Episode 144---Chosen

"And so anyway, I knew I was going to do well in the science fair, but I really didn't expect to win---I was really surprised, I was sure my friend Melvin was going to, but then his robot wound up exploding, and..."

Sadie nodding, listening---or at least half-listening---as the two ate their lunch together, the sights and sounds of Playa des Losers all around them. It was so nice to be back here, she thought, especially without any challenges to do or anything---maybe Chris really hadn't been plotting anything evil with his Total Drama Reunion idea. And it was great to be with Cody again, they had only managed to see each other a few times since the shows had ended. She was having such a good time she didn't even feel bad about how much she missed Katie (who was all the way inside the resort, making out with Zeke in a broom closet).

"And anyway, now I get to go to the Provincial Science Faire in Winnipeg next month---I'm really excited, I mean, I'm sure I won't win or anything, but…"

Cody didn't notice as Sadie's eyes went wide and her muscles tensed; Gwen had just run by their table, in her bathing suit, and a moment later Trent ran after her. The two laughed as he grabbed her around the middle, lifting her slightly into the air. Sadie tensed, waiting for a reaction from Cody…

Cody didn't give any. Even with the couple standing only a few feet behind her, laughing loudly and clearly in his line of sight, Cody kept his eyes on Sadie, seemingly oblivious to their existence.

Sadie boggled at this for a moment. Was Cody ignoring Gwen? That couldn't be…granted, Cody had (at least claimed to have) given up on winning her, but Sadie had assumed that the crush was still there. And now, when she runs by, he just fails to notice, because---what? He was too busy talking to her?

"Sadie?"

"Huh?"

She snapped out of her reverie. Cody was frowning at her. "You're being kind of quiet. Are you okay?"

"Oh…yeah, fine."

"Okay, cool. So, uh…what have you been up to since the last time we saw each other?"

"Oh, well…"

Sadie began to talk about her and Katie's latest exploits, and Cody nodded, listening---or at least half-listening---while eating his lunch. He grinned up at her---he loved listening to her, even when she was talking about something he didn't care about, she was just so animated. She was just discussing the tenth time she and Katie had hung out at the mall, and somehow making it sound fascinating, when Cody's eyes went wide and his muscles tensed, just as Justin walked by the table.

He was just as handsome as ever, and he had his shirt off for some reason, though he was wearing long pants and even his shoes (but hey, this was Justin). Cody tensed, waiting for a reaction from Sadie…

Sadie didn't give any. Even as the handsome model was standing only a few feet behind him, taking hors d'ouvres from one of the waiters and clearly in her line of sight, Sadie kept her eyes on Cody, seemingly oblivious to his existence.

Cody boggled at this for a moment. Was Sadie ignoring Justin? That couldn't be…granted, Sadie had (at least claimed to have) given up on getting him to notice her, but Cody had assumed that the crush was still there. And now, when he walks by, she just fails to notice, because---what? She was too busy talking to him?

"Cody? Are you listening?"

"Whuh? Uh---yeah, sorry."

The two finished their meal, talking and laughing about their recent exploits. When they were done, they decided to go inside and see if they could find Ezekiel and Katie. As they walked through the rows of chairs, they both suddenly saw Justin laying in one, sunglasses on his face, while Gwen lay on her stomach in the one next to him, Trent on her other side.

Cody watched Sadie carefully as they passed between the two. Sadie, however, was only looking at him---watching to see if he would look at Gwen.

When they had passed them, Sadie suddenly sighed and laid her head on Cody's shoulder. "Cody?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm so happy you chose me."

He gave a gaptoothed grin. "Right back at'cha."

Yeah...unlike the other chapters, this one wasn't randomly chosen, I picked this title (the last Buffy episode) just because I wanted the end to be fluffy instead of full of angst. Anyway, hope you've all enjoyed this story, and please be on the lookout for my others---I'll probably be posting a new one tonight or tomorrow. Oh, and review, of course. Thanks for reading! :-D