It was the next day—the day of Gwen and Duncan's press conference. As the moment approached, the tension hung in the air like a storm cloud. It felt less overwhelming than the podcast, but the idea of facing each otheragainafter their last encounter was undeniably stressful. Their last encounter was what brought the two a lot of attention by the crowd. It would surely be awkward facing each other again and breaking the news to the public that they arenotdating.
The crowd was in fact bigger than last time and it wasn't because of just their fans. It was people who despised the couple and the two people in general and all sorts of people who have an opinion about the love square. Maybe they came here since it was a press conference.
"Seriously?"
Once Duncan arrived, he sprinted away from the crowd to see Chris outside a little building, motioning his hands to come quickly. He was ushering Duncan to come inside the building. The two entered the little building as Gwen sat down waiting. Instead of staying in her cool manner, she was caught off-guard and almost stumbled off her seat. She knew she was going to see him but just something about seeing Duncan always seemed to have made her nervous.
"So, why are we here?" Gwen inquired.
Chris and Chef turned to face each other and laughed at Gwen's question. Once the laughter died down, Chris turned back to Gwen. "Because of all the popularity you two are bringing in." He responded. "Don't be silly. You two are like a ratings goldmine. Of course I would call you two over."
"You couldn't have called Heather?" Gwen questioned, crossing her arms.
"I would but I'm going to be real with you, she never brought as much ratings to the show than you two." Chris answered with a mischievous glint in his eyes. It was partially true. Chris then pulled Gwen and Duncan onto their feet as he directed the two outside the door. "It's time for you guys to shine." He stated and shoved the two out the door.
Once the two were out, Chef was waiting outside with a smirk as he dragged Gwen and Duncan to the press podium.
And then, the questions and blinding lights started.
There they stood in front of hundreds of people and cameras and hearing everyone loudly screaming to gain Gwen and Duncan's attention. Their deafening voices all yelling at the two at once started overstimulating Gwen and Duncan who looked around hesitantly. The crowd were pressing themselves closer to the two, raising their microphones up to capture their responses.
"Duncan ,what happened in the interview?"
"Why did the podcast shut down? Did the podcast shut down due to the final question?"
"Do you guys still like each other? What's going to happen to Trent and Courtney?"
"Why were you guys sleeping under the bus stop?"
"Gwen, do you still like Trent?"
Duncan, who was standing on the side of the podium while Gwen stood on the little platform, adjusted the microphone to him."Look, the reason why it shut has nothing to do with that last question." He paused to glance over at Gwen. "Isn't that right, Gwen?"He asked adjusting the microphone back to Gwen.
"Yeah, Todd just accidentally ended it instead of pausing it." Gwen stated, nodding her head.
"So... Are you two back together again?" Another one asked.
"No!" Gwen and Duncan simultaneously responded.
After many questions, the two got sick of it. Actually the two were sick of it before they started. It's just that their resentment only grew from there and they bickered a lot throughout the conference as well. It was hard to tell if it was in a joking manner or serious. But it was more likely due to rage due to the fact that the crowd kept asking questions about their relationship and about Courtney and Trent and that only triggered them more. The only thing stopping them right now was Chris who was eyeing them with a smirk placed on his face.
Duncan moved the mic to him. "If you're so curious about our previous relationships just hit up Courtney and Trent. That'll probably entertain your sucky lives." Duncan asked. Gwen nodded along. "Think it's time we wrap this up."
"Are you two still friends!?" A person asked.
Gwen and Duncan paused and awkwardly stared at each other for a moment. They had that nice moment under the bus stop but still haven't talked it out. "I guess… sure?" Gwen answered, unsure of what was going to happen.
The paparazzi had different reactions to the case. Some were happy, some were disgusted and some were even crying. It was hard to tell if it was in joy or sadness. Probably both.
"Can you guys hug?!" Another one was one of the happy ones.
Gwen looked at Duncan worryingly. Duncan stared back and flashed a small smile at her and held his arms out for Gwen. Gwen looked at Duncan as she rubbed her upper arm in reluctance as she heard the cheering/booing. So finally, she stepped of the little podium and hugged Duncan back.
Cameras were instantly clicking and Chris, who was watching all of this ratings for the show!He thought in his head.
"Boo!" Some disapproved. That was the disgusted one.
After the hug, Gwen caught herself warming up and ran off. Luckily, no one stopped her even after she ran past Chris. That was because Chris was grinning at her and Duncan, knowing it was a success. Although it wasn't as chaotic, there was some more drama and much more 'ship' debates now.
"Can you guys hug?!" Another one the next minute there Gwen and Duncan were, hugging.
Courtney turned her television off, trying to maintain her cool. But it was hard seeing her ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend hug on television. What makes it worse was how the press conference was going viral on all news stations, podcasts, social media... It was everywhere. She couldn't pretend to ignore it since people were always talking about it.
"You watching the press conference?" Someone inquired. Courtney turned her head to see Emma. Her college roommate had also participated in the show: Ridonculous Race.
Looking down at the remote, Courtney sighed. She had to face the truth. No matter how much she didn't want it to happen. Even her elaborate scheme to break Gwen and Duncan up in All Stars was now going to waste. "I guess I am but it's so annoying seeing those two are together again!" Courtney fumed throwing the remote. Realising her actions, Courtney rushed over and collected the remote and gently placed it on the table. "Sorry. It's just hard seeing those two together."
Emma crossed her arms and rested her arms on the edge of the couch to look over Courtney who was sulking on the couch. "You know... Duncan and Gwen aren't the only people in the world. I mean, I've seen the show and how awful your relationship with Duncan and friendship with Gwen was." Emma stated. "Maybe it was a sign that you shouldn't be with them."
"What do you mean?" Courtney inquired.
"Well, after World Tour I guess Gwen and Duncan took that as a sign that they shouldn't be with you but I guess Gwen also started feeling guilty about it later on. However, I feel like that was a lesson for all three of you of how incapable those relationships were. I feel like you should've stuck to Bridgette or something."
"So you're saying this is my fault!?" Courtney shrieked, pointing to herself.
Shaking her head, Emma continued to slightly smile. "I mean... if that's how you want to say it. I'm not saying that but I'll agree you did some pretty messed up things too."
Courtney furrowed her eyebrows at Emma and stood up to glare down at her. "What do you mean!? I didn't do anything wrong! They were the ones who went behind my back to cheat on me!"
"Alright then. Don't believe me. Just... rewatch the show for me. Maybe that'll help you realise some of the things you did. Because you are most definitely not innocent but so aren't the other two." Emma responded, standing up straight and heading to her room. "I'm going to set Noah and Izzy up[1]."
Once Emma strolled off to her room, Courtney was left on her own in the mini living room of their dorm and thought about Emma's words. "Maybe I should rewatch the seasons..." Courtney thought as she turned on the first season of Total Drama. There she saw herself and Courtney grinned. "I knew it! I was always nice! What was Emma on about?" Courtney thought a she watched the first episode.
The next couple of weeks, Courtney slowly observed herself in the show. Things started making sense as she noticed so many little things she hadn't realised. She swiftly moved through season one to season five throughout the couple of weeks and noticed a recurring idea. She was nothing without Duncan in the first three seasons and in season five, that was the only time she was her own self but midway through she seemed to have only been there for Gwen. Another aspect was the amount of boys she'd noticed she was flirting/dating and her personality. It was so different to hers now but it kind of scarred her of how hypocritical she was in the show. Oh, and the time she was on the floor kicking her feet, crying in front of everyone too. What was she doing? There was so many things in the show she saw and the things she did made Courtney feel disgusted by her past self.
After finally finishing season five, Courtney sat on the couch with her head in her knees. What was she thinking? Why did she do that? Courtney continued pondering about her time in the embarrassing.
She was once again interrupted by Emma who sat next to her and placed a hand on Courtney's shoulder. "Finished watching all the seasons?" Emma questioned. Courtney nodded. "Hey, it's alright. Look, don't stress over it so much. There's no need to... I just thought you kind of needed to see yourself how you were back in the show."
"Yeah Emma and I was awful. I didn't think I could do something so bad. Especially back then because I thought I was nice." Courtney responded. "And then Duncan, why did I seem so needy about him. I was the one who practically tortured him in season two and then in season three I was there kicking my feet and crying on the floor. What was I thinking?" Courtney complained, slapping her forehead. "Was I really that insufferable?" Courtney asked, looking up at Emma.
Emma didn't respond, trying to put it into nicer words to Courtney. Emma liked staying honest but that would make the situation worse if she straight up told the truth. "Um... sort of?"
Courtney's head fell again in her knees. "I can't believe I was like that. I-I-I was the type of person I hated the most."
"Look Courtney, I think it's the fact that you were driven with your motivation and after that unfair elimination in Island you became like...that." Emma responded. "You're not like that now though and I'm just trying to tell you that you shouldn't be so clung onto Gwen and Duncan. Let them do whatever they want. You'll turn into your Total Drama self again if you continue this."
"I guess you're right." Courtney agreed, feeling guilty about everyone she'd probably tormented. Maybe an apology was needed.
The press conference wasn't as drama filled but like I live for awkward Gwuncan and I think I wrote a lot of them arguing in this story so that's why it wasn't that eventful
Also, even though I hate Courtney, I'm going to give her character development and try to make her tolerable. (She's not) Also, I'm kind of ranting my hatred of Courtney onto herself so if you don't like it, don't read it because it's my story and my interpretation.
[1] I love Nizzy so I'll give a little info so, after Ridonculous Race Emma and Noah date for a while until they break up on good terms. Emma starts to realise Noah had loved Izzy so she's going to help them out. Emma isn't ready to date yet since she wants to become a lawyer and Noah had always had a little something for Izzy all this time. Anyways everyone is in good terms and everything.