Fake Agree with the alliance

A slow, easy grin spreads across your face, the kind that puts people at ease even as it calculates their weaknesses. "Cody's right," you say, your voice calm and authoritative. "We're the minority. Stick together, and we control the vote. Simple as that."

You clasp Cody on the shoulder, giving it a friendly squeeze. He practically preens under the attention. "Solid thinking, man. Solid. You also close with a few of the girls. We can totally use their dumb brains to help a guy win this season." Harold nods vigorously, already looking pleased with the logical symmetry of the plan. Owen just grunts around a mouthful of pastry, giving you a thumbs-up.

Inside, you're laughing. An alliance of useful idiots. Cody you can twist around your little finger. Harold will follow anyone who shows him a shred of respect. Owen will do whatever the person holding the next snack tells him to do. This wasn't an alliance; it was a leash, and you were holding all of them.

Your gaze drifts past them to the girls. Leshawna is watching you, her expression unreadable. Heather catches your eye and gives a minute, almost imperceptible smirk. She knows. She knows this is just another move on the board, and she trusts you to play it perfectly. She trusts that when the chips are down, your loyalty is to her, to us, not to these pathetic boys.

Just then, the familiar, grating sound of Chris's microphone cuts through the morning chatter. "Alright, campers, settle down, settle down! Your host and god for the day has an announcement that's gonna make your heads spin!"

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