It was sunset. After swimming frantically away from a fierce volcanic explosion, the contestants were in need a place to rest. Fortunately, a boat had come for them and steered them toward the infamous Camp Wawanakwa. All except for Heather and Alejandro, who were taken by helicopter to a hospital. The latter especially needed urgent care after receiving burns from the eruption, and injuries from his fall.
The rest of the teens ambled around the camp, recollecting all of what they went through during their time on Total Drama Island just two seasons prior. Sierra was thrilled beyond belief that she had the opportunity to explore the very place where the Total Drama series began. Tyler and Lindsay went to the communal bathroom, recalling that it was the very place where they had their first make out session before proceeding to have, yet, another in the same spot. Owen crept into the Mess Hall to see if any food remained, remembering just how "delicious" it was.
While the young competitors revealed their most delightful memories to each other, depressing ones lingered over two lonesome teenagers.
With her head hung low, Courtney sauntered onto the dock and sat at the edge of it. She, too, had her own memories in mind, which revolved around a certain juvenile delinquent. It was difficult to not think of their first kiss, their "alleged cuddling", or helping each other with their fears while in the very place that each of these memories occurred. The more she remembered, the more she could feel her heart shatter.
Tears slipped down her tawny face and trickled into the water beneath her. She could see her reflection on the water's surface, and she was displeased by what she saw.
Only now did Courtney feel guilty over the things she had done in the past, even though in her mind, most of it wasn't her fault. It was this show's fault. The competition got to her head, and in the end, she just wanted to win. If not for this competition, she wouldn't have met Duncan, and she would never have gone through this pain. She would've never been betrayed by the one girl she was closest to in the show. While Courtney knew Gwen played a vital role in ruining her relationship with Duncan, the former CIT knew that she too played a part in her relationship's demise.
Trent sat on the opposite side of the dock, completely unaware of Courtney's presence. He began reminiscing his relationship with Gwen. It was here that he experienced love at first sight when first laying eyes on Gwen. She had such a mysterious look and vibe to her that made him yearn to learn more about her. He thought of when he would sneak Gwen a muffin, their first kiss, the song he played for Gwen during the talent show, and other now painful memories. Sure, Trent managed to date a couple of different girls after Gwen, but they just weren't the same as she. There was no emotion, no chemistry, nothing. Just another way to try to get over the goth beauty.
The sound of a sniffle caused Trent to snap out of his musings. He looked back, spotting Courtney. She appeared to be just as sad as he was.
Rubbing his neck, Trent stared sorrowfully at the girl. He had a hunch as to what she was crying about. After all, Trent wasn't the only one to experience heart break. In fact, it seemed as though they were hurt similarly by the same people. It was almost as if a light turned on in Trent's head. All this time, he had no idea that someone else was going through the same pain as him. How did he not think of this sooner?
Running a hand through his hair, Trent rose from his spot and approached Courtney from behind. Part of him felt guilty over wanting to interrupt her, but he couldn't ignore what he was feeling. He had to talk to her. He had to let her know that she wasn't alone.
As Courtney let out a soft sigh, she jumped when she thought she heard a creak on the wood. Looking up, her onyx eyes widened when she found Trent standing over her. "Trent?" Courtney swiftly wiped away her tears. "W-What are you doing here?"
"I didn't mean to scare you," Trent said, holding his hands up in front of him. The guilt inside him only intensified.
"No, you're fine. I-I just didn't expect you to be here. Or anyone, for that matter." Courtney hung her head as she folded her hands into her lap. "Most people tend to avoid me nowadays."
"Well, I won't avoid you." Trent glanced at an empty spot beside her. "Uh, mind if I join you?"
It took a moment before Courtney answered by saying, "Sure."
The two sat in silence, both gazing into the water. Neither were sure of what they wanted to say. Courtney wasn't expecting any company. She hoped to let out her feelings in solitude before heading to bed. Though, she wasn't in a rush to get to her cabin. She would most likely be stared down by the other girls occupying it, and she'd have to awkwardly walk by them just so she could get to her bed. Perhaps she would need to sleep with one eye open tonight.
As for Trent, he wasn't sure if Courtney was aware of his problems like he was aware of hers. He didn't want to assume. That didn't matter so much, though. He didn't want this poor girl to feel alone. Somehow, Trent had to get through to her.
Breaking the long silence, Trent said quietly, "Gwen hurt you, didn't she?"
Courtney bit her lip, trying to hold back more tears from falling out of her eyes. Her fingers gripped the wood beneath her.
"She hurt me too," Trent continued, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've at least had a couple of chances to move on, but I can see you didn't get to move on past Duncan. It's okay to be upset. In fact, I'm on the same page as you. I think we both knew that Duncan and Gwen liked each other from the start, but we hoped to change their minds. It was one thing to have Gwen hanging out with Duncan more than me in season two, but to have Duncan kiss her behind your back..." He sighed. "I was hurt over seeing their kiss on TV, but I think I was more hurt for you."
"You felt bad for me?" Courtney asked as she turned to him, a look of shock on her face. "I thought you would say that I deserved to get cheated on. Everyone else seems to think so."
"Courtney, no one deserves to have their heart broken." Trent reached out, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Everyone deserves love, especially you."
"It's too late for me now, I'm afraid," she replied, turning her body away from him once more. "I bet everyone thinks I'm just some big uptight jerk with an icy heart. Psh, they might as well just call me Heather instead of Courtney."
Trent felt an over abundance of sympathy for Courtney. Here was a girl who knew the same pain he was enduring. He watched her compete in the seasons after TDI. Courtney had a great deal of determination. When she wanted something, she did all she could to obtain it. That quality was something Trent admired about her. He didn't see that determination now. What he saw was a girl who completely gave up hope. A girl who underwent through so much that now all she wanted was to hold up a white flag, admitting defeat. This certainly was not the Courtney he knew.
As a stray tear slid down Courtney's cheek, Trent reached out and wiped it away with his thumb. "I know you'll find someone someday, Courtney. I know you will."
Courtney's dark eyes glistened as she gazed into Trent's glistening green eyes. She began feeling something inside. Something she hadn't felt for what she thought was forever. It was that tingly feeling she felt when she was with Duncan.
Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, Courtney smiled slightly while glancing away from him. "How could Gwen dump you, Trent? You're so caring, and talented, and smart, and you can make any girl smile. Just look at me now. I was on the verge of crying like a baby before you came along."
"I don't know," he replied with a shrug. "She just doesn't know what she's missing, I guess. But..." Trent rubbed his arm, blushing. "I gotta say that any guy that doesn't find you pretty must be crazy."
Courtney giggled, covering her pink cheeks with her hands. She looked up at him once more, her hands slowly falling onto her lap. Her eyes drooped as she then reached out and held his hands in her own. "Y'know, maybe it's a good thing that we were hurt by them. Because now..." Courtney gently cupped Trent's face into her hands. "We can heal each other."
Before Trent could react, Courtney's lips were on his. Compared to his first kiss with Gwen, this was a much more gentle, sweet kiss. No tongue, either. It was funny to him how both these kisses started off the same, with each girl pulling him to them. Only in this instance, he felt something stronger. He knew that he was kissing someone who knew his pain, and wanted to help him heal just as much as he wanted to help her. With this in mind, Trent's hands slowly lifted to rest on top of Courtney's, and he closed his eyes.
Moments after, the pair pulled away. They each let out little nervous laughs, while also looking away from each other. "T-This is crazy," Courtney said, biting down on her lip. "Yet, it feels so right. Does that make sense?"
"It makes a whole world of sense to me right now," Trent said softly, smiling lovingly in her direction. The way the setting sun shined on her made her look more radiant.
The sweet tone of Trent's voice caused her to look toward him again. She smiled sweetly, resting a hand on his. "Trent, if only I knew sooner that you were suffering as much as I was. I would've wanted to..."
The Type A was cut off when Trent's lips were pressed against hers. It was his turn to initiate a kiss. Rather, it was a quick little peck, but a kiss nonetheless. As he pulled away, he said, "Let's leave all that behind us, okay? What matters is that we have each other now. They don't matter anymore."
"Okay," Courtney replied, smiling dreamily.
The pair stayed together on the dock, even when the sun had set to make way for the moon. They leaned into each other as they watched the stars, ignoring any passersby who gave them a questionable glance.
"Hey, look!" Trent shouted as he pointed up at the darkened sky.
Traveling across the sky was a shooting star. The couple turned to each other, both aware of what they were supposed to do. Courtney closed her eyes, making a wish inside her head. Trent, however, did no such thing. He sat and watched Courtney with an amused grin.
"Did you make a wish, Trent?" Courtney asked upon opening her eyes.
Trent simply shrugged. "Why bother when my wish already came true?"
"Oh. What was your wish, then?"
"To find my dream girl."
Courtney cooed as she pressed herself against his chest, nuzzling her head beneath his chin. "I honestly never thought I'd be able to feel this way again. I thought I was destined to be alone for the rest of my life."
"You got me now, Courtney. You'll never have to worry about being hurt again. I promise," Trent assured her as he stroked her brunette hair.
"I trust your word," she replied, cupping his cheek. "As long as you won't go around kissing other girls."
Trent gazed at her with a lax, loving grin. "The only girl I wanna kiss is you, Courtney." Being true to his word, the guitar player went in for another kiss.
To think just hours ago, this island brought only sad, painful memories for Trent and Courtney. They were both eager to be away from this place. Now, they were making new, happier memories. The best part was that they were making these memories together.