Away From Reality - Jack Maynard - IM A CELEBRITY - COMPLETE

The Best Birthday

"I think 1990," Jack predicts, so I don't give my input, but just slide a small silver ball down the slope to his rotating plate. "Come on Jack." He whispers to himself, waiting for the exact time and aiming for the chute, throwing it in first go.

"You both said 1990,"

"No Jack said it!" I confess in pain, wiping the green ants off of my skin that is burning every square inch. "They're down my bra!"

"Lucky gits!" Jack jokes, to which I mentally blush but in reality, I'm in too much pain to respond.

"You said B, and that is the correct answer!"

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Holly P.O.V

"So in with you now Holly, are cockroaches and crickets."

"Awh these are jumpy little things," I squeal.

"They stink!" Jack exclaims, them being loaded into his palette as well. After they've all been loaded, I pull my goggles down over my ears so they can't explore the depths of my ear canals, and the cage spins again.

"To the nearest half a million, what is the sum total of subscribers that both of your main YouTube channels have? Is it A) 10 million, or B) 11.5 million?"

"You're serious?" Jack gasps as my jaw hang low in shock too. "That so many!"

"We need an answer, but we will tell you after the question."

"Go lower Jack, because I don't think it would be that high so fast."

Jack shoots a round, bigger ball into the chute, and after the long wait, Dec informs us its the wrong answer.

"What the hell!" I scream. "That's amazing!"

"Holly, your Youtube channel hit 8 million this morning, and Jack, yours hit 3 million yesterday."

"Congrats to the both of you! Onto the next question-"

After a series of many outgoing and difficult questions, with around 6 answered correctly, the last few questions are asked and attempted in the pitch darkness. With the ant bites invading the most unpleasant of places, my skin has become used to so much pain, and I'm immensely thankful it's the last question.

"Holly and Jack, question 11. How many stomachs does a kangaroo have? A) 2, or B) 4?"

"It's 2!" I answer with extreme confidence, scrambling around for a bigger golden ball.

"You're positive yeah?"

"Positive!"

Passing the ball down the chute and scrambling to find another after Jack's missed attempt in the pitch darkness, Dec tells us "10 seconds."

"Come on hun!" I cheer, waiting for the news that he's scored it in.

"Got it!" He cheers, and a breath of relief is all I hear when the boys tell us they've retrieved the ball, and it was, in fact, the correct answer.

"Let's get them out."

With the lights flicking back on, and Jack and I being consumed by rangers removing the critters safely and unhooking us from the machines, we step out back into the broad daylight.

"Those green ants really got you didn't they!" Dec laughs as I frantically brush my body down, including reaching into my bra to try and get the pesky buggers out of my clothes. "I'm sure Jack will give you a hand with the ones down your top."

"Oh shut up." Jack blushes cutely in embarrassment. "How did we do?"

"You got... 7 meals for camp."

"7 out of a possible 11 isn't bad." I cheer optimistically. "That will be a good birthday meal."

"Well, you've worked damn hard, so head back and enjoy the rest of your day."

"Thanks!"

Out of sight of the clearing and brushing the rest of the ants away from my body - but still being consumed with the rancid smell of cockroach - Jack and I stop to collect the laminate about the dingo dollar challenge but are back in camp in a matter of minutes.

"Hello?" I call into the main camp, skipping in to see that no one is actually there. "Anyone here?"

"Where the heck is everyone?" Jack whispers, walking over and throwing his water bottle beside his hammock. "Hey, look."

A piece of paper from kindling for the fire has been left on Jack's hammock. "COME TO THE CREEK" it reads in charcoal handwriting I don't recognise.

Following Jack down to the creek, a feeling of nervousness builds in the pit of my stomach. Flicking the plastic of the laminated paper in my right hand, my left one entwines with Jack's warm fingers when we arrive at the natural swimming pool. But still, we can't see anyone. However, around the creek are 11 lit candles romantically placed in a heart shape; the flickering fire mirroring the colours of the sky into the water. Branches from the trees snapped off and bent artistically into different shapes, and across the rock beside the creek are the letters spelling "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" carved on the mountainside. Next to it, the back of the chalkboard with our chores on shows a drawing of multiple hearts with song lyrics representing love and happiness along with a sketch of every campmate - including Stanley.

"SUPRISE!" a loud echo of noise booms from behind us, as every campmate jumps out from behind one of the towering trees. "Happy birthday!"

"Oh my gosh!" I smile into my hand that has clasped my mouth. "How did you do this?"

"A little effort, planning and teamwork." Jamie grins, walking over and pulling me into the heat of his chest.

"Thank you, all of you." Jack widely smiles, embracing every campmate in a large group hug. "By the way, Iain and Amir have to go to the Dingo Dollar Challenge."

"I'll let them know, but we'll leave the both of you alone." Dennis winks, as most of the campmates file back to camp. "Enjoy yourselves, and I will have dinner with you guys ready when you're done."

"Thank you so much, Dennis." I wave as he gives a discreet cheeky smirk and wonders off back to camp. "How amazing is this?"

"So amazing." this blonde boy I've become so drawn to answers, pressing a longing kiss to my temple.

With the sun slowly setting over the jungle, creating a maze of yellows, oranges and reds in the sky, Jack and I strip to our bathing suits, climbing into the creek and huddling up beside where the candles from our night lanterns have been arranged in a heart shape. "I wonder who drew these?" Jack points out at the little stick men sketches of us all stood together.

"If I had to guess, Vanessa."

"You think?"

"Yeah, she does little drawings on the chalkboard all the time and they're, like, really good."

Jack propels himself through the water, coming to lean up against a rock beside me. "So, birthday girl. Enjoyed your day so far?"

"It's been the best. Except for the green ants, cockroaches and crickets, I wouldn't have it any other way." I smile. "And what about yourself Mr Maynard," I ask, tracing a light and teasing line up his abs with the tips of my fingers, "How has your's been?"

"Perfect."

"Even the green ants?"

"Even, the green ants."

Jack's sea blue eyes reflect in mine, projecting tiny silver flecks I've never noticed. It's like there's a natural spotlight shining down on his glowing skin and with nothing but candlelight, my body feels warmer as I lean against a flat rock. Jack comes to rest in front of me, standing up between my legs whilst cupping my face and placing a tender kiss on my lips, all while pushing my body up on his own. Every moment his touch comes to contact with my skin, it places a tingling, burning sensation of pleasure. Jack is all I need and want right now; lips to lips whilst his fingers lay under the string of my bikini straps. But I pull away from his grip when my stomach roars because I'm so hungry.

"Can we go eat?" I ask in between small and playful kisses.

"I swear you're always hungry!" He smirks. "But so am I. Yeah - let's go eat,"