Okay so… this was something I had to write before I went anywhere else with the Nemma narrative. Now that I've established the Kitty and Owen side plot, I wanted to take a moment to revisit Owen since we haven't seen him for a while in the fanfic. This chapter begins with Owen returning home from the latest season of "Total Drama" while Noah and Emma were visiting Noah's family. Now, before you read on, this chapter was probably one of the most difficult ones I've ever written and you'll see what I mean as you get into the chapter. Either way, I hope you enjoy the chapter… hopefully.
({No POV})
Owen just got out of the taxi after just getting back from the latest season of Total Drama.
Even though he was eliminated immediately after Noah, he at least stuck around for the finale like he and the other eliminated contestants were supposed to. And even though he kept up appearances and tried to distract himself by spending time with his former contestants and friends from the first season, he was glad to be back home.
Since he knew his parents were at a hockey tournament for his younger brothers for pretty much the entire day, he texted Kitty a little before he got home to see if she wanted to hang out and do something… and also due to other reasons with just wanting to see her.
He shook his head to clear his mind on his current yet also still complicated crush situation.
He decided to just get up to his room to unpack his dufflebag, mostly to empty it into the laundry so he had clothes to wear. As Owen started to unpack, he started getting a 'feeling', almost like he didn't feel completely alone. Which didn't make sense? As far as Owen knew, it was just him alone in his parent's house.
Owen had a very concerned look on his face and was about to look over his shoulder just to make sure… until her felt something immediately latch onto him from behind as he immediately started hearing vicious and violent animal snarling noises that immediately made him start yelling out in blind panic, "AHHHH! SWEET MOTHER OF…"
All of a sudden he felt whatever was on his back vault off and landed in front of him with a laugh before greeting enthusiastically, "Hey Owen! Long time no see!"
Izzy.
Owen's eyes went wide as he thought outloud, "Izzy?" He hadn't seen her in almost 2 and half years since she just seemed to vanish for a while.
But, Owen was used to that.
Izzy was pretty much always 'on the move' for one reason or another.
Izzy kept smiling as she said, "What did you think of my territorial badger impression? Pretty good, right?! I was living with a few out in the woods for a while after my parents kicked me out for burning down the garage again. But how was I supposed to know I was using the firestarter too close in the fire pit? All I wanted was a fire for s'mores. Totally overreacted. Seriously. Anyway, what's up?"
Owen continued to look the epitome of confused to completion about everything that was currently happening with what his ex-girlfriend was even doing here after not seeing her for a long time.
Finally Owen started, still not quite knowing what to say, "Ummmm, Izz? How did you get in here?"
She laughed before saying matter-of-fact yet enthusiastically with her usual smile, "Oh, easy! You left your window unlocked and I was able to swoop and climb in here in a snap! Hehe. The RCMP has been trying to track me down again so I needed a place to lay low for a sec and I knew your place was close by. But, I'm also here for... something else."
Owen's eyes went wide when he looked down and immediately saw her put her hands on his shoulders and a coy yet wildly flirty grin on her face that he remembered all too well from back when they were together… and her being here was slowly but surely making all those old feelings and sensations resurrect themselves.
Izzy continued, "Look Owen, I know it's been awhile after season 3, but I can't help it. When I saw you on TV this past season, I realized how much I…. Well… I miss you. Actually, I really missed you. A lot. I know we haven't talked about this since we broke up and how it happened. But, you were the sweetest guy I ever dated and you're the only person I've ever met that's really gotten me. And… I was just thinking while I was 'here', I just wanted to see if you maybe try 'us' again? So… what do you say, Big O?"
Owen was looking at her wide-eyed after she called him his old pet name that he always loved her using with him back when they were together.
Then between that and her hands smoothing down his front slightly before slowly moving their way back up until she had her arms wrapped around his neck, maintaining complete eye contact with him. Her flirtation was gone but now replaced with that rare sweet and almost more vulnerable side (well at least when it came to Izzy), a side she rarely showed around anyone except him.
He had no more time to think about it as his whole being stiffened up when Izzy went in and kissed him.
But, unlike every other time in the past when it came to anything physical whatsoever between them… he was hesitating and didn't know how he felt.
Even though he knew Izzy probably better than anyone and conceded that she was a lot, she was still his first real love that he kept his old feelings buried deep down for despite still in a way loving and missing her too.
But at the same time, he was conflicted.
Even though he always loved Izzy and her wild spontaneity and not caring what others thought of her, but… that was also what he's been thinking about more and more recently when thinking of someone else.
It was like a connection was made in Owen's conscience and mind as he gently put distance between himself and Izzy.
Izzy looked completely taken off guard considering this was the first time Owen ever rejected any advance from her… and that completely threw her and also flat confused her to completion.
She tilted her head as she started in confusion, "Um, Owen?"
Owen looked away, biting his lip and feeling like his stomach was being put through the wringer. He was trying to come up with the words and bracing himself for any reaction Izzy could have, but had no idea where to start.
Especially since its not like the situation was even 'cut and dry'.
After all, Izzy had no reason not to ask Owen to get back together since they had time on their own since their break up to think and he was still single (at least currently still).
But that was the problem, he had no idea how to tell Izzy that there was technically someone else in his mind now and he 'moved on' in a way.
Eventually Owen sighed and started, hardly believing he was even saying this himself to her, "I'm sorry, Izz. I-I can't do this."
Izzy continued to give him a look of total confusion until she got this look of joking skepticism as she responded with a slight grin, giving him a wink, "Ah, I gotcha! You're just kidding around, right? Um, hey… right?"
But after a moment of almost 'false hope', Izzy realized Owen was not 'kidding around' at all.
In fact; for once, Owen was completely 110% serious.
Even though he really didn't like the current situation and was a little scared, he knew he was stuck. Owen gulped before saying, "I'm sorry Izzy. WAY back when we first met I always really liked you. Actually, I still care about you. And I probably always will."
Izzy just couldn't comprehend this situation. Considering this was her first and only 'healthy' relationship she ever even had.
Mainly because she was used to guys breaking up with her because they 'couldn't handle her' or her breaking up with a guy once she 'got bored' in someway with them, but Owen… she never felt that with him and couldn't comprehend this first serious and real 'talk' they were having together at the moment.
Izzy even showed this as she said, almost like she was the one desperately grasping at straws in this situation, "But, what are you talking about? I thought you said were still single? Wait... Are you with someone else or something?"
Owen's already twisted gut felt like it was being run over by a train at this point with Izzy mentioning the million dollar point in his internal conflictions at the moment.
He bit his lip and rubbed the back of his neck, trying to think of how to explain his current situation with his crush on Kitty, "Yeah… Yeah, I am technically, but…"
Right at that moment, Owen heard the doorbell ring and his eyes went wide at what he realized.
Kitty was here.
He had almost completely forgotten for a split second that he asked Kitty to come over and hang out if she wasn't busy. At first Owen paused, seeing this situation slowly turning into a total nightmare and felt on the verge of having a mental breakdown with his ex-girlfriend and his current crush now almost on either side of him.
But; somehow, Owen managed to keep somewhat calm as he looked at Izzy and said, "Um… I'll be right back, okay?"
Izzy for once was frozen in a state of confused shock as Owen immediately left the room and got to the front door as fast as he could.
Well, until he actually got to the door and hesitated.
Again, despite having Izzy upstairs in his room and Kitty on the other side of the door… it's like he was more nervous about what to do about Kitty.
After all, and as Noah pointed out, Kitty had no idea about what happened that night when she kissed him and especially didn't know Owen had a MASSIVE crush on her now as a result.
But, as much as Owen was freaked out… he still really wanted to see her.
Eventually, he got enough courage to open the door only to go wide-eyed for a moment, but not before Kitty just smiled and said in her usual friendly tone as she immediately hugged him, "Owen! Hey!"
Owen could immediately feel his face heat up for a second, despite Kitty just doing what she usually did with him and all her other friends.
After all, before Owen had no problem with it before he developed a crush on her, but now… it definitely set off different feelings.
But, nonetheless, he was still happy to see her as he smiled to himself and just took it in and hugged her back and smiling as he took in the familiar smell of this citrus scented lotion she used.
He felt lost in his head for a moment until he finally replied, trying to sound like his usual self, "Hey Kitty."
Even though he noticed something very different about her than he remembered the last time he saw her.
Her hair wasn't long anymore and instead cut short into a pixie cut underneath a wool, light gray toque. Kitty seemed to pick up on Owen noticing it as she said with a smile, "Oh, yeah. I finally decided to go for it and cut my hair. Jade was going to shave her head to donate her hair for cancer charities and asked if any of us wanted in with her. Sure I didn't want to cut off ALL my hair and I've wanted to try to see if I could rock a pixie cut ever since I was in high school, so long story short I went with Jade and decided to just go for it. It was so awesome! I was able to donate 13 inches and finally get a pixie cut! I can't wait to see the look on Emma's face when she gets back from Winnipeg with Noah. She is so gonna freak out. But hey, I think it's cute."
"Yeah, you look really cute." Owen responded blindly with a smile, even though his expression dropped immediately afterward since what he just said didn't come out the same way he thought it sounded in his head.
But, it seemed like Kitty didn't even notice the exact tone of his comment, and instead took it as just a 'friendly compliment' as she said, "Oh, thanks Owen! I'm glad someone thinks so. Dad already flipped when he saw my hair. Anyway, now that you're back, I am SO down to have fun if you are. Finals are over and I want to live it up! I found my old toboggan in the back of the shed this morning and I've wanted to hit up the sled hill SO bad lately. You in?"
Owen smiled, remembering now more than ever how much he missed hanging out with Kitty.
Mainly that he missed her bubbly, fun, yet somehow still adventurous spontaneity that was just ingrained into her personality… just how she was always just wanting to hang out and have a good time.
But, he still remembered Izzy was still upstairs as he tried to pass off, "Yeah! I'll meet you out there. I just need to… get my hat."
Luckily Kitty didn't seem to question it as she just smiled and walked back out to wait in her car.
Owen couldn't help but stand in the doorway and watch her walk off for a second with a slight smile on his face but a complete look of a dreamy adoration in his eyes as he turned around and shut the front door only to look behind him to see Izzy right there and just by the way she was looking at him.
Owen knew she must have seen everything that just happened between him and Kitty just now.
And he was right.
Izzy had been watching the whole interaction from around the corner on the stairs… but what he was seeing wasn't what he was expecting.
Again, Owen knew Izzy better than almost anyone.
He knew how wild, unpredictable, and well… crazy she could get depending on the situation.
After all, he remembered how mad she was at him after he reacted in a blind panic and reflexively shoved her on accident into Chef during the 'horror challenge' back in season 1 where they met.
But, shockingly enough, she wasn't angry or even remotely 'upset' at him right now.
Actually, it was hard for him to tell what she was feeling?
Her expression was blank but, he could see something reflecting in her eyes that he couldn't quite figure out as she just said, sounding matter of fact but almost stoically even, "It's because of her, isn't it?"
Owen looked away nervously and rubbed the back of his neck and bit his lip again, considering Izzy hit the nail on the head without even him needing to say that he liked Kitty.
And as shocking as it was to them both as Owen finally realized fully in this moment after almost 4 years… Owen had finally moved on.
As hard as it was, Owen walked up to her and said, "Izzy, I'm sorry. You know I loved you. And I probably always will. But I think it would be better if we saw other people. You can hang out for a bit if you need to hide out for a couple hours, and… I hope we can still be friends, okay?"
Then to Izzy's shock, Owen gave her a hug before releasing her and grabbing his jacket as he walked out the door to go meet up with Kitty in her car, leaving Izzy standing in the middle of the entryway in Owen's parents' house in a state of uncharacteristic shock and deep thought at everything that just happened.
Meanwhile Owen got into Kitty's car as Kitty immediately commented, "Hey, where's your hat?"
Owen immediately remembered how he said he was going to 'get his hat' as an excuse to have time to talk to Izzy. So he somehow miraculously came up quickly with a shrug and grin, "I couldn't find it, but it's okay. Hey! Ready to go to the hill?!"
Kitty smiled and answered enthusiastically, "You know it!"
With that, they drove off and left nothing but tire tracks in the freshly fallen powdery snow on the driveway and street.
Okay, just to get this out of the way, this chapter was SO hard for me to write. I will admit that I did ship Owen and Izzy in the series and was so disappointed when they broke up and how the writers made it happen. Despite being a pairing that seemed to come out of nowhere, they did actually have very great chemistry together and were comedic GOLD… at least in my opinion. Izzy asking Owen 'You wanna make out?' in TDI makes me crack up to this day. Lol. XD However, this is where I will play devil's advocate in saying… I do agree with the writer's at the very least of the extent that Owen and Izzy would have eventually broken up. Although having a lot in common, having some very sweet moments (Izzy helping Owen win with the brownies in TDI was an adorable scene between them) but… let's not forget one thing. To take a quote from Noah about Izzy since he just has the best, hilarious and most bluntly honest lines, "...nutty as a ten-ton bag of pecans smothered in peanut butter, encased in a cashew the size of China" (Fresh TV). But its true and while I thought the writer's making Izzy put Owen's life in danger to the extreme was a bit much even for this pairing, I do believe that eventually Owen and Izzy would eventually break up just due to Izzy's erratic behavior that usually got her in MASSIVE trouble. After all, and as I also portrayed in the chapter, Izzy almost seems to be constantly on the run from either the military or Royal Canadian Mountian Police {RCMP} for her off the wall actions getting her into trouble. And I could see Owen realizing this sooner or later. And this leads into Owen's crush on Kitty in the narrative. Actually in some interestingly unexpected ways, I could see Owen liking Kitty for the same reason he liked Izzy because both of them are fun-loving and spontaneous girls. However, Owen would eventually realize that Kitty is probably better 'relationship material' for him since while a spontaneous and fun loving party girl, Kitty doesn't really get herself into situations that cause her to get into MAJOR hot water like Izzy does. And quite simply and even though it sucks when it happens, Owen just matured a little over time and moved on. More will be elaborated on this later in the fanfic, but I hope you enjoyed seeing that 'softer' and more 'vulnerable' part of Izzy we rarely ever got to see in the show. Hey, Izzy may be a 'psycho hose beast' but that doesn't mean she's not a person who doesn't have any feelings, you know? What will happen next? You'll just have to wait and see. ;) Next chapter will resume with Nemma at Noah's family Christmas get together before they eventually come back to suburban Toronto so Noah could meet Emma's family. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, thanks for reading, and constructive feedback is always appreciated.
Stay classy, healthy, and safe,
Dexter1995