The Sucky Outdoors - Night of the challenge

Bridgette shifted from side to side quietly, not wanting to wake up the others.

She really needed to pee.

But she also really didn't want to go outside. That story Duncan had told them was really freaking her out, even if she knew it was probably made up. Besides, she never liked the woods. Every sound that came from outside was bone chilling to her.

What if she somehow got lost out there, like Katie and Sadie? What if she ended up costing them the challenge, like she nearly had during the talent contest.

Oh right. She really needed to thank Harold for saving her butt.

Finally, she sat up in the small tent the Killer Bass were calling home for the night, resigned to her fate.

"What's wrong?" DJ whispered, the only other member of the team still awake, "Gotta go pee?"

"Like crazy!" She responded quietly, "But I'm too scared to leave the tent."

DJ held up a small jar, filled with what Bridgette could only pray was lemonade. "Yeah, me too."

She gagged at that.

"Okay, that's gross."

"What's gross is throwing up all over the amphitheater while doing a handstand," DJ shot back defensively, before wincing as he saw Bridgette's face fall, "Sorry. Too soon?"

Bridgette just nodded meekly.

She stood up, taking a moment to steel herself as she prepared to peek out the tent, when DJ's large, calloused hand took a place on her shoulder. She offered the giant an inquisitive look as he rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.

"Look, that was kind of a low blow, sorry about that," he apologized, "You're right though - I should probably toss that bottle, huh?"

"I'd hope that was the plan!" Bridgette replied, a small smile back on her face.

"Yeah, yeah." DJ waved off her little jab. "How about we both go out there then, watch each other's backs while we take care of business?"

"Sure!" She responded, a little too excited. But could you blame her? The woods were starting to terrify her. "As long as you don't mean that literally."

"Har har har."

Bridgette poked her head out of the tent cautiously, DJ right behind her. Once the coast was clear, she stepped out, but gasped as a horde of bats flew out from the woods.

Directly at her.

Bridgette attempted to cover her head, but it was as if the bats were gunning for her. She blocked most of them, but one of the vile creatures latched onto her face. She immediately lost her balance, trying in vain to stand up straight even as the bat hit her, well aware of the danger the nearby fire possessed, but -

DJ grabbed her arm, simultaneously putting a stop to her stumbling and jettisoning the bat off of her face. Bridgette gasped for breath as she slumped down into the grass, trying to forget the feeling of that… thing biting at her.

"Thanks." She forced out, exhausted.

"Don't worry about it, no problem!" DJ said, patting her on the back while eying the trees cautiously, "But let's hurry up and finish out here before they come back, right?"

Bridgette could only muster a nod in agreement.

She hoped that the tent could protect them.

—

Phobia Factor - The Morning After

Bridgette hummed a pleasant tune she had heard on the radio a few weeks ago, finishing the preparations for her and Cody's hang out. She couldn't remember the name of the song, but it didn't stop her from enjoying it!

She had just grabbed her surfboard from the spot it had sat since their second day here - right underneath her bunk that she shared with Courtney - and exited the cabin when she nearly ran right into Geoff.

"Woah!" She exclaimed, quickly backing up once she realized he was there, "Sorry about that, Geoff."

"'S'all good, dude!" Geoff grinned. That smile really never left his face, huh? Maybe it was infectious. "I gotta ask, what's up with the board? You really think you got a shot riding the little waves on the lake?"

Bridgette knew Geoff wasn't trying to be rude or anything, and that he was just… blunt, but she still had to hold back an eye roll at that last comment.

Did he know anything about surfing?

"Actually," She began, glancing to the side, "I was gonna try and teach Cody how to surf today! I know we don't exactly have a beach to work with here, but a lot of what makes surfing what it is doesn't come from riding waves."

Geoff nodded in agreement. Or was it understanding? Or solidarity? Whatever it was, he had a stoic frown on his face as he contemplated her words.

"That's… deep, man," He said, eyes closed as if she had just imparted some ancient knowledge onto him - the kind lost to man for millennia - before breaking back out into his standard smile, "And it sounds awesome! Mind if I join? I've always wanted to learn to surf!"

Bridgette's smile dimmed a bit. She had wanted this to be just her and Cody, and spend some time alone with her… friend… in the sun, but she didn't really want to say no to Geoff. He was a nice guy, and a good friend, even if he did have his dumb comments every now and then.

Besides, she was never someone who liked to say no to people.

"Sure!" She replied, forcing her doubts down.

Geoff whooped. "Awesome! Let me grab my swimsuit, and I'll be right out!"

Bridgette raised an eyebrow. "Isn't your swimsuit just your shorts?"

—

Up the Creek

"DJ!" Bridgette called out, waving to get his attention, "Be my partner?"

"S-sure!" DJ replied nervously, glancing at the water, "But, uh, I'm not too great with water, so -"

Bridgette put a hand up to stop him, a smile on her face.

"That's ok! I'll help you!"

DJ could only offer a shaky smile in response.

–

"Not that I'm not grateful you wanted to canoe with me," DJ began, unsure, "But why did you want to go with me? I woulda thought Geoff would have been your first pick, or at least Courtney?"

Bridgette groaned. "Me and Courtney have a… rocky relationship at the moment," She began, looking at the water guiltily, "Ever since the talent contest we've learned it's better to only really interact when necessary."

DJ nodded, remembering the disaster that was that challenge. Thank God for Harold.

"What about Geoff, then?" DJ pressed, trying to be a good wingman for his bro, "Dude's got a soft spot for you, y'know?"

Bridgette groaned. "Oh my gosh, DJ, it was so bad. I come back from brushing my teeth, and I notice something bulging under my covers. When I lifted them, there it was!"

DJ could only listen in horror as Bridgette described the abomination that was the gift Geoff had made for her, wincing at every word.

"Okay, yeah, that's pretty bad," He admitted, "But he told me about that. Said he made it in arts and crafts - guy put a lot of care into it. It might not be the best gift, but he really did try his hardest with it."

Bridgette still looked rather uncomfortable. Weird, she didn't really seem that uncomfortable whenever Cody did something -

"Oh." DJ finally realized it. "You like Co-"

"Shhh!" Bridgette whisper-shouted, "Not so loud!"

DJ blinked. "Look, I don't know about everything that's going on between you two," He said, voice low, "But I'm pretty sure I've seen him giving you some sideways glances, too. What's stopping you?"

Bridgette looked embarrassed. "I don't know," She said, "He's a great guy, and really sweet, but… oh, I don't know. Geoff keeps saying he and Heather have a thing for each other, and she does act way nicer to him than anyone else. Besides, Geoff seems really into me, and like you said, his heart is in the right place!"

DJ stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, it looks like you've got some options then, huh?"

Bridgette groaned. "I wish I didn't."

—

A/N: Yeah, this is about what these sorts of chapters will be - little snippets of semi-interesting plot that I couldn't figure out where to fit. I don't know how often I'll update here, probably just whenever I have a few extra scenes to fit in.

I'll take requests/ideas for things to put in here, but no guarantees!

Hope you enjoyed it!