Chapter 22 Ripley
Ripley
It’s time for the third elimination, and by now we’re all used to it.
I feel bad for the girls sent home, especially since they seem to be forming friendships.
Except Riya and Desiree – that ship sailed a long time ago.
But the one thing none of them appear to be doing is developing a real relationship with Garrick.
There’s a lot of flirting – it is Garrick, after all – however, love isn’t in the air, despite what the cameras and editing might portray.
Mom sure got her money’s worth with these production people.
They’re making this look like a romantic love story.
In their interviews, Arianna and Zoya have said they have a massive crush on Garrick and think it could become more.
Desiree said that too, but it seems like that was the acting classes speaking more than her genuine feelings.
Guess we’ll see when she and Garrick go on their date tonight.
I know that’s weird, considering we haven’t even had the elimination yet. But they already said he couldn’t send Desiree home. She’s too good on-screen.
Two girls stand before Garrick as we reach the final moments of this elimination on the magical training stage. He’s making it look like it’s hard to choose – like he’s about to decide in the moment.
‘This is not getting any easier,’ Garrick says, rubbing the back of his neck. ‘But I’m sorry, Harmony. I’m going to have to send you home. That means, Riya, will you be my Beeloved?’
There’s crying and hugging like there always is, and then Harmony says her goodbyes.
‘Juliet,’ Garrick says when the cameras turn off. The crew splits up, one group heading to edit this final scene into the episode airing tonight while the rest set up for the one-on-one date later.
‘Please tell me I can take the rest of the night off?’ Garrick was supposed to wear his knight costume, but the temperature dropped, and he would have been a knight popsicle. Instead, he’s wearing a black peacoat and khakis, with a gray-and-red scarf.
I toss him the water bottle I was holding for him. My job varies from moment to moment: sometimes I hand out snacks; other times, when the park is open, I wrangle fans of the show away while we film. ‘You know you can’t. You’ve got a date tonight.’
He steps closer, sliding my pink earmuffs off, the ones Nathan got me last year for Christmas because he said I needed more color. ‘Will you be there?’ he asks, slipping the earmuffs on to his head.
My heart skips a few beats when he says it, but he doesn’t mean what I wish he meant.
Wait? What do I wish that he meant? Nothing, obviously.
‘Can I have those back?’ I reach for the earmuffs, but he spins away.
‘No, they’re pre-warmed. I’m freezing!’ He clamps his hands over the pink puffs.
After getting scolded by Ivor Walton yesterday, I know this little chat is probably not the wisest. All morning, I kept checking over my shoulder, worried that people were secretly spying on us. But as the day progressed, it didn’t really seem like anyone was bothering to watch me.
Still, if there was chatter, I want it to be a one-time thing.
‘Fine, whatever. Just go mentally prepare for your date later, please.’ I shove him in the opposite direction and turn away from that dangerous smirk, only to see Nathan and Melika staring at me.
‘What?’ I rifle through my production bag, pretending there’s something vital I need to find so they won’t see me blushing.
‘Since when do you let somebody call you Juliet?’ Nathan says, swinging an arm around Melika as they both burn a hole into my skull.
I bite my nail before realizing that makes me look guilty.
I shove my hands into my coat pocket instead.
I’ll blame the cold if they ask why my cheeks are red.
‘I know you’ve learned by now that nobody tells Garrick what to do.
’ But I haven’t been as diligent as I usually would be if anyone else were calling me Juliet.
It’s just when he says it, ugh, there’s a – I don’t know, flutter in my stomach, and I don’t understand how to feel about it.
‘Mmm, sure, Jan.’ Melika purses her lips.
Luckily, I’m saved by an angel in the form of a beauty YouTuber, so I don’t have to lie further.
‘You ready?’ Ellie bounds over.
‘Yes, babe.’ Nathan links arms with her and then takes mine. ‘Come now, ladies. Ellie is going to show us how to do proper make-up. I need to learn this skill if I’m going to be a star of the stage.’
I grab Melika’s hand and pull her along as Ellie and Nathan start walking. ‘Now you’re the star of the stage? Didn’t you only have one acting class?’ And it was from Desiree, so I have a feeling it was more about her than actual acting tips.
‘Rip, you know my toxic trait is seeing something done once and assuming I’ll be a pro at said thing.’ Nathan weaves us through the land of Carpathia to the Fairytalers’ exit.
‘You do have the hobby graveyard to prove it.’ Melika isn’t watching, too busy texting a person I’m pretty sure is Kahoa, so I have to stop her from hitting into a fake boulder.
Nathan ignores her and continues, ‘Ellie, can you also please give Ripley a makeover?’
Ellie’s eyes light up. ‘I’ve been dying to try this new palette I got. The colors will be freaking stunning with your blue eyes.’
I shake my head. ‘I’m OK. We can focus on Nathan.’ Make-up looks great on other people, but whenever I’ve tried I end up looking like a clown in training.
‘My dearest, Ripley,’ Nathan sings. ‘It’s true I am the focus, but I will always share the stage with you. And you,’ he calls to Melika. ‘Miss-Can’t-set-her-phone-down-for-five-minutes.’
‘I’ve got enough brain-power to do both.’
As we break apart to step into the back lot, I whisper to Melika, ‘So, who ya texting?’
A little smile twists her lips up. ‘Just a contact I’m making who can help with my online shipping issues.’
I raise an eyebrow. ‘Shipping issues, right …’ I elongate the last word.
‘Yes, shipping issues, Juliet.’ She slides her phone into her pocket. ‘Now, let’s go give you a makeover – nineties romcom style.’
I do end up letting Ellie try some make-up on me and, unsurprisingly, she kills it. I’ve never looked like this in my life. I almost don’t recognize myself when I stare into the mirror. I send a pic to Anna, who gushes and then asks what Garrick thinks. I don’t message her back.
But it does make me wonder if he’ll notice when I see him this evening.