A/N- Sorry guys, school started again/I'm working/Social life :( I promise the next update won't take as long. That idea I had for a bonus chapter (well, it's now mandatory) has me super amped and it will be incredibly long so there's that to look forward to down the road. Also, I'm running out of TDAS challenges, so if you're wondering why some of the next few chapters don't have real challenges, that's the answer. Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-One:

When Zoey woke up the next morning, the first thing she noticed was the bright sunlight streaming through the windows.

Huh…what time is it?

"Anyways," Courtney was sitting on her bed and talking to Gwen. "I thought he was really good in it, but it wasn't my favorite."

"I don't like those kinds of movies anyways," Gwen shrugged.

"I know, you're obsessed with…what's it called? With the blood?"

"Blood Valley?"

"Yeah, that one…I don't understand how you can watch that."

"Damien loves those movies," Heather chimed in. "He made me watch the one with…was it Jessica Alba?"

"Oh," Gwen nodded. "Blood Valley Four: Return of the Skulls?"

"Yeah, that one."

"That's a good one."

"I think I needed to watch the first three because I was kind of lost."

"Yeah, you need the context of the first three to really understand the significance of the fourth."

"Oh, shit," Courtney murmured to herself, peering at an object in her hand that Zoey couldn't see.

"Yeah?" Gwen asked.

"Sierra updated her blog."

"No way!" Gwen squealed and dove onto Courtney's bed to look over her shoulder at her phone. "What did she say?"

"Did she name-drop? I bet she did," Heather decided. "I bet she- oh, Zoey, you're awake," she stated plainly. "Were you just sitting there watching us?"

"Wha-" she flushed. "No, I-"

"Heather, are you ever gonna give this girl a break?" Gwen chided. "Zoey, we should all be saluting you for living alone with Sierra for so long."

"Ooh, yeah," Courtney nodded. "What was that like? Did she keep that framed picture of Cody?"

"Ew, what?" Gwen frowned. "That's so weird."

"He used to watch over us while we slept," Courtney explained. "You know. To keep us safe."

"She kept the picture," Zoey nodded.

"Oh! One time, Zoey asked her to move it, and she wouldn't do it. She got so offended."

"Well, I don't know," Zoey defended herself. "I didn't want some random guy watching me while I slept."

"She's so weird," Gwen shook her head. "No wonder Cody stopped taking her calls."

"Hey, what did she say to you towards the end?" Heather asked Zoey. "Wasn't she super mad at you?"

"Oh, yeah, on the boat!" Gwen remembered. "What was she saying?"

On the boat…Ugh. I don't even want to think about it. She was wrong. It's not like that.

"Just some stuff," Zoey's voice was a little more quiet.

"Oh?" Heather quirked an eyebrow. "Stuff?" She started to smile. "What kind of stuff?"

"That sounds so ominous," Gwen was intrigued. "Stuff. Hmm."

"It was just stuff," Zoey crossed her arms.

I don't have to explain it to them.

"Alright," Gwen shrugged, sensing her discomfort. "You don't have to tell us. But if it helps, she always threatens stuff, but she never actually follows through. She just likes attention."

"Ugh, true that," Heather sighed. "She claimed she was going to- in her words- write an 'exposé' about me and ruin my life. Did she? No. And then she blew up Chris' stupid plane so it didn't matter anyways."

"Wait, she actually blew it up?" Zoey was intrigued.

"Well," Heather paused. "Chris kind of set her up. The damage wasn't ithat bad. He just wanted to get rid of her."

"Oh."

Of course she didn't blow up an airplane. That would be crazy.

"Gwen, she always kind of liked you," Courtney noted. "Well…until."

"Nah, she ihated me," Gwen shook her head. "Boyfriend kisser and all that. I'm not sure why she hated you, though."

"Oh, that's right!" Heather perked up. "Wasn't she going to write that article-" her eyes caught Zoey's. "Ah, nevermind. You know what I'm talking about."

Ugh, I hate it when they do that. Why am I always the outsider? Should I just leave?

"Right," Courtney narrowed her eyes. "I swear, I almost killed her."

"I know the article," Zoey spoke up.

It's the one about Courtney allegedly liking Duncan. See? I know what's going on. I'm not some random stranger. I deserve to be here too.

"What? Really?" Courtney was surprised.

"Yep," Zoey nodded. "She said a ton of stuff when we were living in the Spa Hotel."

"Really? Like what?" Heather leaned forward.

"Well…" Zoey paused.

What do I say? They're all looking at me…They're all best friends…They probably have an alliance…So, do I throw Sierra under the bus? Would that be mean? Am I allowed to be mean right now so I can stay in the game? And keep Mike and Cameron in the game?

"So," Zoey explained. "You know how she's, like, obsessed with Cody? Well, she started treating Cameron like he was Cody. She even had all these nicknames for him."

"Oh, that's right," Gwen smiled. "How could I forget the nicknames? Cody-bear, Cody-baby…although she hasn't been using that one as much…what was the other one?"

"Cody-kins?" Zoey helpfully supplied.

"Right!"

"So, wait," Heather was intrigued. "She would call Cameron…'Cody-kins?'"

"Exactly. And not only that…do you remember the rat thing? She named it Cody Junior and she would feed him raw eggs and stuff."

Mike. Cameron. A million dollars.

"Also," Zoey continued, "don't tell anyone this…but she would sleep in bed with it. iSo gross."

"Ew!" Courtney shrieked. "No, no, that's disgusting."

"She let the rat sleep in bed with her?" Gwen was intrigued.

"Yeah, like it was her baby or something."

"She's so fucked up," Heather smiled. "I'm not even surprised."

"No wonder Cody never talks to her…can you imagine dating that girl?" Gwen rolled her eyes. "Literally, Cody hasn't even spoken to her since World Tour ended."

"Yeah?" Zoey smiled. "She probably gets off to his voicemail every night."

"Ha!" Heather laughed. "That's funny."

Oh my God. I didn't just say that. Why did I say that? I'm a terrible person. This is so unlike me. I never say things like that. What's wrong with me? Is it really worth it? What would Mike and Cameron think of me? And I totally stole that joke.

"Ah, well," Zoey blushed, wishing she could take it back.

"She probably does," Courtney had picked up her phone and started typing.

"Woah, you brought your phone?" Zoey was amazed.

Chris has really strict rules against that.

"Um, yeah?" Courtney looked at Zoey like she was crazy.

"Oh, I just thought Chris would freak out."

"Well, we don't tell him."

"Courtney didn't bring hers the first season because she's a itotal rule follower," Gwen stuck out her tongue at her friend, "but now she's in her rebellious phase."

"Oh, shut up," Courtney ignored her. "Everyone brings their phones now."

"Zoey, do you not have yours?" Heather asked.

No, it's sitting in my bedroom. Am I the only one who took that rule seriously?

"Oh, it's in my bag somewhere," Zoey smiled sheepishly. "I thought I was the only one, to be honest."

Is this what I do now? Lie? Is that what it takes to win this game?

"Nah," Gwen smiled. "Chris doesn't care ithat much. Just don't walk around with it."

"I would never."

I literally can't.

Meanwhile, Duncan had just woken up in the guy's cabin. He glanced over at the other three contestants, who were all asleep.

iLast night…

He focused on Mike for a moment.

iI wonder what they were talking about last night…or if he caught me staring. Maybe he just won't mention it.

Duncan figured there was no point in sitting around and stepped out of bed. He noticed his shoes were on the ground. He picked one up and saw it was stained and crusted.

"Great," he muttered under his breath, placing the shoe back on the ground.

iThere's no way that cheap bastard left us new shoes.

Duncan slowly opened the door to the cabin and, sure enough, there was nothing there.

iWell, I don't know what I expected.

He pulled on his old shoes and was about to step outside when he heard a voice behind him.

"Duncan?"

He spun around to see Mike standing there.

"Oh, shit, did I wake you up?" Duncan whispered.

"Nah," Mike smiled. "I was up. Too excited, you know."

"Excited?" Duncan asked.

"Waffles," Mike smiled even wider and put on his shoes.

"Oh. Right," Duncan involuntarily smiled back.

iHe's like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Well," Duncan stepped out of the cabin and Mike closed the door behind them. "Chris didn't give us any shoes, so have fun with that."

He started to walk away.

"Wait," Mike frowned. "You're not coming with me?"

"Ah. Well. I wasn't planning on it."

iI don't really want the waffles…

"Oh." Mike looked stricken.

iOh no, don't be upset…

"I just don't really eat them."

"You asked for them."

"Well, yeah, because I know you like them."

iUgh, is that weird to admit?

Just as Mike was about to open his mouth to comment on that, Duncan quickly cut him off to avoid the conversation.

"Actually, yeah, I'll go with you. Why not? Any excuse to yell at Chris."

"Great," Mike accepted the answer, the smile back on his face. "Let's go."

Out of the darkness of the cabin, Duncan could clearly see Mike's face, which was peppered with bruises from the night before.

"You don't look too good," Duncan frowned as they stepped into the woods.

"You should see the other guy."

"I have. He's fine. You're the other guy in this one."

"Well, I didn't see you stepping in."

"That's not how it works. You always do the fighting. I do the talking."

"Hmm, more like you do the talking, you start the fighting, and somehow I end up finishing it."

"When has that ever happened?"

iHe's right. I used to do that a lot.

"Ah, well," Duncan interrupted himself, "…I guess you're right."

"Still can't keep that mouth of yours shut, eh?" Mike smiled.

"Hey, I got you those waffles, didn't I? Are you glad I spoke up on that one?"

"Oh, you can be nice when you want to be."

"When I want to be? You don't think I'm a nice guy?"

"Nah, you're fine."

"And I'm trying to be more quiet," Duncan tried to defend himself. "Or, cause less problems. Whatever. Maybe I'll get back to you on that one."

They walked in silence for a few moments.

iJust like old times…And now I feel like an asshole. Could I have been wrong about so many things? He really is making an effort. He doesn't have to be nice to me. He could have been neutral. Just wait until I get kicked off and move on with his life. Hell, he's being nicer to me than Courtney is right now. She doesn't even want me around. Could I have judged him too harshly? Has he changed so much since then? Could I be the one who's all fucked up?

Duncan noticed a particularly strange pattern of bruises on the side of Mike's neck.

iBut then again…

"Jeez, where'd you get those?" Duncan tried to sound as casual as possible.

"Hmm?"

"On your neck."

"Oh," Mike immediately covered them with his hand. "Zeke just hit me, I guess."

iHe's lying. If Zeke punched him in the throat hard enough to bruise, he wouldn't have gotten back up. And the pattern is…weird. Like…claw marks?

"Ah, right," Duncan didn't push it any further.

iWell, whatever. What am I gonna do about it? I can't ask him, it's not my place. It's probably nothing.

"What do you think Chris is doing with the Spa Hotel?" Mike swiftly changed the subject. "Since we're not allowed to stay there and all."

"He probably wants it for himself. Maybe he's using his mansion- sorry, his 'cottage', for something else."

"Like what?"

"Who knows?"

"Oh," Mike frowned. "I thought maybe it would be something exciting."

"We're better off not knowing," Duncan informed him. "I'm sure it's something fucked up. He's capable of anything."

"So I've heard."

iCome to think of it, does Chris even talk to Mike? What is their relationship like? I'm sure they had to speak at one point, just to get Mike on the show.

"Yeah?" Duncan asked. "Has he ever said anything to you?"

"Chris?"

"Hmm," Mike's eyes darted quickly. "Nope."

"Well, lucky you."

iAnd I know he's not being honest. And I'm sure he knows I know. But it's a status quo, and who am I to pry? It doesn't affect me.

"Here we are, I guess," Mike stopped walking to look at the Spa Hotel. He walked up to the porch, then looked back at Duncan like a dog who needed a human to open the door.

"What? Why are you looking at me?"

"Do I open it?"

"No, you just stand there forever."

"Well- seriously, do I open it? Is he gonna yell at me?"

"Move," Duncan rolled his eyes. "I'll do it."

"Thanks," Mike smiled.

Duncan pounded on the door, then quickly stepped back, shoving Mike in front of him.

"Oh, you ass-"

"What?" Chris' muffled voice boomed through a small speaker above the door.

"Let us in!" Duncan yelled up at him.

"Why?"

"Just open the door!"

"Go away! I'm dealing with something!"

"Maybe we should just go," Mike whispered, staring up at the microphone in fear.

"Nah, fuck that. Chris! Waffles!"

"Fine! Fucking hell, I'll open the door, just stop fucking yelling!"

"Thank you!" Duncan smiled wide.

The front door opened to reveal one of Chris' interns standing there. He frowned upon seeing the two contestants. He narrowed his eyes at Duncan.

"Oh, it's you," he stated. "And," he looked over at Mike, "that one."

"How are you?" Duncan asked.

"Dude. Shitshow."

iHe looks like a mess.

There was a muffled shout from deeper inside the house.

"Just fucking…I don't get paid enough," he sighed.

"Do you want some waffles?" Mike asked him.

The intern stared at him with dead eyes.

"I hate waffles."

"Oh," Mike's face fell.

The intern opened the door a little wider so the campers could step into the house. Then, he shut the door behind them.

"Don't make a mess."

By the time either of them could answer, the intern had disappeared into another room.

"That was grim," Duncan shook his head.

"I can't believe he doesn't like waffles."

"I can't believe you offered one to him."

"I was trying to be nice," Mike stared at Duncan with his big brown eyes.

"Hmm, you're a dork," Duncan started to walk to the kitchen.

"Wha- take it back!" Mike scrambled after him, not knowing where he was going.

"I can't. It's already out there."

"See? Not nice. And how do you know where we're going?"

Duncan flung open a door leading into the library.

"I don't. Wanna read a book?"

"What are you guys doing?" A voice whispered behind them.

They both spun around to see a different intern standing behind them. She had matted hair and was staring down at the ground.

"Um, kitchen?" Duncan looked at her in apprehension.

Without looking up, she pointed in the opposite direction of where they were standing.

"Ah, thank you," he tried to smile.

She didn't answer.

Duncan nudged Mike's arm, then started to walk.

"Um, bye," Mike stared at the intern as he followed his teammate.

When they were far enough away, Mike whispered, "I really don't like this."

"What, the interns?"

"They look so sad."

Duncan opened the door to the kitchen.

"That's what living with Chris will do to you."

I guess Chris is living in the Spa Hotel now…I wonder what happened to his mansion? Why did he have to move over here? That's where all his footage is…does he work there and live here? Why the hell does he need two houses- no, two mansions?

"It's kind of scary," Mike shuddered thinking about the interns.

"Don't worry, they're not gonna eat you. What does a waffle maker look like?" Duncan started to open the cabinets in the large kitchen.

"Not sure."

"Wha-" Duncan turned around to face Mike, who was sitting at the kitchen table. "How do you not know? Aren't they your favorite food?"

"Yeah, because I never get to eat them. Can you imagine if I had a waffle maker at my house? Then they wouldn't be special anymore."

"Mike, go find the damn waffle maker," Duncan collapsed into a chair on the other side of the table and rested his head in his hands.

"Fine, but you have to help with the batter."

"Do you know how to make that?"

"...well. No."

"Then what are we doing here?"

"I didn't think we would have to make them from scratch!"

"Then look it up on your phone."

"I'm not paying for the internet, you look it up."

"I'm not paying for it either."

"Well, fine, no waffles," Mike frowned.

"Stop pouting, we'll figure it out."

"I'm not pouting."

"Yes you are, move over, I'll put something together."

Duncan opened the fridge, Mike by his side. They gazed at its contents.

"Cool," Mike nodded. "I have no idea what I'm doing."

"You guys better not be messing up my kitchen."

"Chef!" Duncan spotted him standing in the doorway, his imposing figure casting a long shadow across the kitchen floor. He was holding a covered plate in his hands.

"Yeah, yeah," Chef didn't look happy to see the two campers standing in the Spa Hotel. "Shut the fridge, I don't want you messing anything up."

"Sorry," Mike spoke quickly and shut the door. "We were trying to make waffles."

"Here," Chef set the plate down on the counter with a loud clanging noise. "Take 'em." He removed the cover to reveal a stack of freshly-made waffles.

"Woah, you made these?" Mike was amazed.

Chef crossed his arms, staring down both contestants.

"Although Chris might not be able to show gratitude, you two did save him, so…there you go. And," he reached into one of his large apron pockets and pulled out two pairs of shoes, letting them drop onto the floor. "Your shoes."

"Oh, nice," Duncan was relieved he wouldn't have to walk around in gasoline-drenched shoes all day.

"Wow, thanks, Chef!" Mike smiled at him.

"Don't mention it. Clearly, you have bigger problems to worry about. Hehe," he broke into a smile. "Haha! Hahaha!" He couldn't contain himself. "Well, I'll see you around," he started to walk out the door. "Haha! Oh, it's too good," he chuckled to himself and shut the door to the kitchen behind him.

Huh?

"I guess the next challenge is gonna be bad," Mike decided.

"Oh, right. That makes sense."

"Alright, waffles?" Mike was staring at the plate.

"Oh. Go ahead," Duncan was already walking away to sit at the kitchen table.

"What? You're not gonna eat any?"

"Nah. I'm not really into breakfast."

"You're still doing that," Mike stated.

"Doing what?"

"You should eat, you know."

He better not get into this.

"I do eat."

"No you don't."

Don't look at me like that…

"What, you've been watching me?"

"Duncan," Mike almost whispered his name. "You should eat…or don't," he quickly interrupted himself. "It's up to you. So, whatever," he darted his eyes away. "Um. I'm just gonna make mine, so-"

"Make me one too."

He's like, guilting me. Like, whatever, I'll eat the stupid thing, I don't even care. It doesn't even matter.

"Ah- really?" Mike beamed. "Alright! I usually put strawberries on mine," he opened the fridge again. "And I put them in little shapes," he grabbed a carton of strawberries from the fridge. "I'm making yours into a smiley face. Maybe that will cheer you up."

"I'm very cheerful," Duncan stared at him with a straight face. "Can't you tell?"

"Here," Mike slid a plate with a single waffle across the kitchen table. "Try it."

Duncan cut into the waffle with a fork and knife and took a bite.

"How is it?" Mike was staring at him intently.

"It's fine," Duncan shrugged.

"Just fine?"

"It's the best thing I've eaten in my entire life."

"That's more like it," Mike scrambled around the kitchen adding various toppings to his waffle. Duncan watched him quietly.

Look at him go…How does he stay so care-free? Unless he's covering up for something. He was anxious earlier, but ever since yesterday, or maybe the day before, at that boat race, he's appeared to be fine. Being in the caves didn't freak him out. He even threatened to beat up Scott- that was so awesome. So why the change?

"Alright, here we go," Mike stared at his waffle with a hungry look in his eyes. He had piled on an assortment of fruit, syrup, and whipped cream.

"I think a bite of that would kill me."

"'S good," Mike managed to say through a mouthful of waffle. Duncan wrinkled his nose at him. He noticed the remaining waffle on the plate that Chef had left behind.

"Are you gonna eat the last one?"

"Zoey."

"Awe, that's cute. Bringing her breakfast. You're such a gentleman."

"Shut up," Mike finished the rest of his waffle and smiled. "We should head back," he grabbed the plate with the remaining waffle and stood up.

"You're not gonna decorate it? Cut up some strawberries, maybe make a heart?"

"Duncan."

"Fine, fine," he stood up. "I was just throwing it out there. We should get going."

Mike slowly opened the door leading from the kitchen to the rest of the house. He peered outside.

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure they aren't out there."

"The interns? Don't worry about those guys."

"Really? Are you gonna fight them off for me?"

"Yeah, right. You can do that."

"Exactly."

Back in the girl's cabin, the contestants were getting ready to start their day.

"Hmm," Gwen looked in a small, handheld mirror. "I can't wait to dye my hair after this."

"What color?" Heather was putting on mascara.

"I don't know…" Gwen looked over at Zoey. "Maybe like yours? Red streaks? That could be fun."

She's definitely my favorite.

"Oh!" Zoey smiled. "Yeah, that would be fun."

"But actually," Gwen continued. "I might let it grow out and keep it natural for a bit. Courtney, you should dye yours."

"No."

"What if I did it for you?"

"Absolutely not."

"Alright, campers!" Chris' voice echoed throughout the island. "Get ready, because- dammit…Chef, hang up the phone! We'll deal with it later!...Anyways, meet me outside for your next challenge!"

"Well," Gwen sighed. "We better get going."

She led the girls outside, where Scott and Cameron were standing there awkwardly.

I don't know what those two would even talk about…

Scott gave a breath of relief when he saw Courtney.

"Hey," he smiled.

Meanwhile, Zoey walked over to Cameron.

He was so nervous last night…

"Good morning, Zoey."

"Morning," she greeted her friend. "Where's-"

"With Duncan. Getting breakfast."

"Oh. Well, how did last night go?"

"Well, I guess it was fine."

"Fine?"

He looks a little tired.

"Yup."

"So," she lowered her voice, "no 'evil alter?'" She smiled.

Cameron didn't smile back.

"Cam, that was a joke-"

"I know."

What's bothering him now?

"You're sure you're alright?"

"Hmm," he looked away for a moment. "Yeah. I'm alright. Don't worry."

"Ok," she nodded slowly. "If you're sure."

"Hey guys!" Mike called out to Zoey and Cameron. They looked up to see him walking out of the woods holding a plate, Duncan alongside him.

"Oh, hey!" Zoey waved.

"Brought you something," he gave her the plate.

She took off the cover to reveal a perfectly made waffle.

"Um," he chuckled. "It might be kind of cold. Sorry."

"That's alright," she smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Ah, Cameron," Mike smiled. "Sorry, I would have brought you one, but Chef only gave us three, so…"

"Don't worry about it," Cameron barely reacted.

"Um, alright," Mike glanced at Zoey, who was equally as confused.

Hmm, strange.

"Listen up, campers!" Chris' voice boomed from nearby. He appeared in the distance, holding a megaphone. "For this week's challenge," he began to walk closer, "you'll be competing in-" his cellphone started to ring in his pocket. He quickly took his phone, flipped it open, and flipped it closed without looking to see who called. "Anyways, ignore that. Today, well, let's just say we have something…fun. Hehe."