voice rises again. "So you're saying Andrea deserves to go home just because Jana hasn't found someone yet? That's not fair."

Louis, who had been sitting quietly until now, stands up and positions himself protectively in front of Alexandra. "There's no need to shout at them," he says, his voice calm but firm, his gaze locked onto Aaron's.

"Then who should we have sent home instead?" Leah challenges, her arms crossed. "Say it. Point to the girl you think should've gone home."

Aaron falls silent, his jaw clenching, but he says nothing.

Alexandra, sensing the lack of a real response, tilts her head. "Exactly. So shut the fuck up and stop bitching."

The villa remains silent for a beat, the only sound being Andrea's soft sniffles and the faint rustling of the wind. It's a powder keg ready to explode.

Andrea's voice cracks through the tense silence, her frustration finally boiling over. "I'm sorry I fucking felt a connection," she blurts out, her eyes red and swollen with tears. "It's not fair that I'm being sent home without even being able to explore it." Her words echo around the fire pit, a raw blend of anger and heartbreak.

Serena, still visibly tense, exhales sharply. "We were fucked if we did, fucked if we didn't. It was a decision that had to be made." Her voice is firm but not unkind, though the weight of the choice still lingers in her tone.

Miguel, who had been quiet up until now, finally speaks. "There are logical decisions, and then there's illogical ones. This was definitely illogical." His jaw tightens as he glances at the girls, the disappointment clear in his eyes.

Alexandra, unfazed, leans back in her seat, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Congrats," she hums under her breath, her sarcasm subtle but sharp enough to cut through the already tense atmosphere.

Before the situation can escalate further, Ariana steps in, her authoritative tone slicing through the chaos. "Alright, enough," she says firmly, her gaze moving from Andrea to Miguel and then to the rest of the islanders. "The decision was difficult, and the girls made their choice based on what they thought was right. We're not going to berate anyone for their decisions. It's never easy, but it has to be done."

Her words create a brief silence, though the tension still lingers in the air. Ariana's eyes soften slightly as she turns to Nicole and Jana. "Nicole, Jana, you can sit down."

Jana slowly moves back to her spot, settling in beside Serena and Alexandra. As soon as she sits, she buries her face in her hands, her sobs quiet but heart-wrenching. "It's obvious they were talking about me," she chokes out between shaky breaths.

Alexandra, her arm already draped over Jana's shoulder, speaks calmly but firmly. "As long as they don't mention names, their opinions don't really matter."

Serena adds softly, "It's very obvious though."

"Doesn't matter," Alexandra replies, her voice taking on a sharper edge. "Because all of of them, grown men were standing there shouting in girls' faces like a bunch of bitches." She shakes her head in disbelief.

Ariana, sensing the situation spiraling, shifts her attention to Rob, who still has Andrea wrapped in a tight hug, his face buried in her neck as silent tears fall.

"What's going on?" Ariana asks him gently but firmly.

Rob lifts his head, his voice cracking. "I'm leaving."

A bitter laugh escapes Alexandra's lips, but she says nothing, exchanging a look with Leah, who simply arches a brow.

Rob's voice trembles as he adds, "Now we're losing three people instead of two."

At that, Alexandra and Leah can't help it, they burst into laughter, the sheer absurdity of the situation breaking their composure. The contrast between their reaction and Rob's heartbreak only adds to the thick tension in the air.

Ariana's expression hardens as she looks at Rob. "I understand you're upset, but I strongly advise you to think this through," she says, her voice calm but assertive. "Walking away doesn't change what's happened, and you still have a journey here, one that Andrea may want you to finish." She lets the words settle for a moment before continuing. "But ultimately, the choice is yours."

"Hakeem, Andrea," Ariana finally says, "it's time to pack your things."

Just wanted to say that I've written everything here up till casa. So guys I would love for you guys to give me suggestions on how you want Louis to act.