The Contestant#5
Wait, before you start reading this, have you read ‘Off You Go‘?
Adriana laid sprawled across her beach chair, basking in the warmth of the Hawaiian sun.
It never mattered where she was, or what temperature it was outside, Adriana was always either at the beach, making her way to the beach, or wishing she was at the beach; the beach was her happy place. The sound of the waves, the feel of the sand between her toes, and the sun kissing her skin; there was no other place on earth quite like it.
As she laid there, soaking up the sun and sipping her ice cold pina colada, Adriana attempted to mentally prepare herself for what was about to take place.
She still couldn’t believe it; she couldn’t believe that she allowed her uncle and idiot brother to talk her into being on a dating show.
“Now hold on! It’s not a dating show. There aren’t gonna be any cameras.” Noah, Adriana’s older brother, said.
It was around four in the morning and Adriana, Noah, and the rest of their family had just had a get together.
The Romano family, which consisted of both their mother’s and father’s sides of the family, was massive, and scattered all throughout the world; so, it wasn’t often that they got together. But when they did, people tended to get drunk, especially Noah and their uncle Adam.
As they sat down by the roaring fire, Noah looked over at his sister and threw an arm around her.
“Aiddy, sweet baby sister of mine! When are you gonna get back out into the world and start dating again?” He slurred.
Noah’s question got the attention of Katy, Noah and Adriana’s mother.
“Noah Raymon Romano! Leave your sister alone!” She scolded.
“What? I’m just asking a question! It’s been ages!” He said before turning his attention back to Adriana.
“Look, I know Ron was a dick hole, but you can’t be a little chicken and hide yourself away from love forever. It’s been five years! It’s time to get back out there.” Said Noah.
Adriana shook her head as her and Noah’s father, Tyson, rose up from his seat.
“Alright baby boy, I think you’ve had enough.” Said Tyson as he made his way over and took Noah’s beer.
“Look, I might be a little drunk, and a little more forward than I usually am, but you know I’m right.” Noah said as he pointed at his sister.
“Alright, alright, let’s go inside bubba.” Tyson said as he placed his hands on his son’s shoulders and began directing him towards the house.
While her father help Noah inside, Adriana turned her attention to the stars just as Katy let out a sigh.
“You’d think with him being a Romano he’d have a bit of a higher tolerance.” She said with a laugh as she shook her head.
“But do you think he has a point?” Adriana asked, never taking her eyes off the stars.
Silence filled the space between Adriana and her mother, and for a moment, Adriana was sure she wouldn’t answer.
Having grown up in a small town where everyone knew everyone, there was no such thing as privacy for Katy. Everyone knew everything, or at least thought they knew everything, about everyone. From a very young age, everyone had formed their opinions about their neighbors, co-workers, and classmates, leaving no room for anyone to grow and change, and Katy hated that.
But even with all that being said, Katy still had thoughts and opinions, and Adriana wanted to know her mother’s thoughts and opinions about Noah’s drunken statement.
Adriana stared at her mother with the intensity of a thousand suns, just waiting to hear what she had to say.
As she gathered her thoughts, Katy took slow, deep sips from her glass before turning to look at her daughter.
“I think that you should just do this silly little competition. At best you’ll find someone worth building a life with, and at worst, you get to make out with a bunch of cute people.” Katy said just before taking another sip of her wine.
“Mom!” Adriana yelled as she looked at her mother.
“What? You asked me what I think, and that’s what I think!” Katy said with a shrug.
“So you agree with Noah then.” Adriana said.
Katy shook her head.
“I didn’t say that.” She said.
“So what are you saying then.” Adriana asked.
“All I’m saying is that maybe you should be more open to the opportunity you’ve been presented.” Katy said.
Adriana stared at her mother for a moment and shook her head.
After downing the last of her wine, Adriana rose to her feet just as her father emerged from within the house.
“Well I’m off to find out what the hell is it that Noah signed me up for.” Adriana said.
Katy smiled as Adriana leaned in to kiss her cheek.
“Just be open.” Katy said as her daughter pulled back.
Adriana nodded, and after giving her father a kiss goodnight, she bided her parents a good night and headed to her car, which was parked out front.
“Ready?” Noah asked, breaking Adriana out of her thoughts.
Adriana looked up at her brother, and then down at her now empty glass.
“I guess.” She said.
After returning the glass to the bar, she made her way back to the hotel.
“You sure you don’t need me to stay?” Noah asked, as the door of the elevator came to a close.
“Nah, the contestants will take one look at that face of yours, and they’ll high tail it back to the airport.” She said, gesturing to her brother’s face.
“Ha, ha, ha. You’re sooo, funny.” Noah said dryly.
The elevator came to a stop, and after a soft ding, the doors parted, allowing the siblings to step off.
“No, but seriously.” Noah said.
“No, I’m good. The house has a billion cameras and twenty-four-hour guards.” She said as they headed down the hall.
“Okay, but what about someone to talk things over with? Won’t you need advice and shit?” He said.
Stopping just outside hotel room door, Adriana turned around to face her brother.
“You really wanna hear about my love life?” She asked.
Just the mention of it caused Noah’s face to bunch up as if he’d smelt something foul.
“That’s what I thought.” She said with a laugh.
“I’ll be fine, and I’ll call you every night to fill you in on what’s happening.” She promised.
Noah gave an ‘okay’, and after giving his sister a big hug, he turned around, making his way back to the elevator as Adriana slipped into her room.
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