The Challenge: Fire & Fate

12

If Challenge mornings are chaotic, post-elimination mornings are worse.

Half the house is buzzing. The other half is pretending not to panic.

Fire's celebrating — again.
Earth's relieved.
Water's wounded pride is practically echoing through the hallways.

And Air? Air's doing what they do best — quietly sipping coffee, collecting gossip like trading cards.

Kam's making eggs, humming off-key.
Jenna's toasting bread like she's hosting brunch.
Cory's reading the paper upside down because he says it "helps with strategy."
And Jasmine — queen of last night — is already recounting her victory.

"So there I was," she says, dramatically waving a fork. "Olivia's ahead, and I think — not today, Satan! I took one jump, caught the rope, and bam! buzzer!"

Leroy claps. "That's my girl."

Kam raises her mug. "To Jasmine — proving Team Earth's got more grit than glamour."

We all cheer.

🎥 Confessional — Sienna (Team Earth)
"Jasmine's win felt like a team win. We needed that confidence boost. And honestly? Watching Water lose was... kind of satisfying."

Across the kitchen, Marcus is telling Kam his "brilliant new strategy" — which sounds suspiciously like the last three strategies that didn't work.

"We just need to stay invisible," he says. "Win when it counts, lose when it doesn't."

Kam blinks. "So... never win?"

"Exactly!"

She sighs. "Men."

Cory laughs. "Hey, I resent that."

Kam deadpans. "You prove that."

Everyone laughs, and I realize — for a moment — the house feels light.

Then Devin bursts in from the patio like a one-man news crew.
"Alright, people! Team Fire is now accepting alliance applications!"

Kam groans. "Oh, no."

Devin claps his hands. "That's right, folks! Fire, the reigning champions of last night's chaos, are now looking for friendly partnerships. Benefits include safety, information, and 24/7 sarcasm!"

Tori follows behind him, waving her coffee. "Ignore him, he's been practicing that speech all morning."

Devin grins. "Kam, Sienna — we like you. Let's chat."

🎥 Confessional — Kam (Team Earth)
"Devin's funny, I'll give him that. But if Fire's trying to make friends, it's not for peace — it's for power."

We end up outside, the sun high and the mood playful.

Kam, Devin, Tori, and I sit around the patio table.
Cory's grilling nearby.
Xavier's tossing a ball with Marcus and pretending not to look my way every few seconds.
Jenna's teaching Zoe how to make iced coffee without "accidentally poisoning anyone."

Devin leans in. "So, alliance talk — or as I like to call it, friendship with spreadsheets."

Kam smirks. "What's in it for us?"

"Protection," Devin says. "Information. And unlimited access to my charm."

Tori nudges him. "And less chance of being voted in."

Kam and I exchange looks.

"You know," I say slowly, "that's not a bad offer."

Devin grins. "See? I knew the math teacher would get it."