Chapter 10:
ALLIANCEE AND ALLIANCER
Y/N cringed as the phone rang, she extended her hand to take her phone back. But Alejandro pulled it away, holding it just out of her reach.
I swore I put it on silent...
"I just found your phone and was about to return it to you, but it seems like someone is calling." Alejandro grinned, showing Y/N the screen where it said her mother was calling. "But I swore I recall you mentioning something about your mother-"
"-I have no idea what you're talking about," Y/N quickly interjected, trying to keep her cool, though Alejandro's grin only widened. He knew he had caught her. With every step Y/N took to get her phone back, he takes a step back.
"Come now, Y/N," Alejandro cooed, "I'm not one to judge. We've all played our tricks in this game. But you see, I think I know a little lie you told about your mother. Admit it."
"Um..." She mumbled, quickly stopping to think. But she couldn't think of a good excuse, and to be fair, didn't think she would be caught like this.
Alejandro's smirk deepened as Y/N stumbled over her words. He gradually moved closer, leaning in slightly, "Admit it."
"Well, you see... she just called! So, we reunited today!..And it's a small world!" She nervously chuckled, mentally face-palming herself for such a dumb excuse. But she couldn't think straight.
"Reunited today? Interesting," Alejandro responded with a sly smile. "Well, mi amor, if that's the case, you won't mind me answering this call for you, right?" He hovered his thumb over the 'answer' button. Y/N's heart skipped a beat.
Y/N quickly glanced around to see if anyone was within earshot. No one.
"Okay! Okay!" she confessed, her words spilling out, "...I may or may not made up a little lie so I can get Leshawna out. But don't think you can guilt-trip me. I did what I had to, and let's not forget you're just as guilty."
—
"I wasn't entirely certain if Y/N was dishonest, but her odd kindness and how suspicious she's been acting, I figured. And just a bit of probing, she folded like a house of cards." Alejandro chuckled confidently, putting his hand behind his head and leaning back. "Confidence, my friend, goes a long way in this game."
—
"I'm well aware," Alejandro admitted, "My initial plan was to try and charm Leshawna and then manage to get her out, but it seems that you have already beaten me to it."
Y/N's eyes narrowed, a bit puzzled as to why Alejandro just admitted that. But she didn't care about his schemes right now.
"Okay...? Just give me my phone back." She demanded.
"Of course, you can have it back," Alejandro responded. However, instead of handing her the phone, he slid it into his pocket,
"Seriously, Alejandro, give it." Y/N grumbled, her patience wearing thin, but a subtle unease setting in.
"You see, Y/N." Alejandro chuckled, "It would be a shame for someone to reveal your little secret to the rest of the team. Your fabricated story and manipulations might not sit well with them, and it could lead to your elimination."
Y/N's eyes widen as she realizes the weight of his words. The thought of her teammates finding out her lies filled her with dread. She couldn't let that happen.
"Yeah, and I planned to keep it a secret." She said, eyeing his pocket.
"That's the thing, mi amor," Alejandro purred, "Keeping secrets can be challenging, especially in a game like this. You can never be sure if someone is willing to keep it, safe."
"Are you saying you're gonna tell...? 'Cause if you dare to tell anyone, I will expose what you did to Bridgette and Harold!" Y/N threatened, crossing her arms. She tried to sound confident, but it was all she had against him.
"But, you see, I have something that you don't."
Y/N furrowed her brows. "And what's that?"
"Proof," he stated, casually patting his pocket, signaling that her phone, with all its secrets, tucked away. "I have evidence to back it up. You, on the other hand, don't have anything on me."
Y/N simmered in anger, but couldn't help but feel defeated. It was over. He was going to tell, and if, somehow, she didn't get voted out in the next elimination ceremony, she would surely get outcasted by her own team.
I am so done for.
Y/N's shoulders slumped, "...Are you going to tell them?" She sheepishly asked, looking everywhere but him.
Alejandro gently tilted her chin up to make her look into his eyes. "I could, but I have a different proposal in mind. How about we form an alliance instead?"
Wait, what?
"An alliance? with you? As if!" Y/N scoffed, swatting his hand away from her chin. "Isn't the deal we had before enough? And being teammates is already pushing it."
Alejandro stayed firm, "Our previous deal was merely temporary, Y/N. This alliance would be more permanent. Think of the advantages it could bring, for you." He explained.
Y/N was torn. While she was against the idea of allying with someone as conniving as Alejandro, she also knew she couldn't afford to let her secret be exposed.
"Think twice," he teased, a hint of arrogance lacing his words.
—
"I can't believe I'm even considering it! An alliance...with Alejandro? I was supposed to keep an eye on his schemes not join them." Y/N sighed, "But what choice do I even have..?"
—
After a moment, she begrudgingly asked, "What are the advantages of this...alliance?"
"Well, for starters. You'll have my protection, you and your secret, and I assure you, no harm will come your way. Secondly, I have a way of gathering information, and as my ally, you will gain access to insights of others, allowing us to strategically get ahead in the game. Imagine the power we could have." Alejandro said.
"Is that all?" Y/N questioned, not fully convinced.
Alejandro chuckled, amused. "Oh, my dear, those are just the advantages. Now, let me explain the rules." He leaned in, his voice dropping low, "You must vote for whoever I ask you to vote for. You can't vote for me, of course. And you must assist me with my plans and strategies. If you follow, we'll secure a spot together in the merge."
She hesitated for a moment, glaring at him.
Just think of the million dollars.
"I'm only doing this because it's a strategic move, it doesn't mean we're friends," Y/N grumbled as she reluctantly shook his outstretched hand.
As they shook hands, Alejandro raised her hand to his lips and planted a gentle kiss on it. Y/N watched, annoyed, but felt her chest fluttered.
"I must admit, I find the real you quite charming, without that fake upbeat attitude."
He even knew that?!
Y/N pulled her hand away abruptly, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "..Ew, don't ever do that again."
"No promises, mi amor." Alejandro chuckled, " And remember, we keep our little alliance a secret." With a wink, he turned and left.
As she watched Alejandro walk away, a growing sense of dread settled in Y/N's stomach, she just agreed to be in an alliance with him.
•---------•
"I don't know what to say to him! I've always been the alliancee, not the alliancer!" Owen argued in a hushed tone, making sure Dj didn't hear. Team Amazon was in first class, and everyone else was in economy class.
"It's like asking a girl out, only she's a guy." Noah replied.
"Oh!" Owen cleared his throat. "Hey, Dj! Hey, umm...do you want to go for hot dogs with my buddy Noah? He said your legs are nice." He winked, batting his eyelashes and whistling. Dj looked confused and weirded out.
"Yeah, because that's exactly what I told him to say." Noah muttered sarcastically.
"One cannot blunder into an alliance, friend." Alejandro remarked. Y/N just glared at him.
"Why couldn't you lose so Lindsay could still be here!" Tyler scowled, shooting daggers at DJ and balling up his fist. DJ looked annoyed.
"Anger also doesn't help." Alejandro added.
"Listen, I'm sorry, I tried, okay? But you only had to put up with me for one more day." Dj said.
"Going somewhere Dj?" Alejandro asked.
"I'm losing the next challenge." Dj simply said, which caused Y/N to raise an eyebrow.
A chance to win a million dollars and you want to quit?
"What?!" A voice exclaimed before tumbling out of the plane's vent and straight onto the ground in front of them. It was Heather.
"Looks who's spying." Y/N teased as everyone looked down at her.
"I-I wasn't! I just... uh, dropped my pen." Heather stammered, trying to hide her embarrassment as she picked up a notepad and pencil. "See? No scheming, just scribbling. Owen, I am issuing you a ticket for fashion crimes! Your socks reek."
"Oh, am I wearing socks? I can't even see my feet!" Owen chuckled.
—
"As the only one left on Team Victory, I'm having a hard time seeing how I could possibly win this thing. Plus, I have a bit of a cold." Dj said before coughing. "And let's face it, I've never had a killer instinct...unless it's an animal... it turns out."
"Dj!" Heather called out, sticking her head out from the vent above. Dj jumped at the unexpected interruption. "Make an alliance with my team and we'll help you win!"
—
"Attention in total drama passengers, in accordance with emergency landing procedures, you will now be shown the nearest exit." Chris said through the speaker. Chef wasted no time in shoving everyone out of the door, landing them in the deep water.
Y/N resurfaced from the water, coughing as she brushed her soaked hair away from her face and wiped the water from her eyes. She looked around, trying to find her teammates.
She then saw DJ having a hard time staying afloat. He thrashed in the water, panic on his face. Just as it seemed he might go under, Heather, of all people, threw a pillow in DJ's direction. He caught it, using it to stay afloat. Heather swiftly swam over to him.
"Care to join me in an alliance-" She began, but her proposal was cut short as Alejandro tapped her on the shoulder.
"You're asking him that now?" Alejandro asked, a little confused.
"You're just jealous because you didn't think of it!" Heather retorted.
"Actually, I would had asked before delivering the cushion. But you do what's right for you." Alejandro mocked, leaving Heather dumbfounded.
"Hey there! Ever been to sea?" Chris emerged from the small boat with an accent.
"What with the who now?" Cody said, clearly puzzled.
Sierra squealed, "It must be Newfoundland! Chris is originally from Blow Me Down Highlands!"
"Aye, it's a barney homecoming for buddy McLean!" Chris exclaimed, stepping up to the tip of the boat. "Canada's beautiful east coast!"
"Birthplace of Canada's beautifulest host!" The purple-haired sighed dreamily.
"Awh, thanks! It's just a hop and a skip that away!" Chris pointed to his right, which was just open sea. "First part of the challenge, swim over to your team's boat and start paddling. To keep this interesting, Victory, since you're a team of one, your boat has been set up with an outboard motor."
"What!? Come on!" Dj whined.
Y/N swam over to her team's boat.
"Excellent work my little porpoises! here, allow me." Alejandro complimented as he climbed onto the boat, extending a hand toward Y/N, who happened to be the first one there.
Y/N, still salty about yesterday, swatted his hand away and climbed onto the boat herself. As she settled in, she cast a sharp glare at Alejandro, who just smirked in response before turning his attention to helping Izzy, Tyler, and Noah up onto the boat.
"Izzy, the fishing net if you please." He instructed, and Izzy giggled as she playfully tossed the fishing net over Owen, dragging him along with it.
"Oh! You're quite the catch, Big-O. Welcome to my cruise!" Izzy chuckled as her team helped haul Owen on board.
"What about Dj?" Owen asked.
"Patience my friend, patience." Alejandro replied with a confident smile.
"Hi there contestants!" Chris greeted as he steered his boat closer to the competitors. "Ready to row row row your boats? The first two teams to get their doors to the shore will take part in the final challenge. Oh! And if you land some seafood along the way, you'll get a special reward! On your mark, get set, now go!"
"See you on land!" Alejandro taunted as his team rowed past the others. Heather shot a dirty look at him and his team.
Alejandro stood at the front of the boat, keeping a watchful eye. Tyler and Noah took charge of rowing while Izzy and Y/N focused on fishing. Owen just lay at the back of the boat, doing nothing.
"Oh! Hey snappy! Welcome to the Izzy cruise. Tell your friends!" Izzy exclaimed gleefully as she fished up a lobster. "Woah, hey! Hey! Hey! Snappy."
"Does anybody have any butter?" Owen drooled, taking the lobster from Izzy's hands and licking his lips.
"Do not even think about it, friend." Alejandro said, shooting him a warning look.
"Can I think about tartar sauce?" He shyly asked. Alejandro narrowed his eyes, and as soon as he turned away, Owen began licking the unclean lobster.
Izzy gazed at the water, spotting movement alongside the boat. Her eyes sparked with excitement, and without any hesitation, she plunged her hands into the water.
"Who needs a fishing rod when you have these?" She grinned as she pulled out a couple of flopping fish.
"Nice catch, Izzy!" Y/N praised, finding Izzy's unique method amusing but deciding to go with a more traditional approach. She grabbed the fish net and thrust it into the water, gathering up a few fish.
"Fast hands, my friend! You've got to be quick in the wild!" Izzy laughed.
Y/N couldn't help but smile at Izzy's infectious enthusiasm. However, her smile faded as the familiar sound of a bell echoed in the distance.
"Looks like we gotta sing." Y/N sighed, glancing in the direction of where the bell rang.
"Well, if only fish could talk, we'd have a choir!" The ginger joked.
•---------•
•---------•
"Now will you be in an alliance with me?" Heather asked, standing with Dj on the shore up ahead.
"Well played ambitious one." Alejandro praised as his team approached shore and hopped out of the boat.
"...We beat you? We beat them!" Heather grinned triumphantly,
"In an out-of-nowhere come-from-behind finish, Team Victory is first!" Chris declared, making a grand entrance by landing gracefully on the ground from his jet pack.
"I just cannot lose!" Dj cried out.
Chris continued, shifting his attention to Heather, "You, on the other hand, seems to be missing your whole team."
"Where are they?!" She exclaimed angrily, squinting at the open sea for any sign of her missing teammates.
•---------•
"Okay, everybody! It's time for the next leg. Since Team Amazon were the big losers, they're out and they'll have to clean the fish and the lobsters the other teams brought in." Chris announced, gesturing towards a cluster of buckets filled with fishes.
"When the whole team gets here you mean, right?" Heather interjected, crossing her arms.
"Yeah... but you're here." Chris smirked.
"Not as a team I'm just here as me."
"And I'm here as a guy who's hosting a swanky beach shindig in a couple of hours. Which, he needs some clean and beautiful Atlantic lams for. Shuck him up, sister!" Chris exclaimed, tossing a clam to Heather, who caught it with an annoyed look as the liquid splashed over her face.
"Ugh! My team is going to pay!" She groaned, wiping the juices off her.
"I thought the team who brings in seafood gets a special reward?" Y/N reminded, holding up the few fishes she had managed to catch.
"You do. You get to watch Heather shuck clams! How's that for a special reward, huh?" Chris teased,
"Fair enough." Y/N shrugged, prompting a nasty glare from Heather. Y/N's team and Dj followed Chris into the wooden cabin.
"Welcome to my traditional Newfoundland kitchen party! In this part of the competition, it's Team Chris is really really really hot versus Dj in a screeching inn relay. Screeching inn is a ceremony performed by the locals to welcome newcomers." Chris explained, holding a tray of jugs. "First, you have to swing a whole lot of apple cider."
"Doesn't sound so bad.." Owen said.
"Correction! That was supposed to be apple cider vinegar! It'll put hair on your chest. Owen and Izzy each must finish a whole bottle. As soon as you do, you can tag Alejandro and Noah, who will then have to decipher a local Newfoundland saying spoken by my cousin. Jerd McLean!"
A shorter, red-haired, and bearded version of Chris entered the room. He approached Alejandro and Noah, pulling them into a hug and speaking in a thick accent. The two just blinked in response.
"Then, Alejandro and Noah tag Tyler and Y/N. Who will each have to kiss a cod. Like they mean it!" Chris giggled, "Dj, since you're the only member of Team Victory, you have to do the whole relay yourself...Dj? Where is Dj?"
I have to kiss a fish?.... In front of everyone? Eww..
"Well, with Dj missing in action, it looks like Team Chris is really really really really hot will get a head start. Let the screeching inn begin!" Chris announced, and the challenge began.
Izzy and Owen promptly started chugging a jug of apple cider vinegar. Izzy finished first, her face contorting in disgust as she coughed uncontrollably.
"Not bad, not bad at all! You got anything back there in a balsamic?...Maybe a few chips on the side?" Owen said, licking his lips and twirling his finger.
Unexpectedly, Dj burst into the room, coughing and clutching his throat.
"He did it!" Heather exclaimed, rushing in right after, holding the empty jug. "Dj drink a chug of vinegar!"
"Wow, didn't see that coming. Both teams move on to the interpretation part of the challenge, ready? Take it away Jerd!" Chris said.
Then, the redhead said a sentence with a heavy accent, confusing everyone.
"Uhh..are those even words?" Noah asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
"Are you serious?" Alejandro said right after.
"Man! That vinegar went right through me, I have to use the bathroom." Dj confessed. However, Jerd snapped his fingers.
"Correctamundo!" Chris revealed.
Dj's eyes widened. "What!?"
"Jerd asked to use the washroom like a true maritimer. Way to go Dj!" Chris praised.
"I just can't lose!" Dj complained as he left to use the washroom.
•---------•
"Looks like you're back in the game, in fact, you're leading. You can now move on to the third and final part. Yo Chef!" Chris called out,
"Give me that bucket!" Chef barked from behind the door, promptly shoving Alejandro aside.
"Woah! I guess it's too hard to say thanks." Alejandro said as he settled back into his seat.
Chef plunged his hand into the bucket, yanked out a slippery cod, and slammed it onto the table in front of Dj.
"All you got to do is smooch the cod for the win, and remember Dj, like you mean it!" Chris added with a wink. Dj shuddered.
"Chris is really really really really hot, you better get a move on. Jerd, another saying if you would please." Chris said, stepping back for Jerd to speak.
"The worst thing you can have in your head is a nartooth!" Jerd said in a strong accent.
"Okay...I think he said something about Owen's butt." Noah said.
"The kid's as smart as a bag of rocks, mate." Jerd whispered to Chris.
"Oh. I know." Chris giggled, "Alejandro, any guesses?"
"...The worst thing you can have in your head is...no teeth..?" Alejandro answered.
"Bingo! And how true. Tyler and Y/N, time to pucker it up!" Chris grinned. Chef came up to them and slammed down two cods.
"I think it's moving..." Y/N pointed out, staring at the fish in front of her.
"I don't think I can do this...it's a fish!" Tyler exclaimed, gagging as he held the cold, slimy cod.
"I can't either. If I touch it, something bad is gonna happen, I just know it!" Dj said, crossing his arms.
"Dj! Oh my gosh, look! It's an Egyptian symbol! It could be some kind of sign, if you kiss this fish it might break your curse and you can stay in the game!" Heather said, trying to persuade Dj.
"Nice try, but I'm not buying it, Heather. Especially after you tricked me into drinking that vinegar." Dj retorted, shaking his head and glaring at her.
"Dj, my friend." Alejandro intervened, placing his hand on Dj's shoulder. "I cannot stay silent no longer! I'm afraid Heather might be right. I'm impartial here, I would like Y/N and Tyler to kiss the cod so we don't lose. Although, my biggest concern is for the animals of the world. You must end this!"
Dj glanced at Heather, then to Alejandro, then to the cod in his hand, looking slightly unconvinced. Alejandro exchanged a glance with Y/N and subtly nodded toward Dj, motioning something.
"What?...oh! Dj, think of the poor animals your saving! A simple kiss won't hurt, right?" Y/N urged. Dj hesitated but ultimately looked up at her with a smile and nodded, seemingly swayed by her words.
"Well...you wouldn't lie to me.... aww! Never mind that! You're just the cutest little thing in the world! Aren't you?" Dj cooed, slowly bringing the cod closer to his lips.
Tyler stared at the fish in disgust, and Alejandro came up to him.
"Close your eyes, think of Lindsay." Alejandro said in a low tone.
"Oh, I miss her!" Tyler sighed,
"I know, just close your eyes." Alejandro insisted, and Tyler complied, closing his eyes and slowly puckering up his lips toward the cod's.
Alejandro then shifted his attention to Y/N, who was beginning to hold the fish, gagging. He placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in, his voice a soft whisper in her ear.
"Close your eyes, Y/N. Think of someone. Say...me."
Huh!?
Y/N blinked in surprise. His unexpected comment caught her off guard, and she could feel her face burning up.
"So full of yourself..." She mumbled, redirecting her focus to the cod in her hands and reluctantly kissing it.
The cold, slimy texture of the fish sent shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes, trying to think of something, or rather, someone else entirely. Anything to distract herself.
—
"No wonder my little cousins ain't allowed to watch this show." Noah joked.
—
"Okay! We've seen enough. It's a tie! A draw!" Chris said, abruptly putting an end to the awkward smooching.
Suddenly, the rest of Team Amazon barged in through the door, gasping for air.
"Hey, right on time." Chris joked, "Team Amazon, you are today's full-on, big-time, can't-get-any-bigger, losers!"
"Courtney, where were you?!" Heather demanded, fuming.
As Courtney was about to say something, Gwen stepped forward, "It wasn't her fault, it was me."
"Gwen.." Courtney whispered, a little shocked.
"I got us lost," Gwen said.
"What?!" Heather growled. "I am so voting you off."
"Except that in celebration of my home and native land. This is a reward challenge only, no elimination! Chris is really really really really hot and Dj, are tied for a reward. A delicious clam and fish chowder supper!" Chris announced, eliciting cheers from Y/N's team, and this time, Dj enthusiastically joined in the celebration.
•---------•
Y/N sat beside Owen, calmly eating her clam and fish chowder, while Owen was gulping down his, causing bits and pieces to dribble onto the table.
Once Owen finished his bowl, he turned to Y/N with puppy eyes. "Hey, mind if I have some of yours too?"
Somewhat losing her appetite due to his messy eating, Y/N pushed the bowl toward him. "Sure, knock yourself out."
As Owen continued devouring the food, Y/N felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around and saw Alejandro signaling for her to follow, Y/N excused herself from her table and followed him outside.
The sound of the waves crashing against the beach greeted them as they stepped onto the sand. Y/N raised an eyebrow, curious about what Alejandro had in mind.
"Heather thinks she's clever, but you see," Alejandro began, going up to the bucket that was hidden behind a rock, "It's all a matter of waiting for your opportunity."
Y/N glanced down at the bucket, there was a pile of fish with the same symbol. She raised an eyebrow.
"Okay...?" She said, a little confused.
"It took me a couple of tries, fish are not the easiest medium for making art." Alejandro revealed.
"Wait, you drew the symbol?" Y/N asked, and he nodded. "You think Dj is actually gonna believe smooching a cod will end his curse?"
Dj isn't dumb, he doesn't believe that...does he?
Then, Dj opened the door and joined the two on shore.
"There you are!" Dj beamed, holding a glass jar containing the same fish he had smooched, "I just wanna thank you two, you were right! It's been two hours and I haven't hurt one animal since! I'm back in the game!"
"It was a pleasure!" Alejandro said all smug. Dj glanced down at the fish swimming around in the glass jar, smiled once more before making his way back to the cabin where everyone else was. Y/N was dumbfounded to say the least.
"So, this was all part of your plan to trick DJ into thinking he's cured?"
"Making Dj believe he isn't cursed is essential to keeping him in the game. If he thinks the curse is broken, he'll drop his guard, making it easier for us in future challenges," Alejandro explained.
"I guess... wait, what do you mean easier for us?" Y/N questioned.
"You'll see soon enough." he simply said.
What type of answer is that?
As she and Alejandro walked back to the cabin, Y/N couldn't help but silently pray that he knew what he was doing.
Cause after all, she's gotta work with him till merge.
⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢
Note:
yipeee alliance
NEWFOUNDLAND MENTIONED ‼️‼️‼️🇨🇦🇨🇦🍁🍁 ALL MY CANADIANS STAND UP
Holy 11k? THANKS POOKIES
I heard the new season of the reboot trailer came out and I didn't even watch the reboot so I'm watching it rn 😭😭
(I'm on ep 3 and so far Bowie is my fave <3)
Ima proofread this chapter and then the whole book later so thanks for everyone who pointed out my spelling mistakes and typos 🤭👊
Word Count: 4,375
(2023-11-22)