𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅.

          a   soft   laugh   slips  past   lips   at   the   sight   of   the   blonde’s   disgusted   expression.      arm   brushes   against   forehead,   pushing   the   loose   dark   strands   of   hair   out   of   his   eyes.     “   my   bad,   but   you   did   bring   it   up   first.   ”     and   chopping   continues,   though   every   so   often,   he   steals   glances   at   her.     “   oof,   your   last   relationship   sounds   fun.     what’s   your   deal   then   ?     you   came   here   to   try   and   make   it   work,   or   are   you   looking   to   get   a   new   relationship   out   of   this   ?     ‘cause,   just   throwing   it   out   there,   i’m   kind   of   a   great   wingman.   ”     he   shrugs.     “   i   hope   we   have   a   bonfire   at   some   point,   that’d   be   nice.     if   you   get   cold,   though,   i   brought   some   warm   up   gear.     just   keep   on   the   dl.   ”

          “   honestly   ?     it   probably   is,   i   didn’t   read   the   brochure   before   coming   here,   so   i   have   no   idea   what   our   sleeping   arrangements   are   supposed   to   look   like.      though    i   sure   hope   these   tents   are   bugs   free,   but   just   in   case   they   aren’t—just   scream   for   me,   and   i’ll   come   and   fight   the   little   bastards.   ”

          a   soft   smile   appears   on   his   lips,   and   he   gives   her   a   short   nod.     “   right   ?     some   people   really   went   all   in.     it’s   kind   of   impressive.     i   wonder   if   they’re   going   to   put   this   much   effort   every   day.     and   honestly,   i   feel   a   little   bad   for   them   because   i’m   not   trying   at   all,   ”     he   jokes,   because   maybe   talking   to   someone   with   no   prospects   of   dating   them   is   easy,   it’s   what   he   needed   in   this   island.     “   thanks,   and   yeah,   as   much   as   i   appreciate   the   skirt   offer,   i   think   they’ll   look   better   on   you.     i’ll   take   a   cap,   though.     kinda   brought   some   beanies,   kinda   don’t   think   i’ll   be   using   them.   ”     he   reaches   for   her   hand,   slow   shaking   it.     “   enzo.    it’s   really   nice   to   meet   you.     i’m   great   at   hiding,   so   we’ll   make   a   good   team.     you’re   not   missing   your   phone   ?     damn,   now   i’m   really   embarrassed.     and,   yes,   bubble   baths.     you’ll   only   get   those   in   paradise,   i   suppose.     which,   by   the   way,   we’ll   have   to   pick   someone   to   go   with   soon.     anyone   in   your   mind   yet   ?     ‘cause   i’m   a   decent   wingman,   you   know.   ”

          “   yeah,   ”     he   reassures,   though   he   should   tell   her   she   looks   beautiful,   make   her   blush.     and   yet,   he   doesn’t.     it’s   just   not   him,   and   he   won’t   play   a   character   in   reality   tv.     thus,   even   though   honest,   compliments   are   kept   simple   and   short.     “   i   get   it.     comfortable   beats   fashionable   for   me   too.     i’m   not   much   of   a   dress   to   impress   kinda   guy.     i’m   all   about   staying   warm.     and   you   know,   i   don’t   doubt   they’ll   try,   but  i’m   pretty   attached   to   my   hoodies.     let’s   just   keep   my   collection   between   us,   ‘kay   ?     though   if   you   need   one,   don’t   hesitate   to   ask.     i   can   spare   one   for   you,   ”     he   tells,   clearing   his   throat   before   continuing,     “   well,   you   might   not   want   to   be   here,   but   i’m   glad   you   are.     everyone   is   so   focused   on   dating   the   hottest   contestant   they   can   find,   and   you’re   just   vibin’   with   me.   ”     a   smile   slightly   tugs   at   the   corners   of   his   lips,   threatens   to  reveal   his   gladness.     “   don’t   go   around   giving   them   any   ideas,   alright   ?     this   place   will   turn   into   hunger   games   if   people   are   desperate  enough.   i   miss   my   kitchen.     my   dogs,   but   i   was   missing   them   even   before   coming   here.     does   it   make   me   look   bad   if   i   say   i   miss   my   phone   too   ?   ”

          “   is   it   tents   ?     i   thought   there’d   be   bunk   beds   or   something.     we   don’t   do   much   camping   where   i’m   from.     you   think   there’ll   be   sleeping   bags   too   ?   ”     he   sighs.     “   i’m   not   too   worried   about   our   food   situation.     i’m   pretty   good   in   the   kitchen.   ”

          “   uhm,   did   i   give   that   impression   ?     that’s   not   really   what   i   meant   —   ”     he   says,   fingers   carding   soft   brown   locks   as   gaze   avoids   hers.     “   do   you   know   know   where   it   is   though   ?   ”

          “   nice   work.     with   packing,   i   mean.     i   like   your   outfit.   ”     if   that   is   an   attempt   at   flirting,   he   certainly   failed.     “   should’ve   done   that.     i   brought   a   couple   hoodies   and   sweats.     though   they   won’t   necessarily   go   to   waste,   i’ve   been   told   it   gets   chilly   at   night.   ”     a   shrug   of   shoulders   before   he   continues,     “   absence   makes   the   heart   grow   fonder,   no   ?     maybe   dating   other   people   makes   you   realize   you   like   the   person   you   came   with.     i’m   not   so   sure   that’s   my   case,   but   could   be   yours.     i’m   not   too   worried   about   food   here.     i   know   over   70   different   potato   recipes   by   memory.    even   if   we’re   only   provided   potatoes   for   the   next   weeks,   i   can   wip   something   up.     though,   knives,   in   a   deserted   island   full   of   attractive   people   and   their   exes,   when   the   main   goal   is   to   date   and   go   to   a   boogie   hotel   with   anyone   but   your   partner   ?     kinda   feels   risky.     maybe   we   should   hide   the   knives.   ”

          they’re   too   different,   they   don’t   match,   they   aren’t   meant   to   be—it’s   what   he   thinks,   what   he   believes   in.     and   yet,   something   always   pulls   him   in   her   direction.     the   toxicity   of   their   relationship   is   always   momentarily   forgotten   when   voice   softens   and   gazes   meet.     “   you’re   welcome.     let’s   just   be   ourselves   and   try   to   figure   this   out.   ”     a   smile   pulls   at   the   corner   of   his   lips   with   her   gesture   of   affection,   even   as   he   fights   against   it.     “   god,   i   swear,   if   i   have   to   sleep   on   the   floor,   i’m   going   to   complain   harder.   ”

          “   i   was,   yeah.     not   necessarily,   it’s   more   for   the   idea   of   not   arguing   for   months   over   not   giving   this   whole   experience   a   try.     trust   me,   we’re   anything   but   cute.   ”     maybe   he’s   exaggerating,   but   the   bad   and   the   ugly   of   his   relationship   lingers   longer,   hurts   harder,   and   is   way   more   frequent   than   the   happy,   good   moments.     “   no—of   course.     i   know   brazil   like   the   palm   of   my   hand.     i   wouldn’t   mind   visiting   again   soon,   it’s   been   a   while.   ”

          “   you’ve   seen   pictures   before   coming   here   ?     you’re   doing   better   than   me.     in   theory   it’s   great,   but   to   think   your   ex   is   in   this   island   with   you,   witnessing   you   fall   in   love   with   someone   else,   and   watching   them   attempt   to   do   the   same,   that’s   what   makes   it   weird.     your   hunger   games   idea   doesn’t   sound   too   bad   now.     hey—i   love   to   cook,   so   a   challenge   is   always   welcomed.   ”

           “   i’m   glad.     i’d   commit   murder   if   my   ex   ended   up   bringing   me   to   survivor   or   something.     i’m   fine   with   cooking   our   dinner   every   day,   even   walking   to   get   our   water,   but   hunting   our   own   food   ?   ”     head   shakes   as   shoulders   heave.     “   no   standards   here,   just   looking   for   a   place   to   hide   until   the   euphoria   of   meeting   hot   single   people   settles   down   a   little.     and   yeah,   lead   the   way,   ”     he   says,   mirroring   her   smile—though   it’s   certainly   less   bright   than   hers.     if   anything,   it’s   polite.     “   enzo.   ”

          “   are   we   ?   ”     brows   knit,   her   words   almost   makes   his   head   spin.    “   i’m   really   going   in   blind   here.     i   don’t   know   much   about   this   show,   other   than   i’m   supposed   to   watch   my   ex   date   other   people   and   flirt   my   way   into   some   fancy   hotel.     you   know,   i   wouldn’t   hate   being   tasked   with   cooking,   but   sleeping   arrangements   are   more   important,   so—let’s   go.   ”

          the   roaring   silence   is   too   loud   and   it   bothers   him.     after   forcing   his   hand   into   participating   in   this   whole   experience,   she   should   at   least   try   to   have   a   conversation,   look   him   in   the   eyes,   right   ?     “   quit   it   with   the   self-deprecatory   jokes,   naz.     i   agreed   to   be   here,   didn’t   i   ?     then   i   agreed   to   sleeping   without   pillows,   sand   everywhere   and   watching   you   date   other   people.   ”     he   crouches   to   be   at   her   eye   level.     fingers   curl   under   her   chin,   slightly   lifting   it   up   so   gaze   could   meet   hers.     “   seriously,   it’s   cool.     and   i   did   say   i’d   complain   the   whole   time   i’m    here.     let’s   just   go   check   it   out.   ”

          “   this   just   isn’t   much   my   scene,   but   i’m   glad   i’m   not   giving   out   creepy   weirdo   vibes.     the   things   we   do   for   love,   right   ?     as   i   see   it,   that   concept   is   more   about   popularity   than   building   connections,   but   hey—i   won’t   talk   your   ear   off   about   this.     and   thanks,   i   appreciate   the   advice.   ”     a   sincere   smile   appears   on   lips.     “   rio   is   everyone’s   go-to   destination   when   going   to   brazil,   but   i   think   north   eastern   beaches   are   way   better.     rio   is   just   too   overcrowded   during   summer.   ”