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the lights turn on long before i crawl out of bed this morning. i snuggle into rob, trying to ignore the sounds of the villa and fall back asleep. eventually, the girls manage to cajole me into getting ready, i follow them reluctantly. something in the air today is making my skin prickle, a heavy feeling settling in my chest. i change quietly, putting no real effort in my appearance as i slip out of the room and head downstairs. i avoid the islanders hanging around the kitchen and head to the grass, finding a quiet spot out of their direct line of sight.
i settle on a yoga mat, hoping the familiar routine of stretching and meditation will help center me. i go through positions, slowing my breathing and find that quiet space in my mind. i move into the compass pose, struggling to secure my foot above my head when a shadow falls over me and a large hand gently grabs my foot, helping me into the correct position. i look behind me, finding connor kneeling on the ground, looking somewhat embarrassed. i thank him, greatful but slightly confused, we hadn't spoken much since he arrived in the villa. "do you mind if i join you? i've been hoping to have a one on one chat" he responds, a light blush covering his cheeks as he nervously rubs the back of his neck.
"of course" i say, blushing slightly and nodding to the space next to me. he sets down his own mat and begins stretching, not following the same pose but relaxing all the same. eventually he breaks the quiet again, "actually, i wanted to talk about the challenge yesterday. i hope i didn't make you uncomfortable." i quickly tell him he hasn't, i understood the rules of the game, and technically it was my fault, i'm the one who missed the spear throw. "yeah, that's the thing" he starts, hesitating before he continues, "that's not how i was hoping to share a kiss with you."
i freeze, blushing as i look at him, mouth agape in surprise, "what?" i squeak, and he continues. "i mean yeah, you're beautiful, obviously i was hoping to get to know you. you've been stuck to rob pretty much 24/7, but you have options and i want to make it known that i'm interested" i'm silent, trying to process how i've found myself in this situation and he seems to take my silence as an invitation to move closer. i startle at his movements, trying to recreate some distance and a sharp pain shoots down the inside of my thigh. "ouch!" i yelp, dropping my leg down to cradle the offending muscle.
my cry of pain attracts the attention of the rest of the villa, as they start making their way to us, connor reaches out as if to help me. i ignore his outstretched hands, tears coming to my eyes as i try to breathe through the discomfort. i feel him before i see him, his energy crackling, rivaling that of a thunderstorm as he drops down beside me. his eyes flash, narrowing dangerously at connor before he gently tilts my head towards his. "what happened baby?" he questions softly, his touch soothing as he looks me over, glancing between me and connor, and the lack of space between us. "i don't know. i was stretching and then" i break off nervously, "i might have pulled something, i felt a sharp pain run down my leg"
connor pipes up, "let's get you up off the ground, you need to rest for a bit before you do anymore walking." he moves as if to pick me up and i tense at the same time rob snaps, "i've got her, thank you for the advice." rob gently scoops me up, cradling me to his chest as he carefully walks upstairs. he sets me down on our bed, hovering protectively over me as the girls check in, asking if i need anything. embarrassed, i politely decline, thanking them for the offer and apologize for causing a scene. "hush, baby" leah coos as she runs her hand down my head, "we just wanted to make sure you were alright" they file out of the room, but not before promising they would check in later.
author's note
connor is not a bad guy, rory is just shy and he doesn't know how to take a hint, but he will learn ;)
