Within minutes, the atmosphere had changed. Siannise and Luke and Paige and Finn had had their last interviews and were standing either side of Laura.
This was it.
In two minutes, the best 8 weeks of my life would be over. I'd have to go back to my normal life.
'The winners of Love Island 2020, is.........
'PAIGE AND FINN!!'
We all scream and the couple hug, stood in shock as Siannise and Luke congratulate them before they run over to hug us and we watch the last part of the show.
'Now. The ultimate test.'
Laura is given two envelopes. One of them containing the massive 50k.
Paige opens her envelope and dances around with her tongue out jokingly as she turns it around to reveal she has the money.
Finn cringes, scratching his head as his envelope reads a big fat donut.
'Bet he's sweating now.' I mumble as the others around me laugh.
'Paige. The all important question. Are you here for love or money. Would you like to split the £50,000 with Finn, or keep it all for yourself?'
Laura asks and we all hold a breath as Paige seems to consider it, jokingly.
'I guess we'll split it towards that flat in Manchester.' She smiles and we all cheer again, running over to our best friends as Laura closed the last show of the series.
'I love youse all so much. I can't wait to spend time with you all and not worry about farting on camera.' I pretend to wipe a tear as everyone laughs and we watch the villa start to be cleared instantly.
Walking out of the huge doors for the final time felt extremely strange.
It'd literally changed my life.
The person I was when I walked in was so different to the person who walked out.
I was so naive, so scared to trust anyone, I was 19, I didn't have many friends, I'd never felt anything like the many emotions I'd felt inside the villa.
The betrayal, the anger, the sadness.
But the pure friendship, happiness and adoration I had for my islanders. That was insanely special.
And Luke.
I was so so lucky. My heart skipped a beat whenever I saw him, he was just perfect. I couldn't find a single flaw.
And believe me, I'd tried the first few days he was in the villa. Tried to find something that would put me off him.
But ultimately, there was nothing.
It was almost as if he had literally been hand crafted and gifted to me on a plate. Everything I could've ever wished for.
'You alright?' He asked quietly, the two of us sat in a car with Luke T and Siannise as we drove away from the villa for the last time.
'Yeah. I'm gonna miss it, so much.' I smiled sadly, Luke pulling me into a cuddle, the villa leaving my eyesight.
'All the memories. All the people.'
I sighed, leaning into him as I closed my eyes. 'We're gonna make so many more memories. Ones that don't remind you of that time you got your heart ripped out on national television.' He shrugs and I laugh, shaking my head.
'Hey. I promise. Even as soon as we're at the hotel, we'll go straight to Siannise and Luke T and all have a sleep over.' He wipes under my eyes and I nod, smiling as I wrapped my arms around his waist.
Then no more than 15 minutes later we arrived at a hotel.
Where I spotted my chaperone, Gemma.
She was the person who'd looked after me when I arrived in South Africa until I entered the villa. We'd been put in full lockdown for two weeks. And it was absolute torture!
Not being able to do anything, see anyone, talk to anyone besides each other.
At least in the villa there was always at least 6 other people.
Two people who didn't know each other at all stuck in a house together was so daunting.
But luckily she was awesome, making cakes with me, talking about family, watching South African TV shows.
Then she painted my nails and helped with my hair and makeup before I went into the villa.
'Hiiii!' I hug her tiredly.
'Awe Sursh. Well done.' I introduce her to Luke, yawning as we get told to wait whilst they sort rooms out.
'Okay, so I have to ask you on your own, a safety thing. I already know you're answer, you're so bloody cute together. Do you feel safe in a room overnight with Luke where there's no cameras? Or do you want to go on your own?' I widen my eyes.
I didn't even think about it, there must be some people that come out so freaked out they don't want to share a bed with someone without the safety of having cameras around.
'No, I definitely feel safe.' I nod at her and she grins, it made me feel safer that they checked though. 'Okay cool, we'll get your room sorted as quick as we can, you've got your flight back at 9am tomorrow so they'll send a wake up call for 6:30, then you need to be in the cars for 7!' She hugs me.
'Thankyou so much!' I squeeze her, moving back over to Luke as I see all of our cases arrive into reception, being pushed upstairs into the rooms.
'As if we've got to be up at 6:30.' Luke huffs and I groan, leaning my head on his shoulder.
It'd been such a long day I just wanted to get home now. 'I know, I think I'm already feeling tired for when I wake up.'
That made no sense.
I was losing the plot.
'Okay. You're room 460. Siannise and Luke are opposite, Finn and Paige to your right, I'm next door to the left. The only thing I need to do now.' Gemma pulls out an envelope, a man handing Luke one too.
I didn't even remember what this was, it'd been so long.
I open it, staring with my eyes wide.
My actual proper phone.
I also in turn remembered I'd kind of accidentally stolen my villa one. It was stuffed in my bra as my dress had no pockets.
Oops.
'Oh my god.' I stare at it, Luke staring at his.
'Okay, night guys.' We get ushered towards the elevator, seeing the other islanders are still waiting. But we're so tired, overwhelmed and exhausted, that we just head up.
'I don't even wanna turn my phone on, my nephews my lock screen and I'll just start crying again.' Luke says as we enter the room and I pout.
'Awe, Luke.' I pull him into a hug, the day finally catching up with me.
'Third place.' I breathe, Luke laughing lightly. 'Not bad considering first and second have been boyfriend girlfriend for weeks.' He grins and I chuckle.
'I don't even wanna think about them, they best not be loud tonight.' We all practically knew Finn and Paige were going to go full on tonight. Luke T and Siannise probably too.
But I don't know about us.
'I swear to god, if they wake me up I'm knocking on their door and telling them to shut the fuck up.' Luke laughs and I let go, moving to flop on the bed.
I take a deep breath, pulling my phone out of the envelope again.
'Okay. I've still had a phone, why am I so scared?' I shake my head, Luke loosening his tie as he takes off his jacket, undoing a few buttons of his shirt as I turn my phone on.
The first thing I see is my family, everyone.
It was at Alex's first full game back at Anfield last year.
One of the most emotional nights we'd all had.
Watching his journey after nearly a year and a half without starting, we were all just so proud of him.
'Awe, that's well cute.' Luke grins, jumping on the bed too as I kick my heels off.
'You doing it?' I turn to him and he nods, taking his phone out.
'Jesus.' I see an absolutely adorable photo of him and a baby boy, in the middle of a park as Luke held the little boy on his shoulders.
'He's so cute.' I hug him, Luke staring at his phone with a smile.
'I can't wait to get home so you can meet him.' He sighs happily. 'That's gonna be the ultimate test like, he's got the best taste.' He laughs jokingly.
'If he's sick on you_'
He grits his teeth, shaking his hand by his neck jokingly as my jaw drops.
'Unbelievable.' I shake my head and he laughs.
'I'm not even gonna look, just gonna film that Thankyou video we all need to do.' I nod, getting my phone too, I was just gonna repost his.
'Holy shit! I've got 900,000 followers.' My eyes widen as he gasps.
I tap onto Instagram, my eyes widening as I almost choke on the air I was breathing. '2, 2.8 million.' My jaw falls open.
'Fuck off! What!? Sursh!' He gasps, checking my phone as I sit in shock.
Bro.
'That's like the entire population of Jamaica.' I swallow, Luke laughing.
'Well, 2.8 million and 1 now.' My smile grins.
'You're cute. I'll follow you once I've assessed your feed.' I joke, kissing his nose as he blinks twice.
'Look at you acting all high and mighty now you're well followed.' He shakes his head and I laugh. 'Hi everyone! 900,000 people. Jeez.' I laugh, texting my mum quickly that I was at the hotel and safe.
'I, we.' He sits up beside me, filming me as I grin, waving shyly.
He had his actual personal friends on instagram, I was a little scared.
'Just want to say a huge Thankyou so much to every single person that's voted, supported us throughout our time in the villa.' I nod. 'Thankyou so much! Honestly, you're all amazing! All 2.8 million.' I wink at the camera as Luke laughs.
'Alright, just cause billy big bollocks over there's well and truly out done me.' He sighs and I chuckle, turning back to scroll through my dm's as I gasp loudly.
'OH MY GOD!' He turns to my phone, his jaw dropping. 'Open it!' He turns to his phone. 'We've just got our phones back as you can probably tell. And Saoirse's just seen a message from Tom freakin Holland, so imma have to go, make sure she doesn't jump ship.' I laugh loudly.
'But Thankyou so much! We love you all millions.' I giggle, nodding. 'Thankyou so so much!' I blow a kiss, turning back to my DM as Luke ends the video, sitting over my shoulder.
'There's loads!!!' I gasp, there was about 15.
'Okay first few were during the Casa Amor, ones of support and encouragement. Then there's some from when we did the news splash challenge. Then one 2 hours ago! It says well done! And that he can't wait to meet us both!!' Lukes jaw drops.
'That says Luke M!' He gasps, he was so cute.
'Oh my god. That's it. I'm done.' I hold my hands up, I was so beyond happy with how things were going it was actually insane!
I undo my suitcase, the one I packed and wasn't full of skimpy clothes I Saw It First wanted me to wear.
Then grab some comfy shorts, a cosy T-shirt and turn to raid Luke's suitcase.
'Hang on.'
I laugh as he stares at me, watching as I pull out a hoodie.
'Whoops, must've slipped.' I shrug, taking the first one I saw as he laughed. 'You're genuinely such an idiot.' He shook his head.
'I'm a tired idiot.' I shrug, giggling.
'And I'm not being filmed. You're about to meet the actual zero fucks given Sursh.' I tell him and he bursts into laughter.
I grab my makeup wipes, sneaking some sunglasses in as I take two bobbles. 'Hehehe, one second.' I run into the bathroom, changing into my shorts, my vest top and Luke's hoodie. Tying the strings up so the hood scrunches around my head and securing my hair in a bun in front like a unicorn horn.
Then to complete the look, I add some of Luke's white nike socks and Siannise's cat sunglasses.
'Oh my god. I'm peng.' I step out of the bathroom. Luke, now shirtless, stares, then bursts out laughing. Crouching to the floor as he holds his stomach.
'This is me, as the bearded lady in Greatest Showman would say.'
I don't notice that he's filming me, but he is still absolutely howling.
Then there's a knock on the door.
'I'll get it.' I run, giggling as he keeps recording.
'Y'alright?' It's Siannise and Luke, already in their PJs. 'Oh my god, Sursh you look like a mushroom.' Siannise laughs and I frown.
'Sorry what?' We all laugh.
'We just wanted to say goodnight, because we got used to doing it every night. And because Paige and Finn are probably already shagging and we wanted to take our minds off that.' Luke T shrugs and I chuckle.
'At least you're not next door to it.' I nod to the left and they cringe. 'Ooh. Hope you've got headphones.' Siannise laughs and I glare. 'Shucks to be you two.' Luke T sasses, everyone hugging before they headed off and we were all now alone.
It was very very weird.
'Right, I'm gonna actually go take my makeup off.' I laugh, Luke pulling me back into him.
'No no, do it in here. It's really satisfying to watch.' He smiles shyly like a child and I nod, chuckling. 'Alright.' I undo the hoodie, letting my hair down and getting my cleansing creams.
'What's all of that?' He widens his eyes.
'My makeup remover, cleanser, moisturiser and night cream.' I show him and he stares, picking each one up as I wipe my face clean.
'What do they all do?' He picks me up, placing me down on his lap as he sits closer to the mirror, leaning his head on my shoulder.
'So, this water gets the makeup off and the cleanser cleans my skin afterwards. But that makes it really dry so you put moisturiser on. Then the serums a specific vitamin B5 one I need to help prevent spots and repair damaged skin basically.' He nods along, and I grin as he stares at the serum.
He was genuinely interested and it was so adorable.
'You do this everyday!?' He asks, eyes wide as I nod, holding two fingers up. 'Twice!?' I laugh, nodding again. 'Before makeup and after you take it off.'
'Fucking hell, I thought it was a makeup wipe and done.' I laugh. 'Not quite babes.' I tap his cheek lightly, giggling again.
'I'd just leave it if I were you. You look even more beautiful without it.' I stare at him in the mirror, turning to face him.
'I think I just cried a little inside.' He laughs, kissing my cheek. 'I'm just telling the truth.' I finish up with my serum, finally makeup free.
'I don't know what I'm gonna do without the constant compliments.' I joke, wrapping my arms around his neck.
'I don't wanna think about that.' He kisses me, picking me up and moving to sit on the bed.