The Game Show Affect [†] Luke Hemmings

~2~

I sighed, pulling my beanie over my head and jamming my feet into my dark red Vans. I didn't like to be so... Pouty? I guess. My dad always ensured that I paid attention to how lucky I am, but half of the girls in my school have been pestering me about how fake I am. Not that it bugs me too bad, but I'm a teenage girl. I'm allowed to pout a little.

As I swing my duffle bag over my shoulder and grabbed my suitcase, a knock sounded at the front door. I could hear an Australian mans voice as I trailed down the stairs. My mother was getting a little too friendly for my liking.

"Hello, I'm Erika. Blake's mother." She shot out her hand and he took it gladly. "Come in, she should be right down." The way she looked at him made me hate him. She shouldn't find anyone attractive except for my father. Their divorce is still such a fresh wound, how could she pour salt on it like that?

"I'm Josh, thank you." He smiled back. I cleared my throat as I stood at the top of the stairs and my mother blushed. "You must be Blake. I'm your driver, Josh; are you ready to go?"

"Sure, I guess." I muttered.

"I'll take your bags so you can say your goodbyes." Josh said politely, and I handed him my bags. I thanked him and walked over to my mom, wrapping my arms around her waist. She chuckled and kissed my temple.

"I know you'll make the best of this, Blake." He voice was sweet and soothing. "And if you make it to the end and win, Kyle would be forever thankful. Maybe you'll even make friends? Maybe even with one of those famous boys."

I rolled my eyes but smiled, "I love you, mom."

"I love you too, Sweetheart." She pulled away.

"Stay safe." I whispered, squeezing her once more and waving before slipping out of the apartment, down the stairs and into the passengers seat of Josh's Chevy. "Don't you dare even think of my mother in that way."

"What?" He asked, looking beyond baffled.

"If you ever make those googly eyes at her again, I will personally chop off your balls and shove them up your nostrils." I explained slowly.

"Alright?" He replied. The rest of our ride was silent.

And so was our plane ride. I'm pretty sure I managed to get on his bad side. But that's okay, he's on mine too.

When we got to our destination, I couldn't help but to stare in awe. It was a gated lot, plenty of green space and a pool. The bigger house reminded me of the house from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Josh led me inside there and my jaw dropped at its amazement. It was marble everything. There were two stair cases that swerve upstairs and two hallways, one left one right. I followed briskly behind Josh, as he lead me down the left hallway. At the far end was a white wooden door with a black chalkboard on it. Blakeley was written on it. Josh entered and set my bags down, and as I passed the door I erased the 'ley' part. Josh mumbled an awkward 'bye' and left as quickly as possible.

After unpacking my bags and plotting ways to get back at my idiot friends, an announcement rang through a damn p.a system.

And what made it even better? Bernadette chick made the announcement.

'Welcome, 5sos FAM! Come on down to the patio and we will have a little chat. Come dressed to impress. You have five minutes!' She squealed and I winced.

Not caring a single bit about what four boys thought about me, I grabbed my phone and made my way to the patio. It was huge. There were two large orange couches with blue pillows, a coffee table and a platform. Scattered all over the lawn were round tables that seated four people.

Probably so the boybanders can avoid us by all sitting together.

Soon after myself, followed a really tall girl with black hair and blue eyes entered. To my surprise, she gave me a genuine smile and sat beside me. She was clad in a baseball t and a skater skirt.

"I'm Camille, from Perth." She extended her hand.

"Blake, Manhattan."

"The Muppets was filmed there!" She cheered.

Oh gawd... A blonde? With... Er... Black hair?

"Yeah... Sure?" I shrunk back into the corner as more girls started flooding in. This was bound to be the longest three months of my life.

I sighed as a woman walked out. She was shorter than me and maybe about 45? She wore a bright red pan suit and had her red hair tied into a neat bun.

"Hello girls!" I internally groaned. Bernadette woman in the house. Whoop whoop. "I'm Amy! Welcome! Um, first up we have video introductions. We will go in order of last names. Valerie Allen?" I slouched back into my seat and pulled out my phone to begin one hardcore round of Flappy Golf.