Zoey's P.O.V.

I trudged home and threw my bag onto my bed before collapsing there myself. This was too much. All I needed to do was get my dad to sign that stupid form and I could easily stay away from Mal then. I doubt he'll actually go. Even if he does, I can hang out with Dawn and Bridgette, and find out why she looked so tired the day Mal got hit by a car.

I wonder if they broke up. No, Geoff likes Bridgette too much to break up with her. But still, I can't think of anything else that would make Bridgette so out of whack.

'It's not your problem, Zoey. Go get that form signed.' I listened to myself and went out of my room with the paper in my hand, a pen in the other.

"Hey, Dad." I smiled at him.

He looked up from the book he was reading. Does he ever work? I couldn't remember what his job was. "Hey, Zo. What's up?"

I thought about how I wanted to say this without him cutting my off and saying no. The first time letting my on Total Drama was hard, though he never actually saw the show. The second time was harder. This time, I better make sure to tell him I'll only be on the sidelines. 'Maybe' I thought in my head, reminding myself of the line that we might demonstrate.

"Chris," My dad narrowed his eyes as soon as I said his name. I started again, "Chris wants us to be on his aftershow and only watch." I made sure to emphasize my point. "He just needs parent permission that I can go. We might talk a bit, but mostly we'll just be on the show and watch the interviews of the contestants."

Dad stayed there, staring at me. Surprisingly, I didn't feel as nervous as I normally would have.

He leaned over and took the paper that was outstretched from me hand and then took the pen from the other. He scanned over the document before sighing and signing his name at the bottom. He gave it back to me and went back to his book.

"That's it?" I asked. He nodded his head without looking up. "But normally, you don't want me to go."

"I know, but you're getting older now. You have to be independent. So, I guess letting you go without a fight is a good start." My mind drifted off to the conversation we had only a few days ago.

"I do worry about you Zoey."

That was it? I turned around and went straight back to my room. I sat on my bed and almost cried when I came to the realization that my dad was letting me go, not to the show, but letting me go to my own protective circle instead of his.

Next year, I would be a senior, and already he was scribbling away at the paper without a second thought? Maybe... Maybe, I'm reading into this too much. Of course he's always going to protect me and want to oversee what I do. He just didn't want to be an annoying parent who was always hovering over their child's shoulder, like he did my whole life.

I nodded my head, but soon my mind drifted off elsewhere. Mike was trapped still. Mal was haunting my day and night. And to top it off still, Mal might be hinting that he feels the same. Though, that's practically impossible. 'Liking him was impossible too.' My mind retorted.

The light suddenly went out, and then turned back on. I guessed the power went out.

A noise made me jump. For once, it wasn't Mal. My old radio had kicked on and it was playing music. It was one of my favorite songs from my Jonas Brothers phase. That was a while ago.

I remembered the name as soon as the song had said it. "Love Bug." I threw my pillow at the radio. I didn't need to be reminded of how I was feeling.

Mal's P.O.V.

It quickly grew dark as I ran home. When I was a few houses away, I slowed down. I kicked my feet at the ground to keep myself busy. It didn't work very well.

What had happened to me? Once, I was a well-known juvie convict, now I'm literally going crazy over some- some happy-go-lucky ginger!

I slammed the door as soon as I had entered.

Mike's mom jumped at the noise, she was looking at some clothes magazine in the T.V. room. I smiled when I realized I had remembered to not call her mom. I didn't have a mother. I had a creator, of whom I hate.

I realized what my whole goal was for flirting with that putrid girl was. To make Mike get mad and freak out. All he was doing now was playing a game of Go Fish with the others. Didn't they have any other game to play.

I reassembled my thoughts and tried to remember everything that had happened with Zoey. I needed to organize some kind of scene. But what? I didn't want to do this now, but Mike might take over soon if I don't crush him now.

Zoey's P.O.V.

It's Wednesday now and we're all going to the theatre. I don't know where it is, but Bridgette told me it was a long ride, so I should pack some things to do while we were going there.

For once, Chris was being courteous and he arranged rides for us. But we have to go in pairs. I pity the person who has to ride with Owen. I wonder if Izzy's ride will ever even get to the theatre. They'll probably crash, or have to go chase Izzy because she ran out of the car.

I don't know who I'm with yet, but the car should be arriving soon. As long as I don't have to sit with Mal, I'll be fine.

A car horn interrupted my thoughts and I grabbed my bags.

"They're here." My dad told me. He waited by the front door to say good bye. He's been expressionless since he signed that form. I wish I had some way of getting in his head and knowing what he was thinking. "Bye, Zo." He hugged me before opening the door.

He waved when I got in, I waved back. I thought his face looked kind of red, but I wasn't really sure.

I turned around to see Bridgette. 'Thank God.'

"Hey, Zoey." Bridgette smiled and stuck her hands in her hoodie.

"Hey, Bridgette. You ready?" I arranged my bags as soon as the car started moving. It was actually kind of spacious in here, though it wasn't a limo.

"Yeah..." She trailed off.

I frowned. "Are you alright?"

"Hmm? Oh yeah, sorry. It's just, I've been planning Geoff's surprise party. It's going to be huge, but I don't know if the people I told will keep it a secret while we're away at the Aftershow. I've only told a few like Duncan and DJ, but now I'm rethinking it."

That made sense, a notebook in her pocket and a cellphone clutched in her hand. She was obviously in the middle of making arrangements. Being out where we were, it was hard to get some places to come down, and especially if it was on a short notice. "When's the party?"

"It was supposed to be in a month, but I'll have to move it over if the show takes too long. Or maybe I can cancel and arrange one at the show..." Bridgette ran her fingers through her hair.

"That's a great idea! You can have it in one of the aftershows! Chris will definitely approve if he thinks it can improve ratings." I told her.

"You think?" Bridgette started getting a little excited. I nodded.

SONG RECOMMENDATION: Love Bug by Jonas Brothers

Hey... Sorry about the late update. I was taking a little break from writing. And then I got piled with projects... So... updates will be late until I finish them. That's all I have to say right now. Review, I guess. Thank you for your support. Bye.