No matter how many times you stood in front of the fire pit for a recoupling, you never got used to it. Whether you were the one to pick who you were coupling up with, or you were waiting to be picked, it was equally nerve wracking. There was always some kind of second guessing that went through your mind. Did you do enough to be picked? Was the boy more than just your type on paper? Had you really explored all your options?

You’d been playing it safe so far during your summer of love. You and Topper had been a day one couple, and that brought a certain sense of security with it. But after yesterday’s snog, marry or pie challenge, you were questioning if you should be exploring more and taking more risks. Rafe had chosen to kiss you, and that kiss had been more fiery than any you’d shared with Topper. You hadn’t wanted the kiss to end, and it had seemed like he’d felt the same. Rafe had pulled back briefly during the challenge and then went back for more, deepening the kiss and raising your heart rate.

When you’d gone to bed that night, you hadn’t snuggled up with Topper. You’d stuck to your side of the bed, back turned. Your eyes had found Rafe’s in the dark, sharing a heated stare that kept you up most of the night, imagining what it would be like to be in his bed instead of Topper’s.

Tonight, Rafe had pulled you for a chat in Soul Ties, and the chemistry had been electric. The two of you had kept moving closer to each other, as you flirted with everything you had. You’d spent most of the conversation staring at his lips, wanting to recreate that challenge kiss. He’d closed the distance between you, and just when you’d been certain he was going to kiss you, that dreaded ping had echoed through the villa and your fellow islander had announced you all had to gather around the fire pit immediately for a boy’s choice recoupling. Whatever girl who wasn’t chosen would be dumped from the island immediately.

And now, the flames of the fire crackled in front of you as you watched boy after boy stand and announce their pick. Your heart felt like it was in your ass, as Rafe finally stood up, ready to announce his choice. It was just you and Sofia left, and she gripped your hand tightly as you both waited for Rafe’s speech.

It could really go either way. He’d been coupled up with Sofia before, and your connection with him, while exciting, was still very new. Rafe didn’t seem like he was the type of guy to play it safe. He seemed more like a chaos king. Like he was there for himself and the potential prize pot. Like love wasn’t something he was really actively seeking, but if he found it, he’d take it.

“I’d like to couple up with this girl because,” his voice is deep and gravely, confident like there’s no doubt in his mind that the choice he’s about to make is the right one. Sofia grips your hand a little tighter and you have to resist the urge to yank your hand away. You’re so focused on him and his words that she just feels like an annoying distraction. please pick me