Chapter 26: Interlude

The campers all got a day off between seasons, and they got to spend it however they wanted, except Beth. She had to go to the orthodontist. She waved goodbye to Lindsay and left. An hour later she was sitting in a waiting room. Sitting across from her was an attractive young man reading a magazine. Beth started staring at him. He looked up and Beth smiled, but he looked a bit confused. Beth looked away, frowning. Then, she gasped. She pulled a yellow bottle out of her pocket and sprayed on some perfume, then turned back to the young man and smiled. He sniffed the air, looked up and saw her. He smiled back. "Hey." "Hey", Beth said. "You getting your braces off too?", she asked. The young man nodded. "Yeah, finally. They were really hurting my modeling career." "Wow, really? Mine were just hurting my gums", Beth said. The young man laughed. "Good one. So, um, my name's Brady. What's yours?" "Beth." "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Beth."

Confession Cam: Beth

"Oh my gosh, that was so great! I met a guy and he actually seems to like me! He said it's a pleasure to meet me, laughed at something I said, and even gave me his phone number! I think I'm gonna ask him out... am I moving too fast? Is he gonna reject me? Only one way to find out..."

Back at camp, Geoff and Izzy were making out in the hot tub at Playa des Losers. "This is so awesome, babe." Izzy smiled. "I know! We may not have won this season, but we both get a shot at the next one! E-Scope's gonna win big!" Geoff smirked. "Actually, I meant being here with you." Izzy hugged him tightly. "Aww, you're so sweet, Geoffie!" "Glad you think so, babe. So, if one of us wins next season, what're we gonna do with the money?" Izzy shrugged. "Either build a laser cannon, start our own country or throw a huge party in Vegas. What do you think sounds best." "You really have to ask?" "The party?" "Totally." Izzy rolled her eyes. "You sure have a one track mind..." "Hey, I've got enough of a mind to fit you in it, don't I?" Izzy laughed and messed with his hair. "Yeah, true." Then they started making out again.

Over in the pool, Justin was swimming while Katie and Sadie watched from the pool bar. Heather sat with them, sipping a smoothie. "He's so hot, isn't he?", Katie asked. "Totally!", Sadie said. "What would you do if he asked you out?" "Oh, I'd probably die of happiness." "Me too!" "No way!" "Yes way!" "Uh, girls?", Heather asked. "I thought we came here to talk about our alliance." Katie gasped. "Oh, right. So, uh... you first?" Heather put down her smoothie and nodded. "Well, first of all, thank you both again for helping me win, and trying to help me get the million dollar case. I don't think I could've done it without you." Katie and Sadie leaned in and hugged Heather. "Aww, no problem, Heather", Sadie said. "Just wish we could've kept the money", Katie said. She and Sadie sighed. "Don't worry", Heather said. "I've got a plan. I'll just make an alliance again next season. Since everyone knows I'm nice now, and I'm a great competitor, it should be easy getting some of the others to help me reach the finals. Then when I win, I'll give you guys some of my prize money, since I owe you." Katie nodded. "Good plan."

Confession Cam: Heather

"It's too bad Katie and Sadie won't be with me next season, since I know I could rely on them for help. Instead I need to find someone else. But who? Gwen?"

On the other side of the pool, Lindsay and Cody were lying down, trying to tan. Cody sighed. "You sure your tanning lotion is gonna help?" "Of course it is! I use it all the time", she said. Cody nodded. "Okay then. So, wanna talk about anything?" Lindsay shook her head and stretched. "No, I just wanna enjoy this. Next season starts tomorrow, so we'll be doing more challenges and gross stuff any day now. Let's just enjoy this." Cody smiled. "Sounds good to me..."

Confession Cam: Cody

"Lindsay may not be the smartest girl ever, or even the smartest one I've met this summer, but she's wiser than she looks. I like that. We make a great mental match, and we make a decent physical match too. If we stick together, there's no way we can lose next season."

Back at camp, Eva was working out. She ran around the island while carrying weights. She was also listening to her MP3 player. Tyler tried copying her workout routine but couldn't handle it, so he just did pushups instead after a few minutes.

Confession Cam: Eva

"I may have lost twice last season, AND lost the million dollar case the other day, but I am NOT going to lose again! If these losers try to get rid of me ever again, they're gonna pay dearly."

Ezekiel and Noah sat on the steps in front of the mess hall. Noah was trying to read, but Ezekiel kept interrupting him. "It really sucks that we lost, eh", he said. Noah didn't look up from his book. "Meh, could be worse", he replied. "It's totally whack, yo! I could've scored some major props back home if I'd won!" "Sorry about that..." "I'm just sick of people always dissing me, eh. No one gives me much respect. I'm just some weird home schooled kid, and I'm not very good at anything. I thought if I did my best here, I could change all that, but..." "I hear ya. I for one just wanted the money." Ezekiel raised an eyebrow. "What for?" Noah closed his book and sighed. "I have a lot of projects I wanna start, but I don't have any funding. Instead of getting a summer job, I tried to win a hundred grand. Maybe I should've listened to my parents, but hey, I'm a genius. It's not my fault if I think I'm always right if I usually am." Ezekiel nodded. "Well maybe there'll be a third season. Think we'd have a good chance then?" Noah rolled his eyes. "Oh please, there's no way that'll happen."

Confession Cam: Noah

"Personally I'd rather run this show than compete on it again. Making people humiliate and hurt themselves is a lot more interesting than suffering yourself. Maybe I can get Chris to give me a job..."

Meanwhile, Harold was talking to Leshawna. "So, think you'll win next season?", he asked her. Leshawna smirked. "Oh please, I could win any challenge with one hand tied behind my back. You, on the other hand? You need some help." Harold smirked back at her. "Well maybe you could help me. How does a partnership sound, my dear?" Leshawna smacked his head gently. "Boy, you need to stop that. I've told you I don't like you that way. Find yourself some other girl, one who actually likes you back." Harold frowned. "But Leshawna, I love you!" She hugged him. "Oh I know you do, Harold. But I just wanna be friends. Maybe you could try one of the other girls around here? Heather's nice, maybe she'd be interested too." "I don't know..."

Confession Cam: Harold

"Heather is pretty nice. On the other hand, I like stronger women, and I don't know if Heather has that quality anymore. She's really changed since the summer started. Guess there's only one way to find out..."

Over by the lake, Bridgette was sitting on her surfboard in the water. Owen ran up to the dock and yelled "Cannonball!" and jumped into the water. He splashed Bridgette and nearly knocked her off her board. She glared at him. "Owen, watch it!" He laughed. "Oh, sorry! My bad! Oh, and, good luck next season!" Bridgette smiled. "You too, Owen."

Confession Cam: Bridgette

"Owen's really nice, so I hate to say anything bad to him. Well, that and I just don't like being mean, it makes me look bad and people would hate me for it. But he really needs to be more serious about things if he wants to win in season two. That, and lose about thirty pounds."

Duncan was relaxing under a tree nearby, trying to sleep. Courtney walked up and kicked his leg. "What do you want?", he whined. Courtney glared at him. "You're competing in season two, why aren't you doing anything to prepare?" "I'd rather not waste my energy, and since you're NOT competing, you shouldn't waste yours. I'm trying to enjoy getting this far." "If I were in your place I'd be studying or training." "You see, that's why you never have any fun."

At dinner time, DJ went to the mess hall, where Chef was waiting. "Hey, Chef! Can I get a burger and onion rings?", he asked. Chef grumbled and gave him a tray with a burnt hamburger and exactly one onion ring. DJ sighed and went to a table to eat.

Confession Cam: DJ

"Chef could really take some lessons from my mom, she's an amazing cook. Her secret spices perk up everything she makes, even buttered toast! I should probably bring some of her recipes and stuff for next season."

After dinner, Gwen and Trent were sitting together on the dock watching the sun set. Trent sighed. "It's so beautiful... kinda reminds me of you." Gwen blushed and turned away. "Stop saying stuff like that." "Why? It's true, you know." "I know, but I get all embarrassed when you compliment me that much." Trent hugged Gwen. "Sorry about that. I'll try being more of a jerk, how's that?" Gwen giggled. "No, never mind. It's fine." She turned to Trent and kissed him. "So, ready to help me win next season?" "I was last time", he said. "Just sorry I couldn't do more. I promise I'll do whatever I can next time around." Gwen smiled. "Thanks... hope it works." Trent sighed. "Same here... hey, Gwen? Do you feel like we're forgetting something?"