“The Girl Who Makes A Splash” (Part I)

Season 2: Episode 11

Previously, on K&GI: Marjan’s inner turmoil started to become very apparent to the other housemates, but she mostly kept her cool. Harrison and Kyungri bonded and became good friends, and China attempted to slot back in to the competition. Louise and Gabriel had the long-awaited talk about their feelings for each other, and finally gave in to their emotions, sharing intimate moments that left Louise feeling elated and confident. The challenge brought back a significant guest: the winner of Season 1, Hudson. The contestants had to act in a TV pilot and make an impression, as the new show’s future depended on their performances. Everyone did a good job, but Louise once again smashed the competition and was the winner of the challenge. At the elimination, China was considered the weakest link for the fans that voted her back in the first place, and she was sent home once again. We are finally at the Top 5: Marjan, Kyungri, Harrison, Louise, and Gabriel. Who will be eliminated this week?

Gabriel: “Lou, stop! I’m warning you!”

Louise: “Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it, big boy?”

Gabriel: “Oh, you’ll see. Nobody messes with the coach!”

Gabriel: You thought that you could just take on the master and come out unscathed? *grabs Louise and splashes her vigorously*

Louise: I think someone needed to put you in your place, that’s for sure! *she slips and pulls Gabriel down with her, and they both laugh hard* You see? Just like that!

***

After China’s elimination, the housemates left their island paradise location and came back to the K&GI house. Louise and Gabriel have been inseparable since, spending all of their time together during the long break in between challenges. Today, they’re playing around inside the fountain, splashing each other and giggling like lovesick teenagers. The other housemates have noticed how much time they spend together, and the love floating around is contagious. There hasn’t been much drama since they returned to the house, but it still seems like Marjan isn’t in a good headspace.

She’s been sulking around, talking to herself and avoiding the main areas of the house and her housemates. Her favorite spot is a big prop couch in the basement where a past photoshoot took place. She sits there most of the time, looking into space and occasionally reading a book.

Harrison: I’ve been looking for Marjan all day! Since we got back, she hasn’t said a word to us, not even a single “good morning, my sweet ladybug”, to any of us! I’m worried about her, we had a good time filming our scene together for the last challenge but after the filming wrapped, she’s been MIA and I don’t know what’s going on…

After a while searching in all the bedrooms, Harrison finally finds Marjan in the basement. He quietly goes to sit with her, and she’s startled by the intrusion. She tries to put on a smile for him, but he can see right through her and asks her what’s going on.

Marjan: My sweet Harribae, I wish I could explain what I’m going through, but it really isn’t that simple to just talk about it. I appreciate your concern, it’s as sweet as syrup on tomatoes, but you and the others are better off not knowing what’s happening. I wouldn’t allow myself to talk about it. I can’t.

Harrison: I don’t know, this isn’t like you. I’ve been distracted throughout the whole competition, you know—

Marjan: Yes, Matthieu was a big distraction indeed. *giggles*

Harrison: *blushes* Yes, but I’m not blind! You’ve been sweet and happy all season long and now… I feel like we’ve lost a little bit of you. I’m sure that what’s going on with you isn’t that bad, we’ve been with you the whole time!

Marjan: Oh, but it is! *sighs loudly* You couldn’t ever know what this feeling is like…

Harrison: So why don’t you try opening up a little bit? I think all of us are good people, we care about you! We could try to help if you let us.

Marjan: I know, you all are beautiful and shiny souls. But, the only person that can help me is ME, Harry. It’s not going to be as simple as just telling you my secrets…

***

While Marjan hesitates about finally pouring her heart out to Harrison, the lovebirds have come out of the fountain and sit together, basking in the dimming light of the early evening. They’re both soaking wet but happy.

Louise: I was thinking that you and I could take a vacation after all of this is done, yeah? It’s been great getting to know you here, but this environment has been a mostly frustrating one. I want to get to know you better, far away from everyone.

Gabriel: That would be awesome. It really would, Lou. We could go somewhere special, like I could take you to see my home city in Paraguay, or we could go see your home in France…

Louise: Or we could NOT go to my home, I’m not particularly ready to see my parents again, I haven’t forgiven my father.

Gabriel: Hey, do you want to talk about that? We haven’t yet discussed that. I remember that you came in here to clear your family’s name after your dad embarrassed you by cheating on your mother—

Louise: *bitterly* Or we could enjoy the moment and not talk about that snake?

Gabriel: You’re right. I’m sorry. I think I’m just nervous… talking about a future together when I haven’t figured out what my life’s going to be like when I go home.

Gabriel: I just wish we could live in this moment forever, I’m so happy to just sit next to you. I don’t need anything else.

Louise: That famous overbearing Latin romanticism coming through, I see… *chuckles* No, you’re right. I don’t want to face the world quite yet, I would be happy to stay here and not do anything else for a long while.

Gabriel: So maybe we should go on a trip as soon as we leave the competition? You know, avoid facing the people we’re not ready to see?

Louise: I would love to… anywhere with you.

***

Kyungri is walking around the kitchen and hears Marjan and Harrison talking in the basement, so she goes down to investigate. She’s frequently been thinking about Marjan and the cryptic conversation they had last week, and she wants to get to the bottom of it. She arrives, interrupting Marjan just as she seems to be mustering up the courage to say something to Harrison. Marjan is on the verge of tears and Harrison almost looks sick.

Kyungri: All right, it’s time to resolve this issue.

Harrison: Kyungri, shh!

Kyungri: No. I’m worried about you, girl, and I don’t worry about many things. Last week, you told me some alarming things and I saw some concerning things as well. I can’t help but think something is going on right here, right now. You’re not helping anyone,  yourself included, by being cryptic and falling apart inside.

Harrison: Kyungri, be nice!

Kyungri: This is tough love, Harrison, and Little Miss Pickle Princess here needs it.

Marjan: No, she’s right.

Kyungri: Praise Shaman Unnie, I am… wait, really?

Marjan: Yes, you are. I’ve been keeping a big secret inside for a long time and it’s eating me up. I told one person last week, and she’s now gone. Do you think that’s a coincidence?

Harrison: What are you talking about, Marjan?

Marjan: Do you remember how ajmkv used a Judges’ Save on Kyungri—

Kyungri: We don’t talk about that in this house.

Marjan: —and how the voting was wild? How Gabriel was going to be eliminated and at the last moment China went home? Remember how popular China was? She came back from elimination only to be sent right back home even though she performed well!

Harrison: Yes, but what’s your point, though?

Marjan: THEY did it. THEY made it happen. Because I told someone my secret.

Kyungri: *gasps* You mean someone is harassing you to keep a secret and intimidating you so you don’t talk about it?

Harrison: *looks nervous* And this is why you’re always saying someone is watching? You meant it literally?

Marjan: Precisely. Let me tell you a story about some things that happened when I used to live in Mexico… I was happy. I went right after I graduated from university, I was going to live with my good friend Aurora and her family. I went out a lot, partied, danced, shopped, all the things a girl fresh out of school would want to do. Aurora and I were inseparable. I even had a hunky boyfriend…

Kyungri: Her story went on and on… and then boom. She stopped before getting to the real meat of the story. She said something about spending time in a remote retreat with her boyfriend and his family and then she clammed up. What did that have to do with anything? And what was this about being watched and the vote manipulation? She just stopped and abruptly walked away!

Just then, the housemates in the basement hear an announcement that a new challenge is waiting for them. Marjan speeds up, claiming she wants to go hear about the challenge and leaves Harrison and Kyungri on the couch looking completely baffled.

ajmkv: Contestants! I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that you’re finally going to have a new challenge, and let me tell you: it’s going to be great one! Vista Magazine is one of our sponsors and, as you know, one of our prizes is a spread and the cover of their March issue. Get excited because your challenge this week is shooting the photos that may just grace Vista’s pages very soon! You’ll be photographed by a very notable guest, so make sure to be on your best behavior. Meet on the deck in 20 minutes to find out all the details!

~•~•~•~•~

Tune into Part II here!