A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers, without you guys the chapters wouldn't be updated this quick. Once again, I have started reading/reviewing the stories that I have promised to, and I think that I have replied to all my reviews, if I missed you let me know, and I am sorry. For anyone who is reading my other Aleheather story at the moment, sorry that it is taking so long to update I am focusing on this story as I think it is more popular.
So the next Challenge is on, and yeah I'm nervous. What if something different happens? Team Amazon HAS to win this time! But we can't win unless Sierra switches with Izzy, or if Alejandro decides not to tell Izzy to instruct our camel to get on the boat. I let out a sigh at the thought of Alejandro, it still hurt that he is not in love with me yet.
"Earth to Heather..." Gwen says waving her hand in front of my face, while breaking my train of thought. "The challenge is about to start."
"I wonder what it will be!" Sierra exclaims excitedly from her team's coloured mat.
I let out a laugh. It was funny knowing what was going to happen while the others were clueless.
Gwen reflected on what happened last week "I can't believe Duncan got disqualified just because he won't sing."
I decided not to bother making anything new up, and just repeat what I said last time. Besides I reckon my little joke was kind of funny "Maybe he can't sing"
"Oh, he can do anything he sets his mind to. And now he's stuck on the plane waiting for a ride home. Poor thing…. He must be miserable." Courtney replied. My mind flashed to the images I saw from the DVDs of this series, where Duncan was shown having the time of his life relaxing on the plane. I could have sworn he was singing.
"That's.."I started to say, when I was interrupted.
"Shush" Courtney said, looking directly at me "Chris is explaining the challenge, which is important to know. If we want to win."
"The Amazing Camel Race!" I heard Chris say.
Harold asked "Where are the other camels?" Referring to the fact that team Amazon was the only team with a camel. We got it in the last challenge, Team Chris got a goat and Team Victory, who actually won the challenge, got a stick.
Chris then replied "There are no camels. It's a camel race, not a camels race."
My team shared smiles at this, thinking we had an advantage. Just wait until they find out the second part of the challenge, I'd like to see them smile at having a camel then. But I remember that last time I thought the same thing, evening commenting on our advantage. I wasn't going to bother saying anything this time, but then I remembered that it was Alejandro that responded to my comment. I was desperate to have any interaction with him, so I decided to say something anyway.
"Ha, looks like we have an ADVANTAGE!" I said with fake enthusiasm, twisting what I said last time to make things more interesting.
"That's unfair, why should team Amazon be the only ones with a camel?" Alejandro said. I looked at him, and he looked at me. But it only lasted a second before LeShawna also had to have her say.
"Yeah, and why does team Victory only get stuck with a wee little stick when they kicked ass and won the last challenge?"
Then Chris and I both responded at exactly the same time "each reward will have its own advantage."
"Okay, that was weird." Chris said.
"Yeah" I laughed nervously. I couldn't afford to give myself away. How could I slip up like that? Oh well, I just had to be more careful in future.
I didn't pay attention to Chris as he further explained the challenge.
When he finished I decided to play by script for a while. I climbed onto the camel and said "Move it people. This is a race."
"Uh, hello? It's Team Amazon. Not dictatorship Amazon!" Courtney spat. I knew she didn't like it when other people tried to take control. But then everyone else in Team Amazon followed my lead anyway, also climbing onto the camel.
Cody was the only one who didn't. I felt embarrassed for him, as I knew what he was about to do. "Hey, fancy meeting you here. You up for a slushie later?" he asked Gwen.
"Cody, hey. Listen I still really appreciate you setting me up with Trent that time.." Gwen replied, trying to let him down easily.
But Cody didn't really get the message. I felt sorry for him. "Nice right? But now that he's gone…? Huh? Yeah? I'm available."
Everyone was laughing except, Cody and I. Last time round I said 'You hear that? That's the sound of girls all over the world, running and rushing just desperate to... lock their doors!' But I was a different person now, and I didn't want to make an already embarrassing situation even more embarrassing for Cody. So I just ignored the whole conversation and concentrated on the challenge. Although I didn't fail to notice Cody's red cheeks.
Alejandro then proceeded to motivate his team. He was good with things like that. Well he was, until he died. He's NOT dead anymore, I reminded myself, but not in time for the grief and guilt to kick in, luckly it didn't last long.
Chris soon though it best to give us directions to the Nile river and explain the Scarab beetles mating season thing. Shortly followed by demanding us to sing a song to calm down the beetles, which chef had dropped, that were going crazy. I prepared myself to run, remembering that Ezekiel stuffed up this song.
After the song and running away from the beetles, Team Amazon was placing second, after Alejandro's team. This didn't worry me as I knew we would catch up. Team Victory was, as always, in last place.
We soon, just as I knew we would, over took Team Chris. This excited Courtney who turned around to face Team Chris and shouted "Eat sand losers!"
"Such witty remarks from such fiercy intelligent women. I'm both humbled and intrigued." Alejandro replied, laying on the charm. I'm not jealous, I'm really jealous! But I knew it was just strategic so I tried to look indifferent.
"Nice try, I'm with Duncan." Courtney told him. Not for very long, I thought to myself.
"And what a pity it is that you should give yourself to a quitter who doesn't deserve you." Alejandro said truthfully. In my mind I added 'and one that cheats on you'.
This obviously made Courtney uncomfortable as she struggled to respond "That's not... Duncan is totally... You're just... will someone hurry this Camel up?"
Meanwhile Izzy was making friends with the camel. It surprised me how often her craziness comes in handy.
It was then that Alejandro noticed a short cut and Team Chris disappeared from sight. I waited for Cody to notice this, rather than say anything, as that's what happened last time.
"I wonder where Team Chris is?" he asked.
"Probably behind us" I lied. "Does anyone have any idea where we are?"
"Planet earth" Izzy replied.
"Izzy, do you think you could tell the camel to take us to the Nile?" I asked, ignoring her comment. The rest of the team shot me strange looks.
"Great now Heather's turned into a psycho!" Courtney remarked. I rolled my eyes while Izzy started making weird noises in the camel's ear, causing it to change directions.
We soon arrived at the Nile. Team Chris was already half way through the next challenge, which was to weave a boat and cross the Nile, thanks to Sierra's weaving skills. Having a 4th generation weaver on your team certainly helps.
Sierra then approached us to speak to Izzy. "Sorry you guys are so far behind. Our baskets nearly done already thanks to my speed weaving."
"Plus you've got Owen on your team, lucky!" Izzy told her.
"But you have Cody!" Sierra said, and then turned to Cody saying " I know, Cody. I wish we were on the same team too! Chris shouldn't have swapped you"
"I have to... do something." Cody responded, running away.
"Aww, you guys are so cute together." Izzy said, totally clueless.
"Maybe we could swap teams!" Sierra said, suddenly hopeful.
Izzy agreed, then Sierra started to weave another boat for our team.
This really annoyed Alejandro who said "Where's Chris? He won't allow this..."
Suddenly Chris arrived on his speed boat "Excuse me, did somebody-"
Sierra cut him off "Today is officially the best day of my life. So I really hope you allow us to swap. But, of course, you'll make the best decision because you're the best decider ever."
Chris was flattered, sucking up usually works "And that's why I'm going to allow it."
Sierra was overjoyed "Smiley face!"
I mocked Alejandro, who blew a kiss at me in response, sending shivers down my spine. I didn't let this show and pretended to be annoyed.
Team Victory finally arrived at the Nile causing Chris to get out is megaphone "Weave a basket boat out of reeds, row to the finish, yadda yadda yadda."
LeShawna faced her team "You heard the man! Yadda yadda!"
Meanwhile we, well Sierra, finished weaving our boat. Our only problem was that the camel wouldn't get on it, and as our prize it had to cross the Nile in order for us to win.
"Izzy perhaps you could talk to the camel for us." Courtney pleaded.
"Who's psycho now?" I asked.
"Never mind that!" She snapped and then appealed to Izzy again. "Please Izzy."
Izzy was about to tell the camel to go on the boat when Noah stopped her. "You're on our team now Izzy, you can't help them."
While we were trying to put our camel onto the boat Team Chris and Team Victory caught up to us. They set off onto the water with their goat and stick.
Team Chris was in the lead when Alejandro decided to help us. "We're gonna win fair and square, and to make sure you understand that" he looked at Izzy "talk to the Camel."
Izzy made some weird grunting noises and the camel walked onto our boat. And we set off to cross the Nile.
Chris then announced over the megaphone " Well, now, clearly this part of the challenge is too easy so..." the bell sounded "time for a musical reprise!"
Everyone started singing while we moved from third place into second place, over taking Alejandro's team, who came in second. I shot a victory smile at Alejandro who ignored me. But I didn't care, that much. We won the challenge, like we were meant to, and Team Victory lost, like they were meant to, and headed to elimination.
When they came out I was happy to learn that Ezekiel had been eliminated and Duncan had been pushed out the plane with him. Everything was going to plan! I relaxed in first class with the rest of my team, if I could keep going like this, Alejandro would be safe.
A/N: If you have taken the time to read this far, can you please take thirty seconds to review this chapter, it will make the three and a half hours that I spent writing it worth it. You don't have to log in to review or be a member of fanfic. But I can only reply to members that are logged in. Although if you request an answer and aren't logged in I will include it in the A/N of my next chapter. Reviews and advice on my story means alot more to me than an alert/ favourite add (although I still appreciate both) as I would like your opinions/advice. As everyone can review there is no reason for you not to, please. Thanks so much for you time! I won't let you guys down!
