𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐑 ━ beckham jr.

20. Let Bygones Be Bygones

LUNA

Yet another week went by, being by far the hardest one from the three. With Kristin's departure and Joyce's silent treatment, I felt myself sinking into a black hole that kept me from knowing my next step, or the correct one at that.

After Trish's challenge victory day and the weekly party, the dates were selected and none of them was with me. It wasn't like I expected to be a mandatory choice, after all there were still a lot of contestants present in the house and holding on to that thought would simply be giving myself false hopes, if anything.

It was still too early in this game to know the outcome and all of us were trying to get to know Odell best, which meant we all had equal chances of being the last one standing.

As I pinned my second diamond earring, I heard some commotion coming from outside the bathroom stall and assumed it was my roommate. After this week's display I expected nothing but silence from her, especially during this tense day, but it was when I noted her figure leaning against the doorframe that I turned to face her.

"Can we talk?" She asked me, in a low tone.

"Of course." 

We both made out way inside our shared-room, as I sat in my bed facing her, in hers.

"I'm not really sure how to start this, but..." Joyce looked quite nervous as she played with her fingers. "I am sorry for this week. I'm sorry for isolating myself! There's no excuse I could possibly use for it, it just hit me like a ton of bricks to see one of us go home. It feels real... the competition feels real now." 

For a few seconds, we stood in silence as I took all of her words in and I couldn't help but feel sympathetic, so I walked over to her bead, where I sat down and placed my arms round her.

"Joy, I completely understand. Can't deny, it's been a lonelier week for me this time around. It was just as hard to see her go, but I want to make sure we get to enjoy the time being."

"You're right."

"After all, like you said, the competition turned real!"

We smiled sympathetically at each other, before her grin turned into a small giggle and a contagious laughter, afterwards.

"What? What is it?"

"The cooking contest—" She justified, unable to contain her laughter further "the eggs."

"Noooo." I shook my head, while she nodded hers. "Don't tell me—"

"Yes."

"You couldn't have!" 

We both burst into laughter at the thought of the whole episode displaying in our heads and eventually leaned back, clutching onto our stomachs each. It took us a few minutes to recompose ourselves, trying not to smudge any make-up with the happy tears, in the process.

Once it settled down, we realized it was best to head down the stairs for what was to come.

Each week the process of waiting  to be let in inside the elimination room, became slower. The mood, became heavier. And the girls' nerves, became bigger.

We were called in as we did every week, by the order we were given to stand in, separated in two rows. This time, I was the last one standing in the first row and Joyce stood my side. Chris arrived shortly after and so did Odell, which was just the cue we needed to get the cameras rolling.

I smiled at myself while the two men shared their first words, not necessarily by what they were saying — because I'd blocked those words out —, but mostly due to my conversation with Joyce earlier. This week had been mentally chaotic, but the peace I was feeling in this very moment was unbelievable. We had no idea who'd be the next one to leave, so I was thankful we got to enjoy the time being.

The thoughts in my head were interrupted by a nudge in my arm. As I looked up, I noticed all eyes on me as Joyce mouthing "It's you."

"Oh."

I slowly made my way down, towards him with the biggest grin in my face. In my head, nothing would be able to take it out my lips this evening. I grabbed the rose being handed to me and nodded in form of a thank you, having his charming pearly whites yet again sweep me off of my feet. As I reached my spot next to the rest of the previously chosen ladies, I held on strong onto this beautiful red rose in my head.

Needless to say I didn't pay much mind to the rest of the call-ups, when all of a sudden the whole room went silent and when I looked up at the sight, my stomach twirled up inside of me.

Joyce had been eliminated.