Notes: Please be aware that anything written here and in other chapters will be spoilers for both Seasons 1 and 2 of the Total Drama Reboot of 2023. I will not be making a spoiler for each and every story, so please keep this in mind if you have not finished the current seasons!
It was nights after season 2 of the Total Drama Reboot had ended. All 16 beloved cast members have returned to their semi-normal lives, away from Chris and his crazy schemes. Although most of them had no contact with one another outside of the game, Millie and Priya got closer as best friends, even outside of camp. You could even say more than friends.. Both girls were over at Millies house, having a sleepover. They had rarely stayed over at Priyas house, mostly due to her parents. After hearing all about them throughout the first season, Millie had wanted no part in their acts played on Priya. Of course, despite this, she turned out to be quite a fun person to be around. Millie thought so, at least.. she had been much disappointed knowing that Priya and Caleb may have had stuff going on between them. After being eliminated the second season, she had been watching all their interactions that were caught on Total Drama itself. She hadn't dared bring up her feelings to Priya; why should she? She had no clue nor reasoning why Priya would feel the same way. She liked Caleb- she did, anyway. After the show, the two of them hadn't continued in their relationship, due to multiple reasons. Was it wrong Millie was somewhat relieved? The thoughts of this had left Millie with many emotions, however, Priya didn't seem to notice. Or at least, she tried not to. Millie hadn't covered up her stress well, and Priya had hoped she'd come to her to talk. She didn't want to pry her best friend for answers, so she just observed. The two were found watching a movie. They had their own set up across the floor, snacks scattered around their area they had created. Pillows and blankets too. They'd both been pretty focused on the film, however every so often Millie would zone out, looking away from the screen. Priya had noticed this multiple times, deciding not to say anything the first few. However, after seeing this happen every few minutes, she felt the need to check on her friend. "Are you doing alright, Millie?" Priya had asked, her head tilting slightly to the side. She had now been faced away from the screen, looking into Millies gaze. The other girl shuffled, unsure of how to answer. Should she tell her the truth? Of course not. "I'm alright." She replied, avoiding eye contact. Her gaze focused onto the floor, trying to focus on anything that wasn't Priya herself. Letting out an annoyed huff, Priya removed one hand, originally placed over her knees, onto Millies shoulder. A frown formed on her face- not of disappointment, but of her worry for her friend. "Millie, you can talk to me. If you tell me, I might be able to help." A few pauses of silence formed between the two, before Priya sighed once more. "..Or, if you don't want to talk, that's okay to. I'll respect your decision either way." She'd add quietly. Millie finally met her gaze, her brown eyes dull. "No, I'm alright, really. I think I'm just tired." She pulled together the reply, her eyes locked on Priyas. She didn't want to break the contact- she had to show her friend that she was okay. Priya gave her a small smile, removing her hand from Millies shoulder. "Only if you're sure. But I will always be here for you Millie." She said, as she then grabbed for the tv remote, that was scattered across the bedroom floor. Once reaching it, she pressed the off button on their movie. Millies bedroom was decorated with many strands of fairy lights, so it didn't leave the room pitch black. Turning her head over her shoulder, she looked back at Millie, who still looked at her with wide eyes. "We should go to sleep. You said you were tired, right?" It had sounded like she was trying to take a jab at Millies words, but she really wasn't. She was being genuine. Millie hesitated, though slowly nodded. "Yeah." She murmured in reply, as she grabbed for one of the blankets nearby. Priya had done the same, as she began to lie down. She closed her eyes for a moment, before opening them back up again, now staring at Millie, who was still sitting up. She slowly shuffled to a lying down position, however was still looking around the bedroom. She only turned towards Priya when she noticed she was looking at her. She gave a small smile of reisurance, as Priya smiled back. "Goodnight Millie." She said softly, as she closed her eyes once more. Millie took moments to reply, until finally muttering the word Goodnight back in reply. Her gaze was still locked on Priya, even though their conversation had clearly ended now. She was asleep. She didn't need to worry about her worrying about her anymore. She let out a sigh of her own, turning over on her back to look at the ceiling. After what felt like hours, she finally drifted off to sleep. ... "So this is what you were writing about this whole time?" Millies eyes shot open. She was facing Priya, her notebook slammed onto the floor. "Horrible stuff about me and my family?" Priya continued, as Millie just stood there. Silent. She had been in this situation once before, but they fixed it- why must it happen again? "Priya, what are you talking about? We fixed this! I stopped writing in my book!" But Priyas expression didn't change. Her gaze was still cold, staring right into Millies eyes. Everything became a blur, until suddenly it wasn't again. She was still facing Priya, but this time in a different setting. Her facial expression was still the same; angry. Cold. Disgusted. "I, will never work with you. Ever." Millie couldn't take her eyes off the situation. Why was this happening again? Did Priya secretly not forgive her? Did she just feel bad for her? Was it all an act? "Priya..why are you acting like this?" Millie took a step back. "I haven't done anything, I swear!..That I know of. Talk to me!" She'd cry, her voice quivering. Her hands began to shake, as the vision of Priya started to fade once more. Her vision became clear once more, but it was different this time. Instead of Priya, it was someone else. Someone else she had once hurt. Damien. "I thought you were my friend, and you crushed me!" He'd shout, his eyes flaring in anger. Millie stood there, unable to defend herself. Why did it seem like everyone was against her all of a sudden? She thought she had fixed things. "Damien, you forgave me!" Her hands shook in front of her chest, blinking consistantly. Was this even real? "Why are you guys acting funny? I'm not a bad person!" Millie would cry, as Damien just shook his head, a look of disappointment planted on his face. The unbearing memory began to fade off once again, her vision going black. ... Millie woke up in a flash, sweat rolling down her face. She shot up from her laying postion as she gasped. As she caught her breath, she covered her face with her faces, quietly sobbing. She had only remembered Priya had been in the room with her after minutes of her silent crying. She frantically turned to her side to check to see if she had noticed, but to her luck, Priya was fast asleep, assured by her quiet snoring. Letting out a sigh of relief, Millie turned away, focusing her gaze on different parts of her bedroom. Her heart was racing. The thoughts of her mistakes struck her mind every so often, sure, but she never once thought it would be like this. Was this the reality of how her so called friends thought? Had they really not forgiven her? She hadn't had any friends until stepping foot onto Total Drama. To lose the only people she has scared her. Badly. The worst of it is, she was much aware these mistakes could much cause her to never have a shot with Priya. Even if she did return her feelings, would Priya even be able to trust her? To rely on her? No. Of course not. Her breathing began to speed up once more the more she thought, as she sobbed once more in her hands. As Millie quietly cried, Priya slowly awakened due to the faint sound. She hadn't noticed it at first, however once she rolled over, she noticed her best friends meltdown. "Millie?" She called out quietly, in a flat and tired tone. Milles head snapped towards Priya in an instant, her heart sinking. "Priya..I-" She cut herself off, unsure of what to say to the girl in front of her. Rubbing her eyes, Priya sat up, blinking slowly as she stared at Millie. "Millie..you need to talk to me." She began. She knew that Millie would try to talk her way out of it. Because of this, she wanted to try taking this conversation slow..but remain supportive. Millie had opened her mouth like she was going to speak, however nothing came out. Her eyes batted away from Priyas, focusing on anything except her brown gaze. Priya frowned. She shifted closer to Millie, placing a hand on her shoulder. "If something is wrong, you can talk to me. I don't like seeing you like this, and which whatever is going on you can talk to me about. I am here." She'd say, her voice in a quiet, but yet soothing tone. Millie looked away, though then back at Priya. She hadn't had the energy to keep covering things up. Instead, she released a long, draggy sigh, as her head fell into her hands once more. "I'm a horrible person." The words escaped her, as she closed her eyes tightly. She had expected Priya to not know what to say, or worse, agree with her. Why wouldn't she? She had once fell culpret of her actions, which caused her best friend pain. No one could forgive her for that, she was sure.
"What makes you say that, Millie?" Priya would ask. Millie uncovered her eyes, now looking up at the girl next to her. Priyas eyes showed much concern, however held curiousity too. "Over both seasons of Total Drama..I haven't proved anything of myself. I hadn't come onto the island expecting to make friends, but now that I have them, it makes me realize how bad of a person I really am. I talked horribly of you, your faimly, and everyone else in my journal, and then made myself a mess with Damien the season afterword. I haven't proved myself at all since I arrived, and now that I left, I see no improvements in myself!" She began to cry once more, however this time much harder. It felt good to get the thoughts out, but now she expected Priya to yell at her. If not for her actions, for feeling this way. After all, Priya was this strong, inspiring figure..and her? She was just a bystander. A side character. One who was carried along. As Millie awaited Priyas anger, or at worst, disgust, she did what wasn't expected. She shuffled closer to the sobbing girl, wrapping her arms around her body, which shuddered from the sudden touch, however grew calm. Her head rested on the crying girls shoulder, closing her eyes for a few moments. It may have looked like an awkward side hug, however Millie had gotten the message of comfort Priya was trying to send. They sat there for minutes, in silence. But they were together. It was only until Priya opened her eyes once more when she started to speak, pulling away from Millie. "Millie, you are not a horrible person. Sure, you've made mistakes. But so have I. Everyone has!" She exclaimed, looking at Millie with a small smile, however she didn't exchange the same. Letting out a sigh of her own, she looked down. "I know you are disappointed in your actions. It may feel like they're weighing on you, but I promise it's just a state of mind. No one thinks of you as a bad person." She looked down for a moment, trying to collect her thoughts. She didn't find comforting people too difficult, however she needed to make sure she said the right words. "I forgave you for your notebook. I don't blame you, and the situation wasn't as bad as it came across. A lot of it was Bowies doing," she added that last part bitterly. She could still remember that day clearly. He had came to win the season just like she had wanted to, but he took it far. Too far. It made winning much more satisfying. "The situation with Damien could have been avoided, I'll agree, but you learned from your mistake and grew, and I am so proud of you for that." She gave Millie a small smile, hoping she'd made the right choice with her words and comfort. It took a matter of seconds for Millie to give a small look of appreciation back at Priya, a light smile forming on her face. "Thank you, Priya. You really are my best friend." Her last few words barely became a shock to her. Best friend? She felt like their friendship was..more than that. But as the clock struck late, and getting almost no sleep, that was the least of her worries. She let out a yawn, rubbing one of her eyes as she shifted slightly in her bed set up on the floor. As Priya noticed Millies tiredness, she sat up on her knees, shifting her pillows and blankets closer to Millies side. There had been somewhat a large gap between them, so she simply just filled up the space..it wouldn't hurt to be close to Millie for any comfort she may need. It's the little things that count. As Priya adjusted her sleeping spot, she propped up her pillows slightly, so she had the ability to lean back without lying flat on the floor. "Here, do what I just did with my pillows. Adjust them." Priya whispered, watching as Millie listened to her request. Priya leaned back, which led to Millie doing the same. Priya turned to face the other girl, a concerned look still marked in her gaze. "Is there anything else I can do to help? Anything." She'd ask, her voice in a mild whisper. Millies eyes went wide, unsure of how to answer. Was she..expecting a particular reply? Her brows furrowed as she caught herself zoning out. "No. You've done enough for me, Priya." Millie would reply, as she shuffled around under her covers. She was worried Priya didn't believe her; she could maybe have used a couple things, however she didn't wanna bother the girl. She was her own person with her own problems..some much bigger than hers. Priya gave an understanding nod, as she moved closer to Millie. They were side by side on the floor, leaning up against piles upon piles of pillows behind them. She shifted closer to the other girl beside her, resting her head along her arm, just barely missing her shoulder. Although this was awful close for the two girls, she thought it would give Millie the extra comfort she needed that night..and maybe Priya herself too. Millies heart suddenly sank from the touch. Not that she didn't like it, she just wasn't expecting it..they've never been this close in contact, not often at least. She leaned her head back, to the point she had a fair view of the ceiling. Zoning out again, she fell back into her thoughts..but they weren't as bad as before. Almost like she was relieved by the time she spent recieving comfort from Priya. She had shown her she didn't need to worry about her mistakes..they had happened, and she couldn't change that. But she can improve on herself and show she's consistantly growing as a person. This filled her with the joy she was looking for. She had only realized she had zoned out once more when she began to hear Priyas quiet snoring. She had fallen asleep..in her embrace. This had to have meant she trusted her, right? She let out a small sigh of relief, a small smile forming on her face. Perhaps this is what she needed.