A/N: Okay! My first real attempt at a multi-chaptered fic! I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it! ahem...anyway, this story was originally a plot bunny by n5d25d90, so credit to him for the idea. Somewhat dedicated to my forum friends (you know who you are)!

One last thing...Thank you both NixonTheWarden and Albert Eienstein's Fangirl for checking this story over! You guys are great! 8D

Disclaimer: I don't own TDI. I never will. *sadness*

Something Else

"Gwen, are you alright? You haven't touched your food." Gwen's mother, Geraldine, was concerned as her daughter stared at her dinner sadly. Geraldine shared a look with her son, Kevin, who looked just as worried.

"I'm fine mom," Gwen said in monotone.

Her daughter's overly gloomy behavior continued. It all started two days ago, after her long awaited date with her boyfriend of three months after Total Drama Island. When Gwen got back from the date she acted fine, but the next day, not so much. Gwen seemed to be adamant with not telling her family what bothered her. Geraldine continued to wonder if it had anything to do with Trent. It was thought, but she knew better than to pry. She trusted that Gwen would tell when she was ready. Until then she'd keep asking the same standard questions.

"Okay, but promise to eat later?"

"Fine." She was gone, most likely to her room.

"Kevin, do you know what's wrong with Gwen?"

Kevin adopted a thoughtful look, but after a minute he shook his head. "I haven't got a clue one as to what's up with her. I've been trying but she keeps shutting me out. I'm gonna try again tonight."

Geraldine just nodded. She hoped her daughter would try and talk to them soon. She hated seeing either of her children upset.

~*~

After dinner, Kevin went to do what he said he'd do. He knocked on her door. He could hear the springs of her bed move as she got up to open the door.

"What is it?" He was surprised. Usually she would have just ignored him.

"Can I come in?"

Gwen sighed. She could never deny her brother but she wanted to be alone. Letting out another sigh she gestured him to enter. Kevin gave her a small appreciative smile as he walked into her purple painted room. Gwen fell onto her bed and patted the space next to her. Kevin laid himself next to his sister. Both were quiet until Kevin broke the silence.

"What's been up with you lately? You're acting way gloomier than usual. I know you don't want to talk about it but mom and me are kinda worried. "

Gwen continued to be silent. She wanted to kick herself for making her family worry. She hated that. Knowing her mother, she was probably blowing it up as something much worse than it actually was. Her brother knew better but he was still worried.

Gwen took a deep breath. "I-I'm sorry."

Kevin looked at his sister waiting for her to say anything else. She squeezed her eyes shut then glared at the ceiling.

"I didn't mean to get you guys all worried." She let out an irritated breath. "I've been trying to get over…over it on my own but as you can see it isn't working."

"What d'you mean get over it?"

Gwen began to feel as though a bucket of cold water was dumped on her. Memories of her last date with Trent began to resurface. The thought of him brought angry tears to fill her eyes. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"I mean, get over Trent breaking it off with me."

Kevin's eyes widened, he didn't know what to say except, "Why?"

Gwen angrily rubbed at her eyes to get rid of the tears. "According to him it's because we don't see each other enough. He was afraid that we'd grow so far apart that we couldn't even be friends anymore." She then let out a sad sigh. "And I think he's right because even though we've been talking to each other it's not the same. Also, he tends to get really busy with his music and lately I've been getting the art gallery set up for school."

"Wait! So, you're okay with all this?"

"I guess…okay, not really but I understand. It's just that I wanted it to work out for us so bad! Trent is such an amazing guy but at the same time I don't like feeling this crappy over him."

Kevin growled as his brother instinct began to take over. "I'm gonna kick his butt! No one makes my sister feel like crap!"

Gwen gave her brother a small smile. "It's okay, Kev." She sighed. "TDI felt like a different life and now that everybody's back home we're just not as close anymore. Sometimes it feels like an obligation to talk to the people I met on the island. I'd love to reconnect with them especially Trent but we're just too involved in the life we've missed for eight weeks."

Kevin relaxed but he still looked unhappy. "I didn't expect you to be so…"

"Okay with it all? I'm trying really hard but in all honesty I'm not. I should've told you and mom but, " She shook her head. ", I had to try and deal with it on my own."

Her brother nodded. "I still want to kick his butt."

" I know."

"Y'know what will make both of us feel a little better?"

Gwen raised an eyebrow curious of her brother's proposition. "No, what?"

"Going to the arcade! It's still open it's only seven-something, come on sis!"

She could never deny her brother. "Okay, let's go ask mom first."

~*~

Geraldine quickly tip toed back to her room. She didn't mean to but she had eavesdropped on her children. Luckily her room was only two doors down the hall and the door was open. She quickly entered her bedroom's washroom and pretended to put away her make-up.

She began to think about what her daughter had shared with her son. She was right all along. She felt her eyes sting. Gwen was so solitary and strong.

"Hey, mom."

Geraldine blinked back tears. "Yes, Gwen?"

"Can Kevin and I go to the arcade-hey mom are you okay?"

Geraldine sniffled. "Yes, I'm fine I just accidentally poked my eye."

"Okay…" Gwen was skeptical. Her mom was not the best of liars.

"You can both go just be back before nine. I won't be home I'll be getting reports done at the office."

"This late at night?"

"You know me…I get easily distracted if I work at home."

"Alright. Be safe and don't work too hard."

"Of course. Take care of your brother."

"I will."

Geraldine's eyes widened.

"What?"

"I just realized that your birthday is in a week!"

Gwen raised an eyebrow at her mother's randomness. "Yeah, so?"

"We have to throw you a party!"

"Um, mom no offense but I think I'm a little too old for parties."

"Oh."

"Yeah, so don't worry about it."

Kevin entered the room. "Are we going?"

"She said we could."

"Cool! Bye mom, love you."

"I love you too." She gave her children both a kiss on the cheek. Kevin rubbed the spot with his hoodie sleeve.

"Love ya' mom. We'll see ya' later."

They left. Geraldine heard their footsteps thunder down the stairs and the front door open and close. She went to the window and saw them get in Gwen's car. They slowly drove down the neighborhood. The wheels in her mind began to form an idea as she walked away from the window.

She was going to throw Gwen a birthday party. One of the best birthday parties she ever had. She needed help though. A light bulb appeared over her head. She knew who could help. With an excited grin, Geraldine ran to her daughter's room and found an address book filled with the names of TDI contestants that she befriended.

Perfect.

End Note: Well...looks like Gwen's mommy is actually a ninja in disguise! xD Anyway...I wonder who'll she'll call? Yes, I gave Gwen's family members names. They needed them. xDDD

Oh, yes tell me what you think...like it? hate it? want to throw rotten milk at me? just whatever! 8D Thanks for reading btw.