"Last time on Total Drama Island…"
The Killer Bass finally managed to break their embarrassing losing streak against The Screaming Gophers, and it was all thanks to Lincoln's tactical genius and Duncan's brute strength. There were bruises, tears, reckless maneuvers, and some very sketchy alliances. Meanwhile, Ronnie Anne and Heather were still clashing like two queens in a turf war, while Courtney was sidelined for the rest of the challenge—not from injury, but from a bruised… ego. Haha. When it came time for elimination, it was Noah—the self-proclaimed know-it-all—who got the boot. Ironically, he didn't see it coming… but he did start seeing Ronnie Anne in a whole new way. Seriously, dude? Kinda weird—but hey, no judgment here.
This week? Another challenge, another elimination, and another poor soul headed straight for a one-way cruise to Loserville. Population: Four.
Who's going under? Who's staying afloat? Find out right now on… Total. Drama. Island!
⸻
The early morning haze hung over Camp Wawanakwa like a lazy fog. For some, waking up at this hour was torture—especially for the Screaming Gophers' resident goth girl, Gwen, who stirred groggily from her bunk, only to be rudely awakened by the high-pitched whining of the team's bubbly blonde.
"Okay. This is so way beyond bad. I'm out of fake tanner already!"
Gwen groaned, rubbing her eyes as the voice assaulted her half-asleep brain.
"Whoa, that's tragic, Lindsay."
Her sarcasm, as always, flew miles over Lindsay's head.
"Now I have to actually, like, suntan. In the sun! Do you realize how shriveled and wrinkly that can make your skin?"
Lindsay clutched her empty bottle of tanner like it was the end of the world.
Still blinking sleep from her eyes, Gwen sat up and began straightening her tangled hair. Her dry glare was met with Lindsay's bright, clueless smile as the blonde glanced over Gwen's naturally pale complexion.
"Oh, you totally do."
Lindsay flopped dramatically onto her bunk with a heavy sigh.
"I'm so jealous of Ronnie Anne. She has such beautiful caramel brown skin—I'm jealous of her tan."
Gwen's tired eyes widened in bewilderment as she turned to stare at the blonde in open confusion.
"Lindsay, Ronnie Anne is Hispanic. That's her natural skin tone."
"I know right? I'm so jealous."
Gwen threw her hands in the air, defeated, unwilling to start a pointless debate before breakfast. Still, the mention of Ronnie Anne stirred a thought in her mind. She hadn't seen her around this morning…
⸻
At the edge of the tree line where forest met the sand, Ronnie Anne crouched quietly behind a bush, her eyes fixed on the duo down at the beach.
Bridgette stood on the sand, barefoot and focused, her surfboard placed neatly in front of her as she prepared to coach. Lincoln stood atop the board, wobbling slightly as he tried to maintain balance.
"Ok Lincoln, the first thing when surfing is your stance."
"Got it."
Bridgette smiled warmly, taking her role seriously.
"Figured we'd be on the water first."
"Not safe to do so. You need to get the basics down before you get on the water."
Lincoln nodded obediently as Bridgette circled around him. Her hands were confident, practiced.
"Okay, Lincoln, you need to keep your feet flat on the board. Your back foot needs to be slightly angled, and the front foot should be angled more towards the nose."
She crouched beside him, gently guiding his feet into place with her own. Then, placing her hands on his shoulders, she shifted his stance, aligning him properly.
"The distance between your feet should be slightly wider than your shoulders."
She leaned in from behind, arms wrapping briefly around his midsection to help guide his knees into a slight bend.
"Okay, now bend your knees slightly—it helps absorb impact and maintain your balance."
Lincoln followed every word carefully.
"So is this right, Bridge?"
"Yeah, Lincoln, you're a natural."
Their friendly lesson continued as the sun climbed higher, casting a warm glow over the two. But from the shadows, Ronnie Anne's stare only sharpened. Her eyes shrank to pinpricks, her jaw tight with unease.
⸻
Ronnie Anne – CONFESSIONAL
"Okay… I know Lincoln is just learning how to surf… I know he's just hanging with her… and Bridgette is a very nice girl…"
Her eyes darted anxiously as she tugged at the sides of her hair, her voice rising with every sentence.
"BUT DOES SHE HAVE TO HOLD HIM THAT CLOSE!!??"
She groaned, pulling at her cheeks before forcing herself to take a deep breath.
"No… Lincoln and Bridgette aren't like that… Lincoln would have told me… and I'm not gonna be jealous…"
A pause. Her eyes widened as the weight of her own words sank in.
"I-I didn't mean… jealous… as in I'm jealous of Bridgette… I meant it like… I—I want… to… surf?"
Her eyes narrowed at the camera as her forced smile cracked.
"OH SHUT UP!!!"
CRACK!!
With one furious punch, the camera went static.
⸻
Suddenly, a harsh alarm blared through the camp's speakers, cutting through the peaceful air like a buzzsaw.
"All right, campers! Enough beauty sleep! Time to show us what you're made of. All campers report to the amphitheater!"
Lincoln stepped off the board with a sigh, glancing toward the speaker.
"Guess this is the end of the surfing lesson."
Bridgette offered her hand, helping him up.
"For now. Let's head back."
They started walking back toward camp, unaware of Ronnie Anne ducking behind a bush and bolting in the opposite direction, leaves crunching underfoot as she tried to avoid being seen.
⸻
The amphitheater buzzed with life as both the Bass and Gophers arrived, settling into their designated bleachers. The morning sun gleamed down on the wooden seats.
"Are we gonna see a musical? I love musicals. Especially the ones with singing and dancing. Heh."
"It wouldn't be Hell without musicals and catchy songs."
Lindsay and Gwen ascended the steps, chatting as they looked for seats. Trent perked up the second he spotted Gwen.
"Gwen! Saved you a seat."
"Thanks."
She sat beside him just as Ronnie Anne emerged from the treeline, brushing dirt from her pants. She took the empty spot beside Gwen, slightly winded from her sprint.
"Yo Ronnie, you got leaves all over your butt."
Startled, Ronnie Anne stood up quickly and twisted to look. Sure enough, her backside was covered in dry leaves and debris. She started frantically brushing herself off.
"Need me to double check?"
Cody popped up, trying to turn on the charm. Ronnie Anne's reaction was immediate—one swift punch to the stomach.
"Not in this lifetime."
Wheezing, Cody stumbled back and attempted to play it cool like Trent, only to slip awkwardly and get wedged between the bleacher slats.
"W-W-Whoa! Uh, heh."
Ronnie Anne rolled her eyes and moved several seats down—farther away from the hopeful geek, landing next to Trent instead.
⸻
Ronnie Anne – CONFESSIONAL
"Cody has been trying so hard to impress me it's honestly getting annoying. Maybe I'm not punching hard enough to get him to figure out I'm not interested. I need to make it clear."
⸻
Cody – CONFESSIONAL
"When I first saw Ronnie Anne and Lincoln, I immediately thought they were dating. But knowing Ronnie Anne is available is muy caliente. After Gwen, she's easily the prettiest girl here. So hopefully Lincoln will help me find out how to impress her."
⸻
Back on the Bass side, Bridgette and Lincoln arrived from the beach. Geoff immediately noticed their approach, eyebrows raising with curiosity.
Lincoln took a seat beside Harold while Bridgette slid in next to Courtney. Geoff leaned over with a smirk.
"Yo Link, where'd you and Bridgette come from?"
"Oh, don't worry Geoff. Bridgette is teaching me how to surf."
"Sooo… you and her aren't like—"
He crossed his fingers suggestively.
"Nah. She's more like a sister. Don't worry. Plus, she told me she's into a certain cowboy~ here."
Geoff blinked, puzzled—until he touched the brim of his hat in realization.
"No kidding."
"She likes your butt and fancy hair."
Geoff grinned and ran a hand through his thick blonde locks.
"She thinks it's fancy?"
⸻
"Welcome to our brand new deluxe state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater!" Chris stood center stage, arms flared like a game show host.
"Okay, this week's challenge is a summer camp favorite—a talent contest!"
The campers perked up.
"Yes! Awesome!" Owen practically jumped out of his seat with joy.
"Each team has eight hours to pick their three most talented campers."
Excitement buzzed among the groups. Katie and Sadie squealed like it was prom night.
"These three will represent them in the show tonight. Sing, dance, juggle. Anything goes…as long as it's legal."
Duncan groaned and snapped his fingers.
"There goes half my act."
"You'll be judged by our resident talent scout, former DJ, VJ, and rap legend, Grand Master Chef, who will show his approval via the Chef-o-Meter."
A massive spoon-shaped meter featuring Chef Hatchet's face rose behind Chris. It lit up with a score of ten.
"The team that loses will send one camper home tonight. Good luck!"
As everyone dispersed to prepare, Cody could still be seen wedged in the bleachers.
"Uhhh… little help?"
⸻
Back at the Gophers' cabin, the team had gathered in a loose semicircle. Heather stood at the front, assuming control.
"Okay. I'm the team captain, so here's how it's going to work."
"Wait. Who said you were team captain?"
"She did, just now."
Gwen crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed.
"Lindsay, Beth, and I took a vote and I won."
"Threatening them to vote for you isn't exactly democratic."
Gwen, Leshawna, and Ronnie Anne all shot Heather matching looks of disdain.
"Hey. Snagged you an extra muffin."
Trent arrived, offering Gwen a muffin. She softened a bit, smiling at him. Heather noticed and pounced.
"Trent. You're cool with me leading this project, aren't you?"
"Right on, go for it."
"Good. Beth, Lindsay, and I will be the judges."
"Not really fair selection if it's you and the girls you bully into agreeing with you."
"Grande-butt, we need a jury, and you don't strike me as the fair type."
Leshawna had to gently hold Ronnie Anne back from lunging.
"Whatever."
Ronnie Anne backed off, clearly fed up with the drama.
———————————————————————
———————————————————————
Outside the Main Lodge, the Killer Bass were hard at work hunting for talent. Katie and Sadie stood center stage—well, technically, on a flat patch of dirt—showcasing what they claimed were "dance moves." But to call what they were doing dancing was like calling ground chuck a filet mignon.
Their routine was a chaotic flurry of flailing arms, exaggerated twirls, and mismatched spins that ended with both girls giggling breathlessly, clearly proud of themselves.
When they finished, they turned toward the rest of the team with bright, expectant smiles.
Courtney, having unofficially taken charge, tried to break the news gently.
"You two… uhhh… we really need…"
She trailed off, fumbling her words as she struggled to find a polite way to tell them they weren't making the cut.
Lincoln, always the mediator, stepped forward smoothly to diffuse the situation.
"Katie and Sadie, you two are passionate about your dancing, but we need to give everyone a chance to show what they can do before we make anything official. You cool with that?"
The best friends exchanged a glance, then beamed and nodded in perfect sync before rejoining the rest of the team, still giggling.
Courtney let out a relieved sigh and turned to Lincoln.
"Thanks, Lincoln."
"No problem, Courtney. I figured I need to be useful to the actual talented people if I can't perform."
He sighed deeply, his smile faltering before turning away.
"I'm going to the restroom."
Courtney watched him leave, a shadow of concern crossing her face. Bridgette, who had overheard the conversation, approached her quietly.
"We really need to help that guy find some confidence."
"Amen, Courtney. I wish he wouldn't talk about himself like that."
The two girls glanced after Lincoln, eyes filled with quiet sympathy as he disappeared into the camp.
———————————————————————
———————————————————————
Meanwhile, at the Screaming Gophers' auditions, Owen was on stage—if one could call the grassy patch outside their cabin a stage—chugging a two-liter bottle of soda like his life depended on it. The rest of the Gophers stood around, waiting with mixed degrees of interest and horror.
Trying to pass the time, Trent turned to Gwen.
"Are you gonna audition?"
"Doubtful. You should be in this, though. I heard you the other night by the dock. You're really good."
Trent smiled at the compliment, a bit flustered but pleased. But before he could reply, Owen finished his soda with a mighty glug and stepped forward like a showman.
"A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z!!!!"
Owen had burped the entire alphabet in one go.
Cody, Justin, and Trent all burst into laughter and applause, thoroughly impressed. The girls, however, recoiled—except for one. In her purple hoodie, Ronnie Anne bit her lip, clearly fighting the urge to laugh.
"Yes!" Owen shouted, raising his hands in triumph like he'd just scored a goal.
"That was excellent, man," Trent said, giving him a high five.
Heather rolled her eyes so hard they practically spun.
"Well, you're not going to do that in the contest. That's disgusting."
Trent shrugged.
"You know how hard it is to burp the entire alphabet in one go?"
Heather ignored him, arms crossed.
"I can also toot Beethoven's 5th!"
The group collectively groaned. Owen spun around and proudly pointed his rear toward the team.
"No, no, no!"
"No, Owen…"
Beth and Lindsay waved their hands in front of their faces, horrified at the thought. Owen, finally relenting, turned around and sulked in disappointment.
Off to the side, Cody noticed someone approaching—a member of the Bass team he'd been meaning to talk to.
"Where are you going?" Heather called sharply, already annoyed.
"Just going to the bathroom," Cody replied casually and walked off.
As he left, Gwen stood up and followed.
"Oh, and just where are you going, mistress of the dark?" Heather asked, full of snark.
"Anywhere that's not here." Gwen replied flatly without looking back.
Heather glared at her, suspicion simmering behind narrowed eyes.
⸻
Back with the Killer Bass, Eva was demonstrating her "talent." Standing confidently with a full tree stump in her arms, she grunted—and squeezed.
To the horror of her teammates, sap began to pour out as if she were wringing a sponge.
Chris, watching from the sidelines, sipped his coffee and commented dryly:
"Fresh Amazonian maple syrup."
The rest of the Bass exchanged nervous glances, collectively freaked out.
⸻
In the boys' bathroom, Lincoln was at the sink, drying his hands after finishing up. The door creaked open, and a voice called out:
"Yo Lincoln, my man! What's happening?"
Lincoln turned and saw Cody leaning casually against one of the stalls.
"Oh hey, Cody. What's new?"
Cody stepped forward, an eager grin on his face.
"Just wanted to talk, my dude. See, I wanted your help with something."
Lincoln raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Ahhh… I don't think I can help you if this'll help your team win, dude."
Cody quickly held up his hands in protest.
"No, no, nothing like that! You see, man, I wanted to know how to impress Ronnie Anne."
Lincoln blinked, clearly confused.
"What?"
"Ronnie Anne, dude! I've tried to impress her, tried to get her to notice me… but I keep getting punched."
He lifted his shirt to reveal a red mark on his side, a fresh reminder from earlier.
"Yeah… she doesn't like being flirted with or messed with like that. Dude, I'd just let it go."
Cody frowned.
"But I don't get it, dude. You and her are tight. How do I match up?"
Lincoln stared into the mirror, quiet for a moment before answering.
"Look… Cody… Ronnie Anne is not like other girls. She won't fall for flirting, cheap impression tactics, or anything like that… she's… wild, tough, adventurous, a daredevil…"
His voice softened. Cody noticed the distant look in his eyes as he continued.
"But she's also kindhearted, forgiving, loyal… beautiful…"
A fond smile spread across Lincoln's face as the thoughts settled.
"But Cody, you should just give up on Ronnie Anne. I don't think it would work, ya know?"
Cody chuckled, accepting the truth.
"Yeah… you're right, Lincoln. I give up."
Lincoln turned and grabbed some paper towels.
"Smart move, dude. But you'll find someone one day."
He walked out of the bathroom, leaving Cody behind with a knowing smile.
⸻
CODY – CONFESSIONAL
"There was obviously some issue before they got here… but I won't pry. I guess Ronnie Anne isn't available. There already is someone for her. So I'm still single… unless there are some cute fangirls out there who want some Cody in their lives."
He flexed his arms, striking a goofy pose and flashing a toothy grin.
⸻
Back at the Gopher cabin, Heather was now performing an elegant ballet routine. Surprisingly graceful, she twirled and leaped across the room with practiced precision, impressing most of the Gophers.
As she finished, she took a bow, and the room erupted into applause—everyone except Ronnie Anne, who sat stone-faced and silent.
Lindsay and Beth clapped loudest, their excitement obvious.
"Thank you," Heather said, playing modest.
The two girls kept clapping, unsure what came next. Heather gave a loud ahem, snapping them out of it.
"Oh, I vote for Heather to be in the contest!" Lindsay declared.
"I second that!" Beth followed.
Heather gave a faux-humble smile, already knowing this outcome was inevitable.
"Guys, that's so sweet! Okay, so I guess I'm in. Why doesn't everyone take five?"
The Gophers scattered quickly, happy to escape the tense atmosphere. As Lindsay turned to leave, Heather grabbed her arm and pulled her close.
"I need you to do something. Can you keep a secret?"
"Oh my gosh, definitely. My sister got diarrhea once on a date and I had to bring her toilet paper because the restaurant was all out and she was stuck in the bathroom and I've never told a soul."
Lindsay's eyes widened as she realized what she just said. She turned to the camera, sheepish.
"Uh, oops. Sorry, Paula…"
Heather groaned in disbelief.
"Gwen's up to something serious. I want you to follow her and report back to me."
———————————————————————
———————————————————————
The Bass continued to try and find talent on their team, but it was easier said than done.
DJ was performing a flag dance that, while surprisingly graceful and fluid, caught most of the team off guard. His motions were smooth, almost hypnotic, as he waved the flags through the air like silk ribbons.
Many of the Bass clapped, impressed by the display—except for Courtney, who sat with arms crossed, unimpressed.
"Fine. Sign him up. Next."
Bridgette stepped forward with enthusiasm.
"Me! I can stand on my hands for twenty minutes. Watch!"
She kicked herself upside down and balanced perfectly on her hands, steady and proud.
Courtney rolled her eyes at the sight.
"Okay, that'd be cute if you were a monkey. I just don't think it's quite what we're looking for."
"I don't know Courtney this is kinda impressive."
Courtney turned her head and saw Lincoln walking back up, hands in his pockets.
"Nice for you to join us… anything you want to demonstrate?"
Lincoln folded his arms with a shrug.
"Not really, I don't have any flashy talent that will help us wi—OW!"
He looked down in surprise, seeing Bridgette—still on her hands—had just jabbed him in the calf.
"Did you just punch me in the calf?"
"Yes I did, and you deserved it."
Bridgette flipped upright and stood tall.
"Don't talk so negatively about yourself dude, your art is amazing and that's a talent."
"My art isn't that good, Bridge… look, let's continue. Who was next?"
Harold stepped forward, taking a deep breath, ready to perform.
"Next!"
Courtney cut him off instantly, and Harold deflated like a balloon.
"Ok Courtney that was just uncalled for."
Lincoln glared at the CIT.
"We have got to put our best talent forward, and since I was a CIT I think I know what I'm talking about."
Lincoln rubbed his eyes, clearly annoyed.
"Hey who was the girl who got nailed in the butt with a dodgeball hard enough she couldn't sit down, all because she thought she knew what was best?"
He turned to Bridgette with a sly smile.
"Was that you Bridgette?"
Bridgette smirked, catching on to what Lincoln was doing.
"My butt is bruise-free."
"Eva, was it you?"
Eva grinned at the bit, arms crossed.
"Nope."
Lincoln tapped his chin dramatically.
"It wasn't Katie or Sadie, so that leaves…"
He looked down at Courtney, who was glaring daggers at him as she stood to match his height.
"…fine, you made your point. Look, I'll still handle jurying but we all pick the finalists, is that ok?"
The Bass nodded in agreement. Courtney sat back down on a stump—only to flinch as she did.
The team noticed, but only one person laughed.
"I guess your bruised ego must be acting up, huh princess?"
Duncan smirked while Courtney glared at him in fury.
⸻
COURTNEY – CONFESSIONAL
"For the record, my butt isn't bruised in the slightest. It stung when I was hit by the dodgeball, but only when I was immediately hit."
[BLAM, BLAM, BLAM]
A sudden pounding at the door made Courtney jump.
⸻
HEATHER – OUTSIDE CONFESSIONAL
"How much longer are you gonna be in there?"
⸻
COURTNEY – CONFESSIONAL
"Just a minute… so like I was saying… Eek!"
Courtney tried to sit back down, only to spring back up holding her rear again as another jolt of pain shot through her.
———————————————————————
———————————————————————
Meanwhile, in the main lodge, Ronnie Anne sat alone at a table, enjoying a moment of peace away from Heather's nonsense—until the door creaked open and Cody walked in.
"Oh hey Ronnie Anne."
Ronnie Anne groaned slightly at the sight of him but didn't move as he sat beside her.
"So how'd the team perform?"
Ronnie Anne looked confused by how casual Cody was being—especially compared to earlier when he kept trying to flirt with her.
"It… was… alright… Heather did ballet… apparently…"
"Cool…"
Cody smirked slightly, tapping his fingers on the table.
⸻
CODY – CONFESSIONAL
"Okay, so I'm giving up on Ronnie Anne… but I just want to know why Lincoln was like that… I get the feeling something serious happened… but I don't really know how to approach the subject."
⸻
Back at the table, Cody broke the silence.
"…heh, that's cool… hey Ronnie Anne I wanted to ask… what happened to Lincoln?"
Ronnie Anne's eyes shot open, her entire body tensing.
"What?"
"See, I was… talking to Lincoln… I wanted to know how to impress you…"
Ronnie Anne narrowed her eyes, already on edge.
"But he didn't tell me anything… he just seemed sad and… torn up about something."
Her expression softened, the sharpness fading from her face.
"What did he say exactly?"
"He just talked about you, said you were adventurous, a daredevil, loyal, kindhearted and beautiful."
Ronnie Anne stood up fast, getting in Cody's face.
"IF YOU'RE TRYING TO BE FUNNY I COULD TURN YOU INTO A HUMAN PRETZEL!!!!"
Cody raised his hands defensively but didn't back away.
"Whoa whoa whoa… easy, I'm being serious. Lincoln said that… it's just… that he seemed depressed… about something… I'm just worried for the guy."
Ronnie Anne paused. From the look in Cody's eyes, she could tell he was telling the truth.
"…you're serious?"
"Hundred percent."
She backed off, breathing hard, trying to center herself again.
"Look Cody… I wouldn't trouble yourself with it… Lincoln dealt… with some heinous stuff a few years ago… but he… look… he just needs to… move on from her…"
"Toxic ex?"
Cody guessed quietly.
"Like you wouldn't believe."
Ronnie Anne turned and walked out of the lodge, leaving Cody sitting there in silence—his face now carrying a mix of concern and curiosity. Whatever happened to Lincoln clearly wasn't something simple… or easy to forget.
———————————————————————
———————————————————————
Geoff was next, performing wickedly sick tricks with his skateboard. He grinded against tree logs with perfect precision before hitting a kickflip off a stump like it was nothing.
Harold, Katie, and Sadie cheered, clearly amazed by the party boy's skateboarding skills.
"That was wickedly cool, dude."
Lincoln fist-bumped Geoff with a grin.
"Appreciate it, bro."
Bridgette and Courtney walked up, finalizing the Bass team's decision.
"Well, I guess it's Geoff, DJ's ribbon thing, and your solo, Courtney."
"I'm gonna be on TV, man!" Geoff pumped his fist in the air, elated.
"You're… already on TV, Geoff."
Courtney's reminder hit Geoff like a ton of bricks, and his face lit up.
"Oh yeah. Hello out there, dudes! Yo Brody, keep the party going, bro!"
Bridgette chuckled at Geoff's enthusiasm but frowned when she saw Lincoln standing off to the side, his mood dark.
"Hey, Lincoln, are you sure there's nothing you'd like to do?"
Courtney and Geoff both exchanged worried glances, concern evident in their eyes.
"Nah… I don't think I'll be able to… I think the roster's fine. We need to put our best foot forward."
Lincoln shoved his hands in his pockets, walking off without looking back.
The trio watched him go, their concern growing for their teammate who had been down the whole day.
"I'm picking up major sad vibes from Linc."
"Seriously… what happened to him?"
Bridgette frowned deeply, staring at the ground in frustration.
⸻
BRIDGETTE – CONFESSIONAL
"I have a feeling that Christina played a hand in Lincoln's confidence issues… Ya know, I'm a pretty laid-back person, but even I have a limit."
⸻————————————————————
———————————————————————
The Gophers minus Gwen had regrouped, while Gwen and Lindsay continued to roam around camp.
Izzy was next, performing a wild dance set to Indian music that instantly caught Owen's attention.
"I call this… The Dance… Of… The Rattlesnake!"
Izzy moved with hypnotic grace, slithering like a serpent and snapping her hands at her teammates like snake mouths.
"Look into my eyes, what do you see? Ah duh nuh. Nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh!"
Owen, completely mesmerized, stared at Izzy in a daze.
"She's good."
Owen muttered, making Ronnie Anne wave her hand in front of his face, trying to snap him out of it. But nothing.
Once Izzy finished, Beth was next. She walked up to the front, holding a baton in each hand. She lit both ends on fire and twirled them at great speed, much to the fear of her teammates. The flames were dangerously close.
Lindsay and Heather instinctively backed away, but Heather finally asked the burning question.
"Are you sure this is safe?"
Beth, still smiling and twirling the batons, looked over her shoulder.
"It's okay, I've been practicing."
However, as soon as she finished her sentence, the batons she tossed into the air started spinning wildly and fell near the Gophers.
"Run!"
Owen yelled, and in unison, the team scrambled, diving out of the way of the flaming projectiles.
The batons caught part of the grass and a bush on fire, making things even more chaotic.
"¡¿Qué Diablos, Beth?!"
Ronnie Anne screamed in Spanish, but everyone knew exactly what she meant.
Beth looked embarrassed as she watched her teammates frantically try to avoid the flaming objects.
"I kinda missed the catching class…"
"Uh, guys… the bush is on fire."
Trent pointed out the rapidly growing fire, panic setting in.
Justin arrived just in time, holding a pail of water. He quickly extinguished the flames, sweat glistening on his well-defined muscles. His shirt had come off from the heat, and the sight of his chiseled body made most of the Gophers swoon.
"Okay. So I think it's me, Trent and… Justin. Any objections?"
None of the Gophers objected to the roster. They were all still enamored with Justin, except for one girl who just looked completely stupefied.
⸻
RONNIE ANNE – CONFESSIONAL
"Again… what's the big deal? He's not that handsome, and nowhere near as ripped as Lincoln…"
Ronnie Anne thought about the times she'd seen Lincoln shirtless, and a blush crept up her face.
"…Wait, I-I meant like… OH, SHUT UP!"
She punched the camera, causing it to go to static—again.
⸻
Back at the campfire, Heather spoke up, clearly finalizing things for the Gophers.
"So we all agree?"
The Gophers nodded in unison, but Trent raised his hand, interrupting.
"Wait… Ronnie Anne, is there anything you'd like to show us?"
The Gophers turned to the Hispanic tomboy. She rubbed the back of her head, clearly uncomfortable.
"Nothing really flashy. I'm a big-time skateboarder, and I practice lucha libre, but I'm not that over-talented."
"Oh cool, maybe you could do like a match or a skateboarding performance."
Ronnie Anne thought for a moment, unsure how she could make it work, but before she could respond, Heather jumped in.
"Ummm, we just finalized the roster, and skateboarding is, like, so 2000's. Also, luchadors aren't interesting to begin with."
Heather walked off, leaving Ronnie Anne standing there, seething with frustration. She started to charge at Heather, but Leshawna and Trent quickly stepped in to hold her back.
Gwen returned to the cabins, having spent most of her time wandering around the island, sketching and writing in her journal. She stepped inside and saw Trent sitting at a nearby table, strumming his guitar. When he noticed her, he shot her a smile, which Gwen returned, though her gaze immediately flicked to the burnt bush and grass outside. She shrugged it off.
"I won't even ask."
"How was your walk, beautiful?" Trent asked, tuning his guitar, still looking at her with a gentle smile.
"Pretty good. I think I'll go for a swim to kill time." Gwen stretched her arms, already heading to the cabin to change.
"Wait up! I'll come with you." Trent jumped up, eager to join her.
"Sure. I mean… whatever." Gwen's response was indifferent, but she couldn't hide the faint smile on her lips as she walked toward the cabin.
As Gwen entered the cabin and changed into her swimsuit she and Trent walked off to the docks as nearby Heather and Lindsay walked up to the Gopher cabin.
"Lindsay, stay here. We've got a diary to find." Heather's voice was low but firm as she gave Lindsay a pointed look.
Heather entered the cabin, starting her search for Gwen's diary, while Lindsay stayed outside, watching for any signs of trouble.
⸻
At the amphitheater, the Bass team was preparing for their performance. Courtney was fine-tuning her violin while the others hung around, chatting and getting ready.
"So, can you really stand on your hands for twenty minutes?" Geoff was inspecting his skateboard, clearly intrigued by Bridgette's claim.
"Wanna bet I can't?" Bridgette raised an eyebrow, challenging Geoff.
"Oh, you're on!" Geoff grinned, clearly excited for the challenge.
Harold overheard the bet and quickly joined in.
"I'll take a piece of that action."
"Yeah, that's like virtually impossible." DJ chimed in, looking skeptical as he and Duncan played cards nearby.
"Yeah, that's like virtually impossible." Duncan echoed, nodding in agreement.
"No way you can last that long, surfer girl." Eva added her two cents as she crossed her arms, watching the spectacle unfold.
The boys, along with Eva, threw in cash, food, and other items into the collection pool, clearly enjoying the growing tension.
"Ok. Twenty minutes… starting… now!" Bridgette set her timer and immediately dropped into a handstand. She walked on her hands, her body shifting with ease.
Courtney continued to tune her violin, distracted by the spectacle. But as Bridgette moved forward, her leg became tangled in a nearby rope.
The Bass members laughed at the sight of Bridgette struggling to untangle herself, but the tugging caused the light she was attached to fall, crashing toward Courtney.
[CRASH!!!]
DJ, Duncan, Geoff, Harold, and Eva gasped in horror.
"Oh crap!" Bridgette screamed, realizing what had just happened.
The light had completely crushed Courtney's…
⸻
Later, after the chaos had calmed, Courtney was bandaged up, having hit her head when she jumped out of the way. Katie and Sadie tried to console her, but the violinist was inconsolable, crying hysterically.
When she noticed Bridgette waking up, ashamed, her eyes flashed with anger.
"You. You killed my violin!" Courtney's voice was shaky but full of grief.
"I didn't mean to. There must be something we can do…" Bridgette said, holding the broken violin in her hands, trying to repair it. But as she touched it, the fragile instrument crumbled like old paper.
Courtney's sobs intensified as she watched her precious violin disintegrate in Bridgette's hands. She ran away, tears streaming down her face, with Katie and Sadie following after her.
⸻
Gwen and Trent sat on the docks, staring at the peaceful lake, enjoying the calm view.
"I think this is the only place I can feel relaxed. Everyone just drives me nuts here." Gwen stretched out, the tension from the island slowly fading.
"Really, everyone drives you crazy?" Trent asked, intrigued, glancing over at her.
"Well, like three people on the Gophers are cool: Leshawna, Ronnie Anne, and…" Gwen paused, about to name the third person, but before she could finish, the loud battle cry of two geeks interrupted her.
"CANNONBALLL!!!" Owen and Cody came charging toward the dock, leaping into the water with all the enthusiasm they could muster, splashing Gwen and Trent in the process.
"AHHH, I HATE THIS PLACE!" Gwen stormed off, clearly irritated, as she headed back toward the Gopher cabin.
Trent shot the two geeks a frustrated glare.
"Nice going, guys."
"Yeah, real nice going." Owen muttered as he shot Cody an equally annoyed look, both guys clueless about what had just happened.
⸻
Meanwhile, Heather had torn through the cabin, searching for Gwen's diary but had come up empty-handed. She paused, sitting back to think.
"Okay. If I were a secret diary… where would I be stashed?" Heather muttered to herself, throwing bags and blankets off the bed, determined to find it.
She heard a voice just outside the door.
"Hey, Gwen. Gwen! It's you! Hi! What are you doing here, outside the cabin, Gwen?"
Lindsay's voice called out as Gwen finally returned from her swim.
"Trying to get into the cabin?" Heather overheard Gwen's voice as she grew more impatient.
Heather continued her frantic search, finally spotting a purple book. She flipped through the pages and realized it was Ronnie Anne's dream journal.
"This is good." Heather smirked, clearly pleased with herself.
"Ohh, you're trying to get into the cabin! That's very interesting!" Lindsay said, trying to act as if she were making some important discovery, though Heather was having none of it.
Heather rolled her eyes at Lindsay's distraction, quickly tossing the dream journal aside. She increased her search until she found a black book hidden in the dresser. A few pages in confirmed what she'd been looking for.
"Yes. She is so dead." Heather grinned wickedly.
"Are you gonna move? Or do I have to throw you out of my way?" Heather snapped as Lindsay blocked her path.
Lindsay stepped back, adopting a strange battle stance.
"You can try, but I have martial arts training."
Gwen's icy glare froze Lindsay in her tracks, making it clear that this wasn't a battle she was going to win.
"Okay, you can go in…" Lindsay stepped aside, allowing Gwen to enter the cabin.
"Look, Gwen's back!" Lindsay announced with exaggerated enthusiasm, as if Gwen had just returned from a grand adventure.
Gwen walked into the cabin, eyeing Heather suspiciously as she stood in the middle of the room.
"Hey, Gwen. Did you have a good swim?"
Gwen was confused by the whole situation.
"What is going on in here?"
Heather shrugged with a yawn, casually brushing off the tension.
"Nothing, just resting before the big show. Are you always so paranoid?"
"Yeah. Really." Lindsay added as Gwen gave Heather a quizzical look, still trying to make sense of what had just transpired.
The two left the cabin, leaving Gwen alone, still completely confused by the strange events unfolding around her.
The performers were all ready to begin, with Bridgette trying to apologize to Courtney.
Bridgette paced in front of Courtney, trying to calm the nervous tension in the air. "Okay, I know this seems bad, but we can still win this."
Courtney crossed her arms, her face still painted with disbelief. "How? We can't win with you doing a handstand. It's cute, but not crowd-catching. We need that wow factor. Something… jaw-dropping."
Bridgette bit her lip, eyes scanning the crowd before a plan formed. "Yeah, we need to go big."
Courtney furrowed her brow. "What do you mean—?"
Bridgette cut her off. "Courtney, go get Chris. Tell him we need some art and paint supplies. I'm going to grab Lincoln."
Courtney looked at her in confusion. "Lincoln? But I thought he didn't want to perform."
Bridgette's expression softened as she gently grabbed Courtney's arm. "Lincoln has an emotional block… due to some… stuff he went through." She looked away for a second, her sadness reflecting in her eyes. "Just trust me. Get the supplies. I'll grab Lincoln. This'll be epic."
Bridgette sprinted toward the crowd, leaving Courtney to run to Chris.
⸻
Moments later, the roster was finalized, and Chris decided it was time to light the stage on fire.
"It's the TDI Talent Extravaganza!" Chris shouted, his voice practically vibrating with excitement.
He gestured to the audience. "Welcome to the very first Camp Wawanakwa Talent Contest! Where six campers will showcase their mad skills and desperately try not to humiliate themselves." He looked down at his clipboard. "First up for the Screaming Gophers, give it up for… Justin!"
The Gophers erupted into applause as Justin strolled to the stage. Owen and Lindsay cheered louder than anyone. "Do it, dude! Yeah! Woo-hoo!"
"Woo-hoo! Oh, Justin! Oh! Yeah!" Lindsay screamed, practically swooning.
Justin grinned, the spotlight on him, and began to strut his stuff, posing dramatically for the camera. The girls in the audience swooned, and with a snap of his fingers, he triggered a bucket of water to fall over him, drenching his chiseled abs and leaving everyone gasping in awe.
The Gophers erupted into cheers, but Ronnie Anne's eyes were narrowed in frustration.
⸻
Owen - CONFESSIONAL
"There are two syllables for hot: Jus and tin. Man, that guy is just so hot I could kiss him!" Owen says, looking horrified as he realizes what he just said. "…I—uh…didn't mean it like that…"
He looks around nervously. "Because he's a good teammate! Yeah! That's it!" Owen awkwardly laughs it off, but the camera catches him slapping his forehead in embarrassment. "Oh! Why'd I say that?"
⸻
Ronnie Anne - CONFESSIONAL
Ronnie Anne rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. "What is the deal with this guy? Seriously. Justin's like a Mustang without an engine. It's pretty, but ultimately, kinda useless."
She shakes her head, letting out a long sigh before a small smirk forms on her face. "A guy's gotta have more than looks. He's gotta be kind, goofy… with a cute chipped tooth…" Her gaze drifts off, lost in thought for a moment, as she smiles at the memory of Lincoln.
⸻
Chris stood at the center of the stage with his signature grin, adding, "Okay, I don't know what that was… but daaang, you got some moves, dude." Chef Hatchet, his ever-stern sidekick, nodded in agreement, still smirking.
"Seven out of ten on the Chef-O-Meter," Chef said, his voice thick with sarcastic approval.
Justin, still a little dazed, walked off the stage with a huff. He quickly composed himself and called up the next contestant for the Killer Bass.
"First up for the Killer Bass… make some noise for the big guy! DJ!"
DJ jumped onto the stage, all energy and enthusiasm, ready to show off his ribbon dance. But things didn't go as planned. As he twirled, his foot caught the ribbon, sending him stumbling. The crowd gasped, and Duncan winced, knowing his friend had just taken a hard fall.
"Ooh-hoo-hoo…" Duncan winced, rubbing the back of his neck. It was painful to watch.
DJ scrambled to untangle himself, pulling the ribbon off his feet and trying to salvage the performance, but in doing so, the ribbon ended up falling over his face. Despite the misstep, DJ did his best to finish strong, but it was clear the performance had lost its momentum.
"Dainty and yet masculine," Chris quipped, trying to salvage some positivity from the flop. "Let's see what Grand Master Chef thinks."
Chef Hatchet wasn't impressed, his face unchanging as he slid the dial of the Chef-O-Meter down to a measly two points.
"Not much," Chef said flatly.
DJ stood, his shoulders slumped in defeat, his head hanging in shame.
GOPHERS: 7 / BASS: 2
"Two down, and four acts to go," Chris said, eyes flashing toward the scoreboard. "It's the Screaming Gophers… screaming ahead."
Next up, Chris couldn't hide the grin as he called out, "Next on deck… Trent. Take it away, my bro."
Trent stepped onto the stage, guitar in hand, his signature laid-back swagger evident. He took a seat on the stool, his fingers gently strumming the strings, as the audience fell silent, anticipating his performance.
"This one goes out to someone special here at camp," Trent said, his gaze scanning the crowd. He locked eyes with Gwen, who immediately blushed under his gaze.
As he began playing, his voice soft and melodic, the lyrics to his song filled the air.
⸻
Trent began to strum on his guitar, it was a smooth melody that was beautiful to hear.
"They say that we've only got summer,
And I say that's really a bummer.
But we'll swim in the sun and have lots of fun…
It'll just be the two of us…
Nothing to do… just hang…
So let me say only this…
Stick around… for just one kiss…"
⸻
The song ended, and the crowd exploded into cheers, some more vocal than others. Gwen was blushing fiercely, clearly touched by Trent's heartfelt serenade. Ronnie Anne, sitting next to Gwen, nudged the goth's shoulder lightly, a smile on her face. She was genuinely happy for her friend and the sweet moment between Gwen and Trent.
"Nice work!" Chris called out, unable to hide his grin. "I'm liking your style, dude. And so does Grand Master Chef!"
Chef Hatchet, showing a rare flicker of emotion, gave Trent a solid seven out of ten on the Chef-O-Meter, his approval slightly more apparent than usual.
Trent's gaze turned back to Gwen, who smiled warmly at him. His usual cool, collected demeanor wavered just a bit, as he returned her smile, his heart racing with happiness. His nerves melted under her smile—he was doing well, and it was obvious Gwen appreciated it.
"Alright, quit hogging my light, buddy," Chris said, shoving Trent off the stage, clearly eager for the next act.
————
Backstage, Bridgette and Courtney had gathered everything they needed for the next performance.
"What do you need help with, Bridgette?" Lincoln asked, still trying to make sense of the chaos.
Bridgette glanced nervously at him, hoping she wasn't pushing too hard. She looked back toward the stage, watching Trent finishing his performance. "We need your help with the next act… Kinda got stage fright."
Lincoln tilted his head, glancing at the stage as Trent was being pushed off by Chris.
Courtney, Geoff, and the others rushed in, carrying painting supplies. "What's all this stuff?" Lincoln asked, confused.
Bridgette looked sheepish, then Chris stepped in, loudly announcing the next act.
"Let's hear it for Lincoln!"
"Wait, wait, wait!" Lincoln's panic set in as he took a step back, eyes wide. "I never signed up for this!"
Bridgette quickly grabbed his arm, pulling him closer. "Lincoln, trust me, you've got this. Just breathe."
Lincoln was shaking, his voice shaky. "I can't… I can't paint… not since… she said…"
"Christina can go to hell if you let her control you," Bridgette shot back with a determined look in her eyes. "Don't let her hold you back."
Ronnie Anne appeared behind them, her eyes soft with concern as she approached Lincoln.
"Lincoln?" Ronnie Anne asked quietly. "You drawing again?"
Lincoln blinked, his panic subsiding just slightly at the sight of her.
"Uh… yeah," he stammered. "I, uh, don't know if I can do this."
Ronnie Anne smiled, her voice warm. "I'm proud of you, Lincoln."
Lincoln's face softened, the weight lifting from his shoulders. "You… you are?"
"Yeah, I've always liked your drawings." She grinned, nudging him gently. "I'm happy you're getting back into it."
Lincoln's eyes met hers, and for the first time since the announcement, he felt calm. With a deep breath, he nodded.
⸻
The Timer Starts:
"Alright, Lincoln! Time's ticking!" Chris boomed, starting the countdown. Lincoln looked at the blank canvas before him, unease swirling in his gut. He looked up and locked eyes with Ronnie Anne, and something clicked. The muse was there.
Taking a steady breath, Lincoln picked up the brush and began to sketch.
He lost track of time as the painting took shape, each stroke more confident than the last. For once, his worries faded into the background, replaced by the pure joy of creating.
⸻
When the timer went off, Lincoln stood up, stretching his arms as Chris flipped the canvas around.
The audience gasped in awe.
"WOOOOOOOO, THAT IS INCREDIBLE!!!" Owen shouted, his voice full of surprise and admiration.
Lincoln painted a Hispanic woman in a purple sundress overlooking a city on the top of a building her face was obscured by her hair as the light of the full moon illuminated the scenery.
"Dude, how'd you do that in 30 minutes?" Chris asked, still reeling from the masterpiece in front of him.
Chef Hatchet didn't mince words, giving Lincoln a solid 9 out of 10.
The applause grew louder, and Lincoln walked offstage with the painting, his heart pounding in his chest. Bridgette, Courtney, and Geoff were the first to surround him, congratulating him.
"That was amazing, dude!" Bridgette cheered, wrapping him in a hug. "I knew you could do it."
Courtney smiled, giving him a thumbs up. "You've got some serious talent, Lincoln."
Ronnie Anne stood silently, her cheeks flushed. She stepped forward, her voice soft. "Your painting… is that me?"
Lincoln's face turned red as he rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. "Yeah, you've always been an inspiration to me, so… I just… wanted to paint what I felt."
Ronnie Anne smiled brightly, a warm glow in her eyes. "Do you want to… draw me more?"
Lincoln nearly turned crimson. "If… you want me to, sure."
Ronnie Anne grinned, her face matching his in redness. "I'd like that."
The others looked on in quiet happiness, realizing something special was unfolding between the two.
⸻
Bridgette - CONFESSIONAL
"Now, just wait until they hook up. It's going to be epic."
⸻
Courtney - CONFESSIONAL
"I'm all for outer-team dating, as long as they keep it professional during challenges."
⸻
Geoff - CONFESSIONAL
"I was nervous about how close Lincoln and Bridgette were getting, but now it's clear… he only has eyes for one girl on this island."
⸻
Back to the stage:
"Welcome back to the TDI Talent Extravaganza!" Chris announced. "The Gophers are still holding the lead, but it's anyone's game. And now, without further delay, let's welcome Heather!"
Heather strutted to the stage, holding two books. One black and one purple, She set up a stool and smiled at the audience.
"Originally, I was going to dance," Heather said coolly. "But instead, I want to celebrate team spirit, with a collaboration. Words by Gwen and Ronnie Anne spoken by me."
Gwen and Ronnie Anne each had uneasy expressions as Heather held up the black book. Gwen immediately recognized it.
"She wouldn't," Gwen muttered under her breath. As heather read from the book.
"Okay. So… I'm trying to ignore him, but he's just so cute. If they had custom-ordered a guy to distract me, it would be McHottie," Heather read, with a dramatic sigh. Lindsay gasped loudly.
"We just totally connect. He's the only guy I can relate to here. I know it's cliché, but I love guys who play guitar…"
Gwen's face turned pale, and without a word, she ran off, tears threatening to spill. Trent followed behind her, concern evident on his face.
⸻
Chef Hatchet gave Heather a mere two points on the Chef-o-Meter, but it was clear that Gwen's heart had taken the brunt of the blow.
Backstage:
"That was so mean."
"Seriously."
"That was harsh."
"That girl is pissing me off."
Bridgette, Courtney, Geoff, and Lincoln all expressed their thoughts on Heather's actions, while Ronnie Anne remained silent. She sat her painting against a box before handing Lincoln her hoodie, leaving her in just a tank top and sports bra underneath.
"Hey, Lincoln, can you hold this?" Ronnie Anne asked.
Lincoln raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled but still taking the hoodie.
"Now let's finish with some of Ronnie Anne's dreams," she added, her voice carrying a strange sense of finality.
Heather, flipping through her purple book, stopped at the latest entry. The words caught her eye:
"Lincoln has been getting better, but now I have to break your legs, Heather."
She blinked, doing a double-take at the page. "Oh, you better believe it!!!"
The moment she finished reading, Ronnie Anne stormed from backstage, her face flushed with rage. "I was waiting for you to find out that it's all bullcrap! I've been through this before, you bruja!"
Ronnie Anne screamed at the top of her lungs.
"AHHHHHHH!!!!"
"MOTHERF—!!"
Without missing a beat, Ronnie Anne charged at Heather and tackled her to the ground, locking her into a camel clutch. The crowd fell silent, stunned by the unexpected turn of events.
Then, from the back, LeShawna's voice boomed through the silence: "WOOOHOOO!!!! SHOW THAT BRAT WHO'S THE BOSS, RONNIE!!!"
The cheers from both teams erupted in support of the impromptu wrestling match. Ronnie Anne twisted Heather around, performing a flawless 180-degree turn, her thighs now pressed against Heather's face. In one fluid motion, Ronnie Anne slammed Heather to the stage in a powerful tombstone piledriver.
The audience continued to cheer, their enthusiasm growing as Ronnie Anne sat on Heather's back, pulling one of Heather's legs back in a painful single-leg Boston Crab.
"OH NO WAY! FIRST THE TOMBSTONE, NOW THE SINGLE-LEG BOSTON CRAB!!" Duncan shouted, his voice filled with glee as he recognized the iconic wrestling moves Ronnie Anne was pulling off. "That's Undertaker and Lance Storm! No way!"
The cheer of the audience only fueled Ronnie. Anne's fire making this match go on longer.
⸻
Backstage with Courtney, Geoff, and Bridgette:
"How long do you think this will last?" Courtney asked, eyes glued to the stage.
"All night, hopefully," Geoff responded with a grin, leaning back against a nearby wall.
"I agree," Bridgette added, her hands clasped together, watching in awe. "But we need to get you out there soon. We still need a win. Lincoln, how long will Ronnie Anne—"
She turned to see Lincoln, but he was frozen in place, staring at the wrestling match with a flushed face. His cheeks were red, and a tiny, perverted smile curled up on his lips.
"LINCOLN LOUD! Put those eyes back in your head!" Courtney shouted, breaking the trance and glaring at him.
Bridgette stifled a giggle while Geoff grinned, clearly amused.
"…I am… so sorry," Lincoln muttered, still blushing furiously. "I'll go end this."
He walked toward the stage like a robot, his face a bright shade of crimson.
"He's got a thing for tough girls."
"Oh, yeah."
"Big time."
Courtney and Bridgette nodded, exchanging knowing glances.
⸻
As Lincoln approached the stage, Ronnie Anne had Heather locked in a dragon sleeper hold, her legs wrapped around Heather's body as she squeezed tighter. Lincoln knelt beside them, his voice shaking as he slapped his hand against the ground.
"One… two… three… four… five."
Ronnie Anne finally released Heather, and the queen bee crawled away in pain, tumbling off the edge of the amphitheater.
"WINNER! RONNIE ANNE!!!" Chris shouted, his voice full of excitement.
The crowd went wild, cheering for the fiery Hispanic tomboy as Lincoln raised her arm in victory. Ronnie Anne basked in the attention, her expression a mix of pride and joy.
⸻
Heather - CONFESSIONAL:
Heather was sitting with her arms wrapped around her knees, rocking herself back and forth, clearly distraught over what had just happened.
"I saw the reaper wink at me," she muttered under her breath, her voice shaky as she tried to process the humiliation.
⸻
"Well then, now that the wrestling match is over, it's down to the final act of the night. Can Geoff and his rad stunts turn it around? I seriously doubt it. Let's find out."
Chris called out as Geoff, eager to perform, jumped onto his board—only to break it in half.
"Whoa… that kinda wrecks the ride," he muttered, staring at the broken board.
Bridgette panicked backstage. "Now what?! We have to send someone out there or we're going to lose!"
"Katie and Sadie can't dance," Courtney replied, her voice filled with urgency.
"Well, that only leaves Eva, Duncan, or Harold. We already know Eva's just going to scare everyone. What can Duncan do again?" Bridgette asked, looking at Courtney for answers.
"Carve a picture of his own skull into a tree?" Courtney suggested, though her tone was doubtful.
Bridgette thought for a moment, remembering what Lincoln had said earlier.
⸻
Harold was brought backstage, clearly nervous about performing.
"Just go for it, Harold. What have you got to lose?" Courtney encouraged, giving him a gentle push toward the stage.
Harold stepped up to the microphone, looking like he was about to have a panic attack. But then he closed his eyes and let the music inside him take over. He started beatboxing, and the crowd went silent as he expertly chirped, beeped, and rolled with precision.
"Booyah!" he finished, a grin spreading across his face.
The audience sat in stunned silence for a beat before they erupted into cheers, the killer bass and screaming gophers both applauding the unexpected performance. Bridgette, Courtney, and Geoff stood backstage, cheering loudly.
"That was amazing," Bridgette said, still in awe.
"Wicked beatboxing, dude!" Geoff added, clapping his hands in admiration.
Grand Master Chef, the judge gave his opinion showing the perfect score.
[GOPHERS: 16 / BASS: 21]
"Check it out! Grand Master Chef has declared his winner. Even though they held the lead, the Screaming Gophers have been trampled by the Killer Bass!" Chris announced.
The Killer Bass erupted in celebration, lifting Harold onto their shoulders as Bridgette pulled him into a tight hug. "Harold, that was amazing!" she exclaimed.
"You did it!" Geoff shouted, a proud grin on his face.
As the bass celebrated, Chris turned his attention back to the gophers.
"And as for the Screaming Gophers, pick your favorite loser, and I'll see you at the bonfire," Chris teased.
⸻
Heather - CONFESSIONAL:
Heather sat, her eyes narrowed as she stared into the camera. "People thought I was mean to Gwen. Whatever. All I needed was five votes against Justin. I convinced Handsome we were voting for Trent because he was jealous that Trent got the same score as him. One vote lost, but Lindsay and Beth were easy. Izzy's just crazy… and Owen? Piece of cake. I just needed to convince sweet little Cody to vote Justin off."
⸻
Owen - CONFESSIONAL:
Owen grinned, completely unaware of what Heather had been plotting. "Piece of cake…" he muttered, while eating a piece of cake glancing at the camera.
⸻
The gophers were at their cabin trying to unwind before the voting starts.
Cody was sitting alone on a tree stump, sulking after the events of the day. The sound of footsteps approached, and he looked up to see Heather standing beside him.
"Mind if I sit here?" Heather asked, her voice sweet but tinged with something darker.
"What do you want, Heather?" Cody asked, his tone full of disdain.
"Don't get hostile, Cody-kins," Heather replied, flashing him a fake smile. "I just came to see how you're holding up after today."
Cody narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"I've heard how you got rejected by Ronnie Anne, and I know Gwen has feelings for Trent. That must be hard for a sweet guy like you," Heather said, her voice laced with feigned sympathy.
Cody looked down, struggling to keep his composure. He had been trying to stay positive, but it was clear that the rejection had taken a toll on him.
"Why do you care?" Cody asked, still confused by Heather's sudden interest.
"Because I like you, Cody. It's a shame the others don't see the sweet guy you are. They're all too focused on Justin," Heather continued, her eyes gleaming with a hidden agenda. "If Justin was out of the picture, everyone could see how special you are."
Cody turned to look at Justin, who was surrounded by a group of lovestruck girls.
"Justin?" he asked, still unsure of where this conversation was going.
Heather smirked, knowing she had him. "Yeah, pretty boy Justin. Just look at him. He uses his looks to charm the girls. If he was gone, everyone would see how great you are, Cody. But enough about that… we still need to vote."
With a final sly grin, Heather stood up and walked off toward the communal bathrooms to cast her vote, leaving Cody with his thoughts. He stared at Justin for a moment, a surge of anger growing inside him as he clenched his fists.
—————————-
The Fire Pit Ceremony had begun. The tension was palpable as the second time the Gophers had gathered here, and only ten campers remained. Eleven had started, but only one would be sent home tonight.
"Kudos to you all for an incredible night of entertainment," Chris said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he strutted to the podium, holding a tray of ten lifesaving marshmallows. "Music. Drama. Lucha Libre! But, unfortunately, one has to go. Let's start off with the best performance of the night. Ronnie Anne."
The tomboy smirked, clearly enjoying the attention as she took her marshmallow from Chris. She turned to face the crowd, the marshmallow already halfway to her mouth.
"Gwen, Trent, Leshawna," Chris continued.
The three stood, and while Trent attempted to walk up quickly, Gwen kept her head low, clearly avoiding eye contact with everyone. Trent hesitated, then gently placed his hand on Gwen's shoulder, signaling that he should give her some space. Leshawna, who stood beside them, nodded in agreement.
"Owen, Lindsay, Beth, Izzy, Cody," Chris called, and the five campers all made their way forward to collect their marshmallows, leaving only Heather and Justin.
⸻
There was a moment of silence. Only one marshmallow remained on the plate.
"Justin," Chris began, his tone serious, "You reminded us all that looks matter a lot. And Heather, you're full of surprises. But reading another chick's diary out loud to the whole world? Man, that's whack. Seriously, that's messed up."
Chris's voice carried a gravity that reflected his genuine surprise and disapproval of Heather's petty behavior.
"Oh, please, just give me my marshmallow already," Heather snapped, rolling her eyes.
Chris sighed, rolling his own eyes at the drama. "Justin, I personally think this is very wrong. But tonight, hotness just wasn't enough." He paused for a dramatic effect, before turning to Heather. "The last marshmallow goes to… Heather."
Heather caught the marshmallow with a smug smile, clearly unfazed by the anger that boiled beneath the surface of her fellow Gophers. The others stood in shock, appalled, their expressions a mix of disbelief and anger.
"Time to catch the Boat of Losers, brah," Heather said, her voice dripping with condescension.
"Later, brah," she added, walking off to the cabin, eating her marshmallow smugly.
Justin hung his head, defeated, as he trudged to the Boat of Losers. The rest of the Gophers watched Heather as she returned to the cabin, her every step met with disdain.
⸻
Ronnie Anne and Gwen glared at Heather, their anger at the queen bee bubbling up. Ronnie Anne, however, was the first to speak.
"You wanna get some payback, Gwen?" Ronnie Anne asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Gwen looked at her, puzzled at first, but then Ronnie Anne leaned in close, whispering an idea into her ear. As the plan sunk in, Gwen's expression morphed into a satisfied smirk.
"That is beautiful," Gwen replied, her voice filled with a dark amusement.
⸻
Gwen - CONFESSIONAL:
"If that evil little cow thinks she's getting away with this with only some bruises, she's got another thing coming. Oh, mom, can you record the Ronnie Anne x Heather wrestling match? I wanna watch it when I get home."
⸻
That night, both teams were asleep, the island peaceful and quiet. Suddenly, the stillness was shattered by a blood-curdling scream:
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Heather burst out of the Gopher cabin, her body covered in Harold's red ant farm. She was flailing, scratching herself frantically as she tried to get the ants off.
Inside the gopher cabin, Gwen and Ronnie Anne were laying back on their beds, listening with satisfied grins as the chaos unfolded.
"Night, Gwen," Ronnie Anne said, her voice dripping with amusement.
"Sweet dreams, Ronnie. Haha." Gwen's voice matched Ronnie Anne's mischievous tone.
"AHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Heather's screams echoed through the night.
The two girls exchanged a quiet laugh before settling into bed, letting the sounds of Heather's torment lull them to sleep.