A new chapter, we're picking up the pace with this one. Prepare for some nice frenemy Auslly interaction
The big boat was now replaced by two smaller ones, really emphasizing the fact that the two groups were nothing more than opponents. And, indeed, after gliding next to each other for a while, the two boats parted ways to bring the groups to opposite sides of their home island. Luckily, the blue team arrived at the camp where they all started, the hut some had started building still looking strong.
Completely exhausted, the candidates decide to make a fire to have a quick meal before going to bed. As a few took care of the fire and preparing the food, the rest finished building the sleeping area. After a lot of time spent on fitting everyone on the small platform of uncomfortably hard logs and accepting there was no such thing as 'a personal bubble' during the nights, everyone had a spot for their sleeping bags.
While the viewers didn't get to see it, the candidates really did get the opportunity to brush their teeth. And didn't anyone notice the suspiciously smooth armpits and legs of the girls? They got more opportunities to take care of themselves than the people at home knew, but it wasn't much, really. Sweet water, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and disposable razor blades was as far as luxury would go on the island. Besides an excuse for a toilet, of course. It was everything they needed, for now. As soon as they noticed someone starving or getting sick, Ally was sure they would help. 'Death In Popular Reality Show' as headline wasn't the best publicity the show could get, after all.
The next day, the group is free. This meant no test or selection and gave them a chance to construct the rest of the 'camp', explore the woods, collect some more food and, also not unimportant, get to know each other. This was the perfect opportunity for everyone to decide who they could trust and who they wanted to form a pact with. Though, because most did this in secret, only the viewers could see what connections were formed. Ally established she was more than content with her single pact and happily tagged along with Rachel, deciding that was the only friend she needed on the island. This created some distance between the duo and the rest of the team, something Ally didn't really couldn't care less about.
Something the cameras picked up on, but Ally failed to, was that Austin kept a close eye on her from a safe distance. Not only he, but also the viewers and the other candidates noticed her choice of isolation and formed their own opinions about her and the other almost invisible girl. While some were curious, but not curious enough to make an effort to get between the two young women, other decided they were an easy target once they had to vote someone off the island. Logically, a duo seems strong until half of it disappears.
The day after, the first group versus group test was planned. Sadly, this one required less brains and more muscle and being in good shape. The only thing the team needed to do to be safe as a whole was winning collectively, therefore there was no real mutual competition. That didn't take away the obvious fact that Ally was struggling more than anyone of the team to keep up. In contrast, Austin was the one who conquered every obstacle the quickest and easiest. After fighting under the merciless sun, sweat covering all of their bodies, the blue team eventually succeeded in beating the red team. Knowing the viewers might choose to vote Drew off the island added to Ally's feeling of absolute glory as she cheered with the rest.
Even though they all decided not to rush through the supply of rice they had received at the start, they cooked a little extra to celebrate their first victory. During the dinner, Ally notices Austin's studying eyes on her for the first time. After shrugging it off and continuing her conversation with Rachel, she feels the stare on her again after only a few minutes. After raising one eyebrow, silently asking what the hell he wants, he diverts his eyes. She had been trying to keep her distance from him because, beside the fact that she still despised his attitude and everything about him, she didn't feel comfortable with the amount of information about him that was permanently stored in her brain. If she would talk to him or anyone about him, she might accidently use that information against him.
Once they all had finished their dinner, everyone started going their separate ways. This was usually the time when the cameramen invited every candidate to talk about the day, so they could use it as voice overs in the show. The time that Rachel wasn't in Ally's presence was rare and Ally hadn't been sitting alone for a minute before she heard the familiar deep voice that belonged to Austin.
"Hey, princess," he calls her once he had made sure the rest was more or less occupied, at least distracted enough to not pay attention to either of the two. While most of the cameras were busy with the interviews, one recognized the situation that could become somewhat interesting and focussed on Austin as he leaned against one of the palm trees, observing Ally sitting on one of the logs near the campfire.
"What did I ever do to deserve that name?" Ally rolls her eyes as she turns around to be able to look at him. Austin looks around one more time before nodding his head to the side, signalling her to come with him.
"I actually thought you were quite fond of it, figuring you responded to it just now," he continues before Ally sighs annoyed.
"Just get to the point." She knew he didn't call her over and separated them from the group for nothing. It was clear that whatever he was about to tell her would benefit her and she was curious enough to find out what it was.
Austin takes one step towards her and keeps his voice low, probably still paranoid anyone might hear them. "You need me."
"Excuse me?" She answers a little louder than planned, stunned by his sudden actions and one particularly unusual accusation. He shushes her in which she steps back when she realizes how much he's violating her personal space.
"You're weak, one of the weakest of the group." Ignoring her look of disgust and shock, he makes himself more clear. "Also boring, inconspicuous and ordinary."
"Is this going anywhere?" Ally interrupts him before he could lower her self esteem any more.
"Look, you need me to survive here." Convinced of his own superiority, he points at himself. While he keeps trying to let her listen to him, she wonders why he would even bother and what's in it for him. "If you don't learn to stand out, the people at home will grow tired of you and outvote you first chance they get."
Ally stays silent for a moment, recognizing the truth in his theory. "Well, you need me as well."
Austin scoffs. "In what way could I possibly need you?"
"You're a threat." Ally crosses her arms as she knows she has a point and looks at him smugly. "You might not notice, but people talk about you. If you keep showing off and winning tests, people might get intimidated. I think everyone would rather end up in the finale with someone less threatening." She knew she had a point, and she knew he knew, too. If there was anything her brother had learned from watching the show for years, it was that frequently the first thing the candidates did when the pacts weren't too strong yet, was outvote the obviously strongest player.
It was Austin's turn to stay silent, thinking about her valid point. Exchanging stern looks, they keep standing on opposite of each other as the camera records everything before Austin breaks the silence. "I think we just made a pact."
"I guess we did," Ally nods while thinking about the advantages she could get out of this arrangement before realizing who she made the deal with. "I don't even like you."
"I guess you'll have to start learning how to, princess."
"I guess you'll have to start learning how to not be a prick." Ally gives him a fake smile before the corners of her mouth quickly fall again.
Austin chuckles amused. "I'll help you stand out."
"I don't need your help to act like someone I'm not just to win this stupid game," she narrows her eyes, completely forgetting that's not something the ideal candidate would say.
"What makes you think you're going to even have a shot at winning?" Austin doesn't try to hide his mocking amusement. "Have you even remotely noticed who you've been talking to for the past five minutes?"
"Nice going on not being a prick," Ally shakes her head, already starting to regret the decision to work with the guy. Ironic how she just agreed to share information with the person she knew like the back of her hand, only he had no idea.
"It's a work in progress." Austin shrugs before looking around, seeing some people having noticed their hidden meetup. "We better not tell the others. The less the rest knows, the better."
By agreeing to that, Ally did exactly three things. One, make a new pact with one of the people she disliked most. Two, realize that pact was full of dishonesty, figuring she knew more about him than he would ever know about her. And three, promise to lie to the person she had made her very first pact with.
As the two keep their distance to not attract any more attention than they had already gotten, they do try to help each other as much as they can. Which is quite helpful, as the two are almost complete opposites in their skills. While Austin is an obvious great swimmer, besides being strong and having good aim, Ally is quick on her feet, she has good balance and quite the intelligence.
During the following tests, Austin made sure to help Ally in any way he could, whether it was giving her a hand when she needed to climb on top of a high obstacle or shoot some of his pebbles on her target when she kept missing it. In return, Ally let Austin copy her solution when they had to face another difficult sum. Because the test was still team against team, the helping didn't quite stand out, as every single member of the team had to complete the course before the other team could.
This pact was more helpful to her than the one she had with Rachel, which made Ally feel awful from time to time. Because Rachel was just as tiny as her, they had nothing to help each other with, except giving each other sad smiles when they noticed they were being the ones who detained the rest of the group. But that didn't occur anymore after Ally made her new pact. In fact, she had left the bottom three weaklings of the group. She wasn't too threatening, but just good enough to earn respect. Rachel had undoubtedly noticed, but hadn't mentioned it.
Not only in the tests had Austin and Ally helped each other. While Austin had started to tone down his attitude and give other people a sincere smile, even if it wasn't that genuine, instead of a cocky grin, Ally had been talking more to the others, getting to know them. And she loved it.
Their team had won most of the tests, three out of four, causing only one person to be voted out by the viewers. Turns out they weren't sick of either Austin or Ally yet, as a boy who had disappeared in the background often had to leave the island. He had only gotten three more votes than Rachel, which terrified her, causing Ally having to tell her she would be fine, even though she wasn't quite sure of that herself.
Today's test was one of the first that Ally actually felt confident about. Five small platforms, supported by high beams, that got even smaller the farther you got, connected by very narrow wooden beams. One by one, they had to cross the balance beam and collect on the platform as a whole before they could continue to the next platform. As balance was one of the skills that Ally did possess, she had no trouble crossing the shaky logs. People with bigger bodies, like Austin, struggled more.
Austin had fallen off numerous times, which didn't reduce his fanaticism. The two teams go in even step until only Austin and Ally are left on the second-last platform. Their team shuffles together to create a tiny amount of space for one of the two to rest on once they cross the beam and the two exchange a look in which they decide Austin should go first. His feet shake as soon as he places them on the log and he takes a deep breath. Misplacing a foot, he seems to fall off before he manages to save himself. With quick steps, he lands on the platform, making the rest cheer happily.
Now all eyes are on Ally, the pressure of everyone's knowledge she's supposed to be good at this on her shoulders. Spreading her arms, she takes small steps and pretends to be at the gym where she had practiced this more often than anything else. Before she knows it, she's almost arrived at the platform. Glancing to her left, she sees the other team being in the exact same situation as they are. A girl she doesn't know is just stepping onto the beam and Ally knows it's now or never. A hand appears in front of her when she's within reach of her team.
"Here," Austin offers before looking at the platform. Even though everyone is standing as close to each other as possible, their feet leave no room for Ally's. She shoots him a helpless look in which he nods encouraging while stretching his arm farther her way. "Don't worry about it."
You're not the one who has a risk of falling off this platform, she thinks, but doesn't say. Deciding she has no other choice, she grabs his hand and jumps in his direction, even though there is no place for her to land. Pulling her between the group without disturbing the collective balance they had created, she lands safely on her feet. Austin immediately secures her safety by letting go of her hand and placing it on her back. The presenter counts to ten, the amount of time they have to stay still on the platform, and Ally tries her best not to lean against Austin's unstable body, even though the overcrowding around her forces her to. Then, finally, the sound of the end of the test is heard and their team cheers before jumping off, escaping the commotion.
"Good job, princess" Austin tells her proudly while quickly removing his hand, figuring there's enough room for Ally to keep herself on her feet. He can't seem to let go of the nick name he had given her.
"Thanks for the help, prick," Ally answers, finally being able to give him a sincere smile.
Really liked writing this one :)
I decided not to answer reviews anymore, since there just aren't enough to respond to. Sorry, if you were hoping I would!