My boy / Drew Starkey

34

Mila

I'm finally back in my apartment. Kiara's gone, and I'm basking in the silence, my own space, my own time. Don't get me wrong, I love everyone, but wow, living with Kiara was something else. No more spontaneous yacht trips, at least not with her in the picture.

The first thing I did when I got home last night? I rushed straight to the shower and stayed in there for what felt like hours. The warm water, the steam, it was heaven. I played hella Russ loud enough that I could feel it in my bones.

Afterward, I did my entire skincare routine, slapped on a face mask, and plopped onto my sofa. Just zoning out to some random show, my body finally unwinding after the chaos.

And now? Still here. Still in my apartment, still loving the quiet. From what I've heard, everyone's laying low before filming starts again. Except for Rudy and Drew, of course. They're over at Rudy's house, playing 2K. Madison and I FaceTimed earlier. She filled me in on all the shit that went down with Jonathan on the yacht. We're planning a sleepover soon—gonna spill all the tea about that hot mess of a trip.

I'm honestly so happy for Madison and Jonathan. Like, I know they've been through a lot, but seeing her with him, so genuinely happy? It just hits different, you know? It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I swear, I just want the best for both of them. They deserve that kind of love and peace, and I'm so glad they've found it.

I haven't been here that long, but it feels like I've been part of this crew forever. I genuinely love everyone. Waking up, knowing I get to go on set and see all these people? It's the best. There's always something to laugh about, always some random inside joke going around, and it makes the day go by so much easier.

Honestly, it's so rare to have a group that just clicks like this. Everyone's super chill, and it doesn't feel forced. We just vibe. Whether it's work or downtime, it all flows. And when we're not working, the hangouts are just as fun. We grab food, we laugh, we talk about random stuff—it's real and easy.

I've been on sets before where people just kind of... exist around each other, you know? But this? This is different. It feels like a real family. Like, we're all in this together, and it's not just a job, it's a vibe. I love that. It's nice not having to pretend or deal with any weird energy. Everyone's just themselves, and I honestly think that's why this whole thing feels so smooth. Good cast, good crew—it's the dream team, for real.

I'm in the middle of making a quick lunch when my phone buzzes on the couch. I don't even look at it, just finish up making my pasta. It's probably nothing important, right? Once I'm done, I walk over to the living room, hands full—one with a bowl of pasta, the other with a Diet Coke can. Still got a few left from the massive pack Drew bought me when I first got here.

I can't help but think back to that time. The kiss we shared, the moments we had... it's hard to push those thoughts away. The date—or whatever you wanna call it—at that cute little place. Just the two of us, talking, joking, laughing. It was so easy. So simple. I really thought I found someone who could be perfect for me.

Shaking my head, I force myself to snap out of it, put the bowl and Coke on the table, and grab my phone. I check it, and my heart skips when I see a text from my dad. It's the perfect excuse to FaceTime them, so I hit the call button. While I eat, I chat with both my parents, the familiar warmth of their voices making me feel a little less far away. I love hearing from them, especially with all the distance between us.

My mum's telling me about how Corey took her out to dinner one night, and it honestly makes me feel all warm inside. I love hearing little things like that. My parents have been obsessed with Corey for ages, always telling me he's the one, that he'd make the perfect husband. I can't even argue with them, to be honest. I mean, they're not wrong. He really would. I could see it too.