𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐑 ━ beckham jr.

16. Goodbyes Always Hurt

LUNA

We stood outside the elimination room along with some members of the camera crew, waiting for the same cue we had been given last Sunday to get in. The group was loud, a lot of parallel conversations and giggles echoed around me.

Both my roommates — Joyce and Kristin — showed worry in their eyes as the three of us stood in silence. Three more girls would be leaving tonight and we couldn't possibly get in Odell's head to know what he was thinking.

After a good fifteen minutes of waiting, we were called to regroup.

"And, go!" Gian, one of my main scene producers, called as we walked inside the room in a straight line, positioning ourselves in the stairs. This time I stood in the back row with Kristin by my side and another one of the females to my left.

The low lighting of the room gave it a nerving aura. As if people weren't nervous enough.

I looked around the room, taking it all in and observing most of the stances before stopping at Kris', to the right of me. She acknowledged my stare but didn't bother to look back. Her eyes were looking straight at nothing, filled with a million thoughts that only she could unveil, as if she knew something bad was coming. I squeezed her shoulder before the sound of steps cut the whispers short, making us all turn our heads towards the door.

There came Odell, waited for by Chris in the middle of the elimination floor. He flashed us all a quick smile as he walked over. Some girls waved, others said hello and I stood speechless. Yet again he managed to take the words away from me.

He carried a calm poise and posture as he had his hands in the pockets of his black pants that matched perfectly with the dark blue shirt he wore. Soon as the silence settled, Chris took over on cue.

"Good evening ladies. Second week in the house but it feels like it's been two months" he paused, earning a few chuckles from the group. "You have made it until this stage, however, elimination night has arrived meaning three of you, won't make it further." 

Christ looked over at Odell sharing a glance that spoke a thousand words, it was incredible the chemistry these two had gained in just a matter of days. "I'd like to wish our bachelor a good evening, as well. An eventful week, few changes in the group dynamic this time — how do you feel?"

The young Louisiana-native licked his lips before replying "I can say this was definitely a long week for us all, but it was fantastic getting to know some of the ladies in a better way and get some deeper connections than the first week."

"It is still quit early in the show, but do you see yourself connecting to someone on a real level? Do you see your potential future wife within this group?" Chris' wave towards the group as he spoke, lead Odell's eyes with it and I could've sworn our eyes brushed when he did.

"Who knows." 

"That's fantastic. Alright! Without further ado, let's get to what we're all here for: elimination. I know this probably isn't an easy decision but it's part of the process, so we need to get through with it. Would you please give us a first name you want to save?"

His eyes once again roamed around the division and my heart instantly started beating faster, to a volume I swear was audible and he took his sweet time before giving us an answer.

"I want to save someone that I'm interested in getting to know better" the pause that followed made me want to faint "Luna."

Suddenly a strong spotlight hit my face, making me a little lightheaded before I could manage to step down the stairs.

The girls in front of me parted for me to pass and I grabbed the bottom of my long dress, to help the process. Falling down in this moment would be the last thing I would want. As I made my way towards him, our eyes were glued to each other — his tall figure made me feel so small once I reached him and the eye-contact was electrifying. After he handed me the infamous rose, I mouthed a 'thank you' and moved towards the left side of them both with.

Soon as  that moment passed, my once nervous heart and mind managed to travel to a different dimension and focus on anything else but the scene displaying in front  drifted off to other things other than the elimination. I barely paid attention to the names being called, only acknowledging them as they joined me in the carpet and when some happened to flash a smile at me.

It was when the final four ladies gathered in the stairs, that I cared to look up at the group. I quickly noticed Kris was still one of the last ones standing — and it wasn't until the last contestant made her way towards Odell to receive her rose that it all clicked in my mind that my roommate was apart of the three who had staid behind, she wasn't moving. 

Kristin had been eliminated.

I covered my mouth with both hands while looking towards the three eliminated ladies, as so did everyone else to say their goodbyes.

After the commotion of the elimination, production called it a night and I stood there alongside Kristin after everyone else had left the room. Her eyes were filled with sadness, yet no tear had fallen from them. And attending to her only request, I guided her back up to our room.

When we finally got there, I sat quietly in my bed watching her pack her belongings.

I held myself back from saying a word, not because I was scared I'd say something that didn't fit the moment, but because words wouldn't dare to leave my mouth. There wasn't a hint of discomfort in the air, however.

Once Kristin finished zipping her last suitcase, she looked up at me.

"I guess this is it" she sighed, wiping a single tear that fell from her cheek.

"I can't quite believe it."

"My journey is over. I was expecting it though, didn't come as a surprise. This wasn't for me anyways." She paused. "But it can be for you, Luna. I see the way he looked at you when you walked up to him. You're genuine and I want you to hold onto that. If you like him, fight for him. Don't let him slip through your fingers. I'll be rooting for you." 

Her words were followed by a hug that preceded her leaving the room.

I froze in my seat as her words kept repeating in my mind.