𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄

"I love this show."

"Yeah, too bad it's this season's finale." My sister grabs some popcorn from the bowl, and stuffs it all into her mouth.

"What?! Reallyy? you have to be kidding." I pause the show, A Journey To Love, only 4 more minutes on the episode! i scroll down, and click "More Episodes", only for my sister too be proved right. Season finale.

"Told you." she pulls out the recliners on our couch, and lays all the way back, "Now, go back. I wanna see who Leah chooses to be with!"

I unpause the show.

A Journey To Love is about A group of desperate, hot, single people, going on multiple vacations together, and at the end of each episode, they vote off one person from the group. when there is only 3 people left, ( 2 boys and a girl or vice versa ) The one person who is the opposite gender, chooses the lover they want to date after the show ends. the standing couple wins a paradise home together somewhere in the carribeans.

"So, Leah, who do you want to spend your life with in Paradise?" the host, Blake Hunter asks, the camera turns towards a screen presenting photos of the beautiful homes in Jamaica.

the camera pans back to Leah, A brazillian model who supposedly can't find a man. "I choose.." I think she should choose freddie, the sweetheart. he doesn't just love her for her beauty, he appreciates her opinions and admires her intelligence. But, of course, my sister thinks she should pick Omar, because he's hotter.

"Omar." She stands up, and Omar does too.

"damn it." i mutter under my breath. my sister starts celebratory dancing in her seat, spilling her popcorn everywhere.

"oops."

As my sister picks up her mess, we continue watching the show.

"Leah, I thought we had something." Freddie stays seated, just looking up at Leah and Omar. Poor Freddie. He spent all season crushing on Leah!

"I'm sorry Freddie. The heart wants what the heart wants" Omar says, Gleaming. Freddie stands up, and Rushes off the set. Cameras follow him.

It cuts to a confessional. It's Leah.

"Honestly, Freddie needs to get a grip! it was never gonna be him, and he knew that." Leah scoffs

the show returns to freddie. he's packing his things in his room, and speaking to the camera. "I don't Know what it was I even expected when i signed up for this. I mean, most of these couples break up in a month after the season ends."

He then walks out of the house, meaning the cameras can no longer follow. He's off the show.

Leah and Omar Collect the keys to the house, and the camera shows them being driven off into the distance. Blake Hunter steps into the frame. "Want a chance to be in A Journey To Love? " A link pops up at the bottom of the screen. "Type this into your search bar and fill out the form. we want you!" he points at the screen, and then the episode ends.

"I should sign up!" My sister jolts up, and gets on her phone.

"Mia, you really want to go on there?" I laugh a little.

"Yes, you should too. I mean, getting paid to flirt with hotties and go on vacation? sounds like a dream job. not to mention being on National television."

"you have a point. what's the link?"

she shows me the link, already typed into her search bar, it reads;

www.AJourneyToLove.com/ContestantForm

I quickly search it up and press enter

NAME:

Mariah Long

PHONE NUMBER

xxx-xxx-xxxx

OCCUPATION

Artist

AGE

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE ON AJTL?

I want to be on AJTL to find love, and see the world.

WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE A GOOD ADDITION?

I think i would be a good, self aware person. something i've yet too see on the show.

PLEASE ENTER A PHOTO OF YOURSELF HERE

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A PARTNER?

kind, understanding, attractive, and loves too travel as much as i do.

AND LASTLY, WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION?

Cancun, Mexico.

"I finished it." my sister announces , still scrolling on her phone.

"Me too." i turn off my phone and set it on the arm of the couch.

"So, What if i do get on there? will you still watch every episode?" mia turns on her camera and starts fake-primping, pushing her hair up and finger combing it.

"Sure. it would probably be more interesting that way. i could call you and tell you who to vote out each week."

"yeah, as if i'd listen to you! you wanted Leah to choose freddie, i mean, you're crazy."

i let out a chuckle. "If you say so."

A FEW DAYS LATER

I'm painting a picture for a client today, She wanted a portrait of her and her late-husband on the beach. I've just about finished it. I'm painting little crows flying across the sunset, when theres a knock at the door. "come in!"

I set my paintbrush down. it's Mia. "Guess what? they texted me, and i didn't get in."

"who texted you?"

"uhh, only the best reality television show on earth!" she dances around the art room.

"oh yeah, that." i wipe my hands off on my apron, take it off, and then grab my phone off the table, "i havent checked my phone today at all yet."

"well, check it. maybe they texted you!"

i have 2 missed calls. huh.

"whats the number?" i look up from my phone and at my sister.

she turns her phone on, to check i suppose.

"65178. a weird number"

"they called me, twice. an hour ago." i scrunch my eyebrows together.

"oh my god. no way." My sister grabs my phone out of my hand and checks for herself. "I bet you got in. call them back!" my heart starts racing. is this what i want? well, i dont have much of a choice because right then, my sister presses the call back button, and shoves the phone to my ear.

"Hello, Am I speaking to Ms. Mariah Long?" a man's voice. Wait, i know this voice! "Blake Hunter!?" My sisters jaw drops, she starts whisper- yelling "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my goddd!" i shush her, by putting a finger to my mouth and mouthing 'shut the fuck up' "The one and only!" I put him on speaker so Mia can hear him. "so, i guess you know why we called, Ms. Long. we think you are exactly what we need for the show." i can't help but grin ear to ear, and the smile is visible in my voice. "Really?"

"Yes! Are you busy right now? I'd love to discuss the details with you." his voice is just as enthusiastic as it is on the show.

"I'm not busy at all, Blake. In fact, i was just painting." I motion for my sister too follow me while i leave the art room, and go to our living room. "Oh right, your an artist, how neat. I hope you can paint for us on the show. the audience loves talent." i take a seat on the couch, and Mia pours us two glasses of wine. Good thinking, mia! i think in my head. "that sounds like a dream!"

"Okay, Mariah, I'm gonna fly you out to Las Angeles on june 1st. You have to drive, if you dont land in, the Las Angeles International airport. There, you will find the camera crew, and your contestants at the first class area. Once all the contestants are there, you will board a private flight to your first vacation."

wow. i can't believe this is really happening.

"are you there, Ms. Long?"

"Yes. just taking it all in."

He chuckles. i look over at mia, who is staring deeply at me. much too focused in the conversation, but its okay. it makes me feel more peaceful knowing she's right behind me each step of the way.

"Oh yeah! i almost forgot. When you get to the airport, you will have to give up your phones to the tech manager. Unfortunately, social media influences our contestants, causing them too act out. plus it's better if you don't know the media's opinion on you"

when he mentions no phones, Mia's jaw drops slightly. we might have to write each other!

"I understand. it's a small price too pay for this opportunity, you know?" i take a slightly larger sip, more of a gulp, of my wine.

"i'm glad you understand, Mariah. Is it okay, if i call you Mariah?" "of course it is." i utter. what type of self - centered drama queens didn't let Blake Hunter hisself call them by their first name? "Between you and me, not alot of contestants were as understanding about our limited electronics rule."

"I bet." I giggle. I wonder if he's this friendly too all the contestants, or if him and me bonded.

"well, you might wanna get packing! have a nice Afternoon, Mariah."

''you too, Blake!" he hangs up.

"Mariah! You're gonna be on A Journey To Love!"

Next Chapter Scheduled To Realease Tuesday October 17th, 2023