✧*̥˚ episode i *̥˚✧

Currently, India sat with her legs laying on Kendall's, his hand soothing the chill against her skin that was caused by the cool Fijian night breeze. "What do you do for work?" she questioned, her hand playing with the curls that were at the nape of his neck. She noticed how his shoulders unknowingly released their stored up tension, calming him. 

Regardless of how her heart felt, her mind was determined to make the best out of it.

"I work in medical device sales," "Shut up I work in the med field too!" She exclaimed. "No way what do you do?" Kendall asked, his rough fingers stayed constant in drawing mindless patters against her exposed thigh. "I'm a nurse practitioner. Got my degree from UCLA then went back to get my masters." His eyes widened, "Holy shit you're smart," she giggled in response, her cheeks warming up at his surprise, "One thing about me it you will never question my intelligence." Her eyes narrowed playfully, "Got that?" 

"Yes ma'am."

His hand splayed out on her exposed leg, his look softening as they shared the comfortable silence. "That feels nice," she murmured, his warmth spreading its way to her mind, slowly easing her into the dullness of sleep. He chuckled lightly, "You cold or something?" his grip pulled her legs further onto his lap, as she laid her head on his shoulder. She hummed in acknowledgement, "I'll always keep you warm, Indi, I promise."

As sweet as the statement was, she couldn't help but let out a quiet laughter. "'Indi?'" She questioned the name, loving that the comfort she was feeling wasn't one sided. "Yeah, a cute nickname for a cute girl." His voice rumbled his chest, and she couldn't help but feel warmer than she already did thanks to his touch. 

But there was no spark.

A beat passed, her hand finding his unoccupied one, their fingers intertwining, his thumb brushing absentmindedly over her knuckles. The chirping of natives insects filled the void of speechlessness, their choir being joined by the crashing of symbols, the oceans' waves meeting the shore. 

But there was no spark.

"I like it."

INDIA BEACH HUT INTERVIEW.

"He's sweet, you know?" She smiled meekly at the camera, her gaze drifting between the camera and the ring she messed with on her middle finger. 

"I hope nothing but the best out of this," she prayed her joy wasn't as oblivious as it felt, her grin faltering slightly as her irises betrayed her hopeful wishes. 

Their conversation flowed well, India feeling confident in the growing connection between her and Kendall. She enjoyed how physical he was, his hands remaining respectful as they pulled her frame closer to his. And as nice as this all was, especially with the fact that she hasn't had this type of touch in so long, it wasn't electric, a lonesome spark lacked at the contact. It didn't leave her skin burning, leave her heart beating rapidly in her chest, it didn't make her chest ache in yearning for more of his touch. Her mind couldn't help but wander how Leah and Rob's talk was going, hoping the best for her newly found twin flame. 

The buzzing of excitement bellowed down within the villa, everyone's bodies getting ready to invite a night of sleep to their tired beings. 

As the rest of the islanders went up to start get ready for bed, India stayed in the kitchen, making herself some toast with Nutella as a snack. She exhaled harshly, trying desperately to ease her racing thoughts. Of course she was exhilarated for the summer that laid ahead, but at the same time, it was nerve wracking.

She heard the soft padding of feet against the hard floor, causing her to turn her attention from her bagel to the source of the noise. 

A shirtless Rob walked to the refrigerator, his hair messy and damp as he ran his hands through it absentmindedly. His shorts hung loosely on his hips, exposing a deep v-line that lead downwards. India quickly averted her gaze, shifting on her feet as she closed up the jar of Nutella she was now finished with. She didn't want to seem like a creep the first night. 

To her, the tension that was bubbling within herself strung around her neck like a too-tight leash, holding her back, even if she knew her priorities. Regardless, it was hard to not explore, given the fact that that was exactly why she was here to begin with. 

"You look great in that dress," his voice rumbled from beside her now, as she took a bite of her bagel. She gave him a look of quick surprise, covering her mouth as she chewed, "Thank you," she quipped to the best of her abilities, before she was able to swallow. "Yeah, that color looks great on you," he continued, not being shy about the fact that his gaze was trailing down her body.

His eyes made her skin crawl, made her nerves alight in the most beautiful of fireworks. She loved it. India turned her body towards him, her hip propped on the counter as she tried to shake off the buzzing feeling. "You a big green guy, Robert?" she questioned sarcastically, smirking briefly before she took another bite. 

Her attention followed his hand, as it came up to play with some of the loose fabric that hung near her waist. His fingertips brushed the underside of her breast as he trailed it with his calloused pads. "It's actually my favorite color," he trailed off, as India hummed in acknowledgement, trying not to choke on the contents that were in her mouth due to him.

His presence.

His smell.

His voice.

His touch...

...that she's only had the joy of feeling twice now. She felt pathetic, like a blushing school girl that didn't know how to act around her crush. Crush. No, just a casual attraction. It was almost breathtaking how consuming Rob was when he was around. 

His fingers still played with the fabric as he lifted his gaze to India's. Her pupils were blown, not wanting to come to terms with the fact that she could feel his breath fan against her face. "Wear this f'me more often, yeah?" He questioned, his eyes quickly glancing down at her lips; a motion so quick that if she were to of blinked, she would've missed it. 

She swallowed harshly, her bagel now forgotten on the kitchen counter, as she gathered her sarcastic remark. "The dress or the color?" she quipped, her nose scrunching playfully as she noticed the hint of a smirk pull at the corners of his lips. "'Cause I think that would be kinda unhygienic, for me to wear this everyday." 

The second she was made aware of the fact that Leah wanted Rob, she knew she couldn't pursue him. But that didn't mean she couldn't form a friendship with the man; a playful, witty, flirty, and heart wrenching friendship.

But India didn't need to know that just yet. 

"Are you always this sarcastic?" He smiled, teeth glinting in the low light of the kitchen, his fingers trailed down the fabric of her dress as he backed away, finally giving her space to breathe properly. She shrugged, her shoulders dropping dramatically, "Depends."

Rob started filling up his water bottle, "'Depends'?" His face contorted up into slight confusion, watching as she played with her bagel. She nodded, pressing her lips into a thin line. "Depends on what?" He questioned, screwing the lip back onto his bottle. 

He made his way back to the fridge as she went to the sink to wash off her plate. A beat of silence washed over them, a ghost of a smile on her mouth as she made her way to the stairs. 

"Depends on what?" He asked again, his voice louder than the rasp he used as he spoke with her, she noticed. 

"If I like you or not."

ROB BEACH HUT INTERVIEW. 

"Yeah she's definitely something, that's for sure," he mumbled into the camera, a smirk threatening to tighten on his lips. 

"Definitely something." He said to himself under his breath. 

 India made her way into the room where all of the girls' makeup and skincare items were, sitting down at the vanity that was right next to Leah's. She thanked whatever Love Island Gods were on her side, they must've known the two of them were going to hit it off instantly. 

The Persian squealed once she stepped foot in the room, "Oh my god! How'd it go? Are you feeling him?" India's mind couldn't help but briefly wander towards Rob, and their rather intimidating interaction in the kitchen. Her brain was scrambled, not knowing if that conversation was flirty or not. 

Regardless, she pushed it down. She smiled excitedly, nodding her head, "Ugh I am! He's just so touchy which is amazing since like my love language in physical touch you know?" Leah matched her enthusiasm, "That's amazing baby," she hugged her tightly, both girls giggling out of ecstasy as they slightly jumped while still in the other's arms. 

The two of them went on with their nightly routines, India now applying her skincare as Leah braided her hair. "So what about you and Rob?" JaNa asked casually, as she just got out of the shower. The question made the bronzed girl grimace slightly. 

Who knew Love Island would make her feel so dramatic?

Listening to Leah gush about Rob, India couldn't help but to fall in love with their relationship, with how she spoke of him in the highest of respect, how her eyes lit up as she shared their conversation. A reason she will always choose platonic over romantic; she was happy for her friend. Yet the alluring pain stayed constant, and it wasn't even at full capacity.

With the luck that India was known for having, her and Kendall's bed was placed right next to the man that's been plaguing her mind even though they just met. His gaze met hers as she neared her side of the bed, she scrunched her nose, to which he could only mimic her in doing. India scoffed playfully, taking off her mic and laying down next to Kendall. 

His warmth immediately soothed her. His body feeling like a magnet, as she wrapped her arms around his waist and placed her head on his naked chest, her eyes closing out of exhaustion. He was quick to embrace her, his lingering fingers finding the bare skin the peaked through her shorts and tank top, drawing mindless patterns. 

But there was no spark. 

"You like cuddling when you sleep?" He questioned, as the rest of the islanders piled into the bedroom, pairing with their respective partners. She hummed, "Yes and no, I'll fall asleep cuddling you but I'll probably push you off when I'm actually asleep." His chest vibrated as he chuckled at her words. "Just don't take it personally." She mumbled, pressing her cheek further against his skin. 

"Noted."

It was nice, falling out of consciousness blissfully, in the arms of a man who she could already feel an emotion connection with. But it wasn't the type of connection she was here for, the type that she read about in books, the type that made her body yearn for more. It was just that, nice. 

The lights that illuminated the bedroom fell dim, the islanders wandering off into a dream state, preparing themselves for whats to come the day that was upcoming. 

But Rob laid awake, his eyes unknowingly resting upon India's sleeping figure. 

Her curls all in disarray against Kendall's chest, her small fingers relaxed and curled into her palm, just begging to be held. Her lips parted as tiny snores escaped, just begging to be silenced by a kiss. Her lashes brushing the tops of her cheeks, just begging to be painted red out of a bashful blush. 

The blanket that her and Kendall shared was discarded off her body, her sleep shorts being long enough to barely cover the curve of her ass. He groaned silently, bringing his hand up to run down his face in a state of almost-distress. He turned over, his back facing the girl that, in a short amount of time of knowing, has left his mind swirling with question upon question.

Depends if I like you.

PAIGE SPEAKS

whew chile this took a lot long to get out than i anticipated and i am so sorry😮‍💨

we've had a lot on our plate recently, including some major lifestyle changes so yall are gonna have to catch me a break #sorrynotsorry

also what do yall think abt me adding aesthetics for india's fits??? im between if i should add them or not so lmk😜😜

so far the plan is to hopefully update every other day... hopefully

don't forget to vote and comment! i'll think of a clever catchphrase outro for this book eventually🙄