Edited/Updated: 02/09/2015

A/N: Wow, thanks guys. That was way more reviews than I was expecting to get; I was shooting for two, three at the most. Okay, well here's the next chapter. I hope everyone enjoys it.

I Miss You-2. Putting the Best Foot Forward

"Bridgette, if you don't hurry up we'll be late for class," Courtney urged, clutching her weighty books to her chest.

"I'm coming, Courtney," she responded, rushing to gather her college papers together.

Courtney shook her head with an endearing smile as she approached the door of their dorm, "I'll wait for you out here okay?"

"'K."

Courtney sighed as she leaned against the door, staring up at the florescent lights above. Two years had passed since the show, two long and fulfilling years. She had put the past behind her and focused all of her energies into passing high school with honors. She had matured a great deal since the show, learning to truly relax and be herself. Not to say that she didn't still have her moments. She was still high strung and finicky, but not nearly so much.

Her social life hadn't improved much. She had become introverted after the show, preferring not to risk getting attached to anyone. She still thought about the other contestants, in fact she remained in contact with the majority of the people that had been on her team. Obviously she and Bridgette were still very close, for they shared a dorm at their college and a few classes. And where Bridgette went so did Geoff. Geoff kept in constant contact with DJ and after that she didn't much care who else he kept in contact with. She had found out that Harold had gotten her voted off of the show not long after she had been thrown onto the Looser Boat and she still managed to hold a grudge against him. Katie and Sadie simply weren't her favorite people, Eva had tried to kill her, Ezekiel and Tyler hadn't even been worth her time let alone her frustration, and Duncan...

The subject still hurt a little and she doubted that it would ever stop. She had cut herself off completely from him after that last message she had sent. She deleted his number, all of his pictures that he had sent her, all of the messages, everything accept that one message. It was her reminder to not get soft, to not allow anyone close unless they were worth the aggravation and tears. She seriously doubted that there would ever be anyone like that in her life.

Bridgette finally immerged from the dorm, slightly frazzled but still utterly relaxed. Courtney had never known a girl more laid back than Bridgette and she aspired to be like her one day. They began to walk to their first class in companionable silence before the surfer girl broke the quiet.

"Today's Friday right?"

"Yeah, Friday the first of August," Courtney responded, being more specific than necessary.

Bridgette smiled at that, knowing that was just how Courtney was, "So...would you like to go clubbing with Geoff and me tonight?" Courtney's countenance took on a skeptical note and Bridgette hurried to recover, "After we study and complete ALL of our homework of course."

Courtney smiled at her friend's recovery and nodded to herself, "Sure; it sounds like it'd be fun."

They continued to their class at a sedated pace as Courtney's thoughts turned inward once again. Geoff and Bridgette had been dating since they'd both been kicked off the show. They had shared a long distance relationship, for Bridgette lived in Florida while Geoff lived in California. They had flown to each other's homes for the past two summers, which Courtney felt was very romantic. Geoff had decided to attend the same college as Bridgette just to be closer to her as well. What really surprised Courtney was that she and Bridgette attended a somewhat influential college in New York City, which meant that Geoff had to actually study. Courtney hadn't thought that he was dedicated enough to go through with it, but apparently the cowboy hat wearing blond cared enough for the surfer chick to actually follow through and keep a consistent GPA. Courtney hoped that one day...she could actually find someone like that.

"Hey, what's with the long face?" Bridgette asked, placing a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder, "Clubbing should provoke a happy face!"

Courtney chuckled at that, dashing away the depressing thoughts, "It's nothing. I'm just wondering if you and Geoff really want me as a third wheel."

"Of course we do," Bridgette grinned, "a third wheel would give us some stability."

Courtney eyed her skeptically before concluding that her friend was being sincere, "If you say so."

"I do say so," Bridgette answered sincerely, throwing a companionable arm around Courtney's shoulders, making her giggle, "Now, turn that frown upside down!"

"Oh, come on, Bridgette. How old are you?" Courtney teased, leaning in to the friendly embrace.

A/N: Okay, that's that. Review and let me know what you think. I'm giving everyone a fair warning now. I'm going to Otakon tomorrow and, unless my friend brings her laptop with her and the hotel has direct connect, I won't be able to post any new chapters until Monday. However, don't let that stop y'all from telling me what you think. Thanks again for reading.