Love Can Be Chosen

Chapter Fifteen

The girls are contouring, glittering, flicking, hair-spraying, hair-drying, and highlighting over in the dressing room. A chime interrupted their conversation about which accessories to match with which outfit.

"Ooooh, girls. I got a text! Bobby, gather the others." Lottie said, her eyes sparkling with joy.

"Lottie's got a text!" Bobby called out.

"What's it say?" Ibrahim asked.

"Guys! Please respect my personal breathing bubble." Lottie said, looking slightly annoyed. Yep, it is rather close for comfort in here currently.

Everyone backs off a little.

"Thank you. Islanders, this evening you'll be throwing a Welcome Party for the new boys." Lottie read out.

"A party for us?" Henrik looked shocked. Um, what other new guys are there?

"I can't believe it!" Lucas mirrors Henrik's expression.

"That's what the text says..." Gary points out.

"You newbies sure do need a proper welcome." Noah smiles.

"Alright guys, give us some space so us girls can get ready for tonight." Priya said. It's cramped in here anyway, 5 girls is too many for this room, let alone adding 7 boys!

The boys pile out of the dressing room and the girls resume the makeup process.

"We've got to make a good first impression on the new boys. Let's go downstairs and get this party started." Lottie grinned. Why do we have to be all glam 24/7? That's not the authentic you, at all.

Alecto and the girls disperse around the garden. The Villa has been transformed. Neon lights swirl in time with the music.

"Now this is what I'm talking about!" Bobby looked hyped up already.

"Ooh, there's a cocktail bar set up! I'm going to make up some drinks." Priya heads over to the kitchen.

Rocco catches Alecto's eye.

"Do you reckon you'll want to try something new on tomorrow? Not that I think you should or anything... but that kit isn't really doing your beauty justice, Alecto." How rude! She kept her expression blank, not wanting to make a scene but raising her eyebrow at him. She noticed him flinch and move away, blinking in surprise. Perfect. The eyebrow of displeasure will easily sort stuff out without a scene.

She noticed Lucas had a slight smirk on his face and she looked up and made eye contact with him. The eyebrow clearly amused him.

"So, what do you new guys do on the outside then?" Rocco was able to recover from the earlier shock.

"Physiotherapist. I help people regain flexibility after injuries." Lucas explained. You're a doctor, so he's doing something medical related too then, so you have that in common.

"Ah, right." Rocco's expression was blank.

"I'm a professional climber and wilderness survival instructor." Henrik said.

"You know, I've climbed to a couple of high places in my time too. Mountains and stuff." Rocco said.

"Oh, cool! What's your type?" Henrik asked. This might get misconstrued slightly.

"Well, I like a girl who's pretty out there, likes travelling and-" Rocco started explaining. Nothing like you then.

"No, I meant your type of climb. I'm into highball bouldering at the moment." Henrik said.