Present 21: OWEN: PART THREE


Step One: Grab hand bar.

Step Two: Press Button

Step Three: Hold on

Ezekiel stared apprehensively at the posted instructions, before turning to look at his grinning companions. Izzy was performing a handstand on the metal bar in front of them while Owen held the remote with one hand and held onto the safety rail with the other.

"Ready guys?!" Owen grinned holding the remote high in the air. Izzy cheered and the prairie boy swallowed and gripped the metal in his hand even tighter as he stared reluctantly at the screen.

1…2…3!!!


It was 8 a.m. on Monday December 22nd. Two days before Christmas. Naturally the brand new Super Gargantuan Mega Store was filled to the brim with holiday shoppers. While most were laying siege on the rapidly depleting toy section, others were waiting impatiently to get into the other areas.

The heavily guarded gates leading into the most popular and thus dangerous sections of the store were Super Gargantuan Mega Store's way of keeping down some of the impending chaos and frenzy of eager last minute shoppers.

Of all the gates, the one leading to TVzilla and then to the electronic portion was by far the longest. The line literally wrapped around the inside and outside of the entire store and was still growing. Naturally the waiting people were more then a little impatient and their angry yells could be heard over at the checkout.

Finally the door to the sound proof room opened and three teenagers came out. Izzy and Owen cheered wildly while Ezekiel's eyes were wide with shock. "I think I'm going deaf eh!" The homeschooler complained. Izzy grinned back. "Oh that's only temporary!"

"And it's the sign of a good TV!" Owen added before looking at the prairie boy with puppy eyes. "So we can get it right?!" Ezekiel shook his head rapidly. That thing would take up the entire living room eh! And Mom would noot loike that!"

Both groaned in disappointment and Ezekiel sighed before moving them out of the way of the door allowing the next group of victims to enter TVzilla's domain. As they entered the electronic area, he noticed a shower curtain that oddly enough was hanging in one of the aisles not too far away.


Traveling Cam

Super Gargantuan Mega Store

TV section

Chris Trent-New store, campers coming to said store…yeah…me and the other interns set up a couple of Traveling Cam's for the ex-campers use with the store's permission of course. Only everyone has been using them.

Random Female-Oh my god! There's a camera in here! Just like the one on TDI! That means…I'm on TV!!! HI MOM!!!!!!

Random Male-I have nothing to say. Oh who am I kidding? GWEN!!! You are the hottest girl on the tube! You ever ditch that no talent loser look me up! That's Keith at-

Random Female 2-*snap* normally I wouldn't waste my time on a store out in the middle of nowhere. The bubble gum glitter top that debuts here and the rumors…made it worth it. *snap*

The female then smirked as she snapped her gum again.

Random Female 2-And with MY connections and the simple mention of my father being a lawyer means I bypass the sucker line. *snap*

Chris Tyler-Of course the people who actually WERE on the show get dibs over all of the wannabees, fan boys and fan girls.

Chris-Duncan-Especially since the only other cameras allowed were the store surveillance ones.

Chris Geoff-I wonder if Ezekiel, Izzy or Owen will notice the sandwich board?

Ezekiel runs down the aisles to where the Traveling Cam is and past a very large sandwich board bearing his picture and the other 21 ex-campers pictures on it and shoves open the curtain. He sees Chris Geoff and screamed. Seconds later he shoved the curtain shut. Chris Geoff is dumbfounded.

Chris Geoff-I'm guessing no and what was THAT all about?

Static.


Chris's House

Chris laughed in delight. "I love these campers!" Chris took another sip of soda before looking back at the screen. Other fan boys, fan girls and wannabees are talking eagerly into each of the Traveling Cams at the store.

The host yawned. "Yeah you love the show, the campers, blah blah blah yada yada…BORING! CHEF!" Chef Hatchet hands the narcissist the phone. Chris grins as someone answers. "McClain here. Which gorgeous Chris am I talking to now and where are those 3 ex-campers of mine?"

Chef rolls his eyes as the intern responded. "This is Joey…I mean Chris Justin. Crazy girl and Owen have managed to calm down Homeschool and all three past contestants are now looking at the televisions and making various comments, questions and arguments. My guess is they'll be there for awhile."

On the other end Chris McClain frowned as he ended the call. "More like ages! Teenagers nowadays! Always obsessing over the electronics! At least we still have 19 more possibilities!" The host smiled as he clapped his hands causing the hidden television screens to appear.

"Let's see…Justin looking in the mirror…seen it…Katie, Sadie, Beth and surprisingly Heather are wrapping up Christmas presents though contents still hidden from view…darn it…Trent and Gwen dressed up to go somewhere…same for our surfer girl and party boy…possibilities, but not good enough…"

Chef snorted. "Looks like delinquent is temporarily out for good behavior! And CIT's carrying that violin of hers…must have gotten another one…Mama's boy is at home with his mama and that rabbit of his and Barbie is painting her nails again…and chicken boy is there too!"

The large man then paused in thought counting the present campers on his hands. "So 14 campers, plus the goofs at the Super Gargantuan Mega Store....that leaves 5 soldiers still unaccounted for!"

Chris raised an eyebrow before hitting the rewind key. Eventually two of the blank monitors filled up with images of two of the missing ex-contestants. Noah was leaving with his family to visit more family, while the other showed a bleary eyed LeShawna.


LeShawna's House

5 a.m.

Harold leaned forward with his un injured hand to knock when the door swung open. LeShawna yawned heavily, one hand on holding her purse while a small animal print suitcase lay by her feet. Harold grinned. "Ready to go my Chocolate Goddess?"

The chocolate female groaned. "Tell me again why Shawnie is up this early?" Harold grinned and so did Cody behind him. "We're going to go see TVzilla!" That did it. The exhaustion in the sister's eyes had momentarily vanished at the shorter boy's comment.

"We're gonna see what now?!" Harold smiled. "TVzilla! It's the monster of all monster T.V.'s!" Cody was just as excited. "And the surround sound! I heard you have to actually hold onto a safety rail!"

This is going to be so awesome!" Cody and Harold commented in unison. LeShawna wasn't pleased. "And what does that have to do with me packing an overnight suitcase? And getting up this early?"

"It's at the brand new Super Gargantuan Mega Store which is many many hours away from our location. In addition to TVzilla, several other choice electronics are being released and they have this wicked opening day sale going on."

"Hold that thought sugar baby." With that LeShawna closed the front door. Cody looked at Harold in confusion. "So does that mean she's coming or she's not coming? Several minutes later Cody got his answer.

The door to LeShawna's home opened and the sassy female strolled out this time carrying a pillow and blanket under one arm. Tossing them into Cody's dad's car, she waved back at her mom before climbing in next to Harold. Immediately she propped the pillow against her window and started to drift off.

"Wake me up when we get there." LeShawna mumbled into the cushion. Harold smiled down at her before waving at LeShawna's mom with his good hand. With that last goodbye, Cody's dad pulled away from the curb.

The car suddenly lurching to a stop brought the sister out of her doze. Grumbling she opened her eyes and immediately noticed a figure in a teal snow jacket and a beret waving at her a few feet in front of the car.

"LeShawna! LeShawna!" LeShawna was momentarily startled as she stared at her friend in disbelief. "How did?! It's 5 in the…" she groaned. "It's too early for this! Can't I just close my eyes and pretend that she's not here?" The continued tapping on the window ended that thought. "LeShawna! Hey LeShawna!"

Harold sighed and opened his door stepping outside. "Good morning Jas-" His polite words trailed off as the animated would be actress took advantage of his temporarily absence and practically dove into the backseat of vehicle in her excitement.

"-Mine." The lanky nerd sighed as he climbed back inside. Jasmine was already in the middle of explaining things to Cody and his dad. "So mom and dad realized what a huge opportunity this was for me and they said it was okay that I come with as long as I remember to get a gift for my cousin Shana."

Jasmine paused briefly in thought. "So where are we going anyway?" Cody opened his mouth to speak but LeShawna's friend had already continued. "Does it have anything to do with a Total Drama Island Reunion?"

"Well actually-" Cody was interrupted as Jasmine clasped her hands together in excitement. "I KNEW it! I just knew it! See as an actress from the Magillus Talent agency you need to know these kind of things and when I saw LeShawna's light turn on at 4 in the morning-"

Realizing that Jasmine was unwilling to let anyone else to get a word in edgewise, the techno geek looked from the happily chatting Jasmine, to LeShawna and then to Harold. His fellow underdog had buried himself in a fantasy book while the sassy female groaned and curled into her blanket.

Cody shook his head. "This is going to be a long trip." He mumbled.


Chris's House

The host waited with baited breath as his assistant flipped through the recent ads in the newspaper. "Sale on Groceries, Sale on Office Supplies…Sale on elaborate woman costumes…"

Chef paused to put the last sheet aside as he continued down the engorged sales papers. Chris had resorted to biting on his fingernails as the pile grew smaller and smaller. Finally the cook pulled out another section of the sales paper.

"Super Gargantuan Mega Store Grand Opening in…" Chris grinned as he pulled out his phone again. "Too hot for words Chris doubles report!" After a few seconds of silence someone picked up the phone.

"Camer-I mean Chris Noah reporting! All three teens are still in electronics as you can plainly see sir!" Chris McClain is surprised to see that he actually could and makes his feelings known. "Nice! So what happened to the no bringing cameras into the store rule?"

"Oh we didn't. We just purchased a few video cameras and a lot of memory cards here and we're following the campers everywhere they go in the store." Chris sniffed and dabbed at his eyes with a Kleenex.

"Stalking the campers, finding the loopholes in the rules, stalking the campers…without a doubt you guys are seriously my best interns! And I'm seriously thinking about actually paying you guys for all your hard work!"

Chris Noah on the other end gasped. "Really?! Mr. McClain…do you really mean that?!" Chris grinned. "When it comes to paychecks McClain does not joke! You interns just have to keep up doing what you're doing and one other little thing."

"Sir?" The host's smile grew as he watched the monitor where the unstable couple of Owen and Izzy were pointing to another TV while Ezekiel shook his head as he pulled out a sheet of paper with dimensions written on it.

Izzy snatched away the sheet and studied it. Grinning broadly she grabbed the startled homeschooler's arm and raced down another isle with him in tow and Owen walking behind after them.

Chris wiped away another tear of amusement before he continued. "Supposedly there is ANOTHER trio of ex-campers heading your way and I want to know the moment they get there."

"No problem Boss! Which campers do we need to keep an eye out for?" The host smirked. "Nuh uh…you're the interns you figure it out! Oh and by the way let me know when one of our ex-contestants is back in the Traveling Cam will you? McClain out!"


Traveling Cam

TV section

12:00 p.m.

Ezekiel-I doon't knoo how this goot here and I doon't care eh! So anyway both Izzy and Owen put their boots down aboot the television set and mom put hers down aboot going oot yesterday since we live a few hours away from this place eh.

Izzy suddenly pops up next to Ezekiel startling him. Grinning she took her turn.

Izzy-Zekey's dad took one look at the building and said something about grocery shopping, going home and coming back to pick us up at 5 p.m. In the meantime we get to have fun here on one of the busiest shopping days of the year!

Izzy glomps onto the homeschooler just as the curtain opens revealing Owen. His over zealous smile faded and he looked at them uncomfortably.

Owen-Oh. I didn't mean to interrupt.

As a downcast Owen starts to leave the Traveling Cam, Both Izzy and Ezekiel frown and as one pull the larger teen back inside causing Owen to do what comes natural. Ezekiel falls to the ground coughing and Izzy shook her head while Owen chuckled nervously.

Owen-Whoops! Sorry about that guys. Hey wait a second…No I'm not!

Izzy-Owen-

Owen-I knew you had a crush on my Iz! I knew it! First it was the picture in the album-

Ezekiel (coughing)-Owen would you-

Owen-Then you were grinning at each other while dangling Crabby T and Harold over the balcony and you taking Izzy really really far away into the woods-

Ezekiel-Izzy's pancakes were explosive eh!

Izzy-And you should have seen that explosion! BOOM BOOM!!!

Owen-I did! You were covered in pancake batter! I wanted to be covered in pancake batter! And I wanted it to be in a dangerous yet hilarious manner! It was a dream of mine! (Pauses) Well that and the doughnut copter dream, but that's different!

Ezekiel and Izzy glance at each other before turning back to the slumped Owen. Sighing Ezekiel opened his mouth to speak.

Ezekiel-Izzy is my best friend eh. She was the only one who really wanted to knoo me and she made sure I followed my doctoor's orders with all those crazy adventures of hers. She was also the only one to say goodbye to me eh.

Izzy-And the only one who knows who Zeke really likes likes.

Owen was silent for a few seconds before opening his mouth.

Owen-Oh Cra-

Static.


Outside the Traveling Cam Owen looks nervously at Ezekiel and Izzy. "So you guys are just friends." They nod. "And Iz does not have a crush on you, and Ezekiel doesn't have a crush on Iz and he likes someone else but he won't tell Owen who it is."

Another nod. Owen frowned before turning his full attention on Ezekiel. "Well let me make one thing clear. Like it or not Izzy's not your only friend anymore. Now come here!" Owen kissed the prairie boy in his excitement and in turn Ezekiel hid behind Izzy.


Traveling Cam

Super Gargantuan Mega Store

TV section

Ezekiel-Does Owen do that to everyboody he loikes or joost the guys eh?!


Owen let out another nervous chuckle as he scratched his head. "So guys now that we finally agreed on a TV…how about picking out a few DVD's to go along with them? Izzy threw her hands up in excitement.

"Ooh! How about that one where the dead guy's face pops right out from under his boat! Or Dawn of the Dead! I love that first Zombie attack and there all like-" Izzy rolled her eyes in the back of her head and stretched her arms out groaning.

Ezekiel on the other hand let out a horrified yell and raced off with Zombie Izzy charging after him.


Traveling Cam

Super Gargantuan Mega Store

TV section

Owen-Ye-ah…Ezekiel doesn't seem to take scary movies that well. And talking to people…especially guys bigger then him…and being outside the house…and he jumps a lot when I'm around…but he's getting better! And look!

From Owen's Canadian jacket he pulled out a metal cookie cutter of a chubby gingerbread man with a large grin on its face and holding candy canes in his hands.

Owen-That's the cookie cutter he sent me! And ummm…I've got his note somewhere…

The lovable 296 pounds of joy searched his jacket again and eventually pulls out a crumbled piece of red paper which he holds up to the camera.

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

Happy Holidays, Owen

Ezekiel

Owen-See that! It says…Two plates…One for me and one for my family from Ezekiel. And sure…only Izzy gets to call him Zekey….but all his FRIENDS get to call him Zeke! WOO HOO!!! And Owen gets to call Ezekiel Zeke now! ZEKE! ZEKE! ZEKE! ZEKE! ZEKE!

Owen laughed before continuing.

Owen-And we still have lots of time left in the store before Zeke's dad comes back to pick us up! This is so…awesome!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!


Name: PurpleLeopard

Thanks

From PA
Fave Characters hard to say I like most of them Courtney, Duncan, Gwen,
Trent, Bridgette, Geoff, LeShawna, Izzy, and Owen at the moment

Christmas w"ish: That everyone can find some happiness this Christmas


Imagi's Ramblings: See that people? I now have ALL 22 present chapters AND all 22 Xmas wishes up! :D

If you've guys have been paying attention you'll notice a few fun things both obvious and not. First up Jasmine is not mine and is part of TDI family. Second Random Female 2 actually belongs to Kobold Necromancer! :) If you've been reading his story you'll know just exactly who SHE is! :D And the Dawn of the Dead mention. Imagi does not do well with scary movies.

Fedora Kid suggested that scene from the movie JAWS. I've been on the ride at Universal Studios but I sure can't watch that! Especially after what I heard happens in the first attack scenes. Thanks guys! :)

Yes planning to update soon soon! It's June June and I want to be done done before it hits July July so hopefully the chapters will now fly fly! :D

Thanks for the reviews! :)

Imagi