Present 7: CODY

The falling snow had caused many a student to take the bus home from school, so many in fact, that Cody was unable to secure a seat. Smiling he ignored the jeering taunts and cruel laughs coming from the vehicle.

"That's okay. It gives me more time to enjoy winter wonderland." Cody commented brightly as he started on his way home singing as he went. Even the obnoxious snowball thrown at his head from the passing transport, couldn't dampen his mood.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer.

One of the greatest things about Christmas time was the songs. Unless you were performing in front of someone or going door to door singing Christmas carols, it never really mattered if you could sing or not.

Even the poorest attempt was contagious and before you knew it, everyone would be singing along. The warmth and togetherness that a simple song had brought….in Cody's mind it was truly one of the best parts of Christmas.

Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say Hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet.

The brunette paused to grin at a couple of ladies in passing each heavily loaded down with Christmas gifts. "Hey there ladies need some help?" Unfortunately they didn't share his enthusiasm and either turned up their nose in disgust or snorted behind one free glove covered hand.

Unfazed Cody shrugged his shoulders and continued his long walk towards his home. If there was one thing he learned from that reality show it was not to sweat the small stuff and to take things as they come. And most importantly…don't ever carry around bags of chips.

Oh, ho, the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me.

Cody sighed as he thought of his dream girl. Just like a dream though she was unbelievably perfect and unfortunately for him completely unattainable. Though he was grateful for having earned Gwen's friendship, it did sadden him a bit seeing Trent with the goth. However her happy smile told him he had done the right thing.

His musings came to an end as he suddenly smacked into a firm object. The larger and stockier teen greatly towered over his skinny form and he glared darkly at the smaller boy with a Heather-like blonde gripping his arm looking down at Cody in distain.

"Oops. Sorry for running into you man." Cody smiled in apology looking up just in time to see the fist fly. The force from the blow had knocked him into a deep snow bank, the snow on his face slightly easing the pain now coming from his left eye.

"There's some LITTLE payback for you small fry! Hope you learned your lesson from messing with the BIG boys!" As the callous teen and his girlfriend laughed in delight, Cody frowned. Using ice cupped in one of his gloves as a makeshift icepack, he confronted the laughing pair.

"Please. I've been mauled by a bear, eaten food that would instantly cause you to hurl, met the most sadistic TV host and cook EVER to exist and survived jumping off a 1,000 foot cliff. And that's just for starters."

Cody noticed the dazed looks on their faces and couldn't help the smug smirk that was now on his own. "And just for the record, LITTLE boy… black eyes are NOTHING at Camp Wawanakwa. I seriously doubt you could even survive any of the challenges let alone the campers on that island."

With that final barb, Cody quickly left the area leaving the still stunned pair behind. While he was immensely proud of himself for standing up to the bully, he didn't want to push things. His eye stung badly and already he could hear the angered cries and the pounding footsteps coming for him.

Easily hiding behind a nearby bush, the small teen watched as the bully ran down the street while the Heather-wannabee ran down the other direction. Several times the couple intersected as they ran back and forth not even bothering to search anywhere else but the street itself.

Cody rolled his eyes wincing from the action as the clueless pair ran past his hiding place repeatedly. Once they had finally collapsed from sheer exhaustion, Cody continued on his way home.

The eventual sight of his house was greatly welcomed and he quickly entered making an immediate beeline for the freezer. The package on the table though stopped him in his tracks. Curiously he picked it up. After examining the note he quickly retrieved both scissors and an icepack.

Two plates. One foor the person I met on the island and the other to share with friends and family eh.

Happy Holidays, Cody

Ezekiel

Cody's mouth was wide open in disbelief. A Christmas present from Ezekiel? There was no question in his or anyone's mind that the prairie boy bass had absolutely zero experience when it came with dealing with other teens. This was just the latest of the odd things Ezekiel had done.

It had happened right after Bridgette had gotten kicked off that he noticed it. Cody had watched as Ezekiel discreetly entered the pool area and immediately stopped in his tracks staring at the group of females playing ball in the water.

What happened next was so quick that anyone not paying attention would have missed it. However Cody was still wrapped up in bandages and bound to the wheelchair. He saw Ezekiel's face turn red.

Clearly amused, he had continued to secretly spy on the homeschooled teen long after his bandages were removed. It had taken hard work and much sleuthing to decipher Ezekiel's subtle and not so subtle actions.

Contrary to what everyone else had thought Ezekiel did have a crush on another camper, but it was NOT Bridgette. However the prairie teen's nervous and highly unsure actions of approaching the girl to talk to had accidently ended him up in one bad situation after another with the surfer girl.

It had grown worse once DJ, Geoff and Duncan had arrived at Playa des Losers. Poor Ezekiel had been chased by one and all of the group more then once for "hitting" on Geoff's girl.

Cody shook his head while still holding the ice patch in place. Thanks to the enforcement of the trio, Ezekiel never really was able to talk to the girl. In fact the homeschooled boy had made sure from then on to ignore everyone for the most point alienating himself from the group even further.

Looking down at the gingerbread man holding the heart in his hands Cody smiled. Taking out a piece of paper he started to write though it was more then a little lopsided thanks to the black eye.

Unexpected, but a welcome surprise after the day I had.

Thanks for thinking about me by the way dude.

And by the way… I soo know who you're REALLY crushing on!

I could hook you too up. Shouldn't be too hard after all the Codemeister DID hook up Gwen and Trent.

As for those three…don't worry about them. I could take them.

Thanks again, Cody

Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh by golly, have a holly
Jolly Christmas this year.

Hey there, everyone! This is Kat from West Virginia and my friend Nini from Virginia, and we both like Gwen, Trent, Cody, and Ezekiel the most. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! ^_^

Imagi's Ramblings: Oh wow that was long! Done though. :D

"Holly, jolly Christmas" was written by Johnny Marks, and performed by Burl Ives.

In other words song not owned by me. ;)

Thanks for all the reviews I so appreciate them! They are inspiration and energy…getting this crazy writer THROUGH this! ;)

Campers are down to 4! Katie, Trent, Tyler and Owen. ;)

Thanks again...I'm going to bed now. :D

Imagi