Chapter Two: Truth

"Thank you so much for coming to see me." Gwen said with a weak smile. "After last night, I wasn't sure if I could handle today on my own."

Bridgette smiled back and took a long sip of her organic tea. "Gwen, you know you'll always have someone to talk to when I'm around. I know what it's like when you're in a relationship. Geoff and I don't always see eye to eye and yet, here we are, a very happy couple." Bridgette leaned across the café table and patted her friend on the hand.

Gwen gave her tea a stir. As much as she loved the tea here, she couldn't take her mind off last night. "But Bridgette, we're fighting more than usual. We used to have so much fun together but ever since Trent came back in the picture…" Gwen paused and glanced up at her blonde friend. Bridgette had stopped sipping her tea and was now looking intently at Gwen. She's a great listener. "I thought I could be friends with Trent but by keeping in contact with him, it makes me, well, crave him even more." Gwen was a little uneasy since she couldn't find a better word to use. Gwen leaned back in her chair and looked at the people around her. They were all busy with their lives, each having some task to accomplish. They weren't concerned with anyone but themselves.

Bridgette bit her lip and seemed at a loss of words. "Duncan's not the jealous type…right?" The surfer moved the hair out of her eyes and gazed at her depressed friend. "These fights…what are they usually about?"

Gwen let out a sigh and took a sip of her warm drink. "Nothing…usually. Sometimes I'll forget to do something and it'll become a shouting match between him and I. The fights can get really heated." Gwen caught Bridgette's eye and read her expression. "No, no. He never hurts me in any way. Duncan may be a bad boy, but he's not THAT bad." Gwen rested her head on her open palm. "Trent was so…poetic and loving. Sure he was a little dorky in some aspects, but his heart was in the right place. My biggest mistake was to leave him." Gwen motioned the waiter over for another tea.

Bridgette looked up at the waiter and quickly added, "What types of pastries do you have?"

The teenager looked over to her and smiled. "Well, we have a strawberry Danish as well various shortbread items on the menu. Actually, we also have an extremely sweet chocolate filled pastry with chocolate chips on top but you'll want something that goes well with your tea-"

"We'll have the chocolate one. Bring it as soon as possible." The waiter gave Bridgette a funny look and scribbled down the order on his notepad and left, mumbling something about interrupting. Gwen raised her eyebrow at her friend.

"Hungry?"

Bridgette laughed. "No, it's for you. You've been through a lot and since you're having some boy trouble, I ordered you my personal treatment." A small beep sounded and the blonde looked down at her phone. "Oh shoot, it's Geoff. I'll just tell him I'll call him back later."

"No, no. Answer it. I don't want to cause any trouble between you two." Gwen patted her friend's phone. "Talk to him. Promise you won't be too long?"

Bridgette looked from the phone to Gwen. She grabbed the phone and flipped it open. "I'll be back in a flash." Bridgette moved away from the table and into the café. "No, Geoff. Wait…slow down…I can't hear you."

Soon Bridgette was out of Gwen's sight and Gwen was alone. Again. Gwen tapped her fingers on the table. If only Duncan and I could be in a relationship like theirs. Gwen looked at her own phone. One new message. She opened the message and glanced over it. Gwen, where did you go last night? You left in the middle of our conversation. Are you all right? It seems a little strange. –Trent.

Gwen felt a familiar wave of warmth come over her body. She read it over a few times. She glanced over her shoulder, making sure nobody was watching. Why am I doing that? Who could possibly be watching me? It's not against the law to reply to an ex's text message. Gwen looked at her screen and started to skillfully move her fingers, hitting the numbered keys. Hey Trent. I'm fine. Nothing's wrong. Never been better. – Gwen. The goth stared at the screen before pressing delete. Try it again. She thought about what she would say. Write the truth. Hey Trent. Duncan and I had a row last night. Don't worry, nothing major. We're just cooling off for a few days. It's nice to hear from you. By the way, what's your preference? Phoenix or Dragon? – Gwen. She pressed 'Send' and watched the little animated letter go into a mailbox. Gwen put her phone down and acknowledged the waiter who had just put down her tea and chocolate pastry. A familiar buzzing noise sounded and Gwen grabbed at the phone and opened the new message, although she felt she was a little too eager. Man, that guy has to watch it. He doesn't realize how good he has it. Want to talk? I prefer the Phoenix, it represents rebirth and renewal. –Trent. Gwen could feel herself blushing as she read the message. He doesn't realize how good he has it. Trent…Sometimes you're too sweet.

"Sorry I took so long!" Bridgette slid appeared out of no where and started Gwen. "Geoff was supposed to meet someone up at a nearby coffee place. He wasn't sure where it was located." Bridgette laughed and slid the phone in her hoodie pocket. "Hey Gwen, you okay? You're blushing."

"Am I?" Gwen averted her gaze to her phone on the table and quickly stashed it away. "The dessert came." Gwen motioned to the pastry and picked up a fork. "Bridge, you're going to have to help me eat this."

The blonde laughed and grabbed her fork. "Only because you suggested it." As the two friends started eating the chocolate filled pastry, Gwen had some time to think. After Total Drama Island, she and Duncan had started their relationship but perhaps a little too quickly after Trent. Gwen hated to admit it but she still had strong feelings for Trent and she was afraid that would never change. She hadn't meant to blurt it out in front of Duncan last night. Last night was a huge mistake. Last night should not have happened. "Bridgette?"

"Hmm?" Bridgette was in the midst of putting the fork in her mouth and looked rather comical while she waited for her gothic friend to speak.

" Trent has been really supportive of my choices since Total Drama Island. He's been a great friend and I absolutely love talking to him. But at the same time, I know my friendship with Trent is hurting my relationship with Duncan." The goth took a deep breath. "What am I going to do?"

Bridgette looked sympathetically at her friend. "It's a tough call. You shouldn't do anything that would hurt your current relationship and yet, friends will help you in the long run. What about Courtney? Surely Courtney has come up in conversations with you two. Duncan might feel the way you do with Trent, only with Courtney." She wrinkled her nose.

Gwen didn't look up from the pastry. She had begun prodding her fork and the tasty pastry had quickly become a source of amusement. "No, Duncan and Courtney's relationship was pretty clean-cut. At the ending ceremony, he barely spoke about her at all. It's a little surprising since I thought the two were so close. He hasn't spoken to her in a while." Gwen gave up on the partially destroyed pastry and gingerly put her fork down. "I must be the worst girlfriend ever."

At the sound of Gwen's words, Bridgette instantly shifted her seat so she now sat beside Gwen. "Gwen, listen to yourself. You are a wonderful girl and any guy would be lucky to have you. Don't think twice about it. Duncan had an interest in you and he pursued it. You must me doing something right." Bridgette turned and gave her friend a bear hug. The surfer felt the goth stiffen in her grasp but casually ignored Gwen's attempts to go free. Gwen wasn't overly fond of hugs but Bridgette had made it her personal goal to change that. Bridgette finally released her and gave flashed Gwen a smile. "I want you to go out and do something fun today. Go see a movie, go to an amusement park, just do something. We're still under contract and soon we'll have to go back to that ridiculous reality show. Have fun while you can and don't worry about the little details." Bridgette shifted her seat back in its rightful place and started running her fingers through her golden hair.

Gwen was stunned. She hadn't expected the speech Bridgette had just given her but oddly enough; it made her feel a thousand times better. "Wow, have you ever considered being a therapist? You would be awesome at your job. You know how to really cheer a dreary girl up."

Bridgette grinned. "I'm glad." She glanced at Gwen's phone which vibrated with a notice of an incoming call. "Go on, answer it. I'll see you later." Before Gwen could do anything about it, Bridgette had flagged the waiter and paid the entire bill. Bridgette caught Gwen's eye and winked. "Don't worry about it. Pay me back when you win the million next season." Bridgette waved her friend good-bye and soon Gwen was left alone with her vibrating phone and the remains of the chocolate pastry.

Gwen couldn't help but chuckle. Bridgette, what would I do without her? Gwen glanced at the number on her cell phone and quickly pressed 'Answer'. "Hello?"

"Gwen! I'm so happy I caught you. You didn't reply to your text. I hope your okay." The sound of Trent's voice made Gwen feel warm inside, a feeling she rarely experienced. "I'm sorry if I seem a little obnoxious by calling you but I'm genuinely worried. I've been hearing about a lot of fights between you and Duncan."

"I'm fine, Trent. To be honest, I'm glad you called. I really needed to hear a friendly voice today." The goth bit her lip as she decided what to say. "Listen, are you free today?" A loud noise sounded from Trent's end of the phone and sounds of scrambling. "Trent? You okay over there?" Gwen couldn't help but smile.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I'm just…reorganizing my room." Trent sounded slightly out of breath. "I'm definitely available for you. I mean…" A slight pause and a sound of a hand hitting a forehead. "What I mean is, I'll make time for you. What did you have in mind?" The way Trent was trying to play cool around Gwen, it made her forget about everything. It was just her and Trent on Total Drama Island. Back when they were together and were secretly crushing on each other, the better times.

"I was hoping we could…I don't know…see a movie?" Gwen had hesitated before inviting him to the movie. Movies were usually an activity done with Duncan. Nothing to worry about. Just two friends seeing a feature film together.

"Great! Sounds amazing. Which movies did you want to see? I hear there are a few romantic comedies out…" Trent paused and Gwen heard some chuckling. "I almost forgot, you're not that type of movie-goer. Does a horror movie or a thriller better spark your interest?"

"A horror movie would really take the edge off. I know how you don't really like horror movies too much but don't worry, I'll protect you." Gwen's voice suddenly went flirty. She hadn't felt this happy for a while. She couldn't believe she was actually flirting with Trent again. A thought quickly crossed her mind. What happens if he wants to stay friends? What if he doesn't flirt back? I'll just make a fool out of myself…

"I think I'll be able to manage whatever you dish out." Gwen breathed a sigh of relief. Trent was back to being his cool, slightly flirty self. Gwen realized that Trent hadn't come face to face with her since the Total Drama Island ending ceremony. This was a big step for both of them I'm determined to make this work. "Does six o'clock sound good to you?"

"Absolutely. I'll see you then." Gwen listened for his farewell and ended the call. Her heart was racing and she started to feel a little dizzy. I think I'm falling in love all over again.

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Author's Note: Finally we get to see what Gwen's up to. It seems like Duncan's not the only one who will be reunited with an old friend. Next chapter will be back to Duncan's point of view and experiences. As always, the italics represent Gwen's thoughts. I tried to keep the characters in character as much as possible. I always say Bridgette as the hugging type. Sorry if you see any grammar mistakes but my Spell Check isn't working so I tried to take extra care in creating a decent chapter. Reviews are vital for encouragement. They don't have to be long. Just a few thoughts would suffice.

For every review that's submitted, a prayer is sent to Duncan's dear pet spider, Scruffy.