Keani walked past the row of cabins, searching for the one that would give her the best chance at winning the money she needed for college. The frozen competition grounds stretched out before her, dotted with stone cottages and log structures. A stone cottage caught her eye near the edge of the grounds. White flowers still clung to vines around its windows, and the chimney rose solid against the gray sky. The location meant fewer neighbors watching her every move. She pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside, already planning how she'd use the fireplace to stay warm while others burned through their energy fighting the cold. This cottage was hers now. She unpacked the lantern from her bag and placed it on the stone step outside her door. The preserved wildflowers inside glowed warm behind the frosted glass panels. They reminded her of the hibiscus that grew wild back home, bright against green leaves and ocean blue. The cold bit at her fingers as she adjusted the lantern, but she smiled. Let the cameras see this. Let everyone know the girl from Hawaii wasn't hiding who she was, even here in the snow.

The announcement came the next morning through speakers hidden somewhere in the cottage walls. The producers wanted to host a special broadcast for their sponsors that evening at the lodge. Every contestant would appear on camera to share why they were competing. Keani spent the afternoon deciding what to say. The truth was simple—she needed the prize money for college tuition so she could study marine biology. But sharing that on camera meant every other contestant would know exactly what she was fighting for. They'd see her as motivated, maybe desperate. That could work in her favor or paint a target on her back. When evening came, she walked to the lodge with the others and found a confession booth waiting in the center of the room, its frosted glass panels catching the overhead lights. One by one, contestants stepped inside and spoke into the camera. Some cried. Some tried to sound tough. When her turn came, Keani sat on the wooden bench and looked straight into the lens. She told them about teaching surf lessons back home, about wanting to study the ocean properly, about needing this money to make it happen. Her voice stayed steady. She didn't cry or apologize for wanting something. When she stepped out, Mia caught her eye from across the room and nodded. The broadcast would air tonight. By tomorrow morning, everyone watching would know why she was here, and there was no taking it back.