Episode 12
Thanks to me losing a round of rock, paper, scissors against Bo, I’m Team Masc’s designated ‘Queen’ for today’s reward challenge. The bright side is I’ll be sitting next to Paya. Her team’s Queen. However, if my team loses, I get soaked and not in a good way.
I follow Paya’s lead and strip down to my swimsuit, tossing my blue shirt to the ground.
We share a glance before climbing the wooden platform’s rope ladders to our respective station.
Paya goes first, her toned thighs moving with an effortless grace that has my attention entirely locked.
My eyes trace the curve of her hip in her bikini.
Halfway up the rungs, Paya glances down over her shoulder, catching me checking her out.
Heat rushes to my cheeks, but I don’t look away when she winks at me, a devious grin painting her lips.
Once we’ve reached the top, we carefully lower down onto our make believe thrones. Inches below our feet is a tank full of water. Using a hand I shield the reflection of sweltering rays of the sun against water for a clearer view of the game field.
Steph steps back and gestures grandly toward the wooden structures behind her. “Today’s reward challenge is called Royal Flush, because out here, only one castle gets the crown and the other is going straight down the drain.”
The layout below is similar to an arcade basketball hoop. Instead of hoops are two towers and off center of the lane sits an empty basket attached to a pulley system. Each lane features a launching line behind a massive pile of coconuts.
“Want to know what’s on the line?”
Everyone cheers. Bo’s the loudest, of course.
“First team to dunk the opposing queen will have a movie theater concession stand waiting back at camp for their royal bounty and there’s a surprise royal treatment for their queen.”
Steph lifts the sheet in dramatic effect.
A collective moan fills the air as everyone melts at the sight of buttery popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, and a variety of candy.
“Is that a slushie machine?!” Bo squeals, pulling at her hair before Steph has a chance to finish. “I need it.”
I study Team Femme’s launchers: Blair, Raina, and Jeida. Arlie and Saffron are sitting out. Paya and I are too far apart to talk to each other, but I won’t complain about the view. It’s four versus four. Although in reality, two teams of three control the outcome of today’s challenge.
Once each team is positioned behind the line, Steph steps back, raises her arm.
She yells and the match erupts into chaotic motion.
One at a time, coconuts fly from the teams. I’ve never seen Bo this determined.
She must really want a slushie. She moves with a frantic, wild energy, rolling the heavy fruits into her palm and lifting her chin with absolute focus.
There’s a collective moan from camp when our opponents try to answer, but even with Bo the last few days, ever since having a steady supply of fish from Beya, our team has been strong.
We’re getting along. To my surprise, even Bo has been less irritating.
My attention drifts intently to the opposing team. The coconut rattles against the rope basket. Jeida throws the coconut underhand and scores. There’s only a few claps though. The loudest being Paya.
Coconut in hand, Blair steps to the line. She tosses and comes up short, the coconut thudding uselessly into the dirt.
Paya yelps as she inches closer to the water. Meanwhile, my seat has barely moved. Steph announces that Paya will dunk soon if my team scores two more coconuts. Paya and I’ve been stealing glances back and forth up until this point. I match Paya’s grimace at the sounds of wood creaking.
Lex shouts more encouragement and my team follows suit.
Bo shoots. The coconut rounds the rim of the basket and topples out into the sand.
Blair takes a shot, but it goes long. Team Femme seems like they’re having an off day, their communication completely fractured on the lines.
According to Steph, they’re tired of winning challenges, and their accuracy isn’t proving otherwise.
Steph sprints to my team’s side. “Bo has been on fire the entire challenge. Storming Team Femme’s castle, scoring fifty-three coconuts. The second closest is Lex with twenty-one. Third is Jeida, leading her team with eleven.”
Bo steps up to the line. She rolls the coconut in one hand as if it were a basketball and she was getting ready to shoot a free throw. She turns serious in a way I haven’t seen before, adjusts her headband wrap, tugging the fabric tight.
Beya quietly says her name, then Lex. Then I start slow claps, building a steady cadence from my throne. I’m into this game despite our problems with No Show Bo. The rest of the queen’s court picks up the rhythm, the sound echoing out toward the trees.
Bo takes her shot. The coconut leaves her hands in slow motion. I tense when it hits the top of the rim, shoots directly toward the sky. It lingers in the air what feels like forever. Then the coconut drops into the basket.
As I turn to face Paya, she releases a loud squeal as she gets dumped into the tank of water below.
Steph launches her arms toward the sky and screams, “Team Masc wins reward!”
Clapping, I shout cheers as my teammates pat Bo on the back. She scored at least fifty coconuts by herself on this one. Today’s the most athletic I’ve witnessed Bo so far in the game.
As I climb down the rope ladder, I smile through the intensity. My teammates are already drooling, celebrating their hard earned bounty waiting back at camp.
Steph Rhodes steps in front of my path, her eyes gleaming with genuine mischief as she waits for the noise to subside.
“Celeste.” Steph faces me. “As the queen, you get the royal treatment. Private beach. Dinner and a movie. There’s a twist though.
You must select a royal captive from the losing team to join you on your reward. ”
I purse my lips. A twist indeed. Whispers echo around me.
I glimpse Beya’s teasing grin from the side.
Peering around at my options, I dodge eye contact with the one person Beya’s probably assuming I’d select.
Instead, I ponder the decision, letting the silence stretch over the mats.
There’s an internal debate in my head and heart.
When my stomach tingles, I know the answer.
The production drones hover overhead, their lenses tracking my every movement as the rest of the contestants pause to hear the choice.
Paya is standing dripping wet, still squeezing the excess water from her hair.
Steph looks at me. “Celeste. Who will be joining you?”
There was only ever one answer. I pick my queen. “Paya.”