Love Lost

tEn

You're all just in the way.

"Well, Heather just fucking left for God knows where." Gwen says with a huff, slamming her phone down on the counter.

"What does that matter? Since when do you care what Heather does?" Trent asks, pouring milk into his bowl of Cookie Crisps.

Gwen glares at him. "I don't, but Courtney just told me and she cares, so that means I have to hear about it. Apparently, Heather's freaked out about some sort of 'Total Drama purge' or whatever."

Trent knits his eyebrows together and says with his mouth full, "I thought Noah killed himself."

"Heather doesn't seem to think so.  Not after Cody's murder.  I guess she hasn't taken it very well..."

"She was just as good of friends with him as we were," Trent reminds her.  Gwen sighs.  Cody's death has been hard for everyone.  He was such a nice guy.  Nobody had it out for him.  Until now, anyways.  It's still so hard to believe.  It feels like her phone is going to ring at any moment and his contact photo is going to pop up on her screen.  He used to call her almost everyday.  He always said how badly he wanted to keep in touch with the "TD Crew."  Everybody kinda kept in touch with each other anyways.  The show had ruined their ability to form relationships with people who weren't former contestants.

Gwen stands up from the barstool at their kitchen island.  "I'm gonna go get some fresh air."

"Wait, do you want me to come with you?"

"No, I want to be alone."  She grabs her black jean jacket off the coatrack and picks her keys up from the end table. 

Trent's voice raises, filled with worry.  "What if Heather's right? What if there is a Total Drama purge? What if they get to you?" He's starting to freak out. The spoon from his finished cereal is being tapped against the counter in intervals of nine. She can hear the clinking from the other room.

Gwens laughs halfheartedly, passing back through the kitchen to give his shoulders a comforting squeeze. She kisses him on the cheek before heading for the door. "I'd like to see them try."