Courtney couldn't help but allow a low sigh to escape her as she sat outside on swinging lawn chair. Her cheeks rested in the palms of her hands as she leaned down so that her elbows were resting on her knees. It was a cool night but she hadn't bothered to bring a jacket, thinking she could easily handle the chilly night. Now she was wishing she hadn't been so stubborn. In the background you could hear the mumble of music, a clear sign that a party was going on but it was because of the party that she was sitting outside. Chris had decided that for the finale of his new show he would do an episode featuring all the past contestants in hopes to get high ratings and maybe even a few fights and some juicy gossip. Courtney knew that he had been hoping she would be one of those who started a fight or caused some sort of drama for ratings but this time she refused to be put in that position. She was only here because of her contract but thankfully her lawyers were miracle workers and once this was over she would officially be done with the Total Drama series for good. They only way she would appear on a show or interview or have an article printed about her would be if she gave her consent and that wasn't going to happen in this lifetime.

She was done with the show and the people in it. She made a few good friends but mostly she made some enemies. Worst of all she made herself out to be some crazed maniac that only cared about winning and nothing else. She would be the first to admit that she had a competitive side but after having watched old episodes of her behavior she was overcome with shame. She had some serious damage control to do for her reputation and the first step in that would be to cut off all contact from this show and the people in it. She would still talk with Bridgette, the girl had somehow become her best friend in their time together and she was grateful that they were still friends despite everything she did. Other than the blonde there really wasn't anyone else who she would go out of her way to talk to. Maybe if she saw them on the street she would be polite and greet them but as far as that she couldn't see herself keeping in contact with anyone else.

"What are you doing out here?"

She jumped at the sudden voice and straightened herself out in an instant to see who was standing next to her. "Trent?" she gave the boy a confused look, one eye raised. "What are you doing here?"

He chuckled softly and offered her a soft smile. "I believe that was my question." He sat down next to her, causing the chair to swinging a bit. For a moment neither said a word, the two content with just sitting next to each other and enjoying the soft push of the swing. "You know you've missed pretty much most of the party."

"I know." She crossed her arms, trying to keep her body warm as the wind blew by them.

"So what's the reason?" he turned to look at her, one arm draped over the top of the chair.

She debated if she should tell him. They never really talked, actually this was the first time their conversation lasted more than a sentence. Usually their interaction was brief and never consisted of more than a few words. "I don't really feel like I have the right to be there," she chewed her bottom lip, making sure to keep her eyes focused on the ground as she spoke. She and Trent may not have a long history but she knew the guy and she knew he was kind and trustworthy and despite her past behavior she could trust him not to reveal her secret. "Once this is all over I plan on cutting all contact with anything and anyone that has to do with Total Drama. So I figured it's better if I start now so I can get use to it faster. Besides I doubt anyone in there wants anything to do with me." She spoke the last part softly. It was meant mostly for only her to hear but she knew that he still heard her. She was aware that the others weren't her biggest fan and they let her know by the looks they all gave her when she first arrived. There were some that were nice to her, Bridgette was one along with Geoff, Zoey, Mike and even Cameron after he apologized a dozen times for kissing her and causing Scott to break up with her. She held back a groan when she thought of her ex-boyfriend. Sadly both of them were present and they were another reason why she was avoiding the party.

"Wow...that's just..."Trent had to say he was speechless. He never thought he would ever hear Courtney say something like that. After she tried so hard to get on the show and to do all she could to stay in the game, it seemed almost impossible that she would want to cut herself off from it all. "Is there any special reason why?" Maybe if he knew her reasons for doing this he could understand her decision better. He received no reply, merely a light nod of her head as she continued to look down. "Is it because of Duncan and Scott?" he knew the two guys were at the party and while Duncan was more vocal about his taunts towards Courtney, Scott at least had the sense to keep quiet and merely looked at her in an awkward fashion.

"Of course not," she scoffed, finally turning to look at him. "As if I would let those two be major factors in my life's decisions," she crossed her legs, trying to look as serious as possible but mostly because she was starting to get colder. Sneaking a side glance at Trent she was annoyed to find him looking at her with a knowing look on his face. "Ok, so maybe those two do have something to do with me sitting out here, but that's all. They had nothing to do with me deciding to remove myself from this dumb series."

"So then what is your reason?" he knew he was being pushy but can you blame him? He knew Courtney as the person who would give it her all to win and do whatever she could to make that happen. Hearing that she was going to quit was like hearing the sun would explode.

She looked away again. "Sorry, but I'm not in the mood for sharing." It was her story to tell and so far she hadn't told anyone and she planned on keeping it that way. The announcement would be made via email from her lawyers to Chris during the last day of the show. She was sure it would cause the drama and ratings that he is dreaming of, but by the time that happens she will be on a plane back to her home and away from everyone and everything that has to do with Total Drama.

Trent had to bite back the urge to keep asking. He didn't really know much about Courtney but he could say without any doubt that she was never the type to give up. Even when brokenhearted she gave it her all and didn't let anything stop her. He was actually a little worried to see her behaving this way. "That's fine," he leaned back against the soft cushion of the swinging chair and looked up at the starry sky. "If you don't feel like sharing then you don't have too." As much as he wanted to know her reasoning he wouldn't pester her. She would reveal them when she's ready. He could wait until then.

Courtney was taken aback by this and turned to give him a look of confusion. "It is?"

"Well yeah. You obviously have a good reason for distancing yourself from the show. As for what they are...well if you feel better keeping them a secret than I won't push you to tell them." He told her, looking her in the eyes to prove that he was speaking honestly. He didn't want her to think he was trying to trick her or anything, he wanted her to see that he really did respect her wishes.

To say she was speechless would be putting it lightly. She was completely and utterly flabbergasted. She was not used to guys treating her this way. From her past experience with the guys on this show, she was used to them trying to tell her what to do or pushing her to the limits until she burst and spilled her guts. But he wasn't doing that. He was respecting her decision and it made her heart flutter with an emotion that made her nervous to feel. "Thank you."

She smiled at him. A smile that made him remember the sweet girl she was when the show first started. "You're welcome." He returned the smile and felt a surge of happiness run through him when he saw her eyes sparkle with joy.

A sudden wind blew by, causing Courtney to shudder at the chilly air. She mental scolded herself for not bringing a jacket out with her when she left the party.

"You cold?" Trent saw her shivering and quickly acted. He jumped off the swing and grabbed two beach towels from the nearby pool house. "Here, this will help." He handed her one of the large green towels to her before settling back down in his seat next to her and wrapping the other around himself.

"Thanks" she wrapped the fluffy towel around her body and smiled now that her body could start to warm up. She looked at him and was a little surprised to see him looking at her. She gave him a shy smile and had to fight the urge to twirl her hair around her finger.

"Hey, no problem. It'd suck to get sick out here." He looked at her, watching as she snuggled closer into the swing and bringing the towel closer to her body.

"Yeah, knowing Chris he would somehow use that to boost his ratings by making us compete while we're delusional from a fever." Courtney said, both knowing full well that the host of this twisted show would do that very thing.

Both of them laughed at the thought and continue to sit out there, looking up at the sky filled with shining stars. They stared there for the remainder of the night, talking about nothing and everything. Only when the sun started to rise did they finally stop their talking. Sleep had finally overcome them and they headed back to their rooms at the resort. Trent walked her back to her room like the true gentlemen he was and with a soft goodbye both of them parted ways and passed out once they fell onto their beds. Neither realizing that they fell asleep with the beach towel still wrapped around their bodies.

hip."