Chapter 1
The vacation the origional cast had been offered in celebration of the new season of Total Drama Revenge of the Island was something Courtney hoped she could get out of. She did everything; feigned buisiness, made up random projects that were incredibly important, even stooped so low as to pretend she was sick with a very bad case of Colic. And it all seemed to work. At least, it had for a while. But her mother and father knew the true reason, and with only two days left until the trip, her mother was becoming more relentless.
Courtney knew exactly what her mother would say to her when she waltzed into the room and sat down very primly on the edge of her bed. The smile she had on was very terribly forced. The brunette girl had never been more reluctant to put down her reading material than she was at that moment. But down went Gloom Cookie. Sebastian and Lex would just have to wait.
"Darling, I know you feel betrayed. But maybe it'll do you some good to see Duncan and Gwen. It could be beneficial for your health... And your life can get back on track." She smiled encouragingly.
Courtney looked up at her mother with her dark eyes, all bundled up in her gray hoodie and long jeans. Things after Duncan hadn't exactly been smooth. In fact, anything but. After his kiss with Gwen, Courtney found herself doubting all of her qualities that he'd claimed to be attracted to. Then she started to become insecure. And suddenly, here she was, a pile of ashes as compared to her once-fiery self. "Do I have to?"
"Well, sweetie, with all do respect, his hurting you has changed you. In a... More negative way than your father and I are comfortable with."
"What do you mean?"
"Honey, you haven't cut your hair in nearly six months. And although you have been taking care of it- its so... Not like you."
"Mother, I've been saying I want to grow my hair out." Not that you and father ever listen, She thought, fingering the waist-length locks.
"Well you've quit most of your clubs."
"I've been working on more artistic things." Courtney had taken up drawing and painting.
"The nice young man you dropped like a spider-covered handful of plantains?" Her mother quirked an eyebrow, and Courtney knew she was beat.
"I'm just taking it... Hard. (Oh the sexual implications) But that doesn't mean I need to see either of those lying, cheating-"
"Courtney." Her mother's face was stern now.
Courtney felt indescisive. Relieve herself from her mother's gaze and pestering by agreeing to go, or argue onward, and still end up going? She sighed. Though she had changed a lot, she was still a very practical person. "Alright, fine."
Her mother gave a little bounce. "Perfect!" She chortled. "That gives you two days to pack." She stood up. "I'll go get you a duffle bag! A week in Key West; how wonderful!"
Courtney buried her head back in her comic. "Yes. Just perfect."