Sept. 7, 2013, 2:04 a.m.
The Real Life: Chapter 14
E - Words: 3,483 - Last Updated: Sep 07, 2013 Story: Complete - Chapters: 24/24 - Created: Apr 03, 2013 - Updated: Sep 07, 2013 123 0 0 0 0
The night of evictions came and Sebastian and Ed prepared to be the one to leave. The housemates were uncharacteristically quiet on the sofas as the television presenter prepared the way for national viewing. They were warned, as usual, not to swear but no words were spoken as if they all blamed her for their situation. They all saw the show for what it was and almost hated what it represented now.
"Sebastian and Ed you both received the most votes from your housemates this week and have been up against each other for the public vote. The votes have been counted and verified and this week's evicted housemate is...." She paused for effect but the restless and annoyed housemates looked at the screen apathetically. Everyone wanted Sebastian to leave, everyone felt for Ed who though quiet was a calming presence in the house and would be missed. The pause ended.
"Ed," she said calmly and the housemates didn't bother to hide their disappointment.
"Oh, right," Ed said calmly, "Ok then."
He got up and prepared to get ready to leave, the housemates following, only Nicola and Blaine remaining with Sebastian who looked only relieved he wasn't leaving. No apology to Ed, no remorse for the one who would leave in his place. His tight shoulders sunk lower in relief.
"Well that was probably close," Sebastian said, looking to Blaine and Nicola who had remained silent after the news.
"Yes, you're one lucky bastard it appears," Nicola said not hiding the clear annoyance in her voice. "I just hope you act a little nicer in the house – no one likes an asshole." She got up to help Ed with his packing and say her goodbyes. Sebastian looked at her as she stood and left the room, as if he almost expected her to come alight with fire, she looked so fierce and powerful.
"Ed's a good guy," Blaine said simply leaving the implication hanging in the air. Sebastian turned to face him.
"You know you want me Blaine," he said simply smirking to himself and getting up to make a drink in the kitchen. "It's only a matter of time before you get bored with Kurt, I've seen it happen loads of times with friends. You're not the settling down type Blaine."
Blaine looked a little shocked, his mouth open then he decided to ignore the comment and simply leave, Sebastian smirking to himself as he watched him go to Kurt.
Ed having left, the week returned to normal. A budget was given, shopping decided and ordered, they followed normal patterns of cooking and talking. Blaine, Kurt and Nicola would take it in turns to play the piano on occasion and the warm weather allowed them to use the hot tub frequently. Life seemed to continue and they were lulled into a false sense of security, forgetting the power the cameras had and the people behind them.
After a couple of days of ease and peace, light conversation and food, the television screen announced they had a task. The house would be divided: one side determined as 'rich', the other side 'poor' and the task would determine who would be which side. A basketball hoop was erected outside in the garden and the housemates lined up. The first five housemates to score through the hoop would be 'rich', the other four 'poor'. Kurt gulped as he stood behind Blaine who was eagerly awaiting his turn for the ball.
"Are you nervous?" Blaine asked. Kurt only nodded. "Don't be nervous."
"Blaine, you've never seen me throw a ball. I suck."
"I'm sure we'll suck together, we'll both be poor, it'll be fine."
Kurt looked a little sceptical at Blaine. He already knew that Blaine would be able to throw better, his loves of sports already making him believe he was the alpha male in the relationship. Heidi threw first and failed, joining the back of the queue. Anisa scored and yelped in pleasure before she sat down on the grass to watch the rest. Sebastian was up next and gave a little pleased nod as he scored. Faye tried and the ball bounced off the hoop but Bradley scored effortlessly causing her face to fall in disappointment. Blaine was up next and although he didn't appear to worry about it, maybe even put less effort into the shot, he still scored as if he found it impossible to avoid succeeding in everything he did. Kurt, up next, swallowed nervously and as his hands shook as he took the shot the ball didn't even reach the hoop but bounced miserably on the grass below. Blaine tried to reassure him.
"Maybe you'll get another turn, look El's up next."
El took her shot and although she looked worried, it was a perfect turn as it landed in the hoop. She was the final fifth member on the 'rich' side. Nicola hadn't even had a turn so by default she was on the poor side merely because of her uncharacteristically good manners.
"Played it right then," she quipped quietly near a disappointed Kurt. "I was hoping to be on your side." Kurt smiled up at her and thought of how things had changed in the space of a week.
"I'll be able to speak to you all the time right?" Blaine said, coming up to Kurt and worrying his lip with his teeth. Kurt had no time to reassure him as the television screen announced that the housemates were to wait in their bedroom while changes were made to the house.
They talked trying to wait patiently but as soon as it was announced that the division had been made, they walked out to the living area. The rich side had the television and the kitchen facilities, the poor side merely a gas stove and basic provisions of rice and water. The bathroom was sectioned off so the poor side would have to use the outside toilet and shower, making privacy a thing of the past.
"What?" Nicola shouted, "I can't go when I know everyone can hear me."
"Looks like we'll be showering in our swimming costumes too," Faye said sadly.
"Will the housemates please prepare to enter the poor side, taking any necessary clothes from the bedroom? The poor side will sleep on camp beds in the smaller living area."
It was the first time they had noticed the little section of four camp beds behind the sofas. The television had also been screened off though the poor side would be able to hear the sound. Kurt, Faye, Nicola and Heidi did as instructed and walked their belongings to their new bedroom area. Kurt and Blaine kissed quickly as the gate was closed behind them, now barring them from anything but a simple touch of the fingertips.
"I'll camp here too," Blaine was saying, "We'll talk all the time, I promise." It was obvious he felt guilty for not trying hard enough to fail but Kurt could only smile sadly.
"Don't worry Blaine, I'm sure we'll be fine. Don't apologise for striving for excellence."
Blaine looked like he hated that very quality in himself but he smiled sadly.
"I'll try to sneak things in, just wait."
And as if on cue, because of course they would hear, the voice from the television reminded the richer housemates that they were now to separate and not to support the poorer side in any way. Blaine blushed that he had been caught. They tried an awkward kiss through the bars then Blaine turned and Kurt could see him walk away, towards Sebastian, Anisa, Bradley and El.
It turned a lot more desperate then. Kurt hated being on the poor side, hated that he knew the others could hear him in the toilet, that he couldn't get privacy in the shower, that his food consisted of rice for lunch and dinner and meagre slices of bread for breakfast. They had no coffee or tea facilities, only water and he felt his mouth water as he watched the rich side eat their expensive dinner and drink their exquisite coffee in the morning and wine in the evening. Blaine, as promised, would come over to talk to him and they spent as many hours as they could, sitting next to each other the bars blocking their way. Blaine would stroke the skin of Kurt's hand, the only touching that could be permitted through the close bars. Nicola, Faye and Heidi were the only good things about the poor side. Nicola's near constant moaning and Heidi's positive joking made Kurt flit between the two sides of his own personality and he tried to cheer Faye up, who obviously missed talking to Bradley too.
What irked Kurt more, after a few days, was how Sebastian was trying to use this new situation to his own advantage. Blaine forgave easily it seemed and their earlier fight seemed forgotten. When Blaine wasn't speaking to Kurt through the bars and awkwardly trying to kiss without bumping his nose, he was talking to Sebastian whilst watching a movie or making dinner. The hot tub was theirs to enjoy and Kurt could only speak to the others on the poor side while straining to hear what was being said by the rich side as they laughed and joked in the water. Blaine and Sebastian had much in common it seemed and Kurt found he suddenly had more time on his hands to watch and listen and to find himself experiencing a new emotion that he hadn't felt before. Jealousy.
Sebastian would accidently brush along Blaine's arm when he knew Kurt was looking, Blaine completely oblivious. Sebastian would laugh at Blaine's jokes, would join in with Blaine as he sang at the piano, would compliment Blaine on his cooking or discuss the film they were watching as if he had the most intellectual mind. Blaine would talk too, laugh too, seemingly unaware that anything was causing a problem. He wanted to please and it was against Blaine's nature to be uncivil or give incomplete answers and like anyone he enjoyed talking about himself and receiving compliments. He didn't notice how Kurt seethed on the poor side, how he tried to watch calmly as Sebastian wormed his way closer in Blaine's affections. Kurt wouldn't mention anything when Blaine would come over to talk to him, merely kept the conversation light and affectionate. Blaine clearly missed Kurt but whenever they parted, Sebastian was right there for Blaine to talk to, for Blaine to laugh with. Kurt could only feel his jaw tighten and his stomach twist in knots.
One night that week Blaine had tried to slip a little chocolate across the divide but the cameras obviously spotted Blaine's subterfuge and forced the rich side to hand over all remaining chocolate. Sebastian looked seriously annoyed but deliberately didn't mention it or scold Blaine for his silly action. The divide was finally going to be lifted but only after that week's nominations were given.
The poor side all nominated people on the rich side. A week of watching them enjoying expensive food and drink and luxurious showers as well as watching top notch entertainment on the television, something they had sorely missed on the inside, was enough to prompt their jealous minds to plan revenge. Sebastian and Anisa received the most nominations, although weaker reasons were given for Anisa's vote. They didn't know her very well, they weren't sure if she really wanted to be here etc. Once everyone had cast their vote and nominations for eviction decided, both Sebastian and Anisa were invited to the diary room and completely against expectations they were told they would be up for eviction that week.
"Oh," Sebastian said, slightly surprised, "I guess still unpopular in the house then," he said, as if he could smell bad milk.
"We would like you to nominate two people to go into a separate apartment during their stay here. These two people would also be up for eviction, alongside you and Anisa, the cameras would also be on them 24/7."
Sebastian thought it through carefully. If he nominated Kurt and Blaine it would be obvious they would enjoy the stay and the separation, hell they would even use it as an opportunity to plan living together in the future, Sebastian mused, slightly annoyed. But Blaine set apart from Kurt again, like they had been this week? Well that suited Sebastian's purposes far more than his original thought.
"I nominate Kurt and Faye," he said simply to the camera, reasoning to himself that Faye was also highly annoying and they deserved to be forced together.
Anisa was also given the proposition and she too thought it over. Clearly a little upset that she had been nominated when she thought she was getting on so well in the house and under the wrong assumption that Blaine and Kurt wouldn't nominate her for eviction, she requested that Kurt and Blaine would go to the separate apartment. She reasoned to herself that they would enjoy the time together and although up for eviction they were bound to be popular on the outside and she hoped that the public would evict Sebastian. Sebastian and Anisa were warned to keep the whole separation a secret until it was to be announced tomorrow after a new task.
Kurt and Blaine had one more night to suffer through where they were separated and apart then the barriers were lifted and they hugged tightly.
"I've missed you so much," Blaine whispered in Kurt's ear as he hugged him closer and Kurt decided to forget his jealously, to worry less and cherish this moment instead. He looked over Blaine's shoulder to see Sebastian watching them and although their expressions remained passive, Kurt realised that he was the guy that had Blaine's heart and Sebastian knew this. Kurt had a simple moment to appreciate this fully before the television screen blinked to life again and a new task was announced.
They were to learn first aid. An instructor would come in, teach them the basics on dummies and expect them to complete a test to see if they could save a person's life. If they all passed they would be given extra money for their shopping budget; anyone that lost would cause a reduction.
They learnt well, the instructor was good and they managed to laugh and joke as Faye insisted that the dummy was washed thoroughly before anyone used it in this session. They found out how to use the Heimlich manoeuvre correctly, how to press on the chest to encourage a heartbeat, how many times to breathe through the mouth. When it came to the test they were all confident but soon the dummies were packed away and the instructor left.
"Aren't we showing what we know on the dummies?" Bradley asked out loud but no one could answer. The television voice came on to explain.
"Housemates you will carry out the test on each other," he said simply, and they all looked worriedly at each other. This surely would be awkward but they really had no idea what was in store.
"Nicola you will test with Faye; Heidi with Bradley; El with Kurt; Sebastian with Blaine and Anisa will test with Bradley again." They looked at their respective partners and although some were pleased, others looked worried, whilst Kurt looked like he might scream at the injustice.
"That's insane," Kurt said loudly, "They can't do that."
"They can do whatever they want," Sebastian said sardonically, clearly enjoying every second. Faye also looked worried that not only one girl would get to kiss Bradley but two. Bradley came over to talk to her in a whispered voice, obviously to reassure her but Blaine remained fixed to the spot, watching Kurt unravel.
"You've got exactly what you wanted haven't you?" Kurt sneered at Sebastian, "It's almost like you planned this."
"Kurt, don't be silly..." Blaine began but quickly stopped when he saw Kurt's face darken.
"Don't be silly? Blaine don't you see what he's been trying to do while I've been on the poor side, can't you see?"
Blaine looked between Sebastian who suddenly looked positively innocent and Kurt who was clearly seething with pent up rage.
"It'll be fine Kurt, we'll talk about this later," Blaine whispered as if he could stop the scene that threatened to develop. Kurt suddenly deflated, could only stare at Blaine as if he was highly disappointed in him and crossed his arms across his chest in acceptance.
They were instructed to stand with their partner, in Heidi's case she stood with Bradley and Anisa, awaiting her turn. One was told to lie on their back, pretending to have stopped breathing and the other was instructed to carry out CPR as they had been taught. Kurt carried it out methodically with El, no feeling just CPR and he watched as Blaine did the same with Sebastian. Slightly relieved Kurt swapped places with El as he watched Sebastian prepare to breathe life into Blaine. Blaine lay motionless as instructed but Sebastian, eyeing Kurt watching carefully, dove right in and inserted a little tongue to tease at Blaine's lips. Blaine gasped at the intrusion but remained still and inadvertently allowed Sebastian to continue as Kurt watched, horrified until he grabbed Sebastian's shoulder.
"Get off him," Kurt exclaimed, "You don't get to do that."
"Well he looked like he was enjoying it," Sebastian smirked, "He didn't want me to stop."
Blaine stood quickly and looked wide-eyed between Kurt and Sebastian, wiping his lips in shock.
"I can't believe you did that," Nicola said, the others having stopped.
"He didn't ask me to stop," Sebastian insisted.
Blaine couldn't say a word, Kurt looked at him, pleading silently for him to say something, anything, but Blaine just looked lost. Kurt stormed away, leaving the others to finish the task knowing they would have a reduction in their new budget.
"Kurt, it wasn't what you think," Blaine said, rushing in a little too late for Kurt. "I didn't want to kiss him, I hated it."
"You just lay there Blaine," Kurt said angrily, "You lay there and took it, you didn't stop him, you didn't push him off or bite on his lip, you lay there passively."
"I was shocked," Blaine said, sitting on Kurt's bed, nearly begging to be understood, "I didn't really think he would do that, I didn't."
"How naïve are you Blaine?" Kurt said looking at him sternly, nearly disgusted at his innocence. "I've seen how he looks at you and you let him. I can't even look at you at the moment. Just get out."
He'd lost all will to fight and that's what shocked Blaine the most. He appeared to be giving up and looked so disappointed in Blaine that he wanted to cry. Instead he walked out, pathetically looking back as he reached the door, hoping that if Kurt looked up, all would not be lost. Kurt did not look up.
The evening was quiet. Dinner was made, dishes washed and only quiet conversation was had between Faye, Anisa, Bradley and Heidi. They were asked to congregate in the living area and they all sat on the sofas.
"You have all voted and the two people that are up for public eviction are.... Sebastian and Anisa."
Sebastian and Anisa were not of course surprised but the voice continued.
"Sebastian and Anisa have also decided that Kurt and Blaine should be up for eviction this week."
The rest of the housemates immediately looked at both Sebastian and Anisa as if they were the worst of enemies – secret unknown enemies.
"How could you?" Faye exclaimed.
"I didn't vote for Blaine," Sebastian said, outraged that his vote had been ignored, "I actually voted for Faye and Kurt."
"Wait for the rest," Anisa begged, her eyes wide as she was accused. "Honestly, I had a better reason."
They waited.
"Kurt and Blaine will spend 48 hours in a separate apartment before the public eviction. The apartment will be secluded but you will have cameras on you 24/7. The public will decide who goes: Sebastian, Kurt, Anisa or Blaine."
Kurt and Blaine looked at each other, hope in Blaine's eyes that he might get an opportunity to explain himself to Kurt, Kurt looking slightly irked that he would be forced to spend time with someone who had disappointed him so badly.
"Kurt and Blaine prepare to leave."