16
Kenzie: No Winner
The minuteI saw Kyle walk off with Aisha, panic rose through my body. I tried to reason with myself that it was innocent, but two things troubled me about their newfound friendship. First, his loyalty… and second, her beauty. Of the four of us, Kyle would certainly prove to be the most useful in challenges. Although not rippling with muscles, he was strong, quick, and agile. It would make sense to keep him around the longest.
Plus, as much as I hated to admit, Kyle was a misfit by circumstance only. I was certain that in his everyday life, he wasn’t some sad sap sitting on the sidelines watching life pass him by. As much as Gene had tried to put him in his place, it was obvious to me that Kyle had the clear makings of a quarterback, and one everyone would follow.
Then it came to my second, more personal, concern… Aisha. She was all that I wasn’t: tall, gorgeous, and glamorous. I’d never known what life was like at her status level. When you looked the way she did, the world granted you certain privileges that us mere mortals could only dream of. I realized I was unfairly generalizing, and I understood that there were gorgeous women with big, beautiful hearts I just didn’t want them taking the attention of my island boy. I’d already claimed Kyle as my own on day one, and I didn’t want to share him, especially not with the likes of Aisha. A girl like her, who had never gone to a dance without a date or been left off a party list, would win the boy every time.
Aisha’s laugh brought me back to the present. My eyes narrowed in on my competition, or more accurately the bikini body of my competition. I couldn’t dream of coming close to that level of perfection. More laughter.Dammit, Kyle! Stop using your charm on her.I had to get out there and run interference before everything I’d built in the past two days fell apart. Would it be too obvious if I interrupted him now? Would he think I didn’t trust him? Would he think I was jealous?
When Bobby waded out there, my insecure girl worries were replaced with ruthless game strategy. No way was I going to allow them to take away my most important ally. I ran down to the beach and, too distracted to remove my shorts, I just trudged in with them still on. Determined and focused, I was totally unprepared for the rock that broke my stride, and I face-planted onto the shallow ocean floor.
* * *
Kyle satbeside me on the log as we dried ourselves near the raging fire. Dale and Marsha fed the flames, incredibly proud of their offering. Although they were praised all around, I couldn’t help but think those same people wouldn’t hesitate to cut them down first chance they got.
“I’m going to the bathroom.” I stood up and caught Kyle’s eye.
“I’ll come with you.”
We walked in silence until we were clear of camp.
“That was quite an entrance you made earlier.”
“Oh, you mean in the water? Yeah, I meant to do that,” I grinned.
“Oh, right, of course.”
I stared up at him before asking in a serious tone of voice, “Did they get to you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just be honest, Kyle. Are you with them now?”
“No. Why would I be with them?”
“Because… I have a feeling that’s where you belong.”
He stopped walking and stared at me. “Belong?”
“Yes. With the winners.”
Kyle’s eyes widened. He seemed genuinely surprised by my comment. “Really? You think so?”
“I know so.”
He shook his head.
“What?”
Kyle was quiet for a moment. He seemed to be searching for the right words. “I’m no winner, Kenzie.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Kyle didn’t elaborate. We continued on until we came to the entrance of the poophole and then went our separate ways. His admission surprised me. This wasn’t Kyle being self-deprecating, no; this was a guy who truly believed he was nothing special. Suddenly I wanted to make it my mission to figure out why.
* * *
