15 Years Later...

As the sun started to rise at the dawn of the early morning, an alarm clock sounded, resulting in the arm of a woman reaching over from under the bed sheets, pressing the button on the clock to turn off the alarm. A tired groan was heard and afterward, that same little girl from before started to rise from bed, only to rise as not a little girl anymore. She is now 19-years old with blue lipstick and her black hair all short at shoulder-length with dyed teal streaks.

She got out of bed in her black pajamas and went into the bathroom to take a shower. After getting out, she dressed herself in in a black shirt with sleeves, blue on the upper ends while green on the outer ends, a short black skirt with blue pockets, long black socks that go up her legs, and black boots. Once she was dressed, she brushed her teeth and went downstairs to the kitchen where her mother and younger brother were waiting.

"Look who's finally up," teased her brother.

"Oh, don't start with me, John," sighed Gwen. "I'm not in my best right now."

John shrugged as Gwen sat down just as their mother gave them pancakes with butter and maple syrup. While they ate, their mother spoke to Gwen.

"Gwen, dear, would you kindly go over to the wharf to fetch some groceries for us?" she asked.

"You're asking me to do this again?" Gwen asked pitifully.

"Come on, Gwen," she sighed. "It's Canada Day. The sales over there are blooming and it only happens once a year. Plus," she added, "you're growing up and, at some point, you need to learn how to take responsibility, especially for this family. I can't always be the one to take care of the two of you all the time. At some point, I'm going to have to be the one being taken care of as I'm getting older."

Gwen took a moment to think about this before sighing with a nod. Once she finished her breakfast, she went to the front door and fetched her keys. But before she could exit, her mother stepped up.

"Don't forget about this," she said, handing her a piece of paper. "It's a list of what we need."

"Alright. I'm off," Gwen said before exiting the house.

With haste, Gwen stepped into her car, turned on the engine, and drove off down the road. She rode down the living neighborhood until she reached her destination. She parked her car in an empty space, turned it off, and got out, locking it before walking onto the long, wooden pier known as, "Steveston's Fisherman's Wharf."

This is where commercial fishing boats come and bring in their catch after spending countless days or weeks at sea trying to catch them. Some of them go to shops in the town and some by holding up stands and tents to sell their catch, all packed in ice to keep them fresh, to customers who come down here for market. There were lots of people than ever before down there buying whatever seafood they wanted from whichever boat they chose. Since it was Canada Day, there was a special festival happening. It's called, "The Steveston Salmon Festival."

Gwen found the place very crowded. But she knew stopping here was where some of what her mother wanted on her list, so she had to comply. As she looked around, looking for a boat that sold red banded fish, two children ran past her from behind. She was about to call out to them when she saw they were running towards a man on one of the boats, who looked very happy to see them after spending so long at sea and gave them hugs and kisses before his wife approached got the same treatment as them. Seeing them reminded her of when she used to run to her dad like that every time he came home from sea when she was just a little girl, earning the same treatment as well, especially her mother. However, knowing that those days are now long gone made her kinda sad. She decided to ignore them and continue on shopping, not to disturb their moment. After all, this was none of her business.

Beside the wharf, at the waterfront, a private Hallberg-Rassy 62 yacht had just been moored onto the pier by it's occupant, who stepped off and onto the dock. He is a young man at 19-years of age with black hair and green eyes, wearing a green shirt with camoflaugh sleeves and a black hand print on the middle of it, black pants, and green shoes. He watched the market on the wharf from a distance with interest. His moment of piece was soon inturrupted by a familiar voice.

"Trent, dude!"

He was approached by two guys his age, running towards him. One of them has blond hair, blue eyes, and wearing a cowboy hat with a pink, unbuttoned jacket and blue shorts. The other was African Canadian with buzzed brown hair and goatee, wearing a white headcap, a green shirt with the letter D on the front, and tan shorts.

"Geoff, DJ, what are you guys doing here?" Trent smiled.

"We heard you were coming back, buddy," said DJ.

"Yeah," agreed Geoff. "And since today's the festival, we'd just thought we catch up like the old days."

"You guys came all this way for this?" said Trent. "That's nice, man. You guys are too kind."

"Well, then what are we waiting for?" asked Geoff excitedly as he and DJ lead Trent away. "Come on, we got the whole day planned out!"

Nearby, two male twins with brown hair, one of them wearing a helmet, were eating lobster at the resturant called, "The Crab King." It was their first time eating it and having a difficult time with it.

"Okay easy, Mickey," said the twin to his twin with the helmet on. "It's just meat. We eat meat all the time and it can't hurt us."

"I got it, Jay! I got it!" replied Mickey, breathing heavily as he picked up a piece with his fork before putting it in his mouth and chewing on it. His eyes opened in surprise.

"Is it good?" asked Jay hopefully.

"I... think so," replied Mickey. "But I would like to add some butter on it."

Jay smiled in satisfaction. Both he and Mickey were always met with such adversity. But they were starting to feel that their luck was beginning to change for the better.

Back with Gwen, once she finished with her shopping at the wharf, she exited the pier and on her way back to the car, she stumbled across the festival's annual parade. She could see lots of people watching as bands past by playing their instruments, along with floats in dedication, all carrying the maple leaf so everyone can celebrate this holiday. Sometimes, she wondered herself why her mother or brother haven't come down to see this. But, being the busy mother she is, she doesn't have time for stuff like this.

As she watched it for a little while, she thought she might've noticed three familiar people amongst the watching crowd. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and looked again, only to find them not there. With that, she headed for her car. She couldn't wait to watch the whole thing while the stuff she bought at the wharf were packed in ice. It was lucky for her that there was a road clear of the parade as she drove home.

When she returned, she brought the bags of seafood and other groceries into the house, where she found her mother and brother not there. Even as she called out their names, there wasn't an answer. But she did find a note taped to the fridge. It read: "Dear Gwen, I had taken your little brother to the dentist. Would you please manage organizing the groceries while I'm gone. When you're done, go have some fun. Meet us at the park for the fireworks tonight. Happy Canada Day, Mom." Gwen was disgusted when she noticed some kissy-marks at the end of her name, but was annoyed none-the-less as she had to sort out everything herself.

It took a short while until she had them all organized in the fridge and the freezer. Then, she began to leave again before looking at a a family photo of herself and her family when she was younger. It was just her, her baby brother, her mother, and her father, all smiling at the camera. She smiled at it for a bit before leaving.

Gwen had decided to take a walk down the street until she reached the place she often liked to visit. It was the Garry Point Park. It runs by the coast where people can get a sweet view of the islands far out, observe a Japanese garden, along with open areas where people could have picnics, kite-flying, etc. There were a lot more people here today than usual, as Gwen noticed. And she knew why. Canada Day can really bring people who have the time to come here. On her way, she passed two little boys playing football together.

"Yeah! I win again, Wayne!" shouted one of them.

"No fair, Raj!" groaned the other. "You got a better arm!"

"Ah, yours will get better," scoffed Raj. "And besides, we gotta work hard if we wanna get into the Owls team!"

"That's our dream when we grow up, right?" asked Wayne.

"You got it!" smiled Raj.

"HOOT-HOOT!" the two kids shouted together.

Gwen chuckled as she watched them for a brief moment. She walked along the pathway, passing many areas and people until she reached a respected area.

At the end of the pathway, there was a structure of a giant fishing net needle pointed upwards, standing a few metres from the sea. Around it was a stone circling it with several names engraved on it. There was also a plaque on it that said:

May 4, 1996

This memorial honours all the fishermen of our community who have

lost their lives in the pursuit of their profession.

Their courage, dedication and contribution to the development of our

community will never be forgotten.

Gwen eyed the needle for some time before closing her eyes and whispering something.

"I swear I'm trying. I know it's been years and I know Mom kept telling me to move on, but I just can't, not yet. And Mom's certainly not making it any better for me. Sometimes, it's like she still thinks I'm a little kid. Even as I do chores like she asks me too, it always seems to not be enough. Things just haven't been the same since. I just want to show her that I'm an adult, that I'm grown up. But how do I do that? I wish you were here right now to tell me. So, please... answer my prayer and give me a sign."

Gwen stayed until late afternoon and started walking back the same way she came, exited the park and started walking into town. As she exited, she suddenly felt herself bumped on the side, nearly knocking her down.

"Oh, sorry!" said a voice.

"Watch where you're..." Gwen stopped when she heard that familiar voice and turned to see who had bumped into her, a face she hadn't seen for a very long time. "Trent?"

"Gwen, is that you?" he asked in surprise before smiling. "Hey, long time no see!"

"Uh, yeah. I suppose it is," Gwen replied, turning away while twiddling her fingers. "Anyway, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, came over here as soon as I heard about the festival," Trent answered. "Thought I'd have some fun."

"Hm, lucky you," she sighed, keeping her face turned away.

Trent wasn't sure why, but it somehow looked like Gwen was back to her old, usual self when she first arrived on the island for the first season of Total Drama. So gloomy, so unhappy, so... everything. But before he could say anything, he heard his friends calling.

"Yo! Trent, come on! We're heading for the Zodiac!"

He wanted to join them, but he didn't want to leave poor Gwen behind. He had to do something.

"Wanna come with us?" he asked her. "You know, for old time sake?"

Gwen was surprised to hear Trent say that. She knew they weren't dating anymore. And even after everything she did to him in the past, he would still want to ask her to hang out? Of course he would! He's not the type to hold a grudge. And she knew it still didn't hurt to at least hang out with him to remember the good old days. Besides, it's not like they weren't still friends.

"Sure," she said at last, and they walked together to meet their old friends.

In the Zodiac Karaoke and Pub, everyone was having a blast, sipping drinks and even singing songs up on stage. Gwen and Trent were at the bar with Geoff and DJ, who were amazed to see Gwen too after so long. During so, Trent was met up with an African American couple, who asked to talk in private with him for something.

"But why do you want to use my boat?" asked Trent.

"Because," said the girl, "We were originally planning to go on a cruise. However, thanks to this lughead," grumbled the girl, glaring daggers at her buff boyfriend, "we ended up missing it. And we did not waste all that money purchasing those tickets for nothing!"

"Come on, Stephanie," pleaded the boy. "I just forgot to set my alarm; it can happen to anyone!"

"Sure, Ryan!" said Stephany sarcastically before turning to Trent. "So, if you wouldn't mind sailing us to good islands, we'll pay you double for your next planned tour."

"Why does this sound like blackmail?" asked Trent with a raised eyebrow.

"B-Blackmail?!" laughed Stephanie. "Don't be silly. It's just a simple deal. And we won't ask you for much, just to help us with this one tiny favor, that's all. I mean, how many people can your boat fit exactly?"

"Ten," replied Trent.

"Then, no biggy," smiled Stephanie. "You can only give us a private cruise just this one time. And we won't ask you for anything else ever again."

"You mean it?" asked Trent skeptically.

"Of course," replied Stephanie, holding out her hand, leaving Trent to think it over for a moment before finally coming to a decision, sighing and shaking her hand.

"I'll be at the waterfront tomorrow," said Trent firmly.

The couple nodded and went away. Trent returned to the bar to meet Gwen, Geoff, and DJ, watching a group of four thirteen-year olds, three guys and a girl singing on the stage. When they finished, the audience cheered for their performance. Even Gwen and Trent, sitting at the bar were amused as they clapped for them.

"Thanks for coming out tonight, this is Corey Riffin speaking!" announced the lead singer. "Tomorrow, Grojband's taking the stage over to Sunset Island, at Surfer's Paradise Resort! So, be there so we can... rock and roll!"

Everyone started clapping again before they left the stage. As a teenaged girl with long, blueish black hair in pigtails, wearing a red shirt, a white, collared shirt underneath, a short blueish black skirt, long white socks, and brown high-heeled boots took her turn at the stage, the four friends started conversing.

"You having fun yet?" asked Trent to Gwen.

"I guess," said Gwen with a smug before sipping her shot glass. "If my cousin, Ella, came to a place like this, she'd possibly mesmerize everyone with her own lyrics."

"Are you talking about the princess on that Pahkitew... whatever they call it?" asked Geoff. "Yeah, I know what you mean."

"So, how did Bridgette react to the finale of that race you and Brody were in?" Gwen asked.

"Dudette, she was estatic!" smiled Geoff. "She even came down over to surprise me! She even congradulated us on how we did."

"Despite the wrong turn you made in New York?" Gwen asked with a smirk, earning a giggle from Trent and DJ.

Geoff blushed in embarassment, recalling how he and Brody mistook one of the boathouses for the toy boat pond instead, even though they managed to figure it out and catch up. Geoff sometimes felt that nobody ever lets him forget about that.

"W-W-Well... we still made it through," Geoff bluttered. "I mean... it even got Brody a girlfriend."

"I'm surprised that his girl is a cop," said Trent. "Hope he's careful around her. We wouldn't want her to arrest him."

Everyone else giggled again before Gwen turned to see the girl singing on the stage. Some of the lyrics she heard that brought her attention was, "life is sweet when you're growing up so fast!" Even Gwen had to admit, that song she was singing was true.

They stayed there until it got dark. And they arrived at the park just in time to see the fireworks of Canada Day. It was just by chance that Gwen met up with her mother and brother there while she was with her friends too. And they all watched the amazing colors of red and white brightening up the dark, night sky together. There was no better time than to be with your friends and family for such an occasion. For a moment, Gwen darted her eyes between her family and her friends. She always thought things were just dull with her family, but her friends were making her feel more comfortable with the chance of freedom. She began to wonder if she had been sent to the island for a reason. Now, as she continued to watch the display, she decided that she must choose.