Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Courtney
“First give us your name, age, where you’re from and something special. What you do for work, a talent, whatever,” the guy says.
I nod, attempting to fix my bikini top, since half of my tit is hanging out underneath.
“Leave it. You look great. Actually, can we get a little makeup and hair over here real quick?”
In a flash, two women hustle towards me.
One rakes her fingers through my hair, while another quickly dabs some kind of cream under my eyes before applying a little blush and curling my eyelashes.
Then, as fast as they appeared, they slink back into the darker part of the room as huge bright lights come on.
I squint for a moment before he gestures for me to go.
“Um. My name is Courtney. I’m twenty-eight. I’m from Seattle.”
I pause for a moment, not sure what else to say.
“Your job?” the guy prompts.
“Right, yeah. I have three actually.” I laugh, though no one else in the room laughs with me. Forcing my smile away, I shrug. “In this economy, a girl’s gotta eat.”
That raises one chuckle from the back before the guy murmurs something to the cameraman.
“Alright. We’re gonna redo this. This time, I want you to use that same kind of attitude the whole time. Think of this like an acting gig. You want the camera to fall in love with you; you want the audience to love you. Play into your whole quirky, broke-girl vibe. They’ll eat it up.”
I laugh. “Wow, honestly don’t know how I should take that.”
“Take it however you’d like. This is your job now, so do your fucking job,” he snarks.
Okayyy then.
Part of me wants to stand up and walk out right this second. I don’t belong here, and everyone fucking knows it. This was a mistake.
Lily’s face pops into my head, and it has me pausing for a moment.
She was so excited for me to do this. Imagine how happy she’d be to actually watch me on TV.
And if I could win this? I mean, it’s a long shot.
The furthest shot based on the gorgeous men and women here, but still.
If I could… I have to fight for it. As hard as I’ve fought to keep a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and medicine in Lily.
I’ve been fighting almost my whole life. I can fight for this too.
Straightening up a little more, I create a persona in my head. A relatable girl who’s just getting by. One that’s hoping she can find Mr. Right, or at least someone fun for a night.
Oh shit, that’s good.
I nod, signaling that I’m ready before I screw on the fakest smile of my life.
“Hey, everyone! My name is Courtney. I’m from Seattle, which means, yes, I’m always wet and I spend way too much on coffee.”
Oh my God. I can’t believe I just said that.
Really committing to this disaster of a personality I’m making up as I go, I laugh softly and roll my shoulders back slightly, allowing my underboob to show in all of its glory.
Fuck it.
“I’m twenty-eight years old, working three jobs because, in this economy, a girl’s gotta eat!”
The room fills with laughter, and even the jackass that was bossing me around before is chuckling.
“That’s great. And what are your ideal traits in a partner?”
I think about that for a second. The answers that spring to my mind are boring and not sexy at all, which I know isn’t what they’re looking for. So I do my best to turn up the charm and make the sexiest eyes possible at the camera.
“I really love a man that can cook. He can cook the meal, and I’ll bring the dessert,” I say with a dramatic wink.
Cringing for a moment, I don’t know how I forgot that I can’t wink very well. Oh well, mouth open and all, we’re going for it.
More laughter. Fuck yes, I’m nailing this.
A sharp clap startles me from the back, and Alex steps forward with a smirk.
“Golden! We’ll film some more snips in here over the next few days for your intro, but this is awesome.”
“Happy to please!” I smile enthusiastically, still not quite dropping the role I’ve adapted.
Maybe I shouldn’t drop it at all. The cameras will be on us 24/7 soon. I won’t have a choice, I guess.
“Just what we like to hear,” he replies before gesturing for me to head out.
I walk past everyone and head for the door before slipping out of it. Damn. I’m actually kind of proud of myself. I didn’t think I’d be able to pull that off, but I did. I think they really liked it too. Maybe America will like it and decide I deserve five million dollars.
One can only hope.
I’m too into my own head, not looking where I’m going, and end up slamming into a rock-hard chest. I stumble backward and almost fall on my ass before long arms wrap around me, holding me upright.
A pair of sparkling blue eyes and tousled blond hair are the first things to catch my attention. His crisp white smile slowly lifts until he’s beaming down at me.
Wow. How did I not see him before? He looks like he should be slow-mo running on the beach for a movie or a commercial.
“Sorry about that. You okay?”
His voice sends goosebumps skating across my skin. Skin that’s almost completely exposed thanks to this stupid excuse for a bikini.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“Can’t say I’m mad about it,” he says as his smile grows, along with the butterflies soaring in my chest.
“I’m Noah.”
“Courtney,” I answer almost breathlessly.
My God. Who am I? I don’t get breathless unless I’m taking the stairs.
Over a man no less? I’m not a man-hater by any means, I believe they have their purpose, and some of them are even decent.
I’ve just had zero time or mental space for them…
really ever. I guess that needs to change, though, especially since I’m literally here for a love/dating show or whatever they’re calling it.
His eyes seem to sparkle as the door opens once more and I hear Alex’s voice.
“Alright, you two, save it for the cameras.”
Noah and I chuckle as his arms slowly unwind from me. Kinda sad to see them go. They were nice arms.
“I’ll see you soon, Courtney.”
“Your chances are good,” I agree.
He lets out a short laugh as he rubs his jaw like he’s attempting to wipe his smirk away. It doesn’t work, though. And it’s because of me. Not bad for my first flirtation in literal years.
It took me ten minutes of wandering to finally find the bunk bedroom where all the girls are staying.
That’s not an exaggeration. Literally ten minutes.
This place is basically a palace. It’s absolutely mind-blowing.
Though, when a TV show is putting up five million dollars as a grand prize, I guess the accommodations should be insanely nice.
When I finally make it to the room, I find Luna busily unpacking her suitcase. I also see several girls rifling through several racks of clothes, fighting over pieces like vultures.
“What’s up with that?” I ask as I gesture to the girls tugging on a sequined red dress.
“Apparently, the showrunners are providing us with most of our outfits. We are highly encouraged to utilize the provided wardrobe,” she says in the snootiest voice possible before smirking.
I laugh and find my suitcase on the bottom bunk beside her.
“I didn’t know which you preferred,” she says as she gestures to the bunk beds.
Again, they aren’t ordinary bunk beds. They’re set against the wall, encased in smooth white wood with delicate mesh nets draped over the top and lower bed. For decorations or bugs, I’m not quite sure. It is pretty, though.
“I’m easy,” I say as I unzip my bag, smiling softly to myself when I find the picture of Lily and me that I packed. I had this weird feeling they’d be taking our phones, and as much as I hate that it’s true, I’m glad I have at least a piece of her with me.
“Who’s that?” Luna asks over my shoulder.
I look to her in surprise, and she laughs.
“Oh yeah. I’m not big on boundaries. You’ll have to get used to that.”
I’m a little unsure how to take Luna, honestly. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met before. Not that it’s a bad thing. She’s been warm and welcoming to me ever since I got here, which is more than I can say about the rest of the girls.
“My sister,” I answer. “Lily.”
Luna nods. “I have two sisters and an older brother. Pains in the ass.”
I laugh as the girl in the bottom bunk across from us pulls out a yellow stuffed bunny, then places it in the center of her bed with care. She must be able to feel me looking at her because she turns to face me, a hint of a blush tinging her cheeks.
“My late mother gave it to me as a baby. It goes everywhere I do.”
Nodding in understanding, I give her a soft smile before extending my hand. “I’m Courtney.”
“Cora.” She smiles and shakes my hand before turning to Luna.
“I’m Luna. Where are you from?”
“Denver. You?”
“Portland. What about you, Courtney?” Luna asks.
“Oh, Seattle.”
“No shit? I didn’t realize we were so close. I knew I liked you.” Luna smirks.
I laugh at that as Cora giggles.
“Looks like we got a couple of PNW girlies in the house,” Cora says with a posed duck-lips pout and a peace sign.
Luna laughs and snaps in agreement, while I stand there utterly confused how they chose me to fit in with this group of women. I’m clearly the outlier. Maybe they picked me as a joke?
Once we’re unpacked, all the girls head into the glam room. I’m not sure if that’s actually the name of it, but that’s what I’m calling it. Each girl has a makeup station of her own with her name in neon above each mirror. They really spared no expense with every little detail.
Luna is on the other side of the table, and Cora is on my left, talking my ear off. She seems nice enough, though, and I’m sure all that energy will grow on me. You know who won’t? The bitch on my right that’s burned my arm with her curling iron three times already.
“Fuck!” I shout.
Savannah cuts me an irritated look before facing the mirror once more. “Give me some fucking space if you don’t want to get burned.”
“I’m literally keeping everything in my area, you’re the one waving that thing around like a goddamn sword,” I scoff.
Her sharp green eyes cut to me before narrowing. “Some of us need and deserve a little more space to get ready.”
Shaking my head, I focus on my lipstick once more.
“You don’t have to tell us twice. I think we all witnessed the twenty pounds of makeup going on your face. By all means, take your time,” I mutter.
“Oh shit.” Luna chuckles under her breath as another girl, who introduced herself as Bella earlier, fails to stifle her laugh.
Savannah’s irritation lands on her, and I think she’s attempting to intimidate Bella into submission. It absolutely doesn’t work, though. Her gorgeous brown curls are piled on top of her head, leaving nothing to mask her I-don’t-give-a-fuck glare.
“You got a problem, sweetheart?” Bella asks, her New Jersey accent thicker than before.
You can tell Savannah is attempting to think of something to say but can’t think of a good insult, or thinks better of it. She doesn’t seem the type to shy away from a fight, so my money is on the first.
“Yeah, that’s what I fucking thought. You better be careful who you fuck with in here. Cameras aren’t rolling yet, honey.”
Savannah lets out an irritated huff before slamming her curling iron down on the table, pushing to her feet and stomping off. Two girls, Kiera and Angel, follow after her like the queen bee she is. It’s amazing how quickly allyships form when you shove a bunch of women in a room together.
“Fuck the guys, I think I’d rather lock in with you. You’re feisty,” Luna teases.
Bella smirks, then pulls out the claw clip in her hair, running her fingers through the wild curls as she stands up. “It’s day one. Can’t let that blonde bitch think she runs this place.”
“We haven’t even really met the guys yet and I can already tell this show is gonna be messsssy,” another girl, Kenzie, says as she swipes on a gorgeous deep-brown lipstick just a few shades lighter than her skin.
When she stands up, her bright orange minidress clings to her every curve, and the diamond choker around her neck is glimmering even inside. She’s the definition of stunning. All of these women are, really. So, I ask yet again, what the fuck am I doing here?