"Who would've thought Duncan would make it to the finale?" Trent snarled behind a pair of sunglasses.

We had to take a bus to the Aftermath Studio, which wasn't that far from the film lot either. I found a seat across the isle from Trent and Justin.

Ever since Justin had gotten eliminated, he and Trent have been oddly friendly with each other. I had been under the impression that they did not get along. In fact, the two of them got a separate room, and Tyler and I stayed in his room. It's better than pressing four into a room though. We still hang out a lot, and play our stupid games together, but the novelty of it had devalued after a while.

Oh yeah, and then there's the deal with Cody...

-------

"Cody, we just aren't right for each other. I'm cold and sarcastic and selfish – you deserve better than that. And you have an uncontrollable loyalty to Gwen, and I deserve better than that. Plus I didn't even want to date until I was completely done with school, so ending it where I did was the easiest thing I could do. It's best for both of us"

Cody took a breath. One he had been holding above his head in hope. I frowned, searing in guilt. But I stand by what I say; it's best to leave it where we are.

"After the finale, can I at least have your number? Can I still talk to you? Play Team Fortress 2 with you?"

I stifled a laugh. That was one of the cutest things I've ever heard.

"Of course. We make pretty good friends"

A smile emerged from his thin lips. A small smile, but a genuine one.

"Plus," I added hesitantly, "I bet anything there will be a season three to suffer through"

-------

Being in the competition sucks, but being in the Aftermath peanut gallery is majorly worse. You're being caged without the promise of one million dollars. I know it only took an hour or so to film the whole thing, but it seemed so much longer than that. By the time the voting came, my hair (which I had spent 20 minutes blow drying to perfection this morning) was soggy with sweat.

I was seated in my usual spot between Cody and Zeke. I don't think anyone was forcing us to take the same seat each time, but I crave consistency.

One of the first things I noticed, was that Gwen and Trent were sitting together. They've actually been since Gwen got eliminated, which makes me believe that someone had instructed them to for the sake of drama. There was clear tension between them, but I could tell his mind was elsewhere. Gwen wasn't on his mind.

The peanut gallery was filled to the brim, and it had been getting more and more intolerable to be in the lobby of that mouldy hotel. When I do, there's always something ridiculous going on. Courtney and Heather screaming at each other, Harold trying to woo LeShawna, Geoff accidentally breaking the light fixture. It's never calm enough out there for me to be comfortable, so I just got the tea from Tyler.

The finale to forever to film, and all for it to come to a vote. The thing was that both Duncan and Beth are equally insufferable to me, but I voted for Beth mostly because I know how much Trent and Justin loathe Duncan. But also partly because he grabbed my lip that first day of hell. And threatened to behead me. And pantsed me. Okay I had every reason not to vote for him.

--------

When the votes decided Duncan the winner, I was honestly indifferent. Big deal, punk won the money, I just wanted to go home. Through everything that's happened here and all the people I met, I just wanted to let go of it, make it not a big deal.

After I packed all my things into my suitcase, I exchanged numbers with Trent, Tyler, and Justin. I had already given Cody my number, so I figured I'd just wait for him to text me. Other than them, and Owen who gave me his number, I intended to lose contact completely.

"I'll see you around dude," Tyler said, giving my hand a shake, "maybe at season three?

"Don't give McLean any ideas" I groaned. Some of the contestants were getting picked up from the motel, but most of us got bussed off to the airport to fly home.

I took the bus back with Trent and Tyler, has Justin had gotten picked up my his mom from the motel.

"So Trent, this might be pushing the boundaries of appropriate questions, but are you bi?"

Trent looked up from his book and took out one of his earbuds.

"You know what, I never really gave much thought to labelling it, but yeah, I'd say I'm bi"

He gave a casual smile and slipped his music back in. Well that clears that up. I thought of a second question to ask Trent, but it seemed intrusive, so I but my smartass tounge.

------

I wish I could say that the goodbyes were hard, and that once I had left everyone I was washed over with regret. But I stand my ground, and bathe in the luxury of finally being alone. I'm not famous anymore, I'm just Noah Sterecra, the bitchy Indian kid from down the street.

The first to greet me was my dad, as he was the one picking me up from the airport. To my embarrassment, he held up a little poster that said "Welcome back, Noah-it-all". The drive home was mostly my dad asking me a bunch of questions about the show, albiet having seen it.

"Meet any cute guys? Some of them seemed pretty nice" he said with a smirk. And yes, my parents know about my sexuality, despite how carefully I conceal my love for dudes. Wink wink.

"I made a couple friends" I said, hoping I wouldn't have to get into the whole Cody thing.

"Not that mohawked delinquent though, right? He took your pants off for heaven's sake! Your mother was appalled and even tried to contact the producers abou..."

"No dad. Remember Trent, Tyler, and Justin?"

He had to take a second to think about who was who.

"Trent's that kid with the nine problem, right? He seemed alright. That Gwen was pretty harsh on him"

I nodded, not having anything to say about Gwen. I suppose if it wasn't for the way she treated Cody, and later Trent, I'd have a higher tolerance for her.

"And Tyler is the tracksuit kid? Or was he the one with the cowboy hat?"

"Tracksuit"

Dad let out a breathy snicker.

"What?"

"His chicken thing, that cracked me up"

I was actually surprised my parents kept watching after I got eliminated. I wouldn't have if I hadn't been stuck on Playa De Sucky.

When I got home, only Mom and one of my sisters, Natty, were home to greet me. I expected at least a few more to be there, but most of them have grown up and left.

"Noah! My boy!"

Mom encased me in a hug, which despite being a brooding teenage boy, I received gratefully. I was just happy to be home.

After all the greetings and questions died down, I got on my laptop for the first time since I left for Total Drama Island. I opened it up, scrolled through a bunch of junky emails, and opened Facebook.

Majority of my notification were just messages posted to my wall about how my friends had seen me on TV and such. I answered a few direct messages from the people I felt it necessary to talk to, and I checked my friend requests.

Tyler Kenard has sent you a friend request.

Courtney Barlow has sent you a friend request.

Trent Cooper has sent you a friend request.

DJ Benson has sent you a friend request.

And then I read the most recent one, from about an hour ago.

Cody Anderson has sent you a friend request.

I'm just glad the kid wasn't holding a grudge against me. But it's over, the game's done and I'm home.

I spent my first few days home unpacking and catching up with my family. I played a few video games and checked out some new shows, but I avoided going out to see any friends, all eager to see me again.

It wasn't until a week after I had gotten home that I finally brought myself to be social. I let my friends Keegan and Joey take me out to lunch, while I listened to another endless stream of questions and comments.

"That Bridgette chick is pretty hot, did you get her number?"

"Were they different off screen?"

"I can't believe they voted you off third dude"

I had a good time, despite just wanting to let the whole Total Drama thing go. I just wanted to return to life as Noah, not life as a reality TV star.

Weeks went by, and the subject started to fade. I went back for the last few weeks of my junior year, and began to fully unwind in the fresh feeling of early June.

There was one day I was sitting at my laptop, messaging back and forth with Trent, when my phone rang. I answered it thinking it was probably just Keegan asking to hang out later that day. But it was a different, yet equally familiar voice.

"Yo Noah, how would you feel about taking a low profile job as my assistant?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Not only will you get paid, but I can guarantee you'll be safe from any paparazzi or crazy fans"

"Count me in McClean".