Spark

Day One: Early Afternoon

I scanned his face, he looked so concerned with whatever was on his mind. This wasn't the man I knew who was always so happy. He suddenly looked me in the eye with a gaze I'd never seen him use, his eyes looking at me. It was more than that, it was a look which meant he wanted something. "Grace," he began, "It's you. It's only ever been you. Since the first day I spoke to you."

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Day One: Early Afternoon

The blur of trees and a drying landscape sped past me as I stare out of the car window. The countryside in Mallorca was so very different to the hilly green landscape of England. Being in another country felt a bit odd to me, especially since it wasn't technically for a holiday. Some people probably saw it that way and I completely understood why, but in my mind it is a pathway to a new life with the hopeful addition of meeting someone. I shiver suddenly, taking myself by surprise. The car was too cold for my liking. I sat here wearing a bright orange bikini and matching sarong which was best suited to the heat outside. Besides, it's not exactly appropriate for me to ask the driver to put the heating on in sunny Spain, could I?

I notice my reflection in the car window. My hair has been fashioned into a half up do, a bun with half of my hair wavy and down. This is a very classic hairstyle I like in terms of style; quite relaxed. To be honest it was perfect for the heat of Spain as well, keeping a majority of my thick hair up and out of the way. The make up was also quite me, with no glaring lashes or anything like that. Just simple winged eyeliner with a shimmery red smoky eye. My face feels glued on however with foundation and a small amount of nude lipstick. I wouldn't normally wear this much make up in this heat.

"...so remember in your VT footage you said you're very assertive that you will tread on toes."

A voice cut into my thoughts quickly and I zone back into reality. I turned from the window to the runner who was in the car next to me. Her name was Sammy, a really nice girl but obviously straight out of university and loving her life. I mean who wouldn't want to work on Love Island? She looked and sounded very young and enthusiastic which I wish I could've mimicked at this moment in time.

"Are you even listening to me?" She states, furrowing her brow at me.

I sigh loudly. I really was not looking forward to getting babied by someone who was so close in age to me. I had to be honest with her like I had been during this whole process. "Not really. I'm scared shitless and I feel as if I'm being told how to act."

"Oh, I wouldn't be scared! And I'm only reminding you just because you will need to show a little more energy and excitement! We only want you to do well."

I try to not roll my eyes. I wasn't sure what I expected from being on this show but this felt like an odd start. I knew a lot of the beginning of this programme would be random footage filmed and it was. The introductory video, the opening sequence and the photoshoots which were kind of out of my comfort zone. But on top of this I was locked down for a week in a hotel reading notes on my own personality and being assessed by psychologists and producers. It wasn't my ideal first week away from home with no contact with the outside world.

"But seriously though," she began, "you are about to go on national TV, on Love Island! Do you always go this quiet when nervous?"

"Unfortunately," I shift uncomfortably in the leather seat, "but I'm also freezing my tits off."

She laughed, it seemed like my comment got me back in her good books. "Yeah that's why I'm wearing a hoodie. Not long now and we'll get to the villa, maybe just a few more minutes."