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Sigh.
A calm and relaxed sound left Ara, who took in more of the sun’s light from her laying stance on the sunbed. Thankfully, today was an off day from the game she had signed up for; and as such, she had no time limit for one of her favorite activities since coming here. That being? Sitting under the sun, on the beach, sunbathing.
To any uncultured person that didn’t understand how this could be so appealing, she just guessed they hadn't been outside enough to get it. It was utterly relaxing, especially on such a nice island, it was great for tanning, she could go on and on. Plus, the sunlight exposure did wonders for one's body.
Was there any reason she was telling no one this? No, not really. She just wanted to flex her knowledge.
“Though…this would be better with someone else.”
Opening an eye, she would absentmindedly stare at the spot on the sand besides her. Sighing her to herself, she would close her eyes back and focus back onto relaxing; as contradicting as it seemed. She didn’t come out here on her lonesome to worry about the game or past events, she was here to enjoy herself and get away from her team for a while.
Yep, that was it. She didn’t need anyone else-
“Umm…hey, are you available?”
For a split-second, Ara’s face scrunched in minor annoyance before it had clicked whose voice it was. Opening her eyes, she would see her new -or, well, not new anymore- teammate, Lake, standing in front of her awkwardly; holding her own lounge chair and clad in that rather tight swimsuit of hers.
She took back what she said, she could use someone else here.
“Of course.” She said with a noncommitted shrug, as if she wasn’t just visibly surprised to see her. The red-head, having been given the go-ahead, gave a small smile and set up; and in no time flat was laying in her own chair besides her teammate.
“So…what brings you out here?” She asked, albeit awkwardly. In hindsight, she should’ve thought about what she wanted to speak about before coming here…
“Tanning. Relaxing. Enjoying myself. There’s three reasons right there.” Ara replied, leaning backwards; Lake, who was staring, silently gulped. “And…you?”
The black haired female arched a brow, both from the question and noticing the stare; though, for the latter, a slow smile crept up to her face. Lake, seeing this, felt her cheeks redden and quickly averted her gaze and cleared her throat.
“Oh, um, no reason…” She answered, pointedly ignoring the sly look she was certain her teammate was giving her
“Oh, really~?” Said girl prodded, resting herself on her side to face the red-head fully; propping up her head on her hand all the while
“...” Lake went silent for a moment, before looking down at her lap defeated. “I wanted to spend time with you…”
“What was that?” The black haired girl asked cheekily, even putting a hand to her ear. “The sound of the ocean distracted me, so I couldn’t hear you. Repeat, please?”
The red-head felt like burying herself.
“I…” She breathed in, turning to face her teammate despite her bashfulness. “I wanted to spend time with you.”
“...” Ara’s eyes lit up, and she would flip her hair back and lay back down
“And there it is. I can’t even blame you. I am just that hot and wonderful to be around.” She remarked with utter confidence in herself, with her teammate just staring at her both sheepish and awkward
It had been a few days since Lake had joined the Fans team after her…let’s say “unceremonious” exit from the Favorites. It was hard adjusting at first, but for the most part the team was nice and she was able to get along swimmingly with just about everyone; or at least she hoped so. She even managed to form something of an alliance with her teammates Bruno, Manu, and…er…Ara here.
She wasn’t lying when she had said she came here to spend time with her. Just yesterday their other alliance member, Finn, got eliminated; and while he by all means led himself to his own elimination in a way that pissed her off, it was still a blow to the alliance. Though, being honest, she wasn’t upset by it. He was an asshole, excuse her language, so she wasn’t upset at seeing him gone.
What she did care about, however, was Ara; even if she wasn’t too different from the boy. She was also rude, but managed to hold herself back ever so slightly after she requested; and even managed to reign Finn in a bit. But even so, it wasn’t like she changed. But she was…endearing, in a way she couldn’t quite explain. She even managed to get a chuckle or five out of her every now and then, which would in turn get a light one from her that soothed her ears more than-focus!
She just wanted to say…she was worried about her. She was visibly upset during Finn’s elimination, and hadn’t wanted to even speak to her when she tried comforting her after the fact. Combined with the fact that she kept her distance all morning…she couldn’t help but feel bad. So, she racked her mind to where she thought the shorter girl would be at this time of day, put on her swimsuit, got a lounge chair, and went to the beach and successfully found her. What would she do after? She didn’t know; she’ll just figure that out after resting here…alone with Ara…
…Okay, she also did want to spend some extra time with her. Could you blame her?
“...”
“...”
“...If you have something to say, say it.” Ara told her dryly after a minute or two of silence, taking the girl’s internal struggle of “comfort vs personal feelings” as something else
“O-Oh, it’s umm…” Lake began, snapping out of her thoughts and sitting up on her chair. “How…are you?”
“Fine. Just fine. Why do you ask?” The black haired female asked, already having a feeling as to where this was going
“Well…I know me and him weren’t close, but I know you and Finn were friend’s. I…just wanted to know if you were alright, after yesterday? It can be pretty hard losing a friend like that.” The grey eyed girl asked, rubbing her arm
Ara was silent, staring up towards the sky with an unreadable expression on her face as she seemed to ponder the question. The red-head could’ve sworn that, for the smallest of seconds, that the girl’s lips twitched into a frown before forming into something more neutral.
“Meh, I’ll be fine.” She would answer, resting her arms behind her head and shrugging. “I’ll miss him, but that’s the game. We’d have had to do the same to each other eventually, anyways. It was only a matter of time.”
She paused for a moment, glancing off to the side. “Besides, he got himself eliminated anyway. Even if our teammates are stupid for keeping that active detriment, it’s whatev’s. They’ll see they were wrong.”
“Oh…” Lake could tell she was holding back, but she was glad her teammate was at least somewhat honest with her regardless. It was…nice. It made her feel all fuzzy inside that she could get through to someone like her.
“Even still.” She smiled over at her. “If you ever feel like you need to talk to someone, just know that I’m here. You did the same for me, after all.”
The onyx eyed girl stared over at her, arching a brow. “Wasn’t that mostly for, if I remember correctly, “getting an ally” or something?”
“And you were still honest and willing to listen, and continued doing so well after I became one. Despite how shallow, rude, mean-spirited-”
“List out all my best features, won’t ya?” The girl deadpanned
I just don’t want you to feel alone, is all.” Ended Lake, her smile becoming warmer. Her teammate stared over at her, and when she began feeling an unfamiliar heat in her stomach leaned up and gave a light smile back.
“You’re really cheesy, you know that?” She asked, the girl beside her rolling her eyes playfully
“Yeah, yeah. If that gets you to open up.”
“Well, in any case, it’s not gonna work as well as you think it will.”
“Oh.”
“But…thanks. I mean it. You’re too nice for your own good.” Ara remarked, the grey eyed girl giggling into a fist
“I’m told it's one of my better qualities.” She said, earning a chuckle from her teammate
“I’ll say.” She agreed, chuckling louder when Lake tensed and went red faced. She should’ve invited her here to begin with, she was having the time of her life.
“S-So…umm…we should probably discuss strategy…” The tomato looking girl started, earning a light groan from her alliance partner
“Urrgh, I didn’t come out here to strategize. Can’t we just relax for another while?” She asked, placing her hands on her hips
“Ara…” Lake began. “We have to if we want any chance at surviving. You know that.”
“...” Rolling her eyes after getting into a small staring contest with the girl, Ara folded. “Fine, strategy talk then we lay down and enjoy the others' presence. Deal?”
“Deal.” The taller girl replied, before immediately realizing what the other had said. “Wait-”
“Pffffffft! Too easy.” The black haired girl commented, grinning slightly as a hand covered her mouth. How amusing~
Lake, meanwhile, tightening her hands into fists and stared into her lap. She swore she never acted like this around any other girl. WHY was ARA of all people making her slip up like this?!
“So, the others?” Said girl began, the red-head pushing down her embarrassment and nodding
“Yes. They already had an alliance of Ren, Dunia, and Nura. After they saved Oliwia, that’d be four to match with us. Sam…I don’t know.”
“Well, he did vote with them last night. He’s probably joined them after all this time of not officially having a group to himself. Plus, last time I checked he’s been hanging around Dunia more; so that gives him more incentive.” Ara told her, earning another nod from her partner
“That’s true. That would be five to our four…”
“And since I doubt Manu or Bruno would be able to do anything to stop them, it’ll be up to us.”
“Ara…”
“...Fine, it’ll be up to us since we’ll be better…equipped. After all, you’ve played this game more than the rest of us, and I’m me.”
“Pft, you’re you? That’s your strategy?”
“It got you, didn’t it?”
“...”
Lake bit her lip, and Ara smirked.
“Well…yes. So how do you suppose we stop them?” She asked the shorter girl, who put a finger to her lip and looked up before smirking
“We separate them. You try using your charms and good nature to get through to Sam to flip while convincing the others that Oliwia is a liability. It’s not like we need them all to flip, we just need one or that alliance to break even once.”
“And I assume you’re going to help?” Lake asked with an arched brow
“Of course. I’ll put all of my focus into bringing Nura to our side.” The future business woman answered
“Nura?”
“Ren and Dunia are tied by the hip. Even if we get them to realize Oliwia isn’t good to keep, they’ll still stick together in spite of it; which means, they’re less likely to break. But Nura? She may be in that little trio, but she is a realist. It won’t be easy, but I think I could get her to go against her friends to work in our favor.”
Lake didn’t look so sure, even looking away in what appeared to be shame.
“Yeah…” She murmured. She knew, by now, the type of game they were playing…but still…potentially harming friendships? Splitting friends apart? It didn’t feel right to her. Maybe it was her naivety talking, but she wished things wouldn’t have had to come down to this…
Ara, who noticed the internal struggle, sighed.
“It was gonna have to be done eventually. Those three plus Oliwia and Sam is a dangerous combination, and since we’re against them we’re more likely to get targeted even over the others. Me because…reasons, and you because you’re a threat. Do you want them?” She asked, the red-head widening her eyes
“No!” She responded quickly, before just as fast calming herself and clutching a fist to her chest. “I wouldn’t want that…”
“Me either, so we’ll just do what we can to take them down now. Don’t worry, they’ll still be friends when this is all over.” The onyx eyed female told her, the red-head tensing
“We can betray each other inside the game and be friends after.”
Those words…
“But the key is to determine how to do that…I don’t really know any of them like that. Spending most of my time here with you and Finn really dampened any plans I could’ve had.” Ara remarked, a tad bit annoyed at herself. How could she be so stupid? This was business 101, and she failed to get any proper info on her competitors.
“Hmm, I got it.” She said after a moment, smiling over at Lake. “I could make friends with Nura, flirt with her a bit, get her over to our side, then-”
“NO!”
Ara, in genuine surprise at the outburst, blinked as she stared at the grey eyed girl. Said competitor looked suddenly bashful after realizing what she had done, but breathed in anyways before exhaling and levelling a stare at her teammate.
“Uhh…wanna explain that?” Said girl asked
“You don’t have to…betraying Nura after she would consider you a friend is too cruel, even for this game. That crosses a line.” Lake responded, the black haired female blinking again. She honestly thought the logic was sound, but that was this goody-goody for you. It was both endearing, and extremely annoying.
“Okay…then I’m guessing it's a no to the flirting as well? I mean, look at me. I’m certain I could get her to crash by the next time we vote.” She said, with Lake doing just that
“E-Especially not that!” She said, feeling the heat rise to her face. That was a terrible idea! Why would she…did she…could she…?
“...Well, do you have any other ideas?” The business student asked, with her teammate crossing her arms
“Well…no…but doing either of those things is out of the question.” She said, with her alliance partner rolling her eyes
“Great, let’s just be sitting ducks for the group of five to pick apart our four; starting with you, which I wouldn’t like. If you don’t have any other plans-”
“You had one. Convince Sam or the others to let go of Oliwia or flip to us.”
“Not a very good one, I’ll admit.” Ara deadpanned. “I was just brainstorming. They wouldn’t let go of Oliwia until they are absolutely safe, and who knows with Sam. Me getting Nura to us shatters that alliance.”
“And if you fail like I hypothetically would with Sam?”
“I would have tried, as annoying as that would be.”
“Then it’s useless.”
“Useless?”
“Tearing apart a friendship, playing with some girl’s emotions, it’d have been useless. All it’d do is put a target on your back afterwards anyways, and if you got eliminated…”
Lake didn’t finish her sentence, glancing away with hurt in her eyes.
“It’s too cruel. I won’t allow it.” She said, with Ara looking at her bewildered
“You knew what you were getting into when you worked with me. Did you think I would be above this? We’re in a competition for a million dollars, dirty tricks will have to be played.” She told her
“I know…I wish I wouldn’t, but I just expected better is all.” The red-head said, a feeling of shame entering her. Bringing down not only her, but Ara and the others’ games just for her feelings wasn’t sitting right. She desperately wanted to adhere to her morals…but she knew she, very likely, wasn’t going to change the girl’s mind. But she couldn’t stomach the fact of her or Ara being involved in such a friendship breaking…
Though, that wasn’t the only reason…
“But if you want to do so anyways…be my guest. I won’t be supporting it, though.” She said, looking visibly sad
Ara was conflicted.
On one hand, this was utterly exasperating. She genuinely believed Lake forgot what she signed up for a third time, because this was standard in not just this show but reality shows in general. Having options or plans on top of plans was standard, and what she was offering -even if not the most sound- was the best idea they had right now in their situation against such a tightly knit trio and their new lapdog. She wasn’t going to sit here and let Lake and her moral code stop her from potentially winning.
On the other…the red-head looked so pathetic…so sad…grrr, this was annoying! Why was she feeling any sort of guilt for this?! In time she’ll have to betray Lake too, so why feel bad about going against her like this now?! This wasn’t like her at all!
Why would she…would she stop looking so depressed?
…
Sigh.
It’s fine. She guesses she’ll have to think of something else. For now, she’ll have to uplift her first interest and investment. If she didn’t, then she could leave; and that simply wouldn’t stand. If anyone was going to work with Lake, it would be her.
…Thank God this was in her head and nobody heard that.
*Ruffle* *Ruffle*
“H-Huh?! Ara?! What are you-”
“I’m getting comfortable, obviously.”
Lake felt like she was going to explode.
Just a few seconds ago, literally a few seconds ago, she was sitting in her chair pouting over the idea of Ara breaking apart a friendship and…maybe flirting with another woman, which she didn’t understand why she was upset since they weren’t even dating. But now she was laying in her chair with Ara snuggling up to her side, arm wrapped around her and face right in the crook of her neck.
Now, she didn’t typically like cursing…but what the fuck?!
“Mhmm, I’m comfortable now. You have a strong body, Lake.” The business student complimented, getting the girl in question to tense and tremble
“T-T-Thank you…” She managed out. She definitely looked as stiff as a board, but how couldn’t she?! Her crush-err, she means friend-wait, uhh, alliance partner held her so suddenly!
“You know, you can hug back too. I wouldn’t be opposed.” Offered the black haired female, her words sending a jolt throughout the writer
“O-Okay…” She would agree, words coming out quicker than her brain could properly process the question
An arm, the one that wasn’t currently sandwiched between her side and Ara’s front -yep, she was going to ignore that like her life depended on it!- slowly and nervously made its way over towards the girl. She had to shift her body a bit, so now this looked like an awkward hug, but she would eventually get her around the onyx eyed girl’s middle-lower back and pull her in closer.
The resulting sigh from the girl sent shivers across her body, but none more so when Ara physically relaxed and basically embraced her hold…naturally.
“This is…serviceable. Never cuddled someone before, haven’t you?” The black haired girl teased, her words getting Lake to stare upwards to avoid her gaze
“N-Not at all, I…I couldn’t…” She trailed off, meekness turning into something more somber. Ara’s eyes softened, and without even thinking placed a hand on the girl’s cheek and slowly moved her head to face her.
“You have the chance now, right?” She asked, the red-head staring at her for a moment before gulping and nodding softly
“Good. Then let’s just stay here like this, until you get used to doing so. Don’t worry, I may be small but I won’t break.” She continued, feeling the hold on her tighten softly
“Thank you…”
“No problem…no problem at all.”
For a good while, no words were said between the two. The two, for all intents and purposes, just truly and properly relaxed for the first time since either of them arrived on this beach. No awkwardness after a while, no worries about the game, no laments about friends, no nothing. Just them, the rustling water, and sun hitting them.
The black haired girl could not only hear it, but she could feel the taller girl’s heartbeat from her position by her head. It was quick at first, but slowly calmed into something serene in a way; and, eventually, in combination with her now restful breathing it was a nice tune. As such, she shifted more into her figure, and the red-head accepted.
Call her what you wanted, but the grey eyed girl couldn’t get over this. The feeling of holding someone you may like in such a way surpassed nearly anything she’s felt in the past. It was exhilarating, and took her breath away. Feeling her, her body heat, her breathing, all of it…
Lake loved every moment of it, and even Ara began leaning into it more as the minutes passed.
Normally, she wasn’t one for something like this. In the past, with her partners, yeah she was pretty physical but cuddling like this wasn’t something she often did. She preferred kisses, teases, and shebang. But…if this was what this was like, she may need to invest…then again, she was certain she only felt this good solely because it was Lake she was doing this with. She seemed to have that effect on her. Speaking of…
“Hey…”
“...Hey…”
“You’re…” She paused, exhaling. She’s gotta get this over with. Doing this was for this moment…
“I’ll…You’re right. We can look for another way, if that makes you happy.” Her voice was small, as if she wasn’t used to conceding like this. But Lake could still hear her, and just as she gasped and smiled would her eyes widen with delight.
“That’s wonderful!” She said; and from her position on her chest would the business student roll her eyes softly. This goody-goody…
“But if it doesn’t work, you’ll have to hear me out more.” She looked up at her. “We have to play, after all. Don’t forget it, or I might have to drop you.”
“...I understand.” Lake agreed, with Ara smiling lightly at it. Good.
“Perfect.” She said, the two staring right at each other now to the point they began smiling right at one other, with a stare neither could quite pin-point. The black haired girl noticed, not for the first time, just how…pretty the writer was. Her bright hair, her adorable eyes, her paleness that brought her entire look together, how kissable her lips looked…she didn’t think someone like her would be her type to look at, but here she was.
Little did she know, Lake felt the same; though, it was more emotional.
By all means, she shouldn’t like Ara. She was the type of person she never found herself liking. She had a million and one reasons to hate her, to flip and get her out, to ally with literally anyone else, but she’s still here with her; and now, she is holding onto her like she was scared she wouldn’t get to again. She was so beautiful, and there was so much more to her beyond that surface she put up…
“Have you ever kissed someone before?” Ara asked suddenly, before letting out a dry chuckle. “Wait, that was dumb…of course you haven’t.”
“N…No, I haven’t…” Her teammate answered, still lost in her gaze but coherent enough to answer. She wasn’t implying…
“Well…” She began again, putting a hand onto the taller girl’s cheek and giving her a more coy look. “I have, and I want to do it again. Help me out, will ya?”
“...?!”
She breathed in, then out.
“Okay.”
The sudden confidence from the red-head sent a spark through Ara, who wasted no time in closing the gap between the two.
Her lips pressed flush against the taller girls’ own, and what she could only describe as sparks erupted all throughout Lake’s body. It was her first kiss, and with a girl she absolutely came to like despite all of the flags that waved she likely wasn’t a good fit for her. But now? Right now? She didn’t care. She kissed back with the same amount of passion Ara gave her, holding her all the same.
The business student flooded her mind on repeat throughout the duration of the kiss. Her face, her words, her jokes, her snarkiness, all of it replayed. As such she pulled Ara in closer, earning a light gasp from the girl; who, nonetheless, melted into the kiss that Lake deepened. How bold was she getting? She could’ve never imagined herself doing something like this not even a few weeks ago, Hell if not a few days. But here she was, and her physically stunted spirit wanted more.
Although, eventually, the two would separate. Lake breathed quick heavily, having put more energy into the lip-locking than she had thought. Compare this to Ara, whose breaths were more bright, and whose emotions were more in control; with her even giving the red-head that teasing smile she loved giving her.
“Yep, you’ve never kissed anyone before. That was terrible.” She joked, her words sending a worried chill throughout the girl’s body
“Really? I-I’m so sorry!” She apologized quickly, mentally berating herself. Great, she messed up! Now-
“Relax, Lakey. It was…” She paused, as if she was trying to find a word that didn’t give away how she really felt about it. “Sweet. I liked it.”
“O-Oh…” The taller girl let out a small, cute chuckle; though minor worry was still present. “M-Me too…you…umm…have a nice taste.”
The red-head mentally dropkicked herself.
“That must be my lipstick. Does wonders if I ever want to kiss someone randomly. You better get used to it.” She told her with a wink, flipping her hair back and watching in amusement as her teammates already pink face darkened in color
“Mhm.” Lake said, feeling breathless again. “D-Does this mean…?”
“Hmmm…we can decide that later.” Ara swung her lower half off the lounge chair, with her moving so her back could face the red-head and so she could now be sitting; to her minor disappointment. “For now, I have to brainstorm. I’ll need to focus completely on taking out the others, and as sad as I am to say it, being here wouldn’t help with that.”
“Oh…” The writer replied, also disappointed. She kind of regrets talking strategy now…
“Buuuut.” Ara said, standing up. “If you want to hang out later, meet me at the camp. I’m certain we can continue where we left off then~”
Lake, all but looking like her hair, nodded quickly. Ara couldn’t help but giggle, and began walking off with a small wave.
“See you later. Make sure to tan while you’re out here. You look like you could use the sun.” She said, the red-head staring at her silently as she walked off before giving a shaky wave
“Bye…” She said, out of breath. The moment Ara was out of eyesight would she fall back onto the chair under her, looking up into the blue sky with her mind racing with a million thoughts per second. But the constant among them? Overwhelming happiness.
She gave her lips a brief touch, and she began giggling. She couldn’t help herself, she needed to find Rosa and tell her what just happened!
Meanwhile, Ara walked through the forest back to camp silent. A small smile was on her face, but eventually she would stop and frown lightly, running a hand through her black locks.
“...Crap.”
Her mind was full of Lake centered thoughts, and they weren’t stopping. She still felt the lingering touch of her lips against hers, the faintest hint of some fruit on them as well, and could feel phantoms of her body against hers. She wasn’t stupid, she knew what this meant; and this worried her.
At first, she flirted with Lake to get her as an ally once she noticed she held some minor interest in her when they had their first real conversation a few days ago. She thought she could use that to her advantage, with the plus of it being a fun pass time to watch her squirm a bit with certain comments or actions she would make. It gave her an ally and was fun, so she was happy.
…She didn’t expect herself to develop feelings herself.
“...”
She sighed to herself. Great. Just great. She got attached to the biggest and cutest moral compass on the island. Yay. Amazing job, Ara. At the same time, however, she couldn’t find it in herself to regret any of what she did.
…She wondered what one could use for a makeshift date on this island.