DISCLAIMER:

Welcome to the third story. In this chapter, Dawn will tell her story. Will she be honest like Dakota, or will she lie like Jo? Did she really date someone before? Find out right now.

Total Drama belongs to Fresh TV, its creators, and distributors. I don't own anything from the properties used in this fic

Dawn story

The sun began to go down, but it was impossible to notice it with the sky covered with dark clouds. Inside the bus the atmosphere was as stormy as outside.

"Wait, we agreed to tell a personal story about our relationships, right?" asked Anne Maria, raising an eyebrow. "How can shorty tell us a story if she had never dated before?"

"Oh, who says I never dated before?" said Dawn, The dark sky giving an ominous look on the aura reader.

Staci raised a finger, "That's true, ya. Dawn has been in a relationship since…"

"Staci, please, I know you're really proud of your information network, but don't disclose my personal information without my permission," Dawn smiled, but Staci felt the small girl's gaze stabbing her.

"D-don't worry, ya, I would never say anything private without permission," replied Staci, trembling.

Zoey glared at her. "That's a big lie, but it's not as if we could expect something different from you."

Staci frowned at the redhead as Dakota stood between them.

"Please calm down, ok. We're doing this to have a good time," as Dakota talked, a sudden bolt of lightning fell as if backing her words. "So let's hear Dawn's story."

Dawn made a small smile and blushed. "It's actually a pretty boring story, but after hearing Dakota and Jo, I think it's fair I share it with you."

"If it's boring, you can skip it, Tinkerbell," said Jo before Dakota hit her with an empty plastic bottle. "What's your problem?"

"Shuush, maybe you don't care, but I want to hear it," Dakota glared at Jo. "Dawn and I have been friends for a long time, and she never told me how she started dating her boyfriend."

Zoey looked at them with wide eyes. "WHAT!? You knew Dawn had a boyfriend?" She looked at the floor with a pained expression. "I thought we were friends, and this is the first time I heard about this."

"Oh, no, I didn't know she had a boyfriend," Dakota lied, making a weird smile. "I suppose she had one, but I just found out now."

"Sorry for keeping it a secret, but it's my first relationship, and it had some troubles, so I couldn't find a moment to tell you," said Dawn, frowning. "But as an apology, let me tell you my story."

Where should I start? Well, I guess it's better to go from the beginning.

This story starts in Calgary a few weeks after the end of our season. I ended the show with some good and bad memories and the money Cameron generously gave us. I donated part to different charities and saved the rest for emergencies. I must say all of this experience seemed like a dream.

As summer ended, I entered my second year of high school. Appearing in the show helped me make some friends and made people less afraid of my aura reading. Sadly many people just wanted to befriend me for interest, either for my ephemeral fame or the money Cameron gave me. So even with my friends, I still felt a bit lonely.

And as you already know, I like to use my gifts to aid others, so I use some of my free time to help in shelters, orphanages, and hospitals. I just wanted to help others as a coping mechanism to ignore my insecurities.

Annotation: Jo

"What? How many part-time jobs did you have?" asked Jo, glaring at her.

"I didn't have any job," said Dawn tilting her head. "I help them as a volunteer for free."

Jo's jaw dropped. "Working for free? Ha, I knew you were crazy, peroxide Wednesday, but you hit it out of the stadium."

"HEY! I think what Dawn does is great!" said Zoey, frowning

"I agree with Red. It's her time. If she wants to waste her free time or whateva, she can do it," said Anne Maria, pointing at Jo with her file.

Dawn looked at her with wide eyes, "thanks?"

"You're welcome," said Anne Maria looking at her nails. "Perfect."

"Anyway, as I was saying …"

Anyway, as I was saying, I volunteered in the hospital, visiting people, looking at their auras, and talking with them. Many people feel anxious and lonely, and having someone to talk to can help a lot when one is recovering.

And as I was going through the rooms, I met him.

He was a young patient, a few months older than me. He suffered a terrible accident and couldn't move at all. And the worst part was that his family wasn't from Calgary, so he was all alone.

Whoever, what shocked me about him was his aura. He had a dirty and dark aura like I had never seen before. So I decided to ignore him. Nothing good could come from helping someone like him.

But looking at him all alone, with his eyes fixed on the window, broke my heart. So after struggling a lot, I decided to help him for a time.

Annotation: Anne Maria

"Even when your hocus pocus said he was a bad person, you helped him anyway?" asked Anne Maria crossing her arms.

"First, it's not hocus pocus, it's aura reading. There is a big difference," Dawn raised a finger in a teacher-like way. "Magic use formulas to draw the mana from the living things and manipulate reality. While aura reading is simpler, you just observe the energy produced by the living things and interpret it based on its colors."

Staci nodded. "That's true. Aura reading usually seemed more spiritual and physical phenomena, unlike magic, which is more controversial."

"Now you'll say your family invented Aura reading," said Jo in a harsh tone.

"No, My family didn't invent aura reading," said Staci, shrugging. "But my great, great, great, great, great, great second grand uncle Louis invented the classic bunny inside the hat trick, ya. Before him, people did the trick using a chest, which was more bothersome to wear over your head."

Dawn nodded. "Well, show magicians and true magicians aren't the same, even if some true magicians hide among show magicians to get money and fame…"

"The conversation about mages and magicians is great and everything…" interrupted Dakota, smiling. "But what happened with your boyfriend?"

"Oh my goodness, sorry, I got distracted," said Dawn, blushing. "And he wasn't my boyfriend."

"And what is his name?" asked Zoey, her eyes sparkling.

Dawn looked at her and lowered her face, then she smiled. "Outis, his name is Outis."

Some girls looked at Dawn with a perplexed expressions, while others chuckled.

"What kind of name is Outis? It's even weirder than Dawn," said Jo, squinting at her.

"Really? I don't think it's that weird," said Dawn, blushing.

Anyway, I decided to help him. I went every day and read him some books, helped him change positions, and took him out in a wheelchair to the garden. Of course, I couldn't lift him, so the nurses usually helped me.

However, his aura was reddish and dark, I hoped his aura would lighten with time, but it didn't seem to be the case.

The days became weeks, and I met his parents and sister. They were quite different from what I expected. At first, they were shocked I was taking care of him and were pretty grateful but insisted I should stop coming, but after the first month, we got closer, and they even gave me their number.

After the first two months, I got used to visiting him. That day I went to his room and was surprised by what I found. Outis was sitting in his bed, watching tv.

"Outis, you're sitting!" I shouted, running toward him.

"Yes I…"

I got too excited and interrupted him, giving him a strong hug. He patted my head.

"I told you, you would get better with time. I'm so glad," I said, trying to not get too emotional.

He smirked. "Darn it, girl, I think you're happier for my recovery than me."

"Of course I'm happy. Look at you, you can even talk," I said, drying up tears.

"Yes, thanks. But only my mouth is fine, my arms are weird and weak, and my lazy legs can move, but I can't walk," Outis said, punching his leg.

I hold his hand "STOP! How can you hurt yourself after you have just recovered? Please be kinder with your body."

"Why do you care? It's my leg!" Outis glared at me.

"Because we're friends, and I won't let you get hurt now that you're finally getting better," I said, crossing my arms.

He looked at me with wide eyes and chuckled. "Since when are we friends?"

"Are you saying we aren't?" I replied, raising an eyebrow.

Outis took a moment to think and sighed, his aura lightening a bit. "Ok, ok, you're right. We're something like friends. It's weird hearing it from you."

I smiled, he was stubborn, but at least he stopped hurting his legs, which was enough for me.

Then we began to work on his rehabilitation. Helping him walk again was a long and hard road, but luckily as I mentioned he was stubborn, and I was there to help him not overdo it.

Annotation: Dakota

"That's beautiful," said Dakota smiling. "You would do a lovely nurse."

"Thank you!" Dawn blushed, smiling proudly.

Anne Maria raised an eyebrow. "But you didn't go too far for a stranger?"

"What do you mean?" Dawn tilted her head.

"That even if you like to help others, you watched this guy for months while he was paralyzed and more weeks while he rehabilitated. It's not too much for a stranger?"

Zoey sighed. "Don't try to understand it, Anne Maria. Because Dawn is a generous and nice girl, she can do things like that."

"Are you saying I'm not generous and nice?" asked Anne Maria, glaring at Zoey.

"But you have a nice tan and a great hairstyle," Zoey forced a smile.

"And with Dakota, the best fashion sense among us," added Staci.

Anne Maria's angry expression softened. "That much is true, but being fashionable and having great hair doesn't mean I'm not generous. But let's leave it at that."

"Ok, resolved that issue. Let me continue…"

We keep working on his rehabilitation. Outis was crude and insensitive, but there was something in his personality that made me laugh. We were an unusual pair of friends, but I began to enjoy our afternoons together.

However, I realized the only people that visited him were his family. So one afternoon, we talked about it.

"Don't you miss your friends back in Alberta?" I asked while putting some incense in his room.

"Friends? Ha, those guys are only a bunch of losers that can't do anything without me," he said, smirking.

I frowned at him. "Outis, that's not something you say about your friends."

"And now you'll start preaching again…" he scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"I'm not preaching," I said, sitting next to his bed. "But is that attitude what puts a wall between you and other people, leaving you alone."

Annotation: Jo

"That's what someone says before they start preaching," said Jo, chuckling.

He smirked. "I'm a tough guy. I'm fine alone."

"That's a lie. We need others to live and you know it," I told him, putting my hand over his, "why do you want to push others away?"

He hesitated before pulling his hand away. "Why do you care?"

"Because we're friends."

"You really love that word, right?"

"Of course, friends is one of my favorite words together with world, mother nature, and renewable energy," I said, making a wide smile.

Outis sighed. "You're such a freak."

For some reason, hearing those words from him hurt me. I didn't understand why but I felt like crying.

"I mean freak in a good way!" he said panicking. "I mean, who likes renewable energy? But you're good as you're."

"I am?" I asked, making an effort to not cry.

"Yes, you're," he said, looking away. "So don't put that expression."

I smiled. It was clumsy but also cute the way he tried to comfort me, "ok, but you need to make an effort to make friends."

He groaned, but I knew he wasn't being serious. It was that night that I realized I liked him.

Annotation: Zoey

"Oh my gosh, that's so cute!" said Zoey, covering her mouth. "So you told him your feelings?"

"Haha, you're going too fast Zoey," said Dawn making a sad smile. "But I should had. In fact, if I had been brave enough to tell him my feelings, the story would be different."

"So what happened next?" asked Dakota, also immersed in the story.

After 8 weeks, Outis had almost recovered. He could walk around the hospital, and we talked a lot about the world and ourselves.

Under his harsh exterior, he showed himself to be a good brother and son… Well, maybe he wasn't a good son, but at least he wanted to help his sister study in college.

Also, to my surprise, he was really interested in mother nature, and we had long talks about farming and environmentalism. It was a shame I couldn't get him interested in spiritual development.

But, like the seasons and the planetary movements, all cycles have a start and an end, and before I realized it, Outis gave me the good news.

"Hey, Fairy girl, it seems you'll get rid of me at last," he said with a smirk. "I'll be discharged tomorrow."

"Oh…" I just had an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach but forced a smile. "Congratulations, but all the opposite. I never felt it was a problem to look over you, and I did it because I wanted."

He raised both eyebrows. "Really? I could swear you rolled your eyes with many of my stories."

"Because you were a bully and a scoundrel. But I loved when you talked about your grandmother or about your dogs," I told him, putting my hands on my hips.

"I swear you only like the embarrassing stuff, but yeah, I love the old grandma. I can't wait to see her and the other geezers back in Alberta," he said, looking out the window.

I frowned. "You shouldn't talk like that about old people. They did a lot so you can live a good life, so they deserve our appreciation."

"Hahah, I'm just messing with you," he winked. "You nag more than Ma."

We both laughed and kept watching the city lights.

"I'll say it only once, so you better listen," Outis said, his voice a pinch lower than usual. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," I replied. For some reason, I expected something more.

But that only happens in fairy tales. After that night, we said our farewells, and he returned to Alberta.

Annotation: Dakota

"So he didn't confess you?" asked Dakora, her eyes wide.

"No, we just said goodbye and continued with our lives," said Dawn with a sad smile.

"That guy is a coward," said Jo, crossing her arms.

Zoey, nodded. "Yes, that was just cruel! After you cared for him all the time."

"You can't force your feelings on others, Zoey," said Dawn, looking at the cloudy sky through the windows. "And even if we didn't start dating, we were still friends and called each other."

"And I guess there was some development, or this is the story of your first crush?" said Anne Maria, smiling.

Dawn leaned forward, "Yes, as you guessed, there is more in this story."

We kept contact, at first, talking every two days, but after the holidays, we started calling every third day, and in May, we only talked once a week.

I must say I couldn't stop thinking about him. And then summer arrived, and I was called to the loser's resort in total drama All-starts.

Annotation: Jo

"Worst season ever," said Jo, rolling her eyes.

"What? I think it's one of the best," replied Zoey, pouting. "Just because you were eliminated 3rd doesn't mean it was a bad season."

Staci raised a finger. "Actually is arguably the worst season of total drama together with…"

"Sorry to interrupt you, but this part is important to me. May I continue with my story?" said Dawn in a more serious tone.

The three girls stopped talking.

"Good, as I said…"

As I said, going to the resort was great. The change of environment helped me a lot, and also, being with some friends like B or people I always wanted to befriend like Dakota was an enriching experience.

The weeks were fun. Even if Total Drama wasn't a good experience for me, with all the dark energy and pollution, I still cherish it a bit because I made a lot of new friends there.

Also, this journey helped me create Wawanakwa mutant rights, an organization to help the animals and plants affected by toxic waste, so I was really happy.

But the universe is unpredictable, and my happiness came with some unexpected news about Outis … he began to date another girl.

Annotation: All

There was a small silence during the story. None of the other five girls said anything while Dawn looked sadly at the ground.

It was expected, no? I … I didn't know why but instead of being happy for him, I felt hurt. I cried a lot without reason, and back home, I had to force myself to do my usual routine with a smile because I didn't feel like doing anything.

I also stopped talking with Outis. I didn't feel like talking with him, so I didn't answer his calls. Thanks to the show, we lost contact, and some weeks after, he stopped talking. I started my last semester in high school, but I still felt tired.

Some days later, I finished my dinner when my father stopped me.

"Dawn, are you ok?" Asked my father, his golden eyes piercing me.

"Yes father, I'm fine," I lied. I don't know why I did that, but I didn't feel like telling him the truth.

My father's eyebrows lowered. "My dear, your beautiful aura is filled with dark blue clouds. It pains me that you're in pain. If I can help you, please tell me."

"Thanks, father, but don't worry, I'm fine," I forced myself to smile. "Maybe it's that I started the semester and am a bit stressed."

My father was about to reply, but my mother put her hand on his shoulder, interrupting him. "It seems this is something we need to talk about between girls, Mordred."

"Don't worry, mother, I'm fine," I said, but she ignored me and pulled me by my hand.

"Let's talk in your room," she said, and we went upstairs right into my room.

We both sat cross-legged next to my coffee table, which is lower than the standard because I prefer to sit on cushions than on chairs.

"So now your father isn't here, do you want to talk with me?" said my mother, looking into my eyes.

"I told you it's nothing," I told her, trying to look into her eyes. But I couldn't.

My mother made a warm smile. "It's about your friend from Alberta, right?"

I felt my face getting hotter. "O-Of course not."

"I thought so," my mother sat next to me and caressed my head. "My little Aurora, I don't need to read your aura to know you started liking him."

"I…" as always, my mother was right. I just laid using her leg as a pillow. "It doesn't matter anymore."

My mom began to play with my hair. "Why not?"

"Because he started dating another girl prettier than me," I told her. It hurt a lot, but it was true.

"Don't say something sad like that, you're really cute. And I'm sure you'll find the right person for you," said my mother caressing my hair.

I sighed. "I don't know why I like him, he's rough and loud, but also he treats me like a normal girl, even with my gift. I can't imagine falling for another person."

"Dawn, the universe has a plan, so sooner or later, you'll find out about it, and who knows, maybe you and that boy will meet again," my mother said, looking at me with tender eyes. "Only next time, you need to tell him your feelings. Because the universe won't move if you don't push."

"Thanks, mom," I told her, crying a little. "Can we stay like this a little longer?"

"As long as you want."

Annotation: Staci

"Dawn's father is a psychic, and her mother is a psychologist focused on rehabilitation and with many studies about optimism, ya. Both are pretty famous in their fields," said Staci raising a finger.

So I decided to listen to my mom and began sorting out my feelings for him. Then as my mother said, the universe made a move, and Outis called and invited me to spend the first weekend of October at his house for Al's birthday.

Seeing it as a chance to get closure, I accepted.

Annotation: Jo

"Al? didn't you say the bastard was called Ottis?" asked Jo, raising an eyebrow.

"First, he isn't a bastard, maybe a jerk, but not a bastard," said Dawn chuckling at her joke. "And Al is his sister ... Alexis."

Zoey chuckled. "I know it's silly, but I thought you were talking about Alejandro Burromuerto and got goosebumps."

"Alejandro's birthday is in July, so it was impossible," said Staci, crossing her arms.

"I didn't know you were a fan of the Latin boy," said Anne Maria, elbowing Staci.

Staci rubbed her arm with a pained expression. "I'm not, but I have a close friend that manages his fan blog and..."

"Anyway, let's focus on the story that I want to know what happened next," said Dakota, interrupting Staci.

I traveled to Outis's farm with a mix of determination and fear. However, the place put me at peace. The farms in the prairies were more beautiful than I expected.

Outis and his father were waiting for me at the station. It was a weird moment, none of us knew what to say. But thanks to Outis's Pa the trip was fine. He told me all about the town, the farms, and their neighbors.

We arrived at night, I met Outis' dogs, who were in best shape than I expected, and I had dinner with the family, including the famous grandma, who was more serious and stern than I imagined, but her aura was warm. The atmosphere improved once we were at the dinner table.

But I never had the chance to talk with Outis, not just the two of us.

I slept in a huge guest room and hoped we could talk tomorrow. It was comfortable, but I couldn't sleep. My mind was filled with thoughts about what I should tell him.

So I decided to take a walk. I put on my clothes and a jacket and walked outside, trying to not make any sounds to not bother those who were sleeping.

It was a cold night, but the sky was clear and beautiful. You could see the moon and the stars perfectly in the clear sky. No city lights or huge buildings hinder the view. And the orange-colored leaves made it even more outstanding.

And to my surprise, crouching next to the road was him. Outis buried something in the ground.

"What are you doing?"

"AAAAAHHH!" he shouted, the trap in the ground closing and pinching his fingers. "Ouch, DAMN IT!"

He flailed around and glared at me before putting his hand inside a water bucket.

"DAMN IT! WHAT ARE YOU, A DAMN SQUIRREL? TRY MAKING SOME NOISE BEFORE TALKING!" he shouted before blowing his fingers.

"Sorry, I didn't want to startle you," I said, crossing my arms. "But what is that device? Are you trying to hurt a poor animal with that contraption?"

He rolled his eyes. "NO! It's to puncture my annoying neighbor's bike tires."

"Why are you doing something so terrible?" I asked, wide-eyed.

"Because he's a prick and deserves a lesson," he replied, crossing his arms.

I sighed. "No! Don't you realize you get hurt because the universe is warning you to not do it?"

"It wasn't the universe, it was you. I swear I'll give you a damn bell to wear around your neck," he said, putting his swollen fingers again in the water.

"Please don't do this to yourself. Karma will return and hurt you again," I pleaded, holding his hand.

He looked at me and frowned. "Ok, Ok, I'll stop. But I hope the universe will get that prick."

"I'm sure it will," I said, smiling as he took off the trap and put it next to the barn.

"You're as annoying as ever," he said, smirking. "You're the most busybody girl I ever met."

"Thank you."

"It wasn't a compliment."

We looked at each other and laughed.

"I miss your nagging, pixie. Why did you stop answering my calls?" He asked without any thoughtfulness or delicacy, but that is how he is.

I hesitated about being honest or not, but then I remembered my mother's advice.

"Because I was offended."

"What does that mean?" Outis asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It means I was angry because you hurt my feelings."

He blanched, something I didn't expect. "When did I hurt your feelings?"

"You began dating another person and didn't tell me," I said, trying to sound neutral.

"Oh. that…" he rubbed his neck and looked at the ground.

"Are you happy?"

He frowned at me. "Hahaha, well, I guess I didn't tell you because we broke up."

"What?" I felt my heart skip a beat.

"I said I broke up with her," he said, shrugging. "She wasn't honest with me, and things became weird, so we just broke up."

I felt pretty guilty. "I'm sorry, I was insensitive."

"Don't worry. At least that means your magic powers can't do everything," he said with a smug expression.

"They aren't …"

"They aren't magic powers is aura reading," Outis said before I could correct him. "I know. I just wanted to annoy you as payment for mentioning my ex."

I frowned, and my face got hot. Then we both laughed.

"You're so childish," I smiled. "But I wouldn't like you in any other way."

He chuckled, "If you say it like that, it sounds like you like me."

"Maybe I do," I said, filled with confidence.

There was a small silence. He looked at the ground and groaned, then he scratched his head.

"Are you serious? I'm a bastard with a weird dark aura, remember?" Outis looked at me with wide eyes.

"Yes, but I see you have change and become a better person. You're far from perfect, but at least you're better," I smiled and decided it was enough. "But I just wanted to say it. You don't need to answer my feelings…"

"Let's try it," he said, interrupting me. "Dating and that stuff."

I felt my heart skip a beat. "It's not necessary, I…"

"Oh, c'mon Pixie, I may not be the best girlfriend out there, but I promise to do my best," he said, blushing and scratching his cheek. "So, if you don't mind."

I put my hand over his hand and smiled. "I want to try."

And then we kissed. It wasn't planned but I understand why people do it. I felt like flying, and after that, I hugged him, hoping to never let him go.

Dawn's story end

"And it's been a few months and we're still dating," said Dawn smiling. "that's the story of my first kiss."

"Oh my gosh it's so beautiful," said Dakota clapping, "but why do you never talk about it?"

Dawn blushed. "Because I'm still new at this, and I don't want people to judge me for who I'm dating."

"Don't worry Dawn we won't judge you," said Zoey smiling. "It's like Mike and me. This story happened some weeks after the Revenge of the island sea…"

"Wait!" said Jo interrupting her, "it's not your turn, Red."

Zoey blushed. "Oh right, sorry."

Then Dakota gave the box to Dawn, who took the next paper.

"Anne Maria," said Dawn, Zoey groaned, and Anne Maria cheered.

"Ok, stay away because here comes the winner," said Anne Maria.

Suddenly a thunder-like sound interrupted her, and the bus began to tremble. The six girls looked at the door with wide eyes. Maybe they would never listen to Anne Maria's story after all.

Author Notes:

Dawn told her story about discovering her feelings, and now it will be the turn of Anne Maria to tell her story.

Also a note from the past chapter: remember this story is narrated by the girls who are 'unreliable narrators' so for example many readers suspect Jo could be hiding her date identity, which is correct and there are a lot of hints in the story, but that's part of the magic in these stories, the narrator may lie.

In this one, I tried to focus more on Dawn and the development of her feelings and not so much on her relationship, making it more of a coming of age story. The story is also filled with some unexplained details, like Dawn's mom calling her Aurora, as the Greek goddess of dawn, I thought it fit her personality. I hope you enjoy it.

And as always if you enjoy this story, remember to leave a review with your thoughts, this help me a lot with my motivation and also to develop future stories. If leaving a review isn't your style, mark the story as a favorite, that way I'll know you're having a good time. Now let me answer last week's reviews.

Total Simaniac: You may be right, as I mention Brob may not be Jo friend's real name, but if that was the case it was Jo being Jo got cold feet and didn't accept it, and she wasn't ready to lie so it ended sounding pretty lame.

I didn't want to finish it too romantic because is Jo, and after a kiss she would hit him, it's just Jo's personality. I hope you enjoyed Dawn's story.

Hellflores: Jo says her boyfriend is Brob, that military fashion lover and bedwetter guy that is definitely not Brick. I hope you enjoyed Dawn story.

About Zoey, I go with the hc she's the most popular of ROTI contestants but is seen as excessively nice and good-looking, so people abuse and go over the line. Also of course there is some morbid questions about poor Mike and his disorder.

As always, thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy this story.