DAY ONE
Uninhabited for almost a year, the Love Island villa once again opens its doors to the first few newcomers of the season. Five girls wander into the garden, all completely different except for their interest in one particular thing: finding love.
The garden is much bigger in real life than on television, and they find themselves unaware of what to do with themselves for a few moments. Look around? Sit down? There'll be plenty of time to explore later, and right now is all about first impressions. Who knows how much value friendship could hold later on. One girl takes the lead and sits on the large semi-circular sofa, the others quickly following suit. She clears her throat.
"It's proper sweating," she says. The others laugh, a weight taken off their shoulders. At least now they don't have to worry about breaking the ice. "I'm Conni, by the way."
The other girls introduce themselves. Moni, Andrea, Margot and Anya. Moni spots a bottle of champagne on the sofa's paneling and takes it upon herself to pop it open, the bubbles rising to the surface and overflowing onto the wooden flooring in an eruption of foam. The girls cheer and Moni fills their glasses generously, deciding now would be a good time to get a conversation started.
"So," she says as she sits back down, "do yous have a type or is it all about personality?"
"I like old men," Anya deadpans.
"Girl, what," Conni says, a look of concern plastering her face.
"Erm, I don't think old men are allowed on this show so you might be out of luck," Moni says, putting it as lightly as she can.
"We'll see..." Anya says and takes a long sip of her champagne.
Random. Anyway.
"I like really ugly men, but no one understands me," Andrea sighs.
"Is anyone here normal or what?" Conni asks. She doesn't mean it to be rude, but- no, actually, she does mean it to be rude.
Andrea looks as if she's going to start crying. "This is what I mean. I can't help who I'm attracted to, okay?"
"Okay..." Conni thinks this girl is insane.
"I prefer personality over looks," Margot says. "A nice lad beats a fit one any day of the week."
"Can't agree with you there," Conni shakes her head. "I don't like ugly people."
Moni looks at her, wide-eyed. Does she know the cameras are rolling?
"What's your type then?" Conni says to her, unfazed.
That stops Moni in her tracks. It's too embarrassing. Conni will definitely make fun of her, too. She considers lying, but supposes there's no point.
"It's silly, but I like boys who look a bit gay. Like obviously I don't fancy them if they're actually gay, just if they look it."
It isn't Conni who is surprised this time. It's everyone else. They splutter out barely concealed laughs, trying to hide their smiles behind their hands.
"No, I get it," Conni says.
"Excuse me, Conni," Andrea says, light-hearted in spirit, "You've been making fun of all of us yet you like GAY BOYS!"
"No I don't," Conni rolls her eyes. "Moni likes gay boys, I like skinny boys. A bit twinky. Wait, I didn't mean that." She looks at the camera. "Cut that out please."
Out of nowhere, an old man appears before the girls. He probably walked over while they were distracted and they just didn't see him, but for mysterious purposes, he was summoned to the spot he stands in by an unknown entity. He smiles and clasps his hands together, looking down at them.
