《 Reality Check

Chapter 1 : Introductions

   
Yikes.
They were all there, gathered in the silent living room. Their eyes scanned each other's faces, most likely scoping out the competition.

A short girl was the first to break the silence,

"So..how about we go around the room and introduce ourselves?" she offered.

A few uninterested mumbles floated across the room, and one girl with platinum blonde hair stood up. "Well first of all, I know you girls aren't worth shit and are all going to lose to me, so maybe you should quit now. Second, my name is Tiffany."

"Ew." A girl with freckles quietly said to herself, obviously disgusted. She sighed and stood up as well, pushing her pink glasses up her nose. She let a few awkward seconds pass before she introduced herself.

"I'm Leona, there's not really anything interesting about me." Her cheeks turned red as she sat back down, nervously twirling her thumbs.

"We can see that-"

They were cut off by a man walking into the tense room, loudly announcing himself.

"Hi ladies! Welcome to Reality Check. We look forward to this season as we have brand new contestants and challenges. My name is Aaron Carlson, and I'm your host. I'd just like to cover a few rules before we get right into the good stuff." He took a breath before continuing,

"There are cameras in every room, besides the bathroom and showers. They will automatically turn off at 8pm, which will give you some privacy while you sleep. The rules are very simple. Play fairly, there's absolutely no sabotage or cheating allowed. No injuring other contestants. I think that's pretty much it for now."

The girls all nodded in agreement, seeming okay with the rules and the added privacy.

"Alright," Aaron continued, "I'll call off your names one by one. Each of you will stand up and tell the audience why you think you deserve to win. Got it?"

They all nodded once again, except for one girl who shrugged her shoulders.

"Ash Noble from Dubai, tell us why you think you should win."

She stood up and brushed her long hair over her shoulder, a smirk etched on her face. Her leather jacket and boots made her look intimidating, like she was to be untouched. She radiated a bad aura, and most of the girls could feel it.

"I deserve to win because I'm better than everyone else, that's it." Ash shrugged and sat back down, propping her legs up on the couch.

"Okay.." Aaron muttered, flipping his keyboard over to reveal the next contestant, "Eliana Young from Russia, tell us why you think you should win."

A dark haired girl with golden eyes stood abruptly, clapping her hands as she let out an excited squeal.

"I should win because I'm so optimistic! I would spend the money on opening a bakery, I love to cook!" She squeaked.

Aaron's eyebrows furrowed in confusion at the odd girl. Who would spend all that money on a stupid bakery?

"Apparently russian's have no brain." Ash said, not even caring about how Eliana would react to such a rude statement.

Eliana gasped and placed her hand over her chest in shock. Her thick eyebrows furrowed together as she glared daggers in Ash's direction, the latter just shrugging her shoulders.

"Wow okay, next is..Leona Tucker-"

"No need dude, she already introduced herself. Let me tell you, not impressed." Ash interrupted, her eyes glancing over to a nervous Leona.

"Do you have to be so rude?" Leona asked and crossed her arms, a pout on her freckled lips. But she didn't get an answer.

"Alright then, next is Tay Powell from Oklahoma. Tell us why you deserve to win."

A girl with long braids stood up, cocking out her hip. Her nails were painted blue, and she wore heavy blush on her puffy cheeks. She pretended to be in thought, tapping a long nail against her chin.

"I deserve to win because I'm sick of student loans. I want to pay it off so bad I'd do anything." She said sounding completely exasperated, "So sorry ladies, but mama's taking home that money." Tay ended her introduction with a bow and took her seat.

"You're a mom?" Eliana spoke up, head tilted in confusion. A collection of groans sounded out within the room.

"Next we have Teresa Young, and oh- Teresa and Eliana appear to be-"

"Yeah," a girl with a face strikingly similiar to Eliana's stood up, dusting off her rose colored skirt, "Im her twin. So what, who cares."

"I do! And if you win, you can split your money with me. That's what sisters are for!" Eliana butted in. Her smile was so wide it looked like the corners of her mouth would split open any second.

"Yeah I don't see that happening." Teresa said boredly, "But anyways. I deserve to win because I'm strategic. I'll pick you off one by one until I'm the only one left."

All the girls felt a chill run down their spines, except Tay and Ash of course.

"Like hell." Tay mumbled.

"Lastly we have Tis Rosales from the Netherlands. Tell us why you deserve to win."

The last girl who hadn't said a word stood up, watching everyone's expressions. She pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from her jean pocket and cleared her throat.

"I am a young 16 year old girl from a small town in the Netherlands. Growing up I would love to paint and draw, I feel like I've always had a natural talent for art. I couldn't afford good art supplies then, and still can't. My dream is to attend an art school in New York, where I can expand my talents and become a professional. If I win this money, I'll be able to afford to go and buy a new home for my family to live with me. That is all." Her voice cracked by the end of her speech, a few tears running down her cheek.

"Awww you poor thing!" Elaine exclaimed and rushed over to her, pulling her small body into a warm embrace. They hugged for a few seconds before Ash had had enough.

"Really? We didn't ask for your entire life story." She snarled, folding her arms. Leona boo'ed her, shaking her head in sympathy at the crying girl.

The entire time Tiffany was watching, a plan already brewing into her mind. She knew how all of the girls were now. Their personalities...she could definitely use this to her advantage. This was going to be fun.

"Okay now that introductions are over, we will be going over rooming arrangements." Aaron spoke up when Tis finally stopped the waterworks and calmed down.

"What? I'm not sharing a room with any of these losers." Ash shouted at him. Her face was turning a deep scarlet and for a second, Aaron was terrified.

He cleared his throat and announced, "Sorry but that's just the way it is and how it will always be. Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get on with this so you guys can get settled in."

"Sure whatever man." Ash sighed completely defeated.

"Okay, Tis and Eliana will be roommates. Tay and Ash. And...Leona and Tiffany."

"Ugh, great." Leona whispered, sinking her body further down into the couch.

"What about me?" Teresa questioned, noticing she wasn't paired with anyone. Aaron offered her a small smile.

"You get your own room."

>>>>>> END OF CHAPTER 1