Deal Breakers

Day 37

The community cabin was almost empty, even though everyone was there for breakfast. So many people had been eliminated that now there were so many empty chairs and tables, just the eight of us, plus our four Deal Breakers.

Yesterday I was in this same room on my knees having a full mental breakdown as Chase walked out the door. Today I sit across from Peter and Timothy as they discuss the last two rounds and what the rumors were.  Chase was sitting with Samantha and Jacob in our usual spot by the fireplace, they were making small talk that I wish I could overhear. Today Samantha was nestled next to Chase as she spooned yogurt into her mouth.

I guess they made up, I snorted at the thought of how quickly he moved on.

Denver, Rachel, and James were rambling about something with Lizzie and Charlie who were both matching today. Dark green jumpsuits that had a beige trimming that was ghastly, but they were the kindest couple so I tried not to stare too hard. Amanda was held up in her cabin, Lizzie mentioned she didn't feel good and was skipping breakfast.

"Round seven is tomorrow, then I heard round eight is three days after," Timothy said gleefully with his thick Swedish accent. His platinum blonde hair hanging in his eyes as he told Peter who he thinks will be in the final round. He and Jacob of course, alongside Peter and I. Funny, I haven't thought about that part lately.

I kept glancing over at Chase and Samantha, but he never looked my way. Since last night it was like I didn't exist, like I was not even in the same room as him anymore. I pushed the ache deep down and plastered a Todd-like smile on my face as I finally spoke up.

"I think round seven is going to be exciting," I say forcing myself to make conversation.

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It was time for my least favorite thing, individual interviews. Ellen had us all back in the community cabin waiting for her to call us. It was four in the afternoon and Chase had successfully avoided me the whole day, even when Samantha had called me over to chat with them by his cabin. When I started to walk over Chase got up and pulled Samantha inside, making her giggle and laugh.

"Okay," Ellen said looking at her handy dandy clipboard. "We are going to be doing things a little differently today," She said pursing her lips. She looked around the room, her smile was wide but with tight lips. I could tell she was hiding something, or up to no good. "We will be doing interviews in pairs of two, random pairings."

No one said a word, the room stood quiet and it was like everyone thought the same thing in unison, why?

"First up, Lizzie and Amanda." Ellen beckoned them to her with the motion of her finger and they were out the door, following her to their interrogation. For a moment the Community Cabin felt eerie, a heavy and invisible blanket covered us all. It was like everyone in this room had a secret to keep, including me.

Thirty minutes later the girls returned, looking perfectly unbothered. It was a relief to me, that maybe this was just one of our usual interviews. Ellen lifted the page on her clipboard, sliding her finger down it and stopping on her next set of victims. I could have sworn I saw her cheekbones lift slightly like she had fought back a smile. Her ebony skin was glowing more than usual, her eyes brighter than when we first got here and I wondered what skin routine she must be doing here in these humid woods.

Ellen looked at me, a devious smirk playing at her lips before she, "Layla and Chase."

It felt like the air in my lungs had been vacuumed out. I know my expression was nothing less than shocked, but I tried to fix my face by just smiling weirdly and awkwardly. I glanced at Chase and he truly looked unbothered, he was examining a blister on his thumb and never looked up. "Let's go you two," She said with a finger snap.