Scarred

The Fall of Courtney

Courtney laid her head on the pillows, eyes closing and opening as Scott was on the bed with her rambling on about his mama's goat butter.

"Its also REALLY good on toast, did you know-"

Courtney fell asleep and when her eyes opened an hour later, Mal was on the bed.

"Hello."

"Hey." Courtney yawned. "Ugh, I just want to season over so I can win a million dollars."

Then Courtney looked at Mal happily.

"And get married to the love of my life" Courtney added.

Mal flinched when she said that.

B-but, I'm getting rid of you, You're going home tonight, how can you be happy?

Cause she doesn't know yet Mal thought with a twinge of pain.

"Something wrong?" Courtney asked.

"N-no" Mal stuttered.

"Good." Courtney sighed.

"So, I was thinking, how about you make a list, you know, for who you want to eliminate." Mal asked.

"But I already know by memory, why would I need to write it?" Courtney asked.

"Um...Well when fans ask how the Ever So-Great Courtney won TDAS, you can show them the list!" Mal said with a fake smile.

"That's true..." Courtney said. "Okay, I'll do it."

"Excellent!" Mal purred. That's all you have to do, and you'll be falling in the Flush of Shame.

Mal flinched once more at the thought, no matter how angry he was at Courtney, he felt something was horribly wrong...

As planned, Courtney made a list and Mike/Mal took it and showed it to the other three. He couldn't help but notice Courtney didn't put a place for him in the list.

Its because she wanted to keep my identity safe.

Mal also couldn't help but notice the pain, shock, heartbreak, and confliction in Courtney's eyes that screamed:

"How could you?"

Mal watched as Courtney struggled helplessly through the challenge, desperate to win. She failed to eat her sundae, and she was in the infamous toilet.

"Mike why are you trembling?" Zoey had asked. Mal didn't answer, it was clear to him. He almost couldn't bear the fact that he and Courtney couldn't get married, all because of him.

I did this, she's leaving my life, what if Mike comes back? Then this will be the last time we ever see each other again. Courtney...

Courtney turned to him, and Mal was surprised by the anger and hatred in her eyes. Mal flinched and looked at his feet to avoid her gaze, only noticing she was gone by the dreaded flushing noises.

"We'll all miss her, won't we?" Chris said sarcastically.

Everyone shook their heads except Mal. Mal was still trembling.

Later, he walked to the Malney Stump, and screamed. Mal cursed for hours until he fell, silently crying on the dirt.

Why did I do this?! She's gone, and she even hates me now!

Well...I'm in the final four, I might as well win...