"And five, four, three..." the cameraman gave the cue.
Linking arms, Paris and Nicole walked down the stairs and onto the stage. They waved and smiled, blowing kisses as they reached the centre of the stage and made motions to quiet the crowd down.
"Hey guys!" Paris called, waving.
"How are you all doing tonight?" Nicole asked, making shush motions.
"Welcome to the very first live nomination show!" Paris flicked some hair from her eyes, one arm still around Nicole's waist.
"So, we've seen the housemates first week in the house, and relationships are starting to form, but underneath those friendly smiles, and polite chit chat, discontent is stirring," Nicole started.
"Now we get to see what the housemates REALLY think about each other. Alone with Big Brother... and us, of course, they can rip each other to shreds and stab each other in the back," Paris continued.
"Sounds like LA," Nicole said, giggling.
Paris laughed. "Only this is just a temporary thing. So, let's cross to the house and see how our little housemates are doing."
"Hey bitches," Nicole greeted, as the huge plasma screen showed the housemates sitting in the living room, waiting for the cross.
Nicole and Paris appeared on the plasma in the living room of the house and the housemates cheered.
"Hey!" came a chorus from most of the housemates.
"Are you all excited for nominations?" Paris asked.
"Yeah, ready to scratch each other's eyes out?" Nicole added.
"We're so ready," Dave joked.
"So how's the first week been? Any romances? Any fights?"
Housemates - Michelle
"Does the bread war between Jamie and Tim count?" inquired Kiara, smirking at the memory of a couple of days back where the two boys competed between each other.
"Hey, my bread was way better than his," Tim said.
"Really? I seem to remember that you managed to burn yours," Jamie replied.
"And it was still better than your bread."
"In your dreams. Why don't you stick to making coffee?"
Paris and Nicole
"Oooh, maybe this will be a cause for nomination," Paris grinned.
"Well, we need any reaons, no matter how petty!" Karen exclaimed. "Everyone's been getting along pretty well!"
"And I understand it was a bit of a shock to have it revealed that Karen and Krystal are mother and daughter?" Nicole chimed in. "How has that affected everyone in the house? Especially now that because no one guessed it, they are exempt from being nominated this week."
Jamie shrugged. "Hasn't changed anything. They're both awesome and I think it'll help bring everyone closer together."
Housemates - Michelle
"I still can't believe it, myself," said Matt. "They look more like sisters than mother and daughter to me."
"That's either a compliment to Karen, or an insult to Krystal," Dale teased.
Paris and Nicole
Krystal pretended to be offended, throwing a cushion at Matt.
"Oooh," Paris breathed, letting out a giggle. "So Ebony, how are you finding being in the house with all these huge personalities? You seem quieter than the rest."
Nicole nodded sympathetically. "I can only imagine the noise level in there."
Ebony
Ebony swallowed, but, determind not to give her friends any reason to tease her when she got out - and they would almost certainly see this conversation, she forced herself to reply quickly:
"Yeah," she said, her voice trembling, "they are. Huge personalities that is."
Kinda like certain friends of hers, actually... hmm...
"Not that that's a bad thing, of course. Because, y'know... you have to have the quiet ones like me so you know who the loud ones are."
Ebony couldn't quite believe that she said that. She always hated it when her friends said that to her.
Nicole and Paris
"That's really true," Nicole said. "And besides, you've gotta have a nice one in there when it all turns bitchy."
"Loves it," Paris added. "You'll balance the house out, and if you haven't already, you'll find your place. Your cute, maybe you could hook up with Tim."
Tim faked a blush. "Well, I didn't want to say anything, but I have been subtley putting the moves on her all week," he said jokingly.
"Wooooo!" Dale cheered.
Housemates - Michelle
Ebony could feel her face going hot as she turned bright red. Oh how she would love to go invisible right now.
"Naw, Eb needs to hook up with a bad boy," Skye said with a wink. "Maybe David."
"I can be a bad boy," Tim replied.
"You're way too cute and fluffy to be a bad boy."
Paris and Nicole
"I'll take any compliment I can get," Tim grinned.
"That's hot," Paris told him.
David wiggled his eyebrows at Ebony. "Well, Eb... you and me, we could have some fun times."
Nicole laughed. "Leave the poor girl alone."
Housemates - Michelle
If it were possible, Ebony's face went even redder. Keahi gave her arm a friendly squeeze.
"Okay, are we all done embarrassing Eb now?" she asked everyone.
"Mmm... I'm good," Skye replied. "Anyone else?"
Paris and Nicole
"Nope, all out of my system," Dave commented.
"Ok guys, we'll cross back to you later, but for now, have fun," Paris laughed.
"And try not to stab each other in the back too much," Nicole added.
The plasma screen in the house went black again as the live cross ended.
Paris and Nicole turned back to the audience.
~*~*~*~
"This is Big Brother. Elle, to the diary room."
Elle stood up amongst cheers of "ooooohhhhaaaaa" and headed for the diary room. She pressed the button, then entered and sat in the chair.
"Elle."
"Big Brother."
"Who do you nominate for two points and why?"
Elle thought for a second. "For two points, I'm going to nominate Kiara. I just find her really full on and a little obnoxious, and I feel like she's always making fun of me."
"Have you spoken to her about this?"
"Yeah, yesterday I pulled her aside and just made sure we were cool and asked if she was making fun of me, and she just laughed it off, and then I heard her telling Scotte about it, and making fun of me."
"Who do you nominate for one point, and why?"
"Ok, for one point, Ebony. I'm finding it really hard to get to know her, and whenever I talk to her, I feel like she's just holding back, and I've asked her about it, but she just doesn't really say anything, and to be honest, I find it very frustrating."
"That is all."
"Thanks Big Brother!" Elle stood up from the chair and headed back out to the living room.
"This is Big Brother. Ebony to the diary room."
Ebony
Ebony swallowed hard, but stood and made her way to the diary room. She sat down in the chair as the doos closed behind her.
"Ebony."
"Uhh, yes Big Brother?"
Housemates - Michelle
"Who do you nominate for two points for eviction, and why?"
~*~*~*~
Outside, the group was talking about how scary it was to be on a rollercoaster in the rain.
"Not like thunderstorms, they stop them for that, but if it starts sprinkling while you're on it," Dale said.
"Yeah, that's happened to me before," Krystal chimed in. "Was a little scary."
Ebony
"Well, umm, I have to say, uum, Elle," Ebony said. "Because, well..."
She swallowed. She had thought long and hard about this. Right now she didn't have any basis for a personality nomination because she didn't know anyone as well as she would have liked. And the only one she could think of that would come under the 'under the rader' category was herself. And she knew it was her own fault for both of the above. The night before Ebony had promised herself that if by some chance she actually survived this eviction, she make more of an effort to be assertive. In the meantime, the only basis for nomination she had was strategic, so:
"Because," Ebony repeated, after taking a breath, "everyone likes her. I like her. She's very popular in the house, and I'm sure that the veiwing public also likes her. So, that makes her a threat to my - and all the other housemates - chances of staying in the house."
Housemates
"Who do you nominate for one point for eviction, and why?"
~*~*~*~
Outside, Elle was giving Krystal a piggyback ride.
Ebony
"Skye," Ebony replied. "Because she's out there as well. Although I don't know that she's quite as popular as Elle, but yeah."
"That is all."
Ebony stood, breathing a huge sigh of relief.
"Thanks," she said on her way out.
Paris and Nicole
After everyone had nominated, the votes were being tallied. Paris and Nicole stood again, and smiling madly, they got ready for Big Brother's announcement.
"How's that?" Paris asked, giggling. "We had some surprises there."
"Strategies, bitchiness, and even a vote for being unclean!" Nicole joined in.
~*~*~*~
"This is Big Brother."
Immediately, a hush fell through the living room.
"The housemates up for eviction this week are..."
A few of the housemates giggled in the loaded silence.
"Kiara..."
"Woo!" Kiara cheered, hiding the hurt on her face.
"And... Skye..."
"Rock!" Skye high fived Kiara.
"And... David. That is all."
David grinned. "Threesome!"
Housemates - Michelle
Ebony blinked. She had completely expected to hear her name...
"Well," said Scotte, "at least they're happy about it."
He grinned at them.
"Aww," said Keahi in sympathy.
Housemates - Nessa
"Thanks for hating us, guys," Kiara said, grinning. She stood up and threw her arms around David and Skye. "So, are we finally going to get to eat or what?"
"God, yeah, food!" Elle agreed, standing up and heading in the direction of the kitchen. Skye ran up behind her and hugged her as they walked.
"I thought Ebony would be up," Skye said in a whisper next to Elle's ear. "And Scotte, too."
Elle just nodded as she started serving up dinner.
Jamie was high fiving Jake. "Here for another week, man that's awesome."
Housemates - Michelle
Ebony glanced over at Jamie and Jake. Yes, here for another week. She chewed her bottom lip. She honestly thought that she would end up being nominated. She didn't realise that confirmation of her survival for another week would come so soon.
Well, there was only one thing for it: honour her promise to herself to get to know everyone - and let them get to know her better.
"Wow,' Ebony said. "that was sure nerve-wracking."
"Yeah," Keahi agreed. "I know that someone has to go, but man, it sure would suck to be the first one out. Glad it won't be me."
"Yeah."
Housemates - Nessa
Jamie got up and wrapped his arms around Krystal's waist, giggling in her ear. She giggled back and they headed into the kitchen.
Jake shared a look with Karen.
"So, hotstuff," Dave said to Ebony. "Another week here, huh? And if I go, whoever will you perve on?"
Housemates - Michelle
Ebony felt another blush coming on.
"Oh, y'know," she replied, trying to talk around the lump that was forming in her throat. "I... I'm sure I can find someone."
"Yeah," said Keahi. "All the cute guys are still here."
She held out her hand to high-five Ebony. Ebony took a moment to realise what the American was doing, smiled, and gave her the expectant slap on the hand.
Housemates - Nessa
Dave pretended to be stabbed in the heart. "Oh! You wound me, oh beautiful maiden!"
Elle and Krystal snickered at Dave, starting to serve out the dinner.
Kiara and Skye were already seated, whispering to each other about shooting glances at the other housemates.
Jamie and Karen were having an animated converstion about the best way to roast a chicken.
Housemates - Michelle
Ebony and Keahi giggled.
"Mmm, smells yummy," Keahi said as the food was served.
"Thanks," Ebony said to Elle and Krystal.
Housemates - Nessa
"You're welcome," Krystal replied, smiling as she took ehr own seat next to Elle and Jake.
"So, I think to brighten this horribly dreary nomination night up, we should play a game," Dale suggested.
"What kind of a game?" Kiara asked.
"Well, we go around the table and one by one, we each say either a lie or a truth, and the rest of us have to figure out which it is," Dale explained.
"I'm game," Jamie said.
Housemates - Michelle
"Sounds interesting," said Tim.
Others added their consent.
"So, who's going to go first?"
"Dale's game - he should."
Housemates - Nessa
"Sounds fair," Dale said, then he was silent for a moment, thinking. "Ok... I once met The Queen of England and farted when she was near me."
Krystal snickered.
"Hmmm... I'm going to say that's a lie," Karen said thoughtfully.
Housemates - Michelle
"Yeah," Tim agreed. "Girls don't fart."
"We don't?" Keahi asked.
"Nope."
"Huh. News to me."
"Me too," Ebony agreed.
Housemates - Nessa
"No no, I farted when she was near me," Dale corrected.
"Oh, then I'm changing to true," Karen laughed. "Dale, your bum hasn't stopped since we got here."
"He sleep toots," Jamie said, who happened to sleep near him.
"Next time he does it, just Dutch oven him," Krystal suggested.
"What's that?" Elle asked.
Jake stared at her in mock horror. "You don't know? It's when you fart in bed and pull the covers over your head."
Elle made a face. "Ew."
Housemates - Michelle
"Wow, they have a name for that?" Keahi mused.
"Hmm, well, as you were the one who farted and not the Queen, then I have to vote true, also," Tim nodded.
"Same," Ebony agreed.
Housemates - Nessa
The general consensus was that it was true, so Dale put them out his their misery.
"Yeah, that one was true. And man, was it embarrassing!" he laughed. "Ok, Ebony, you next!"
Housemates - Michelle
"Me?" Ebony said, surprised. "Umm, okay, well, umm..."
"Just tell a story, any story! And stop stammering all the time, sheesh."
"Well, okay, once... Once my friends decided to go sky diving. And they tried to talk me into it, but I chickened out, as per usual. But instead of waiting patiently for them to return from their jump of death, I went to the TAB and actually won enough bets to cover the cost of the sky diving. I got back in time for them to see me reading my book, and never told them about it, because they'd only try to talk me out my winnings," Ebony nodded. "They do stuff like that. But I wasn't going to foot the bill for their stupidity."
"And now you're going to shut up before you babble any more."
Housemates
Skye faked a loud yawn and stretched. "Boring. False."
Kiara giggled, resting her head on Skye's shoulder."I'm with Skye on that one."
Dave glared across the table at her. "Don't be such bitches, guys."
"Oh shut up, Dave, we were just kidding around," Skye replied bitchily. "Let it go, you can't go around fighting battles for people."
"Especially when there are no battles," Kiara added. "We think it's false, is all."
Krystal smiled encouragingly at Ebony. "I think it's true. And if it is, you have to tell me what you spent the money on!"
"Ooh, I love spending money on random girly things," Elle piped in. "I'm going with true as well, because as if you would pay for their sky diving!"
Tim nodded his agreement. "Yes, true."
"Um false," Dale said, after thinking it over. "Just because I've never won anything when betting, and I refuse to believe people do. It's all a scam, I tell you!"
Kiara rolled her eyes emphatically. "That wasn't funny, Dale."
"Oh shut up, stop being a bitchy dyke," Dale shot at her.
"At least I can get girls!" Kiara snapped. "Unlike you!"
"And you wonder why you've been nominated!" Dale exclaimed.
"Hey, f*ck you, you stupid pansy f*ck!" Kiara yelled, getting up from the table. She took her plate and went outside, slamming the glass doors so hard they almost shattered.
"This is Big Brother. Dale to the diary room."
Dale shook his head and stood up. "Sorry guys," he said, as he headed for the diary room.
"Ooook," Jake said. "That was really awkward."
Housemates - Michelle
"Umm, yeah," Keahi agreed.
There was a bit of an awkward silence. Ebony chewed her bottom lip, watching Dale depart.
"Well, umm, I vote false. I mean, skydiving is expensive," Keahi said finally, breaking the silence.
Ebony looked back at Keahi, then at everyone else. She took a deep breath.
"Well, I did. Win I mean. It's true," she said. "I bought myself a new dress and shoes to match. And then I put the rest into savings."
Ebony paused, then continued, realising that there was more information she could provide. And hopefully she might be able to avoid being nominated for "under the rader" reasons at future nominations.
"The dress was really long - touches the ground when I don't have the shoes on. And it's pink. And has a low cut neckline with spaghetti straps, and a split up the side," Ebony indicated where to on the respective leg. "It's satin and beautiful. And the shoes are also pink, open-toed and all sparkly. They look gorgeous."
Housemates - Nessa
"Did you bring it here?" Elle asked excitedly. "I love pretty clothes and shoes!"
"Same!" Krystal agreed, giggling slightly as she leaned into Elle.
The pair were fast becoming best friends already.
Jake looked slightly amused and shook his head at Dave, who just rolled his eyes good naturedly and said "Girls" in a tone that explained it all.
Dale emerged from the diary room, looking slightly sheepish.
"This is Big Brother. Kiara to the diary room."
Kiara got up and as she came inside, she gave Dale the dirtiest look she could, and headed for the diary room.
Housemates - Michelle
"No, I'm afraid I didn't," Ebony replied. "I didn't think I'd need it."
Everyone looked towards Dale in the silence that followed.
"So," said Tim, "how's it go?"
"Tim -"
"Hey, we all want to know."
Housemates - Nessa
Dale shrugged slightly. "He just asked me what happened, and I told him, and yeah. Not in trouble or anything, he just wanted to know if I was alright."
Krystal reached over and patted his shoulder. "It was just a misunderstanding. She won't be mad tomorrow, I bet."
"I don't really care, hey?" Dale said, shrugging again. "She shouldn't've been so bitchy to me or to Eb."
Housemates - Michelle
"In fairness, she was probably upset about being nominated," Ebony said softly.
"True," Keahi said. "Some people you can tell they're upset straight away, and other people try to hide it and end up being bitchy to everyone. Not that it's an excuse."
Housemates - Nessa
"Let's not let it ruin our night, ok?" Krystal suggested. "She'll be alright tomorrow, she probably just needed to blow off steam."
At that moment, Kiara emerged from the Diary Room. She walked past them all, silently, tear tracks on her cheeks, and she headed into the bedroom.
"'Scuse me," Skye said, pushing her chair back. "Thanks for dinner, guys."
She headed into the bedroom after her friend.
"I didn't think I'd like chick peas," Elle commented.
"Neither, even though I love hommus," Jake put in.
Housemates - Michelle
"Okay, well, so Ebony, who's next?" asked Tim.
"Well, since you asked," Ebony replied. "You are."
"Oh, okay. Lemme think..."
Housemates - Nessa
"Ok..." Tim began to tell his story, making it seem as realistic as possible, while the other housemates sat and waited patiently to vote.
Except Skye, who was consoling Kiara in the bedroom.
The housemates finished dinner and played a few more games before retiring for the night.