𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗬 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦, Alejandro

Chapter 13:

Chapter 13:

WEB OF LIES

The entirety of Team Chris Is Really Really Really Really Hot was seated on the loser side. Y/N found herself sandwiched between Tyler, who was unusually quiet, and Owen, who was peacefully napping.

She didn't even have a good night's rest, and Owen was half to blame. He, still heartbroken over Noah's elimination, had spent the night sobbing, and Y/N, torn by guilt, had awkwardly tried to comfort him. It was ironic, considering she was (partly) responsible for Noah's departure. The memory of that elimination ceremony played on repeat in her mind, a never-ending loop of embarrassment that haunted her.

The other half of her night was spent coming up with a plan with a clear objective; to devise a strategy that would not only succeed but also serve as undeniable proof that she didn't need Alejandro at all.

Tiredness began to set in, and Y/N felt the weight of staying awake the entire night. Slowly tilting her head back, she succumbed to exhaustion, closing her eyes and drifting into its welcoming embrace.

The rhythmic hum of the plane transformed into a soothing lullaby, bringing a sense of calm.

Only to be shattered by Owen's sudden scream, jerking awake and letting out a loud cry, presumably from a nightmare. Y/N bolted upright, snapping out of her sleep, her eyes scanning around in a panic.

Groggy from sleep, Owen rubbed his eyes and let out a yawn. Alejandro, seated beside the blond, shot him a disapproving glare, clearly irritated by the disturbance.

"Oh, was I talking in my sleep?" Owen said, noticing his stare. "Sorry, I'll just... go away." He mumbled, awkwardly rising from his seat. Flushed with embarrassment, he exited, feeling the continuous, disapproving glare following him out.

—
Y/N rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remainder of her drowsiness.  "I need to think of a plan, something to outsmart them, I did it with LeShawna, so maybe I can do it again, but how?... Team Amazon has this uncanny streak of not getting eliminated.  It's frustrating," she grumbled,

"They've been too comfortable for too long. They're bound to slip up soon, and I'm going to be the one to make it happen. They won't know what hit them."
—

Y/N noticed Alejandro scooting closer to her, sitting in the spot where Owen once sat.

Her frustration with him still lingered. His confident and calculated presence irked her. The mere thought that she could have voted him out, with Noah possibly sitting beside her instead, sharing laughter and banter, fueled her resentment.

This frustration intensified as Team Amazon sparked another wave of anger within her, especially Courtney and Gwen, as they were the ones who found Duncan and somehow won the challenge. Maybe, if they hadn't found that punk and had simply lost, maybe then Y/N wouldn't even be in the situation to begin with.

Her mind raced with scenarios, each one bubbling with regret. How different things could have been if she had made a different choice. But, here she was, dealing with the consequences of her actions.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted when she noticed Tyler trembling as he stared at Duncan, who lay sprawled on the opposite bench with his eyes shut. Puzzled by his behavior, Y/N stared in confusion at the jock, then shifted her gaze to Duncan, curious to know what had happened between them. Tyler's unease and repeated looks towards Duncan only deepened her curiosity.

"Is everything okay, Tyler?" she asked, unable to ignore. "You seem a bit... off."

Tyler's eyes avoided Y/N's gaze for a moment before he finally met her eyes. With a deep breath, he leaned in slightly to her, "I saw something." he whispered

Suddenly, Duncan's eyes flung open as he sat up from his reclined position. "Oh, wow! That was a deep sleep, a sleep of the dead." he exclaimed with a yawn, stretching exaggeratedly. "You know what I mean Tyler? DEAD."

Tyler gave Y/N a quick, almost pleading look, before sinking deeper into his seat. Y/N furrowed her brow in confusion. Why did Tyler seem so scared, and what was the deal with Duncan's strange emphasis on 'dead'?

"Tyler and Duncan are acting a bit strange, don't you think?" Alejandro casually commented in a low voice, subtly nudging her.

Arms crossed, Y/N shot him a sidelong glance filled with annoyance, her lips pursed in a tight line.

After a moment of awkward silence, he spoke up. "Is this about yesterday? And Noah?" he asked, trying to read Y/N's annoyed expression.

Y/N remained quiet, her gaze fixed on the ground, leaving Alejandro with no answers to his questions. He attempted to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but Y/N swiftly swatted it away.

Surprisingly, Alejandro's expression shifted, genuine concern replacing his usual smugness. As he saw it, Noah posed a double threat: he wasn't the most helpful teammate, and his presence served as a distraction for Y/N, potentially jeopardizing the alliance. If he wanted to bring Y/N to merge, he had to get the bookworm out.

But now with Noah successfully out of the picture, Alejandro found himself facing an unexpected situation. The aftermath with her wasn't part of his plan. Her genuine upset became a puzzle for him, a challenge he hadn't anticipated. 

Alejandro cautiously spoke, "Mi amor, I-"

"Don't call me that." Y/N calmly cut him off.

Despite her effort to appear calm, her body language said otherwise. Her hand, previously resting in her lap, now clenched into a fist with her nails digging into her pants.

Alejandro's eyebrows furrowed, realizing that Y/N's anger was more profound than he initially thought.

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked, attempting to gauge the extent of her frustration,

"Seriously!? What do you think?" Y/N shot back, annoyed at his question.

"I just thought-"

"You thought wrong, Alejandro! Wrong!" She said, her voice grew louder,

"Hey, lovebirds, save it for the challenges, will ya?" Duncan joked, as he idly etched something into the wooden bench with a small pocket knife.

Feeling a bit embarrassed by her outburst, Y/N went quiet and crossed her arms across her chest again. A heavy silence enveloped the loser side, broken only by the scraping sound of Duncan's knife carving into the wooden bench.

Noting Y/N's simmering anger, Alejandro couldn't help but feel a sense of uncertainty. The hatred in Y/N's eyes hinted at a potential unraveling of their alliance, something he couldn't afford.

The idea of Y/N giving up on the alliance loomed like a dark cloud over his strategic goals, and he realized that a simple apology may not suffice. His mind raced with possibilities. Perhaps if he managed to get on her good side, be a helpful teammate, and even impress her, she might forgive him. He needed to salvage what remained of their partnership, make amends, and ensure their alliance remained intact.

However, a darker thought lingered; the idea of resorting to blackmail, with the knowledge of having Y/N's phone in his possession. It presented itself as a tempting leverage, a tool to ensure her compliance. But Alejandro hesitated, unwilling to stoop to such measures again unless it was absolutely necessary. He desired genuine connection and respect rather than coercion.

The thought of manipulating Y/N's emotions didn't align with the kind of victory he sought. A strange reluctance held him back from resorting to such tactics again. However, if winning her forgiveness required a sincere change in his approach,

Alejandro was willing to take that risk.

"Everyone report to the lobby!" Chris's voice echoed through the speakers, prompting Alejandro and Duncan to rise up and make their way there. However, just before leaving, Duncan shot Tyler a warning look before exiting alongside the Spaniard.

Tyler slowly got up, and before he could take another step, Y/N quickly blocked the exit

"Hey, you know, since you're my friend and all." Y/N began,

"Friend?.." The jock mumbled, clearly taken aback,

Y/N paused for a moment, feeling a bit awkward as he seemed surprised at being referred to as a friend. The two rarely talked, and the last time Y/N could recall having a full actual conversation was when they both tumbled down the pyramids back in Egypt.

"Yes! You're my friend, and as your friend, I can tell something is bothering you. Is there something you'd like to share? Y/N asked eagerly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Tyler's expression immediately shifted to unease. He hesitated, his fingers instinctively fidgeting with the hem of his tracksuit,

"You can tell me anything! Maybe I can help you." she encouraged him.

Tyler looked anxious, opening his mouth to speak but closing it again.

Y/N's eyes lit up with curiosity as the jock froze, reluctant to share. She knew it wasn't her business, but she just wanted to know what had gotten him frightened, and she knew it got to do with Duncan.

"Come on, Tyler, we're friends, right? What's on your mind?" Her tone shifted, becoming firmer and a bit demanding.

Tyler glanced around nervously, clearly torn. Y/N could sense his hesitation but pressed on.

"It'll feel so much better telling me." she urged,

Come on! What is it?

After a few awkward moments, Tyler finally spoke up.

"I saw Duncan and Gwen kiss," he confessed, blurting it all out in one breath. A sigh of relief escaped him as the weight of his secret now lifted. "Oh, that's a load off..."

Y/N's eyes widened in shock, "Duncan? Gwen? Kiss?"

"I... I don't know if you know, but Duncan is with Courtney, and-" Tyler began, but Y/N cut him off.

"I know that," she interjected. "But you... you actually saw them...?"

Tyler nodded, "Yeah, but please don't tell anyone, dude! Duncan would kill me!"

"I won't tell anyone! I promise." Y/N assured with a sly smirk. With one hand, she gave Tyler's shoulder a friendly pat.

The other hand was hidden behind her back, with her fingers crossed.

—
"This is almost too easy! Duncan and Gwen kissed! Oh my god, Courtney would go crazy. If I play my cards right, this could be a game-changer! Team Amazon is going down!" Y/N grinned, her excitement growing at the thought.
—

Y/N smoothly linked her arm with Tyler's, guiding him as they walked down the narrow, long hallway toward the lobby.

"So, what exactly did you see? And where?" Y/N asked, her curiosity getting the best of her.

"...I really shouldn't have said anything. Duncan made me swear not to tell."

"Relax. Whatever threats Duncan made, just know I've got your back." Y/N said, her tone reassuring, though she knew it was a blatant lie. She gently nudged him to share more.

"Well," he began, his voice cautious, "I saw them in the confessional, yesterday. After the elimination ceremony."

"The confessional? Seriously? That's bold...even for them," Y/N remarked, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "But go on."

"I walked in, and Duncan and Gwen were... well, locking lips."

"The door was unlocked...?"

Tyler nodded. "It was, I didn't mean to intrude, I swear!"

As the two turned the corner, Y/N noticed Alejandro's intense and unreadable gaze boring into her. His eyes lingered on their linked arms as she and Tyler entered the lobby. However, Y/N paid it no mind, a newfound sense of ease enveloped her, and for once, she felt ready for whatever challenge awaited.

"Thanks for letting me know," she said, her voice barely audible over the chatter of the other contestants, and she unhooked her arm from his.

Tyler nodded in response, but his expression seemed conflicted. But Y/N just shrugged it off as regret.

As they approached the gathering around the table, Y/N saw Duncan shooting them a suspicious glare, his eyes flicking to her, Tyler, and back. Unfazed, Y/N returned Duncan's glare with an innocent smile, while Tyler avoided eye contact, his gaze fixed firmly on his feet,

Y/N felt a wave of satisfaction at the advantage she now had. With this information, she held a powerful card in her hand, one that could potentially change the course of the game. But the when and how remained uncertain.

Chris walked out of the cockpit and approached the table where the contestants were gathered. His arrival caused everyone to quiet down and direct their attention toward him. The host held sheets of paper, which he smoothed out and then placed on the table.

"Prepare yourselves for challenges of an amateur caliber," Chris said, prompting grins and applause from the contestants.

"Because we're recreating the original Olympics!"

Everyone fell silent.

"....And we're heading to the birthplace of the Olympics right now in..."

"Greece!" Courtney's hand shot up.

"Atlantis!" Sierra chimed in, her hand raised slightly higher in an attempt to outdo Courtney.

"Mount Olympics?" Owen guessed.

"Wrong, fictional and... what?" Chris blinked in surprise at the blond's comment, but he brushed it off. "We're going to Rome, Italy!"

Owen gasped, "Pizza party!" he cheered, thrusting his fist into the air.

"But Courtney was correct, the Olympics was originated in Greece." Alejandro confirmed, sticking out his index finger for emphasis.

Chris rolled his eyes, "No, they originated in-"

"-Greece, they're right." Gwen spoke up, cutting him off. Chris begrudgingly picked up the sheet of paper and began reading it, letting out an exaggerated groan.

"Interns!" Chris called out, and the two interns hurried to his side. "Everyone should probably hang on to something. Everyone except you." He pointed to one of his interns.

With a sudden jolt, the entire plane lurched into a turn. The contestants hastily scrambled for something to hold onto, quickly clinging to the table and bracing themselves as the plane tilted sharply to one side. However, the unfortunate intern caught off guard and not holding on to anything, lost his balance and tumbled out of the plane.

"You, might want to find some info on Greece. Quickly!" The host slapped a rolled-up piece of paper into the hands of the remaining intern, who sprinted off as Chris nonchalantly returned to the cockpit.

"Prepare yourself for battle," Sierra declared, pointing dramatically at Y/N's team as everyone rose up from the ground.

Duncan chuckled, a cocky smirk crossed his lips. "Yeah, there's no way us athletes will lose an Olympic challenge to a team with no dudes!"

Y/N shot him a sharp look at his sexist comment. Cody sighed in embarrassment, prompting Sierra to cross her arms and huff in annoyance.

"Hope you look good in silver, I'm great in gold." Heather stepped forward, flashing a confident grin at Alejandro.

"I'll be happy to lend you one of ours, since we'll have all of them." The Spaniard smoothly said as the teams began to divide into their respective sides on the plane.

During the banter, Gwen and Duncan exchanged seductive glances, a subtle interaction that did not escape Courtney's notice. As Gwen started to casually walk away, Courtney grabbed the goth's shoulder and spun her around to face her.

"What was that?" Courtney glared.

"What was what?" Gwen asked nervously. Her eyes darted around, searching for an escape.

"You were staring at Duncan." The brunette pointed out the obvious,

"Oh, I was just!.. uh.... you've really got to do something about that mohawk." The goth said, scoffing and rolling her eyes in an attempt to deflect the conversation.

"....That was number seven on the list of things to change, but now I kind of like it." Courtney sighed dreamily. With a contented smile, she turned on her heel and began walking away, "Love does funny things."

Gwen forced a laugh, "Oh yeah!.. love is hysterical!" she muttered to herself before facepalming in embarrassment at her awkwardness.

Real smooth...

As Y/N strolled away with her team, listening attentively to the interaction, Tyler's words echoed in her mind. Could it be true? Did he actually see Duncan and Gwen sharing a kiss? She knew Tyler wouldn't lie about these things, but she couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. However, as she mulled over it, memories from past seasons resurfaced,

Gwen's attraction to Duncan wasn't a secret, specifically in season two. Maybe she had (stupidly) acted on those feelings, and Tyler had unwittingly stumbled upon their kiss.

Lost in her thoughts, Y/N barely noticed Alejandro walking beside her until he broke the silence, his voice snapping her back to reality. "Something seems off, doesn't it?"

Y/N shot him an unamused look. "Don't care," she replied dismissively,

"But Y/N, a keen observer like yourself surely must have some thoughts on the matter,"

Y/N's annoyance grew as Alejandro persisted, his attempts to engage her met with a cold shoulder. But despite her efforts to remain composed, her simmering anger resurfaced,

"Still mad at me?" Alejandro asked.

Once again, Y/N ignored him, her gaze fixed straight ahead. Wanting to be back at the loser's side as soon as possible.

"Come on, Y/N," Alejandro urged, falling into step beside her, "Let's talk about it." But Y/N was in no mood to listen.

"Can we at least talk about something else?" he suggested, his voice hopeful.

"I don't want to talk to you," she stated firmly,

"Fine," Alejandro said, slightly exasperated. "But just so you know, I've noticed you and Tyler getting closer. What's that about?" he inquired,

Despite Y/N's efforts to ignore him, Alejandro's annoying questions were like persistent mosquitoes, buzzing around her head and refusing to be swatted away.

"He's my new friend, after you got Noah out." Y/N grumbled.

"Why Tyler?" He asked, his voice calm, but there was a hint of something unreadable in his tone.

"It's none of your business," Y/N retorted. "You want to vote him out too?"

Alejandro raised an eyebrow, taken aback by her hostile response. "Of course not." he quickly denied, "It's just that Tyler has been acting rather peculiar lately. I suspect there's more to it than meets the eye. Perhaps he and Courtney might be secretly dating, and Duncan is none too pleased."

Y/N looked dumbfounded. "Tyler and Courtney? Seriously?"

"Well, I don't watch the show, you see. Just speculating." Alejandro shrugged.

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise for a split second, but she blinked it away. "You don't watch the show? That's surprising," she commented, her tone casual but with a subtle undertone of disbelief.

"Why is that surprising?" Alejandro asked, tilting his head slightly. "I thought you didn't watch it either."

Momentarily confused, Y/N furrowed her brows. Then, the realization dawned on her, she had lied about not watching the show, a fact she had completely forgotten. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized the implications of her slip-up.

"I don't watch the show," Y/N stated, trying to sound casual. "But you know, Owen fills me in on stuff." she added,

"Really? And what did Owen say?" Alejandro's curiosity seemed genuine, and Y/N knew she had to think fast.

Think, Y/N, think! What would Owen even say?

Y/N's mind raced as she tried to think of something to say, she glanced up and noticed Tyler and Owen walking in front of them, a good distance away but still within earshot. Suddenly feeling paranoid that Owen might eavesdrop on what she was about to say, she stopped abruptly and grabbed Alejandro's hand to stop him too.

"....Uh. He said Tyler and Courtney were a thing back in season 1, but they broke up for some reason and  Tyler went with Lindsay," she lied, hoping to plant a seed of doubt in his mind. She let go of his hand.

Alejandro looked at her suspiciously, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Interesting," he said slowly, not fully convinced. "And now that Lindsay is out, maybe the two of them have begun rekindling their feelings."

She nodded, playing along with the narrative he had created. "Duncan is jealous because he's big into Courtney, and Gwen is also jealous because she's into Tyler," she said, her tone matter-of-fact.

Alejandro raised an eyebrow, his suspicion growing. "You seem to know quite a bit."

"Look, just because I don't watch the show doesn't mean I can't pick up on things," she said, her tone slightly defensive. "Owen talks, and I listen. It's as simple as that. So, I suggest you drop it."

Alejandro studied her for a moment, seeming to consider her words. Finally, he nodded, "Fair enough," he said, though Y/N could still sense a hint of doubt in his voice. "I suppose everyone has their sources."

As they resumed walking, Y/N felt a bit confident that she had likely thrown him off. Alejandro's growing curiosity and suspicion had been a clear sign he was onto something, and him admitting that he didn't watch the show meant that he was operating with limited information. It was a potential advantage for her, therefore, she decided to lie, making herself the only other person to know, not him.

•---------•

Landing in a place with towering pillars and ancient ruins, Chris took the sheet of paper from the intern standing beside him.

"Welcome to the Acropolis in Athens, Greece." Chris declared, "Home to many of the very first Olympians! Who, as my intern has informed me, competed naked!"

"Alright, time to drop the laundry." Owen sighed, beginning to unbuckle his belt, which caused everyone to gasp and quickly turn away in disgust.

"No no no! That was just a quirky fact, not an order!" Chris hastily clarified. "There's no need to be a hundred percent accurate. Stay dressed. Very dressed. We only have to resort to nudity if there's a tiebreaker."

Owen awkwardly buckled his belt back, a sheepish grin spreading across his face.

"Today, we're gonna do things a bit differently, since Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot is an all-dude team,"

Y/N rolled her eyes. She was beginning to get used to being the only girl on her team, but she was just being ignored. Just as she was about to speak up, Chris continued,

"and Team Amazon is an all-girl team-"

Cody let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping. Sierra responded by pulling him into a tight hug, pressing his face against her chest in an attempt to comfort him. But Cody just let out a muffled sigh.

"-In order to make things fair, all today's challenges will be one-on-one matches. Every victory gets you a gold medal, the team with the most gold wins first class tickets to our next destination. Second place, wins a brutal elimination ceremony."

"And silver medals! Right? Second place gets silver...?" Owen interjected.

"There are no silver medals, just gold." Chris declared firmly.

"But at the Olympics-"

"Just gold! That's it." Chris interrupted, his tone final, leaving no room for debate.

—
"As a kid I always fantasized about being an Olympian, standing proudly on the podium with my head held high, as I listened to the national anthem," Owen confessed, straightening his back for a more dignified stance. He wiped away his tears. "bringing home another silver for Canada." he added, sniffling.
—

Led by Chris, the contestants walked among massive pillars that towered above them. Some were smooth and polished, while others showed signs of age, with surfaces cracked and weathered. As they continued, the host suddenly halted, prompting the contestants to quickly form a neat, horizontal line.

"Our first historical event is a Grecian scavenger hunt! The inside of the odium of pedicles is filled with maze-like rows of huge columns. Players must search through this ancient forest of columns and return with the Grecian treasure that awaits you inside. First one to do so takes the gold!" Chris explained, "So? Who's going in?"

Suddenly, both Gwen and Duncan took a step forward, their faces alive with eagerness.

"Me!" They both declared simultaneously, their voices overlapped, and a shared wave of embarrassment washed over their faces,

"What?!" Duncan, Gwen, and Courtney exclaimed in unison. Courtney's eyes widened with alarm, and the two fumbled over their words.

"Gwen versus Duncan it is!" Chris cut off their rambling,

"Wow! That is so... fun!" Courtney said through gritted teeth, forcing an obvious fake smile that did little to mask her unease.

Y/N stood beside Courtney, her lips pressed together in an effort to suppress the bubbling laughter threatening to escape. Sierra just smirked knowingly, glancing at the trio,

—
"Did you see those sparks? Gwen had a crush on Duncan from season one! And he's always had something for her too. There's a whole fan base dedicated to Gwuncan!" Sierra gushed, "I wonder if this year, a new relationship fanbase will start! There already one for Alejandro X Y/N for some reason.... Maybe there one for Sieody, no no! Coderra!" She said before letting out a loud squeal.
—

"What's the big deal? Just let someone else do this event." Duncan suggested, strolling up to Chris, who shot him an irritated look.

"My decision is final, Duncan." Chris said.

"[BEEP]..." Duncan grumbled under his breath.

"Excuse me?" The host arched an eyebrow.

"I didn't say anything," The punk quickly responded, looking away.

"And you won't say anything else until the Olympics are over. Between now and then, you can either zip it or sing it. That'll begin to make up for the songs you missed while you were in breach of your contract." Chris said, making dramatic hand gestures. "And! If you speak instead of singing, you'll earn a lash from Chef's Olympic towel."

"Ooo! A towel! I'm so scared!" Duncan mocked, crossing his eyes and faking a shiver.

"You should be. Exhibit A!" Chris chuckled as Chef, dressed in Olympian armor, approached Duncan and whipped him.

"OW!" The punk yelped, wincing in pain.

"Wow, shucks. Really should have sung that 'ow', bro." Chris smirked as Chef delivered another whip.

"Ouch!" Duncan sang in a high-pitched voice.

"Much better." The host made an okay symbol with his hand, then he casually picked up two trashcans' lids from the ground and tossed them over to Duncan and Gwen.

The goth caught the lid, "Uh, why do we need these?" She asked.

"These authentic Spartan shields will help you in your treasure hunt. For the treasure you seek is tied to an Ermanthian boar." Chris gestured towards the bear, its fangs tied with a rope, a medal hanging from its neck. "Good luck to you both! Duncan, Chef will be following you. So, be sure to sing it if you gotta say it. Chef! Sound the spartan battle horn!" he demanded, and Chef blew on the small kazoo.

"Ugh. That's the Spartan battle horn, for reals?" The host gave an unamused look, "Just go already! The rest of you, follow me." he said, and everyone began to follow him, except Courtney.

"We're not going to stay...? and watch...? closely...? at all times?" The brunette said nervously, hesitant to leave Duncan and Gwen alone.

"Nope! Time to flip channels! Just like the real Olympics." Chris joked, and Tyler cast a worried glance at Courtney, who was frowning. Walking beside him, Y/N offered a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Don't worry about it." she comforted, her voice overly nice.

As Alejandro walked ahead with Owen, the sound of a sickeningly sweet voice caught his attention, his head turning involuntarily. His gaze landed on Y/N, who was being all friendly with Tyler. A growing sense of annoyance gnawed at him. There was something about it that rubbed him the wrong way, and he couldn't quite pinpoint why.

Y/N noticed Alejandro glaring at her and turned to meet his eyes, feeling a mix of confusion and annoyance. She could almost feel his eyes drilling into her, searching for answers to questions she had no intention of providing. Growing impatient with his scrutiny, Y/N mockingly stuck out her tongue. It might have been a childish thing to do, but at that moment, she couldn't have cared less.

With a sharp exhale, Alejandro tore his gaze away from Y/N's challenging stare, turning his head back to face the path ahead. As Y/N scoffed, finding the situation somewhat amusing, Tyler couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach.

"Did you tell Alejandro about... you know.." Tyler trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper.

"No," Y/N replied quietly, her gaze flickering back to Alejandro for a brief moment before returning to Tyler. "He doesn't know a thing. Whatever's bothering him, he can keep it to himself."

Tyler couldn't help but notice the tension that seemed to thicken between the two. Sensing her frustration, he hesitated for a moment, curious but fearing intruding on her privacy. Despite his hesitation, he decided to speak up.

"Did something happen between you and Alejandro?" Tyler asked slowly, "You seem... upset."

Although Y/N was appreciative of Tyler's concern, she couldn't just tell him how she felt, so she shook her head.

"No, nothing happened," she told him, her tone softer now, "I'm just tired, didn't get enough sleep last night."

It was only half true. While exhaustion did weigh heavily on her, the real source of her frustration was elsewhere. But Y/N saw no need to entangle him in the web of her emotions, especially her growing resentment towards Alejandro.

The jock's worry eased slightly at her explanation. "Well, if you ever need to talk about anything, I'm here for you, we're friends after all." he offered,

Y/N simply nodded. But despite Tyler's genuine offer of support, Y/N saw him as nothing more than a temporary ally. She had allowed herself to form a bond with Noah, only to watch it crumble before her eyes. She couldn't bear the thought of going through that again.

"Thanks," she mumbled, her tone polite but guarded.

Tyler smiled, seemingly satisfied with her response. But Y/N made a mental note to keep Tyler at arm's length. He was useful for now, but she knew that when the time came, she would have to dispose of him without hesitation.

She knew she was using Tyler, exploiting his kindness for her own benefit. It wasn't fair to him, but she couldn't afford to let sentimentality cloud her judgment.

•---------•

Everyone (minus Gwen and Duncan) gathered in the open space, a circle marked on the ground, setting the stage for the upcoming challenge.

"Pancration is an ancient Greek martial art with no rules. Last man standing wins the gold!" Chris announced.

"As the strongest Amazon, I volunteer to fight for our team!" Courtney exclaimed, her confidence radiating.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the strongest!" Cody stepped in front of her, puffing out his chest and flexing his (non-existent) muscles, causing Courtney to laugh sarcastically while Sierra, clearly unamused, shot daggers at her.

Courtney cleared her throat, "As I was saying-"

"That's it! I volunteer to fight Courtney!" Sierra interrupted, pointing dramatically at the brunette.

"Uhh... I need someone from Team I Am Really Really Really Really Hot to get involved here. Anyone?" Chris said, his gaze shifting away from the lingering tension within Team Amazon towards Y/N's team.

"Come on, N/N! We can take them!" Owen beamed. His arm draped over Y/N's shoulder, and his free hand playfully ruffled her hair.

"Me?...Uh, sure." Y/N shrugged, not particularly enthusiastic but willing to participate.

"Wait! I was on the wrestling team in grade school!" Tyler eagerly volunteered, pointing to himself with a mix of excitement and pride.

Just as Alejandro opened his mouth to speak, he was interrupted.

"Tyler, of course you could go!" She exclaimed with a smile, masking her true intentions of cutting off the Spaniard out of spite. She then removed Owen's hand from her and fixed her hair.

"Y/N, I could step in for you, just to spare you any unnecessary trouble." Alejandro suggested. Y/N couldn't shake the feeling of his tone being slightly patronizing, as if he believed he knew what was best for her, which made her wary.

"I'm fine." She replied curtly, not wanting to entertain the idea of his assistance.

He persisted, "But, for you, señorita, I'd gladly help out."

"Thanks for the offer, but I can handle it myself." She emphasized the last few words, making it clear she didn't need his interference at all.

"Of course, I didn't mean to imply otherwise. Just looking out for a teammate."

"We're gonna destroy you!" Owen pumped his fists, his blonde hair swaying as he shook his head vigorously.

"Sold! Three from each team into the ring!" The host grinned excitedly, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Y/N hesitated for a moment, then stepped onto the ring. The others who weren't participating, Alejandro and Heather, remained on the sidelines,

"My first Olympics! Oh, this is so cool! Isn't it?" Owen sighed dreamily, his eyes sparkling with childlike wonder.

"I guess," Y/N replied, her tone lacking the same level of excitement as his,

Before they could say anything else, Cody's battle cry pierced the air as he charged towards Y/N. Without thinking, she instinctively stuck her arm out, fist clenched. Lost in his charge, Cody collided with her outstretched fist, causing him to lose his balance and fall to the ground.

Owen turned to Y/N with an awe-struck expression, his eyes wide with amazement. Even Y/N herself was stunned by her own action, a surprised gasp left her lips as she watched Cody roll around in pain, clutching his nose.

"No!" Sierra cried out, her voice echoing through the silence.

"Yeah... I hope Gwen is doing better than we are..." Courtney mumbled.

"This is for hurting Cody!" Sierra growled, fire burning in her eyes. She then lunged at Y/N, aiming to tackle her.

Uh oh

Y/N couldn't react fast enough as Sierra swiftly collided with her. The two of them stumbled and tumbled to the ground, eventually coming to a stop with Sierra on top of her.

Sierra moved to grab Y/N's neck, seeking revenge. But Y/N quickly grabbed Sierra's wrists, and a struggle ensued, their hands moving like a dance.

"You won't get away with this! My Cody-kins had been mistreated all day!" The purple-haired hissed, her voice filled with rage.

"Yeah, well, maybe Cody deserved it!" Y/N retorted, a smirk playing on her lips. But as she saw Sierra's expression darken with anger, the smirk faltered, realizing that taunting her might not have been the best move in the heat of the moment.

Meanwhile, Courtney's fist sliced through the air, aiming to connect with Tyler's nervous face. But the jock skillfully dodged each attempt.

"That's it, Courtney! You show him who's boss. Go Amazons!" Heather cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines.

"Come on Tyler, just pin her already!" Alejandro sighed impatiently.

"I don't want to hurt a girl-" Tyler tried to explain, but his words were abruptly silenced as Courtney's forceful punch connected squarely with his jaw. The impact sent him stumbling backward, ultimately landing on the cold floor with a thud.

"Rawr!" Courtney roared triumphantly, pumping her fist in the air, relishing her victory.

"Never fear ladies, I'm back to save you!" Cody exclaimed, dusting himself off as he rose from the ground and switched into a fighting stance.

"Just... stay out of the way, pipsqueak!" Courtney snarled at Cody, swatting him away dismissively.

"Pipsqueak?" Sierra echoed, reaching her breaking point. "That's it!"

Getting up from Y/N, Sierra redirected her focus and tackled Courtney instead. The two began fighting.

"Your team is fierce! But shouldn't they be fighting with us?" Alejandro playfully teased Heather, who crossed her arms and rolled her eyes at his comment.

"Respect... my... Cody!" Sierra demanded, gasping between words. She trapped Courtney in a headlock, while Courtney reciprocated.

"Same... team!" The brunette managed to squeak out, her voice strained from the pressure of Sierra's hold.

"Girls, Girls!" Cody attempted to intervene, walking over towards the two in an effort to diffuse the escalating fight. However, without even sparing him a glance, Courtney swiftly punched him with the back of her hand, sending him sprawling to the ground (again.)

"You'll pay for that!" The purple-haired spat out, her dedication stubborn as she and Courtney continued to wrestle, their movements growing sluggish as the lack of air overwhelmed them both, blue tints begin dotting their cheeks. Simultaneously, both of them passed out.

Y/N, who was sitting the entire time, watched the scene with an amused look. Owen strolled towards the exhausted pair on the ground and triumphantly placed his leg over them in a gesture of victory.

"That's two gold for Chris Is Really Really Really Really" Chris declared, passing two medals to Owen, who accepted them with a proud grin. The brunette's eyes fluttered open as she pushed Sierra off, who had been on top of her trying to catch her breath.

"Two?!" she coughed out in disbelief, the realization sinking in.

"Hey, it was supposed to be a one-on-one challenge. But you guys turned it into a team event." Chris quipped. He then nonchalantly strolled away, heading in the direction where Gwen and Duncan were competing.

Owen sprinted towards Y/N, a beaming smile stretched across his face as he proudly displayed the gold medals around his neck.

"Two gold medals, baby! I'm on fire!" he exclaimed, Y/N smiled at his infectious enthusiasm.

"Yeah, you are a champ!" she cheered, matching Owen's whoops of triumph as they celebrated his (unexpected) victory together.

As Owen celebrated with Y/N, jumping up and down with joy, Alejandro joined the duo.

"Double gold, impressive. You played exceptionally well." Alejandro complimented, his gaze subtly glancing at Y/N.

"Thanks, Al." Owen beamed, wrapping his arms around Alejandro's shoulders in a grateful bear hug. The nickname visibly made Alejandro cringe for a split second, but he swiftly masked it with a smile as he patted Owen on the back.

Y/N's attention shifted as she noticed Tyler sluggishly rose up from the ground, rubbing his jaw. Concern etched her face as she approached him,

"What happened, Tyler?" She asked,

"Courtney happened. Got punched right in the face." Tyler explained, trying to downplay the incident with a chuckle.

Y/N winced sympathetically, and she put her hand on Tyler's bruised jaw, gauging the extent of the injury. A gesture that caught Alejandro's attention, and not in a positive way.

"Ouch, that looks bad," she commented,

"Oh come on! It's not so bad. I practically feel no pain," Tyler joked, mustering a playful smile.

He does always get injured...

"If you say so." she said, shrugging slightly as she withdrew her hand. But Suddenly, Tyler's expression changed, his eyes glancing at something to Y/N's left before nervously looking down at his feet. Confused, Y/N followed Tyler's gaze to where he had briefly looked earlier. She saw Alejandro glaring at both Tyler and her, his eyes filled with an unexplained intensity.

What is his deal?

Y/N felt a twinge of annoyance, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried to understand why Alejandro was looking at them with such disapproval, especially after their team's victory.

"Is there a problem, Alejandro?" She asked, her voice tinged with irritation, her eyes locked with his, demanding an explanation for his behavior.

The Spaniard momentarily hesitated before flashing a (forced) smile. "Nothing at all. Just enjoying the celebration." He said. Yet, his eyes betrayed a different sentiment.

"Right..." Y/N replied, her voice filled with skepticism as she narrowed her eyes at him, sensing that there was more than he was letting on.

—
"I don't know what's going on with that guy," she began. "One minute, everything's fine, and the next, he's glaring at Tyler and me like we've done something wrong. Is he mad at Tyler? Or.... does he know?.." She paused, her voice filled with uncertainty as she considered the possibility that Alejandro might have figured out the truth. But she shook her head, dismissing the thought for now.
—

As Y/N turned her attention back to Tyler, she felt a lingering discomfort from the exchange with Alejandro. Unsure of what to make of it, she just gave Tyler a reassuring pat on the shoulder before excusing herself, muttering a quick goodbye as she made her way over to where Owen stood, hoping to engage in some light conversation before Chris returned for the next challenge.

As they began chatting, Alejandro's sharp gaze picked up on Chris talking to Gwen and Duncan in the distance. The two competitors' expressions seemed awkward, and Chef walked past them holding a banjo,

Sensing an opportunity, Alejandro subtly nudged Owen towards Tyler. "You should show Tyler your victory. Those medals are worth flaunting, amigo." he suggested with a smile.

"You're right, Al!" The blond exclaimed eagerly. With a cheerful wave, he went over to Tyler, leaving Y/N standing alone with Alejandro.

As Owen walked away, frustration bubbled up inside Y/N. She watched him go, annoyed by the obviousness of Alejandro's interference. She had simply wanted to have a simple chat with Owen, but now she was left alone with Alejandro.

With a scoff, Y/N turned away from the Spaniard, ready to leave him behind and join Owen and Tyler. But before she could take another step, Alejandro's hand closed around hers, stopping her in her tracks.

"Y/N, wait," he said.

Surprisingly, Y/N didn't yank her hand away, though her annoyance flared up even more at Alejandro's touch. She shot him a sharp look, silently demanding an explanation.

"Look over there." He used his free hand, the other still holding Y/N's, to point a few feet away where Chef was testing out the banjo. Gwen and Duncan exchanged nervous looks as Chris raised a thumbs up to the two, signaling their turn was approaching.

"They're about to sing," Alejandro continued, his tone softening slightly as he tried to explain. "Perfect opportunity to eavesdrop and gather information, wouldn't you agree?"

Y/N glanced in the direction he was pointing, "And what makes you think I'd want to eavesdrop with you?"

"Because," he began, "you're just as curious as I am, and we need every advantage we can get. Right now, that advantage might just be within earshot."

Y/N thought for a moment. His idea to eavesdrop was smart, but she also knew that going alone might offer a different kind of advantage. If she went alone, she can keep Alejandro in the dark if Duncan and Gwen do reveal something crucial during the song.

"Fine, but I'll go. Alone." Y/N said coldly.

Alejandro's grip on her hand tightened slightly, "Are you sure?" he asked, "It might be better if we both go.

"It would be obvious if we both go," she retorted,

Alejandro considered her words for a moment before nodding. "Alright," he relented, "just let me know what they said afterward."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," she dismissively said, then she yanked her hand away from Alejandro's grasp. He playfully waved her off as she moved around the oblivious competitors, finding a discreet spot behind a nearby pillar.

As Y/N settled into her hiding spot, she heard Chef begin  to play the banjo, signaling the song.

This better be worth my time.

•---------•

•---------•

Y/N stood up behind the pillar, cautiously holding the edge and leaning slightly to catch a glimpse of Gwen and Duncan singing. As they walked across, she followed their movements, her eyes fixed on them. The song ended, but its lyrics lingered in her mind.

"They sure weren't meant to see... But that locked door couldn't secure our privacy...?" She mumbled to herself, that lyric Duncan sang stuck out. Slowly, the realization dawned on Y/N. The lyrics mirrored the exact words Tyler had spoken to her about accidentally stumbling upon Gwen and Duncan's kiss.

Earlier doubts melted away, and the uncertainty of whether Tyler's words held any weight evaporated. Y/N couldn't help but snicker. The truth was now so blindingly obvious that she couldn't help but feel smug.

—
Y/N chuckled, "Duncan and Gwen, huh? They could actually be a cute couple, but they sure weren't too smart about practically singing about it, but hey, works for me! All I just need is to think of a plan...." she mused, squinting her eyes and twirling a strand of her hair around her finger,
—

Returning to the group, she stood relaxed, her face lighting up with a broad smile as she plotted her next move. Lost in thought, she failed to notice  Alejandro approaching until his sudden voice startled her.

"What did you hear?" He whispered, noting her smile.

Caught off guard, Y/N flinched slightly before quickly recovering, her mind racing to come up with a reasonable response. "They're singing about how much they hate Courtney." she lied, flashing an impish grin, masking any hint of deception.

Alejandro's eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion coloring his gaze as he glanced at Courtney.

"Is Duncan okay? How long were you guys alone together before we got here?" Courtney interrogated Gwen, her gaze sweeping from the goth's head to toes before darting towards the direction Gwen had just arrived from.

The Spaniard raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

"Yes." Y/N said bluntly, her tone leaving no room for further questions.

As if I'm helping you. You're on your own.

"Welcome to the hurdles event!" The host clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "The ultimate test of speed and flexibility. Players must leap higher and higher over these hurdles while they race for the finish line. First one across wins the goal! And since Heather and Alejandro are the only two yet to complete, they'll be going head-to-head."

"Sorry, but I'm fast and flexible." Heather boldly declared, showcasing it by effortlessly stretching her leg all the way up to her head.

"If we lose tonight... we're gonna vote out whoever didn't win a medal, right?" Owen asked. Alejandro responded with a smirk, effortlessly doing the splits. He then used his own legs to tie his hair up in a small ponytail before smoothly rising back up to his feet, leaving Heather dumbfounded and her confidence shattered.

"Oh yeah." The blond muttered, his voice low and his eyes hooded.

As Heather and Alejandro took their positions at the start line, Sierra couldn't help but voice her thoughts.

"That should be Cody out there! In second grade, he competed in a hurdles event and won the coveted participation award!" She gushed, enveloping Cody in a tight hug, his face turning beet red in embarrassment.

"The things you know frighten all of us, really, they do. But anyways, on your mark! Get set...!" Chris blew a horn, signaling the start. Alejandro and Heather burst into motion, their steps matching at first. However, it wasn't long before Alejandro began picking up the pace.

"Don't worry! You can borrow my medal if you ever need to look like a winner!" The Spaniard teased Heather.

"Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold!" Owen chanted, running in circles and repeatedly slapping Tyler's hand in excitement.

As Alejandro raced ahead of Heather, the cheers from his teammates, Owen and Tyler, filled the air. However, he noticed a notable absence, no cheers or words of encouragement from Y/N. Curious, Alejandro stole a glance over his shoulder, all while maintaining his lead with ease.

To his surprise, he found Y/N disinterested, looking at her nails and absentmindedly picking at them, seemingly lost in her own world. Alejandro noticed how distant she was, he wanted to change that.

Fueled by a burning desire to catch Y/N's attention or, better yet, impress her, Alejandro made a daring move. Securing his lead over Heather, he began running and even jumping backward.

Much to his satisfaction, Y/N finally glanced in his direction, but instead of admiration, she scolded him, "Come on! Just win!"

"Relax! Victory is at hand-" Alejandro's confident words were abruptly cut short as, distracted by Y/N, collided with the hurdle. The misstep sent him tumbling face-first, landing ungracefully on the floor to everyone's surprise.

"Later, sucker!" Heather taunted. She blew a raspberry at him, her laughter echoing as she smoothly ran past.

"A gold for the Amazons!" Chris declared as she crossed the finish line, met with cheers from Team Amazon.

As Alejandro picked himself up and dusted himself off, his pride stung more than his body. Approaching Y/N's team, he was met with a chorus of groans and whines, their disappointment transparent.

"Nice going, Al." Y/N retorted, scoffing. Alejandro cringed at the nickname, his ego taking a slight hit as he looked away, a moment of embarrassment crossing his features.

Y/N couldn't help but notice the raw emotion that flashed across his usually composed face. She rolled her eyes, quickly masking her surprise with a nonchalant expression, dismissing it.

•---------•

Chris stood atop a large piece of the ruined structure, his silhouette against the light casting a shadow over the contestants below.

"Okay, seriously. Where is Duncan?" Courtney asked, her eyes scanning around frantically.

"Duncan will join us as soon as he can. You know, if he's still alive." Chris joked.

"If?! What does that mean?!" Gwen blurted out, her hand anxiously tugging at the strands of her dyed hair.

"Can we focus on the game, please? It's time for the dreaded tiebreaker!" Chris announced impatiently, trying to steer the conversation back to the competition.

"One sec Chris, you sounded really concerned there." Courtney interjected, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she narrowed her eyes at Gwen.

"Well... I-I know how you feel, so..." The goth trailed off, her fingers fidgeting nervously as she struggled to find the right words.

"You know how I feel, like you get it..? or like you feel the same way?.." The brunette's glare intensified, and everyone was beginning to stare at the two.

"Uh... look! Wings!" Gwen hastily pointed to two pairs of wings, attempting to divert everyone's attention away from her growing anxiety.

"Attention please! Chef spent over one hour building two sets of wings out of wax and the feathers we find in the plane's engine. One member from each team must strap on the wings and take flight all the way up there." Chris gestured dramatically, pointing to the top of the towering crane. "Whoever snags the gold medal out of the sky wins the Olympics and first class passage for their team."

"That sounds kinda dangerous..." Owen voiced his concern, his gaze fixed on the distant glimmer of the gold medal.

The host's smirk widened, "Not at all."

As an intern rolled in a cart with two feather wings on a stand, the wings unexpectedly fell apart, the feathers scattering in every direction. The intern scrambled to retrieve them, pulling out a vacuum to clean up the mess as quickly as possible.

"We're gonna need some wax! Anywho, who's going next!" Chris said gleefully, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

An idea suddenly ignited in Y/N's mind, and she began jumping up and down.

"Oh, me! Please pick me! Me, me!" She eagerly exclaimed, her hand shooting up into the air and waving frantically.

"N/N!?" Owen said, taken aback by her sudden eagerness. He grabbed the collar of Y/N's shirt, shaking her hard. "It's dangerous! I don't wanna lose you too!"

Y/N winced at the force of Owen's grip, but she chuckled, "Don't worry! I got this!" She reassured, gently peeled the blond's hands from her shirt,

"Alright, Y/N, you're up!" Chris declared. He then turned his attention to the opposing team. "Team Amazon?"

Please Courtney! Please Courtney! Please!

"I'll do it! For all of you." Cody volunteered, giving Gwen a smirk, but Sierra quickly engulfed him in a hug.

"EEEK! Thank you, Cody!" Sierra giggled.

Y/N's initial smile faded into a subtle frown as she realized Courtney wasn't stepping up as she had hoped. Her plan relied on the brunette, but with that option gone, she quickly realizing that she can easily outperform Cody.

I've beaten him before, I can do it again.

"And since it's a tiebreaker, before you two straps on your wings, please slip into these authentic Spartan battle costumes!" Chris declared, holding up the outfits for everyone to see. Sierra was practically shaking Cody in excitement.

Y/N's frown deepened as she stared in disbelief. "What?!" she exclaimed,

Chris casually tossed the costumes to Cody and Y/N, both of who caught theirs in annoyance.

As Y/N unfurled the attire, her brows furrowed in dismay. "I'm not wearing this!" she protested, the fabric dangling from her hands as she gave it a dismissive shake.

"It's either that, or you're gonna compete naked. Your choice." Chris retorted with a smirk,

Sick!

"Now get dressed you two," He ordered. The intern handed the two the extra pieces for their costumes.

As Y/N and Cody made their way toward the plane, Cody attempted to break the silence between them. "So, we've never really talked before, huh?" He said, trying to sound casual but coming off as slightly awkward.

"No, we haven't," she replied curtly, not particularly interested in small talk at the moment.

Cody, sensing her disinterest, went quiet, and they continued walking in awkward silence. Eventually, they reached the plane and boarded. The two headed in opposite directions to change, Y/N found herself wandering toward the first-class section. There, she stumbled upon an open door, and a room with a large mirror and a clothing rack stand caught her attention, suggesting that this might be one of Chris's rooms on the plane.

Entering the room and closing the door behind her, Y/N held the Spartan costume in her hands and examined it more closely.  A maroon crop top, a light brown itchy-looking miniskirt, golden metal boots, bracelets, a dark brown belt, and a maroon cape. It looked like some cheap Halloween costume, and Y/N couldn't help but cringe at the sight. But nevertheless, she sucked it up and began changing into it.

As she tried to squeeze into the tight crop top, it rode up, and her midriff unavoidably became exposed, Y/N couldn't help but sigh in frustration. The costume was too tight, itchy, and generally uncomfortable. She tugged and pulled, trying to make it fit better, but it was clear that it was designed more for style than comfort.

After a bit of struggle, Y/N managed to get into the outfit. Glancing at herself in the mirror, embarrassment tried to creep in, but she shook it off. This wasn't the time to feel self-conscious; she had a plan to execute, and she needed to focus.

With a deep breath, Y/N straightened her posture and met her own gaze in the mirror. This was it. All the lying, deceit, and manipulation had led to this moment. This was her moment of redemption, her chance to prove herself, to prove everyone, to finally earn the respect she craved from the competitors, from everyone watching.

Her mind drifted back to yesterday, to how she had been a fool to trust Alejandro, to believe his smooth words and charming façade. She couldn't believe she had let herself get so flustered over him, and how she had allowed herself to be swayed by his false promises.

But that was in the past now.

She will not fall for his tricks.

She will not fall for him.

She thought about the secret Tyler had entrusted her with, Gwen and Duncan kiss. This information could be the key to distracting Team Amazon, especially Gwen and Courtney, and ultimately securing a win for her team. However, the challenge was hinting at it without directly revealing it. She wanted someone else, preferably Gwen or even Tyler, to say it, not her. Revealing it herself might not be as believable. What if they didn't take her seriously? The plan would be more convincing if it came from someone else's mouth.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see a new intern standing there, a short girl with black curly hair, holding out a pair of wings for her costume.

"These are for you," the intern said, her voice timid.

Y/N accepted the wings, examining them closely. The large, light yellow feathers looked as if they had been haphazardly glued on, and she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight. The golden piece on each side, for sliding one's hands in, looked a bit flimsy, but she pushed the thought aside.

"Thanks," she said to the intern, who nodded and quickly scurried away. Y/N closed the door and turned her attention back to the wings, trying to figure out the best way to attach them to her costume.

She then noticed the straps attached to them. Realizing that she was supposed to wear them like a backpack. Y/N slid her arms through the straps and adjusted them so that the wings sat comfortably on her back.

She inserted her hands into the golden pieces on the wings. As Y/N did, the wings extended outward, becoming an extension of her arms. She spread them out, feeling a mix of awe and amusement at the sight.

She gave them a few experimental flaps, getting a feel for their movement. She couldn't help but feel a bit unsure if they were sturdy enough, but she shrugged off the doubt and began to retract the wings, sliding her hands out of the golden attachments.

With a final adjustment of the wings, Y/N turned and left the room, walking confidently across the first-class section. As she made her way back to the exit, Y/N spotted Cody, who was standing there in the same Spartan costume but without the crop top, leaving his torso bare. He looked visibly relieved to see her.

"Finally done? I didn't want to go out there wearing this stupid costume alone."

Y/N chucked softly, slightly in a better mood. "Don't worry, I'm here to share the embarrassment with you."

Cody gave a half-smile, "Well, that's comforting," he said, adjusting his costume as they began to exit the plane.

As they walked out, the clicks of their golden metal boots created an almost awkward rhythm on the earthy ground. Y/N couldn't help but notice Cody wearing a bandage on his nose, the exact spot where she had landed a punch earlier.

"Hey, Cody, about earlier. I'm sorry for punching you." she apologized, not wanting him to hold a grudge against her. However, she didn't really feel sorry for what she did, she did what she had to.

"It's all good. Honestly, it's just a battle scar. Makes me look tough, you know? And I'll rock it even better once I win." Cody declared.

"Yeah, sure...." she mumbled under her breath.

Can't wait to see him lose.

•---------•

As the two made their way back, Heather couldn't contain her laughter at the sight of Y/N and Cody in their costumes. Cody looked embarrassed, trying to play off his humiliation with a sheepish smile. But Y/N simply rolled her eyes, unfazed by Heather's mockery.

"Don't worry, N/N, you look great!" Owen piped up, coming to her defense. He nudged Tyler, who caught Owen's cue, and put his thumbs up in support of Y/N. The blond then let out a whoop and began cheerfully mimicking the flapping of wings with his arms, showing his unwavering support for her.

Amidst the encouragement, Alejandro remained silent, his gaze lingering on Y/N as he shamelessly scanned her up and down. Though he made no comment, the way his eyes wandered over her caused heat to rise to Y/N's cheeks, despite her efforts to ignore him.

"Oh! He's like an angel!" Sierra exclaimed, gazing at Cody with sparkling eyes. Cody merely turned away in response.

Owen's initial enthusiasm seemed to waver. He glanced at Cody, then back to Y/N, his expression shifting from certainty to uncertainty. "This is gonna be a close one!"

"Yes, too close," Alejandro muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he snapped out of whatever thoughts had preoccupied him. His eyes narrowed slightly as he shifted his focus, contemplating his next move, but he stopped as he saw Y/N confidently walking toward Gwen. Something in her demeanor made him pause, intrigued by her confidence.

Approaching Gwen, Y/N vigorously shook the goth's hand with both of hers, wearing a fake, bubbly smile. "I just wanted to say congrats!" Y/N beamed, her tone overly enthusiastic.

Gwen was a bit taken aback by Y/N's behavior. "Uh, thanks... for what?"

"For you and Duncan! You guys are so cute!" Y/N continued smiling, locking eyes with Gwen. Courtney, standing nearby, shot them a confused and irritated look, even going so far as to push Heather aside to get a closer look.

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Courtney interjected, her tone filled with suspicion as she narrowed her eyes at the two. "Me and Duncan are together?"

Y/N chuckled. "Oh, Courtney, you're so funny! But, trust me, I've seen the sparks. The way her and Duncan look at each other, and the way they were..." she paused for effect, playfully puckering her lips and mimicking kissing noises. Gwen's face slowly shifted from confusion to realization, and she nervously looked away. The colour drained from her already pale skin.

Courtney's face changed from confusion to disbelief, then to anger as the implications of Y/N's words sank in."...What are you talking about?" The brunette repeated again, her tone growing more enraged.

In response, Y/N's lips curled into a small, knowing smile, her gaze swept across the group, taking notice of their reactions without turning her head. The scrutiny of her fellow contestants didn't faze her; rather, it only fueled her determination. On the other hand, Gwen's anxious eyes darted around, the weight of their stares bore down on her, and she nervously shifted under the spotlight.

Y/N's head turned slowly away from Courtney back to Gwen, her E/C eyes piercing into the goth's fearful black eyes. Y/N's glare was intense, almost demanding, as if she were silently urging Gwen to confess, to reveal the truth herself.

However, all Gwen could muster in response was a slow, subtle shake of her head, a silent plea for Y/N to stop. She wanted her to stop.

But Y/N had no intention of stopping, remorse was a foreign concept to her at this moment. Instead, she tightened her grip on Gwen's hand, her nails subtly digging into the goth girl's skin, a silent warning that she wasn't backing down.

"Ready?...." Chris called out, holding a bow with a flaming arrow pointed skyward.

As the seconds ticked away, Y/N's hope of Gwen confessing dwindled. She realized she had to take matters into her own hands, to resort to the last thing she could think of.

She slowly released one hand from Gwen's while keeping the other firmly clasped. Y/N subtly shifted her stance. With her body turned slightly, she extended her arm straight, pointing with her index finger. Everyone's gaze followed her pointing finger.

Which pointed directly to Tyler,

"Tyler told me! I just went with it 'cause, honestly, I never even watched the show." she said nonchalantly, shifting the focus. All eyes turned to Tyler, whose face flushed pink from the unexpected and sudden attention.

Please tell! Please, please!

"...Set!..." Chris exclaimed.

Tyler glanced around at the intense stares fixed on him. The pressure was mounting, and then, he finally broke.

"I..I saw Gwen and Duncan kiss!" he blurted out, the words tumbling from his mouth before he could even stop them.

The reaction was immediate. Courtney's eyes widened in shock, her features contorting with rage. Her anger, once aimed at Y/N, now directed at Gwen.

"You what?!" Courtney screamed, her voice escalating to a piercing shriek, and she began yelling and screaming at her.

A triumphant smirk curled Y/N's lips, and she released her grip from the goth's hand. As Gwen glanced at her, Y/N gave a subtle wink before strolling over to where Cody stood. A sense of accomplishment radiated from her, and an air of satisfaction enveloped her like a warm embrace.

"...Go!" Chris declared, releasing the arrow into the air to initiate the challenge. Y/N slid her hands into the metal hooks on the wings, transforming them into an extension of her arms. With a series of flails and kicks, she began floating up. leaving Cody standing below in stunned disbelief, struggling to process what just happened.

Rising towards the suspended golden medal, which gleamed temptingly afar, Y/N felt a rush of excitement coursing through her veins. Unable to resist the temptation, she stole a glance downward, revealing the chaos she had ignited.

"How could you?! I thought we were friend-ish.. I hate you! I hate you!" Courtney shouted, practically seething, while Sierra struggled to restrain her.

"Duncan...Duncan?!" Cody stammered in shock.

"You called?" Duncan quickly came, before chuckling at what Cody was wearing. "Nice bikini-"

Cody's pent-up frustration erupted in a sudden punch, connecting squarely with Duncan's face. Duncan yelped in pain, stumbling backward and falling to the ground. Chef swiftly intervened, whipping Duncan with the cloth.

"Fly Cody, fly!" Sierra urged, attempting to shift the focus.

"Cody, stay where you are." Courtney demanded, her glare piercing through Gwen.

"But we're lose?" Sierra questioned, confusion etched on her face. A moment of silence hung in the air until realization dawned on her. "Oh...! Cody, stay where you are."

"You are so, e-li-min-at-ed!" Courtney spat out, each syllable laced with a bitter edge. As the words left her lips, Gwen's eyes welled up with unshed tears.

As Y/N watched it all unfold, a grin spread across her face. While she had hoped for Courtney to be the one volunteering, as Y/N had anticipated that Courtney would be more distracted, focusing more on Gwen than the challenge itself, her plan had worked regardless. With Team Amazon now distracted and in disarray, she was on the path to securing the gold and winning for her team. And if, by some stroke of luck, Chris decided to deem this challenge a reward challenge, Y/N knew that drama would surely erupt within Team Amazon.

Just as she had envisioned.

—
"You know, looking back, what I did to Gwen was a bit much. But come on, Team Amazon had it coming. The stakes were high for me, and I needed this victory more than ever." Y/N pauses, her tone softening slightly. "If I lose this challenge for my team, I would surely be voted out for costing them the win. So yeah, I did what I had to," She added in a matter-of-fact tone.
—

But as Y/N inched closer toward the gold medal, she was slowly struggling, The wings, once a sturdy extension of her arms, were slowly falling apart, and the feathers slipped out of them like autumn leaves.

Glancing down, Y/N saw Cody right below her, his skinny arm flailing amidst the disintegrating wings. Y/N silently cursed at herself that Cody was, of course, trying his hardest to win so his crush doesn't get voted out.

Everyone watched from the ground as feathers started to flutter down like nature's confetti, Alejandro reached out his hand and caught one of the feathers.

"Their wings are molting." He worriedly said.

"Maybe it's seasonal...?" Owen said, his voice hopeful but uncertain.

Panic coursed through Y/N. Scared by the height and now by the molting wings, she flailed even harder. She was so close to winning, so close to touching the gold medal. With one hand reaching out while the other continued its frantic movements, Y/N's fingertips nearly grazed the glistening surface of the gold medal.

Come on! So... close!

Her eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope as she felt the thrill of victory at her fingertips. But then, the wings completely gave out, the sensation unmistakable. The brief moment of hope vanished in an instant, replaced by a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. A scream tore from Y/N's lips as she began falling down, her H/C hair swirling wildly in the wind.

In that freefall, Y/N's panic intensified. Her back facing the ground, the world seemed to spin into a chaotic blur around her. Adrenaline and fear raced through her veins as she stared upward at the once-alluring gold medal, now a distant, mocking glimmer.

Y/N's limbs began flailing wildly in an attempt to regain control, her hands instinctively reaching out in an attempt to grab on something, anything, to stop her fall. But nothing.

The wind roared past her ears, drowning out all other sounds. With trembling hands, she squeezed her eyes shut and used her hands to cover them. She braced for impact.

But the impact never came.

Instead, a pair of arms swooped in, halting her fall with a sudden, yet gentle jolt. Y/N lowered her hand from her eyes, letting it hang by her side, and opened her eyes to find herself enveloped in Alejandro's supportive grip. One hand cradling her back and the other supporting her beneath her knees, effortlessly lifting her in a bridal style. Y/N's initial fear washed away as she felt a flutter in her chest.

Alejandro's eyes met hers, and his lips curled up into a faint but genuine smile, his usual smug demeanor softening. Y/N felt a rush of warmth, her own heart responding with an erratic beat. This was a side of him she had never seen before, and an unfamiliar sensation bubbled up within her.

"You started quite the commotion, mi amor, but it would have been wiser to told me earlier." Alejandro remarked. Y/N sheepishly nodded, both of them briefly glancing over at Courtney screaming at Gwen, who looked so guilty.

But, weirdly enough, Y/N couldn't focus at all. She swallowed down the butterflies in her stomach, trying to gather her thoughts. She wanted to say something, to tell him to stop calling her that pet name, but instead of words, she only managed a breathy little giggle. Alejandro's brows raised in amusement, and Y/N felt her whole face burning in embarrassment.

—
"Look, I was just lightheaded from the fall, okay? I'm tired, shaken up, but falling for Alejandro? No way. Absolutely not, not now, not ever." Y/N declared firmly, pointing at the camera.
—

Then, a sudden scream shattered the air, jolting Y/N out of her momentary trance. She instinctively looked up, her eyes widening in alarm. Alejandro, still holding her, followed her gaze, and they both watched as Cody came hurtling down from the sky. Alejandro just took a simple step to the right, positioning himself and Y/N out of harm's way as Cody landed with a heavy thud on the ground, crashing onto his face. Despite the impact, Cody's hand remained outstretched, gripping the coveted gold medal.

"Amazon win! And the losers are heading back to the elimination room, for the second time, in a row." Chris announced, and Gwen was the only one who cheered before getting slapped in the face by Courtney, silencing her cheer in an instant.

Y/N's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Cody, stared at the golden medal she was supposed to get, she couldn't tear her eyes away, couldn't accept the reality of her situation. How could she have failed?

Failed a simple challenge, which should have been a breeze, but it had slipped through her fingers. Everything she had worked for shattered in the blink of an eye.

A sense of irony washed over her. She had been so confident, so cocky, so sure, yet here she was, feeling the sting of failure.

But what stung the most was the feeling of helplessness that came with being saved by Alejandro. His arms wrapped around her felt like a twisted mockery of her failure. To be rescued by someone she was supposed to surpass, not rely on, was a bruise to her ego she couldn't ignore.

Y/N glanced at her teammates, and they were all staring, everyone was. The stares of people who hadn't bothered her earlier suddenly felt more judgmental. She couldn't help but feel an unexplained shyness creeping over her, she hated that feeling, and her instinct was to get away from Alejandro. She kicked her legs and flailed her arms, trying to break free from his grip.

"Let me go!" she exclaimed. Alejandro, however, held her firmly, not releasing his hold despite her struggles.

"Relax. " he said. "No need to feel embarrassed."

But embarrassed was exactly what Y/N felt.

"Just put me down!" she insisted, her voice more desperate now.

"I'm just trying to help." Alejandro replied, his grip remaining steady.

"I don't need your help!"

With a soft sigh, Alejandro gently set Y/N down on the ground, releasing her from the bridal-style hold. Y/N landed firmly on her feet, she wasted no time in ripping off the red cape and kicking off the uncomfortable golden boots.

As she picked up the discarded pieces, Owen approached with a sympathetic expression. "Hey, don't sweat it! We'll bounce back," he smiled,

But despite Owen's well-meaning attempts to console her, Y/N quickly brushed past him, ignoring his sympathetic gestures. Owen left standing with a saddened expression, watching as Y/N marched straight toward the plane.

•---------•

Holding the pieces of her broken costume, Y/N angrily tossed them to the ground as she stormed into the confessional, leaving it there for the intern to take care of.

"I can't believe this. How could I have messed up so badly?!" Y/N grumbled to herself, slamming the door shut. "I worked so hard to strategize, to stay ahead, and now look at me! Saved by Alejandro, of all people, in front of everyone!"

Her fists clenched at her sides, a mix of anger and embarrassment swirling within her. "And those stares! Like I'm some helpless damsel in distress. I don't need their pity."

Y/N turned and looked at the five passports spread out before her. The weight of her failure and the potential consequences pressed down on her shoulders. She knew Owen wouldn't vote for her; they were friends, and he was always so supportive. But Tyler, Tyler was a different story. She had embarrassed him, broken a promise, and now his vote against her seemed undoubtedly certain.

But then there was Alejandro. She had laughed at him, mocked him, taunted him, yelled at him, and even lied to him (multiple times). All out of spite for what he had done. Yet, despite all that, he had saved her.

But now, she wasn't sure where she stood with him. Maybe Alejandro would want to keep her in the game for the sake of their alliance, or perhaps he would see this as the perfect opportunity to vote her off. She knew she needed to talk to him, maybe even apologize, but the thought of apologizing to him after everything felt impossible.

If I get eliminated because of this, I swear...

She snatched the stamp, letting her frustration flow as she pressed it onto Duncan's passport. She wanted him out, and fast. If he found out that she was the one who exposed his secret kiss with Gwen to everyone, he would be a threat to her, a danger she couldn't afford to have around.

Y/N exited the confessional room to find Tyler, Owen, Duncan, and Alejandro all outside. Owen was proudly showing off his golden medals to Duncan, who looked rather bored by the display. Y/N took a deep breath, knowing it was the best time to talk to Alejandro and perhaps change his mind if he was considering voting her off. Despite her feelings of frustration and embarrassment, she knew she had to swallow her pride and apologize to him.

She approached Alejandro, who was leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed.

"Alejandro, can we talk?" she asked, trying to sound calm and composed.

He nodded, and they walked a few steps away from the group. Y/N noticed how distant Tyler looked as he slowly walked toward the confessional door and closed it, she knew he must be upset with her. She made a mental note to talk to him later and hopefully mend their relationship.

"What's on your mind, Y/N?" Alejandro asked,

Y/N hesitated, a strange feeling of shyness washing over her. "I... I just wanted to say thank you," she stammered, feeling the words come out more forced than she intended. "For saving me earlier.... I appreciate it."

Alejandro smirked slightly as she thanked him, "Is that all?" he playfully asked,

Y/N sighed inwardly, knowing she had to go through with it. "No," she begrudgingly admitted, "I also wanted to apologize. I've been... difficult, and I shouldn't have been so dismissive of your help."

She hated having to apologize, especially when she felt justified in her actions. But she knew that easing the tension with Alejandro was the right thing to do.

Alejandro looked genuinely puzzled. "Why are you apologizing? You don't owe me an apology for anything."

Y/N blinked, taken aback by his response. "But I thought... I mean, I was rude, and I shouldn't have been," she trailed off, feeling a bit sheepish.

Alejandro chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Y/N, you don't need to apologize. I understand. You're under a lot of pressure,"

Y/N felt confused by him justifying her behavior, but she just went along with it. "Yeah..." she said, a bit unsure. "Thanks for understanding."

Alejandro smiled, a genuine expression that softened his features. "No need to thank me," he said. "I get it, you're mad at me. But think of it like this: Your vote for Noah ultimately helped me. And today, I saved you from that painful fall. I swore to protect you from harm's way, didn't I?"

Y/N felt a flicker of irritation at Alejandro's words. His attempt to equate her friendship with Noah to his own actions irked her.

"It's not the same," she grumbled. "Noah was my friend. How did me voting for him help you at all?"

"If Noah was your friend, would he insult you and glare at you before he took the drop?" he countered. "Noah may have been a friend to you, but he was an unhelpful teammate who just made sarcastic remarks. He didn't contribute to the team in any meaningful way."

Y/N's anger simmered, her frustration mounting with each word he spoke. She struggled to contain her emotions,

"I can't believe you're saying this!" she exclaimed, her tone tinged with disbelief. "Noah was doing all the work last challenge back in London! And you weren't even there for it so what would you know!"

Alejandro smirked smugly, "Ah, but did Noah win the challenge?" he retorted. "No, he didn't. Noah's efforts may have been commendable, but in the end, it's the results that matter."

Y/N's anger reached its peak. She jabbed a finger at Alejandro's chest, her voice seething with rage. "Noah was a better person than you will ever be!" she spat. "Get that right through your massive, egoistical head! Just vote for Duncan and be done with it!"

Alejandro's smirk faded, replaced by a look of surprise. "If that's what you want," he said coolly. "I'll vote for Duncan, all I ask is that you stop being so distant."

Y/N exhaled slowly, feeling relieved, but a twinge of annoyance lingered. "Fine," she said,

Alejandro nodded, seeming satisfied with her response. "Good. That's all I ask," he said before walking towards the confessional door and closing it behind him.

Y/N just stood there, unable to shake off her feelings of frustration. Her plan had been to suck it up and apologize, to smooth things over for the sake of the game. But Alejandro's words had struck a nerve, igniting a fire of annoyance and anger within her that she couldn't easily extinguish.

She kicked herself mentally for not handling the situation better, for letting Alejandro get to her like that. She knew she had to keep her emotions in check if she wanted to stay in the competition.

•---------•

Everyone settled down at the elimination ceremony, the tension hung thick in the air. Y/N slumped into her seat, opting to sit beside Tyler, though his stiff posture and avoiding gaze made it clear he didn't want her there. Chris stood beside the open exit door, and beside the host was an intern holding a parachute bag.

"So, here we are. Let's look at why. Y/N volunteered and lost the tiebreaker. Which, is why you're all here. Plus, she managed to stir up some love drama, then fell in love. Literally." Chris laughed.

What?!

"Wait... you're the one who snitched?!" Duncan growled, his eyes narrowing  into a glare, his gaze piercing as it landed on Y/N. She, however, just rolled her eyes in exasperation.

"Alejandro blew it in the hurdles, which forced the tiebreaker, which, is why you're all here. Plus, he knocked himself out cold trying to impress a girl. All this, while his hair was in a ponytail!"

"What does my hair have to do with-" Alejandro began, only to be quickly interrupted by Chris.

"-And Duncan, he lost his first challenge back and managed to ruffle a lot of melted feathers. Plus, if all the girls get eliminated, we have no idea who he'll try to kiss next." The host joked, prompting Duncan to scoff and cross his arms.

"Your choice is pretty clear, but today, the final choice is mine. And the drop of shame will be taken by..." Chris drew out the suspense. Then, in a sudden twist, he pointed at the unsuspecting intern standing. "This intern!" he declared, shoving the startled intern off the plane without hesitation.

Duncan erupted into a menacing laugh as he turned to glance at his teammates, a smug grin plastered on his face. Y/N cursed under her breath, clearly not pleased by the outcome. Beside her, Tyler let out a deep groan of frustration, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"That's right! I'm ignoring the vote." Chris announced, tossing the passports away. "As if I'm gonna send Duncan home when the fun's just getting started! Team Chris is Really Really Really Really Hot stays as it is... for now."

Y/N's eyes widened as Duncan glared at her specifically, cracking his knuckles in a threatening manner. She gulped nervously, feeling a knot of anxiety forming in her stomach.

This isn't good.....

Chris then turned to the cameraman, "Will Courtney and Gwen patch things up?-"

"I HATE YOU!" A voice rang from first class. It was Courtney.

"And who's going for the next drop? Find out right here on Total. Drama. World Tour!"

⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢⌢

Note:

back from the dead

damn, almost 4 month since I posted, but to make it up I did double the word count from last chapter 🫶

and if this chapter was a bit dramatic just know i wrote it during exam week </3

praying there's no typos 😭😭

Y/N evil arc??? perchance

first chapter of 2024

Word Count: 13,756

(2024-3-13)