A challenge against the other Villa, too? Might as well pop the bubbles, babes. Ivy doesn’t lose. Ever.

Ivy finds out that being an early riser is beneficial.... in more ways than one.

Chapter Text

Who the fuck is snoring so loud? It wasn’t as deep as Noah’s but it was just as irritating. I pressed the pillow against my ear with more force than necessary

It didn’t work like it did the first three times.

I swung myself out of my bed, squinting at the electric clock on the nightstand.

6 AM.

I huffed to myself all the way downstairs. I filled my water bottle with the low glow of the outside porch lights.

I slowly tugged the glass sliding door open. It was odd to be alone out here. The dim pink and purple streaked sky hung over my head, spreading its color across the hills. The hot Spanish air covered me as I sat down at the edge of the pool, gently lowering my legs in. The cool water flowed over my skin and I let out a deep sigh.

What did I ever do to deserve this kind of torture? I thought I would be able to relax here and all I’ve done is become more confused…...and irritated. Thanks Felix and whoever’s robotic snoring woke me up

“Going skiing by yourself?” I jumped at Kassam’s presence behind me.

“What? No!” I protested as he sat down slowly, smirking. “With what? The pool chlorine?”

“Just being a loner?” He ran his fingers through his inky black hair, moving it away from his forehead. His black t-shirt clung to his pale body.

“Isn't that more up your alley? Lurking in the corner of the room in solemn silence?”

“Something like that.” He rolled his eyes teasingly. “Why are you out here?”

“The snoring was driving me up the wall.” I sighed.

“You mean the Human Wind Storm, Lottie? It’s terrible.” He agreed.

“That noise was coming from Lottie this whole time?!” I gasped in horror. “God. I pity Gary now.”

“Is that the only reason you're out here talking to the pool?”

“Hilarious.” I sighed. “I just needed a moment. I have a lot of things going on right now.” I ran a hand absentmindedly through my hair. “A lot is going through my head. I’m not ready for any epiphany but my head is pushing me right into one.”

“Then go ahead. Have a moment.” He didn’t move.

“Now?” I asked in disbelief. His face didn’t change. He was so hard to read when he kept himself closed off.

“Now.” He gestured for me to go on.

“You want my whole life story?” I mimicked him.

“Just the highlights.” He grinned. “I’m interested in what made you the way you are. Normally, being an asshole always has some deep backstory.”

“I bet you can probably guess it. I was homeschooled my whole life then I went to private school when I was thirteen.”

“Why were you homeschooled? Were you a serial killer?” The amusement leaking from his voice was enough to crack a smile out of me.

“Only on the stage. I was a pageant girl.” His face contorted with slight disgust. “Hey!”

“Disappointing but not surprising.” He shook his head.

“I’ll ignore that. My mother put my pageants before anything else I wanted to do. I was on stage from the time I could hold my own head up. I was allowed to behave however I wanted when I was with the nanny. She did more for me than Mum ever did. My mother didn’t care as long as I put a good show on when pageant day rolled around. My father was not the same way. He constantly badgered me about my grades and when I didn’t make his expectations, he sent me away.” I winced at the memory. “He couldn’t have his golden child follow in her brother's footsteps of becoming a ‘homebodied loser of a felon’.” I dipped my hand into the water gingerly, letting the icy feeling of it trickle over my manicured fingers.

“Why?” Kassam leaned back onto his hands.

“My brother worked in the Cheshire Museum. Well, he did up until he got caught stealing and auctioning artifacts over the world web. Imagine the taunting and remarks that occurred after that scandal. I thought it would never end. Why make jokes about it around me? I pack a killer right hook.” I shook it away. “Avin was disowned after that. He moved out and that was it. Not a word since. It’s been like six or seven years.”

“Did they try to make amends with him before he moved out?”

“Of course not. He fucked up. That was enough for them to get rid. Before any of that happened, he was top of his college classes…. until he stopped going.”

“I see.” He pursed his lips.

“Once I graduated and moved onto college, it was slightly better but still horrible. My mother had put all her energy into being the Mayor of Cheshire East. My father threw himself into being her assistant. I moved into my own flat as soon as possible. They were driving me crazy. I couldn’t take it anymore. Living with them was ripping me apart. I couldn’t stand the stupid remarks about how I wasn’t perfect all the time. It’s fucking ridiculous. I've lived my life as a pageant judge since then. It was my outlet away from everything else. I still compete from time to time but not nearly as much. It becomes too much when I start having self doubts and self esteem issues. I’m not into that.” I bit my bottom lip softly. I had only told Priya about this on the Island. No one else knew anything. It felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.

“I have several points to make.” He finally spoke up.

“I guess I’ll allow it.” I tilted my head to look up at him.

“Point one, your parents fail to recognize you and your brother are two separate beings.”

“Correct. Please explain that to them.” I shrugged.

“Second point, your personality is based on your pageant persona. Then, you were isolated during the phase of your life where your personality and taste develops. It’s hard enough to be a teenager let alone to have no one to turn to. No wonder you turned out to be a sort.” He shook his head. “You make everything so difficult.”

“What did you expect me to say? I’m a bitch because I’m Miss Ultimate Grand Supreme? Please.” I scoffed. “Besides, saying “Do you want to hear about my weird childhood?” Is not exactly a way to pull men in.”

“That’s debatable.” His gaze held mine. It made me feel weak and vulnerable. “It’s better than most first date talk. I don’t give a fuck if you’re Venus is in Retrograde or whatever.”

“That makes no sense.” I chuckled. “It’s gonna be hard for you to stick with Lottie if that’s the case.”

“All I know is I’m an Aries.” He shrugged.

“Really?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’m a Gemini.”

“So you’re two faced?” He smirked. “All the pieces are falling into place.”

“Touché.”

We lingered in silence for a moment. “You're not so bad, Ivy.”

“You're not either.” I winced. “And I guess you’re sort of right.”

“About?”

“I need to simmer the fuck down sometimes.” I crossed my ankles. “But I don’t know how to relax.”

“You just have to realize the world isn’t in your grasp all the time. Life happens and you just have to let it happen. There’s no use in getting upset about what you can’t control. That’s the best way I can put it. Take this for example, you don’t have a healthy outlet to turn to. I do. I put my life into music. It’s what has kept me sane my entire life. You don’t have something like that. You have your career but it’s just linked to the same disaster that made you fall out in the first place. You should find something outside of pageants that makes you feel secure.”

“I guess that makes sense.” I mumbled. “But how do I actually relax? Be more like you?”

“You’ll never achieve this level of chill.” He shrugged. “But you should try to understand that it’s okay if people don’t like you. It’s okay to take other people's thoughts into consideration.”

“I took yours into consideration, didn't I?”

“That’s fair enough.” He paused. “Ivy, you don’t have to change everything about yourself.”

“I know I can’t fully change my personality. But I’m open for pointers I suppose.”

“Good. Acceptance is important. Besides… I like the way you are in every other aspect.” I turned to him slowly. He kept his line of sight on the rippling pale water. Man this boy is hard to read.

“You do?”

“You’re not so bad.” I lightly swatted his bicep.

“I’m going to take that as a yes.” I thought about it. “Why?”

“Why?” He raised a brow.

“Why do you fancy me? If anything, it seems like you dislike me.”

“Lack of judgement.” I went to swat him again, he caught my hand. “I’m kidding, Ivy.” He didn’t drop my hand. “I don’t dislike you. I dislike your bitter attitude.” He explained. “Other than that...” His darkened azure eyes traced over my face.

My heart skipped a beat before it was pounding uncontrollably. The way he looked at me made my stomach and heart switch places. His eyes opened up every part of my heart, exposing every crevice and corner. It felt like it was pulsating out of my chest in a way I hadn’t ever felt before. It felt like I was melting. Then, I was falling at an alarming rate. How could he be doing this to me? How did he know how to make me open myself up?

I leaned in as slowly as he did. I could feel his warm breath on my lips.

“You guys there’s a breakfast buffet here-“ Kassam and I jumped nearly five feet apart. “Oh.” Chelsea’s face lit up at the sight of us. Kassam and I were both flushed a dark red as we stood up. “Breakfast in five?” She offered weakly. Kassam walked off toward Arjun and Graham. “I’m so sorry. I really didn’t know you two were out here together!”

“No worries, Chels.” I smiled softly at her. “Come on. I’ll make you a smoothie.” Her eyes widened as I led her

inside back to the others.

“I really am, babe.” Chelsea gave me a soft squeeze. At first, I tended up. I wasn’t used to being openly loved. I gave her a soft squeeze back.

“We’re good, babes.” I reassured her as she led me over to the blender. Chelsea was still beaming. “What?”

“Nothing. It’s just….” She looked over her shoulder at Kassam who was helping Carl flip pancakes over. “I think he likes you more than he’s letting on.”

“You reckon?” I raised a brow before turning the blender on. Chelsea moved closer to my ear.

“I think he was totally going to kiss you!” She squealed. Kassam, Carl, Arjun, and Lottie looked at us pointedly. Chelsea and I have sweet non-suspicious smiles in sync. Kassam smiled back softly. “Yeah, he totally was.” She kept grinning. I rolled my eyes as my cheeks heated up.

After breakfast, we all got changed into our bikinis and did our makeup. The boys went off to change as well.

Chelsea and I walked back out to a conversation about ducks.

“Ducks eat seeds too!” Felix argued. “They didn’t survive off just grapes!”

“Ducks eat pond stuff too!” Marisol chimed in. She is the duck girl after all. Her instagram was supposedly popping.

“Ducks eat pond stuff.” I agreed with Marisol. “And probably small insects.”

“Ducks also eat bread. Bread has been around for centuries too right?” Felix insisted.

“Felix, bread is terrible for Ducks. It bloats them.” I tied my hair up into a high ponytail.

“I don’t think it’s bad-“ Felix started.

“It’s bad for them.” Kassam cut him off. “It’s what my song ‘Don’t Feed the Ducks’ is about.”

“Wait I know that song!” I gasped.

“Me too! It has all the duck quacks in it!” Priya told me.

“And the bass drops! You did that?” I asked Kassam in shock. “That’s so cool. You’re actually really good.” I complimented him.

“Thanks, Ivy.” For the first time, Kassam’s small smile met his eyes. It made my heart flutter.

“Once I tried to give a duck some crisps and it bit me!” Chelsea killed the moment between us.

“Enough of this! I want to get to know the boys. How about you guys tell us how you get a woman’s number?” Marisol tapped Graham’s thigh with a wink.

“I usually check to see what girl is giving me the “look” when I’m doing my thing.” Felix pretended to DJ. Kassam rolled his eyes before they landed on me. I just shrugged at Felix’s attempts to flirt.

Elijah gave us a lecture on how we shouldn’t date clients because of the awkward relationship. I totally forgot he was a hairdresser on the side.

Arjun just tricked girls with dogs he worked with. I knew Hope would be a sucker for that.

Graham just browsed around his local area. Mostly bars I can imagine. I doubt he walks around asking “Hey ladies, you like crabs?” That would make any girl bolt.

Carl normally dates people he worked with. Elijah just sighed.

“What about you Kassam?” Lottie raised a brow.

Kassam shrugged. “I just use dating apps.”

“Dating apps? What do you start off with?” I asked, curiously.

“Hey.” He did a small up nod.

“Kassam! You’ve got to be joking.” I sighed. “That’s terrible.”

“It works.” He clicked his tongue at me.

“Your tinder must be popping then.” Lottie flicked her hair behind her shoulder.

“I suppose so.” Kassam chuckled. “I just work the conversation around my name.”

“It sounds Arabic.” Lottie pointed out.

“Oh I get it. It’s because it means king.” I fake face palmed. “Duh.”

“You speak Arabic?” Lottie looked at me pointedly.

“No. He told me this already.” I explained. “During the first round of speed dating.” Lottie looked a little bit ruffled.

“That’s kind of basic.” Priya admitted.

“At least I’m not dishing out drinks like some Hallmark rom com.” Was all Kassam said.

“Got him there.” Chelsea whistled slowly. Well, she tried.

“Forget the lines, I want to hear about the moves.” Priya smirked. “Go on.”

Elijah had a killer smoulder. Chelsea squealed upon seeing it.

Graham basically had the guy version of bend and snap.

Arjun acted like a budget Johnny Bravo, throwing around cheeky winks. No shocks there. He lived for a bit of cheekiness and laughter.

Carl had no moves. Bless his shy soul. His timid mess was slowly wearing away being around Hope.

Kassam wrote a mixtape for the girl he was interested in.

“That’s actually so cool!” Lottie squealed. “You’ll have to do one for me.”

“Think of how good it would be.” I agreed with her. Kassam blushed at all the attention he was getting.

“Guys! I’ve got a text!” Marisol called out. “You’ll want to see this.”

“What does it say?” Hope asked with her brows furrowed.

Marisol grinned. “We’re taking part in a challenge against the other Villa.”

“Yay!” Chelsea clapped happily.

“If we win, we get a special prize.” Marisol turned to each of us in turn. “We have got to win this!”

“Honey, I never lose.” I smirked before sitting down on the beanbag beside Chelsea.

“I have the first challenge already!” Hope called out.

I sat back and watched. Some of them were rather boring.

An underwater kiss was so cliche. Besides, who would want water up their nose? Chelsea. That’s who.

Priya did sex positions with Felix. I didn’t mind at all. Anything to get him off my back. Priya would be up for a higher energy man as well. It worked out in the end.

“Who has the next one?” No one answered. Kassam was reading his phone screen.

“Kassam?” I raised a brow at him.

“Ivy.” The way my name rolled off his tongue enticed me. I felt a bit of embarrassment at how seductive it sounded to my own ears.

“Did you get the text?” I asked.

“Yeah.” His nose crinkled up.

“Well?! Read it out!” Lottie demanded.

“I wanted to make sure I read it right!” Kassam insisted without even looking at her.

Carl kissed Hope for thirty seconds. It was so awkward to watch. I hope they made a special copy for Noah to prove he had thirty seconds to get off the ball and chain.

Chelsea let Arjun give her a piggyback ride around the Casa backyard. It made sense she was the tiniest one out of all of us aside from Marisol.

All of these challenges were just not it. I cringed watching half of them. “Ivy!”

“What?” My eyes shifted to Lottie.

“You have to make one of the boys blush as quickly as possible.” Easy enough.

I was the closest to Graham so I just sat up and ran two fingers across his thigh. His face heated up almost instantly. “Ha! Easy.” I smirked. “I need a real challenge.”

“I don’t know if I’m impressed or horrified.” Marisol chuckled before reading her own phone screen. “Oh no.”

“What?” Hope’s eyes widened.

“Kassam has to give a girl a lap dance.”

“Kiss that prize goodbye. Fuck that.” Kassam shook his head.

“Oh come on! It’s only for thirty seconds.” Chelsea complained. “It’ll be fine!”

“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. Lottie instantly pulled him over to her. He hovered over her lap before he began to dance.

I instantly felt my back get up. It made me feel beyond annoyed. I kept my eyes on the straps of my heels the entire time. I couldn’t watch. In a way, it made me feel sick to my stomach.

I knew it was because we had almost kissed until Chelsea came. I would have let it happen too. Instead, I was here, burning with jealousy at the sight of Lottie enjoying every bit of him. I was beyond pissed by the time it was over. I still couldn’t look at either of them. How could I be mad at Lottie when she doesn’t know about this morning? I never really felt resentment or any anger toward her. But now, I was feeling upset and flustered.

It was fucked up. I knew I liked him more than the rest of the boys. I had shown him who I really was deep down. He wasn’t even scared or intimidated by me like other boys had been before. I didn’t want to lose his friendship or whatever we had over this stupid challenge. Was it really fair of me to be upset with him, too? We hadn’t talked about this morning at all.

“It’s Seven Minutes in Heaven!” Chelsea squealed.

“Well technically it’s time in the cupboard.” Lottie shrugged. “For however long it takes the rest of us to do these exercises.”

“I'm not doing exercise.” I scoffed before I stride off toward the Casa.

“Ivy! Which boy are you-“ Hope called from across the lawn.

“I don’t care which one!” I yelled over my shoulder as I made my way up the stairs. “Oh my fucking god.” The inside of the cupboard was decked out with Dollar Tree Valentine's Day decorations. “This is such a joke.” I muttered, wiping the slight dampness from under my eyes, hoping I didn’t smudge the makeup. I just hoped it was Arjun or Carl. I wouldn’t care if they saw me frustrated and crying in the dark.

“Ivy.” This has got to be a fucking joke. “What happened?” Even though it was dark, I could still see the outline of Kassam’s body.

“What? I didn’t do anything.” I insisted. “Nothing happened.”

“Yeah and I’m best friends with Felix.” He sighed. “What’s wrong?” I froze as his hand flicked my hair over my exposed shoulders.

“I just want this all to be over.” I admitted.

“The challenge? I think this is the last one.” I felt him shrug.

“Not just that. This whole Casa Amor bullshit. I’m over it.” I shook my head, wiping under my eye again. I was tearing up.

“Is this about the lap dance thing?”

“No!” I said a little too quickly.

“This is ridiculous.” Kassam muttered. “Ivy, we're two grown adults. If you have something to say to me, say it. Don’t downplay it.”

“I’m just annoyed.” I tossed my hands up. “Is that what you want?”

“I want you to tell me how you’re feeling. You need to communicate with me if you’re upset about something I did. You can’t be mad at me, not tell me, and then expect me to know what’s wrong. I’m not a mind reader.”

“I’m not annoyed with you. Well kind of. You didn’t exactly say no to her.”

“It was a timed challenge.” He sighed again.

“I know. I hate how it made me feel.” I toyed with my gold choker.

“How did it make you feel? Besides being annoyed.” I could feel his fingers brushing against mine but he made no move to intertwine them.

“I didn’t like it. It’s kind of odd, in a way. I told you things I haven’t told anyone else. Not even therapists.”

“I’m confused. How does that correlate to this?”

“I don’t want to have you bounce between Lottie and I.”

A moment of aching silence passed before he spoke again. “You don’t want to share my attention.”

“Exactly.” I clicked my tongue. “I don’t share attention with anyone.”

“This is the most interesting way someone has ever told me they like me.” I chewed my bottom lip at this. “Ivy. I told you I want you to be forward with me. Do you have feelings for me? Yes or no?” His overpowering tone was enough to make me give in.

“I do. I guess.” Just saying it’s made my heart feel like it was spiraling out of control. I never had to tell someone I fancied them. I just made it obvious through actions.

“You guess?” I could practically feel the eye roll. “That sounds promising.”

“Look, I don’t know what else you want me to say.”

“I want you to tell me the truth. It’s clear you were upset about Lottie nominating herself for it. I rather pretend it didn’t happen but obviously you can’t do that because it’s hurting you. I understand that much because that’s all you have given me.”

“You're making me sound like a melt.” I pouted.

“Because you are a melt. It’s quite melty to confess your feelings for me in a dark closet on a Cupid Gameshow.”

“I suppose it doesn’t really matter. In the end, you’re with Lottie in here and I’m avoiding Felix and Arjun like the plague.” I joked.

“Arjun is decent. Felix is understandable.”

“Well, Felix won’t stop hitting on me. I think I’m going to have to tattoo “NO” on my fucking forehead.” I chuckled lightly.

“Why are you laughing? I don’t think him not taking no for an answer is very funny.” His voice was stern and semi-intimidating.

“I know. I think he just wants to say he swooned me or some shit.”

“Ivy, listen. I don’t want him making you uncomfortable.” He ran a hand over his face. “I don’t want him all over you.”

“What do you mean you don’t want him-“ The door swung open and I squinted in the bright light of the Casa Amor dressing room.

“Aw. They’re just talking!” Priya complained. “Lame!”

“Too late.” I pecked her cheek as I sashayed around her and back out to the other side of the dressing room. “I’m gonna hit the shower.” I slammed the door shut with my robe in my hand before anyone could object. I instantly sank to the floor when I was alone.

What the hell was this place doing to me?