26: Foggy Breaths: Justin and Sadie

Sadie had always been "the best friend". She and Katie were like sisters for as long as she could remember, so falling into the friend category was easy. The only problem was she couldn't figure a way out of it. For a long time, she didn't feel she had an identity of her own. Anything she tried to do, Katie was usually better, even at dancing, which was Sadie's passion first and foremost. She tried not to let it bother her though, because Katie really was a nice girl and she didn't mean to hurt Sadie on purpose.

When they got to "Total Drama" and met Justin, Sadie immediately liked what she saw, yet she also knew that Katie did too. She refused to steal the boy Katie liked (it was an unwritten rule) so she just played along with Katie's fondling, secretly hoping Justin would just pick Katie already and get the whole thing over with. It surprised her when her best friend picked Noah instead. This was, of course, after the show, but still, it surprised Sadie. She should have seen it coming though. While Noah was a sarcastic bore, she supposed Katie saw something in him that made him likable. She trusted her friend's judgement.

Their blossoming relationship meant the two friends saw each other less often, which Sadie accepted begrudgingly. After all, what could she do about it? Katie was happy and that was really all that mattered. This change in their relationship though left Sadie without an identity. With no one to constantly be the "best friend" for, what was she to do?

Surprisingly enough, it was Justin who started the changing process. While Noah and Katie were still in a period of courtship, Justin helped her find a new style which was completely necessary, if Sadie was going to find a new identity. She was reluctant to start though, because change is hard and terrifying when you're going at it alone. She wasn't alone though, not really. Justin might not be the nicest of people, but he knew style. He knew what made people look good, what didn't, and how to tell it to a person in a quick-dry manner. When he gave her tips, it was like he was ripping off a bandage. By the time it was done, her skin stung but she felt better, cleansed maybe.

That was just the beginning though. Now that Noah and Katie was officially an item, Sadie had to find something else to occupy her day. She turned to dance, an old friend, almost older than Katie.

At first, it was difficult. Sadie was completely out of shape so her physic required a bit of a tune up before she could go back into it completely. Luckily, her parents, especially sister, were supportive of this and the whole family went on a diet together. While eating healthier, Sadie also started going to the gym and doing physical activity on a daily basis. Her dance teacher watched the progress she was making and encouraged her to keep at it.

"By the spring, you just might be able to compete."

With that comment in mind, Sadie worked harder to get back with her old friend. Justin helped too. He didn't really need to work out, his metabolism kept him trim, but he did go for runs or other things to keep her company. She knew he didn't have to, he had to obligation to do anything for her, but he did, and she wondered if she could call him a friend. It seemed ridiculous because she never would have guessed someone as attractive would want to be her friend, but the longer she thought on it, that's exactly what they were. That thought excited her. For once, someone saw her as a person with a real identity, without Katie there influencing it.

As the December chill settled in, it was harder to make trips out to Justin's ranch, but she tried to as much as she could. She loved seeing him in his element, especially with the horses. Justin was physically beautiful, but she found she liked him a lot more when he was just acting like a regular guy and not primping for a photo shoot or something. The longer their friendship lasted it became harder to see him as the guy who she and Katie fawned over on "Total Drama".

About a week after helping him shovel the driveway, Sadie was at his ranch again, this time on the couch watching the snow fall. The window was frosty and for the past two minutes she had been fogging up the window with her breath then creating pictures with it. Justin's family was in the city doing some shopping and Justin was in his bedroom getting changed out of his work clothes. He got covered in snow when one of the horses bucked him off. It didn't happen often, for most of the horses were well behaved, but as he explained later, they are like humans.

"They have their moments."

Sadie ran a hand through her loose, black hair and sighed, growing bored. "Justin, how long does it take you to put on new jeans?" she called. A while ago, she wouldn't have dreamed of talking to him as if he was, well, a regular person, but she felt she earned that right after all the time they'd spent together.

She heard Justin's scoff as he exited his room. "It takes time to look this good, don't you know." He settled on the couch beside her and looked at the pictures she drew. They weren't anything special, just smiley faces and some flowers. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye and saw he was staring at her. An envelope was also in his lap.

He held the envelope out to her. "Here, open it." She stared at it strangely.

"What is it?"

"Just open it," he insisted.

Sadie broke the seal and pulled out a gift certificate to one of the fanciest restaurants in town. It must have cost a hefty sum, and she felt guilty for even holding it. She looked back at her friend and raised an eyebrow.

"Justin, what is this?"

"It's a gift certificate. It'll get you one appetizer, two entrees, and a dessert. It's my Christmas present to you," he explained.

"But Christmas isn't for another week at least. I haven't even bought yet!"

Justin smiled. "Well, my family usually goes away to California for the holidays, so I won't be here for Christmas. And I think I know what you can get me for Christmas."

"What?"

He suddenly looked very shy, unlike his normal, confident self. "Go on a date with me."

She thought she misheard. "What?"

"Go on a date with me," he repeated. "We could use the certificate, if you want. Or not. Whatever's cool with you," he tried to sound casual, but his frantic gaze and fiddling fingers gave away his nerves. Justin was nervous about asking her on a date? The thought made her shocked and excited at the same time.

Sadie beamed and placed a hand over his. "I'd love to Justin. How about we use it as soon as you get back?"

"Sounds good," he smiled in relief. "Want to watch a movie or something?"

"Sure!"

As Justin went to grab his DVD case, she eagerly pulled out her phone and frantically texted Katie.

Guess who has a date coming up?!