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“Well, this blows.” You said, arms crossed.
The rest of your team, the Killer Grips, nodded glumly in agreement. It was the aftermath of the beach challenge, and it seemed that none of you were in the mood to watch the other team enjoy their prize beach party.
The bitter cold of the night air at the beach bit into your skin. The abandoned beach littered with trash was dark under the night sky, free of any city lights. Trent sat a ways away from the group, looking out to the salty waters.
“Is it just me, or is Trent being kinda weird lately?” Beth whispered tentatively.
Lindsay shrugged, but Justin rubbed his chin in thought. “I guess he was a little off today. Like with that nine thing.”
“Yeah, before the bonfire, he was going to talk to Gwen and he was carrying, like, nine sticks.” Owen laughed as he chewed on the remains of the sand-encrusted paper maché castle.
You bit your lip, hesitant to agree with the group. It was true that he had been acting out of character ever since the teams formed. You glanced over at Trent, your best friend since season one. “He probably has a lot on his mind. I’ll go talk to him and figure out what’s going on. Why don’t you guys warm up at the Gaffers’ bonfire in the meantime? I’m sure they’ll let you in with Justin’s smile.”
Justin flashed a couple finger guns and a smile, all too aware of the advantage of his good looks. “Let’s go, ladies. And Owen.”
You watched as the silhouettes of your teammates slowly disappeared as they walked off into the darkness. Silently, you lowered yourself on the tire that Trent occupied, sitting behind him with your back facing his. “Hey.”
Trent made a small grunt of acknowledgement. A beat of quiet waves passed.
“I know something’s wrong. Do you wanna talk about it?” You opened the conversation for Trent.
For a moment, he was silent. After a few heavy seconds, he caved in and let out a sigh. “Well, it’s just Gwen.”
“Just Gwen?” You raised a skeptical eyebrow. You both knew it wasn’t just Gwen.
“Alright, fine. It’s about Duncan and Gwen.” You could almost hear him crossing his arms from his voice alone. He sighed sadly. “I’m just really scared she’s going to leave me, and it’s the only thing I’ve been thinking about since the new season started.”
You nodded as you listened to him. “So that’s why you’re relying on your luck, or rather, your comfort zone. Your lucky number nine gives you something to hold onto when it feels like you can’t control things, right?”
“So? It just helps me feel better.” His defensive tone flared up. He knew how the other cast members were already talking about his nine issue.
You shrugged your shoulders. “Not saying there’s anything wrong with it. I just wanted to understand what was up instead of writing you off as crazy. I know you’re not crazy. That’s why I was worried about you.” You leaned back against him, the warmth of your body spreading through his back and chest.
“Oh..” His chest rose and fell as he took a deep breath, calming down. “I’m sorry. I’m just a bit on edge.”
“You don’t need to apologize. It’s okay to feel that way.” You reassured him. “You’re frustrated. You’ve worked hard to earn her trust.”
“Yeah, I did! And it’s like we’re going back to square one!” The frustration in his outburst was muffled as he buried his face in his hand. “I’m doing everything I can for Gwen. I don’t care if people call me weird or delusional. I’ll gladly be weird if it’s for Gwen.”
“Trent..” Worry and concern washed over your voice. You were looking at him now, your body pivoting to the side to see him more clearly. The corners of your lips tugged downwards. “You’re more than a relationship. You’re you, and you alone choose who you are. No one else.”
“But.. what if I become the wrong person for Gwen?” His voice was small, a shell of his usual chill attitude.
You let out a pitiful sigh as you stared at your poor lovestruck friend, his elbows resting on his knees as he hid his face in his hands. You laid a hand on his shoulder. “No matter what happens, you can’t be wrong if you’re true to yourself.”
He finally lifted his head and looked at you over his shoulder. “Even if I’m weird?”
“From an outside perspective, I’d agree that you were pretty weird to watch.” Your honesty earned a groan from Trent, but you quickly shifted from your honest teasing to an earnest and serious tone. “But, I know you’re a smart, reliable friend who just has a lot on their plate.”
He put an appreciative hand over yours. “I’m glad at least you understand me..”
“Of course, man.” You offered him a small smile. “I know you’re going through a lot of stress with the whole relationship and competition thing going on. It must be hard. But the team is relying on you too.”
“You’re right,” Trent nodded and turned to face you more properly, pulling himself together. “I’ve gotta start acting like a real leader.”
“That’s the spirit.” You bumped your fist against his arm. “C’mon, dude. Let’s see if the others are at the bonfire. You can even dance with Gwen there.” You moved to stand up and pull Trent along.
“Wait,” His hand encircled your wrist, keeping you from walking away. “Can we stay here? I just.. want some time to clear my head.”
“Uh, sure.” You shrugged.
You and Trent laid against the rough cold sand, your heads side by side looking up at the starry sky. Your bodies stretched out on the sand on opposite sides. Staring up at the night sky like this was reminiscent of Trent’s early conversations with Gwen back in season one. He could remember finding the North Star, looking for the Big Dipper and Little Dipper with the help of Gwen. He turned his head and looked over at you. Your hands were resting behind your head as you admired the natural lights that hung overhead.
“So like,” You broke the comfortable silence. Your eyes flitted over to Trent. “Why do you have a fascination with the number nine? Is it because it’s like.. three perfect threes?”
“Well, that’s not exactly the reason..” He trailed off like he usually does before talking about his childhood. “When I was a kid, my granddad gave me a toy train. Right before he died, one of the wheels fell off. So there were only nine wheels left. I was devastated, but my mom told me that now my lucky number was nine.”
“Oh,” You weren’t expecting such a nice memory from Trent. A heartwarming smile spread across your face. “That’s so sweet.”
“It must sound silly.” He looked away bashfully.
“Whether I think it sounds silly or not doesn’t matter. There’s no doubt that nine is an important number to you.” You assured him.
He relaxed comfortably at your words. “You’re right, nine is very important to me. It reminds me of how my mom is always around for me.”
‘Just like you,’ He almost said. He bit his lip quickly and looked away again. Changing the subject, he asked. “Do you have a lucky number? Or a lucky charm?”
“Ehh,” Your shoulders moved up in a shrug. “I’m not a huge believer in luck.”
“But, you must have some lucky thing, right?” He turned over to lay down on his side, propping up his head on his hand.
“Hmm,” You looked up at the sky in thought. “Not really a lucky number, but I do have a favorite number.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Really? A favorite number?” He stifled a laugh. “I didn’t know you like numbers that much.”
“Pfft,” You snorted. “You’re one to talk, Mr. Nines.”
“Fair point. So which number is it?” His laugh settled into an easy lazy smirk.
“The number zero.”
“Zero?” He couldn’t imagine doing anything zero times. “Does that even count as a number?”
“Yeah, it’s a number.” You propped up your body to the side, mirroring Trent. “It’s the center of positives and negatives, making it the only pure neutral number. So to me, it’s a perfect number.”
“Wow, we sure look at numbers differently.” Trent thought back to his reason for nine being his lucky number, comparatively more sentimental than yours.
You chuckled. “Hah! Is it boring? It’s a one of a kind number, y’know.” You laid back onto the sand to face the stars again. Your arm stretched up to the sky, your fingers in the shape of a 0 with the tip of your thumb and index finger meeting together. “But, no. The real reason I like zero is because it essentially represents nothingness. It’s a boundless void like space. And from nothing, there are infinite possibilities and infinite potential. Kinda like how so many stars and planets exist now. And it’s up to you if you want to grab hold of the possibility that you want.”
Trent couldn’t tear his gaze away from the dreamy ambition in your eyes, completely enraptured by your pretty words. “When you put it that way, it sounds like anything is possible.”
“Maybe.” A giggle shook your shoulders as you rested your hands behind your head.
“Maybe..” He repeated. Finally for the first time tonight, Trent cracked a wide genuine smile, absolutely stricken with wonder and inspiration. His head laid back over your shoulder as he looked up at the stars with you, staring at infinite never-ending possibilities. They seemed to sparkle even brighter than he remembered in his memories with Gwen. He peeked over to your face, eyes seemingly glowing even brighter than the stars. “Hey..”
You hummed to let him know you were listening.
“Thank you. I mean it.” He sat up properly, resting an arm on his knee. He waited until you sat up to pull you into a tight hug. “Nine may be my lucky number, but your zero gives me hope.”
Your heart felt like it was beating out of your chest with how closely he was holding you. With a firm pat on his back, you covered up your feelings with a wide grin. “There’s the Trent I know.”
His smile seemed to beam brightly at you. “I think I’m ready to go talk to her now.”
“Go get her, tiger.”