Right. Now...it was...um, where? Oh yeah, and just remember, this chapter is a Blainley-free zone! Oh wow...I just realized...it's the marriage episode and since Gwen's here instead of Courtney...lucky her!
Haley woke up in a different place to where she'd fallen asleep. In fact, she woke up to Owen's screams while everyone was freefalling through the sky.
"Hey, kids, you better get into your paddleboats!" Chris called from the plane above.
No one had noticed the two swanboats, but Haley quickly climbed into the nearest one with Sierra, Gwen and Owen.
"I'm starting to question my mom's crush on Chris just a little." Sierra whispered to the girls.
But they had bigger problems than just Chris. They were floating towards a waterfall (not just any old waterfall, though...Niagara Falls), and had to paddle furiously.
"If we live, I'll hold off on killing Sierra, and never complain about the challenges again!" Haley prayed.
"If we live, I'll let Sierra kiss me!" she heard Cody say from the other boat.
That incentive gave Sierra superhuman powers and brains to save all of them, for some reason. Soon, they were at the shore of the river they'd been in. But Cody still protested when Sierra gave him a passionate kiss.
Chris was waiting right there for the eight competitors, and led them to the lesser-known but still amazing casino.
Only the casino concert hall, though. The oldest competitor was only just eighteen, and none of them were old enough to go into the cool gambling part of the casino.
Next up, Chris told everyone that the teams were finally merging. Haley had to hold back a squeal. She'd made it to the merger! Sure, she might have done it had she not rigged the votes back on the island, but she didn't regret it, because if she hadn't, she might never have become so close to Cody.
But next thing, Chef wheeled in some kind of fruit machine. According to Chris, the guys and girls, since they were of an equal number, were partnering up in a "marriage". Each girl would pull the lever on the machine, and get a "husband" to work with on the challenge.
Haley glanced around at the choices. Her old crush, her ex (and hopefully future) boyfriend, and her current crush. And Owen. She considered. Strategically, she hoped to get Alejandro. Sure, she'd probably be unable to focus on the challenge, but he could probably carry the whole thing on his own. She prayed Heather wouldn't get him – they'd be unstoppable!
In the case of true affection, she would like to get Cody. Sierra might kill her, but that couldn't be helped. The win wasn't as sure, but she couldn't stand it if Sierra got him. Her crush on Alejandro had intensified since she broke up with him, but she'd never stopped feeling actual love and affection for the boy with the blue eyes.
Haley wasn't sure whether she wanted to get Duncan or Owen. They were OK, but not winners. Owen did win the whole of Total Drama Island, but that was mostly because of brownies. No promise of food, no win. Duncan was a strong competitor, but Haley didn't know whether he'd be good at a challenge when she was supposed to pretend to be married to him. That was just awkward for her.
But then again, it would be worse if the fruit machine gave them the other husband...some angry bear.
Chris let Sierra go first. She tugged on the lever, making her hope known. But her prayers weren't answered.
As Alejandro nearly came out of the opening, Sierra shoved the opening door shut and shook Chris, exclaiming "This isn't happening. This isn't happening! THIS ISN'T HAPPENING!"
"I better take him." Heather volunteered, opening the door and pulling Alejandro up. "She won't stop unless somebody does."
Haley glared. "I think we should stick to the original plan. Back in the fruit machine. Otherwise it means you get to choose and the rest of us don't." Sighing, she gave up her hopes of working with Cody. Sierra wouldn't accept any other partner.
But no one else seemed to mind Heather claiming Alejandro, and Haley also had to give up any ideas of winning this challenge. She talked about it in the confessional. "Fine. So now the two strongest competitors are paired up. Damn you, Heather! And with Sierra around, I won't get Cody, either. I just have to hope that I get Duncan – he's probably the most promising prospect for me right now."
But Haley pulled the lever next, and got Owen. She sighed, but didn't complain.
Gwen got Duncan. Well, first she got the bear, but she got to swap back. And Sierra was allowed to pull again and wound up with Cody after all.
The first part of the challenge was for the bride to be blindfolded. The groom would direct their girl to a wedding dress through a megaphone, and they would continue on once the girl got the dress.
Haley could hear Alejandro calling to Heather. In no time at all, he was calling "Yes, chica! We won!" and Haley could hear Heather's sarcastic tone, but not what she was saying.
Owen led Haley straight into one of the cakes, by saying "Go that way!" He was probably pointing, but Haley was blindfolded. It tasted okay, but it didn't help. Luckily, Haley heard another voice calling to her, telling her which way to go.
It was Alejandro. Haley's heart didn't allow her to ask why he had decided to help her, but it got her to the dress she needed to continue. She didn't think she looked like a bride, even when she put it on, but at least she'd reached it through actual directions, even if it wasn't because Owen had given them to her. Sierra had only managed to get hers because she ran through the cake and traps in double-quick time...Cody hadn't bothered to give her proper directions.
Next, the boys had to walk a tightrope over Niagara Falls, carrying their bride, and clear "Customs". The first couple who did got immunity and First Class. Then there were sharks underneath. And because Heather got to her dress first, she and Alejandro got a headstart.
Luckily, Haley was practically weightless to ox-like Owen, but he crossed so slowly and cautiously. Sierra was quicker...yes, she carried Cody instead of him carrying her.
Haley hadn't been listening to a very interesting conversation between Heather and Alejandro.
"Either Haley or Gwen should go next." Heather was saying. "I had to keep them on my team, but now...they're smart. I'd pick Haley. Don't underestimate her – she's a lot harder of a player than she looks, and people forget to vote her off because she's little. And she's really annoying me...but ignore that part." Although she didn't say it, if Haley had listened, she'd know that Heather was just jealous.
"I can control her." Alejandro argued. "She does not get my vote." He wanted Owen to go. In their argument, both fell off the tightrope. Then Sierra and Cody got sent back, argued with Owen and Haley, and both couples fell in. Luckily, Owen got all five of the others to shore, while Gwen and Duncan answered all of the "customs' questions right and got immunity.
As it turned out, Sierra had been trying to get Cody to be truly married to her. She had everything except Cody's "I do", and now she was trying her hardest to make him say it. But she managed to make him say it, according to Sierra herself, and the one witness, Alejandro.
Finally, it was time to vote. Haley was having a hard time choosing between Sierra and Heather. She was insanely jealous of both of them. But what won was how she felt, considering the two girls. She disliked Sierra intensely for stalking Cody, even when they were still official. And she respected Heather, and thought that even sometimes, she could be...okay. So Sierra got her vote.
But it didn't matter. Owen ended up taking the Drop of Shame. He seemed shocked and sad, but he took it bravely enough and said goodbye.
I know, that chapter sucks. But see what happens next – and review!