Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

Waking up too early left me feeling groggy.

The other contestants, all first-timers to Lone Island, were buzzing with excitement, chatting away non-stop. It was pretty loud.

Flora took out her headphones and popped them on. Selene glanced at Flora and quieted down.

Mr. Tanner stared at the back of Flora's head, looking worried. In the past, just the thought of Flora entering a competition could make him smile. But now, Flora hadn't attended any of the training sessions. Could she really handle it?

...

At exactly ten o'clock, the plane touched down. For all the contestants, it was their first time on Lone Island. Once they got off, everything seemed new to them, like country folks visiting the city for the first time.

Flora, carrying her luggage, walked at the back of the group. Her laid-back and casual attitude made her stand out.

"Is this the Austenberg team?" a staff member waiting outside the airport asked politely as they approached.

"Yes," Mr. Tanner nodded.

head to the car on the far

member's directions, they saw an open area with nearly a hundred buses parked. Contestants from various countries had arrived one after another, dressed in their national outfits with their country's emblems

and more teams kept emerging from the

to board their bus, a group of people in grey suits walked over. They seemed pretty important, as the staff member's demeanor instantly became more respectful upon seeing

here? Does

and glanced over at Mr. Tanner and the others before asking, "Which one

guessed these were Abbey's

pick you and your friends up. Please,

of other countries, who couldn't help but wonder since when did Austenberg have such connections on Lone Island? To receive such

god, Joy, you know people on Lone

surprised. While contestants from other

buses, they got to ride in

Abbey thought highly of you! And now

Being so highly regarded by Abbey was something many could only dream

in the envious gazes, lifting her chin a bit higher. This was more like it. She was meant to be looked