Welcome to Reality [UPDATES FRIDAY]

6. Elijah

The sky is darkening when the tour of the islands ends, and the coast of my new home comes into view. I can't see as well as I could before, but it doesn't stop me rushing to the window to check out the island. I've seen photos, of course, but nothing compares to seeing something up close. It's like claiming that an image of the Northern Lights is just as good as being there to see them. Not that this place is as impressive, but I guess I'm gazing at the start of my entire life right now.

From here, the island is showing off lights of its own – soft hues of modest houses lit by nighttime activities, and fairy lights draped over the marina's small restaurant. It's a place I've seen a few times on the show. The younger people on the island sometimes go there to hang out. They won't be here now, though. I'm pretty sure the Islanders aren't allowed here when a boat is mooring in case they start asking questions. That's one thing I found out when I applied to this job – the actors aren't allowed to leave. I guess now, I'm just like them.

I head to the front of the boat, ready to hop off as soon as I can. I'm sure I'll be forced to hang back while they do some security checks on me, but in all honesty, I can't wait to get off the boat. I guess I haven't quite found my sea legs. Land is more to my taste, for sure.

Jackson appears with my bags, his muscly arms having no trouble with my light baggage. I examine my own arms. I had been hoping to have some time to reinvent myself, to train up and get some muscles. Every column I've ever read about dating told me that girls like a man with confidence and a good body. Since I have neither of those things, I was hoping to get a grasp on at least one of them before arriving here. Now, little old me feels as cowardly as ever, my excitement dwindling. This doesn't feel like arriving on a holiday any longer. It feels like falling in the deep end when I can't swim.

'Hey, Elijah. Ready to rumble?'

I wince at the cringey statement. It reminds me of something I might have blurted out as a young lad to try and make friends. He carries it off better than me, though. 'I guess I am.'

'You'll get introduced to your dorm tonight. They'll tell you more when you set foot on land.'

'And you can't even put a toe on the sand?'

Jackson laughs. 'Don't worry. I'm used to it. But I should remind you also, once you're on land, you can't go back. If you forget something, let the marina guard know and he can get it to you next time I'm here.'

'Which will be when?'

'No idea, son,' he says, adopting the nickname even though he's closer to my age than that of my parents. 'It could be any time. I guess it depends when they next hire someone.'

'Right,' I say, my stomach sinking. Everything here is suddenly much more daunting. Jackson claps me over the back.

'Stop your worrying. It can't be all bad out there. You're going to have a ball!' Jackson stares wistfully at the shore, 'Sometimes I wish I was one of you guys. It's like a permanent torture, seeing but not understanding. There's so much I don't know.'

I nod sympathetically, but I can't help feeling a bit smug. At least now, I have something this smug bastard doesn't. It makes me feel terrible that I feel the need to be in constant competition with people, but that's life. It's one big climb to reach the top. I know there are plenty of people willing to shove others down to get where they want to go. I guess I just never acknowledged before that I'm one of them.

The boat pulls in to the jetty. There's a young girl waiting for me. She's petite and skinny with a flat chest and large glasses that cover the surface of her gaunt face. She's hauntingly pretty – the kind of gorgeousness reserved for models and movie stars. The sort of girl who looks out of the ordinary, but it's the opposite of a bad thing. She gives me a toothy grin as an anchor sets the boat in place. To my surprise, her teeth are fixed with purple braces. She waves at me enthusiastically.