The Sun in My Eyes

12 Just Outside the Circle of Light

Everyone sat anxiously at the fire pit. Hope looked grim and clutched Noah's arm so tightly he winced. Warm against Bobby's side, Lili was jammed between himself and Ibrahim.

Ibrahim stared down at her hands, his eyes lost. "If she picks me, we can still end up together again. I don't have to share a bed with her. Then, we can pick each other next chance we get..."

"I hope it doesn't come to that, but if she picks you, you should take the opportunity to get to know her," Lili said, giving him a lovely smile. "I like you and I don't want you to make promises that you'll regret. She might be a better match. You owe it to yourself to find out."

Ibrahim looked gutted and he felt bad for the guy for the first time. Bobby was dying for Lili's sunshine and he'd only been on the outside edges of it. He couldn't imagine living inside of it and then suddenly having it taken away.

The villa doors creaked open and Priya swept out dramatically. Her heels clacked on the wood deck of the fire pit. She looked exhausted. Lili gave her a small wave and Priya waved back.

"This is..." Priya blinked rapidly. "I never wanted to be here in this position." Her eyes were glassy.

Bobby cleared his throat. "What position? Standing, giving a speech?"

Priya smiled gratefully at him even as Hope shushed him.

"I want to thank everyone for being so welcoming when I entered the villa. It wasn't easy coming in late as the new girl and having to play catch up. Everyone has been so lovely which made it even harder to make my decision. But I came here to find love, so even though someone might end up upset, I have to go with my heart. Lili, you're such a cool person, and Marisol and Hope, you're both great too."

Hope's eyes squinted to slits and Noah rubbed her knee.

"For me, it just comes down to the fact that this boy seems amazing. He's funny and sweet, and a little weird, which I like. I'm excited to get to know him."

Bobby breathed out slowly. Beside him, Lili looked calm but her hands were knotted together. She caught his eye and he gave her a tiny, anxious smile.

"This isn't personal in any way," Priya continued. "So that's why the boy I want to couple up with is..." Silence descended around the fire pit. Priya looked at Bobby for a long moment and then away.

"Rahim."

Bobby's emotions bounced like waves in a storm. Elation. Worry. Disappointment. He could snatch up Lili and snog her till they both turned blue now. Unless somehow she was eliminated. Or someone else got there first. But...Priya didn't choose him. Why? What exactly did Ibrahim have that he didn't? Was the kiss not good enough? Was he doing exactly what he'd done on the outside and turned every potential partner into a friend?

None of his thoughts connected.

The fire flickered from the force of four couples sighing with relief. Rahim stood and walked slowly toward Priya, his brows knitted in confusion. She gave him a shy smile and took his hand.

All eyes shifted to Lili. "I'm happy for you." She smiled sadly. "Rahim is amazing. If it were me, I might have taken him from you, too. Though I wish you had spoken to me about your intentions."

Priya swallowed and nodded. "I should have. I'm sorry. I really like you and I wanted us to be friends so much. I was too scared to tell you."

Before she could respond, Lili's phone pinged. She read the text out loud. "'You are now single and in danger of leaving the island. Graft hard.'"