Hello Total Drama fans! After a few months of waiting, I proudly present the next chapter of this most experimental of my Total Drama stories! But first I have a few things I'd like to say.

Firstly, I must give out a massive thank to those who have read, reviewed, favored, or are now following this story! You guys and girls are beyond awesome! :)

Secondly, I have to say; this chapter took me quite some time to finish, for reasons both directly and indirectly connected to it. The indirectly reasons came from my summer job and the other stories which I'm writing and/or helping write. But even so, it was the direct reasons that were the more daunting. And those were that I initially had great difficulty trying to imagine how Cody would view these events and because (unlike the previous chapter) this one had to be both from a character's point of view and yet also be happening in real time. Sorry for the long wait, guys and girls. I actually do feel really bad about not updating this story in so long.

One key reason for it is because the setting, during TDA outside of the film lot after Gwen's elimination, is so rich in potential just from the broad perspective alone! After all, with only a few minor tweaks to canon the following pieces are in place: all three people are in the same place, I don't need to worry about challenges or any other distractions from the romance, both girls have broken up with their boyfriends and her open to new possible choices, neither girl has the total high ground and is a easy choice for Cody, there are several possible villains ready to be used if needed, I love both pairings a lot, Noah and Izzy among others are there to be funny side characters, and there's no screen-hogging piece of crap Duncan! :) I truly hope I'm capable of making this story live up to that awesome potential.

I probably don't have to say this but I will anyway just so there's no confusion. This takes place at a large hotel where those not competing in Total Drama Action stay when they are not doing Aftermath episodes. Also, it is the day after the second TDA Aftermath episode, which we saw from Gwen's point of view, happened.

Anyway, here's the second chapter of A TDA Love Triangle with Betty, Cody, and Gwenny: Bras and Burdens

(Cody's POV)

Let's see, I think it was left, right, left, right? Or is that just part of the Konami code?

Come on Cody! Don't get distracted by video games, though some Contra would be nice right about now…no, no, focus! You've got to do this, as much as you don't want to. You have no real choice after how she was trashed during the Aftermath show yesterday.

Let's see, this is the seventh floor and after making the right hand turn the numbers are finally moving in the right direction. I wonder why Chris picked such a big hotel for us?

Don't get me wrong or anything! Its really nice and big, a lot better looking than that film lot, that's for sure! And they got these cookies covered with choco-FOCUS CODY!

Alright, let's see. 783, nope. 784, that's not it. 785, that's not it either. 786, getting warmer. 787, almost there. And here at long last is room 78…the end of the hallway!

Crap! That's how it always is! You walk all the way down to the end of the hallway and you to have to get keeping because the room you're looking for is down the next hallway.

This must be how Mario felt every time he was told Peach was in another castle. Oh, some Mario Bros. would be amazing and-DAMN IT, GROW A SPINE ALREADY!

Ok, relax Cody, you can do this man. And here we are…room 788, Gwen's room!

Now, just place it on the door handle and…oh, the doors' open a crack? Should I enter?

I knock on the door; feeling like doing so would get my hand chopped off. No answer.

"He-hello Gwen, are you there?" I weakly ask the barely opened door. Still no answer.

Um? She must not be here. Me asking in a louder voice yielded the same results. What should I do? I want to just leave and forget this but I know I can't. I have to do this.

If I want to help her, I have to do this. I know her well enough to know that she'll never trust me otherwise. But it feels so nice and…no, no…this isn't about you Cody. As good as it makes you feel, your feelings don't matter right now. It's hers that do, not yours.

Opening the slightly opened door as little as possible, I enter Gwen's room. I get chills. Part of me has longed to be in Gwen's room…and the other part is terrified of being caught in here. I remember what happened the last time I got Gwen very angry with me.

Paddle shots to my kiwis! I'm sure I'd get a whole lot worse if she caught me like this.

So, let's find where this likely goes and get out of here before she returns. Let's see, if I were Gwen, aside from being so beautiful and awesome, where would I put this thing? Probably in one of the drawers, near her bed. But which one? Maybe the top? Maybe the-

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?!"

I nearly jumped out my skin! And while I hate admitting it, a panicked yelp escaped me.

And it wasn't just because the voice was so earth shatteringly loud. What scared me even more was the fact that recognized the voice that was furious.

Slowly turning my head towards the doorway, my fears were proven correct. There was Gwen, her beautiful pale face and tranquil teal eyes now contorted into absolute wrath. Even more frightening, she had a bucket full of ice in one of her hands, explaining the slightly opened door; it must not have fully closed when she went to go get some ice.

I honestly didn't think it was possible but Gwen's angry stare actually intensified. I thought for sure that she was going to throw the heavy metal bucket right at my head.

"Cody! You're stealing my underwear?!" Gwen shouted as she stormed over to me.

In my panic, I didn't realize at first what she meant. But then, I remembered the object in my hands, the main reason I decided to come here in the first place…now regretting it. It wasn't until Gwen was about half way to me that I remember the black bra I was holding.

"No no no," I chanted, waving my hands in protest as if that would actually do anything. "This bra, this one, this is the one you gave me during Total Drama Island! I swear!"

Stopping right in front of me, Gwen simply stared directly at me just as intensely. I cringed. Any second that bucket was either going to be forced on my head or my kiwis!

Please God, let the bucket be smashed against my head!

But then, for some reason, Gwen's expression softened, even if only a little bit. Her face changed from total fury to mostly total fury tinged with some doubt. Without warning or taking her eyes off of mine, she swiped the black bra out of my hands, startling me.

Again, for some reason, she started looking at the tag. I would have been more curious about why exactly if I wasn't worried about the bucket of ice she was still tightly holding.

But then, her iron-like grip on the iron-like bucket handle (word play unintentional but taken anyway) loosened a bit. To my instant relief, I heard her let out a pent-up sigh.

"Okay, yeah, I marked the tag of this one, because I thought if I'd ever have to get it back, I'd have to wash it twice."

I knew I shouldn't have but I was so tense that I couldn't help but chuckle nervously.

"Well, you don't have to worry about that Gwen, I never did anything like that with that bra, I might be a bit of a horn dog but even I have standards. Why I remember when-"

Sorry for boring you but I sometimes have a tendency to ramble on when I'm nervous.

Thankfully for me, and you I guess, Gwen raised her hand, commanding me to stop.

"I get the point," Gwen says as she starts walking over to the drawers near her bed. She then opened and put the black bra in the…top drawer. Of course it was the top drawer! "You gave it back Cody. And actually clean, no less. Thank you. You can go now."

I nod my head, surging with pleasure at not having either head of mine smashed!

Uh…sorry for that crude humor. Hahaha…I swear, I'm not that perverted…honest! I'm only as perverted as the average teenage b-oh, that's not helping my argument, is it?

Anyway, I took a few steps towards the open door, grateful to be leaving uninjured. But then, something inside of me made me stop and turn around to face Gwen. Her face was superficially normal…but I could tell that just beneath that was a lot of sadness. I didn't like that, Gwen being sad. Despite my more logical parts telling me to go, I couldn't.

"Gwen, are you doing all right?"

My Dream Girl scoffed at that before saying, " Yeah right, like you care?"

That really hurt, but I had to do this anyway. Trying to look as sincere as possible, which I was, I simply said, "You know I do."

It was silent for a few seconds, but they felt a lot longer than that. So much longer! Even though she didn't say anything, her face told me all of what I needed to know. She didn't know that I didn't. She didn't trust me. Even after I set her up with Trent, she still didn't.

But in all fairness to her, I can understand why. I'll admit that my efforts on TDI were…excessive. True, I don't get why that would cause such distrust but I can't deny that is the main reason why. But regardless of the why, what matters is what I need to do.

Still looking at me, Gwen sat down on her bed. She continued looking for a few seconds, as if she were studying me. Her gaze was enchanting, but unrelenting. It was confusing.

"Cody," She finally said, in a voice softer than normal for her, "I assume you're going to try and ask me out or maybe just hit on me some more but I'd like to let you know right here and now: I'm still not interested. Not in dating, anyway."

"Yeah, I... figured you wouldn't be," I replied, poking my fingers together, a nervous tick of mine, as I reluctantly recognized that. Here it was, the moment of truth, the words that I both wanted and didn't want to say, "I actually, I just wanted to be your friend for now."

After having the words be harder to come out than I would have liked, there was silence.

"Pardon?" Was all that Gwen could say in reply, cocking one of those lovely eyebrows of hers.

"Well…uh, after all that has happened to you recently, I just wanted to help you out."

"Cody, I broke up with Trent and got voted off of this horrible show. No one died." Gwen says. Its unclear if she honestly thinks that or is just trying to get me to leave.

As the uncertainty of this was eating away at me, I found myself rocking on my feet, yet another nervous tick of mine. "Well yeah, I know that, but you've been really down ever since you got here."

"Don't I have a right to be!?" Gwen snapped.

"Yes, yes," I say, not realizing just how manically I was saying those words, "Of course you do, but-"

"Look Cody," Gwen says with a voice agitated as she cut me off again, "please don't take this personally, but I really don't want you hanging over me. I'm fine, I'm..."

But she trailed off, starting to breathe in and out deeply. After a few seconds of this breathing, said something so quietly that I couldn't hear it. But I was sure it was vital.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked.

"I said, 'actually, no'," She admitted, turning her head away from me towards the wall. "I... could use someone to talk to. Ever since this season started, my life as gone straight down the crapper faster than Owen's waste. Everything seems like its going out of its way to make my life miserable and succeeding. Aside from DJ, I don't really trust anyone who is here, except... maybe..."

She stops, and turns her head towards me. Her teal eyes were looking at me hopefully. They were beautiful, more beautiful than they had been since this second season started. "Could you hear me out? I need to vent really bad."

"Of course," I say, as I drag over a chair to near her bed before plopping on it. I was tempted to sit next to her on her bed but that would likely be too much at this point.

Brimming with happiness that I had made it this far, I decided to start the venting. "I can easily understand why you want to vent, this place has felt like the Spanish Inquisition ever since you got back here. Half the time I imagined them getting a wooden stake and trying to burn you at it while claiming you were a witch."

There was silence, nothing but silence.

The moment the words left my lips, it took all of my restraint to not slap myself.

STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!

Only you Cody could bring up the Spanish Inquisition when trying to make someone feel better! Because nothing makes people feel better than religiously fueled executions!

So imagine my shock when Gwen just barely chuckled at that remark! Even though she chuckled darkly, it was still an honest-to-god chuckle. At least that's a start, right?

"You don't know the half of it. When I first got here, I thought for sure I was walking towards an a modern day Auto-da-fé."

"Auto-da-fé? What's an Auto-da-fé?" I ask, fighting the urge to hear her say, 'It's what you oughtn't to do, but you do anyway' from Mel Brooks' History of the World: Part 1.

But in all honestly, I had no idea what the terms actually meant.

"It was what they called the executions of the Spanish Inquisition. The word means, 'Act of Faith' and they saw it has an act of penance, not punishment. It was to make everyone watching feel good about themselves by killing the outcasts, or as they would say it, saving them from their sins, which they all were guilty of doing, even if they didn't." Gwen says. I couldn't help but marvel at just how smart this girl was. It was so hot!

I was so dazed by its hotness that I almost missed what Gwen said next, because it was in such a low tone, "But that's not exactly new for me."

"What do you mean?"

"Really? Do I actually have to say it? Isn't obvious?"

I shake my head; I wasn't sure what Gwen was talking about. In hindsight, I should have.

"Well, at school, I'm your typical goth girl. Meaning I'm alone most of the time. Most people try to avoid me as much as possible, some because they think I'm dangerous."

"Well, you did fend off a real life psycho-killer-with-a-chainsaw-and-a-hook, right?" I say, smirking that smirk of mine that I know radiates manliness and suaveness.

At this, Gwen laughed. Not a chuckle but a full and happy honest-to-god laugh! It was music to my ears. No, wait, it was lovelier than any music could ever hope to be!

"I guess that's true." Gwen says, a brief smile remaining for a few glorious seconds. But then she resumed venting, and the smile disappeared. "But they felt that way long before that happened. I could deal with how it was at my school, though. I'm a loner by nature. All I need is only a few people who will talk to me and not view me as weird or creepy. And I have that at school, Pixie Corpse, Marilyn and Reaper are all the friends I need."

At remembering those friends, Gwen briefly smiled a bit. She must have been good friends with them. I was glad to see that, even if I was a bit unnerved by their names.

What kind of mother would name their kid Pixie Corpse or Reaper?

I chose not to dwell on that and instead to continuing listening when Gwen spoke again.

"I thought I had formed a similar click of people here at Total Drama. But it hasn't panned out the way I hoped it would. Duncan, Owen, and Leshawna are all still in the game. Bridgette and Geoff turn out to be my biggest detractors. The situation with Trent and me is unbelievably awkward at best. Like I said before, aside from DJ, and you, I guess, there's no one who will actually listen to me and I'll feel comfortable around."

I felt conflicted about what Gwen had said. A part of me was kind of hurt by the "I guess", only confirming how much lack of trust she still likely had without knowing it. But, I chose to focus on the positive; Gwen was starting to feel comfortable around me!

"Of course, you can feel comfortable around me, Gwen." I say as sincerely as I can.

Gwen sighs and looks away for a few seconds. When her eyes come back to me, they look so vulnerable. I knew whatever she was about to say next would be decisive.

"Co-Cody, do you think I did the right thing by breaking up with Trent?"

Oh boy. I knew it was only a matter of time before this question came up. From I can gather this question is the crux of Gwen feeling so down and everyone dog-piling her.

I wanted to answer right away that Gwen was totally justified and did nothing wrong. But I couldn't. As a friend, I had to be honest with her. I didn't think things were that simple. After all, Trent was a friend of mine, and pretty much the only "cool" person to like me.

I knew that I didn't say anything for at least a few minutes but I wanted to gather my thoughts. However, me doing so seemed to have an unintended effect on Gwen. The look of vulnerability not only remained but also increased, being joined by a look of deep hurt.

Looking down at the floor, Gwen spoke with a tone nearly lifeless and defeated as she says, "So I guess I really am the creepy and morbid person that people say I am, uh?"

Without a moment's pause, I reached out one of my hands and brought it under her chin. After doing so, I raised her face slightly so it was looking directly into mine own. I knew I probably shouldn't, it was too direct and bold at this state of things. But I did it anyway.

"Your not creepy or morbid, Gwen." I say with my voice very light.

After I removed my hand, Gwen scoffed, but I got the impression not at me this time.

"Gwen, you are not either. You're a great girl who didn't know what to do when someone she deeply cared about was acting so strange and indirectly hurting others in the process. Could you have done things differently that probably would have helped you both? Yes. Could you have probed deeper into why Trent was acting so peculiar? Yes. Was it wrong and incriminating to ask Trent's team to vote him off after breaking up? Yes. But even though those things are true, they are not the only things that are true."

I pause for a moment, composing what I wanted to say next. Gwen was listening intently.

"You broke up with Trent because he was sabotaging his own team and because you were considered about his mental health. To be honest, I was a little concerned myself. It was obvious that it killed you to do so. And you didn't have to do anything, really. If you didn't break up with Trent, Justin never would have discovered any of this. You could have allowed Trent to continue acting that way, destroying his own team and maybe himself. You could have pretended that it wasn't there or that you didn't play a part in it. But you didn't. Riddle me this Gwen, would someone who was truly creepy and morbid have done something that was so difficult and ultimately harmful to themselves for no other reason than because they were concerned about the well-being of others?"

After that, the room we were in was the quietest it had been so far. I honestly couldn't believe I had actually said all of that without it practicing it first…which I didn't. But more important was Gwen's reaction, which I looking for with keen interest and focus.

Her pale face was one of absolute astonishment, and gratitude, and confusion as she asks, "Why are you being so nice to me Cody if you aren't trying to hit on me or ask me out?"

"I've said it before, I think you're a amazing person and I want to see you happy. Is it really so hard to believe that a guy would care about a girl without wanting a kiss?"

"Actually yeah…it kind of is."

"Why's that?"

"Well, before signing up for this show, those seemed to be the only kind of guy around. Actually, I take that back. There was my brother, Reaper, and a few of my male teachers. But aside from them, all of the men in my life seemed to be nothing but creepy perverts. I had gone out with a few guys and all of them thought I'd spread my legs at the first date. The worst ones were the ones who couldn't take the hint and wouldn't leave me alone." Gwen says, her voice getting slightly bitterer as she went, likely due to the bad memories.

I took a note how she didn't name her father, likely because of more skeletons in her closet. I'd have to find out about that later. But that wasn't what I thought of most.

"Wow…suddenly your behavior towards me on the island makes a lot of sense. You likely saw me as the next guy who couldn't get the hint. Shoo, I'm actually relived. I was afraid it was because you found me annoying, like the other girls I've had crushes on."

"Uh, Cody, I did find you annoying."

Oh, that did it! I must have looked so silly but I suddenly found myself falling flat on my back, unleashing a mournful, long-winded groan at her truthful answer. As if on impulse, I found myself saying in a strained voice, "Jeez, thanks for softening the blow for the guy trying to make you feel better, Gwen. You're so encouraging!"

Despite her best efforts, Gwen not only laughed again but also actually smiled. It wasn't a smirk or a grin; it was an honest-to-god smile that reached around her whole pale face.

Man, that cheered me up like nothing else could! Shocking myself, I instantly bolted back onto my feet. Grinning, I couldn't help myself as I pointed at Gwen's face as I cried victoriously, "HA! I got a full smile on there! I made the so-called morbid girl happy!"

"Only because you're purposely degrading yourself." Gwen retorted with a chuckle.

Brushing some of my awesome chestnut bangs back and winking, I reply with, "Whatever works with the ladies, m'dear!"

Gwen playfully rolled her teal eyes, muttering, "Whatever." But her smile remained.

After that, we talked about general topics not nearly as heavy as those before them. The highlight was when Gwen smiled again because of me admitted how grating Courtney had been ever since this season started. We talked for about fifteen minutes or so.

Looking down, I noticed that a good portion of the ice in the bucket that thankfully wasn't used on me had melted. Had we been talking for that long? It didn't feel like it.

I'll admit that I was a little shocked and disappointed when Gwen politely asked me to leave. But I complied with her request; this would likely take some time anyway.

By the time I was about half way out of the room, I turned around and told Gwen, "If you ever want to talk, about anything, I'll be more than happy to give you my time. If you do, you can usually find me either in the game room on the third floor or in my room 716."

"Thank you Cody. I just might take you up on that offer. I admit that before today, I didn't think much of you but I'm happy to see that I was wrong. You're a great guy. If I had met you before this show, my opinion about boys would probably be completely different, and shockingly, for the better." Gwen says, actually smiling again…at me!

I felt my cheeks get warm before they started feeling like little suns. I knew I blushed so easily. I don't get many compliments from girls, in particular girls as great as Gwen.

Finding that my embarrassment gave my steps more vigor, I left Gwen's room. As I did, I heard faint sounds, beautiful laughter being muffled by hands covering Gwen's mouth.

For the first hallway or two, my embarrassment quickened my steps and occupied my mind. But then, it finally seemed to die down and I was able to grasp what had happened.

You did good Cody. You fumbled the ball a few too many times…but you did good.

After all, I got Gwen to smile…probably the first time she's smiled since she got here.

And that's a shame. She has such a beautiful smile; she's so amazing when she's happy.

All girls are…they are so amazing when they are happy. They're cute, charming, and smart, and it's such a treat to see them smile. I guess that's why I've always wanted to have a girlfriend, because I'd like to make her smile and laugh.

I did that with Gwen. Me, little geeky Cody Anderson, a social pariah with the girls at my school, did that.

Being so close to her, the girl of my dreams, and actually making her feel better…it's hard to describe the feeling that produces in me. I guess the best way is to say it makes me feel accomplished and at peace…mostly.

I can't deny that there is a part of me that wants to make Gwen happy has her boyfriend. I want more…but I couldn't truly complain if everything could just stay in this near perfect way.

As strong as the impulse is, I know it's not right or practical to try to ask Gwen out. She's not ready for another boyfriend, and I don't blame her in the slightest. But I do hope she's willing to have me as a friend…who just so happens to be a boy.

If being that means that she'll smile, that she'll be happy…I'm willing to be friendzoned.

And there you have it; the first seeds of friendship and possibly something more in the future between Gwen and Cody have been planted!

I'm actually concerned that I didn't handle both Cody and Gwen as well has I could have. If you could please leave a review telling me what you thought of how I handled these two characters I'd be very grateful. It would do wonders for me!

Not much else to say except that next time we get our first chapter from Bridgette's point of view! This one actually has me concerned because I have never attempted to write Bridgette before. I have written both Cody and Gwen in my story "Total Drama Raptured" and a little bit in a collaboration work with theGunmaster and CRGGL "Total Drama: What is Real?" However, Bridgette will be new territory. But I do have a rough idea of how the scene will go so hopefully that will help me. Just like this time, I'm sure that the challenges of writing in POV style will mean that this story will not be updated for a few months or so. But I'm working on it and do plan on updating this story. I just don't know when I'll actually be able to do that. You and me will have to wait and see.

In the meantime, please: read, review, favor, follow, and spread the word!