life goes on.

“totally understandable and i’m glad you didn’t fail,” he chuckled. “oh god no, i will eat vegan things not because i am vegan but sometimes it’s good, but yeah no i’m green but like not that green? like, i recycle, but if i had to drink soda i just wouldn’t drink coke. i’m more of a dr. pepper type of guy or fanta or back home there’s this hispanic soda, materva, and that’s basically crack to me. but i only drink it sometimes because well, it gets me hyper.” parker had tried going vegetarian once, but he barely lasted a week, his wallet taking a huge hit, trying to shop at whole foods, but he wasn’t about to mention that to benji. “huh. i will be honest, i never thought of that- i learned all i know from nicolas cage and the declaration of independence. but yeah heat’s how they did it in the movie. and how i did it the few times i tried it out. i put it in the oven.” parker tried his best to hide the hurt he felt at hearing that about angel, his grip on benji’s hand lightening up. he truly felt like he had a connection with angel, everything felt natural with her and she seemed to really enjoy his company, she seemed perfect for him. “oh. yeah. angel. she was charming, really pretty too. ah, yeah she did say she had some issues with her journalism degree, but i definitely think she was surprised we got on so well so quickly, i was too. maybe after this is all over i’ll see her again though. i’m sure we’d be good friends, regardless. but yeah, definitely a pity.” parker was a bit confused about benji’s lack of words on atticus, “hey, atticus is cool too, i feel comfortable with him. things like that are hard to find so quick.”

“well, the original formula of coke had some kind of crack in it, so i guess we’re pretty similar after all. dr pepper?” benji made a ‘tsk’ sound, “i guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree. i am interested in that hispanic soda, though, can’t say i’ve even seen it before.” benjamin mentally winced. that was probably a little too much to unload on the poor boy all at one go. it didn’t affect him much— if he had a problem with angel being here for the cash he’d be a hypocrite— but parker was different, and benji had to keep reminding himself as much. he could feel parker distancing himself, and immediately scrambled to take his words back. well, not take his words back exactly, but smooth it over a little at least. “did she leave you her number or something? you guys could reconnect after the show. even if you don’t, it sounds like you’ll have someone to lean on regardless, so it should be fine, yeah?” benji gave parker a reassuring smile, hopefully burying the can of worms he probably shouldn’t have opened for now.

“oh god, benji, no. there’s so many things wrong with that. and while i think it could’ve worked, coke is still would stain it too dark, unless you waited days, and coke’s also not good for you!” he nudged him with his shoulder, “fun fact, the right way to stain paper to give it that old look, is actually lemon juice,”parker grinned happy to share his knowledge despite, having gotten it from one of the national treasure movies. “yeah exactly! neat, right? ah, well, i think you may be talking to the wrong people because i personally believe i was having some really good intelligent conversations about rom-com’s and their worth and influence on the film industry. but maybe that’s just more interesting than intelligent.” parker easily let benji lead the way, figuring it was easier, he intertwined their fingers. “pretty good! i don’t know if caught’s the right word but swayed? yeah, yeah i’ve been swayed. we went on a date and i was really looking forward to our second but, she had some complications and had to leave the show. but i guess it just means we weren’t meant to be even. but i did get to go on a date with atticus and i could see myself really warming up to him. so you know, plus, well, there’s a lot of potential here. i’m not tied down just yet. gotta feel butterflies first you know?” parker weighed out the options, and while part of him was still attached to angel, he knew realistically it was time to move on and drop it. she wasn’t it for him, but that’s okay because it meant someone else was.

“personally i can’t agree as we both know i was having a whole crisis.” parker hit his shoulder with his, playfully, “well, check back in a few minutes and we’ll see, yeah?” parker was a bit shocked to hear that coming from benji, most people thought it was lame of parker to be so invested in scrapbooking, “i tend to run out of phone storage very quick and with scrapbooks, i can pick out the right memories, ones i’d want to remember years from now. plus something about holding onto it like that, it just adds a whole ‘nother level of importance.” parker lifted up the camera, slightly, “well, then, i’ll have you know, i’m a master with zoom. i even have a zoom lens back at the villa. i just figured this day could use a wide though. Ah! ISO is kinda neat, it’s really for light sensitivity, it’s basically a gradient, so it really depends on what you’re taking an image of, so like a sky is a perfect way to tell with ISO because it’s so clear and easy to tell the changes,” parker pointed the camera at the sky, in attempt to show benji what he meant, changing the iso back and forth, “so like the lower the ISO the less grain-y it is when it’s really light out, but should it be really dark, it brightens up completely.” parker grinned at benji, “the sunset’s perfect. i’d love to watch it with you.”

pleasantly surprised, elliott only hesitated for a nanosecond before taking the bag with a grateful smile. “yeah, i like ‘em, actually - thanks, mate. you sure you’re givin’ me this?” their little trip to the bistro had been spontaneous, and elliott hadn’t really expected to get something in return. he peered inside the paper bag, beaming. “totally not judging your taste, but - really? you don’t like strawberry doughnuts?” 

Atticus had been oblivious to the growing tension between Benji and himself. From their previous interactions it had seemed that they may become good friends in the house. When his acquaintance spoke his heart sunk into his stomach; it felt like he was back in his horrendous high school. Despite being sweet and soft-spoken most times, Atti could be surprisingly spiteful when he felt criticized. He had an incredulous expression as he replied, “Uh… oh, okay?” Atticus couldn’t tell if Benjamin was being serious or not; he couldn’t think of any reason why they would fall out. He didn’t know what to say so an awkward silence hung in the air momentarily, mumbling a, “Sorry too? I guess?”

“great.” parker chuckled, “oh geez, please, last time you joked about that i swear i was about to faint. just thinking about it gets my heart racing a bit.” he put his hand to his chest. “but uh, no i’m not, not really at least, it’s just a hobby, i like putting books together of things i’ve done… i scrapbook, basically. though they’re not super fancy with like decorations or anything, just you know, simple calligraphy, simple captions.” he twirled his camera in his hands. his eyebrows raised, a smile easily drew it’s way to his lips, “i’d be glad to. though my knowledge isn’t pro or anything, just maybe a above average-ish? like i know what an ISO is. and i don’t always use automatic. so hopefully that’s impressive to you.” he joked. he tugged his hand, “come on, let’s try and find some place cinematic for you to take your first photo.”

dylan’s never exactly been one for cheesy romances, and had she been back home, even just the idea of going on an over-the-top, cliché date might have sent her running for the hills. right now she’s pretty calm as she looks over the suggestions that the producers had for their date. in fact, she might even go so far as to saying she’s at least a little bit excited. there’s almost no chance of the half-drunk scheme she and benji cooked up on their first night there working—since the entire interaction had been caught on tape—but it’s the thought that counts, really.

‘ i think, ’ she says, pausing for dramatic effect as she grins at him, ‘ i’m ready to be swept off my feet. ’ plucking the piece of paper from his hand, she crushes it before tossing it into her waste basket. before she’d gotten into writing in high school, everyone who knew her had been sure that she’d join the drama club, what with her penchant for theatrics. that sense of drama serves her well now, her hand slipping easily into benji’s as she tugs him out of the mansion and into the waiting vehicle—thank you, producers—without grabbing anything else.

‘ if we’re already going shopping, we might as well get some new swimwear while we’re at it, don’t you think ? ’ she stops, deliberately letting her gaze drop first to his broad shoulders, then his chest, then very briefly further down before flicking back up to his face once more. the impressed glint in her eyes is genuine, but dylan has to bite down on the inside of her lip to keep from breaking the mood she’s trying to set by bursting into laughter. ‘ it’d be nice to get a little preview… give me something to look forward to after dinner. ’

to say dylan’s move surprised benjamin could even be an understatement. he gaped for a few seconds, only snapping out of it because dylan was dragging him along with her into the waiting van outside the resort. “dude! do you have no respect for the suggestions?” truthfully, benji didn’t think it was a bad idea at all to toss the suggestions out of the window, but still. courtesy and all that.

“new swimwear sounds cool, though i must admit i don’t swim much at home. may end up a little useless after the show ends. unless it’s on the show’s budget...” benji raised his eyebrows and offered a look that said ‘this had better be on the show’s budget’, “then we should definitely get everything we need.” benji paused to open the car door for dylan. “after you.”

parker was heading out the villa, he didn’t really have plans for the day but he’d yet to pull out his camera, and while he was no grand photographer, he had a soft spot for collecting memories, plus it was really nice out, not too hot, with a nice breeze, it seemed like the perfect timing. though it seemed like that wasn’t the only thing, seeing benji out of the corner of his eye, he’d hope he’d also have perfect company. he couldn’t help but smile, unable to really forget their first encounter, parker was glad to have run into the other, hoping to spend more time with him. he shook his head, “not at all. i was actually just gonna go for a walk, maybe take some pictures, was wondering if you’d join me?”

this is one hundred percent PJ’s fault. if he hadn’t called me a coward, i wouldn’t have had to give out my card at all.

surprisingly, no! but stay tuned, because there’s no way i’ll get out of this without embarrassing myself utterly.

“i don’t think i did, joining this show was kinda of an impulse-” wobbling back, arms out trying to grip onto something. pj couldn’t help but feel instant dread, honestly should’ve having seen that coming. resurfacing, he brushed his orange hair out of his face, and swam to the edge, “-that was totally my fault, i definitely asked for that but, so did you-” pj lifted him self up, grabbing onto benji’s arm and pulling him in.