Love Can Be Chosen

Chapter Eight

Alecto was on the lawn, preparing for a hard day's grafting. Before she could do anything, Hope appeared beside her.

"Us girls need to rally together so no one gets left behind. I want to help you out." Hope said, giving her a wide smile.

She definitely seems calmer now, at least. It's worth it to see how she wants to help.

"Sounds great, babe." Alecto returned the smile.

"Amazing." Hope patted Alecto on the arm. "I'm worried about you, Alecto. I've been thinking about it all morning. If you don't put yourself out there, you can't expect one of the boys to go for you, you know? You need to be thinking about your options. I've been talking with Noah and I reckon I've got the inside track on a couple of the boys. Do you want to hear what I've got to say?" Hope asked.

She might have the right idea about you, which the others don't appear to, yet. You're definitely not the outgoing type of person.

"Yes, it might help me get the boy I want."

"I guess the obvious place to start is with Gary. Do you think there's a future between you and him?" Hope asked.

You have been experiencing doubts about him, so changing tactics might help you.

"He's the last resort. I mean, if he picks me and that keeps me in the Villa, then great. But if the last few days have shown me anything, it's that there are probably other boys who are a better match for me." She explained.

"Truth. See, that's what I'm talking about. That's the kind of thing we can plan around. So if Gary isn't an option... Noah was saying that, like, you've spent a ton of time trying talking to him... and that's fine, I'm not trying to be jealous and stop people being friends and that... but, hun, he's not going to pick you. He's gonna pick me or Hannah, as he does have an interest in both of us. So you've got to think about who else is out there. Maybe Rocco." Hope explained.

Noah is definitely just a friend, you're not getting involved with that mess between him, Hope and Hannah. Rocco, on the other hand. He's been arguing with Lottie a lot, so maybe she deserves a chance to try something new? Bobby is too loud and excitable for you and Ibrahim is too awkward and quiet for you, which leaves you with Rocco or Gary. Neither is your type, but change is definitely good sometimes.

"Yeah, he's an option for sure." She said.

"OK, great. We can plan around that. Let's practice what you should say. Like, now. Imagine I'm Rocco, and we're having a chat. Serve me a line." Hope said.

Uh oh. Spontaneity isn't your strong suit, that's for sure.

"You could turn my head." Alecto kept it simple deliberately, this could go wrong, especially since of all people it was Rocco she was going for.

"I feel like he might respond better to something a little more direct than that. It's Love Island, not I-Quite-Like-You Island. But what you say is only part of it. It's all about what you don't say, and how you don't say it." Hope said.

What? That's confusing!

"What?" She looked at Hope with a furrowed brow.

Hopefully she has a good explanation.

"I mean it's... I'm basically trying to say it's about the body language, too. Show me those bedroom eyes." Hope explained.

In response, Alecto gave Hope her best smouldering stare, combined with a lip bite.

Rocco would like this, right?

"Yes! Keep looking at him like that. That's going to make his head spin. Just one other thing... Rocco spends half his life on the road, so let him imagine you on that journey. Ask him where you'd go travelling together. That kind of thing. And as for his current partner... Lottie's blatantly going to be furious that you're going for her man, but I guess that's Love Island! Go get on with it, hun!" Hope encouraged her.