#afica

Although, to be honest, his expectations weren't so high. From the moment he stepped into the Villa, he was nothing but a good mate in the eyes of the girls. He kept hoping his luck would change at some point, that a sweet girl would come in and take his heart but nothing. Not a single step in the romantic direction, nada. Even the new girl, Chelsea, seemed uninterested in trying things with him – even though he would never go for her, too many sibling vibes.

So you couldn't blame him for doubting that three days would shift his fortune on the show and if a girl did show some interest in him, the chances of it being real were lower than before. It wasn't like he closed himself to a little bit of action – after all, his couple with Marisol was just a friendship couple – but he knew these six new girls wanted nothing more than to stay. And as the only boy single and available, Bobby was the easier target. 

But being next to the lads, Bobby was sure half of them wouldn't even look at him, and the other half would see him as nothing but a good mate. All he could hope for was to keep having a good time and use his 15 minutes of fame after the show was over. Maybe that way he could open a bakery and try a relationship after this as he had planned to begin with.

The producer let the boys know they were bringing the girls and soon enough each of the boys had a girl by the side of their tables. Bobby craned his neck, observing the order. Lucas was right next to him, and then Gary, Ibrahim, Noah and Henrik, all positioned in a weird type of circle. 

He wondered if the producers had bets on who would end up with who – and who would switch. He knew they probably expected him to switch and he could admit that was the reasonable thing to do, considering Marisol was ready to hunt. But again, keeping Marisol safe should be his priority plus, he had zero expectations, it was just three days.

Urgh, three days.

Bobby took a deep breath before the buzzer sounded off. 

The girl in front of him sat down on her chair. She had long black hair, now tied into low pigtails, and short bangs that barely covered her forehead. Her fair skin and blue eyes watched him with too much expectation, making the weight of reality hit Bobby once again. God, these girls were up for a great disappointment. 

"Nice to meet you, Bobby, I'm Emily!" She said with a rather sweet smile while she played with the thin strap of her royal blue bikini top. "How are you feeling?"

"Overwhelmed," he said, scratching his nape. "I'm not really sure of what I should do."

Emily hummed, nodding slowly as she looked around. "Well, you could start with some basic questions, you know, like a real date."

"A real date doesn't have a timer," Bobby chuckled, making her smile.

"You're right but it's a hell of a story anyway," she shrugged, leaning towards him. "Nothing like national embarrassment."

He laughed. "You tell me, I think it shouldn't be allowed to have so many moments to make fun of as I do."

"It's not that bad," she chuckled. "Truly, people like you, if anything."

"What do you mean?" He raised a brow. "They think I'm a player. "

"That challenge was totally odd, true, but we know you aren't. And if you are, you're doing it wrong, my guy."

Bobby laughed, shaking his head and Emily smiled at him, her eyes shining a bit. Maybe, just maybe, the Casa Amor days wouldn't be that terrible.

The buzzer went off and Emily waved him goodbye before she moved to Henrik's table and the girl with Lucas moved to his. She was taller than Emily and had a curvier body, with chocolate locks and amber foxy eyes. On the corner of her mouth, a beauty mark garnished her face. She wore much more make-up than the girl before, with her doll-like lips painted in crimson red.

"I'm Blake," she said, sitting down and crossing her legs. "And you must be Bobby."

She had a peaceful voice tone and posture, her expression barely changing from her calm face. It made her look elegant and expensive, making him guess she was sent for Lucas. He was the one that liked them posh and high-maintenance.

"Exactly," he answered her.

She hummed, looking him up and down. "So, what do you do?"

"I work as a hospital caterer," Bobby offered a smile but she didn't react. "What about you?"

"I'm a singer-songwriter!" She nodded and he could swear he saw her nose curving. "You're with Hannah, right?"

"Not anymore," Bobby half-shrugged. He had been with Hannah for a long time, protecting her from the dumpings until she found someone else. And she did. "She's with Henrik right now."

"The tall blonde guy? So you're technically single?" Blake raised an eyebrow at him as he nodded slowly. "Interesting…"

"Why is that?" Bobby tilted his head and narrowed his eyes playfully. What was Blake's angle here? What did she want?

"Just that it is interesting that you don't have a strong connection with anyone right now," she said, at last, flipping her hair. "Someone asked me to figure it out."

Bobby froze. It could only mean one of the other girls, right? But who? Emily? Before he could ask Blake who did it, the buzzer went off again and the girls changed their chairs.

"Oh. My. Days." Bobby heard a high-pitched voice squealing. "Bobby McKenzie!"

Bobby smiled at the girl. With blonde hair, green eyes, a slim body and big breasts she looked like she had just stepped out of a generic fashion magazine, one of those you'd see when you are in your dentist's waiting room. 

"The one and only!" He said. "And you are?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm Alison but you can call me Ali!" She giggled, grabbing a strawberry from the little basket on the table. "I'm a flight attendant!"

"Well, I'm a–"

"Hospital Caterer that bakes for a hobby, I know that!" She cut him off before biting her fruit. "Would you bake us something later? I know I'd love some!"

"Sure! Anything in particular?" Well, she was a bit like Chelsea. Was she there for Lucas?

"Hm, yeah, I'd really love some cupcakes, it's been so long since I last ate one." She puckered her lips.

"'Course, I'll make some." He couldn't help but smile. Just like with Chelsea, he felt big sibling vibes but she was fun. Bubbly. 

"You're the best, the girls are gonna love it!" Ali told him as she rested her elbows over the table. "You know, you're a lot cuter in person. And that's saying something, 'cause you're already too cute on TV."

Bobby blushed, scratching his nape again. "Oh, well… thanks!"

"You're welcome," she winked at him before the timer went off. "Time to switch again! See you soon, Captain B Smooth!"

Fuck. These girls were handfuls. Bobby thought, already feeling tired. He shifted in his seat as he watched the fourth girl getting comfortable in her chair in front of him. 

She was perhaps a few inches taller than him, her flaming red locks falling short, almost hitting her shoulders. A black and white swimsuit highlighted her generous cleavage and made her ivory skin look even more white if that was possible. With her big sunglasses on, Bobby couldn't have a proper look at her face, only being able to spot some freckles sprinkled over her reddened nose. 

"Nice to meet you, the name's Shannon," she said in an over-polite tone, nodding her head.

"I'm Bobby." He said, trying to match her tone.

"I'm aware." She smirked. "Let me tell you straight: I'm not interested in getting to know you."

"Oh."

Well, she was straightforward. He would give her that.

"But don't you worry, you'll have your fair share of ladies." She nodded again, her thick Irish accent making the conversation sound somehow funny.

"Will I?" He smiled at her, his eyes sparkling with hints of mischief. God, he could find a joke there, a prank, even. 

"For sure." She nodded, intertwining her fingers into each other and resting her hand on the table. "But I'm here for Rahim."

"Good luck with that!" She would need it. From the beginning, Rahim was all over Priya and vice versa. They were the strongest couple on the show besides the infamous Nope, even after the Operation Nope thing – an incredibly dumb deed on his part, that was for sure.

"I know what I'm doing," she said, getting up not a second after the timer went off. "Can you say the same?"

Well, fuck Shannon, no, I can't! He thought as he watched the girls switch places again as if they were playing musical chairs. She didn't need to be so judgemental about it but he supposed it was what the public thought about him. You're doing it wrong, my guy.

"Hm, hello?" The fifth girl said as soon as she sat down. "Can't believe this is almost done."

"The first turn." He told her.

This girl was a weird copycat of Hope, obviously being sent to mess with Noah. She had braided hair, dark skin and a slim body, just like the original Hope. Her make-up was a lot more to the natural side, though, and her eyes looked softer than the fierce look of Hope's. She was wearing a yellow bikini that highlighted her features very well and made her look taller.

"Hm?" She tilted her head.

"This is the first round, we'll have a second one."

"What?" She chuckled. "Oh, my, and here I was, thinking this couldn't be more awkward."

Bobby nodded, it was pretty awkward. "I mean, it's weird to date like that, innit?"

"Right? I feel like I know all of you!" She giggled. "It's like if they asked me to have a 30 seconds date with Tom Hiddleston and sell myself to him. I can't! Like, hi! I'm Siobhan and I like clementines!"

"Well, I'm no Tom Hiddleston…"

"True, Tom Hiddleston can't bake…" she said, but then stopped. "I think?"

Bobby laughed, hanging his head a little. "Yeah, I think he can't. It's one for me, Thomas!"

"You are funny, I thought they were just selling it to the public very well…"

Bobby gasped, faking hurt. "You did not just tell me that."

She was about to say something else but the timer went off again. Was that damn buzzer cutting his talks right at the best moment on purpose? Nah, that was too egocentric of him to think. 

Siobhan stood up and walked to Henrik's table while the sixth and last girl sat down in front of Bobby. She had long blonde hair, caramel eyes that looked like they could melt and pearly skin with freckles scattered around it, looking like sprinkles. Her delicate pinkish lips were glossing and her cheeks blushed slightly as she adjusted her purple bikini before moving her white bucket hat out of her eyes' way and leaving it over her lap.

She smiled at Bobby and there was something different in the way she looked at him. He tried to gaze at her, truly taking her all in. She was taller than most girls but not tall enough to pass him and, although she was also skinny, her body didn't look model-like as the other girls' did. With her long fingers, she combed her hair to the side, letting him discover the earrings on her left ear.

"So, McKenzie," she started, her voice sounding like an old song melody, "which farm animal is your favourite?"

He coughed, a nervous laugh escaping him. "What did you say?"

"Mine is always cows. Although I'm afraid of them."

Was he going crazy? Was this a dream? Why was a hot girl asking him about farm animals? Oh, he finally had gone insane.

"Cows?" His confused tone must've matched his face because she couldn't bite down her humorous smile. "I think… Maybe a sheep? Chicken?"

"Great choices!" She nodded before laughing. Was this an odd personality test? The girl waved him off. "Sorry. It's just a trick I learned to break the ice! I'm Astrid, 23, and I love pastries."

How convenient.

Bobby chuckled. He did feel a little more relaxed now. "I'm Bobby, 24, I make good pastries and you scared me the fuck out."

She half-shrugged. "It's better than being weirdly straightforward, right?" She raised a brow. "And this musical chairs game made me too tired to think properly."

"I just thought that." He narrowed his eyes, jokingly. "Are you reading my mind?"

"Surely, and I know you just thought I was hot!"

Well… Bobby smirked. 

"Just kidding," she waved him off but then paused, leaning closer with a smirk. "Unless?"

He mirrored her, inching closer to her face as his cheeks blushed a little and he felt a smuggling look grow on his face. Flirting wouldn't hurt. "You do have some powerful mind-reading abilities."

"Or we are just on the same page," she winked at him before the buzzer went off again. She looked around, rolling her eyes. "I hate this sound so damn sound," she sighed, her eyes meeting his as soon as got up. "I'll see you next round, don't miss me too much."

"I don't think I'll bear your absence, lass!" He joked, making her giggle as she strolled back to Henrik.

He looked at them for a minute. They seemed so much like each other, from the blonde hair to the tall figure, looking like a proper couple. She was probably sent to Henrik. 100%. There it goes… the disappointment. 

"Back!" He heard Emily's voice telling him but he didn't drop his eyes quite yet. Astrid was leaning further back onto the chair, her hat back on her head. "What are you looking at?"

She motioned to turn but Bobby stopped her with a wave of hands. "Nothing, nothing, just spaced out."

"Get it," she smiled at him. "So, Bobby, I have a super important question to ask you, are you ready to hear it?"

"Shoot me!" He looked at her, both of her hands playing with her bikini straps as she puckered her lips.

"Can we share a bed tonight?" She pleaded. "I really don't feel comfortable with any of the other boys…"

She appeared a bit shy now, her eyes averting his own pair as she shifted uncomfortably in her chair. Bobby felt sympathetic, a welcoming smile working on his lips. "Sure, of course! Don't think no one else will ask me, anyway."

"Oh!" Her face melted into relief. "Thank god!"

The girls turned around the boys' tables in a rather complex dance while Bobby slowly grew tired of it. He was already used to the pacing and routine with the original girls and now, he had to get used to six new girls at once, only for most of them to be gone in three days – if not all of them. At this rate, Bobby doubted any of the guys would switch couples and he knew the production was relying on him to do it, the same way the boys had pep-talked him into trying it out with one of the new girls.

So Bobby aimed to at least look like he was trying while talking to the girls. He learned Emily was a graphic designer that had too much patience for the market. Blake looked like she was not that much interested in Bobby but was asking questions anyway – a few of them being about his type and what he expected from a relationship but not in a romantic manner but a rather interview-like one. 

Ali seemed to be the most chattering one but also the least romantically interested in him – besides Shannon, of course, who just used her time to ask Bobby about Rahim.  She spoke sweetly and told him all about her job as a flight attendant and how family-oriented she was. It didn't take him too much time for Bobby to realise she was sent for the crane boy.

Siobhan was fun and seemed to be open to flirting a little bit but Bobby had a hunch it was more due to the fact that this was Love Island and flirting is exactly what they were supposed to do than real interest. She had a good chat, though, and he found it impressive that she had a successful modelling career. 

His last girl was her. Astrid was a breath of fresh air in the middle of chaos. She was by fair the girl Bobby felt more attracted to and she was flirting with him the last round. 

"So, any other animal questions for me?" Bobby asked her as soon as she sat down.

"Cats or dogs?" She shot back as she combed her hair with her fingers again, this time to the other side, revealing angel wings tattoos under her collarbone. "And you better answer it right!"

"Hmm," he rested his elbow on the table and his chin on his palm, tapping his nose with his index. "Dogs."

She sucked the air between her teeth, narrowing her hazel eyes. "Good boy." She hummed and nodded slowly, approvingly.

And that did something to him.

He cleared his throat, feeling his cheeks burn slightly. "So, what you thinking 'bout the Villa so far?"

"That Noah is a lil pretentious," she said with a giggle. "Nah, just kidding, I like it. You boys are a laugh, that's for sure."

"Have a favourite yet?" He raised his eyebrows, suggestively wiggling them and making her laugh.

Her laugh – her real laugh, not the restrained giggles she would occasionally show – was enchanting. She would hold a hand against her chest, close her eyes and tilt her chin up just a bit, while the loudest and most joyful sound Bobby had ever heard escaped her like a volcano. He could see as summer slipped around her and the Mallorca breeze folded just so it could blow her hair, and he couldn't help but wonder if she would taste like strawberries and happy mornings.  

She composed herself, her cheeks, once pink, were almost red now. She nodded as her laugh died out and looked at him with glee in her eyes. 

"Yes, I do," she bit down her lips, not for a moment dropping his gaze. "You."

He wanted to believe those words so much, every part of him wanted to. But his brain, oh his brain, it took things to a bitter side. She was saying this to every boy, he was almost certain. He couldn't let himself fall for it, give his heart to her just so she would dump his ass soon after.

But god, was she pretty while she was playing him.

"Did someone already ask you to share beds?" She wrinkled her nose almost as if asking him that was against her good judgement.

"Yep, Emily." He said, scratching his nape again. Was he nervous? Why was he nervous? He didn't owe her anything.

Like he had just popped a balloon, he watched Astrid sigh and deflate, slumping her shoulders and lowering her eyes. She looked upset and he caught himself frowning. Didn't Henrik invite her to share a bed? 

"Well, I guess I lost this round, then," she sounded hurt as she spoke. "But don't worry, I'll have my way around… just try to keep my name in your mind from now on, ok?!"

As if Bobby could ever forget it.

After the speed dates were done, the boys were sent to pack their couples' bags as the new girls stood back, hanging by themselves next to the pool. As they walked together into the Villa, none of the boys said a single thing, holding a silence that was not common among them.

Bobby kneeled next to Marisol's cupboard, picking some sexy clothes for her to impress the Casa boys. The others were working similar to him, clothes and laces all scattered around the floor and vanities. 

Bobby couldn't bear the silence.

"What are we feeling then, lads?" He asked them without glancing back, just hoping to get the conversation rolling.

"You tell us, Bobs, you're the one at the biggest risk," Noah stated as if he was talking about the weather. Such a steady voice. 

Bobby only shrugged. "They all seem sound."

Gary hummed next to him. "I like the Ali girl, she got that energy."

Lucas snickered behind Gary, rolling his eyes. "I'm sure Lottie would love hearing that."

All the boys turned to face Gary. Throughout the summer, Lottie and Gary's relationship had been an emotional rollercoaster. From Day 1 when he was coupled up with Hannah – Lottie's so-called best friend in the Villa that she betrayed by kissing Gary on the terrace – until now, they had never really been smooth.

But Gary only shrugged. "Lottie's not here."

The boys gasped in unison but none of them dared to say anything. Bobby, at least, knew better than to middle into Gary his decisions.

"So, Gary is saying he's open to getting to know the new girls, what about the rest of you?" Noah asked, looking between the boys. "I, for one, am not interested."

Of course, not. God help if ½ of hashtag Nope tried to test new connections. Actually, Noah was so tightly restrained on this leash that even if Hope came back with a new guy, he would forgive her the next day. Bobby could only roll his eyes.

"I feel like Chelsea and I don't know each other that well, and that I owe myself to try It," Lucas declared. "Blake surely is my type and so is Astrid."

Yep, there it was. The handsome doctor had to be interested in the same girl Bobby was. He just had to.

"Personally, Astrid is someone I'd go for," and now Henrik was also interested, "But Siobhan is definitely a force of nature. Even so… I don't know if I should switch from Hannah."

Before Henrik came in, Hannah and Bobby were trying to keep each other safe. They had chosen each other for the last 2 recouples before Henrik and Chelsea stepped inside the Villa together, side to side, and the tall blonde lad saw something on Hannah that the others didn't. Now, Bobby was single and at risk again. 

"I feel like Shannon and I clicked from the get-go," Rahim pondered from the other side of Noah. "She is a breath of fresh air, that's for sure."

Bobby raised one of his eyebrows at the golfer, who just shrugged. He didn't know Rahim was not feeling Priya anymore, at least not to the point where he would need a "breath of fresh air." He felt partially guilty for that, after all, Operation Nope was half his idea.

"So, Gary and Lucas are saying they'll be cracking on. Rahim is interested. Henrik is deciding. And I'm closed." Noah analyzed, nodding his head as he announced the names. When he finished, they all turned to look at Bobby. "What about you?"

Bobby shrugged, turning back to Marisol's bag as he throw another pair of bikinis inside. "Que sera, sera."

The boys kept going back and forth for a while about the girls, and even if they seemed interested in getting to know the girls, none of them was willing to be the first one to say so.

The day passed calmly after the boys chat, and as soon as the sun set and they were all ready for the evening, the production gifted them cheap champagne and some snacks as a little welcoming party for the Casa Amor girls.

It was impossible for Bobby not to notice how Emily was the loudest one of the bunch and also the girl that spent the day with the boys the most. While the other girls did try to talk with the boys, it was definitely Emily who did most of the talking. And now, as he was escaping the main group, he was almost glad that she was grabbing the others' attention.

Bobby sat down on the pool's border, letting his feet dip in the water as he swayed them back and forth. Under the Spanish weather, it was always a good time for him to be on the water, something that wasn't common in his hometown. Taking a deep breath, Bobby leaned back, supporting himself on his hands that rested against the grass. 

"Do you mind if I sit down?" He heard a feminine voice he didn't recognise saying.

He tilted his head up to meet the owner of the voice, finding Astrid standing next to him. She was wearing a purple strapless crop top and white trousers that left her belly exposed. Her blonde hair was cascading against her back again and this time she had a black baseball cap over it.

"Be my guest!" He told her, watching her sitting next to him

"So, how are you feeling now?"

Bobby turned his body to her, tilting his head with a smile. "You are making it really hard for me not to say 'better now that I'm talking to you'."

Astrid giggled, mirroring his position. "I thought you would be more creative than that!"

Bobby averted her eyes, feeling his cheeks burn. "Sorry, pretty girls make me nervous."

"I'll take it as a compliment, then, Mr Love Island." She nudged him with her shoulder.

Bobby winced, cringing hard. The whole nation had seen him doing it. Fucking god. Most times he was completely oblivious to the camera, only acting as he would normally back home but since this Casa Amor thing had started, it felt almost like he was constantly being watched.

"Was it too embarrassing?"

"Are you kidding me?" Astrid asked, leaning forward with sparks in her eyes and a big smile. "It was awesome! Oh, my god, I love it! My favourite bit from the show. Priya's face, when she saw you were wearing her dress, was priceless."

He felt himself slowly appeasing, "Really?"

"Yeah!" She nodded, getting closer.

How honest was she being with him? Honestly, how honest any of these girls were being with any of them? As far as Bobby knew, they could all be just playing the game and trying to find a ticket to stay at the main Villa.

"You seem a little off," she said, her eyes gazing at his. "Do you miss the girls?"

"A little bit, to be honest," he said, averting her eyes as he watched the sun setting. "I was used to having them around."

Astrid hummed, turning to face the sky. "I get it. You did seem all very close on TV."

He dared to look at her, her profile looking so gorgeous against the shining fairy lights. She had a beauty mark on her cheek, a round nose and the biggest, blondest lashes he had ever seen. Like a painting, Bobby could spend days just looking at her and not even once he would be able to breathe.

She seemed upset, somehow, and he wanted to tell her he was sorry but the reason why never came to his mind. Instead, he tapped the brim of her cap and said, "Are you always covering your head?"

"What?" She turned to him, confused, but soon enough realised what he was talking about. "This?" She giggled and pointed to her cap. "I was hoping you would ask about it."

He frowned. "And why is that?"

"I saw it and thought it would look cute on you."

She grinned, leaning so close that their noses were almost touching. With a wink, she took her cap off her head and pressed it on his, and, before she backed off, she brushed the point of his nose with her fingertips.

"Boop."

And just like that, she was standing again, walking towards the kitchen with the crisps sack and her water bottle as Bobby watched her go with a burning face, a dry mouth and a racing heart.

God, these three days were going to be like torture.

Sweet but torture nonetheless.

Shortly after that, Bobby rejoined the rest of the boys as the girls climbed the stairs to the dressing room. They got ready to bed, still discussing whether they should try it with the new girls or not – a topic which was starting to bore him.

He heard as Lucas kept saying how unsafe he felt in his relationship with Chelsea and Gary going on and on about how he was in two minds about giving the new girls a chance. Rahim seemed to be the boy with the most interest in getting to know them and Noah stabilished he was sleeping on the daybeds.

"... I think she was sent for Bobby, anyway," he heard Henrik saying, making him tear his eyes off the door and turn to the guys.

"Who?" He asked.

"Emily, bruv," Gary told him, sitting next to him on the bed. "She's just… you."

"I don't think she's Bobby's type," Noah frowned.

"What? No! She's a right laugh, she's hyper and she's loud."

"You just described Chelsea," Lucas said with a roll of eyes.

"Or Bobby in a skirt," Noah concluded, sitting on the other bed right in front of Bobby.

Bobby shook his head. "I'm not hyper," he said, making the other five boys turn to him. "What? I'm not."

"I thought we were trying to find out which girl was sent to who?" Rahim slipped into the conversation as he put his sleeping shorts on.

"And I'm telling you that Emily is for Bobby," Gary insisted with a serious tone.

"And I'm saying they are not fucking treats!" Lucas frowned.

But Gary just shrugged Lucas' remark off and kept talking to Noah. "If not Emily, who do you think is Bobby's type, then?"

"Can you two stop talking like I'm not here?" Bobby chimed in.

Noah was about to say something else when his eyes diverged to a spot behind him. He nodded for Bobby to look at it, making him turn and find Emily getting inside the room with Siobhan.

"Is it ok if I lay down now?"  Emily asked him as soon as she parted ways with Siobhan.

"Sure!" Bobby said, getting up. "I'll sleep outside with Noah and Gary anyways."

Noah stated first that he was sleeping outside, so Siobhan would have their bed all for herself. After talking with Ali, Gary decided that it was for the best if he also slept outside for at least one night – to honour his relationship with Lottie, or whatever. And since Emily looked uncomfortable earlier, Bobby decided to tag along with the other boys.

"Oh," Emily said, looking down but immediately turned back at him with a smile. "It sounds fun."

"If you like snoring…" he joked, rolling his eyes in good fun as she let a small laugh out.

"Let's go then, boys," Bobby heard Noah saying before he felt the taller boy's hands on his shoulder and dragged him out of the bedroom.

"Jesus Christ, Bobs," Gary said behind them as they walked out of the room and towards the daybeds. "The girl was basically begging you to sleep there."

Bobby clicked his tongue, shoving Gary. "Nah, mate, she told me she was uncomfortable sleeping with guys like that." 

"Yeah, sure," Gary huffed.

When they got to the daybeds, Noah and Gary decided to share a bed – mostly because Gary was used to snoring, having Lottie sleeping beside him for a while now – and Bobby was given the spare one, happily enough to have space for himself. It was weird, to say the least, sharing a bed with Hannah and Marisol, especially when he could hear all the other couples getting down to business.

He laid down on the empty bed, watching the stars in the sky, his eyes trying to get used to the constant lights coming from everywhere. He always slept in the total dark, hating even when rooms didn't have curtains, and now, here he was, sleeping outside.

The sound of steps took him off his thoughts as he saw a silhouette making its way to the daybeds with a pillow under her arms, a bottle of water in her hands and a smile that told him she was up to no good. Astrid came out of the dark, making the boys gasp in surprise – or delight, you call it – from seeing her wearing nothing but a robe and her underwear.

It was definitely a sight for sore eyes.

"Boys!" She exclaimed, smiling from ear to ear. "I can't believe it, you decide to sleep outside, too?"

Too. Wait. Was she sleeping there? Bobby watched as her eyes scanned both Gary and Noah before landing on him and staying. "Didn't Henrik say he could share with you?" Noah asked her.

"He's not the guy I'd like to share with," she answered, without taking her eyes off Bobby. "Besides, I love camping! Maybe we should build a blanket fort?"

The two other boys turned to look at Bobby and he could feel their humoured grins and hints of joy in their eyes, almost being able to hear their thoughts. She was sent for you. Deep down, he silently agreed, wondering if it was by the producers or destiny.

Astrid walked to the daybed he was laying and left her bottle and phone by its side. She then smiled and tilted her head, making her hair move with it.

"Is it ok if we share beds tonight, Bobby?" She asked him with a sweet, sweet voice that made him wonder if everything she would tell him would sound so good.

"Course," Bobby said, moving over so she would have the bigger size for herself.

She offered him a smile in exchange, to which he corresponded, before getting under the duvet. She turned to him, propping up on her elbow, hands supporting her head. "I told you I'd have my way around it."

Part Two.

The next phone to pop off was Astrid’s. Before she knew what she was doing, the surge of excitement had her on her feet, already screaming the words to everyone, “Kiss the three Islanders you fancy the most!”