My heart was racing. I was covered in sweat and I was panting. Again. I sighed. Maybe it was too much to hope that I wouldn't have a nightmare. I really thought that I wouldn't have one, since I made up with my brother, but I guess not.

. . .

I had just walked into my English classroom when Ms. Johnson ran up to me.

"Gwen! Hi!" Ms. Johnson said excitedly. She was so perky, it was so annoying. She was one of those people who tried to act like they were 25 when they were 40.

"Oh. Hi, Ms. Johnson." I responded, trying to muster all the enthusiasm I could. Still, I failed to be half as perky as she was.

"So! Gwen! Have you decided if you're going to the poetry event? You'll still be a finalist if you don't go, but it's a great opportunity. After all, it is in the U.S. Oh, and I just got notice that the reading will be held in Dallas, Texas. I personally think you're a shoe-in to get a scholarship." She said to me.

Wow. I hadn't even thought about the poetry reading. I was planning on telling Ms. Johnson that I didn't want to participate in the contest, because I didn't want to make Marilyn mad, but I didn't know about all this. I've dreamed about visiting Dallas, Texas since I was a little girl, and I desperately needed a scholarship.

"How expensive would the plane ticket be?" I asked her.

"All expenses paid, Gwen. You don't expect them to think that the finalists will pay to fly out there?"

I didn't realize all this before. This would be an opportunity of a lifetime. I could go to the city I've always dreamed of visiting while receiving an award and possibly a scholarship. I had to go.

I looked over at the other students. Class hadn't started yet, so everybody was talking to all their friends. Marilyn though, was looking at me straight in the eye. She expected me to reject the offer. Reject the chance of me getting a possible scholarship. You know, even if I didn't get a scholarship and I just got an award, it would look GREAT on my college resume. I had to do this. I had to go.

Marilyn was still looking at me. She really thought I would stick by her and turn down the offer. I would be an awful friend if I went. But I had to make a decision.

"Yeah, I'm going. When is it?" I asked.

Marilyn looked at me. She was mad. Really mad. And I could tell she wasn't going to forgive me for a long time.

. . .

Marilyn stormed up to me after class.

"HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!?" She screamed at me.

"Look, Marilyn, I'm really really sorry. But this is a great opportunity for me. I'm sorry your poem didn't make it in, and I'm sorry Ms. Johnson sent my poem in. I swear I wasn't going to go, but you were listening, you heard everything she said. You know I've wanted to go to Dallas since forever, and I need that scholarship. Badly. I want to study art history at a university somewhere, and I won't be able to go without the scholarship." I said.

She was fuming. "What about Total Drama?" She asked.

"What about it?"

"In every season you've been on, you've done really well, so you've gathered up a lot of money from the consolation prizes. You don't need a scholarship. I do." She said.

"You don't understand, Marilyn. All the consolation prizes weren't that big. Maybe a few thousand dollars each. Besides the money I gave to charity, the rest IS going into my college fund. Besides, you shouldn't be mad at me. It's not like they would've accepted you if I wasn't" I told her.

Marilyn glared at me. "You are one of the most famous contestants on Total Drama Island. Every college in the world will accept you. Not me though. I needed this scholarship too, you know." She shook her head and walked off.

I didn't understand. She had no right to be mad at me. She knew that every word I said was true. Marilyn never stirred up drama. Neither of us were that type. Whenever any of us did happen to create drama, it was purely an accident, like when I dated Duncan without knowing Courtney still liked him, or when she accidently told Reaper, Pixie Corpse liked him. She knew she was creating drama though, and I didn't get it.

. . .

I was writing in my diary when it hit me. I hadn't called Trent back! The party was in a couple days and he probably was upset that I hadn't even returned his call.

I dialed his number.

"Hey, Trent!"

"Hey, Gwen. I guess you finally decided to call back."

"I'm really sorry about that. I got your message and I completely forgot to call back. If you haven't made other plans already, I'd still like to go."

"Okay, yeah I didn't make other plans. My only other options would be Tyler and Noah. So…no. Oh and what about Noah? Should we invite him?"

"No way in hell."

"Gotcha. I don't want him coming along either, but I thought it would be nice to offer."

"Typical Trent. Did you ask Leshawna to come yet?"

"I sorta assumed you would."

"Okay I will."

I texted Leshawna if she wanted to come, and within seconds, she replied yes.

"Okay so it's you, me, and Leshawna. We'll meet at my house okay?"

"Sounds good, bye."

Right as I hung up, I realized that I forgot to ask who was coming to the party. I assumed most of the ROTI cast wouldn't come, but I was worried about Heather. She's been awful to me, but as long as I avoided her, the party might not be half bad.

Okay, so the party is probably going to be next chapter, but Trent, Leshawna, and Gwen are definitely meeting up next chapter. So, I think the story is going to be where a lot of the Total Drama cast is going to be involved, but its also going to have some of her school life. Obviously, this chapter was more about her school life. I don't know how long the story is going to be, but it will probably end with her graduation. If anybody has ideas for the party, please let me know by reviewing! Favorite and review please! Thanks!