America's Next Reality Star

by Laura Heffernan

  The board changed again. “Trip for 2 around the world.”

  Now, that sounded nice. Briefly, I let myself picture me and Justin in a sailboat in the Caribbean. Hiking up the Andes. Climbing the Eiffel Tower. But a dream vacation wouldn’t pay my bills, and I couldn’t pay the taxes on it.

  What would they have to offer me to leave? Ten thousand dollars wasn’t enough, although it would be better than nothing. I would absolutely leave for seventy-five thousand, but there’s no way they would go that high. If they did, no matter what anyone said, I’d be tripping over the other players on my way to grab my fish.

  I leaned back and watched dark clouds gather overhead as I sipped my wine, thinking.

  * * *

  Three hours later, I knew exactly two things: One, I did not want to spend another second of my life in the same room as Joshua (who at that moment stood gyrating his hips on the top steps of the hot tub with his arms waving over his head). Two, I couldn’t afford to go all the way to the end of the game and leave with nothing. The problem was, without knowing how the show picked a winner, I couldn’t calculate my chances. But if the fans had a say, I wouldn’t win the grand prize. Sarah confirmed all my fears: the viewers hated me, and there wasn’t much I could do about it at this point.

  If the producers crowned the person who solved the most quadratic equations in under five minutes, I was in a great position. Unfortunately, the final challenge would most likely mix strength, intelligence, and viewer loyalty. Like everything else. And the viewers hated me.

  Rachel had changed into blue plaid pajama pants and a white tank top. She laid next to the hot tub with a starfish pillow, waiting to see what happened. Ed had gone inside to play pool with Ariana. None of them displayed any interest in being tempted. Justin had left for a while earlier, but he now sat on a nearby chaise. I wondered what he thought. Law school cost a lot of money. He owed a considerable amount, too.

  I got up and went to sit next to him. “Okay, seriously, what do you think? I know you said you’re staying, but did you mean it?”

  I’d kept my voice low. So did he.

  “There’s no way I’m taking any offer,” he said.

  “What about your loans?”

  “I’ll get a job and pay my loans, like everyone else. I can make it on my own. You need the money more than I do.”

  “Don’t stay because you want me to have the money.”

  “How much would you need to go?”

  “Well, they did thirty grand earlier. It takes me almost nine months to make that much. I think if they go back up in that area, I’ll take it. Even after I pay my debts, I’ll have enough to live on while I find a new job.”

  “Yeah.” Justin’s expression was inscrutable.

  In that moment, I would’ve given all the money to know what he thought about me leaving. Or about me staying with him. Or about the two of us running away together. Thunder rumbled in the distance.

  “Either way, you better decide soon. They may call the whole thing off when the rain starts.”

  I hesitated, then asked the question I needed him to answer. “Do you want me to stay?”

  “Don’t stay for me, Jen. If you want to stay, do it because you think you can win.”

  He was right. In my heart, I knew if I stayed at this point, he would be the only reason. Was a guy that I’d yet to kiss worth potentially tens of thousands of dollars? Was any guy worth that much money? Or, more accurately, was he worth walking away from the ability to pay off my debts?

  It didn’t sound like he wanted me to stay. If he didn’t want me to stay, staying for him would be a huge mistake. I should go. My heart ached with indecision.

  Seeing the anguish on my face, Justin opened his mouth. Then, whatever he’d been about to say died in his throat. He pointed at the screen behind me. “Holy shit.”

  I turned around. “$50,000.”

  Fifty. Thousand. Dollars. That would pay off my bills, plus cover first and last month’s rent and security on a new apartment. It might give me a down payment on my own (tiny) place. It was more than my annual salary at my old job. It was a year’s salary for a lot of people. With fifty grand in the bank, I could take my time, figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and find my dream job.

  The producers were offering me the answer to my prayers. All my prayers but one.

  “That’s an incredible offer, Jen.” Justin said.

  “I know.”

  “Take it.”

  I prayed for a sign he wanted me to stay with him. That our moment in the laundry room hadn’t been for the ratings. That Sarah had been right and he liked me but was just as scared as me. In that moment, I didn’t care about the show, the money, or anything but getting to spend more time with him.

  But he’d said I should go. He didn’t want a few extra days with me.

  I knew what I had to do. Any fool could see what was best, and I wasn’t a fool. “I have to take it.”

  “I know.”

  Overhead, the clouds broke. Thunder rumbled, closer now. Before it faded, lightning split the sky in two. Fat raindrops dotted the pavement.

  Rachel tore into the house with only a glance in my direction. She didn’t even look at the screen. A comical look crossed Joshua’s face as if he couldn’t decide whether he was allowed to follow her.

  Letting the storm drench me, I searched Justin’s green eyes, willing him to ask me to stay. He swallowed, but said nothing. The silence grew into a canyon between us.

  I bit my lip, hoping he couldn’t see how badly I wanted to stay with him.

  “Good-bye, Justin.”

  Quickly, before I changed my mind, I leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his soft lips. Then I stood, grabbed my fish, and tossed it into the pool. I was going home on my own terms.

  CHAPTER 24

  Jennifer in the School Room, Week 8:

  How, exactly, did Joshua get chosen to come back into the house? I’m having trouble believing the viewers chose him over, say, Abram or Maria. Unless they just want to make us suffer. I wouldn’t think it was that interesting to watch someone walk around calling everyone ugly, fat, and stupid. Did the producers pick him solely to increase the drama?

  . . .If it would keep me from having to live with Joshua again, I would do just about anything. What do you want? Naked dancing? My first-born child?

  The second my fish hit the water, Joshua whooped and leapt from the hot tub. He waved his arms, twerked, and pranced around the yard, doing his own version of a rain dance.

  I turned away, ignoring him. Tears prickled my eyes. I couldn’t look at Justin. He wanted me to go.

  Through the loudspeakers, Overalls directed us to gather in the living room and wait for Bella. I stayed where I was, my brain not yet processing the consequences of my body’s actions. Had I just done this? I had. And I knew, deep down, it was the right decision.

  Lightning tore the sky in two, illuminating the backyard. I saw only Justin, standing in front of me for the last time.

  “You’re really going?” he asked.

  Not trusting myself to speak, I nodded, my eyes glued on his. My breath hitched at the emotion reflected there.

  “You said you wanted me to leave,” I pointed out. The words stuck in my throat.

  Tears blurred my vision. A raindrop landed on my eyelashes.

  Justin smoothed a now-dripping lock of hair away from my face and kissed my forehead. “I said you should take the offer. Not that I want you to leave. Taking the money is the right decision for you, but this isn’t the end for us.”

  My hands found his. I took a deep breath before Justin crushed me against his chest. I hugged him close, my face buried in his shoulder. He smelled like coconut sunscreen and Dreft laundry detergent, just like everyone in the house. Beneath it, I found the sweet musk that was uniquely Justin and imprinted it on my memory.

  After a moment, someone tapped my shoulder. Curly Beard stood beside us, m
otioning toward the door at the rear of the house. It was impossible to finish this conversation now. Maybe we never would. Hanging my head, I followed the producers woodenly to the School Room for my final interview.

  When I returned to the living room, I stopped dead at the emptiness. Where was everyone?

  Someone entered the room behind me, but I didn’t turn to see who it was. A few minutes later, Ed moved beside me and squeezed my hand.

  “Hey,” he whispered. “I packed all your stuff for you. Your suitcase is in the hall.”

  I smiled gratefully. “You’re a good friend, Ed. Good luck.” He hugged me tightly as Bella entered.

  She explained the next steps, but I wasn’t listening. This whole thing felt so surreal. It was all happening so fast. Was I leaving? Voluntarily? I barely noticed when Leanna came in until she touched my shoulder.

  “You have a few minutes to say good-bye,” she told me. “Then, there’s a car waiting outside to take you to the hotel.”

  Saying good-bye was not easy.

  Rachel hugged me. “It was great to meet you.”

  “You, too, Rach. I’m glad I got to get to know you. We should keep in touch.” I was more surprised by my sincerity than by hers. Over the past few weeks, I had come to like and respect her.

  “Absolutely,” she said. “I’ll follow you on Instagram.”

  I smiled. No matter what, I’d always have the friends I made on this adventure. Even if I couldn’t have Justin.

  Ariana leaned against the wall. “Bye! So sorry to see you go! The driver’s waiting,” she sang.

  What a bitch. I was not the least bit sorry to realize I never had to see or think about her again. Unless, of course, I watched the finale to see who won. God, I hoped she didn’t win. If America voted and she won, I have would have to seriously consider moving to Canada.

  Leaving Justin for last was a mistake. I couldn’t speak when I got to him. I just hugged him tightly and blinked back tears. I’d never known I could feel this strongly about someone. Before Bella mentioned bringing Dominic back into the house, I’d nearly forgotten him. That was a stupid infatuation. This was the real thing.

  For me, anyway. Not for Justin. The only thing to do now was go home and try to get over him.

  When we pulled apart, his hands cupped my face. He lowered his voice in a futile effort to stop everyone around us from hearing. “I will see you again, Jen. I promise.”

  I wanted to believe him, but then why tell me to leave? I couldn’t stand the thought of risking my heart to another man, only to have it trampled again. “I’ll miss you.”

  Blinking furiously, with one last glance around, a smile, and a wave, I turned and left the Fishbowl forever.

  * * *

  Five minutes later, my stuff was loaded in the limousine and the car pulled away from the house. I stared straight ahead, trying not to cry. I had certainly made the right decision, but—what if I never saw Justin again?

  I couldn’t think that way. There was never any reason to think I might see him again after the show ended. Worse, I had no way of knowing how much longer it would be before one of us would have been eliminated. I had always known our time together was limited.

  Ending it on my terms was the smartest move.

  So, really, there was no reason to cry. Things turned out okay. Second place was a pretty good place to be. I won an awesome prize. Fifty thousand dollars is a lot of money. Yup. I felt fine. Yay for my prize!

  It just wasn’t the prize I really wanted. A tear trickled down my face. I let it fall, sliding down my neck and disappearing into the top of my T-shirt.

  As the car picked up speed, I let out a sob.

  Before we made it to the end of the driveway, the car stopped abruptly. What the heck? The driver lowered the barrier between us and smiled at me in the mirror.

  “Turn around, Jennifer.”

  Surprised, I looked out the back window. In the distance, I heard a voice. It sounded like someone calling my name.

  Lightning flashed overhead, lighting up the dark driveway.

  Justin was racing down the driveway in the pouring rain, yelling my name. Water drenched him from head to toe. Not quite daring to believe this was really happening, I threw the door open and leapt out of the car.

  “Jennifer!”

  “Justin!”

  He ran toward me and grabbed me in a bear hug. I threw my head back and laughed as he swung me in a circle. After that first, exhilarating spin, he set me down and wiped a now dripping lock of hair out of my face.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “I left. I’m coming with you.”

  I shook the water out of my ears. He was picking me. He chose me! Our connection wasn’t just part of the game, some role he played for the cameras. Justin felt the same way I did.

  “I thought you wanted to give it all you had.”

  “As soon as you walked out that door, I realized I want to give us everything I have instead.”

  My heart lurched, and my brain scrambled to think of the right thing to say. “But you could have won the grand prize!” That wasn’t right, but I couldn’t take the words back.

  Justin smiled his slow, lazy smile that made my stomach flutter and my insides melt. Then, he cupped my face with both hands, leaning toward me. “I already have. I love you, Jen.”

  “I love you, too.”

  As he closed the distance, my lips met his halfway. Justin’s hands went into my hair, pulling me close. My lips parted as he deepened the embrace, and his tongue found mine. I wound my arms around his waist, pulling him closer. Actually kissing Justin felt a hundred times better than all the times I imagined kissing him. I would’ve been perfectly happy to stand there all day.

  Around us, rain continued to pelt the pavement. Lightning split the sky, but none of that mattered. All that mattered was this moment: Justin kissing me like he never wanted to stop.

  Funny how, sometimes, second place feels better than winning.

  EPILOGUE

  Scenes from the School Room, Week 8:

  Ariana: I CAN’T BELIEVE HE PICKED THAT MOUSY KNOW-IT-ALL OVER ME!

  Joshua: Yo, yo, yo bitches! The J-dawg is back, baby! I’m gonna rock this competition, yo, and I don’t mean maybe! It’s gonna be TIGHT! Just wait and see! Long live the J-dawg, right?

  Ed: It’s about time those two got it on! I was starting to worry I’d have to tie them together and sit on them. Hey, Jen, if you’re watching, you go, girl!

  Rachel: I fear the sweet Joshua I met at the audition is gone forever. That’s okay, though, because it’ll feel good to beat this jerk twice.

  SHOCKING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ONLINE

  BREAKING NEWS: THE FISHBOWL STAR A HOMEWRECKER

  “Jen slept with my husband,” grieving wife moans

  by Stephen Taylor, July 3, 2016

  Reality television fans have been avidly following the path of Washington- native Jennifer Reid, who introduced herself as a twentyfour- year-old marketing assistant. With her girl-next-door good looks, witty personality, and effusive charm, Jen looked like an early favorite.

  On June 14, Seattle resident Danielle Rossellini stepped forward, presenting an alternate view of the wholesome, fresh-faced girl.

  “Jennifer had sex with my husband. I caught her waltzing around my house like she owned the place. For more than a year, she tried to talk him into leaving me for her.” The 32-year-old redhead paused, dabbing at her eyes with a silk handkerchief. “My marriage was solid, and then she just swooped in. Dominic told her no, over and over, but she kept after him. They both went to the same school. No matter how he avoided her, she was there. Finally, she wore him down.”

  A producer for The Fishbowl declined our request to interview Jen. Dominic Rossellini did not return several e-mails and telephone calls requesting comment. A search of public records revealed that Danielle filed for divorce only days after The Fishbowl premiere aired.

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  Related Stories:

  Meet the Fish: Seattle’s Own Jennifer Reid Makes Reality Debut

  Former High School Classmate Speaks Out: Joshua Nice Guy, Bad Actor

  See The Fishbowl Star Ariana’s Audition Video LEAKED!

  SHOCKING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ONLINE

  J-Dog: “ARIANA’S A LIAR!”

  Eliminated player returns to The Fishbowl with shocking truths

  by Monica Summers, August 15, 2016

  Many analysts theorized early on that the beautiful, devious Ariana would waltz away from ABC’s new hit reality show with the grand prize. An early fan favorite, Ariana presented herself as a sympathetic figure: she claimed to have been raped, leaving her a single mother at 14. Worse, a genetic condition endangered her daughter’s life.

  However, everything changed when Seattle’s Jen took the temptation to leave the show early, paving the way for J-dawg’s return. Readers may remember that J-dawg left The Fishbowl after the second week amid allegations of cheating in a contest that required the contestants to disclose information about themselves (See story here).

  Upon his return, however, J-dawg revealed that he wasn’t the only contestant who had been less-thanhonest with the fans. Only moments after he officially re-entered the competition, J-dawg told America that he’d done some research at home.

  The other contestants were shocked to learn that Ariana never had a child. Her entire backstory was taken from a character she played in a movie. (See video)