Lovers and Friends

Day 4- Pitch Perfect

When we got to the lounge area everyone was hanging out on the sofas chatting, escaping the heat for a bit. We chatted about random things, relaxing and enjoying ourselves.

Miki jumped up, "Oh, i've got a text!"

Islanders, please make your way to the lawn for today's challenge. #makeitrise #stiffandsturdy

Camilo looked out the window, "What are all those bundles on the lawn?"

We rushed outside to check it out. All across the lawn were bundles of nylon, tent pegs, and collapsed metal poles. We glanced around at each other waiting for the text with our challenge instructions. Lucky for me, it was my phone that buzzed.

"It's me guys...let's see what we have to do."

Islanders, it's time to find out who is good with their hands in today's pitch a tent challenge. You will vote on which couple has the best tent. The winning couple gets to decide what to eat tonight. #tentlife #getpitching

Harry looked over at the tent supplies, "Aw, man. I don't know how to put up a proper tent. When I go to Glasto, I just use a pop-up one."

Seb nodded, "Agreed man. Pop-up tents are the way to go. Real tents are a faff."

Genevieve perked up and went to grab her supplies from the pile, "We always have medical crew tents at festivals. I've never put one up before, but I'm excited to give it a try."

Iona huffed, "Pff...I rig pylons for a living, they are basically big tents, ya know wires and poled and stuff. I got this in the bag!"

Camilo shrugged, "This is going to be a huge pain."

Bill grabbed the instructions, "It's simple, just follow the instructions."

I was excited for this challenge, "I'm ready...my dad and I went on a camping trip every summer. Putting the tent together is the easiest part."

Nicky grabbed us a bundle of supplies, "So you're saying you're good at this...because I haven't got a clue."

"Ya, babe...don't worry. I got this."

Elladine rolled her eyes, "Alright, quit nattering and let's just get this over with. I guess I have to do it on my own. Not exactly happy about that but whatever."

Everyone dispersed across the lawn and began to try to assemble their tents.

Nicky started to undo the bundle and lay everything out. "So, my camping expert. What do we do?"

"Simple, we thread the rods through the holes on the side of the tent."

We picked up the rods and began putting them through the tent holes. I was a lot faster than Nicky. He glanced over at me, "You really know how to do this...why don't you do the rest and I'll just stand back and observe your technique."

"Is that you're way of saying you're just going to stare at my body while I do all the work?"

"Maybe."

I giggled and got back to work. I glanced around at the other couples. Our tent was the most complete. Elladine's tent was the least put together, she was struggling big time. I felt bad for her that she didn't have anyone to help her but then again she hadn't been the nicest person to me lately so maybe her terrible tent skills is karma.

Our tent was almost finished, last step..hammering the pegs in. I handed the hammer to Nicky. "Your turn to do something while I sit back and watch. Hammer the pegs into the ground so the tent doesn't move."

"Ok, If you insist." Nicky took the hammer and began hitting the pegs into the ground. He was pretty quick at it and soon our tent was finished. Nicky stood up and pretended to dust himself off. He came and stood next to me, we stared at our tent for a second, revelling in a job well done. Nicky turned to me and held up his hand for a high five...I laughed and hit his hand.

Nicky pulled me in for a hug, "Alright, we did it. It looks good."

I looked up at him and rolled my eyes, "Hey, I did most of the work."

"Oh hush, I'll repay your hard work later tonight when we are alone in our tent."

"Oh really..and how are you going to repay me?"

"I'll give you a hint, it involves some of this rope." Nicky leaned down and picked up the rope that was holding our bundle of supplies together.

I felt my cheeks flush red. I was nervous, what in the world was Nicky thinking.I wasn't very adventurous when it came to bedroom antics. I was traditional when it came to sex, missionary, girl on top. But the thought of Nicky, a rope and us alone in the tent was warming me up and causing my body to tremble . I was willing to be adventurous with Nicky, I trusted him and his playful demeanor always put me at ease. I realized I never responded to his rope comment and he was staring at me, trying to gauge my reaction.

I tried to quickly regain my composure, "Right well, if we are going to be having fun in there we need some more stuff. Like pillows, blankets...the whole lot. Let's make this tent cozy and fun."

Nicky nodded, "Yes, babe. Love this idea."

We headed into the lounge and grabbed all sorts of blankets, rugs, pillows to make the inside of our tent lush...a perfect place for some intimacy. On our way back Nicky spotted some fairy lights hanging in the kitchen.

"Hey Tegan, how about some mood lighting in our tent?"

"Oooo..sexy. I like it. Grab them and come on. It's almost voting time."

We quickly headed back to our tent and brought our supplies inside. We laid everything out and put up the fairy lights. Then looked at each other pleased with our work. Nicky went to the tent entrance and slowly zipped it up.

"Nicky, what are you doing? We have to go vote on the others tents."

"They can wait a minute. Plus I think Elladine is still putting hers together." He made his way back over to me and took my hand, pulling me towards him. Nicky pressed his lips to mine,  gave him a quick peck and turned away ready to head back out to the others. But before I was able to reach the tent entrance Nicky grabbed my arm and pulled me on top of him.

"Nicky...come on, let's get back out there with the others. We will have time for this kind of stuff tonight."

He didn't respond with words, instead he led my lips to his and bit down on my bottom lip. I felt my body quiver and I pulled away, not wanting to get too excited. I pushed myself up off of him and headed unzipped the tent. I looked back at him, his expression hard to read, "Let's pick this back up later ok, Nicky?"

He sighed and watched me as I exited our tent. A few moments later he came out and joined the rest of us in the center of the lawn. He seemed distant from me once again and my mind started to question if maybe we were too different.

We started looking at each other's tents and rating them. Genevieve mentioned that it was going to be hard to choose the best one. Elladine's was definitely the worst, but the rest of ours looked about the same.

Nicky's phone buzzed, "Alright, here we go."
Islanders, in your couples, say who you think had the best tent. No nominating yourself. #riseabove #tentationsensation

Nicky and I looked around at the other tents trying to decide whose was best. I thought AJ's tent wasn't bad. It looked put together pretty well. Everyone else was looking at our tent, and most, except for Elladine, agreed that our tent was the best. A few moments later my phone dinged.

Congrats Tegan and Nicky. The other islanders agree your tent rises above the rest. Your reward is picking what to eat for dinner tonight. #campoutcookout

Everyone congratulated us and we started to wonder back towards the villa when my phone dinged again.

Islanders, tonight you will be camping out under the stars...in your tents. Enjoy! #notglamping #intentsromance

Most of us cheered, excited to stay in our tents. Elladine was one of the few who didn't seem thrilled about it.