With the pre-merge out of the way, let's take a break before the Brunch. Thanks for reviewing, OmniIBIBUltraInstinctGodzilla, lordgemini and Gucci Mane LaFlare.

Bridgette had figured out my feelings the second I left, before Leshawna had even reached the end of the dock. She'd come after me.

"You knew it might not happen," she pointed out gently. "Now you can move on and find someone else. It's not easy, but at least you know now."

"Yeah, I know." I sighed. "I suppose you figured it out, who I was crushing on all this time."

"I figured you'd tell me if you wanted to," Bridgette answered. "I sort of guessed a couple of days ago, when we were all hanging out together with those snacks. I'd known for a while it was someone on that team, but I hadn't known who until then."

I did cry a bit, but Bridgette sat with me until I had gotten everything out.

"Sorry," I sniffed. "I didn't mean to do that. Thanks for letting me cry all over you."

"What are friends for?" Bridgette smiled.

Anyway, I got even better news the very next day, which was a break. Gwen hung out with Bridgette and I again for a while, and she told us. "I'm not sure what that kiss was about last night," she said, "But Leshawna told me this morning that she's worried she gave Harold the wrong message. She likes him a lot, but she doesn't want to be with him that way. It's a shame, because I think he really liked her, but if she doesn't want it, I guess that's her choice."

Bridgette nudged me. "I think some people think that's good news," she said jokingly.

Gwen looked at me, too. I must have looked anxious. "Don't worry," she said, "I sort of guessed that, with all the blushing yesterday. And it's not a big deal, unless you want to make it one."

"No, I don't." I muttered. "I just didn't want to get kicked out if people on here hated gays."

"Well, people who do can go to hell." Gwen said casually. "Who cares? You are who you are." She smiled. "And I know you're sort of shy and quiet, but you seem like fun, too."

I laughed. "Thanks. You know what? I actually thought you were scary when I first arrived, but I was totally wrong. You're nice, and you're cool."

Gwen laughed. "You mean because of my makeup and clothes? I get that all the time. But I'm glad you've changed your mind about me being the scary goth girl who's super dangerous."

I managed a shy smile. "I know I shouldn't have judged everyone when I got here, but it was sort of instinctive. I'm shallow, if you hadn't worked it out from all the makeup I wear."

We all laughed at that, and any tension I'd felt after that was gone. We chatted for a few minutes, then I said "I just realized. There's only ten of us left. And only four of us Bass and six of you guys. Does that mean the teams will be dissolving soon?"

The other girls looked serious. "I guess," Bridgette said quietly. "I'm not sure how to feel. I mean, I made it this far…but that means it's going to get more serious. I'm not sure I'm ready."

"I didn't even think I'd get this far," Gwen admitted. "I only signed up for this because my brother dared me to. I didn't even think I'd get in. Then I did, and…well, I won't lie, this game and the island sucks, but at least I've made a few friends. Still, by this point, only the hundred grand could make me sleep in the same room as Heather."

"What's it like?" I asked. "I mean, I know how mean she can be, but I only really see her during challenges. I can't imagine living in the same room."

"Nightmare," Gwen said bluntly. "She and Lindsay share a bunk, and it's painful seeing how badly Heather treats her. She and Leshawna argue a lot, too. I try to stay out of it, but she likes trying to pull me into the conflict. If she does, Leshawna sticks up for me as well, and that just makes things worse. And the thing is, Heather's figured out that Leshawna is more likely to get hurt if she hurts someone else she cares about, so since we're friends, she seems to think I'm a weak link and goes after me instead."

"Didn't you dump Harold's ants into her bed after she read your diary?" I asked, frowning. "How does that make you a weak link?"

"Don't ask me," Gwen shrugged, "But that's why she ripped my skirt off after Leshawna locked her in the fridge."

Another thought struck me. "I just thought. Just because I still have a chance…maybe…it doesn't mean I ever had one to begin with. Leshawna is clearly into guys. No law says she has to be bi."

Gwen smiled. "Well, that's where I could help, if you like," she said. "No promises, but I can try to find out for you."

I grinned back. "Really? I'll owe you one if you do that. Especially if it has something to do with your love life."

Gwen looked as if she was ready to close up, but Bridgette laughed. "Seriously, Gwen, everyone can see it. Don't look so scared. I'm not afraid to tell anyone that next time I see Geoff, I'm not going to waste any time letting him know how I feel. Trent's been crushing on you for ages – I've been wondering why you won't just say it."

"Give me a break!" Gwen said defensively. "The dude left me buried alive on the beach!"

"Because a mime freaked him out," I pointed out. "Does he know you're still mad at him for that?"

Gwen's face softened, and she sighed. "I'm not really. I just don't know what I want to do yet. Thinking about what he did gives me some time to decide what I want."

I readjusted my thoughts towards Gwen for the thousandth time. Not only did was she nice and cool underneath the goth-girl exterior, she was also a bit vulnerable. I got the feeling she was afraid to enter a relationship in case she got hurt. While I didn't think Trent would do anything to hurt her, I didn't know him that well. Anyway, it wasn't my place to tell her so. She had to decide whether her feelings or fears were more important.

As for me, I was just lucky that Gwen seemed supportive of me wanting to date her friend, even offering to find out if I had any chance. It made me feel like there was still a chance.

Well, just a short chapter to show evidence that Gwen and Bridgette are friends, which means Peyton is brought into the fold, due to her friendship with Bridgette. I always planned for Peyton to originally misjudge Gwen and eventually realize that she was actually a lot more approachable than she appeared at first, but their friendship was started a little earlier than I planned. And as for the "Heather attacks Gwen for what Leshawna did" bit…well, I was trying to figure out why she blamed Gwen for Leshawna locking her in the fridge when she wasn't involved. It also explains why she never goes after Leshawna for revenge, just Gwen, although I think she also does it because she's afraid of Leshawna and doesn't expect Gwen to go as far with revenge. Although, she probably regrets it, since guess who decides to avenge Gwen on her behalf?