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“Tyler.”
The intern’s bored voice barely registered in Tyler’s mind, distant and dull. He was focused on Alejandro, watching him closely, but from a distance. Something about the swaggering, smooth talking Spaniard made Tyler fascinated, intimidated, and a little bit jealous. Tyler sank further into the first class seat as Alejandro leaned into Lindsay’s ear to say something. Lindsay’s tinkling giggle, which usually brought a smile to his face, only irritated him now.
“Tyler.” This voice was different, closer, sharper and more annoyed.
He jolted, “What?” It came out more rude than he hoped. He turned to face Noah, who pointed at the intern who had called his name earlier.
Each contestant was to have a one on one meeting with Chris to go over some possible plot lines for the season. There were also group meetings to establish a general direction. Total Drama had only started doing this part way into the first season and had continued ever since. Being eliminated so early in the first season, this was Tyler’s first individual meeting, so he had no idea what to expect.
Tyler grit his teeth when he heard Noah muttering to Owen, “Sheesh, what’s his problem?”
He made his way to the dining area where Chris was waiting. The room was emptier and colder than when he was in here earlier with the rest of the cast.
Chris’s hands were folded on the table in front of him, and he was hunched over. “Before you ask, no, you won’t have to sing in every song, and you won’t be eliminated for not singing,” Chris explained before Tyler even sat down, exhausted from having to repeat himself to every other contestant. “We’re also gonna have a group meeting for the music later, dish out the solos, duets, ya know.”
Tyler knew he wasn’t getting any of those. He nodded anyway.
“I don’t wanna kick you out too soon - you’re a fan favorite after all.” Chris said it like he was confused why anyone’s favorite would be Tyler, but Tyler let a smug grin creep on his face. “I think something with Alejandro could be good, maybe a friendly alliance or even a little love triangle action…?”
Tyler’s grin faltered. No way he was getting cucked on international tv.
“Hm, not a fan of my idea? Just think about it, man. An alliance could get you to the merge, and a love triangle could get you past the merge.”
A love triangle with his girlfriend(?) and Alejandro . If Tyler was mathematically minded, he may compare the prospective situation to a scalene triangle, with its uneven, unbalanced sides, but Tyler was obtuse when it came to academics. He managed to get out a noncommittal, “Sure,” in response.
“Awesome,” Chris flashed his fake smile and called for the intern. Their meeting was clearly over.
Tyler got up from his seat feeling underwhelmed at the talk. He wanted anything but to go back to first class. He wouldn’t be missed anyways. If only there was a basketball court on the plane, or a weight room. He had to do something to let out his energy, but all he could do was walk around and twiddle his thumbs.
His restless fingers wrapped around every door handle he passed, tugging harder than was probably necessary. Most of the doors were locked, and some were probably meant to be locked even though Tyler was able to yank them open.
A combination of curiosity and restlessness made him enter a dark, vast room. Tyler looked around, sensing movement.
”Yo, who’s there, eh?”
“Zeke?”
“Er, Tyler?” Ezekiel hoped that was his name.
“Yeah, it’s me,” Tyler responded, a little incredulous that he had been recognized. “What are you doing here?"
“I climbed onto the landing gear after I got booted, eh. Just chillin’ in the cargo hold, my homie.” Ezekiel reclined against a stack of boxes and gestured around him. “But what are you doing here?”
Tyler shifted his weight. He was feeling defensive at his question being turned around at him and the way Ezekiel seemed almost too comfortable in this dank room. The relaxed stance of the prairie boy made Tyler feel like he was intruding on Zeke’s territory. “Got bored,” he muttered lamely.
“Damn, I thought the door was locked, but you were able to get in here just because you were bored, eh,” Ezekiel smiled. “And I thought I was pretty strong.”
Tyler laughed. “Yeah, I’ve got wicked strong fingers.” He uncrossed his arms and flexed his fingers.
“Must be helpful in challenges, eh?”
“Not really,” Tyler sighed as he sat down on a crate.
“Oh.”
They sat in silence for a bit. While Ezekiel seemed unbothered by the lack of conversation, Tyler was itching to say something about his meeting with Chris.
“I had my meeting with Chris earlier.”
Zeke perked up, “What was it aboot?” He had never had a meeting with the host, so he was expecting some drama.
Tyler paused. He wasn’t sure if Ezekiel was the right person to be talking about this with. He was sheltered and naïve and had been voted off first. What did he know about relationships and love triangles? But all of this gave Ezekiel a fresh perspective as well. “Chris thought it would make for good tv if I was in a love triangle with Alejandro.”
Zeke was confused, “He wants you to fall in love with Alejandro? But you said you like girls, eh?”
“No no! He said-” Tyler was about to say that Chris suggested Alejandro and Lindsay get together while Tyler got cucked, but Chris didn’t actually say that. The host very well could have meant that Tyler should get with Alejandro. He didn’t mention Lindsay at all. Tyler reconsidered his words. “He didn’t say that.”
“Then what did he say, eh?”
Yeah, what did Chris say? Tyler had trouble remembering his exact words - is this what Lindsay felt like all the time? It was weird because the meeting occurred no more than fifteen minutes ago and yet Tyler couldn’t recall what Chris said, only his own reaction and interpretation of it. “Uhh he wasn’t really specific, just something about a love triangle.”
“Oh okay.”
“Do you think I should ‘fall in love with Alejandro?’” Tyler was teasing, but he also had a bit of a challenge in his question, like he was testing Ezekiel’s ignorance.
“I dunno, if you want,” Zeke replied quickly.
Did he want to? He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t curious about a potential romance between himself and Alejandro, especially if it allowed him to advance far into the competition. But he liked girls. And the question wasn’t really about him specifically, just about the concept of homosexuality. “I like girls,” he automatically blurted.
“I know…but if you like boys too, that’s okay, eh,” Zeke stared down at his hands, voice lowering to a whisper.
Tyler immediately felt bad for posing a question made to make Zeke seem homophobic, especially when he appeared to have learned since TDI. “Yeah, umm great…thanks.” Why did this sound like a coming out conversation? Tyler shook his head and tried to change the topic, “So…what about you?”
Ezekiel pointed at himself with wide eyes, “Do I like boys?”
At the same time, Tyler cleared his throat, “I mean, did you also have your meeting with Chris?”
Zeke’s eyes narrowed, and he cocked his head, “No, was I supposed to have a meeting with him?”
“Yeah, to talk about your plot.” Ezekiel still looked as confused as ever. Was he under the impression that Total Drama was completely organic? He had to know that the drama on reality tv was at least somewhat planned, right? Tyler could hear the gears turning in Ezekiel’s brain - or maybe it was the metallic clattering of the Jumbo Jet threatening to fall apart in midair - as he tried to make sense of this.
“Huh, alright, eh,” Ezekiel nodded slowly, mulling it over. “What do you think is some good plot for me?” He stared at Tyler with his big grey eyes.
He met those eyes for just a moment before directing his gaze elsewhere to stare off into space and focus on plot. That was hard to do when Ezekiel’s glassy eyes glittered with hope. They were freakishly wide and framed with long lashes and eye bags tinged a purplish hue. Tyler thought for a bit, “You could be a floater, ya know, do your own thing and avoid the drama. Just keep your head down and don’t say or do anything stupid.”
“Like you when Alejandro gets near?"
Tyler flushed. He opened his mouth to try and defend himself but nothing came out.
“Man, I’m just joking,” Zeke chuckled.
Tyler nervously laughed too. Wasn’t Ezekiel the one who couldn’t understand a joke?
Zeke went on, “Alejandro is kinda scary, eh.”
Tyler nodded.
“But if that's what you’re into…”
Tyler didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. Why did Ezekiel keep insisting that he liked guys? He sighed in exasperation and hung his head, “C’mon, I like girls.”
Ezekiel held up his hands, “I don’t mean nothing bad, eh,” before silently shrinking back down.
Tyler quickly changed the subject, “Well you could always pull an Izzy and just go home then come back later.” He snuck a glance at Zeke but looked away when he stared back. “It could be a huge plot twist because everyone is used to seeing you get eliminated first.”
“But I’ll miss out on the challenges, eh.”
Tyler felt for him. Even though most people would jump at the opportunity to sit out of these dangerous and potentially life threatening challenges, Tyler liked the competition and exhilaration.
“What about a love triangle plot for me, eh?” Ezekiel spoke up like he was holding in this thought and was waiting for an opportunity to voice it.
“No offense, man, but I don’t think any of the girls like you.”
“Oh, right,” Ezekiel’s face fell. “…but if Chris thought you and Alejandro…”
Tyler cut him off, ”I don’t think most of the guys really like you either.”
“Oh, right,” he repeated, slouching more, “they probably don’t.” It was left unsaid, but Ezekiel hoped Tyler would assert that he was the exception.
Tyler didn’t get a chance to respond before Chris made an announcement over the loudspeakers, “All contestants report to the dining area. I repeat, all contestants report to the dining area.”
Tyler looked up and around when he heard the booming voice. He leaned in for a hug, arm posed around the other teen’s back. However, at the last moment Tyler retracted his arm and opted for the shoulder. “Hey man, uh good talk, but I gotta go.” He awkwardly patted Zeke’s shoulder a few times, probably too many times, before heading for the door.
Tyler turned back to call out at Ezekiel, “Think about that comeback plot,” he smiled. However, the only plot Tyler would be thinking about was the love triangle one, maybe with Alejandro, maybe with Ezekiel.