Her eyes were searching my eyes. Looking for reaction, emotions or perhaps familiarity. It was as if we are in our different world. Neither of us moved, neither of us looked away. Searching each other eyes. Looking for hint of weakness or perhaps hint of softness
The water ran down my soaked hands as i squeezeed the scrub tughter. A reaction I wanted to hide yet she didn't missed. I was about to change the subject so she would ignore the sudden slip of mine, but a scream broke the spell and gave me a perfect excuse to slip.
"Who's dumb as is screaming, is it ghost?"i muttered under my breath. Others ran towards the bathroom door. I noticed the cameras in the kitchen and living room are following every one who ran that direction. A cue for me to follow as well.
Before i could take my first step, lisa took a faster step. Almost running towards the bathroom. She was faster then me or maybe more eager for footage. But her expression had a hint of urgency which seemed almost genuine
I followed her path. I opened the glass door of the bathroom area. Walked ahead was a mirror, a showcase , i turned left then ahead was three doors on my left. One shower and two toilets. On my right was the luggage room. Where we keeps our outfits. Ahead was space next to the bathroom doors.
The center space was open — a long counter with cracked mirrors, sinks, and scattered grooming items no one claimed
It felt less like a bathroom and more like a shared preparation zone — a place people passed through, not stayed in. Everyone was present , sorrounding a girl. Now giggling and chukling. Shaking thier heads.
Lisa meanwhile leaning against the wall on my right, let out frustated groan. "Mia Laurent. She got jumpscared by victor hale. Quite a reaction indeed" she said. Genuine annoyance in her tone wasn't unnoticeable.
"Jumpscare?" I thought. Who would scream so loud if it's jumpscare. Unless they wants attention or perhaps footage. Better to appear as a soft hearted girl who needs knight in armor. "We have our attention seeker over there" i said to lisa in low voice. In respond she just scoffed.
I noticed the camera direction at the corners . It was one the face of now giggling mia. Victor and others who was now leaving and just adding on jokes. "I was scared. When i first appeared She was laying down, holding her chest. She is dead, i thought" one of house mates added.
"Jesus christ. I thought I just took a life" victor said. I can't tell about thier reaction are genuine or not ,not by just by look. Not everything is act, but mia surely did one.
I stepped ahead. "i thought someone saw a ghost, mia. You fine" I asked her, she responded with smile and shake of her head. Trying to appear cute or genuine perhaps "i litterally thought victor was ghost" she swats victor arm. Victor chukles and smiles sheepishly.
I let out a laugh "hahaha, you gave all the house mates a heart attack", i wrapped my arm over the victor shoulder. Knowing where the camera is , i continued "Well i will remember certainly that Victor is the last guy i want In bathroom. Who knows next time he will start passing through walls".
Mia let's out a laugh as she stood up "no doubt in that. God save me, I am sharing bed with this ghost. Last thing i want is him speaking blasphemy in middle of night."
Victor says "sorry , sorry. I didn't knew you would scream so hard " ,We starts walking out of bathroom area. He continued "I thought it would be little playful act with my partner. But you just scared me even more." He chukles once more "remind me to never scare you"
The stood by the mirror at the entrance of the window door. I noticed how camera is recording us ,but the main focus isn't on anyone anymore. More likely they got enough footage for first broadcast.
"Alright, i feel like sleep is what i need right now. Good night"
With a playful wink and I walked out of bathroom area. Nice act I played of comradeship. In living room. To my right is dining area which is connected with kicthen. And on my left is the bedroom area.
I stepped inside the bedroom as i opened another glass door. The room is like a big hall. Two beds to my left as i enters. Four beds connected with the right side of wall. Each bed seperated by small table. And then straight ahead is two more beds connected with wall ahead. In center of the hall like bedroom is open space. A small couch in center. More like mantelpiece then actual comfort couch
Lisa has already taken far ahead corner bed. I walked towards my bed. She had her water bottle and my water bottle at desk. She was already sleeping. She had already made a small wall of sheets between us.
"You took so long" she said. I thought she were sleeping. "You was waiting for me to sleep". She gets up on one elbow and looks at me like i am a cockroach she wanna crush "I mean dishes, you dumbo. I had to wash them alone"
"Oh...sowwy" i said and went back in my sheets knowing she will start scolding if i don't sleep soon.
After a while, i still couldn't sleep. I don't get the vibe i get from home. At home, the blankets had same warmth. But the structure of my room always is kind of comfy. Mother room was downstairs. Lily room just next to mine. Emma shared room with mother, since mother often get's seizure. Mimi would someone sneak in my room or she would sleep with lily mostly.
I stayed on my side of bed. I peek out of blanket, noticing that lisa was asleep. My eyes landed on cameras and Noticed how camera in the bedroom don't move or follow anyone's movement. They are just constant. Rose and riley was bed partners next to us. Whispering stories and making connection. Building friendships.
I closed my eyes and turned my back toward lisa. Ready to allow sleep to claim me. In middle of night. My eyes opened by sound of snores comming. Some of the house mate is snoring. Some was awake and giggling, burying face under the pillows. Some even annoyed. If there wasn't any camera. I would have fucking fought that guy.
Turning around, insaw that Lisa was awake. And she was staring at ceeling. I know pretty well how fragile her sleep is and once it's broken, she can't sleep again. I whisper in rough sleepy tone"which one is snoring". She looked at me and back at ceeling. "Ethan... that silver hair guy. Fatty uncle"
I buried my face in blanket . Closing my eyes to sleep. A sudden unexpected urge came, to hold her hand which was resisted by me. "Sleep" I said to her as if it will be or any help. I closed my eyes and slept once more.
Time:- 6:03 am.
I woke up, it took me a while to realise i wasn't at home but at the House of fame set. Regret came over by the thought of being away from my comfort of home and family. But i had reputation to recover.
I turned my head towards lisa. She looked peaceful in her sleep. I could tell she slept back just a hour ago at most. Without any thought, my hand came up to remove the hairs off her cheek but I stopped on last second. I pulled my hand back on my side.
I stared at the ceeling. Ceeling was very simply designed compared to other places of home. Plain things helps in sleep I guess.
I stood up, planning to freshen up, other were sleeping.
As I stood up, i noticed that the the dark glass of night camera contracts when it focuses on me. I looked at it and found it creepy knowing that editors are probably watching me. They will have entire 24 hours footage edited and broadcast what they desire to show to public Today. Passing by the bed near the door of bedroom hall. I noticed someone was awake, sheets been done and the person next to him was no other then luna who was still asleep. Wow.
After freshening up. Taking shower. Changing attire. All done by 6:50 am. Ten minutes before morning alarm would buzz. By the time I was in bathroom hall, I saw the Misha guy in the luggage room. His sweaty clothes been dumped in the small box where clothes are supposed to given to staff. They wash and dry it for us.
"You was doing workout?" I asked him. He turned around and looks at me and says in thick russian accent "yes. I was. Habit of mine"
I nodded and said "so what do you do for like living. I don't remember seeing you on TV". He stood up. His physique lean. Narrow waist. Well developed muscle. Not bulky, more of atheletic. "I am a boxer". He simply said and just walked off the luggage room towards shower room. Without even giving proper conversation. "Who does he think he is" i thought.
Time :- 8:45 am
I was sitting on the dinning table with other house mates. Lisa nowhere to be seen. Probably taking shower or doing gym. Not that i care. Rose has taken breakfast duty. I am Glad that they are taking duties seriously.
A hand came to rest over my shoulder, it was Riley "morning, alex". Her brown eyes soft as always, her hair damp from shower. She smell like a soap and shampoo. And bit of soft perfume.
A subconscious calm wash over me and i said "morning, supermama.", I watched as she sat beside me. "You won't do workout?" She asked me. I glanced at how mostly new housemates are trying gym area. Even the one who never took a single gym session.
"I'll workout in the evening. I ain't much of morning athelete" i responded calmly. Soon through the window, i glanced at the open gym and noticed victor helping Lisa. My jaw clenched but i focused back on Riley "so you are not gonna help, Rose "
Riley shakes her head "I am doing the dishes. Nora said she is good at cooking and would love to cook. But i can do dishes duty of her instead"
"And who's the partner of Nora, who will help you with dishes" i asked her and she responded "Ethan", i turned my head slowly towards front of me. Just on opposite side of dinning table sat the famous fatty uncle Ethan. No wonder Nora is happy with cooking.
Just then Rose said "Alex, can you check the magic box. There is supposed to be breakfast items to be arrived by 8:00 am. It's almost 9:00 am now."
"Hour late?" I muttered and walked towards magic box. On opening it I found nothing
"Why isn't breakfast items here? They want us to starve?" I thought. I shook my hand in no to Rose.
Riley frowns "others from gym area is also returning. They would ask for breakfast." As per cue lisa returned with victor. Luna following them along with the famous bodybuilder and actor , whom I beat in TV show obviously. Not for real. Alexis daclorix. Son of director sonny daclorix. Cousin of legendary Francisco daclorix.
"Is breakfast ready" asked victor to Rose. She looks down, not responding. I frowned on why she is behaving as if she is the one at fault. I interfered "they haven't send the breakfast items"
Everyone paused . Lisa speaks up. Her voice a bit confused "what do you mean , thier is no breakfast item's. Don't joke Alex"
I gestured them to check the magic box themselves. Before anyone could say or move. The voice of Host spoke once again. "Everyone gather in living room. Now"
Just in few minutes, At living room. Everyone was gathered waiting for answer.
Host appeared " Now will start the first task of the Show. The rules are simple. Winner takes it all. The fourteen of you will be divided in two teams. " Host face disappeared and a two boxes appeared on Screen. Written above those boxes is Team A and Team B. Dany continues "The winning team takes three days worth of high quality food items. Unlimited supplies. Loser get's average supply or worse they starve"
"It is ridiculous, we even have to compete for food? This is too much" I thought. "Alex" Dany voice straightened my spine "can you please go to magic box. Thier is rule file kept. It will explain rules, team and task" Dany said to me.
I found file in the magic box and then i told everyone about the Team's.
I took a deep breath and Open the first page of file. It had names of Team A and Team B.
"Team A includes Alex, Rose, luna, ethan, Riley, Mateo Kovač and Rina. Alex being the team l leader. And team B..."
I stopped.
My eyes went back to the names.
I read each name ,slowly
Each name I felt at lose of confidence.
They have strong men but... at the top—Lisa.
Leader of Team B
The room suddenly felt smaller. I realised that it isn't going to be simple Day 1