It's too hot out here. Everyone is just trying to find a way to cool themselves down. Me and DJ were just sitting on the floor under my umbrella, playing duel monsters. Again.

"Make your move Deej." I said smirking.

"Umm... I'll put this card in defense mode." He said, a little unsure." And I guess I'll end my turn."

I drew my next card and smirked.

"Bad move my friend. You made the same mistake as last time." I said. "I play no defense. So you're in attack mode again. I attack with my Dark magician, and then I directly attack with my blue eyes. You lose, I win!" I cheered shooting my arms in the air.

Suddenly we heard a loud gunshot, causing us to both jump and hug each other in fear.

"We're going west this week!" Chris said. Me and DJ stopped hugging in fear after we figured out what monster fired the shots. Aka, Chris.

"Theres a town meeting at high noon. Be there or I drive you dead beets outhta town!"

"If you're driving us out of town can we go to the mall?" Lindsay asked as I facepalmed.

We made our way to the sets. Leshawna had her hair in an afro. Heather let out a chuckle. Which, I don't see why. It's not like she's bald like her. Not much room for her to laugh.

"Is there something wrong with my hair?" Leshawna snapped.

"Not from where I'm standing." Duncan said.

"Listen up partners, in any good westerns, there are heroes, outlaws, horses, and pretty dames."Chris said." The hero defeats the outlaw, that rides off into the sunset on the horse."

"What about the pretty dames?" Beth asked.

"None of your beeswax!" Chris yelled at beth."Just messing with ya. They usually hang out in the saloon during the bar brawl."

"Time for your first challenge! No cowboy worth spitting at will go one day without saddle practice. Time to saddle up." Chris said.

"Psh, you call this a challenge?" Duncan said getting on the horse.

"Not so fast! You cowboys and cowbabes are gonna have to mount the steed from up there." Chris said as I looked to see a platform.

"Not there. Way up there." Chris said as I looked at the even higher platform.

DJ was cringing in fear. I just sighed.

"Since the Gapher's won last week, they go first. Don't worry, our unpaid interns already showed it's safe. "Chris said.

"We won last week. Why do we go first?" Gwen asked.

"Because I said so, and I'm your host. Chris McLain." Chris said smiling arrogantly for the camera.

Gwen suddenly started sneezing.

"Guys, I really think I'm coming down with something." Gwen said.

"No worrys, we'll help you up the ladder." Duncan said smirking. I was gonna continue listening, but my attention was drawn by DJ tapping me on my shoulder.

"Um... Derick?" DJ said.

"Huh? What is it?" I asked.

"Um... I'm a bit scared. To, you know.... jump."

"Me too. It's very high up." I said looking how high it is making DJ cringe more.

"Don't worry. We'll be fine." I said.

Gwen began climbing up the ladder. She was about to come back down, but sneezed off the cliff. Falling perfectly on the horse.

"Gwen." Trent said running towards her.

Leshawna helped Gwen and just like that, we got our first point.

Next Trent jumped for the grips, but landed on a fence, hurting himself. Hopefully him and Gwen don't plan on having children.

Harold then goes next, followed by Duncan landing on him.

Owen then jumps. He lands where the horse was suppose to be, but it moved. Owen then ran after it and hopping on it.

DJ went up next. He had something in his hands that he was using to make him float down. It was working, but the wind pushed him in a different direction. He flew directly into the electric wires.

"DJ!?" I said going to see if he was okay. He was tangled in the wires, so I had to untangle them. I got shocked a few times untangling them.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah. Just a little shock." He said.

We both watched the rest of the teams attempt to jump on the horse. We the moved on to the next challenge.

We were going to do some water related challenge, but Owen drank the water that we were gonna use.

"Alright! New challenge!" Chris said.

+

So instead of that challenge. Chris came up with another one. So, the Killer Grips have to rope the Gaphers.

They're making the Grips wear nice cowboy and cowgirl hats. While us Gaphers wear Cow utters.

Chef tied up Chris for calling him 'Chefette.' Which was a little funny.

"I can't feel my arms." Chris complained."Let the calf roping begin."

We all dashed off. Me and DJ ran together. Justin was catching up to us. DJ then stopped for a break.

Justin then caught DJ.

"You're quite unstable for a big guy." Justin said tiring up DJ.

"I'll make you eat those words." I said.

I then dashed off. Since, that's all I can do. Us Gaphers then came across ropes on the ground.

We picked up the ropes and Chased the Grips. Of course, I'm going after Justin. Time to avenge my friend.

He then stopped running.

"Please not the head, eyes, face, legs, or anywhere in the chest region." He said.

I smirked and easily caught Justin.

"That, was for DJ." I said with a smirk.

"Well, what do we have here?" Chris asked. "The cattle roped the Cowboys. A but unexpected, but what the heck! The Gaphers win!"

I high fives DJ. Another week safe.

"Legal says branding's out. Guess I have to sail for booting one of the Grip's off for one of the most excited gilded Chris ceremony ever!" Chris said while doing some horrible dancing." Now go shower. You stick." Chris said.

For some reason everyone went to clean themselves in a barrel. I chose not to.

I went back to the trailer, sitting on my bunk. Everything seemed the same as last season.

Me and Harold talking, Duncan and DJ talking. Me looking up from my book to watch DJ. Harold teasing me about DJ.

The only thing that has changed was Justin being here. Not sure how he's still in. I'm sure he won't last much longer.

He was booted really early last time. I began trying to draw something, but It just wasn't turning out right.

"Crap! I have art block!" I complained.

"So that means you can't draw anything?" Harold asked.

"Yeah. I'll probably have to find something very inspiring. Something that will get me in the mood to draw." I said.

"What are you two dorks up to?" Duncan asked us.

"Um... weren't you just... I don't know. Talking to DJ?" I asked.

"Yeah. But now I'm talking to you." Duncan said.

"Look. I get that you like looking tough by bullying people weaker than you. But you should really consider doing something better with your life. Now stop making others miserable." I said attempting to sketch in my book.

"Listen to me pony brat. I bully people for my own enjoyment. " Duncan said, snatching my book throwing on the ground.

"And for attention." I added.

"Keep it up pony brat, and you'll see what happens." Duncan said

"Come on Duncan. Lay off the small dude." DJ joined.

YES! COME THROUGH SENPAI!

"Did you not hear what pip squeek just told me?" Duncan argued.

"I did. But you did come up to the and called them dorks." DJ said.

"Can you all stop?! I'm trying to make sure this pretty face gets its proper sleep." Justin complained, stuffing his face in his pillow.

"Yeah guys. We need to let his pretty face get his sleep." Owen said getting into another daze of staring at Justin.

Our argueing died down. Harold and Duncan both decided to take a nap. And me and DJ were just talking.

"Hey DJ? What qualities do you look for in a friend?" I asked.

"Well. I look for people that except me for being me. Like you for example. " he said putting his hand on my shoulder.

"I see."

"Yeah. Though most of my friends I can't fully connect with. Mostly because I'm a bit of a scaredy cat. Or at least that's what my friends called me." He said looking down at the floor.

"Or maybe It's cause I'm really sensitive. Or is it because I'm frightened easily? Or is it cause I cry too much?" He said.

"Hey. There's nothing wrong with crying. I personally think It's a good thing. Gets out your emotions. Better than just keeping it all balled in." I said putting my hand on his shoulder.

"Though It's better to cry in areas that don't have a lot of people. People take crying for weakness. I think a person is strong being able to show their emotional side."

"You really think so?" DJ asked.

"Totally." I said." Besides. Everyone thinks that in order to be tough. You have to go around fighting and proving they're strong. Real strength comes from being able to know when you need help. And knowing what your pressure point is. And knowing when to use that inner strength. " I said.

"Wow. That's deep."

"Yeah." I said.

"Hey Derick?" DJ said.

"Huh?"

"I wanna ask you something. Something a little personal. Do you mind? If so, you don't have to answer my questions."

I got a little scared, but I nodded.

"Go ahead. Though if It's personal. We should leave. One of the guys might hear us." I said.

"Alright." DJ said.

We both went outside. We both sat down under a tree.

"Okay. So, what was the question you wanted to ask me?" I asked.

"Well... I wanted to ask.... nevermind. It's a pretty dumb question." He said looking back at the ground.

"Hey, like you said. There is no such thing as a stupid question. So, shoot. What were you gonna ask me?" I asked.

I looked into his dark eyes.

"Well. I was going to ask you. How was it like growning up with out any of your parents?" DJ asked.

I felt my heart rate speed up. I looked at the ground. My mind was puzzled by the question.

"Um.... I." I started." Before I answer, can I know why that specific question crossed your mind?" I asked.

"Well. I remember you told me about your dream with your father. So, I just wanted to know." He said.

"Well. Losing my father was both a relief and kinda upsetting. He wasn't nice, and he hated me. But he was one of my motivations. Sort of. It's a little confusing."

"But, after he left. I mostly just spent my time trying to focus on the positive." I said.

"So you never talked to anyone about this?" DJ asked.

"No... I suppose I didn't. At least, until now. But, I wasn't like every other kid in school. For example: when kids would ask what my parents job was, I didn't know how to answer. I mean, who goes around telling everyone that their parents died." I said.

It became silent. The only sound there was, was the wind howling.

"Okay. One last question." DJ said.

"Is this another, me related question?" I asked.

"Yeah, it is."

"Okay... go ahead. I'll answer, because you're DJ. And, you're my best friend." I slightly chuckled.

"Well. I was going to ask you. Are you... suicidal?"

After I heard him ask me that. My heart felt as if it was going to jump out of my chest.

"What made you think that?" I asked.

"Well, when during the paintball challenge you said you care about others, not yourself. Did you not?" He asked.

"I... did. I did say that. But what would that have to do with being suicidal? "

"Well. Not caring about yourself, leads to not having a purpose to live."

I started to think about it. He might be right. I don't think about myself more. Ever since I joined Total Drama, my mind has mostly been on DJ.

"Now. You didn't exactly answer my question. Are you suicidal?"

"I.... I don't know." I said, with my voice cracking." I don't necessarily like myself. But I don't really wanna die either."

"Well. I just wanna tell you. Don't kill yourself. You're my bestfriend. And the first one that doesn't call me a scaredy cat. And I care about your well being." He said.

We both stood up. He put both of his big hands on my shoulders.

"I want you to get better okay. Your a person like everyone else. But acts different from everyone else. Just know someone cares about you." DJ said.

I looked at him, then at the ground, then back at the ground. I felt my eyes start to tear up.

"I'm sorry." I said. Dropping to my knees. I started to cry on the ground.

"What the-. Why are you apologizing?" DJ said, getting on his knees.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to drag you into my mental mess. I don't want you worrying about me because I'm too stupid to not love myself. I'm sorry." I said squeezing my eyes shut.

Seems like all I could do is cry. Well, that's one thing I've always been good at.

"Go ahead. Cry on the floor like a little bitch." I heard my dad's voice in my head.

I covered my ears. All I could hear is DJ's voice being muffled. I feel his hands remove my hands from my ears.

"Derick! Listen to me!" DJ yelled.

I open my eyes and look at him.

"Dude. Are you okay?" DJ asked.

"I'm fine" I said, letting my tears fall to the ground.

I rubbed my eyes. DJ got up, and pulled me up off the ground. He opened his arms up, signaling to hug him.

I just looked at him. I was going to walk back into the trailer, but he grabbed my arm and turned me around.

He then pulled my head into my chest. I felt his warm arms around me. I felt him take off my hat and ruffle my hair.
I silently let the tears run down my face.

"It's gonna be alright." I hear him whisper. I then looked up to see a tear run down his face. I then quickly moved out his embrace.

"Oh no! I got you crying too." I said.

"Like you said earlier. There is nothing wrong with crying." He said, as another tear rolled down his face.

He pulled me back into a hug. I felt so warm. It felt nice to know that someone aside from my grandparents cared about me.

After hugging, I moved back and scratched my head.

"Okay, Derrick. You should get some sleep." DJ said.

"And you?" I asked.

"I have to go help Chef with something."

"Okay. Goodnight." I said.

I went to bed and went went to sleep.

2507 words Everyone. That took a while. Anyways, thanks for reading. Next chapter coming soon.

Sorry for uploading so late in the day. I was suppose to upload earlier, but school doesn't let me stick to my schedule.

It being the end of the 3rd quarter and all. Anyways, don't forget to vote and comment what you think.