Disclaimer: I do not own the Total Drama series or anything else copyrighted.

A/N: I know, I need to update my other Total Drama stories... I just have to finish the end of the chapter for "The Fake Engagement", and I'm having a horrible writers block for "Long Time". Like the summary says, this is a prequel for "The Fake Engagement"... This is the only chapter that'll take place between TDI and TDA. The rest will take place after TDA, while they're finishing high school and going to college. I've been constantly thinking about tidbits that could be made into a story that "happened before TFE", and I'm finally writing these out. I hope you all enjoy!

With the exception of small chatter on Facebook, neither Duncan nor Courtney spoke to each other between Total Drama Island the Total Drama Action. Well, with the exception of one time, which was pure coincidental and unexpected by both.

It happened the first week of May, exactly one month before Total Drama Action was to start filming. Duncan tried not to think about that. He might have met some nice (and even great) people on Total Drama Island, but it was an overall horrible experience. Knowing Chris and Chef, there would be some horrible and not-so-great experiences that he would be going through in the next season of the reality show.

Duncan was out at the mall one day with his parents. Dylan, his older brother, had a birthday approaching the next week, so the three of them went out shopping, looking for a few presents. After a few hours of shopping at the mall, they ate a quick meal in the Food Court.

"So, have you talked to Courtney at all lately?" his Mom asked, finishing her food.

Duncan shook his head. "Nah. We barely talk, anyway." He shrugged. "She's been busy with school, I guess." He knew how much of an "over-achiever" she was. She listed all the clubs she was in at her school. Plus, thanks to a bit of snooping, he knew the academic awards she was getting at her school. He would be very surprised if she wasn't Valedvictorian at her school.

"Will she be on... oh, what's the new series called?" his Mom called.

"Total Drama Action," Duncan grudgingly muttered. "And, no, she won't be on that."

"Oh, that's too bad..." his Mom quietly said.

He sighed and looked around. The mall, surprisingly, wasn't that crowded. It was early Sunday, and maybe people were at church or at home resting. He almost opened his mouth to ask to leave but a young woman caught his eyes. He would recognize her anywhere - it was Courtney. True, he was at a mall in Toronto, somewhere she lived at, but he was still very surprised to meet her. Duncan would never admit to anyone, but he was a bit scared to talk to her. Even though a numerous amount of girls tried to hook up with him, he turned every single one of them down. He still felt attached to Courtney. Neither had confirmed nor denied their relationship, and both flirted and playfully bickered with each other on the social networking website. He could tell she was with her parents, for he had seen pictures of them on her Facebook page.

"Duncan?"

He was immediately snapped out of his thoughts by his Dad's curious stare. "Yeah?"

"We're going to go into that store over there," his Dad said, pointing at a book store that was behind him and outside the Food Court.

"Um, I'll just stay here," Duncan said. "I just got a text message from a friend. They want me to call them."

"Is your friend alright?" his Mom asked as both his parents stood up.

"Oh, yeah," Duncan said. "He's just got this 'crazy cool' story to tell me right away."

His Mom smiled. "Well, either you can meet us over there or we'll meet you back here."

Duncan nodded. "Alright." He quickly glanced around the Food Court as his parents walked away. He grinned as he saw Courtney only a few tables away, her back turned to him. He got up and walked to the table behind her and quietly said down. He grinned, noticing her not even turning around. He then said to her, "Well, Princess..."

She visibly jumped, her phone dropping from her hands and onto the table. She quickly turned around, her eyes wide. "Duncan?" she asked, shocked.

He smirked. "In the flesh."

"What are you doing here?" she asked, still visibly shocked.

He shrugged. "It's my brother's birthday and next week and my parents decided to drag me with them while they go shopping..." He paused and smirked even more as he added, "What are you doing here? If I remember correctly, you live on the other side of town."

"Just shopping with my parents, like yourself."

"So my Mom was asking about you today."

She inquisitively stared at him for a good minute before quietly asking, "Really?"

He nodded. "Asked if I had talked to you, and if you were going to be on Action..."

She groaned. "I'm still so mad I didn't get on there!"

He chuckled. "Of course."

"I get to watch everything from the sidelines..." She sighed before narrowing her eyes at him. "Don't try to do anything sneaky."

"Didn't realize you were so protective over me."

She glared at him. "I'm serious, Duncan." She then looked away, her head resting on the tops of her hands, which were holding on to the top of the seat. It almost shocked Duncan, seeing Courtney going from completely serious to almost scared and timid.

"I've only got my eyes set for you," he said. Even though his statement came out jokingly, there was a hint of seriousness and reassurance said as well.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Bet you've gotten a lot of girls come up to you."

He shrugged. "A few. Scared them off, though." When she rolled her eyes, he said to her, "I bet a lot of guys have been trying to get with you."

She smirked. "A few."

When she didn't add anything to that, he raised an eyebrow, a mischievious smirk on his face. "Hook up with anyone, Princess?"

She shook her head, sitting up. Her head was resting against her hand, which was propped up . "No, I haven't hooked up with anyone."

"Good."

"I didn't realize you were so protective," she teased, repeating what he said about her.

He chuckled as he checked his vibrating phone. His Mom had texted him:

Saw you talking to someone. We'll meet you in the car.

He sighed. "Well, Princess, it's time for me to go."

"Really?" she quickly asked.

He nodded, leaning closer to her. "I'm going to do my best to win this time."

She nodded, leaning closer to him. "And then we can split the money?" When he shrugged, she asked, "Fifty-fifty?"

Again, he shrugged. "I'd rather split the money with you more than anyone else." He then closed the gap between them and kissed her. She returned the kiss with as much passion and desperation as he put into his kiss. He leaned back slightly, staring at her for a few seconds before giving her another kiss, this one small and sincere. "Bye, babe," he muttered before standing up.

"Bye," she breathed, watching him walk off. She was still amazed at how great of a kisser he was.