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“I’m not going to fling hot water at you, Quinn. You can say no,” Avery joked, reaching to turn on the kettle that was on the counter.
“No, I’ll try it.” Her voice sounded firmer.
“One non-cleaning-chemical beverage coming up.”
Quinn reached over to pat her hand but Avery barely felt it. She was lost in her thoughts, back in the confines of the bathroom, where her panic attack had sprung loose, rearing its ugly head. Stella’s calm tones and firm touch helped ground her.
Avery turned to look for the mugs but was mostly just trying to shake loose the memory.
Steam rose from the mugs as she poured the hot water over the tea bags. The sweet, citrusy scent tickled her nose. Peering over at the food Quinn had picked out, she saw sweets most likely would be welcomed, but she wanted to make sure.
“Are you okay with some honey?” Avery asked, opening the cupboards and finding a well-stocked container. Say what they like about the show; the contestants didn’t go hungry.
“Love honey.” Quinn nodded enthusiastically.
Tipping the honey bear, Avery watched as a few plops dropped into the warm depths. She swirled the water with a spoon before pushing one cup towards Quinn, who sniffed it distrustingly.
“Smells better than what I remember as a kid.” Quinn pushed it away to let it cool. “Come sit. I don’t want to eat alone.” She patted the chair next to her with a smile.
Careful not to spill her tea, Avery settled in the chair beside her. Her eyes flickered to the hall, tensing when she saw a camera person hiding, the large equipment on their shoulder pointed in their direction.
“I’m glad we didn’t have to deal with the cameras the whole time.” Avery nodded to the person in the hall. Quinn’s eyes followed where she indicated and she got an eye roll in response.
“No kidding. I’m so curious how the show’s going to turn out, what they’ll add,” Quinn mused, pulling the still-steaming cup towards her. “This does smell good.”
“There are a lot of tea flavors. Some earthy or fruity. So, if you don’t like this one, you shouldn’t write them all off.” Avery sipped, moaning at the comforting flavors sliding down her throat.
Quinn stuck the tip of her tongue in the water, sucking on the minuscule amount of water that had coated her taste buds. After a few seconds, her face changed from cautiously-curious-bordering-disgust to just curious. Wrapping her lips along the cup's rim, Quinn took a tentative sip.
“This is delicious.” She leaned forward for a heartier drink. “Can you believe they are still making us go through with the elimination round in a few days?” Quinn asked, reaching over for a cookie.
Avery nodded, unable to believe she’d momentarily forgotten about the show. It had seemed as if she and Quinn were just friends enjoying a chat. Not once had she tried to come up with scenarios on how to curry favor. They were just two people hanging out. But the reality was that in a couple of weeks, if Avery lasted that long, she would have to make the hardest decision of her life. Not to mention having to do it in front of Stella.
“Are you okay? You look like you’re going to be sick.” Quinn put her hand out to rub Avery’s shoulder.
“I’m fine. Maybe the eclectic group of food caught up with me.” Avery pushed the pile of food away and pulled her tea closer. “I’m glad you like the drink,” she added, wanting to change the subject.
Quinn looked like she wanted to push further, but after a moment, she dropped it. “I think my body is finally ready to get some sleep. How about you?” She piled a stack of food in her arms and shuffled to the fridge.
“Yeah, it’s been a day. I’m glad everyone is okay.” Avery stared at the water of her cooled tea. Her brain was unhelpfully replaying all the heart-racing events. Her heart rate started spiking as she flashed through the day. She needed to return to her room before her emotions got the best of her. “Night, Quinn.”
Quinn placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned in, placing a light kiss on her cheek. “Good night, Avery. Sleep well.”
The retreating steps disappeared, and with it, the tether to Avery’s control. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she returned to her room. She tried to think of an outcome that wouldn’t end in heartbreak. Her only answer was the crushing silence of a cameraman who captured her emotion hidden in the darkened hall.
“Well, this has been an interesting week.” Stella smiled for the camera before turning to Quinn, who was sitting to her left. “Quinn, a few days ago, we were all playing cards and letting loose. I bet the audience wants to hear your take on the events.”
The room was smaller than in the other house, but with only four contestants left, it was a cozy fit. They were all gathered around, waiting for the Final Cut. Stella’s job was to create tension, and nothing spiked ratings quite like a natural disaster.
“One moment we were getting the treat of an Avery lap dance, and the next, everything was shaking. It was so scary. Pieces of furniture were falling around us, and one barely missed my leg.” Quinn chopped at her calf with her hand for a visual demonstration.
Stella smiled, then winced at the skin pulling along her cut. Three days hadn’t been enough time for it to heal. She didn’t want to put makeup on the wound, so she leaned into the harrowing tale.
“I’m glad to hear you’re all right, though. Elizabeth, how are you holding up?” Stella twisted her neck to see Elizabeth, who launched into a retelling of the event that had her saving the day.
Stella’s mind wandered to the clip Monica had sent her of Avery and Quinn having a midnight snack in the new house. Their cozy looks and gentle teasing would be positive for ratings. There was something haunted in Avery’s eyes, though. Stella had wanted to reach out, brush her hands along her shoulders, and pull her in for a hug.
“…That’s when we started pulling debris from our side to get you and Avery out of the bathroom.” Elizabeth’s voice pulled Stella from her musings.
