The Challenge: Fire & Fate

18

It's not even 7 a.m., and we're already lined up at the Challenge site — squinting against the sunrise, half-awake, and pretending to be thrilled about it.

T.J. stands grinning in front of what looks like a massive obstacle course made of ropes, nets, and spinning platforms.

"Good morning, players!" he says cheerfully — which is suspicious.

Cory mutters beside me, "When T.J. sounds happy, it's never good."

Kam yawns. "He probably made this one in his dreams."

Jasmine leans over. "Nightmares, Kam. Nightmares."

I stretch, still groggy. "Anyone else regret not drinking more coffee?"

Marcus raises his hand. "I regret everything."

Leroy laughs. "At least you're honest, bro."

Across the field, Fire looks obnoxiously energetic.

Bananas and Devin are chest-bumping like they just discovered caffeine for the first time.
Tori's doing high knees.
Maya's braiding Ava Thompson's hair with surgical focus.
Xavier's stretching, shirtless — again — like the morning sun exists solely for his abs.

Jenna notices me staring for a half-second too long.
"Careful," she whispers. "Your loyalty's showing."

I smirk. "To my alliance?"

She grins. "Sure, let's call it that."

🎥 Confessional — Jenna (Team Earth)
"Sienna doesn't even realize half the guys here orbit around her. She's like gravity — smart, calm, and impossible to ignore. And Xavier? Oh, he's already caught."

Water's grouped together a few meters away — Laurel, Kailah, Ava Reynolds, Zach, and Kyle standing like soldiers while Jackson leans on the fence, smirking.

He catches my eye, nods once, subtly. "Morning, Red."

I mouth back, "It's too early for nicknames."

Devin, standing nearby, catches the exchange and leans in. "Is that what we're calling foreplay on this show now?"

Kam nearly chokes laughing.

Cory adds, "Someone call T.J., we've got our next Challenge: Who can deny their feelings longer?"

I give them both the teacher look. "You're lucky I can't assign you detention."

🎥 Confessional — Devin (Team Fire)
"She's got Jackson calling her 'Red,' Xavier calling her 'Teach,' and half the house pretending that they haven't already picked their favourite ship. I'm just here for the free drama."

T.J. claps his hands. "Welcome to today's Challenge: Trust Fall."

A collective groan ripples through the players.

T.J. grins wider. "You'll be working in pairs — one player blindfolded, one giving directions. You'll navigate your teammate through obstacles over water. Drop them, lose time. Simple."

Kam mutters, "He says simple like it's not terrifying."

Fire and Earth exchange glances. Their alliance still holds, but nobody's eager to trust anyone outside their team.

T.J. starts calling out pairings.

"Team Earth: Sienna and Cory, Kam and Marcus, Leroy and Jasmine, Jenna and Theresa— wait, no, my mistake—" He pauses, smiling. "Jenna, you'll be paired with... Darrell, seeing as though both the earth and water teams are an odd number."