ocean eyes

Alana clasped her hand over her mouth when she heard the stranger’s voice respond to her exclamation. She sat up quickly and laughed softly when she noticed his hand raised to block his view. “Don’t worry, it’s safe to look,” she chuckled. “Oh it’d definitely be a memorable entrance, for sure,” she said, giving a wink. “Nothing I brought is good enough to wear to the cocktail party, and I don’t have time to go to the wardrobe department. So maybe birthday suit is the way to go?” she shrugged.

Alex peaked through his fingers - even though she’d said it was safe - just to double check before he lowered his hand letting out a sigh of relief. He didn’t need to be perceived as someone intrusive on tv “Thanks” he chuckled. He nodded along as she spoke, arms folding over his chest as he leant against the doorframe “I mean especially when a nice chunk of the world is watching - they’ll be talking about you until the end of time” he smiled at her. “Well - i’ve never been one to go to cocktail events so i’m with you - most of my clothes are okay at best” he shrugged “But you can either make it part of the fun.. or you can be fashionably late and i’ll come check out the wardrobe department with you” he chuckled and shrugged “it’s up to you...” 

“let’s make a pact then? we’re going to save all the money we earn while on this show and we’re going to pack our bags and flee in the dead of the night. we’ll spin the globe, close our eyes and let fate pick our destination” she said to him, the smile on her lips never faulting. “now that i know i have you here, i’m glad that i am here too” she could feel her heart melting at those simple words he spoke, she’d be lying if she denied the fact that the thought of pressing her lips to his didn’t cross her mind. but yet again, as always she held back. “i really missed you too, alex. more than you can imagine.” the truth flowed from her lips as she glanced away from him. “it’s reality tv. i’ve heard a lot of it is fake for the cameras. producers setting you up in situations that you wouldn’t normally find yourself in.. editing content to make it sound like you said things you didn’t or did things you didn’t..”

Alex smiled as he watched her talk, nodding along to her words “Consider it done.. the moment this show wraps. We’ll take off - deal” he nodded, holding out his pinky finger for her to shake - giving a slight chuckle at the childish nature of the gesture - however it seemed fitting. He felt the familiar dull ache in his chest at her next words, catching his bottom lip between his teeth for a moment or so. He hated how gutless he was - how he could never bring himself to break through that wall that guarded the way he felt. However - the fear of rejection or even worse... potential regret.. was still far too much to take that extra leap. It’s like every time he tried - it all flashback in a highlight reel - her 18th birthday,  the way she’d forgotten about exactly what had unfolded that night.. he didn’t want to feel that way again. He broke eye contact, glancing down at his hands for a moment “You - ariel - are far too kind to me” he chuckled, taking a moment or so before he looked back up at her. He reached out and draped an arm around her, squeezing her softly “Please you won’t be saying that in a week when you can’t get away from me in this mansion” he joked as a deflection. However he couldn’t deny the way his heart swelled everytime she said it. “Well - lets keep each other in check okay? Make sure we’re not put in those awkward positions.. as much as possible at least.” 

“one of the greeks at the hostel i stayed at called me a travelling gypsy. i sang and danced my way around for a few free drinks, but there is still so much i haven’t seen. the world is wide and incredibly magical, you need to run away with me next time alex. drop everything and just run” she said smiling softly at him. she rolled her eyes as he doubted how entertaining he was, she wasn’t sure what it was the producers had planned for him but she has never had a boring moment with the dork in front of her. “well, i appeared in a few episodes years ago since my brother ben was a massive fan favourite and like they documented him finding me and reconnected with me briefly. they contacted me on instagram after they realised i had connected with cassidy in london a few months ago and travelled europe with her so they asked me to join her and the rest of the cast this time round i guess? honestly i hope they don’t expect me to do anything too drastic as that just ain’t me”

Alex couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face as she spoke about travelling. He loved the way she projected so much passion about everything she did “It would be about time for us to do it right? I remember joking around about it when we were younger” he chuckled “but you actually did it..” he nodded, looking over at her. “I’d like that... to run” he nodded at the thought. It was no secret Alex had been cursed with a pretty shitty childhood, he would’ve done anything to get away. Now he was old enough and independent enough to actually do it - there is no-one he would rather do it with. Shaking the thought aside for a moment, smiling at her “Look at you Miss Reality TV Star/Travelling Gypsy” he chuckled “I’m glad you’re here..” he nodded “I really did miss you, Ariel” he admitted, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. His eyebrows knitted together as she spoke about the expectations of the show “Do you really think they’d ask that of you?” he asked curiously. In all honesty - he didn’t even watch reality tv so he wasn’t quite sure what to expect. 

Alana was always down for a party, especially one in which she could dress up. However, she had been so distracted with unpacking and what not that she completely forgot to go to the wardrobe department to figure out an outfit for the cocktail party. Seeing the decorations for the party, she ran back to her room, not even bothering to close the door behind her. Looking through the dresses she brought with her, she flopped back on her bed and let out an exasperated sigh. “Damn, I’m gonna be naked again!”

Alex knew for a fact that he had impeccably bad timing. Since his first ever recollections, he knew he could find anyway to embarrass himself or end up in an awkward situation... completely unintentionally. Today was like every other day and so of course he would walk past as the redhead mentioned her clothing.. or lack there of.. when it came to the cocktail party. Just to be safe, his hand flew up to block out the view between himself and the source of the voice “Well that’s not something you hear in passing everyday...” he cleared his throat awkwardly “For your sake i hope its not true..although i guess it would probably be a memorable entrance” he tried to joke, laughing uncomfortably. 

“jetlag definitely isn’t the kindest thing in the world that’s for sure, it’s a good thing i bounce back quickly though” she looked at him, admiring his quirky smirk that seemed plastered on his face. god, how she missed him during her absence. “gotta be honest though, you’re the last person i expected to be here of all places.” 

“You of all people would know, i honestly think theres more places now in the world that you have been as opposed to not.” he admitted “You say you bounce back quickly but is that always true Ariel?” he joked. He smiled down at her, giving her a playful nudge with his elbow. At the mention of his invitation to reckless, he couldn’t help but smile and nod slightly “I know - i’m with you” he admitted “Especially considering we’re supposed to be entertaining..” he pointed out “However i heard the words free holiday and decided it was about time i took one..” he admitted “How about you - what bought you here? i honestly didn’t even realise you were back just yet..” 

Zeke let out a laugh and shrugged at Alex’s response. He was sure by now after all their years of friendship Alex knew he was kidding, kind of. The house did bite though. “Hey man, I’m just keeping it real okay.” he chuckled. “It is great to have you here dude, and it can still be a free holiday, you just gotta remember not to run down the halls naked unless you want the world seeing your junk.” 

Alex chuckled as he looked over at the blonde - he knew why Zeke thought that way. They’d talked about reckless a couple of times and how hard it had been for him. “I appreciate that - i mean, i’d prefer you lied to me to make it sound more appealing but hey. Good old honesty. Thanks for that” he laughed, taking a step further into the house. “I mean - damn there goes everything i had planned for the next however long we’re here for. Better start thinking of something more interesting to do.” he smiled “Have you run into anyone else yet?” 

she looked back at up at him as she pulled away from the hug, alex was her best friend and ow she wished he could have traveled europe with her. he would have loved it, and she would have loved having him along side her as she drank, danced and sang her way across the continent. “it’s called having a tan and untameable beach hair, but thank you” she said her fingered brushing through her messy blonde locks. “i got in the other night, and been hibernating ever since”

Alex couldn’t help the smile that lingered on his lips - he had, in black and white honesty, longed for the moment he got to see her again. He hadn’t expected it to be now - here. But it all made sense - the producers knew what they were doing, throwing him into a house with her, her brother - his best friend, and his tour buddy. It made sense to him why he was becoming entertainment value - viewers had to pity someone why not the guy hopelessly infatuated with his best friend. Grade A television. “I mean you said it was messy not me..” he joked, nudging her shoulder softly “Hibernating?” he chuckled “Makes sense i guess” he nodded, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly “And now we’re here to make boring television..” 

she had only just flew back in to new york city a few days ago, only just adjusting back to the timezone difference when she had gotten to invite to join the reckless mtv family reunion. she wasn’t too sure as to why they are bringing in intruders, she assumed her connection with her brother benji was the reason she was here. her attention quickly changed as she saw one of her favourite faces right in front of her. “alexander morris” she almost sang his name. she quickly rushed over to him and pulled him in to a hug. “gosh, i missed you and you’re irrelevancy” 

Alex didn’t hesitate, wrapping his arms around her in a hug, a smile creeping onto his lips as he exhaled a breath he hadn’t realised he’d held in. “oh please you didn’t miss me and thanks for the brutal, hurtful, honesty” he chuckled as he gave her a gentle squeeze - letting the hug linger a little longer before he pulled back to look at her “I missed you too..” he nodded. “Definitely weird having one less nagging voice around..” he joked. “You look great..” he played off subtly When did you get in?”