Chapter One: Comfort
Duncan sat on the edge of his bed, hunched over and staring at the ground. It had been their third fight in the past week. 'This can't be good.' Duncan thought. When he and Gwen started their relationship, they both were enthusiastic about their status as girlfriend and boyfriend. They shared the same interests and everyone had said that they were perfect for each other. Duncan smoothed his green hair back and let it fall back into place. He glanced around his room. Pictures of bands, Gwen, Total Drama Island and even some posters of various movies hung on his walls. A side table with a green lamp was located to the right of his un-made bed with a picture of the Total Drama Island cast. His time on Total Drama Island had been quite an experience, to say the least. He met quite the range of characters. He had kept in touch with his closest friends. Duncan had received a letter in the mail saying that he was requested, let me rephrase that, FORCED back into that sad excuse for a television show because of a stupid document known as his contract. Soon he'd be among the likes of Heather, Justin and Harold once more. Duncan couldn't help smiling to himself. At least Harold will pose some fun. He let his eyes wander through the faces of the cast photo quickly, reminding himself who he'd see again. His eyes fell on Gwen and quickly he averted his eyes. The punk let out a heavy sigh, sat up and walked downstairs to the kitchen table. He yawned and put the coffee machine on. His parents hadn't been too sure of their relationship though. But as usual, Duncan had ignored their attempts to reason with him and had continued to date Gwen. His parents weren't exactly the most supportive people and more than often he wondered if they would even think of taking a minute out of their busy lives and truly attempt to understand what he was going through. He poured the hot coffee into his white and red mug and sat down. He stared within the black liquid. The coffee was warm in his hands and it was perhaps the only comfort he had at the moment.
He poured some milk in and took a quick sip. The heat stung his mouth and with a gulp, it was gone. The pain he had experienced was incomparable to the pain he felt throughout his relationship with Gwen. He had even forgotten what fight was all about. All he could remember from last night was a shouting match between him and Gwen. It seemed like nowadays, everything turned into a fight. He turned toward the calendar and quickly made note of the date: August 9th. Suddenly he remembered, he remembered what the fight was all about: Trent. A week ago, he had caught Gwen talking to Trent over the phone. Duncan let that slide but once he found out that Gwen had been staying up every night to instant message Trent that was too much for him. Jealousy had taken over Duncan swiftly and soon he had become paranoid of what Gwen was doing when he wasn't around. Was she talking to Trent? Duncan wasn't stupid. He knew that Gwen still had a few lingering feelings for Trent but he had hoped that she would put them aside when they started dating. Trent had been Gwen's crush during that sad excuse of a reality show and Duncan knew it would be difficult to compete with that. Trent and Gwen's relationship had progressed so far during the course of the show, Duncan had actually wondered if they would become girlfriend and boyfriend by the season finale. I was wrong. He tapped his fingers impatiently on the table. He had accused her of her feelings for Trent and that was how the fight truly began. Guess what? She owned up to it. She had told him, to his face that she had secretly hoped that she and Trent would get back together. Perhaps she just said that to make me angry? Or perhaps, she truly meant it.
Thinking about Gwen and Trent, sparked a few memories. Duncan had remembered when he had returned home from the first season of Total Drama Island, he hadn't realized how popular that show was. Whenever he checked his e-mail, his eye would wander and see all the fan clubs, fan pages and even websites various fans created. He took pride in knowing he was one of the most popular characters on the show. Heck, he had an entire website dedicated to him. It doesn't hurt to feed the ego once in a while. Duncan had seen so many online clubs for 'fanon' couples he was sure he had been literally paired up with every girl on that stupid show. Courtney and Gwen were the only two girls I've had feelings for. Silence. He hadn't given much thought about Courtney since the last episode. She had left him with a sprained ankle while she grabbed the briefcase and made a break for it. Although he hated to admit it, that's what really attracted him to her in the first place; the way she changed in personality when they were together. It was as if he had influenced her in more ways than one. The way she made him feel was indescribable. With her, he felt alive and considerably happier. Unfortunately, their relationship didn't get past the final episode. After the closing ceremony for season one of that horrid show, Duncan had met up with Gwen and they started to talk. Talking led to compliments, compliments led to dates and soon they were together. If only he had that kind of luck with Courtney. Courtney…
Duncan took a long sip of coffee and glanced at the picture that hung on the wall. The picture was of him and Gwen after they had seen Blood Shed 2. During the movie, they both felt that movie was too tame for their liking and instead spent their time within the theatre dressing up as axe murderers, scaring people that left the movie theatre. He didn't know what would happen to their relationship. Maybe it was best to break it off now before one of them got really hurt. A loud vibrating noise broke him out of his train of thought. He turned his gaze back towards the table and reached his phone which lay face down next to his mug of coffee. He opened and carefully read the text message. Duncan, Sorry about last night but I think we should space ourselves for a few days. Don't worry, we're not over. –Gwen. He let out a sigh and put away his phone. If you say so, Gwen.
Duncan drained his coffee and walked to the bathroom. His reflection was hideous. He didn't look like himself. He hadn't looked this bad since the Awake-a-thon. His blue eyes traced himself in the reflection. I better get a shirt on. He turned and his eyes caught the shower. It seemed so inviting, the feeling of water against his body. Without a second thought, he stripped down, climbed into the shower and turned on the hot water. The water came pelting down on him and he felt the familiar comfort wash over his body. He put one hand on the shower wall and let his head droop, letting the water rush over him. After a few moments of standing under the hot bullets of water, he started to clean his hair and body. He didn't care how long it took, he just wanted the comfort. As he finished cleaning himself he reached over to turn the shower off, when he paused, and turned the handle to ice cold. The temperature changed dramatically and the hot bullets turned into ice pellets. He let it run on him for a few seconds before turning it off. Although his body had been experiencing frigid temperatures a few seconds ago, his core remained warm. If only I could keep that feeling forever.
Duncan slid on his signature shirt onto his well-toned body and put his piercings in. He located his dog collar in the mess of his room and fastened around his neck. He glanced at the mess his room had become and smirked. I can always clean it up later. He put on his shorts and converse and strode out of the room. He checked his phone and sure enough, there was a reply from Geoff regarding his message yesterday. Duncan had asked whether Geoff would be interested in coffee together. Seems like I'll be meeting Geoff today. He grabbed the keys, locked his door and walked to café. The familiar vibrating noise caught his ears and he lifted his phone out of his pocket to turn it off when he noticed a familiar name calling. No, it can't be. She wouldn't want to call me. I can't talk to her. Duncan stopped walking as he felt his heart beat faster. He cautiously pressed the Answer button and gingerly lifted the phone to his ear.
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Author's Note: I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. Just so everyone's clear, Gwen and Duncan started a relationship after TDI. I threw in a reference to TDA, hopefully you caught it. Naturally, Duncan's still living at home and his parents are out, giving Duncan some time to reflect. This story is going to alternate points of view from Duncan to Gwen. Italics are indicating Duncan's thoughts. I would really appreciate some reviews. Thanks so much for the support!
