𝐓𝐃𝐈 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 ♡︎

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬

🜸 :: 𝐡𝐢𝐢 !! 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 ! 
𝐍𝐨 𝐬𝐦𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭er !

Heather sat on the edge of the dock, her legs drooping just above the water, the moon radiating a silver shimmer across the lake. The Total Drama Island competition had been grueling, and although she was a master of manipulation, it was beginning to wear on her. The one person she hadn't managed to outsmart was Alejandro.

And he was standing right behind her.

"You're up late," Alejandro said, his smooth voice cutting through the silence like a knife.

Heather didn't flinch. "Could say the same for you."

She glanced over her shoulder, raising a brow as Alejandro sat down beside her, far closer than she would've liked. His signature smirk was in place, that infuriatingly charming look that made everyone on the island fall for his gimmicks. But not her. Not Heather.

Alejandro stared out at the water for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I was just thinking about the game. About how... unpredictable it can be. Alliances form, and betrayals happen... Sometimes the lines between strategy and emotion
blur."

Heather scoffed, her arms crossing defensively. "Don't give me that. I know how you play. You're just waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

His eyes flickered to her, and there was something softer there, something that made Heather uncomfortable. She'd never seen Alejandro like this—without his façade fully up.

"You think I don't know what you're doing, Heather? You're the queen of manipulation. But even queens need allies," he said, his tone lower, almost a whisper.

Heather narrowed her eyes. "I don't need anyone."

Alejandro laughed softly, the sound warm in the cool night air. "Perhaps not... but sometimes, even the strongest players recognize a kindred spirit."

Heather turned to him fully now, her frustration barely contained. "What are you getting at?"

Alejandro leaned in just a fraction, his gaze locked onto hers. "You're not the only one who can play this game. But maybe, just maybe, we're better off playing it together."

Heather felt a strange heat rise in her chest, but she quickly pushed it aside. This was Alejandro, after all—master of seduction and lies. And yet, his offer made sense. They were the two strongest players left, and if they teamed up...

"Are you saying we should form an alliance?" she asked, her voice thick with skepticism.

Alejandro's smirk returned, but this time, it was softer, less calculated. "I'm saying... maybe we're stronger together. For now."

Heather considered it, her mind racing through the pros and cons. She knew she couldn't trust him, not entirely. But if she could keep him close, if she could manipulate the manipulator... She smirked back at him.

"Fine. But don't think for a second that I'm going to let my guard down around you."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," Alejandro said, his eyes glinting.

For a moment, they just sat there in the silence, their agreement hanging in the air between them. And although neither would admit it, they both felt something—something dangerous, something intriguing.

Something more than just strategy.

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