Cody was a terrible driver. Holding the ceiling handle for dear life, Heather shrieked as they rounded a corner.
"How the fuck did you afford a car this nice but not driving lessons"
"My parents were trying to make up for forgetting about my birthday" Cody turned to face her, rolling his eyes "you know how I menti-"
"EYES ON THE ROAD" Heather screamed, watching with fear as they narrowly avoided collision with a tree. "Jesus Christ Cody, I am never letting you drive again"
"You don't have a licence. You're on your permit still"
"I was kinda busy getting robbed of my well-deserved million dollars" She quipped, visibly relaxing when they pulled into the mall parking lot. "I didn't have time"
"The last season you were on ended two years ago Heather"
"And you had twice that to learn how to drive after your last season"
"Touché"
"Watch for the pole-!" She yelled, tensing again, shielding her eyes as Cody almost took out his left mirror. "You're a menace"
"At least you don't have to take the bus"
"I'd think I'd rather walk home"
The mall was busy, hundreds of people bustling in and out of stores. The pair had found a small table in the centre of the food court, Heather taking the opportunity to relax after enduring Cody's driving.
"So, where do you want to go first?" Heather asked, arching an eyebrow at her friend.
"Uh, I'm not really sure- I want a new look, not something like this. Something cool" Cody said, gesturing to his outfit.
Heather looked him up and down, taking in the mess his current outfit was. He looked like a two year old had picked out his outfit- loud, clashing colours, contrasting patterns, complete with a pair of bright green crocs.
"Yeah, I can see why." she deadpanned, smirking at his feigned offence to her quip.
The pair quickly finished their frozen yogurt, Heather fussing over the leftover strawberry swirl that Cody had managed to spill on his collar. Dragging him through the mall, Heather craned over the crowd, using her height advantage to guide Cody through the masses of people congregating at various displays.
Pulling him into a shoe shop, Heather declared that the first thing to go were 'those god forsaken crocs'. Picking out a mass of items for him to try, they bounced from store to store, Heather throwing boots, belts and any accessory that she deemed fit his way.
They'd been at it for hours, having made several trips to the car to stow Cody's (and Heather's) new clothes. They were about halfway through the game plan Heather had created, finding themselves in the dressing room of a large department stores, Heather throwing items over the top of the store while Cody tried them on.
"I wanted a cool, put-together look. Isn't this a bit bland?" Cody asked, opening the stall door.
"Okay, first of all basics are essential to any wardrobe. You can't wear a glitter and crop tops the whole time" Heather shook her head, adjusting his outfit. "Secondly, you're wearing it wrong, here- give me that"
Turning to face the mirror, he stepped back- taking in the outfit. It was only a simple t-shirt and black jeans, but somehow Heather had picked his size perfectly. It made him look somewhat taller (although not much, Heather still towered over him) and gave his lanky body some definition.
"It's actually, perfect…" Turning around, he threw his arms around Heather "You're a genius"
"Oh I know." peeling her friend off of her neck with a smile, she shoved him back into the stall with another armful of clothes.
"Thanks for this, really- I'd be lost without your help"
"You don't need to apologise, dumbass. What are friends for?" Heather laughed, absentmindedly filing her nails. "What inspired you to revamp your look anyway?"
The sound of coathangers- and then Cody hitting the floor came from the stall, Heather looked up in concern.
"You okay in there?" she asked with a giggle, realising he'd tripped over..
"Yeah, um. Yeah I'm fine." he stammered nervously, picking himself up and unlocking the stall. "Heather I need to tell you something"
Cody's serious tone sobering her laughter, her nonchalant grin softening into a look of concern. He stared at her, hands shaking and nervously tugging at his sleeves. Several seconds passed, tears welling in the corner of his eyes. Heather stood and took a step towards her friend, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"What's up kid?" she whispered, wiping a stray tear that had begun to roll down his cheek
Taking a deep breath, Cody looked her in the eyes. "Heather, I'm Bisexual"
"Oh Cody…" Pulling him into a hug, she held him close and tight, resting her chin on top of his head."Thanks for telling me" she murmured after a while.
From his nervous demeanour towards the situation, he'd clearly been holding onto this for a while, and as a result was fretting about the reactions he'd get when he came out. Heather felt relieved herself- she had sensed something was off, and even though her friend was crying in the middle of a shopping centre- she could tell a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Hugging her tighter, Cody mumbled a thanks into her shoulder with a sniffle, and Heather held back tears, not wanting her mascara to run in a H&M dressing room- let alone be seen crying in public.
The moment was broken by the dressing room attendant rudely clearing her throat- mumbling something about them taking too long. Not wanting to call any attention to her failed attempt to remain stoic, Heather gathered the clothes from the dressing room, following her friend with a small smile.
Shortly after, the pair found themselves seated at a small cafe, Heather picking at a bowl of fries and leaning back into her chair, watching Cody slurp down his fourth milkshake (which was inevitably a terrible decision, considering he was lactose intolerant).
"You know," Heather said, thinking before continuing. "I always thought you radiated huge bi energy, even back in the competition."
"Oh?"
"I think the heart eyes you constantly had for Alejandro towards the end there gave it away" She smirked, laughing as strawberry milk poured out of his nose.
Taking the napkin offered, Cody spluttered trying to make up an excuse whilst cleaning up the drink he'd managed to cover himself, the table and his food with. " I-I uh, well yes, but-"
"Save it, Cody. You don't need to explain it. You aren't- weren't the only one who fell for his antics, glossy hair and chiseled jawline-" She trailed off, causing her friend to laugh at her dreamy expression. "No! What am I saying?! Oh yeah, others fell for his bullshit too, not just you."
"Including yourself?" Cody questioned
"What? No! Shut up. If anything, he fell for me." Throwing a fry at Cody, She grabbed her drink and took a sip, desperately trying to hide the blush creeping onto her face.
"Anyway, it didn't matter how I looked at him- he only had eyes for you. Still does, how are things going there anyway? Did you two finally kiss and makeup?"
"What is that supposed to mean" She asked
"Don't think I haven't noticed your sudden obsessions with turtlenecks. Or the 'bruises' poking out from beneath them. Not to mention everyone saw you two getting cosy last weekend after laser tag, or-"
"Enough" Heather groaned, dragging out the word as she rested her head on the table. "I get it. But last weekend was a drunken mistake. I'm through with him"
"I think you're lying to yourself"
"Shut up Cody" She said, sitting up and throwing another fry at him.
"Stop throwing your food at me!"
"ANYWAY, moving on. Is the style revamp just because you've come to your senses? Or is there a certain someone you've got your eye on?"
"Um, well a bit of both"
"Oh my . Way. Who?! Do I know them? Is it someone in one of your classes? Or is it someone from the show?" Heather rattled off, watching a blush creeping up Cody's face, which he desperately tried (and failed) to hide. "Holy shit. It is someone from the show"
"Uh, yeah"
"Who? Is it Alejandro? While I don't blame you- stay away from that creep. Noah? Harold? No, wait. You've got a type. Hm. DJ?"
"Stop, It's none of them. I'll tell you who it is. Just chill"
Heather paused, cleaning up the coffee she had spilt in her excitement. "Who then?"
"It's uh, Trent"
"Oh. My. God." Heather repeated, jaw dropping. "That is SO cute. Holy fuck. Have you told him?!"
"No, I'm just going to stew in my feelings and pine after him longingly from a distance"
"Cody you can't-"
"Holy shit- you're Heather and Cody from Total Drama" Taken aback, the pair looked at the short dark haired girl addressing them.
Heather rubbed her eyes in exasperation, muttering in frustration.
"Uh yeah, that us. Hi!" Cody grinned cheerily, shooting a sideways look at Heather
"Oh, yeah. Hello, How's it going?"
"Awesome! I can't believe it's actually you! You were so mean on the show!"
"Um, thanks I guess…" Trailing off, she looked at her friend, silently crying for help.
"So, what's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Rachel. So are you guys, like actually friends?"
"Yeah, we are" Cody said, forcing a smile, clearly growing impatient with the girl's chatter
"Oh cool. Can I have a selfie?"
Annoyed, Heather agreed to the photo, grimacing slightly as the teen put her arm on Heather's shoulder.
They left quickly after Rachel stopped bugging them, Heather concerned another 'fan' would find them. Gripping the handle as Cody turned into the long, expansive driveway, she winced as he hit the gutter, bracing for the impact as the wheel scraped against the concrete.
As soon as Cody put the car in park, Heather leapt out of the car, glad they had survived the short drive home.
"Heather, stop being so dramatic, I'm not that bad at driving"
"Cody, you almost hit three other cars and took down a bunch of shrubbery before you'd even left the parking lot."
"Just help me with these bags" He said with a grumble, shaking his head.