Hello, hope your day is going good! Also that you had a eventful and fun summer
I think hopefully the remaining chapters can be broken down into 2 parts since less stuff is going on, but we'll see.
Anyways, enjoy reading 😇👌
Total Sole Survivor Ep 9 Part 1: "I Hope Your Happy...Cause I'm Not."
"Soooo with Shawn, how did it go?" Caleb asked as he and Michigan sat at their dining room table eating breakfast. "You learn anything?"
He was referring to the card, the one that said Rotava.
"It depends if you categorize random zombies facts as learning," Michigan stated before she put a spoon of cereal to her mouth.
"I categorize it as useless," Caleb frowned.
"Wish you were there to tell him that," Michigan sighed. "Would have helped the hosting experience be less of a pain. Try listening to facts about zombies for minutes straight..you'd be surprised you haven't become one."
"A zombie?" Caleb assumed.
"Yup. You either want to kill Shawn or at least be dead," Michigan thought for a moment. "Or probably both."
"Okay, let's stop trash talking our special guest."
"Oops, I guess your right."
"So.." Caleb trailed off as he stared expectantly at his sister. "You got nothing?"
"Uh correction, Shawn got nothing. He said he needed to get back to Australia before he could give us any details," Michigan exacted with a futile shrug. "So we have nothing for the time being."
Caleb sighed as he then crossed his arms, and disappointment appeared on his face. "Well...I guess we'll have to wait then.."
"But you don't!" Michigan pointed her attention to the camera that then zoomed in on her. "You get to see what happens next right now!"
"So, Last time on Total Sole Survivor!"
With the vote off the Ingrid, some players found themselves caught off guard
The screen showed multiple scenes:
"Wow.." Balaam commented dryly, as he nodded his head knowingly as he turned to stare at the rest of the boys in the cabin.
"I just don't understand!" Esme exclaimed as she sat upon her bed with her arms crossed. She stared devastatingly at Ingrid's empty bed. "How could this have happened?!"
"...Same.." Charlotte seemed just as perplexed.
While other players found themselves caught up in lies
This confessional was then shown:
💅 Serenna- "I would agree that it wasn't my fault that I couldn't get Howie and Carter on board, cause it's my fault that Howie and Carter got me on board. Sure, now I can play the middle, but I didn't want Ingrid to go at this point. Now I've got a lot of lying to do, cause no way am I getting busted! Though it seems Esme is doing most of the work for me. Thanks, Esme! I feel a bit bad for lying...well to Esme at least, Charlotte had it coming."
Though in the end, the truth caught up
The screen showed this moment:
"Fine,I did it," Serenna finally gave in. "I did it. Happy now?"
Pause.
"..um no, kind of the opposite," Charlotte blinked as if absorbing what Serenna just said.
There was a moment of shock as that registered. Well at least only for Esme, whose head spun to look at Serenna with bewildered eyes.
And it was the immunity challenge that was full of more surprises as a twist made contestants decide between the chance to play for immunity or family
The screen showed this moment:
"I don't know, what if the reward was videos from family members," Michigan delivered the unfinished piece to the twist.
The revelation received multiple reactions.
Esme's mouth shot open as did Gabe's, Stefan covered his face, while Howie placed his hand to his head. Ryder jumped up and down, Serenna looked totally surprised, and Carter just shook his head as he uttered "no way!"
Both Balaam and Charlotte visibly didn't care.
During the challenge, Balaam attempted to strategize
The screen showed this confessional
😈Balaam- "I hardly have anyone in this game..actually let me rephrase that: I have no one in this game. I mean in retrospect, who cares, I don't need anyone else to win this game, it only takes 1 man to win. Though to get to that point, I'll need some allies again, and hopefully, I can win Charlotte over."
And after knocking out Balaam out of the challenge, Charlotte also stole a page from his book, while Howie had trouble with a book of his own:
The screen showed 2 moments:
"Well...I have been thinking about where I stand in the game, and let's just say.." Charlotte paused just to add some weight to what she said next. "...I'm ready to switch up my position."
"...I'm really starting to have mixed feelings about this book," Howie grumbled as he then backed up.
In the end, it was Gabe who pulled out a immunity win
The screen showed this moment:
"So congratulations to Gabe for winning immunity!" Michigan held up the necklace so that Gabe could come over and receive it.
Gabe looked shocked, and he blinked to wipe the incredulity off his face.
And Stefan's reward win may have been a heartwarming video from home, but it did little to stop him from playing any less cold-hearted
The screen showed this confessional:
✌Stefan- "Bro, you don't know how good that was. Seeing my family just boosted my morale tenfold and I'm just ready to win this game, bruh. And that means I'm ready to do whatever it takes. I'm playing for me and I'm playing for them, so I might need to start getting a bit more 'self-preservational' if you know what I mean, bruh."
Preparing for elimination, a fake agreement was put in place but both parties had ulterior motives
The screen showed these confessionals
🎮Gabe- "Okay, so the plan now is to send home Balaam..I was the one that first proposed it, that way everyone thinks I'm on board. But here's the interesting part: That's the fake plan. In reality I have a better plan. So I need the better plan to be put in place to replace the fake plan. Makes sense?"
💅Serenna-"Do I love Balaam? Heck no. But I'm not trying to send him home that fast. Especially when I agreed to work with Esme and the other 5. These 3 boys were good for one vote, but I think their time on the island has expired."
This led to Ryder to go home with a vote of 9-2..and the feeling of betrayal..
This clip was shown:
"7-2.." Ryder glowered as he turned to Stefan with a vindictive look.
Gabe then shook his head as he realized what that meant. "Stefan?"
"It's a game, bruh, I'm sorry," Stefan shrugged, looking blankly at both of them. "I told you I'd do what it takes."
We're now down to the last 8 players! How is Gabe gonna react to last night's elimination? Will Carter finally tell Esme how he feels? Can Balaam avoid another elimination? Find out on this episode of Total Sole Survivor!
**Song: I Wanna Be Famous(Total Drama Theme Song)**
As the theme song starts with the instrumental, the camera just begins with showing the view of the exotic and eye-capturing island. It takes its time showing glimpses of the refreshing water, puffy clouds, and flourishing trees.
Dear Mom and Dad I'm doin' fine,
The scene then shows Kelvin with a magnifying glass inspecting one of the trees, and then curiously shaking the tree. This causes a ferocious bird that was up in the tree to come swooping down towards him with extended claws. He begins to run as it chases him.
You guys are on my mind.
The next scene shows Esme sitting down on a log playing her guitar, as Carter is hanging upside down by his legs in a nearby tree just listening. Kelvin is shown to run past the two of them, and the bird is shown to soon after follow, knocking Carter out of the tree in the process.
You asked me what I wanted to be and now I think the answer is plain to see,
Esme is then shown to run towards Carter concerned, as the scene then switches. It then shows Howie, who is up in a tall tree carrying a baby bird. He is supposedly putting a baby bird back in its nest. Although just as he is about to place the baby bird in the nest, Balaam is shown to come swinging by on a vine and knocks the nest out of the tree.
I wanna be famous.
Luckily Howie quickly catches the nest, but then Ingrid is shown to then come swinging by on a vine also, which she then accidentally hits the baby bird out of Howie's hand to his dismay.
I wanna live close to the sun,
The camera then begins to follow Ingrid and Balaam as they seem to be racing on vines. Afterward, the camera pans downwards to show Daisy and Serenna sitting by the cabins. The two of them are just shown to be laying back in folding chairs with shades, and both holding glasses of champagne. They clink their glasses together for a sign of toast.
Go pack your bags, 'cause I've already won,
The camera then transitions to show Gabe by the river playing on his Nintendo Switch, which he's clearly immersed in whichever game he's playing. Although Ryder is shown to suddenly come flipping out of the water, splashing both Gabe and his Nintendo switch.
Everything to prove, nothing in my way I'll get there one day.
Gabe is just shown to have a devastated look, as Ryder has a sheepish grin. The next scene then showed Cece and Ashley playing a card game in the mess hall. It can be seen whenever Ashley takes a moment to jot something down in her notebook, Cece sneakily glances at her cards.
Cause, I wanna be famous!
The next scene shows Erin inside the cabins with Gavin. She's shown trying to tell him some sort of strategy, as he just turns to look at the camera with a look of 'why me'.
Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na!
The next scene shows Stefan on the beach with Charlotte with a stereo in between the two of them. Stefan is shown to be doing some good footwork dancing, which he ends with a twirl before pointing finger guns towards Charlotte as a signal that it's her turn to dance. Charlotte is shown to roll her eyes, before performing a cute little jig.
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous
The next scene shows all the other contestants making their way over to the beach, all taking posing positions as if getting ready for a picture. Caleb is shown to slide into the front to join the photo.
Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na! (as can be heard in the background)
The camera then zooms out to reveal Michigan who is holding her phone to take a picture of the group. Although after she presses click, she just ends up to be taking a selfie of herself the whole time. Caleb is shown to give her an impatient look, which she then just smirks and finally takes the photo.
I wanna be, I wanna be, I wanna be famous
The flash of the camera acts as the transition, as the next frame shows the cast photo: Caleb is standing in the front just displaying his pearly white charming smile. On the right of Caleb: Carter is just making a silly face at the camera. Behind Carter is Balaam who is flexing his muscles on one arm, while he's carrying Charlotte on his other shoulder. Charlotte is just shown to have a devious smirk. Daisy is shown to be beside him, with a natural smile as she does an actress pose. Kelvin is shown to be beside her trying to mimic her pose. Cece is just shown to have an unassessable face as she is holding three cards between her fingers. On the ground in front of those people, Esme and Ingrid are shown to be seated back to back, both smiling up at the camera. On Caleb's right side: Gabe is shown to be doing theatrical jazz hands with a wide grin. Stefan is shown to be slightly behind Gabe, just having a casual grin. Howie was shown to be beside them just giving a fresh smile with his hands placed in his pockets. Erin and Ashley are shown to be beside them with their hands around each other's shoulders. Ryder is shown to be near them, just excitedly pumping his fist into the air. Gavin is shown to be towards the side of the photo, with his head titled downwards as he just glances at the camera with only one of his eyes being shown and the other being covered. Serenna is shown to be in front of that group on the ground doing the pose where you lie on your side and place your hand to your head.
(Whistling in tune)
The final scene shows a shadowy silhouette of whoever the winner of the season was. They were standing on a cliff looking over the lively island as they held a torch and quietly whistled to the tune of the theme song.
The Boys Cabin (Night 24)
Entering into the boys cabin, the boys were quiet due to the awkward feeling of just blindsiding a person. Again. It's starting to become a trend.
"Wow..." Gabe repeated what Balaam had said some nights ago, as he spun around to stare at the other boys.
"Wow, indeed," Balaam looked elated. "Oh my bad, was that a sarcastic wow? Gotta get my 'celebratory' wow in there somewhere."
Gabe just looked at him with an unusual face of spite. "Thanks Balaam, always great to be in your presence," He seethed sardonically
"Don't I know it," Balaam simply took that statement with bravo as he then laid back in his bed.
Gabe just groaned as he then went over to his own bed appearing visibly upset.
"Gabe.." Howie walked over to him, followed by Carter and Stefan.
"Don't Gabe me," Gabe held up a hand to stop him. He then just climbed into bed.
"..sorry Ryder went home?" Carter offered sympathetically.
"And the difference that makes is?" Gabe simply snapped as he now just curled up into his bed.
Howie sighed as he turned to Carter, who then dubiously shrugged.
Stefan then put his hand on both their shoulders as he mouthed to them to step back.
Stefan then had a seat on the edge of Gabe's bed.
"Gabe, bro, I'm sorry about the vote," Stefan apologized as he patted Gabe's shoulder.
"Could you tell that to Ryder for me?" Gabe bitterly requested as he turned to look at Stefan. "Oh wait?! You can't since you voted him off!"
Gabe then turned away again.
Stefan took in a heave of air.
"He was gonna go home anyways.." Stefan divulged solemnly.
"Yea, but now he goes home with the feeling of betrayal," Gabe remarked hotly.
"I don't know, he looked pretty happy about being a jury member," Carter mentioned as an attempt to diminish Gabe's anger.
Gabe just turned to give him a look of 'You better not be serious.'
"Bro, I was doing what was best for me," Stefan then stood up as he just looked down at his friend. "I told you guys we won't get lucky all the time. And we didn't."
Gabe then turned to look at Stefan, his face now barren of any emotion.
"Good for you, Stefan," Gabe stated with a dry voice. "I'm glad you got what you wanted."
Confessionals
✌Stefan- "I've never seen Gabe this upset before...and I never want to again. It sucks man to have my friend mad at me, but you gotta understand I'm playing a game here. You'd think a gamer would understand that. I feel bad for Ryder, but I don't feel bad for playing the game, bruh."
**Static**
🎮Gabe- "I shouldn't be this upset. I know Stefan is just playing the game and he had that right, but I don't know...I just thought us 3 could really do it, so to see Ryder go home..ugh, I never been blindsided in this game and it sucks. I just feel kind of alone now..."
End
Stefan slumped as he returned over to Howie and Carter.
"Hey, you tried," Howie comforted him as he rubbed Stefan's shoulder.
"Yea..he just needs time, dude," Stefan assumed as he then just slid into bed.
"..I mean..did this happen back on your old team?" Carter then questioned.
"Fortunately no," Stefan released a sigh.
They then heard a laugh which came from Balaam who still laid awake in bed.
"You're certainly enjoying yourself," Howie observed with a look of irritation.
"You guys make it too funny not to," Balaam simply shot him a devious grin.
"Funny you say?" Carter now smiled himself.
Realizing the implication, Balaam stopped smiling and glowered instead.
"Carter, shut up," Balaam then demanded.
"Not enjoying yourself anymore, huh," Carter chuckled, and Howie actually simpered at that.
The cabin then went quiet as the silence of night then settled in.
"Well let's get some sleep," Howie then suggested as the rest of the boys then went to bed.
Confessionals
Howie- "Okay, so I made the choice of what side I'm on and tada! I guess it was the right choice cause no one's at my neck..yet. Let's hope we don't have someone trying to blow up my game as a morning surprise."
**Static**
😈Balaam- "They were so happy when they sent Ingrid home, but now that one of the three headed monster is gone, the whole beast died. It's great, actually...2 physical competitors sent home back to back. Hopefully that doesn't mean I'm next. In my opinion, we got the beast on the floor, might as well get rid of the rest of its body."
End
Girls Cabin (Day 25)
As morning came, the girls were actually doing pretty well after last night's vote. Or..at least some of them.
"They voted for me," Serenna ranted as she was digging through her collection of clothes. "For me?!"
"They had to vote for someone.." Charlotte laid out as she seemed tired of this apparently stressed subject.
"Yea, and it didn't have to be me," Serenna snapped. She paused as she pulled an outfit and inspected it.
"I mean, you did vote for one of them," Esme, who was just sitting on her bed, threw out.
"I- okay, you got me there," Serenna digressed as she then crossed her arms. "...I guess I just can't believe I almost went home."
"But you didn't, so why does it matter?" Esme tried to brush past it.
"Tell me the time when you were close to going home, then we can talk about that," Serenna fixed her with a staid expression.
"Well you should get your mind off that," Esme then urged as she then rested her guitar on her lap. "We should do something fun, to be honest!"
"Like..?" Charlotte looked at her blankly.
"Hmm," Esme pondered as she strummed her guitar to create an inquisitive tune.
"Oh I got it! Let's make a song!"
"A song?" Serenna repeated, seeming both intrigued yet also dismissive.
"We could be like one of those trio girl groups! We could perform for the boys!" Esme proposed as she leapt onto her feet.
"I thought you said it would be fun," Charlotte turned away as she now just reached for her drawing notebook.
"Yea, I don't know about that.." Serenna hesitated as she had now seen holding up another outfit in comparison to the previous one.
"I could be like the pretty one," Esme still went on.
"Um, what am I-" Serenna was about to object.
"-The bad-A one," Esme interjected.
Esme then pointed to Charlotte, "And Charlotte can be..(her voice dropped to a whisper)..the irrelevant one."
"Who?" Charlotte asked, looking up with a perked eyebrow.
"Exactly," Esme grinned, gesturing to her. "Imagine though. What type of music would we make?"
"..any that gets you to shut up," Charlotte mumbled to herself while she flipped to a blank page in her notebook.
"Hmm, like pop? Rap?" Serenna carelessly threw out some ideas. "Also which outfit?" Serenna held up her two clothing choices for the other girls to see.
"Oh yea! What outfits would we wear!" Esme misinterpreted her question. "I feel like we need to look hot, but still in a cute innocent way, if you know what I mean."
"Pop? Rap? Cute outfits? Sounds like something out of a Disney movie," Charlotte retorted as she began moving a pencil across the page.
"Okay, let's not get too ahead of ourselves Charlotte. We're not on the level of Disney actors," Esme simply chided, which got an eyeroll out of Charlotte.
"Esme, I love you girl, but this sounds like a fantasy," Serenna tutted as she shook her head. She then tucked one of the outfits under her arm. "The most you can get to this is in your dreams."
"That's the point," Esme shrugged with a lulling grin. "It's fun to just sit back and imagine sometimes...I mean imagine..if I was a music artist..not a music teacher."
Esme released a wistful sigh.
"Hey, you're still doing what you love," Serenna prompted her as she now stood in the doorway of the bathroom.
"Yea your right, I just wonder what it would have been like sharing my music with the world..but helping others find their passion in music also is great," Esme easily earned her smile back.
Confessionals
🎸Esme- "It's still interesting to look back and wonder who I would have been if I had become a musical artist..and wasn't a teacher..." She left that thought out in the open for a bit. "...Maybe I wouldn't be single for one." She snorted out laughter.
End
"Charlotte, we never heard anything about your background," Serenna then noted.
Charlotte's head jarred upwards as she heard her name.
"What do you want to know?"
"I don't know? Anything," Serenna shrugged. "To be honest, the most I know is your name."
"That's true? We hardly know anything about you Charlotte?" Esme realized as she looked at Charlotte like she was a puzzle.
Charlotte held her notebook to her chest, and recoiled in a reserved way. "...I have nothing to share."
"You sure? Everyone has something to share," Esme insisted, now walking over to Charlotte as she sat in her bed. "We know you like drawing."
"See, you guys do know something about me," Charlotte affirmed.
"Your name is Charlotte and you draw?" Serenna concluded with an incredulous look. "Hun, that's hardly enough to even count you as a friend."
"We also know that she lies," Esme recalled.
"Thanks Esme.." Charlotte shot her a dangerous look. "But about myself..." Charlotte looked to the side as her face grew distant.
She seemed to either be deciding what to share, or deciding if she even wanted to share.
"I just didn't have a fun life..bullied..tossed to the side..forgotten," Charlotte listed off as her eyes wandered to the floor. "...not many people cared about me back home."
Her face looked more resentful than sad.
"Awww, Charlotte," Esme came to sit beside the girl and placed an arm around her. "I had no idea..or well I had kind of an idea, mine was more strange, but this makes more sense. Well you have friends now."
"Well I mean, you did lie, so I can't guarantee the friends thing, but you do have support," Serenna assured her.
"Thanks guys.." Charlotte nodded her head.
"No problem..so were you bullied a lot? What about your parents?" Esme peered sympathetically at her.
"They try to help but.." Charlotte trailed off, shaking her head.
"That must be tough. Just know tough times do pass," Serenna encouraged her, before heading into the bathroom.
Confessionals
Charlotte- "I was never really good at opening up...and I don't talk much about myself. It's hard when you're always the one forgotten..left behind..underestimated..it can leave a girl feeling bitter.."
**Static**
💅 Serenna- "Didn't expect that from Charlotte. Not gonna lie, I just thought she was a fake b-i-you-know-what, but hey the girl had some layers to her. Still doesn't excuse her behavior, but at least I can see where she's coming from."
End
The Boys Cabin (Day 25)
After last night's events the boys cabin was dealing with some problems. Yea, things weren't going so well. Especially for Gabe. It was a real issue...that he couldn't get a good wifi connection.
"What is going on?" Gabe held up his switch as he moved it around in search of wifi. "Gosh, I can't go online if the wifi remains this bad."
After some good sleep, it seemed Gabe was back to his normal mood, though bad wifi connection wasn't doing him any favors.
Balaam was just working out as usual, now with no workout buddy(or rather workout rival).
Carter was jotting down jokes in a journal.
Howie was listening to some songs made by Stefan.
"These are pretty good," Howie admitted as the most recent song just finished and he handed Stefan his headset.
"Thanks dude, I try," Stefan nodded as he then placed the headsets to his own ears.
"Are you gonna make anything out of it?" Howie then asked. "These songs can probably become really popular."
"I don't know..probably will one day," Stefan confirmed as he shrugged, and began bobbing his head to the next song that came on his headset.
"Ya, you can make something seriously good out of this," Howie encouraged.
That caught the attention of someone.
"How come when it comes to his music he can make something good, but with my jokes I can't," Carter fretted as he held up his notebook of jokes.
"You can..they just need work.." Howie confessed delicately.
"Just work on it, man," Stefan told him.
"Everyone tells me that," Carter frowned, before then turning to Gabe, "Gabe, do you think my jokes need work?!"
"They certainly need something," Gabe mindlessly replied from where he was distracted by his game.
"I just want to make something out of them.." Carter scowled, shutting the notebook shut.
"You can make something. You can make people's lives miserable," Balaam speculated from where he was doing sit-ups.
"Eh, it's fine if it's you," Carter then shrugged, now smiling.
"Why does everything that comes out of you have to be rude?" Howie now interrogated Balaam with an inquisitive face.
"Cause I'm not gonna fake it like you," Balaam asserted matter-of-factly.
"No, I don't believe that," Howie denied, shaking his head, now staring analytically at Balaam. "Which, I don't fake it by the way. The thing is you've made enemies with practically everyone. There has to be a reason behind it. All you do is be a jerk. It's weird."
Balaam now stood up, looking peeved.
"Look boy scout, if you're trying to get me to open up or share something about myself, you're kidding yourself," Balaam retorted, though rather defensively.
"..ohhh, does Balaamy have something to hide," Carter chuckled in a teasing fashion.
"Call me Balaamy again, and I'll be hiding your body pretty soon," Balaam threatened before turning to walk out of the cabin.
Howie watched him with an investigative stare.
Confessionals
Howie- "It always annoyed me how Balaam was rude, I never stopped to ask why. Psychology is my major, and why and how people act is stuff I love to look into. Honestly, maybe Balaam had some deep stuff that he's hiding away that none of us know about..that could explain how he acts."
**Static**
😈Balaam- "I didn't come here for the friendships or to share stuff about myself. I came to win, and that's all that matters. Do I have a history? Yea, but it's not like anyone is gonna hear about it anytime soon.." Despite that Balaam seemed to be thinking as he sat with his arms crossed. "..or mabye-"
End
"Hey um, Gabe," Stefan had walked over to his friend who was occupied on his switch. "Morning."
"Morning," Gabe responded back, actually in his regular peppy state.
Stefan picked that up. "So about last night...we cool?"
"I was a little upset, but you know it's a game," Gabe turned to look at Stefan with a light grin. "Plus you're my first friend. Can't stay mad at you. You're also my only friend at the moment..so there's also that."
Stefan laughed as he then kneeled down to look at what Gabe was playing.
"What about Carter?" Stefan pointed out.
"I mean, we've talked, wouldn't say we're friends though," Gabe confessed, looking at Carter from the corner of his eye. "I'm honestly hoping I can win the next immunity, cause I feel like I'm next if I don't."
"Don't worry man, we'll figure something out," Stefan raised his fist for a fist bump, which Gabe readily complied with. "What are you playing anyways?"
"Good ol' classic Mario Kart," Gabe shared with him. "Wanna join? Wouldn't be Mario Kart if you aren't playing with a friend."
"Sure," Stefan accepted the controller Gabe handed to him.
Confessionals
🎮Gabe- "I know I could stay mad at Stefan, but where is that gonna get me? Probably out of this game. A nice sleep really can help you calm down, and as much as I don't like it..it was game move, so I might as well respect it."
**Static**
✌Stefan- "I'm glad Gabe forgives me, bruh. I'm definitely hoping to still work with him. The only issue is I'm wondering where we go from here. We're clearly on the bottom and I don't know the way we're gonna get back to the top. Well..we weren't really on the top to begin with."
End
The Cafe (Day 25)
Later on that day, Carter was hanging out in the cafe with Howie and Serenna. They were discussing Carter's looming crush on Esme.
"Okay, so I'm telling her," Carter declared as he sat with Serenna and Howie at a table. "I finally got the confidence to do it. Yea, I'm doing it!"
"It only took you getting a sunburn and making a fool of yourself in front of her," Serenna quipped. She then placed an ointment on the table. "Speaking of which, you might want to put this on. Let's hope that sunburn goes away soon."
"Thanks, hopefully it does..it still burns by the way," Carter opened the cream as he began to rub it on his arms.
"Yea..sunburns are never pretty," Howie clenched his teeth in sympathy.
"Literally. They look like cooked ham gone wrong," Serenna sneered.
"Yup, not very ham-some," Carter threw out with a wink, provoking a groan from both his friends.
He smiled cheekily, and Serenna stated, "You're lucky you're already in pain."
"Um..so any last minute thoughts or advice?" Carter then questioned as he looked between his two friends. "I can't mess this up."
"Don't sweat it too much," Serenna suggested. "And remember..puns to a minimum. And know if things don't work out, we'll have your back."
"And just be you, Carter," Howie advised with a supportive grin. "I think she'd like that."
Carter absorbed their guidance with a prepared nod as he then stood up.
Confessionals
😜Carter- "Honestly, I just woke up this morning feeling that today is the day. I'm gonna tell her! I feel like the more I wait, the more she likes Stefan, so I just gotta tell her how I feel. Sometimes you just gotta go for it and wing it! So that's what I'm gonna do, wing it!"
End
Carter found Esme just eating dragon fruit sitting on the lawn.
"Hey Esme! How's it going!" Carter approached her waving his arms in the air.
"Pretty good! I found some fruit in a tree! It actually tastes good too!" Esme yelled as she held up her discovery.
"That's pretty cool," Carter nodded as he stopped to stand in front of her. "Must have been cool to re-tree-ve(retrieve) that."
Esme laughed a bit, before standing up to offer Carter a piece of the fruit. "Want some?"
"No, I'll pass, but-uh I had something to tell you," Carter gulped as he scratched the back of his head. His hand also seemed to start to sweat.
"Oh, what's going on?" Esme looked curious.
Carter seemed to take a moment to gather what he wanted to say. He couldn't meet Esme's eyes, and he stumbled with his first attempts to speak.
"You see you- or well me- or I meant I-" Carter tripped over his words as he awkwardly scrambled his hands around.
Esme patiently waited as she just swallowed some more fruit.
"Sorry, it's just..Esme you're such a cool girl..and I know you've been looking for the perfect guy to notice you..and you wanted someone perfect.." Carter finally began, though his voice still sounded a bit shaky. "A-and..well I've noticed you. Esme, you're one of the coolest girls I've ever met. And I hope you know that. Esme, I like you."
Esme just blinked as she continued to chew on a piece of fruit in her mouth. "...so?"
"So what?" Carter questioned, now looking confused. "I said I like you."
"That's it? Is there no joke or punchline?" Esme inquired, lifting an eyebrow.
"Esme, when it comes to you there is no joke. I like you," Carter leveled his eyes with her own.
It seemed to take a while, but then it clicked.
"Oh. Oh!" Esme prattled in realization.
"..are those oh's I should be worried about?" Carter nervously rocked back and forth.
Esme now looked to the floor awkwardly.
"Um- well Carter..." Esme began, already sounding apologetic. "..you're a great friend. And I appreciate it. But...I just..I just don't like you like that."
The heartbreak was visible on Carter's face as his spirit seemed to just fall.
"Oh.." Carter denoted nodding his head.
"That was a bad oh," Esme observed as she winced. "You're not upset with me are you?"
"Upset with you, psst, never!" Carter forced a smile upon his face. "No, I get it. Ya we should just be friends. That's cool. I love that, just friends for us! Nothing but friendliness!"
"Great, I'm glad you understand," Esme drew him into a hug. Though Carter just glowered as soon as she couldn't see his face.
Confessionals
🎸Esme- "I feel like Howie? Dang I feel like Howie? And I mean he's cute, but that isn't a compliment. How could I not notice the signs, I'm supposed to be an expert on signs. I literally should be able to teach romance 101. I guess I have a lot to learn though...I feel bad for Carter, but I already am interested in someone else. Sorry Carter."
**Static**
😜Carter- Carter just had a weak smile as he sat in the confessionals. "It's good! It's all good! She probably is just waiting to spring the good news on me! We'll...we'll...we'll never be a thing." Carter had given up the act as his head dropped lower and his smile washed away. "Who am I kidding? Why would she ever want to be with me? I'm never the one picked...always the guy casted to the side..the forever annoying one..crushing on her was a joke..like how it always is for me. Always a joke.."
End
The Reward Challenge (Day 25)
The remaining 8 competitors were invited out by the lake for the reward challenge.
Everyone seemed fairly confident about what they're gonna face. Overall the group was upbeat, except for Carter, who walked to the back of the group.
Howie had come to walk by his side, wearing a commiserating frown.
"I assume it didn't go well," Howie guessed as he looked over at Carter.
"...We're just friends, it's all good," Carter strained a smile on his face. "Good as always."
"Carter, I'm sorry...I'm sure you'll find someone else.." Howie still said regardless.
"Yea like who? All I am is a clown to everyone..not even a funny one at that.." Carter sighed as he then walked ahead.
Howie groaned as he looked inefficacious-ly at Carter.
The 8 of them reached a set up that looked like a circus tightrope. Standing in front waiting for them was Michigan.
"Welcome final 8 competitors! Ready for a reward challenge!" Michigan rallied to drum up excitement. She received the desired effect as the final 8 cheered in response...well except for Carter.
"Oohh, are we walking across a tightrope!" Esme presumed lightening up at the idea.
"Please say yes," Stefan hoped, now smiling.
"Or no. Preferably no," Gabe looked rather worried.
"Yes but no," Michigan answered, grinning craftily. "But more so no. You guys won't be walking across the tightrope, you'll just be hanging on it."
There was a nod of understanding.
"You hang on as long as you can. The last one hanging on will win a reward, but be careful because the longer you hang on can also affect what you fall into. So if you let go sooner, you might drop down into something more preferable. The winner will get a small advantage for the immunity challenge and a barbecue feast with the person of their choice. Understood?"
There was nodding that revealed everyone understood.
Although the group also looked to Carter to pop out a joke or pun...none came though.
Weird.
Serenna and Howie shared a look of worry.
"Well let's get ready to begin," Michigan then prompted.
Confessionals
Charlotte- "I just want to finally win something..I think everyone looks as me as the weak girl, so winning something will prove that I am a competitor..although if I lose, I can keep playing like I'm not.."
**Static**
🎸Esme- "I want to win so bad! I came so close in the last challenge, I can practically taste the victory! Which apparently tastes like a barbeque feast this time! Sounds delicious!"
End
All the contestants had now picked out their spots on the rope, and began to dangle from it.
"Good luck competitors! The challenge begins now!" Michigan officially began the challenge.
Within the first few seconds of the challenge, everyone seemed to be hanging in there fine.
Balaam seemed to be the most stable, followed by Esme, Howie, and Stefan.
Gabe and Charlotte were the only ones that seemed to be straining to hold on along with Carter who was having trouble due his sunburn and overall mood.
"Okay, is anyone else having a hard time or is it just a me thing?" Gabe called out after a while.
"It's an everyone thing, cause this is hard," Serenna was starting to sweat herself. "Note to self, start working on everything nails down cause looking good doesn't mean working good."
5 minutes passed, and everyone was still holding on, although some people's grips have now loosened.
Esme, who was beside Charlotte and Serenna, turned to whisper to the other girls. "Um...is Carter okay?"
She was right to be concerned, as Carter was now holding on just by one hand, but he hardly seemed to be trying.
Serenna glanced over at him, before responding, "I'm sure he's fine...I mean, who is okay? I doubt anyone would be okay hanging here like a broken rag doll."
"No, like he's seriously upset," Esme stated, frowning. "He said he liked me and I told him I don't feel the same..I don't know, I feel bad..."
Esme bit her lip as she guiltily looked over.
"Just focus on the challenge.." Charlotte advised with a visible effort on her face.
"Look I expected this, but there is nothing you can really do. You'll just have to let him get over it," Serenna supposed with a sigh. "He'll bounce back."
"And Carter is out!" Was then shouted, as if just to contradict her statement. Esme then turned to look at Serenna with a face of 'you were saying?"
"Eventually," Serenna then added.
Carter had fallen onto a net below, and he idly laid there.
Confessionals
🎸Esme- "Ohh gosh, I feel really bad for what happened with Carter.. the same thing happened with me with Howie, so trust me I know how it feels but I mean..what can I do?"
End
It wasn't long till Gabe and Charlotte both fell as they couldn't hold on much longer. Though that was close to the 15 minute mark.
They both landed onto the net below.
"Gabe and Charlotte both have fallen!" Michigan then announced.
"Hey, at least shared failure is better than lone failure," Gabe grinned as he looked at Charlotte.
Charlotte still looked disappointed as she scampered off the net muttering to herself.
Gabe got off, assisting Carter off the net as well (after some prodding for him to get off).
The remaining 5 all seemed to be struggling, except Balaam, who gave off the appearance that he was thriving.
"Hey Howie," Balaam said, turning to him with an insolent smile.
"..at least...you're using...my name.." Even speaking was an endeavor for Howie. Sweat crept down his forehead, as he pulled himself up higher. Despite that, he looked ready to remain there for the long haul.
"Hm, I might as well do something nice before you fall," Balaam remarked pompously. "Speaking of which, if I tell you about my home life will you drop?"
"Really? That's it? Why though?"
"Eh, well I'm bored and I thought about what you said earlier," Balaam confessed. "Thought I could share more about myself..the making of a legend."
Howie rolled his eyes at the last comment, though he eagerly then said, "Okay..I'm listening."
"So um..I growing up wasn't easy...I actually grew with neglectful parents," Balaam started off coldly, his eyes glazing over to become an unreadable mirror as he threaded into the past. "..I lived on the street for most of my life..there I learned to survive you looked after yourself and only yourself.."
Howie went silent, as he concentrated on just listening. Even his breathing slowed.
"..when even your own parents don't care for you, you learn you can only put trust in yourself," Balaam frowned, removing one arm just to relax it by freely rotating it in the air. "Coming here was a way to get money for myself..to stop living on the streets..fix up my life..so that's why I'm so invested in the game. I NEED the money. Other people are here just for the experience or the friends..I actually need it."
"Wow.." Howie looked surprised by the revelation. He blinked, before then staring at Balaam like he was a different person."..Balaam, I didn't know."
"Don't feel sorry for me," Balaam immediately commanded harshly.
"..Yea, okay," Howie supposed as he then prepared to let go as he had promised.
Confessionals
Howie- "That makes sense. That honestly makes a lot of sense. I wondered what was up with Balaam, and this fills a lot of blanks. And to think he really needs the money..wow...why do I feel a bit guilt? I was thinking of targeting him, but maybe he should stay a bit longer?"
End
It wasn't long till 20 minutes had then gone by, and the net below was now replaced with a pit of mud.
Though disgusted, Howie released himself and fell into the mud.
He grumbled as he had to pull himself out of the sludge of the mucky dirt.
"Really it's mud now?" Serenna looked revolted. "I guess dropping isn't an option anymore."
Though the rope began to vibrate, which was due to Balaam who was now shaking the section of the rope he was holding onto.
It caused the other 3 players to have to hold onto the rope tighter.
"Balaam, do you mind?" Serenna glared at him as she almost had dropped off with the motion of the rope.
"If you fall? Not really," Balaam shouted back, as he continued to wiggle the rope.
Esme and Stefan seemed to just solidify their grip, though Serenna's hold was slowly disattaching.
"That's it!" Esme then began shaking the rope herself.
"Esme?!" Serenna complained.
"What? He's shaking the rope!" Esme directed towards Balaam.
"Then can you both stop?!" Serenna requested, but it was too late as she soon dropped into the mud...much to her scorn. (Serenna screamed as the outfit she had selected was now ruined).
"Serenna is out! 3 players remain!"
With the final 3 still up, the pit below was then switched out for a pit of slime. Worse than mud as it is sticker and harder to remove.
Stefan lifted his legs around the rope.
Esme closed her eyes as she whispered statements of encouragement to herself.
Lastly, Balaam simply remained firm as he had been all challenge.
The last person remaining was...
"Esme! You have dropped! As has Stefan! Balaam, you've won the reward challenge!" Michigan revealed as she then clapped her hands.
The competitors, who were out, also clapped their hands, even if they weren't jovial about the winner.
Balaam had climbed down from the tightrope. Despite stretching his arms in pain, he looked delighted as always. Though with his win, the smugness was amplified.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Balaam gloated as he then raised his exhausted arms with gratification.
There was an eye roll from Serenna, a groan from Carter, a frown from Howie, and an eyebrow rise from Gabe.
"Well Balaam, you have to pick 1 person to share your barbecue reward with. Who?" Michigan pointed to the 7 other contestants.
Everyone's expression seemed to change immediately, as they then stared at him with celebratory faces.
"Charlotte," Balaam picked after little to no thought.
Charlotte appeared confused to be chosen, but then smiled afterwards as she accepted the selection.
Confessionals
Charlotte- "Finally, I'm winning something! Well not winning, but being chosen for the reward is the next best thing..I'm not a big fan of barbecue though..eh whatever, at least I got picked."
**Static**
😈Balaam- "That was too easy! Was I competiting with myself out there? Honestly, It's a good thing the two other competition threats are out cause now I think I can ace these competitions."
End
**Commercial Break**
I hope you enjoyed reading!