Summer's POV
The storm came without warning.
One minute the sky was a perfect blue, the next it turned a bruised gray, wind howling across the island like a living thing.
"Everyone back to camp!" the host shouted, his voice nearly lost in the roar of thunder.
Summer grabbed the nearest bag of supplies, rain soaking her clothes within seconds. Cameras scattered, the crew shouting into radios.
"Ethan!" she called, spinning in the chaos.
"Here!" His voice cut through the storm, strong and steady. He reached her just as a gust of wind nearly knocked her over.
"Come on," he said, gripping her hand. "There's a cave near the cliffs—move!"
They ran, half-blind, through sheets of rain.
By the time they stumbled into the cave, both were drenched, gasping for breath.
Summer leaned against the wall, shivering. "Well," she said between breaths, "this is officially the worst spa day ever."
Ethan laughed softly, wringing out his shirt. "Five-star resort: comes with free lightning."
"Lovely."
Outside, thunder cracked. The storm showed no sign of stopping.
---
Ethan's POV
The cave was barely big enough for two. Rain echoed like drums outside.
He crouched near the entrance, watching the water pour down. Summer sat cross-legged behind him, hugging her knees, face pale under the dim light.
"Cold?" he asked.
"I'm fine."
"You're shaking."
"I'm dramatic."
He smiled. "That too."
He moved closer, hesitating only a second before offering his jacket. "Here."
She tried to refuse, but he draped it over her shoulders anyway.
"Thanks," she muttered.
"Don't mention it."
For a while, neither spoke. Just the sound of rain, wind, and their quiet breathing.
Then, softly, she said, "You didn't have to say those things on camera."
He turned to her. "I meant them."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
She looked away. "You made me feel like… like I'm supposed to answer somehow. On national TV."
"Forget the cameras," he said gently. "I wasn't talking to them."
She met his eyes, surprised by the honesty there.
"You don't get it," she whispered. "We broke up for a reason."
"I know," he said. "But that doesn't mean I stopped caring."
Her breath caught. "You really never let go, did you?"
He smiled faintly. "I tried. The universe apparently had other plans."
---
Summer's POV
The rain softened into a steady drizzle.
She stared at the cave floor, tracing circles in the sand. "You know what's funny? When I signed up for this show, I thought I'd just be proving I could survive anywhere. Now I'm stuck surviving you."
He chuckled. "Tough challenge?"
"The toughest."
"Think you'll make it?"
She glanced at him, smiling despite herself. "Maybe."
Their eyes met—just for a second—but long enough to feel something shift.
Something quiet. Real.
Outside, lightning flashed one last time before fading into the distance.
Ethan leaned back against the cave wall, voice soft. "When we get back, when all this craziness is over… maybe we should try talking again. Properly, this time."
Summer hesitated. Then nodded. "Maybe."
It wasn't a promise. But it was something.
---
By the time the storm ended, the world smelled new—clean and alive.
The crew found them an hour later, soaked but smiling.
The host rushed over. "Are you two okay?"
Ethan nodded. "We're fine."
Summer added, "Just… character development."
The host laughed. "Well, congratulations. You've officially survived your first island storm."
As they walked back toward camp, Ethan offered his hand again—steady, familiar.
This time, Summer didn't pull away.