The Islanders stood around the fire pit. The nervous energy was unmistakable as they shifted and glanced around. Iona was cracking her knuckles as the couples spoke to each other in whispers. Rian sat patiently. “Aren’t you nervous?” Seb asked.

“I am,” Rian whispered. Tai took her hand and gave it a squeeze. She was very concerned if she went home now, she would have failed. But recognizing it was out of her hands, and there was nothing she could do about what the public thought of her. There wasn’t much sense in letting it get under her skin. She took a deep grounding breath.

A phone buzzed, causing them all to jump. “It’s me,” Rian said, picking up her phone. “Islanders the public have been voting for their favorite couples. The couples with the least votes are in danger of being dumped from the island. The two couples who received the lowest votes are… Camilo and Iona,” Rian was certain the shock in her voice was apparent. She peered over the couple in disbelief before looking back down at her phone. “And Miki and Ciaran.”

After a moment of silence, another phone pinged. “It’s mine,” Nicky said, holding it up to read. “For one of these couples, their time in the Villa has ended. The rest of you must now vote for which couple should go home tonight.”

Rian looked over at the two couples. The rest of the islanders’ babble became background noise. Just yesterday, she had fixed Iona’s lipstick with Miki. And as for Camilo, she cared about him. Ciaran was a friendly lad, but she hadn’t gotten to know him yet. She didn’t want to see any of them leave. The other voice, the practical one, was reminding her it was necessary. She was closer to her goal.

She was pulled from her thoughts by Tai. He had taken her hand and led her away from the fire pit. They found a quiet spot at the pool to talk.“I can’t believe they left it up to us,” Rian mumbled. “I don’t want to do this.”

“We need to decide, but since you’ve been here longer, I think it’s your call,” Tai said, shifting uncomfortably. “You can bounce your thoughts off me. I know Camilo, and you have a spark. I wouldn’t mind losing that competition.”

Rian felt like she had been sucker-punched. He wanted her to decide for both of them. It wasn’t out of kindness. He wanted to wash his hands of the decision. She pulled herself together and faced him. “I like them and get on well with all four of them, but if we are going based on the strength of them as a couple, Ciaran and Miki aren’t as powerful a couple as Iona and Camilo.”

“I agree,” Tai said, nodding. “So, that’s your decision then?” Rian nodded. “I support your choice.” Tai picked up the phone and typed it in. “It’s done. You want a hug?”

Rian stood up. “We should get back.” They were the last couple back to the fire pit. Seb stood beside Rian. “Who did you vote for?” Rian shook her head because she didn’t trust her voice to stay steady. Seb reached for her hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. He shifted, so they were shoulder to shoulder. After what seemed like hours but was indeed merely a few minutes. Ciaran’s phone buzzed. He sighed, “Here we go.” He lifted the phone to read. “Ciaran and Miki, you fellow islanders, have voted you the least compatible couple. As a result, you will now be dumped from the island. Please pack your bags and make your way to the Villa entrance.”

Rian saw Iona and Camilo sigh with relief. “There it is then…” Ciaran said. Miki started to cry, and Ciaran reached over to pull her into a hug. Rian stepped over, wrapping one arm around Miki, the other around Ciaran. The rest of the islanders followed, creating one giant group hug with Miki and Ciaran in the middle. Eventually, at the end of the hug and Miki looked at the islanders. “I guess we go pack out things.”

Ciaran wiped his face. “Yea, I guess those suitcases will not pack themselves.”

Rian looked over at the couple, giving them a wry smile. “You mind if I help? I’d like to spend some time with you.”

Miki looked surprised. “I’d like that.”

Ciaran smiled, “That’s so sweet of you.”

Once inside the Villa, Rian was helping Miki pack up her hairbrushes. “Why do you have so many?”

Miki smiled, “I have a lot of hair!”

Rian giggled. “I was just thinking about Manuka Vibe 2 – Revenge of the Vibe.”

Miki laughed, “I thought that lippy was done for. You can perform surgery on my lipstick any day.” She dropped a lippy cylinder on the floor, and it rolled over to Rian. Rian picked it up and handed back to Miki. “You know what? I want you to have this one. The color would be fabulous for you. Use it to leave your mark on the right person…” Rian pulled Miki into a hug. “You were always so nice to me, even when I wasn’t to you. Thank you.” Miki said thickly.

Ciaran walked over to them with a faint smile on his face. “I packed the rest of your stuff and my stuff.”

“Oh, sorry, babe, I got caught up talking to Rian,” Miki said before stepping back.

“I guess we should say goodbye to the others. It’s time to go.” Ciaran said.

“Um, Rian,” Miki said, looking at her curiously. “Can you do me a favor?” Rian nodded. “Make sure Iona is all right. I don’t want her fading into the background, although she doesn’t seem like that kind of girl. I would feel better if you looked out for her.”

“I will,” Rian smiled.

Ciaran and Miki grabbed their luggage and headed to the door. The islanders took turns, hugging them. Rian stood back, but Miki grabbed her hand and pulled her over to her and Ciaran. “Thanks for being there for us and helping us pack. It means a lot.” Rian nodded. Ciaran took Miki’s hand, and they walked off into the night.

There was silence for a moment, and then Tai’s phone pinged. The islanders look at each other, murmuring.

“What is it now?”

“Please don’t let it be another dumping…”

Tai read the message. “Islanders, tomorrow, there will be another recoupling, and the boys will choose who they want to couple up with.”

Rian raised her eyebrows in surprise. The producers weren’t even going to give them a moment to recover. She looked over at the girls. Elladine seemed unfazed, but Iona looked at Rian, then back at Camilo and Bill. Rian walked back into the Villa and out to the kitchen. She poured herself a drink. This was harder than she expected.