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too much drama.
love island was a reality show all about the drama. of course you would know that. you were on the show. you watched it with your best friend when it was airing. it was a form of entertainment and bonding, eating snacks with them as you both screamed at the telly and ranted to each how horrible one person was to the other.
weird how your best friend was probably now watching you.
sitting outside.
on the day beds.
alone.
you needed to be left alone, especially after you had endured all the drama recently. lottie was acting out of her lane, dragging you into it, asking for your opinion, and getting mad when you didn’t take sides. of course she was out of her lane. she’s been there since day 1! and what was it now? day 13? you were done. part of you wanted off this island-
“it’s a little chilly out here, isn’t it?”
you immediately sit up. priya in all of her glamor. her nightwear was always so cute. you were kind of jealous that it was cuter than yours. “well it’s not like it’s raining. it’s pretty moderate out here.” you pull the duvet closer to your body. “it’s actually warmer than inside. the villa is freezing!”
“i get cold easily too.” she slides next to you.
“so...” you look away, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. you were sitting right next to your crush! sure, you loved the others. you loved your partner. but it just wasn’t right.
every interaction you had with priya...now that was right. the way she laughed, how she wrapped her arms around you, the smell of her pineapple mist when she walked past you and you caught of whiff, the silkiness of her hair and its vibrant color. you also loved her beauty mark or the way she applied her lipstick. she needed to tap the end against her lips before smearing it with her finger. or how she fiddled with her nails when she was excited, trembling with anxiety. and you loved how she gently ran her fingers through her hair in the morning in an attempt to detangle. or how she peeled onions so effortlessly with her fingers and didn’t tear up. there was tension between you two. a lot of it.
but you didn’t know if she could feel it too.
“what are you doing out here?”
“i’m joining you silly!” she sticks her tongue out as she moves closer. “you looked a little lonely out here anyways. besides, someone has to check up on you.”
“it’s nice to know people care.”
the two of you sit in silence for a few minutes, looking up at the stars. you could see them so clearly. it was nice to be here, on the day bed without hearing any noise. everyone was sleeping and your mind was clear. plus if someone was doing bits, you couldn’t hear them.
“hey, i’m sorry about earlier.” priya sighs.
“sorry for what?”
“for dragging you into operation nope.” she turns on her side to look at you. you look at her. she looks like an angel with the moonlight acting as a halo. she looks ethereal, like a moon goddess. “it was immature of me. and i should’ve known that it would obviously turn out poorly.”
“to be fair, there’s nothing to do in the villa asides from stir up drama.” you chuckle. “but it’s fine. i think nope needs a break anyways. like noah needs some distance to really appreciate hope you know? plus some change might be good for her, try something new to see if it’s right.”
“who do you think should be with hope?”
“lucas.”
“lucas? really?”
“yeah. he’s got a big fat crush on her anyways. and they have similar working lifestyles you know? so it works out. lots in common. i think him saying he likes blondes is a fluke, probably to get dudes off of his back if they ask him what his type is. he said he’s not into one singular type anyways. besides, anyone can have blond hair.”
“yeah but you’re coupled up with lucas.”
“we’re more like a friendship couple.” you shrug. “he has a crush on hope. and...i have a crush on someone else.” you hesitated in saying the last part.
“really?” priya’s eyes widen as she leans closer to you. your breath hitched in your throat from the distance. you were so close. if you could push yourself a little, your noses would touch. “who? who? you can tell me. who’s got (y/n)’s attention here? i mean you are the hottest person here.”
the heat within your cheeks grew hotter. unbearably hot. “i- uh...well, that’s complicated!” you started laughing nervously, pulling the duvet up to cover your face.
“awww! little (y/n) is embarrassed! you have to be massively into this person then since you’re so nervous! like a school mate.”
“it’s more than just a school crush.” your voice is slightly muffled by the duvet.
“then who! i gotta know! maybe i can help!”
“ummm...well...” you slowly move the duvet to reveal your eyes as you look into hers. they glimmered like the stars above you. you were only a mere planet.
priya was a galaxy.
“y-you.”
you immediately pulled the duvet back over your eyes. you didn’t want to see her face, know her reaction. what if she reacted poorly? what if she didn’t like you that way and it felt like you were pressuring her? what if the audience’s favor for you finally died down after this and they would assume you had bad intentions? would they crucify you for betraying lucas, who was probably an audience favorite? there were so many things that could go wrong and oh god this was a mistake! coupling up with lucas was a mistake! trying to make friends was a mistake! coming here was a mistake! love island was a mistake!
priya’s hands gently pull the duvet cover to reveal your face. you let her, opening your eyes slowly. her face was calm and her lips curled into a small smile. your hands trembled, afraid of what’s to come.
she gently covers your hands with her own.
“i’m flattered!”
she leans in.
your noses are touching.
“you know, i do have to admit. i also have a crush on you. and for a while actually, since i came in. you were the first person who caught my eye.”
you didn’t know what else to say and your body trembled with excitement as she leaned in and her lips met yours.
her lips were soft and her kiss was gentle. the grip on your hands tightened ever so slightly. you were frozen for a brief second because you could not believe it.
you were kissing priya.
you were kissing your crush.
never in your life had that happened.
but this was love island. love island was the farthest thing from your mundane life.
you kissed back eagerly, your lips moving to the pace she set. this was a lot different than in the challenges. those kisses were steamy and sure, full of passion. but they were garbage compared to this.
this kiss was intimate, soft, emotional. you could sense the love behind it. even if it was a crush, or as lottie put it, the fanny flutters, it still was real. what you felt was real and what priya was feeling was real. and her reciprocating was as tangible as the day bed you both were lying on.
you both pull away after what felt like a second. a blissful second that you desperately wanted to last longer.
“i-i thought you struggle to commit.”
“well,” she hums, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. “i do. but i’m willing to give it a shot.” she leans closer to you. “for you. even if it...scares me.” she bites her lips and looks away, a blush beginning to form on her cheeks.
you smile. “we can take it slow. there’s no shame in that.”
she looks back at you, her eyes bright. “you’re so amazing, you know that (y/n)?”
“i try my damnedest.”
you lean towards her and press your lips against her own before wrapping your arms around her waist and pulling her taut to your body. she grabs the duvet and pulls it over the both of you, shielding your bodies from the cameras.
you couldn’t wait for the next recoupling.