Anticipation washed over Aviva's in waves; it soaked her through, colored with urgency and distinct apprehension. She couldn't stop herself from bouncing on the balls of her feet, fighting the restlessness that seemed to have possessed her limbs. After five grueling days, it was time for the villa boys to return from their trip to Casa Amor.
Since the second day with the newest islanders, everything had been a blur. The awkward tension with Kat, the weird connection building with Gabi, Nicholas's unmistakable interest; it all came and went in a flash. But if there was anything Aviva couldn't ignore, it was the postcards they'd received from Casa Amor on the third day. It showed all the original villa boys in rather compromising positions. She could still remember every inch of Finn's muscular torso covered in poppy pink lipstick, forever immortalized in a small ten by fifteen-centimeter piece of paper. When she'd seen it the first time, Aviva automatically assumed it was from the Raunchy Race challenge from later on day two. She felt confident in that fact because, at the villa, she was the one who had to kiss the boy with the largest feet of all things (which happened to be Nicholas, much to his delight). She could still taste and feel the slick coconut tanning oil from his chest around her mouth. On the one hand, she couldn't be mad at Finn, knowing the context of the situation. On the other, he had the nerve to look happy; whether it was authentic or not was debatable.
And so there she was, a battle of emotions swarming inside her. Finn was careless enough to mess around with her behind Kat's back; who was to say he wouldn't do it with some random girl in Casa Amor? But at the same time, she buzzed with excitement, eager to see his smile directed at her and only her. In a few moments, the villa boys would walk through the door, and everyone would have made their choices.
The villa girls had made their choices, too. Gabi and the new boys stood at the other side of the fire pit, seemingly calm despite the circumstances.
The fire crackled between the two groups, flames rising higher to the star-spangled sky. Johnny was the first to break the silence, "Is it too late to make one more push?"
"Five days of grafting wasn't enough for you?" Pete asked, leaning forward to look down the line of islanders to see Johnny more clearly.
"If it'll help my chances," Johnny began, turning to look in Aviva's direction, "then I'll take it."
Aviva averted her eyes to the villa doors, wondering how much longer this whole thing would last.
Arlo's phone pinged in her hand, "Oh! Text! Looks like your time's up, Johnny, love. Dana, you're first."
Johnny's lower lip jutted forward in a dramatic pout, overcome with the heavy weight of loss. Dana took a deep breath, eyes closing as she found her composure.
"We all know who you're picking! Just get on with it already." Kat hassled.
Dana took two steps forward, shooting a disapproving glare at Kat, "Ahem, I'm picking this person because they're a big ball of energy and fun. Not to mention absolutely gorgeous. I'm excited to see where this goes. Gabi."
"I'm excited, too!" Gabi said, taking a few long steps toward her new partner. The pair kissed each other on both cheeks, a gesture that seemed more friendly than romantic, but Aviva didn't care. She was more focused on the fact that Gabi would be sticking around longer than she'd hoped. It wasn't that she hated her per se; it was more the fact that there was a story between them that she wished would just die already. No matter how many times she tried to move on, it kept resurrecting itself with more life and vigor each time.
The villa door flew open, revealing Eddie, alone and happy, until his eyes found Dana's. His ginger pace morphed into heavy stomps as he made his way closer to the group.
"Seriously?" He threw his hands out in front of Gabi, "I was loyal to you the whole time!" He alleged, cheeks reddening in his frustration.
Dana wrapped her arm around Gabi's waist, pulling her closer to her side, "Stayed loyal? You have a funny way of showing it, all cuddled up with some girl."
When the postcards came in, Dana was rightfully pissed seeing Eddie snuggled up in bed with a random woman, his hand poised ever so comfortably on her backside.
The color on Eddie's cheeks deepened another shade, "Out of respect for you, I didn't actually do anything!"
"Didn't look like it." Dana fired back. She shook her head, the arm around Gabi's middle tightening ever so slightly, "Sorry you're single? I don't know what else to say, but after all the time we spent together, you could at least pretend to be happy that I found someone I genuinely like!"
Eddie huffed, turning his back on his former partner and muttering words of displeasure under his breath.
Awkward couldn't properly describe the feeling that had befallen them.
When it became too much, Dana's phone buzzed, "Arlo, it's your turn."
With a wide grin, Arlo stepped up, "This is an easy choice, so I won't waste much time. I'm picking this boy because he's cheeky, fun, and incredibly sexy. And I have a feeling he'll stick around with me. Unlike my current partner, who can't keep his head from turning...I deserve better. So, I'm switching. With Pete."
Pete cheered, pumping a victorious fist in the air in a brief moment of celebration. He strode forward and embraced Arlo with a tight hug and tender kiss on the temple. Aviva watched the two, and for once, she actually felt happy for Arlo; they seemed to be a good match.
I can't wait to see the look on Suresh's face when he walks in...
Another rejection could be the slice of humble pie he needed. But when he re-entered the villa with a tall, buxom woman in tow, Aviva had second thoughts.
Suresh slowed his steps, his casual coolness faltering every time his foot touched the ground. He visibly tensed as he locked eyes with Gabi across the fire pit, "What are you—why are you..."
Gabi cocked her hip, folding her arms defensively over her chest, "The smooth talker's lost his touch. Didn't think you'd ever see me again, did you, Suresh?"
His eyes darted between Aviva and Gabi, back and forth. With his gaze lingering on her, Aviva took the opportunity to look at the new girl by his side. She was curvy, with blonde wavy hair that complemented her warm golden skin. Her outward demeanor seemed sweet, perhaps it was something in her eyes that made it seem so.
"You'd think you'd be used to this by now, the way you like to juggle women." Gabi added crossly.
"Ha, this is awkward." Arlo said into her fist.
Suresh snapped from his stupor, angrily turning to Arlo, "I don't know why. You've coupled with someone new as well."
"You didn't exactly give me much reason to stay." Arlo shrugged, "All that time, you said you were a changed man when clearly you weren't. I think I've dodged a bullet, honestly." She slid her hand into Pete's as the final nail in the coffin of their very short-lived relationship.
Suresh released the new girl's hand; she surreptitiously drew it to her thigh, wiping it along the fabric of her yellow dress.
The woman raised the same hand for a quick wave, "Um, hi everyone, I'm Lulu."
"Nice you meet you, babes." Dana greeted, "None of this is about you, by the way, but—"
"But you should watch your back around that one." Arlo interrupted, motioning toward Suresh's brooding frame.
"Right..." Lulu sighed. She and Suresh walked on rigid legs to take their place in the line of paired-off islanders.
Aviva couldn't help but watch Gabi's gaze consistently seek out Suresh's over the flickering flames. Her eyes were alight with anger and betrayal; pining and wanting swirling beneath the surface. After all was said and done, it would seem she still held some affection for him.
Ridiculous.
Aviva jumped in her spot when her phone vibrated and jingled its familiar sound.
Aviva, it's time to make your choice. #StickOrSwitch
The blue light of her cell phone illuminated the worry on her face. Up until then, she felt sure of her choice to stick with Alfie. But the reality that he'd walk through the door as soon as her decision left her lips, alone or otherwise, left a pit in her stomach. She could make a strategic move and switch with one of the new boys to secure her space in the villa. Or, she could take her chances and stick to demonstrating her loyalty, not to Alfie, but to Finn.
"Sometime this century, Aviva." Kat prompted impatiently.
"Right, okay." Aviva glanced toward Nicholas and Johnny. Nicholas smiled brightly, running a hand over his bleached tipped hair, "Things haven't been...easy...in the past week or so. Hell, my entire time here has been a bit of a nightmare. But if there's one thing I can do, it's stay true to myself. And I'm loyal, maybe to a fault...but I'm choosing to stick. Sorry, boys."
Nicholas's smile dropped a fraction, losing its brilliant shine. Johnny's head bowed, shoulders hunching forward in defeat.
Like clockwork, the villa doors opened once again. Alfie stood in the doorframe for a second. He peered over his shoulder as if beckoning someone forward. A familiar woman stood at his side, linking her arm with his.
"Meera?!" Dana squawked.
"Oh, wow! Welcome back, Meera." Aviva said, a genuine smile tugging her lips upward.
Meera returned the expression, though it seemed less than sincere, "Thank you, Aviva."
Alfie shuffled in his spot, "Seeing her again made me think I had a second chance. And once we spent more time together, things sort of fell into place. I—" He glanced at Aviva; it was the first time they'd looked at each other since the night he left, "I'm happy it worked out this way."
Aviva bobbed her head slightly, "I'm...happy you're happy."
"Thanks." Alfie replied stiffly.
Awkward.
It would be so easy to avoid him altogether. But Aviva knew this wasn't the end of whatever they'd started. Alfie's time at Casa Amor, reuniting with Meera; she was truly glad to see him happy, but it was merely a band-aid for the damage she'd caused. They'd have to talk it out sooner or later.
Kat's phone sounded off next, and she nearly dropped it in surprise. For all her vehement assertions and confidence about sticking with Finn, Aviva almost couldn't believe Kat's jumpiness. It was a sentiment she shared. In less than five minutes, Finn would be back. He would look at her and smile that gorgeous smile, and she'd just about melt at the sight of him.
Please let him be alone...
Her stomach churned at the thought of him moving on so quickly. She wished Kat would hurry it all along and put her out of her misery.
"Okay," Kat cleared her throat and took a step forward, "These have been some of the hardest days I've had in the villa so far. There was a lot said and done before the whole Casa Amor thing," She pointedly flicked her cold stare toward Aviva before continuing, "But I'd like to think that the time away helped us. I know it helped me anyway. I learned a lot. And even though we've both made mistakes we regret, I know there's only one boy for me. So, I'm going to stick."
Aviva ignored Kat's subtle slights, choosing instead to focus all her energy and attention on the villa doors. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest, her breathing shaky and deep. Her body fluttered with nerves; she'd never felt so stressed in her life. The past few weeks could never compare to that feeling.
Finally, the villa door opened a crack; Aviva's breath stilled.
There he was.
Finn came through the doorway with no small amount of enthusiasm. It was like seeing him for the first time all over again, except now, his eyes were fixed only on hers from the very start. Her lungs began to burn from the breath she was holding, not fully sure if he'd come alone. Only when the door shut firmly behind him did she noisily exhale, a wide grin filled with the utmost relief and joy catching on her lips.
"You're alone." She observed aloud.
Finn made a show of looking around behind him. When his meager search yielded little, he smiled wide, "That I am. You say that like you doubted me, Rosie."
"Just a little." Aviva responded, pinching her thumb and forefinger in front of her face; her tone was light and teasing, "Your track record hasn't been the cleanest."
Finn's eyes glinted with amusement, "Ah, well, I'm a changed man." He professed with sincerity, placing his large hand on his chest.
Aviva could feel her heart tugging her toward him, and she fought hard to keep her feet rooted in place. She'd never felt so desperate; she wanted nothing more than to crash into him and never let go.
But someone else beat her to it.
Kat rushed forward, throwing her arms tightly around his waist. Finn stumbled back, not fully prepared to catch her weight and momentum.
"You stuck! Oh my days, you stuck!" Kat pressed herself against his broad chest, rubbing her face into his shirt. Finn's arms were outstretched, surprise still paralyzing him in his spot. Eventually, he creakily enveloped Kat, his grip limp and non-committal.
Aviva's legs shook with the force of disappointment. She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, flexing her fingers to resist reaching out to pry Kat away. Finn looked up as if sensing her discontent. He placed his hands on Kat's shoulders and began the difficult process of extricating her from his body. When they were finally apart, Kat seized his hand in hers, smiling up at him adoringly.
They walked back to the group, steering to Aviva's side – a deliberate move on Kat's part, Aviva suspected. She kept her eyes ahead; if she looked at them together, she'd explode. Fingers delicately fluttered along the back of her hand, forcing her attention to the subtle disruption. Finn watched her with a gentle smile, calloused fingers toying with hers until they linked loosely at their tips. Aviva could feel her mood lifting at his touch...and then she saw Kat out her periphery. Aviva snapped her hand back to her side, shaking her head when she could feel Finn inching closer. She wanted nothing more than to hold him, but she didn't want to keep up the secrecy. The deceit. It only would cause more pain, and she wouldn't do it.
Finn stopped at the sound of Nicholas's phone. Nicholas reluctantly pulled his phone from his jacket pocket, reading the text with a deep furrow in his brow, "Well, it was fun while it lasted..." He sighed, shoulders rising and falling with each breath.
"Yeah...it was really nice to meet you all, though! Even if it was quick." Johnny added with a forced smile.
The islanders exchanged their goodbyes, offering kind words and simple phrases to Johnny and Nicholas as they made their way around the circle. As the boys trudged back toward the villa to pack their bags, Aviva couldn't help but watch Kat as she latched herself onto Finn's side. Only then did the reality of Aviva's position come crashing down.
She was officially single.
And Kat was completely enamored.