Chapter 20 #2
As soon as I get to my slingshot, I drop my box next to it, grab a sandbag and put it into the sling.
I pull it back, carefully aim, and fire …
only for it to land well short of the target.
For the second and third shots, I over-adjust, sending the projectiles past the target I’m aiming for.
Instead of immediately taking my next shot, I pause and take a deep breath. You can do this, Ryan.
Now calm, or at least calmer than I was before, I step up and line up my next shot.
To my surprise, this one comes much closer, and my fifth shot actually hits, causing a flag to pop out of the target.
The next couple of sandbags miss, but I hit another target with my eighth shot. Two down, three to go.
Now that I know I can do it, I feel more confident, and over the next couple minutes, I hit my third and fourth targets, bringing me to the brink of victory. However, Tamika is tied with me, and Katie has three, so instead of resting on my laurels, I grit my teeth and pick up the pace once again.
I take shot after shot after shot, determined to win, but the final target eludes me.
I foolishly left the furthest one away for last, and most of the sandbags land short, even though I’m pulling back on the slingshot almost as far as I can.
My arms begin to burn, and my breathing is heavy, but I don’t slow down even though I’m using up my remaining sandbags at a prodigious rate.
It has to be only a matter of time before Tamika wins the challenge, sending her directly to the final four.
“I have to win,” I mutter to myself. “I can’t let her beat me again. ”
And then, as I’m grabbing my second-to-last sandbag from my box, I hear a commotion off to my right. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Tamika running down towards her targets with her empty box in hand, and just like that, I find a second wind. This is my chance!
Slowing down a bit, I resolutely place my second-to-last sandbag in the pocket, carefully aiming and lining up with the target before I fire. At first, I think it’s going to hit, but it sails a little bit, flying over the top with perhaps two inches to spare.
Grimacing, I try to clear my mind as I place the last sandbag. This is it, Ryan. I pull the pocket back, trying to find the same spot as my last shot, then move forward ever so slightly. Meanwhile, I hear Tamika running back to her slingshot and dropping her box to the ground. It’s now or never.
With my heart in my throat, I let go, watching the sandbag arc into the air. It seems to move into slow motion as it rises up towards the sky, reaches its peak, and begins to fall, unerring in its flight. Come on, I silently will it. Fly true.
Seemingly an eternity later, it lands perfectly in the center of the target, causing the last of my five flags to pop up into the air.
It takes a moment to sink in, but when it does, I raise my arms up in celebration, at the same time letting out a huge sigh of relief.
I did it, I think, as the others come over to celebrate with me. I really won.
A short while later, after we’ve all gathered back on the mat and the cameras are rolling again, Alex gestures to me. “Come on over, Ryan,” he says, grinning as he holds out the immunity necklace.
Feeling lighter than air, I walk over to him as the other four clap politely, turning around so he can put the necklace around my neck.
“Ryan, you are safe at tonight’s tribal council and are guaranteed a spot in the final four,” he continues.
“In addition, you’ve won a reward, in the form of a pizza lunch back at camp.
” He gestures in the direction of the other four.
“Pick one of your tribemates to join you.”
Instead of responding immediately, I pause for a moment to think about who I want to pick.
The smart choice would probably be Rhonda or Katie, so I can talk to them and make sure they’re on board with voting out Tamika tonight.
But even though I know it’s not a great idea, the chance to share some one-on-one time with Cole is too tempting to pass up.
We’ll still be on camera, so we can’t completely let our guards down, but at least I won’t have to worry about the other three picking up on weird vibes.
And, I realize, I have an excuse. “Well, Cole picked me for a reward a few days ago,” I say, deliberately addressing Alex. “So, it’s only fair that I return the favor.”
Alex nods and gestures to Cole, who beams at me.
I return his smile, trying to give the impression that my excitement is for the pizza, rather than who I’ll be sharing it with.
It’s a good thing there are only four more days left, I think, as Cole comes over and joins me next to Alex.
I don’t know if I can keep this act up much longer.
The divine scent of just-baked pizza assaults my nostrils a half an hour later as Cole and I walk up to a large picnic blanket set for two.
On the blanket are three cardboard pizza boxes, just like the ones you’d find in any greasy pizza joint in the States, as well as a large bowl of salad, pitchers of drinks, and plates, utensils, and napkins.
My stomach grumbles loudly in anticipation, and Cole and I waste no time getting down to business.
The pizzas—one cheese, one pepperoni, and one veggie—are amazing, with gooey cheese and thin, New York-style crusts.
I’m sure there are better pies back home, but given how hungry I am, they might as well be from a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
I briefly wonder how the producers managed to find a pizza oven in the middle of a deserted Samoan island before deciding that I really couldn’t care less.
As I’m chowing down on my second slice, Cole turns to me, his eyes sparkling. “Thanks for picking me, Ry,” he says. “I’ve been craving pizza for the last month, so this was perfect timing.”
“No problem. I did really owe you for the spa reward.” I lower my voice, conscious of the cameras around us. “Besides, I’m glad to have a chance to hang out with you.”
“Well, I’m certainly not complaining,” he says, giving me the barest of winks. “By the way, have you tried the veggie one yet? It’s really delicious.”
I haven’t, so I take a slice and bite into it—he was right, it is delicious.
I tell him so, and he gives me a goofy grin that makes me feel light-headed.
I almost can’t believe how different I feel around him now compared to just a few days ago.
Before, there was this inescapable yearning, this desire to be more than just his friend or his ally, that colored all my interactions with him.
Now, that sensation is gone, like the sun has banished away the clouds in my mind, replaced by a sense of utter peace and contentment.
Sure, I still want to kiss him and be held by him, but I now know I can do those things, and that makes all the difference.
And the best part is that I can tell just from the way Cole looks at me that he’s feeling something similar.
While we eat, we continue to talk, at first about unimportant things—the challenge that just happened, which of our cities has better pizza, things like that.
But after we’ve both gotten a chance to eat our fill, I turn the conversation to a heavier topic.
“I really think Tamika needs to go tonight,” I say.
“I love her, but she’s a bigger threat than Katie or Rhonda.
If we don’t get her out now, we might not have another chance. ”
“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Cole agrees. “Do you think she’ll target me again?”
I frown. “It wouldn’t surprise me. I mean, she doesn’t have many options—I’m immune, so that just leaves you, Rhonda, or Katie. But even if she does vote for you, it’s not like it matters much. She’s only one person.”
“I know, I know.” He sighs. “I just don’t like the idea of my name being written down at all. I trust you, and I’m obviously not going to vote for myself, but who knows what the three of them are talking about right now? For all we know, they’re going to gang up and vote me out.”
I quickly weigh the risks before taking his hand and squeezing it gently. “You’re not going home tonight, Cole. I’m sure Rhonda and Katie will vote with us. And if I’m wrong, and you really are in danger, I’ll play my hidden immunity idol for you.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Are you sure about that? I don’t want you to waste it on me like Randy did with Ashraf.”
“Why not? Tonight’s the last night that I can use it, so otherwise it’ll just be a souvenir.”
“Well, if you insist, I’m not going to say no,” he replies, giving me a warm smile that makes me want to kiss him even more.
“But please, promise me you’ll only use it if you think it’s necessary.
I’m sure Arielle or someone back home would love to have it, and I don’t want you to take that away from them just because I’m freaking out. ”
“I promise.” I don’t really think it’ll matter, but if it makes him feel better, I’d promise him the moon. “I’m sure everything will go just swimmingly tonight.”
Cole and I finish eating and return to camp a little while later.
He goes off to take a dip in the ocean, while I make my way back to the shelter.
He gives me one last smile as he goes, and I almost can’t believe my luck in finding him.
I know that things might not work between us outside the game—dating long distance is hard, and this is an atypical situation already—but I’ll get the chance to try, and that’s all I can ask for.