Chapter 2

"Alright guys we land in less than thirty minutes. After we get off the plane we will meet Heather at the restaurant. I have good news and bad news." Courtney said rubbing her temples letting her chocolate strands fall near her face. Her attire was casual. A creme sweater with silk hunter green shorts tied in a bow in the front, she wore creme pumps as well. Her mocha legs glistened as she shook her foot nervously. Sitting the her first class seat, she was jotting down notes on her tablet. "Which one First?"

After everyone shared a few glances, Bridgette finally said they wanted to hear the bad news first. Their eyes looked to Courtney with confusion and a hint of hope.

"We lost Leno. It seems our P.R. agents thought that he wasnt worth our time." She shook her head in amusement. It was typical Heather and Alejandro. They never believed anything was worth their time. Making great Publicists and Relations Managers, the dynamic duo had just what it took to persuade the public eye, and Courtney had a haunch it came for years of experience in manipulation on Total Drama. Nevertheless, they were perfect for the job and each other.

"On the other hand, we were booked on the Ellen Degenres Show which is such a better deal." Looking at the faces around her, she decided to explain. "Majorily female viewers rule the Ellen fanbase. What do females love more than free things and baby animals? Hot young eye candy, and what's better than that?"

"Hot young eye candy with talent!" Trent exclaimed fist bumping with the others.

"Speaking of which, we need to have a little talk with our stylists."

"I'll give Lindsay and Justin a call then email them." Bridgette chimed in. "It would be even better if you talk Justin." She giggled when Courtney rolled her eyes.

After landing, Bridgette, DJ, and Geoff went to a luncheon with their Public Relations Specialists. Meanwhile, Courtney, Trent, and Duncan took a trip to the stylists.

"Hello half of Kings of Wawa. I hope that the news has found you. I must say you look amazing as always, Bridgette." Looking at Bridgette's leggy yellow dress(that Courtney had to practically force her to wear), blue scarf,and golden sandals, Alejandro cooed before Heather roughly elbowed him in the side. "But never as lovely as my vile and beautiful rose full of thorns." They took their seats in one of the private booths of the restaurant.

"Here's the deal," Still as cuthroat as she was when she was younger, Heather began. "It is just a simple interview and performance. You choose one song, and make it something appealing. If you get uncomfortable during the interview, just take a sip of the water from the mugs she will give you. Always look to each other before answering. It shows that you care for each other. Do not spill any details about your actual relationships. You want to appear as availible and approachable as possible. Flirt with Ellen alot. Any questions?"

"But Ellen is a Lesbian." Geoff scratched his head.

"We want you to seem subtly cocky by implying that you could turn her out." Alejandro added. Their meals arrived shortly. No one realized they order until Heather told them she ordered ahead of time. They continued their meal enjoying the company.

For some reason, Courtney was seriously dreading the meet with their stylists. On the outside, she played it cool, but inside she was hoping Justin still didn't harbor a grudge for her awful behavior towards him in the past. She wasn't even notified that Lindsay recruited Justin as a partner. However, aside from all of the inner turmoil, she walked into the two story studio loft with a smile on her face and business on the mind.

It was one of the nicest buildings she had seen so far. Upon entering, she enjoyed the cozy chic feel to it. When lindsay stepped out, she immediately ran up to Trent.

"Hi Tyler I missed you." She said wrapping her arms around him and bringing him close. Her large breasts were pressed against his chest as she hugged him. She wore skin tight black leggings with a cropped lacy white halter that was slightly covered by a long sky blue cardigan that matched her blue cowboy boots. Her long blonde tresses swaying as she moved.

"Uh sorry to dissapoint ya, doll, but that isnt-" Duncan started but was cut off by Courtney's foot connecting with his calf nearly making him fall. Instead, he leaned on her for support. "Look at what you did, princess. I should have you make it up to me." For the slightest second, he swore he saw her cheeks tinge with a hint of red before she shoved him off of her.

"Lindsay, my name is Trent."

"That's what I said. Justin will be down in seconds he just wanted to freshen up." She guided them to clothing selections in the studio part of the loft. Trent was in the middle of changing when Lindsay decided to talk to Duncan.

"So have to talked to Kelsie about loving her."

"What? I'm assuming you mean Courtney, and no. I don't love her."

"What about you being nearly obsessed with her and wanting her to be jealous of you and Goldie?"

"Gwen!" he nearly screamed. "I don't like Courtney, Lindsay."

"I know you don't like her, but you do love her." she whispered. Duncan looked at her stunned. He didn't say a word just watched the look of satisfaction that crossed her face. When the hell did Lindsay ever make sense? How did she learn how to read people like that?

It took some time, but they finally made their decision with Trent. He replaced his clothing and took a seat at the bar next to Courtney. She and him became engrossed in a conversation about which song to sing when a hand crept onto her shoulder. She turned quickly to see a tall, dark, and handsome man with a set of glittering blue eyes looking down at her.

"Hi Justin." she whispered.

"Hello Courtney. I see you still look beautiful. I want to let you know that I forgive you for your actions in the past. I'm sure that's why you're so tense right now." He chuckled at her rigid frame.

"I'm sorry. I haven't fully mended all of the disasters of Total Drama." Trent obviously abandoned his conversation with her and didnt want to talk to Lindsay. He was at a loss. He took the time to just walk around aimlessly.

"Is he still one of those?" Justin gestured with his head. She didn't have to turn her head to see who he was speaking of, but she did anyway. The scowl written across the green haired man in question's face was strong and clear.

"Yeah, I guess so." She fingered the bow on her shorts uncomfortably.
"Well consider this lose end tied." He smiled nudging her knee. The model turned stylist walked over to Lindsay and Duncan making some minor changes to his attire. Soon, Courtney and Trent joined.

"I like the blue it brings out his eyes." Courtney added. "It will make him more appealing to everyone."

"Yes, I will add little touches to all wardrobes to bring out their eyes." Lindsay concluded. After arranging the items, they waited for the others to show up.

In all honesty, She felt a little better after her talk with Justin. They settled things, but he made her discover something else. She had not patched things up with Duncan completely. She had considered taking this job as a display of forgiveness, yet how could she forgive someone so easily.

She told herself that if her boyfriend cheated on she would never get back with him. That's why she never fought for him. There was never an excuse for cheating. However, for some reason, she wanted to excuse him. She knew the reason.

There were many reasons why she felt the way she did about him. The biggest one was the fact that he could do anything he put his mind to and that terrifies glanced over her shoulder to see him already looking at her. Damn, I hate when he reads my mind. She thought.

Flashback

There were a set of strong arms wrapped around her. She looked up and saw Duncan sleeping softly. She smiled to herself. He looked to sweet so sincere. His eyebrows were relaxed and he looked even more attractive than he did awake. She tightened her grip around his neck. she wanted to see his amazing eyes in this relaxed state. Those glowing orbs of teal looking right through her was something she loved to see.

Looking up, she saw him staring down at her with a sleepy smile. "I love your eyes, princess. I wouldn't give them up for the world." He whispered. Chills raced over her skin as he dropped a kiss on her lips. "I know you love mine too." He added. Damn, I hate when he reads my mind. She thought.

End Flashback

A sudden feeling washed over her. It almost made her sick from the anxiety swelling in the pit of her stomach. She looked at the ground trying to calm herself.

Duncan was reflecting on what Lindsay had said. Lindsay. It was true. He didn't like her. He loved her. He knew that, but the question was did she still love him? That answer terrifies him.

He began to walk towards her. Her body flushed as she noticed that familiar look in his eyes from repressed memories. Her breath quickened, and her heart thundered. Piercing Blues melted smoky onyx eyes. She felt her head spin as thoughts and memories she tried so hard to move from came crashing down on her nearly suffocating her. There was stinging in the back of her eyes that signaled tears to come, Almost as if on cue, Geoff and Bridgette came in. Courtney let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and stepped out the loft and onto the patio.

She was breathing hard and holding her chest and abdomen not realizing who stepped out with her.

"Princess, you okay?" He asked stepping towards her.

"No! Not you. Get away from me!" she screamed and then looked repelled at her own words. "Why did you do this? I can't- I..I" she looked at the ground holding herself. He walked up to her and held her to him. She just shook her head trying to shake him off, but he was not going to let her go. Not again.

The familiar warmth of his body only brought her more pain.

"I don't want to. I can't." she repeated over and over. Her body was shaking almost hysterically. She closed her eyes tight fighting it with all her might.

"You can't what, princess?" he whispered in her ear, hoping she would open up to him. He wanted the love that he always saw shining in her eyes. Now all he saw was fear and dread. If that couldn't crush him enough, her next words did the trick.

"I.. I don't want to- I can't... love you as much as I do."