"Courtney! Are you doing anything later tonight?",Bridgette asks over the phone.

"Hmm I have work until 8, but what's up?" I replied.

"Well, Geoff is throwing a party tonight and wanted to invite you.. plus I hear that Duncan may come." She said quietly once Duncan's name was mentioned.

"Oh.. really". I said in a quiet whisper. Duncan? Huh... Been 2 years since I last saw him.. should I still even go?

"Court? You there?" Bridgette cuts in my thoughts?

Huh? Oh yeah sorry. Don't worry I'll be there! I doubt he'll even show

"That's' my girl! Don't forget to wear something nice, so we can take pictures together! See you there!" she yells before hanging up.

He won't show up, right?

"Courtney?! Is that you?" I heard a familiar voice call my name. Please don't let it be Duncan!, I thought to myself.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and as I turned around. I stood in shock. "D-D-Duncan!?"

I can't believe he actually came. but what is he doing here!? I gotta admit I am kinda happy he is here, after everything that's been going on lately... I stare into his teal-blue eyes. He'd definitely changed. He got rid of his signature green Mohawk instead it's black shaggy but it suits him. He got rid of his piercings which were a surprise to me

"Hey Princess, How's it going?" He asked with his stupid smirk on his face. I flinched at the word. Princess. Duncan was the only one who called me that. I missed it.

'I'm doing fine, what brings you here?" I asked with both of my arms crossed.

"I'm back in town for good haha Geoff told me about the party, so I decided to swing by. I'm glad I did. I got to see you, princess." He leans against the wall while looking directly at me with his beautiful teal eyes.

I scoffed, "Mhmm okay"

"Look, I just wanted to catch up, if that's okay with you.." "Should we go outside?" He asked sheepishly while rubbing his hand against his neck.

"Sure, why not it beats this party full of drunks haha," I replied with a small laugh. I walked out outside with Duncan, and I see Bridgette giving me a wink, mouthing "go get em" I rolled my eyes ugh how can she think that while I have a boyfriend. We see a nearby bench and sit there awkwardly.

"So..". I say trying to start the conversation. What have you been up to Duncan? Still being the delinquent bad boy?", I asked in a sarcastic tone.

Oh, princess, I've always been a bad boy if you must know. You know you can't resist me." He says with an ugly smirk on his face.

"Ugh you're such an ogre!, You haven't changed at all!", I yelled and slapped his shoulder. "Really what are doing here? Why did you move back..?

"Well, I wasn't doing really good back where I lived. I lost my Job and had some other problems that happened, financially and personally. Geoff offered me a job here, so I accepted it. Plus I wanted to fix things between us." He looked at me with a regret expression on his face. I could tell he was actually being serious.

"Courtney listen I—" Before he could say anything more I interrupted him.

"Duncan don't.. please don't bring it up. I don't want to hear any of it. Especially now.." I say with tears forming in my eyes. Why is he bringing this up now! Why does he want to fix things?! Doesn't he have that goth girl Gwen to keep him happy!? She is his girlfriend after all. Well as far as I know. Besides I'm happy with Scott.

"Uh yeah. I can understand that." He said while looking down on the ground kicking the pebbles nearby.

We sat in silence, I felt my phone non-stop vibrating in my purse, so I got it out and read the messages. My eyes widened, I shouldn't be here, who knows what he'll do to me!

"COURTNEY WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU! WHY ARE YOU NOT HOME!? BETTER COME HOME NOW OR ELSE!"

"I have to go..I'm sorry Duncan," I say getting up from the bench before walking away.

"Courtney wait-!" Duncan yelled as he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a hug. Oh, how I missed his warmth.

"I missed you.." He whispered quietly in my ear and hugged me tighter.

"Duncan please let go of me!" I yelled, trying to hold back my tears. I pushed him and left running back home.I walked to the door of my apartment, scared of what's going to happen next. Deep inside, I didn't want to let go of him. I felt safe.

I got to the apartment, turned the knob slowly and quietly made my way inside. "Babe I'm home" , I called out.

"Where the hell were you!? I came home expecting a nice dinner and my lovely girlfriend but NO. Why do I even bother, you can't even do anything right! You're worthless! Scott yelled. I see him coming towards me and before I know it.

SLAP I feel the back of his hand hitting across my cheek. "Ahh!" I screamed out.

"You fucking bitch! Go and cook me some dinner!" He yelled.

I stood there with tears running down my face. It wasn't always like this.. but now it happens every day and my life is a living hell.-