A last-second change of heart seals your fate. – part two

“Wow, Liz. Why Rick? You guys seemed to be on the rocks recently. What happened?” Amanda asks.

“I think I just needed Rick to be more honest with me and prove to me that he wanted me,” Liz says. “He really showed me the past day that we have something together.”

“Jamie, how does that make you feel?” Amanda asks.

“Not great, but you know what they say, plenty of fish. I was torn between her and Paige anyways, so I completely understand her decision,” Jamie says and then smiles at Paige.

“There’s only one girl left. Jamie and Matt, one of you will be leaving this island tonight. Jamie, why do you think you should stay?” Amanda asks.

“I’ve only just begun. I think there’s a real chance of love happening between Paige and me, I think it’s too early for me to be leaving right now.” Jamie answers, confidently.

“And Matt. What would it mean if you were to leave this island tonight?”

You pause to think and answer.

“It would mean I would leave a lot of good friends and memories behind. I came to this island not expecting anything, but I think I made a lot of friends here and started to change. I…” You say and then struggle to form the words and feel a lump in your throat but resolve yourself to stand firm and take your elimination with more dignity. “I don’t want to go, but... we’ll always have the fireworks.”

You smile and stand resolutely. If this was it, this was it. You had fun and were willing to go. It was like this from the beginning, your fate.

“Paige. It’s time. The boy you pick will be safe and in a couple with you. The boy you do not pick will be sent home. Who will you pick? The store clerk, Matt, or Jamie, the surfer?”

Paige stands up and speaks, “I’m picking this boy because I think… He deserves a chance. He’s been a good friend, and even if he’s down on himself, he tries his best, and he deserves happiness. The boy I’m choosing is… Matt.”

Paige smiles, and you could see tears well in her eyes. You are stunned into silence.

Somehow you manage to move forward beside Paige and take her into your arms. She wraps her arms around you and buries her face into your shoulder. You hug for a good minute and whisper “thank you” about a million times.

Your friends from the villa all congratulate you, and you gave a hug to each of them, glad to can stay another week.

All the islanders proceed to say their goodbyes to Jamie, who takes the elimination in stride, tearful faces on the girl's faces, and mournful regret on the boys.

The group all watch Jamie walk to the car that takes him away to the ferry away from the Island, each one waving goodbye and wishing him good luck. You feel a tapping at your shoulder as you waved.

It was a familiar assistant producer. “Sorry to bother you, but the team has your new phone mate. We updated the software, so there should be no more glitching.”

“Thanks,” You say, staring at the new phone they give you like a replacement goldfish for your beloved old dog that died. It looked like a different model. You sigh.

It was late, and you head back up and see Paige lying in bed a few minutes before lights out. She had an expression and form like she was finishing crying. You can hear sniffles coming from her. Paige and Liz were both crying when they were saying goodbye to Jamie, so it’s expected. Even though Paige and Liz made their decisions, it wasn’t like those feelings they had were gone, and you grow to close an accelerated rate of attachment to each Islander being stuck together like this on this island.

You decided to give her space and check your phone. Only four icons. Phone. Messages. Photos. Internet.

“It was nice while it lasted,” You think.

Then suddenly, the screen changes, and a new text appears over the home screen and an installation bar beneath it.

“Now installing – The Affection Multiplier App.”

New Notifications:

You have a new data item – Knowledge Video 2