If there was one thing Cody hated, it was traffic. It made him cranky, especially in the morning. So naturally, he and his mother got stuck in traffic on the way back to Camp Wawanakwa. To make things worse, he hadn't slept well the night before, his mind going through every single, worst-case scenario. The prominent scene being another run-in with the bear that mauled him.
His mother, trying to buy him a few more minutes of sleep, said they'd get breakfast on the way, but traffic decided otherwise; People on the morning commute were impatient. They were also rude, honking at everyone! Despite the noise, Cody tried to get a bit more sleep.
After two hours, they finally arrived at the port, the boat already waiting for Cody.
His mother gently shook his shoulder, "Here we are, darling."
Cody opened his eyes, a huge yawn escaping from his mouth, ''I thought we'd never make it,'' Cody said, gulping down the last of his (now cold) hot chocolate.
With a soft laugh, his mother got out of the car. She opened the trunk as Cody did the same, stretching out his tired muscles.
"Are you sure you brought everything you need?''
"I think I did,'' Cody nodded. He grabbed his suitcase and opened it to show his mom. When he did, she shook her head. ''What?'' He asked.
"Did I not teach you how to pack properly?'' She asked him, her hands on her hips. At Cody's sheepish laugh, she huffed and started folding the top layer of clothes.
"Mom!'' Cody whined, "There's no time for that! They're waiting for me!''
"Go get your backpack,'' She said, grabbing another shirt and folding it.
Cody sighed and got his backpack from the back seat, making sure his laptop and headphones were still inside.
A few seconds later, his noticeably thinner suitcase was placed in front of him with a small thud, "There you go, darling. All set.''
"Thanks, mom."
She smiled and hugged him, "I'll see you in a few weeks."
With a quick squeeze, he nodded and ran to the boat, waving as it took off.
"Have fun!''
It didn't take long for Cody to see the dock… and everyone else, apparently.
''There he is!'' Chris exclaimed, ''The Codester's here, everyone!'' As the boat stopped, Cody grabbed his stuff and climbed out with a cheer.
''What took you so long, dude? We've been waiting forever!'' Geoff said, drawing out the forever.
Cody shrugged, "We got stuck in traffic."
''At least you made it!'' Chris said and gave him a high-five, "Welcome back to Camp, Cody!''
''Thanks, Chris!''
Cody looked around; Most of his friends seemed happy to be back, the others looked annoyed.
Especially Noah. His arms were crossed, and he had a bored look on his face. After his elimination, back at the Playa des Losers, Noah said he learned nothing during his time on the first season. Plus, when he had a chance to win a million dollars, he lost it to Justin.
Cody vowed to cheer him up.
''Now that you are all here, you probably have some questions,'' Chris said to everyone.
''Yeah! When are we eating?'' Owen's question came to no surprise to the other campers, ''What? I'm hungry!''
''I do have a question,'' Courtney told Chris. ''Why are we back?''
''Didn't I say it in the letter?''
''Yes, but-''
''As you guys all know, there will be a new season, but this time, it'll be with a whole new cast! You guys finally have a break; you might as well enjoy it here with your fellow campers! You guys spent so much time together; I'm sure you're friends now.''
''As if,'' Courtney said, glaring at Gwen from across the dock.
''That can't be it,'' Heather said, her arms crossing snobbishly, as usual.
''What?'' Chris asked.
''There's no way there aren't any challenges. And what about the cameras? I bet you'll be filming us.'' Heather said.
''Oh, no. The cameras are turned off. There will be no filming.'' Of course, the campers didn't believe him, but Chris just ignored that, ''Alright! To the cabins!''
''I'm sure we'll have a great time!'' Owen said, patting Noah's shoulder.
''Yeah, right,'' Noah said sarcastically. ''It'll be another eight boring weeks.''
Cody heard him and wrapped his arm around his shoulders, smiling. ''Owen's right, Noah! It'll be fun, you'll see!''
Noah only shrugged his shoulders. ''What-ever.''
''Probably not a good idea to hang out on the dock!'' Chris said, and with that, the boys were knocked out of the moment. Cody flushed in embarrassment and pulled away.
Noah smirked, "Better hurry." And with that, the two boys joined the rest of the group.
Walking up to the cabins, Chris told them he was going to let them unpack and talk. As usual, he told them the girls had one side and the boys, the other and then, in true Total Drama essence, told them to meet him at the main lodge in three hours.
You'd think unpacking would be a simple thing to do… but no. All the boys could hear were Courtney and Gwen yelling at each other, and of course, being boys, they had to see what was going on. They found the girls pushing each other outside.
''There's no way you're sleeping in here, you nasty goth!''
''Oh, come on, Courtney! We're spending the next weeks together… Maybe we should get along now?''
''No way, you boyfriend kisser!''
Cody briefly wondered if they should do something, but apparently, Duncan and Trent had the same idea. They put themselves between the girls to try and stop them, but that didn't work. That idea only ended up with Duncan telling Trent to leave Gwen alone.
"I just wanted to help!''
"She doesn't need your help, man,'' Duncan told him. He then looked at him with a smug grin. ''She dumped you, remember? And for someone much better.''
Trent glared at him, his fists clenching, and before anything else could be said, Trent's fist hit Duncan's nose. Of course, that started another fight, but this time the girls were trying to stop it.
''Wow. Such a great start,'' Heather said sarcastically.
''Mind your own business, will you?!'' Courtney yelled, and in true Heather fashion, she replied with a taunt… That started a fight between those two girls.
As tensions grew and the fights continued, Cody gave up and walked back inside.
''Where are you going?'' Owen asked.
Cody sighed, ''At the main lodge. I can't take it anymore.'' As he grabbed his laptop and his headphones, Owen just gave him an apologetic look. Cody took one last look at the fights, and with a shake of his head, headed off to the main lodge.
Walking down the trail, Cody couldn't help but wonder if he had made a mistake by coming back. Not even an hour in, and the campers were already fighting. You'd think after the grand finale, they'd try to make peace with each other, but apparently, Courtney's hatred for Gwen ran deep. Too deep to even consider forgiveness.
Walking into the lodge, he set up at a table. He put on his headphones and turned on the computer. Going through his games, he found one of his newer games; Dragon Assassin. As the game booted up, he sighed. He knew the others would eventually ask him why he didn't help. Everyone knew he used to have a crush on Gwen, but he moved on when he realized how happy she was with Duncan. He knew he'd find someone eventually.
He shook his head; he had to focus on the game. Levels flew by, and he saw Noah walk in. He paused the game but then saw the book in Noah's hand.
'He's probably trying to find a quiet place to read,' Cody thought to himself. He was about to continue playing when Noah stopped behind him. Cody looked up at him, and he was surprised to find Noah smiling.
"Hey," Cody said.
'Personally, I would've chosen the warrior and the sword for some extra Damage Points, but that's just me.''
''Y-you know Dragon Assassin?!''
Noah smiled and took a seat next to him, "It's only one of my favorite games. I'm on Secret Level 12."
Cody couldn't believe it. Waving his hands, he looked at Noah incredulously, ''Wait, wait, wait!'' He said, "You reached the secret level? H-how did you do that?!''
"Do you seriously think I'll tell you?''
''Well… Yeah!'' When Noah just shook his head, Cody pouted. ''Aw, come on! That's mean!''
Noah smirked, ''Still not telling you.''
Cody huffed and looked back at his screen. He put his headphones back on, only for Noah to take them off, ''I'm only showing you once to get there. Got it?''
Cody smiled. ''Yeah!''
''Alright,'' Noah said. He pulled the laptop to sit in between them and gestured for Cody to start playing. Cody couldn't help the red that crept up his cheeks as he scooted closer to Noah… to be able to properly reach the controls after all.
They played Dragon Assassin for a good hour, and just as promised, Noah showed Cody how to get to the secret level… Or he tried… Cody didn't really understand.
Showing him one more time, Noah laughed at Cody's confusion, "It's pretty easy,'' Noah told him, but Cody just blinked, a blank look on his face, ''Or not.''
Cody shook his head, "Consider me impressed, man.'' He said, ''I can't believe you play video games!''
"Why not?''
''Well…'' Cody started. Not wanting to insult the bookworm, Cody shut his mouth, "Back at the Playa, you read all the time. If someone asked you to play frisbee, you said no and kept reading.''
He looked at Noah, whose brow was furrowed. ''I-I didn't mean it to be negative, you know?! I-It's okay if you like to read!''
Noah couldn't help but let out a chuckle, ''I know, don't worry.''
Cody sighed in relief, ''So… Did you want to play something else? I have another game called Kosmic Kaos that we could play.''
Noah smiled and agreed; how could he pass up an opportunity to play his #1 favorite game?
They played the new game, Cody glancing at Noah every once in a while. He didn't want the three-hour mark to roll around. It was so peaceful and so much fun!
As he and Noah continued playing, he instantly knew that no matter what, he wasn't going to regret coming back at Camp.
A/N : Here's the first chapter of Secrets Never Last! As always, I'd like to thank my best friend for looking it over before I'd post it!