COURTNEY POV:

I blew the hair out of my eyes and stared down at my calculus homework.

I just needed to finish double-checking, then I could go to the library. Just 5 more minutes. Then I'll see Justin and Trent at the library. 5 more minutes.

I sighed in relief as I finally shut my math binder and scooped up my library books. I snuck down the stairs and snuck a peek in at my continuously arguing parents. If I ever meet the guy I want to be with forever, we better not fight over anything. Seriously.

"Hey, guys, I'm going to meet Justin and Trent at the library, okay?" I whispered. "Oh, sure, Sweetheart. In the mean time your father and I will talk about finally getting over our issues," I answered myself and slipped outside into the warm spring air.

It was a short walk to the library, and I had myself hyped up for time with my guys. When I got there, Justin and Trent were arguing about video angles. Why is it that my best friends hobby is the one thing I don't understand? Video geeks… Not that I'm complaining. I chuckled at their antics as I sat in a chair at the table near to them. Trent, breaking away from the argument he was clearly losing, turned to me. "Hey, Courtney. How was your weekend?"

"You know, the usual."

"So… it completely and totally sucked is basically what you're saying?" Justin clarified. I laughed and nodded. They sat with me. "So what's the news on the badly hidden divorce on the horizon?"

"My parents are just getting closer, Justin."

"Justin! You shouldn't be so awkward. I'm sure it's an uncomfortable question for Courtney."

"Hey, don't blame the messenger."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm gonna check out the books, 'kay?" Neither of them heard me. Idiotic fighting geeks…

I dropped my books off and slipped away to look at my secret obsession… science fiction novels. I was surprised to see someone else in the normally abandoned section of the library. He seemed shocked to have been found out.

I looked at him in silence. He looked to be about my age, six foot something, teal eyed, muscular, slightly beat up, was pierced numerous times on his head, had a tattoo ring around his neck, and had a tall green black tipped mohawk. He was wearing old cargo jeans, black converse, and a black tee-shirt with a skull on it. He was holding one of my favorite books of all time in his left hand. My eyebrows shot up. He didn't look like the type that even KNEW how to read.

A cocky smile spread across his face. "Like what you see, Babe?"

"Ew. NO," my nose wrinkled at the thought. I wonder what he looks like without a shirt. GAH. Where'd THAT come from? He laughed.

"Feisty, eh?" Then I was pinned up against the wall. "So what's your name? They call me Duncan." I glared at him and kicked him in the shin. Damn. That hurt. What is UNDER his jeans, for god's sake?? Oh. Ew. That sounded wrong.

"That's none of your business, Ogre." He laughed at me and leaned in close so that I could feel his body pressed up against me and whispered in my ear. That feels nice. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?

"Now, now, Princess. It's not nice to call people names."

"You just called me one!"

"But I don't know your name, now do I?" My eyes narrowed and I slammed my knee up into the known weak spot of all male specimens. He was no exception.

He yelped and drew away from me to cover his crown jewels. I slapped him.

"Stay away from me, Pervert!" He growled and grabbed my wrist with one hand and hissed at me.

"Don't test my patience, Princess."

I pulled free of his grip and dashed off to find Justin and Trent again.

***

"He seriously did that to you? I'm surprised you let him off with his life!" Trent exclaimed. I laughed.

"That still doesn't explain what's going on with," Justin leaned over to poke my cheek, "YOUR FACE."

I slapped his hand away. "What's wrong with my face?"

"You're… BLUSHING."

"I AM NOT BLUSHING."

"Look, Trent, Courtney has a crush!"

"I DO NOT LIKE HIM!"

"I think you're right, Justin."

"I'M RIGHT HERE! STOP TALKING ABOUT ME LIKE I'M NOT"

"Did you notice how descriptive she was about him? She saw him for, like, two minutes. It's love. There's no other explanation."

"You are so right."

"MAYBE I'm just observant."

"MAYBE, Courtney… but probably not."

"JUSTIN! You are SO ANNOYING!" He shrugged.

"At least I'm beautiful. Ta-ta, my dears." I fell silent, completely disturbed. Next to me, Trent tensed. We watched Justin prance down the sidewalk to his house.

Finally, Trent broke the silence. "He lost it."

"Oh, yeah."

It was a quite walk home after that.