Chapter 32 – Fourth Challenge
The sunrise bathed the island in golden light as waves gently crashed against the dock.
Chris, wearing his signature confident grin, stood in the camp's old amphitheater, ready to deliver his dramatic recap of the last challenge.
And, as always, his tone was pure spectacle.
"Last time on Total Drama Island, our campers faced off in a brutal game of dodgeball!" Chris announced, arms stretched wide with exaggerated flair.
Scenes flashed of teams hurling dodgeballs with force—some campers dodging with cartoonish moves, others falling in comically dramatic fashion.
"What a battle it was!" Chris exclaimed with fake excitement.
The camera cut to the early rounds, where Owen and Cody dominated—Owen launching balls like cannon fire, Cody dodging every attack with lightning-fast reflexes.
"Thanks to Cody and Owen, the Gophers crushed the first rounds, leaving the Bass in a desperate situation," Chris continued, flashing a conspiratorial smile.
But then…
Duncan appeared, snapping a massive branch with a calculating look on his face.
"But the Bass weren't going down without a fight… Duncan kicked his strategy into gear, reorganizing his team and taking the game to another level," Chris said, voice dripping with drama.
Footage showed the Gophers losing control without Cody on the field.
Duncan led his team aggressively, dominating the third and fourth rounds.
"In a shocking twist, Duncan led them to victory in two intense back-to-back rounds!" Chris announced, emphasizing every word.
The Bass were shown celebrating, cheering wildly while the Gophers looked on in disbelief.
"And so we reached the final tiebreaker!" Chris declared, raising his hands like he was narrating the most epic event of the season.
The cameras showed both teams lined up, tension thick in the air, seconds before the decisive showdown.
"But this is where the story takes another unexpected turn. Because in the final round, two names rose as true MVPs: Noah and Harold!" Chris said, pointing at the screen with enthusiasm.
Noah gave precise instructions to the Gophers, guiding them with strategy, while Harold moved with impressive speed and precision—almost like he was skating across the field.
But then…
The camera showed Justin grabbing Cody and using him as a human shield to avoid getting hit.
Cody, with a look of absolute shock, took the hit instead—leaving the Gophers at a major disadvantage.
The image froze at the exact moment Cody fell, while the Bass seized the opportunity.
"And so, thanks to Justin's strategic betrayal, the Gophers fell—giving the Bass their first win of the competition!" Chris said, throwing his hands up in celebration.
The Bass lifted Harold like a hero while the Gophers stared in defeat.
Chris smiled with a mischievous expression, savoring the drama of the vote.
"And as always, after the loss came the dreaded vote!" Chris said, in his classic showman tone.
Footage showed the Gophers deliberating, torn between Noah and Justin.
The team appeared divided—some backing Noah for his leadership, others unsure if Justin deserved a second chance.
But in the end…
Justin was chosen to leave, and the scene showed his walk down the Dock of Shame.
"Justin became the first Gopher eliminated! Though honestly, I think it's for the best… no one should outshine the host," Chris said, pointing at himself with smug pride.
Justin sighed before looking at the camera, giving his hair one last touch-up.
"Well, at least I'm leaving looking fabulous," Justin said before stepping onto the boat.
Chris chuckled lightly before continuing his monologue.
"So what's next? Will the Bass keep their winning streak alive?" Chris asked, with a challenging look.
Quick clips showed campers training—some more motivated than others.
"Will there be more unexpected betrayals?" Chris continued, as the camera zoomed in on Heather whispering something to Lindsay.
"And what new romances, alliances, and rivalries will explode this week?!" Chris shouted, as the camera showed Cody sharing a moment with Gwen… and then another scene with Courtney, who seemed to be visibly avoiding him.
Chris beamed with satisfaction, clearly enjoying the drama ahead.
"All that and more on the next episode of… TOTAL… DRAMA… ISLAND!" Chris declared, arms raised as the camera pulled away from the island.
The screen faded to an aerial shot of the camp, with the show's iconic theme music playing.
The morning hadn't fully begun when Lindsay's whiny voice broke the silence of the cabin.
"Well, this goes way beyond bad," she said dramatically, catching Gwen's attention as she was just waking up.
For a moment, the black-haired girl wondered what could've happened this time. A hair disaster? A wardrobe crisis? Something actually serious?
"I'm out of self-tanner!" Lindsay exclaimed in full panic.
Gwen exhaled before replying with sarcasm. "Oh, that's just tragic, Lindsay."
But instead of blurting out something ridiculous like she expected, Lindsay simply stared at her—making Gwen slightly uncomfortable.
Without warning, the blonde stepped closer, inspecting Gwen's hair with noticeable interest.
"Wow, your hair's a mess," she commented with total honesty.
Gwen frowned and reached up to check. "Huh? Oh yeah, it gets like that in the—"
But before she could finish, she felt Lindsay's brush sliding through her hair.
"What are you doing?" Gwen asked, surprised.
"Don't worry, I'm really good at this," Lindsay replied confidently, focused on her task.
Gwen, for her part, just sat there—completely unsure of what was happening.
Confessional – Gwen
The camera focused on Gwen, who crossed her arms before speaking.
"When we first got to this island, I thought Lindsay and I couldn't be more different. She's so radiant and impulsive—not to mention kind of dumb… but now, I guess she's not that bad. Maybe I judged her too quickly," Gwen said.
Cut to:
Confessional – Lindsay
Lindsay appeared on screen, smiling as she spoke.
"Cody told me that to remember everyone's names, I should focus on how they look. Gwen seems like a gloomy person, but I think that look really suits her," Lindsay said.
Cut to:
Tyler was doing bicep curls with a dumbbell, his face full of determination.
"Must… not… lose… Lindsay," he grunted between breaths.
But then, the weight slipped and landed on his foot.
"YES!" Tyler screamed, reacting to the pain.
The camp's silence was abruptly broken by Chris's amplified voice over the loudspeakers.
"All right, campers, enough sleeping—time to show us what you're made of!" he announced with enthusiasm, his tone always full of energy.
Today was the talent show challenge—one of the most unpredictable events in the entire program.
After the last elimination, the Gophers were left weakened. And although some were still processing Justin's betrayal, the important thing now was to focus on the next challenge.
"I can already imagine how intellectually stimulating this challenge will be," Noah said sarcastically, his expression showing complete indifference.
Cody, meanwhile, walked with a faint smile among the others.
Heather hadn't made any suspicious moves yet. But Cody knew that in the previous version of this challenge, she had been responsible for dividing her team and openly clashing with Gwen.
No doubt—he needed to stay alert today.
The amphitheater was nearly full. Campers chatted among themselves, organizing before the challenge began.
But then, attention quickly shifted when Gwen arrived.
Her hair looked different—fluffier, with slightly curled ends, giving her a unique style that didn't go unnoticed.
Among the first reactions, Cody was the first to notice and didn't hesitate to comment.
"Whoa, Gwen, your hair… looks great," Cody said, with a genuine smile.
Gwen blinked a few times, feeling the weight of all the eyes on her.
"Huh? Oh… really?" Gwen replied, touching her hair with slight confusion.
Owen, sitting nearby, also reacted enthusiastically.
"Wow! Looks like you've got a secret stylist," Owen joked with a cheerful laugh.
Gwen felt her face warm as more campers began to comment.
Lindsay, from her seat, simply gave a proud thumbs-up.
Heather, on the other hand, tried to hide her annoyance, turning away with feigned indifference.
"You look phenomenal, girl," Leshawna said confidently, giving her an approving look.
Gwen shrugged slightly.
"Someone fixed it for me… does it look weird?" she asked, with a hint of doubt.
Cody gently shook his head.
"Not at all. It's different—but it definitely suits you," Cody replied calmly.
For some reason, hearing that from Cody made Gwen feel a strange flutter in her chest.
She wasn't used to compliments about her appearance—especially not from someone who said it so naturally.
Trent, who had been waiting for Gwen to arrive, took the opportunity to speak up.
"Hey, Gwen, I saved you a seat here," Trent said, patting the spot next to him.
Gwen looked at him for a second—but then, her attention instinctively shifted.
She searched for Cody.
He was sitting with an empty spot beside him.
His relaxed posture, his smile still lingering after the hair comment…
Without thinking too much, she walked toward Cody.
Without another glance at Trent, she sat beside the braided boy, feeling that warm flush return to her face.
Cody greeted her with a calm smile.
And in that moment—that seemingly simple gesture—something inside Gwen reacted.
She blushed.
The atmosphere remained relaxed, but something had shifted.
While everyone chatted and commented on the challenge, Gwen and Cody sat in silence for a moment, simply existing in the same space.
And then—it happened.
Their fingers brushed on the bench.
A quick, fleeting sensation—but intense.
Neither said a word, but both felt the contact as if it had lasted longer than it really did.
Gwen kept her posture, but her mind began to drift.
Cody, for his part, didn't comment—he just kept that calm smile.
But the moment lingered between them.
And in Gwen's mind, it was now impossible not to think about it.
Confessional – Trent
The camera focused on Trent, who looked conflicted as he spoke.
"Look, I don't want to sound dramatic, but did you see that?" Trent said, crossing his arms.
He exhaled softly before continuing.
"I thought Gwen was going to sit with me. I saved her a spot and everything… but she didn't even hesitate. She just looked at Cody, walked over, and then… that moment on the bench," Trent said.
His expression shifted for a second, as if trying not to overthink it.
"It's not like I'm jealous or anything…" he said—but his tone didn't sound entirely convinced.
He paused, reconsidering his words before sighing.
"It's just… I didn't expect to see that," Trent said.
He stared at the camera for a few seconds, as if trying to sort out his thoughts before the shot cut away.
While everyone waited for further instructions in the amphitheater, the atmosphere remained relatively calm—but beneath the surface, small interactions were unfolding that only a few noticed.
From another bench, Lindsay began making gestures toward Cody—subtle hand movements, wide smiles, nearly imperceptible winks.
Cody, keeping his relaxed energy, returned the smiles naturally, enjoying the exchange without thinking too much about it.
Heather watched the scene with visible irritation.
Every time Lindsay leaned in a little more, every time Cody responded with another smile, Heather clenched her jaw and looked away in frustration.
She couldn't figure out what bothered her more.
Was it that Lindsay was managing to draw so much attention?
Or that Cody, effortlessly, was at the center of it all?
But while Heather and Lindsay had their silent standoff, Gwen remained completely unaware.
She was lost in her thoughts, caught in a swirl of emotions she hadn't had time to process.
She didn't notice Lindsay's gestures.
She didn't notice Heather's expression.
She only knew her mind was stuck on one detail: that brush of fingers with Cody.
Meanwhile, someone else was paying attention.
Tyler.
He saw every gesture, every smile, every exchange between Lindsay and Cody.
And the feeling of jealousy began to grow in his chest like a fire he couldn't put out.
Cody, unaware of the impact he was having, simply chuckled to himself—enjoying the moment without worrying about what anyone else might think.
Confessional – Lindsay
The camera focused on Lindsay, who crossed her arms and let out a soft sigh before speaking.
"Look, I like Cody. He's funny, he's sweet, he always knows what to say…" Lindsay said, her expression thoughtful.
She paused, then frowned slightly.
"But then I see Gwen sitting with him like it's nothing and…" Lindsay trailed off.
She exhaled again, adjusting her hair before continuing.
"I don't know, it just makes me uncomfortable. I thought we were closer," Lindsay said, her tone tinged with frustration.
Her gaze drifted for a moment, as if she didn't want to dig too deep into the feeling.
"It's not like I'm jealous or anything… it's just… well, she already has a cool style! Why does she have to get all the attention too?" Lindsay exclaimed, letting out a light laugh to mask her discomfort.
But her expression made it clear the issue wasn't sitting well with her.
Confessional – Heather
Heather appeared on screen, arms crossed, wearing an expression of pure, fake indifference.
"Lindsay and Cody? Please. Who does she think she is?" Heather said, her tone laced with irritation.
She rolled her eyes before continuing.
"And she's over there, winking, smiling, like she's the lead in some romantic movie," she said, shaking her head.
She paused, then exhaled with annoyance.
"It's not that I care. It's not that it bothers me. It's just…" Heather said.
She left the sentence hanging for a moment, as if trying to explain without sounding too invested.
"I just have better things to think about," Heather said, though her eyes told a different story.
She pressed her lips into a thin line before looking directly at the camera with a faint smile.
"But hey, if Lindsay wants to play the center of attention, let her. Let's see how long it lasts," Heather said.
The shot cut just as Heather looked away with a calculating air.
Confessional – Tyler
The camera focused on Tyler, arms resting on his knees, his posture clearly showing his frustration.
"Did you see that? Did you see it? Because I did!" Tyler exclaimed, animated.
He ran his hands through his hair before continuing.
"Lindsay was there, all smiley, all excited with Cody, and he… he smiled back!" Tyler said, his tone indignant.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but his expression remained tense.
"Look, I'm not a jealous guy. I'm not. But come on! Cody didn't even notice I was there!" Tyler said.
He leaned closer to the camera, lowering his voice.
"And worse… he didn't even notice how much Lindsay was enjoying it," Tyler said.
He pressed his lips together before letting out a frustrated huff.
"I'm gonna have to do something… I don't know what yet, but something," he said with determination.
The shot cut just as Tyler exhaled, clearly caught in his own internal war.
The conversations in the amphitheater came to a sudden halt as Chris made his entrance on stage, wearing his signature confident smile and exaggerated energy.
"Welcome to our brand-new outdoor amphitheater!" Chris announced, arms wide like he was presenting a blockbuster show. "Today we've got something special… this week's challenge is a summer camp favorite: a talent show!"
Murmurs and curious expressions quickly spread among the campers.
Some smiled with excitement, others looked more concerned about what this meant for the competition.
Heather simply crossed her arms, assessing the situation with a calculating gaze.
"Each team has eight hours to choose their three most talented campers," Chris continued, pacing across the stage with a carefree attitude. "These three will represent you in tonight's show. Sing, dance, juggle—anything goes, as long as it's legal."
Chris turned his gaze directly to Duncan at that last comment, pointing at him in a warning gesture.
Duncan snorted and snapped his fingers with mock innocence.
"You'll be judged by our resident talent scout, former DJ, VJ, and legendary rap icon… Master Chef!" Chris added with exaggerated enthusiasm.
The campers' expressions were skeptical.
A rap legend? Hard to believe.
Suddenly, a bell rang out across the amphitheater, making everyone glance around in confusion.
Chris, unfazed, kept going.
"The losing team sends one camper home tonight. Good luck!" Chris said with a grin, his chuckle fading as he stepped offstage.
Chaos was about to begin.
As soon as Chris left the stage, Heather blew a whistle loudly, calling all her team members to gather.
Her command was clear and firm.
"Okay, I'm the team captain. Here's how this is going to work," Heather declared, arms crossed with authority.
Gwen frowned at the sound of her voice, refusing to accept the power grab.
With a scowl, she didn't hesitate to challenge her.
"Who died and made you leader?" Gwen asked, clearly rejecting the idea.
Heather gave an arrogant smile before replying with total ease.
"Lindsay, Beth, and I voted… and I won," Heather said.
The answer made Gwen press her lips together, feeling frustration build.
Heather always had a way of imposing herself—but that didn't make it fair.
"Threatening people to vote for you isn't exactly democratic," Gwen snapped, her tone sharp.
Heather let out a light laugh and rolled her eyes.
"Oh please, like anyone else here has real leadership," Heather said confidently.
But before the conversation could escalate further, Cody stepped in.
Keeping his relaxed tone, he looked directly at Heather.
"Honestly, I don't think it matters much," Cody said with a soft smile. "After all, we all have a right to say who should perform… don't we, Heather?"
His tone was calm, but Cody's gaze carried a weight Heather couldn't ignore.
Heather clicked her tongue in annoyance, hating the interruption.
Cody wasn't confronting her aggressively—but somehow, it still felt like a challenge.
And Heather hated when someone questioned her control.