Chapter 16
Garrick
Rule One: Do not sneak out to see a contestant when all cameras have been switched off for the night.
Of course it was only a matter of time before I broke it.
So, there have been random meets where we nod and smile.
But my little after-hours excursion is anything but random.
If I’m going to make my performance on the show look authentic, I need a little time where there’s no cameras or production members staring at me.
Because I don’t know how long flirting without substance will work.
I’m happy to play a character, but I need some background information to do it justice.
I’m going to Riya’s apartment with several games in my backpack. I figured that would be the best way to get to know her – you can tell a lot about a person by their Monopoly strategy.
Arriving on the apartment’s second floor, I skid to a halt when a voice rings into the silent night. As a precaution, should any production members be nearby – or god forbid, Brett – I hesitate near the stairs so I can make a quick exit.
‘No, I promise, nothing is going on.’ I don’t know the contestants’ voices well enough to tell who it is. Peeking around the corner, I spot Riya pacing in front of her door, hand over the phone to muffle her conversation.
‘Babe, babe, it’s fine.’ She’s attempting to soothe the person on the other end. I’m not in the habit of eavesdropping, but if the situation presents itself, who am I to deny it?
‘I told you, it’s all an act. Whatever you’re seeing on TikTok is for show. I need this to help boost my followers. I really want to get that brand deal.’
Babe? Who is she talking to? A lead ball drops into the pit of my gut, my fingers turning white as I grip the straps of my backpack.
Riya continues, unaware she’s being overheard. ‘You know I love you. And I promise, as soon as this is over, I’ll make it up to you.’ She giggles, responding to whatever the person says. ‘You know I’m not into blondes. I love your whole tall, dark and handsome thing.’
If there was any question about who she might be talking to, that answers it. Gotta be her boyfriend. So much for my front-runner.
Finding love was never on the table for me.
I was looking for someone to have a good time with and maybe do a little kissing – I’m in no way opposed to that.
But I guess I never thought about what the girls might be here for.
I did this to get FTG promo and cash for my fencing club.
Perhaps none of them are here for me either.
Does that make this easier? The bruising to my ego tells me otherwise. But it’s not like I can even be mad at Riya. She’s got things she wants and is taking the opportunities when she can.
Quietly, I head down the stairs and back to my house.
The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies Countdown
15 December
Day 3
Grinch Crinkle Cookies
Servings: 18-24 cookies
INGREDIENTS:
300g plain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
⒈／⒉ teaspoon salt
100g granulated sugar for rolling
300g caster sugar
2 large eggs
80g softened butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
⒈／⒉ teaspoon peppermint extract
Green gel food coloring
Large heart-shaped sprinkles
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375oF (190oC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt.
Place 100g of granulated sugar in a shallow dish and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together butter and caster sugar with an electric mixer.
Add vanilla and peppermint extracts and then add eggs one at a time, mixing after each.
Slowly add in the dry ingredients until incorporated.
Add a few drops of green food coloring and knead the dough until the color is evenly distributed.
Divide the cookie dough into tablespoon-sized balls and roll in the granulated sugar to coat.
Place on prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly.
Press a heart-shaped sprinkle into the center of each dough ball.
Bake for 8–10 minutes or until set.
Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
The first episode is set to air tonight, so we’re up early again to film the first elimination.
Before I can break some girl’s heart (their words, not mine) I have to do an on-camera interview where they ask me about my thoughts and feelings – the worst part – and look like I’m struggling to send a girl home.
I actually am struggling, but not because I have feelings for all of them and it’s impossible to choose. It’s more like I don’t have strong inclinations toward any of them. Especially after last night’s revelation by Riya.
So, how did I pick?
I won’t say this out loud, but I put all their names into a hat and drew out which one I was sending home. If we’re all here for our own agendas, it felt like the fairest way to do it. Fate can decide.
‘How are you feeling, Garrick?’ the director, Hassan, asks me.
We’re nestled into Dad’s old office overlooking the Village Center.
They’ve made this area the command hub for the entire Beeloved team.
Dad insisted they didn’t mess with the park’s operations, so Ivor suggested they use these old rooms. I hope they don’t figure out this is where the evidence was found that ‘incriminated’ Dad in charity fraud and later cleared him.
I still have a little trouble trusting journalists – and sure, that’s not the production company’s job, but they are here for a story.
I was bummed not to see Ripley when I walked in. At least with her I know where I stand. I doubt she’s sleeping in, so she must be prepping the elimination.
Shaking my head, I dip my brows into a frown and stare into the camera like it’s an old friend.
The producers said that was the best way to think about it.
‘It comes and it goes, you know? I’m excited to move forward with the girls who are staying, but I hate to let one of them go when we’ve only just started. ’
Hassan nods like he understands. At least one person is buying my performance. ‘Why did you choose to send this girl home?’
I had to tell them ahead of time who I was eliminating. They pretty much let me choose on my own, but there are a few girls they strongly requested I keep around because they make good content.
I scratch the back of my neck, forcing myself not to tell the truth.
‘Like I said, it was tough, but I didn’t feel like she and I were meant to be.
She’s awesome, and I know her Beeloved is waiting out there.
’ I almost choke on the last words, the lovey-dovey crap getting stuck in my windpipe.
Everyone else is eating it up. I wish Ripley were here to roll her eyes for me.
After a few more questions, I’m ushered to the elimination. Since it’s a Monday, the park is closed until early afternoon, so we’re filming in front of the tree and castle. It’s a lovely background to break some hearts.
The process is relatively straightforward.
I stand on my mark, and the girls are in a semi-circle in front of me.
They all look killer dressed up in their best fits, and I’m in a version of my knight costume Dad and Ms Ripley finally agreed on.
As I say the name of each girl staying, they come up and I place a bee bracelet on their wrist.
Then I have to say a line that I hope gets easier with time: ‘Will you be my Beeloved?’ It’s so cheesy, even for me. The first time I say it, to Maya, and she accepts with an enthusiastic hug, my gaze automatically seeks out Ripley over Maya’s shoulder.
Ripley isn’t rolling her eyes, but she is biting her thumbnail, face molded into a shape I’m assuming is fighting the previously mentioned roll. A laugh bubbles in my chest as I watch her struggle to contain it. I have to bite my tongue to stop myself.
Some might find the dramatic pauses I sprinkle into the elimination overkill, but I enjoy the drama.
Until I catch the looks on the two girls who are left and just want to put them out of their misery.
In the end, it’s Sophia H I send home. Despite her being an influencer, production didn’t mind letting her go since she wasn’t as comfortable on camera as some of the other girls.
As we wrap up, everyone keeps saying how hard it must be and that they don’t envy me.
But the thing is, I don’t feel anything.
I mean, I feel bad hurting anyone, but it doesn’t make me sad I could be losing a potential girlfriend.
I learned the hard way that all letting someone get close to you does is devastate you.
At least I discovered that before I got too old.
I won’t spend my whole life on a roller coaster of lovesick heartbreak.
Keeping people at arm’s length is the only way to protect yourself.
With the first elimination done, I have the day off from filming. All the post-production editing is taking place, and I was told I could relax. But Dad has other ideas.
‘Ms Ripley!’ Desiree calls as Ms Ripley is walking away.
‘Yes?’ Ms Ripley’s response is polite, but curt.
‘I just wanted to follow up about that scene idea I emailed you.’
‘Right …’
Their conversation fades away as I put distance between us, lest I be drawn into extra filming. I’m due out for a show at Knight School this afternoon, but I want to be somewhere else right now.
‘Do you have any cookies?’ I ask when Ripley opens the door to her apartment.
‘By all means, come in.’ Ripley steps to the side as I am already making my way in.
All the apartments look the same, so I feel like I’m stepping into my own. Only this one smells slightly better. But it does kind of remind me of a 7-Eleven. Maybe I should’ve asked for nachos and a hot dog instead.
‘Was that a yes or no on the cookies?’ I would just start opening cupboards, but my mother did raise me right.