Chapter Text
Priya always had a love-hate relationship with the elimination ceremonies. On the one hand, walking into them meant you had a chance at getting sent home unless you had immunity. And for Priya, that chance was always fluctuating. Sometimes people saw her as a threat, sometimes people paid her no mind.
But on the other hand, getting handed a marshmallow was always a massive sigh of relief. It meant you beat another opponent and had an even better shot at winning the million. And while she’d never admit it out loud, Priya always felt a sense of catharsis at seeing the Drone take someone away, no matter who it was. No matter who it was… well, better them than her. Her parents taught her she needed to win, and feeling upset at anyone’s elimination would always hold you back from that.
Going into tonight’s ceremony didn’t fill her with any good emotion. Julia won immunity, so the votes wouldn’t all be targeted at her. That left Priya with four options: Caleb, Wayne, Raj, and Damien. Prior to today she would’ve voted for Caleb over Julia, but after his heartfelt speech to her… she couldn’t pretend she wasn’t feeling the same butterflies around him as when he kissed her (before Zee ruined it for them, but that’s besides the point). As for the other three, well… she did like all three of them to some extent, they tried their best to cheer her up after the initial Caleb incident, and they all seemed to like her plenty too, but she still had to vote for one of them.
Priya took into account that Julia would have to give someone else immunity alongside her that night. Julia didn’t like anyone (besides MK but she was already out), so she’d probably pick the one she would see as most beneficial to her. She’d probably give immunity to either Wayne or Raj since they were extremely gullible and easy to manipulate. With that out of the way, Priya decided she’d vote for Damien. She felt a little bad, they were kind of friends in a way, but again… better him than her. He was the most threatening of her options, anyway. She told Caleb to do the same and while he seemed hesitant, he agreed.
As the six of them arrived at the campfire, Priya was first to take her seat. Caleb sat right next to her, and Julia next to him. He looked nervous at seeing her, which Priya understood. Julia having a guaranteed spot in the final five would make anyone nervous, but she really paid it no mind. Her mind was focused on the fear that she might be taking the Drone home.
“Welcome to an extra dramatic campfire ceremony! Further the first time, our winner can share their immunity. The person Julia has chosen to share with is…” Chris began. Priya waited with bated breath as he prepared to announce her choice, “…someone who we’ll name later!”
Priya rolled her eyes. Of course was gonna keep it from them a little longer to draw out the suspense. Just then, Chef began his usual drawl of telling them what they all did wrong. She paid little mind to his insults on Wayne and Raj’s memories or how Damien was eliminated by bees, she couldn’t really care less.
“Priya, your wrestling match cost you immunity, both you and someone close to you.” Chef said, but Priya didn’t really care. She looked at Caleb and smiled.
“Hey, don’t sweat it.” Caleb said before smiling back. Priya leaned in closer to him as he put his arm around her. Yup, this made her feel good… until it didn’t.
“And Caleb, you have nothing to worry about.” Chef said.
Priya’s eyes widened in confusion, “He doesn’t?” she asked.
“That’s right, big guy, Julia has given you immunity!” Chris announced. Wayne, Raj, and Damien all let out various cries of shock, whereas Priya… she didn’t know what she was feeling. Out of all the choices for immunity, why Caleb? Did she just pick at random? Did Chris just pick at random because Julia refused? What was-
Julia’s words snapped Priya out of her thoughts, “You and me ‘till the end, big guy.” Julia said as she put her hand on Caleb’s arm. Priya now knew what she was feeling: pure, unbridled, rage. A feeling she’d grown accustomed to at this point.
“EXCUSE ME!?” Priya yelled as she shot up out of her seat and pointed at her boyfriend in rage. How long were they planning this!? Was she just his plan B this whole time!? How could she ever trust that liar!?, “You and Julia are in cahoots!?”
Julia shot Priya a conniving wink as Caleb opened his stupid mouth again, “Priya, wait! I can explain!” he said, but she didn’t wanna hear it.
“Silence! It’s marshmallow time!” Chris said, “Raj and Wayne, you are safe!”
Priya wasn’t surprised at the hockey jocks being safe, but that didn’t matter to her. All she cared about right now was tearing Caleb’s perfectly toned biceps off of his arms. But first, she had to know if she was safe or not.
“So with Julia and Caleb both having immunity, the vote comes down to Priya or Damien. And tonight’s final marshmallow goes to…” Chris began. Priya didn’t feel nervous this time. She just felt angry. She just wanted Chris to get on with it, “…Priya!”
Priya caught her marshmallow and crushed it in her hand before glaring at Caleb. She didn’t really pay attention to the Wayne and Raj or Damien’s reactions to what happened, all she cared about was tearing Caleb a new one. She breathed heavily as she prepared to do… something. She hadn’t figured out what yet.
But she decided to open her ears. She wasn’t really sure why, but she did. She heard Damien say, “Bros, don’t trip. ‘Cuz I’m not going anywhere. I’ve got this!” he said. Priya looked over to where Damien had walked to and couldn’t believe her eyes.
In his hand, Damien was holding the immunity idol. She, alongside everyone else, gasped. No, no, this… this couldn’t be. Damien was out, she was safe, this wasn’t supposed to… why did he have it!? How did he find it!? Why’d he have to use it now!?
“Oho! Damien plays the immunity idol! What a shocker!” Chris said.
“Yup! I knew it would come in handy.” Damien said with a smile. Priya currently wanted to punch that smile off of his face.
“The person eliminated will now be changed to the person with the second most votes! So… sorry, Priya! You’re out!” Chris said.
Those words hit Priya like a freight train. She wasn’t even thinking about that at the moment, “…w-what!?” she yelled out.
“You don’t need me to repeat that, if there’s anyone who knows how that idol works, it’s you!” Chris said smugly.
“Uh, sorry, Priya, I hope you’re not-“ Damien began, only for Priya, now consumed by rage, to run over, grab him by the shirt collar, and lift him into the air.
“Are you insane!? Don’t you dare finish that ‘oh I hope you’re not mad’ nonsense! I’m furious! At all of you!” she yelled before tossing him to the floor.
“Ow! What the heck!?” Damien said from the floor.
“Priya, calm down, it’s not-“ Caleb began saying as he walked over in an attempt to calm her down, but it only served to make Priya even more angry.
Priya yelled at him, “Oh, what!? It’s not a big deal!? Well newsflash, yes it is! How would you feel if I teamed up with Julia and got you eliminated, huh!? We’re done, Caleb, for real this time! I never wanna see you again! And that goes for you too!” she yelled as she turned to Damien.
“Priya, you know how this game works! I only voted for you because you’re a threat! You know it’s nothing personal!” Damien said angrily as he stood up and dusted himself off.
“Yeah, come on, Priya, it’s only a game”. Julia said smugly. Priya knew she said that to make her angrier, and while she’d normally avoid giving into that… she couldn’t feel anything than rage at this point.
“Shut the hell up, Julia! I don’t care if this is a game to you people, you all wronged me! You’re all horrible people! I hate each and every one of you!” Priya said in rage. She wasn’t thinking about her words, or the game, or her parents, or how she looked right now, or anything like that. She was just thinking about how angry she was.
“Uh, Priya? Y-you might wanna calm down a bit….” Raj said nervously as he and Wayne approached her.
“Shut it, Raj! You’re a brainless coward too! I hate this hellhole! You’re all gonna-“ Priya began yelling, only to feel something grab at the back of her shirt. She turned her head to see who dared to grab her… but it wasn’t a person.
Tired of waiting for her to leave voluntarily, Chris had sent the Drone over to where she was standing. As she was lifted into the air, Priya looked down at the five people below her. Wayne and Raj looked terrified. Caleb looked guilty. Damien looked mad. And Julia looked smug. She felt even more enraged than before as it fully sunk in that she lost.
She kept yelling, but she didn’t remember what she was yelling. All she was thinking about how angry she was at them. Not just them, everyone. She was angry at Julia for how she played the game and made her life hell. She was angry at Damien for voting for her. She was angry at Caleb for playing with her feelings and using her. She was angry at Wayne and Raj for being dumb and for sticking by Bowie when he wronged her just as much as the others did. She was angry at Bowie for crushing her first and real friendship. She was angry at Millie for using her to write her book, and even though she’d forgiven her beforehand, the anger returned full force. She was angry at Zee for not telling her Caleb was lying to her sooner. She was angry at Ripper for using her as a human shield and treating her terribly. She was angry at Axel for dating him. She was angry at Chase for being a narcissist. She was angry at Emma for not listening to her. She was angry at Nichelle for bailing on her team. She was angry at MK for being Julia’s right hand. She was angry at Scary Girl not being able to find a reason to be angry at her. She was angry at her parents for sending her here to begin eyes. She was angry at Chris and Chef for introducing the idol to begin with.
As the island got smaller and smaller in the distance, Priya could only think about how angry she was. She never realized how susceptible to anger she really was, but now, the anger felt somewhat… liberating. She was betrayed by everyone. Nobody cared about her. Neither of those statements were true, but she didn’t realize that, and even if she did, she wouldn't care.
Priya was angry. Priya was enraged. And Priya felt that, in that moment, rage was her only true friend.