This time, I'm serious

Every single time

Jas and Thabi didn't need a bathroom stop, so they went over to the firepit immediately.

Thabi looked even more jittery than normal.

"You okay, babe?"

"Just nervous. About who I'm picking." she whispered.

Jas shot her a look. "You're not picking Will?"

Thabi bit her lip. "I.... No."

Jas raised her eyebrows. "Shit, girl, I'm sorry. I've been so caught up in my own drama I didn't even know something had happened between you two. Are you okay?"

Thabi looked over at the boys. "I'm fine, he's fine. I just think we've drifted apart. Same journey, different destinations kind of thing."

Jas nodded. "It happens. I'm sorry. I know you liked him a lot. So who's your eye on, then?" She couldn't help but feel her heart start to race a little. The possibility of someone picking Bruno before she had a chance wasn't one she'd even considered until now.

No one would do that to her though... surely?

Thabi saw the look on her face, and chuckled a little. "I'm not picking Bruno, don't worry."

Jas sighed with relief. "I didn't think so, babe, not that he wouldn't be obviously thrilled. You just never know with these things. It makes me so nervous"

Thabi's eyes widened. "You? Nervous? You're always so confident!"

Jas shook her head at Thabi. "Maybe on the outside, babe. But everybody gets scared. Half the time in here I feel like I'm bricking it . Especially when it comes to... you know. Him " she nodded her head toward the villa.

Thabi smiled at her feet. "I'm just... I just don't want to surprise anyone. I feel like people forget we're both here sometimes, and..."

It finally hit her.

"Oh my god, you like James? "

Thabi blushed a deeper blush than Jas had ever seen on a human being.

"Oh my god, Thabi, finally ."

Thabi looked at her, questioning her.

"I said it back when we played Never Have I Ever. The day after Bruno & Youcef arrived. Do you remember? You guys talked about queuing up outside a bookstore for a midnight release, and I told you to get a room."

Thabi giggled furiously, blushing.

A wave of emotion and realisation came over Jas as she thought about how good James & Thabi would be together.

Jas grabbed her and pulled her into a cuddle. "Oh my god, Thabi, I'm so happy for you! He's actually the loveliest guy, the two of you would be sickeningly sweet together."

Thabi beamed at her. Jas took Thabi's hand as they waited for the other girls to make their way over.

"I'm so worried about everyone's reactions. I feel like it's coming out of the blue... and I just... I keep stealing Valentina's man. I was so worried she'd get upset. So when I told her..."

"You told her? In advance?"

"Yeah! And she was actually really fine with it!"

"Thabi that's huge! You told Valentina bad news in advance without knowing how she'd react. Even I get scared of doing that! That was super brave, babe!"

Thabi threaded her arms back around Jas, hugging her again. Jas couldn't help but feel a little surge of pride and happiness, knowing how far she'd come. And she was genuinely excited for Thabi and James. They'd be awesome together, and Jas felt so reassured knowing that James wouldn't be going home yet. He deserved a chance.