HEY! Yes, I am starting. Hopefully George and Cara and this story will be at ease with each other and I can write them both well.

Okay, so far nine people out of EIGHTY FIVE reviewed. WHAT IS GOING ON?

DISCLAIMER: I do not own TDI or the story line of Beige. Cecil Castellucci does. Also Sticks N Stones isn't mine. But Jamie T is an awesome song writer.

NOW some review replies. Well, one because I found it interesting.

To Courtneyrox

Yes, I know what you mean about relationships! I'm hoping to stir this one up in a few chapters! ;)

It's just I wanted to show how easy and relaxed they can be. Remember Courtney was really tired and wouldn't be functioning like she usually is.

Thanks so much for reviewing!

~*~

~Chapter 2~

I blink open my eyes and see Duncan carrying me back. This is going to be so embarrassing. I close my eyes tight and try to forget about it all.

~*~

I open my eyes to see the darkest dark outside. The city isn't all that quiet, but I'm used to that. Rolling over, I checked my clock. Damn. It was five in the morning. Ah well, I might as well use up all the hot water.

~*~

I stepped out of the shower carrying my pyjamas.

I could hear the light strumming of a guitar from the lounge room and I almost sighed. I missed playing so much, but those were the wrong sorts of guitars. I hurried into my room and got dressed in a loose old triple J top and shorts. It was now six in the morning. I wondered who would be up now.

I paused by the line up of guitars that James had in my room and touched their necks. Well, just a little go wouldn't harm me or take me into the forbidden world my mother lost herself in.

I picked up 'my one', as James said, and started strumming. It felt nice. I took the guitar into the lounge room and found Duncan sitting with his back to me on the couch. I stopped walking, wondering what I should do. I remembered yesterday and felt my checks go red. Remember Courtney, you are confident. It's only a guy there, for God's sake! I took a deep breath and continued my walk.

"Took your time," he said and my checks went red against my will. Courtney, get a grip. You will not be teased. Ignore him.

I sat down calmly and began playing some Beethoven.

"You realise you're holding the neck wrong," his voice travelled from across the room. My eyes flashed, but I kept looking down and concentrating on the song I knew so well. "You hold it like this," he was obviously demonstrating, but I would not look up. "And here's some good music," he threw a plastic folder at me, and I caught it with out knowing what I was doing.

In that folder held my father's music. I flipped through and found the song that Bella had loved. Carefully, I began to strum. I felt like I had when I had first stood up on a surfboard. Excited and scared and wondering how I got here and thinking so many thoughts. A smile played at my lips, but I didn't let it out. I couldn't.

This was the wrong world. I was used to straight lines and a private school.

Sighing, I finished the song and looked up to see what Duncan was thinking. He was scrutinising me and I looked back down. No point answering his gaze. It made me all confused. I don't think I like or love him. But me muddles me up. I quickly began playing some Bach. I didn't really enjoy it, but it was the first thing in my head.

Duncan sighed, but again, I didn't look up. I knew he wanted me to.

I decided I might as well try to make convocation.

"Why do you live here?" Okay, I'll admit. Not exactly the best convocation starter.

"Because I stuffed up when I was younger," he sighed. I tried to imagine what it was like to say that when you are still in your teens.

"How?" I asked. I was interested.

"I loved my music so much I snuck into pubs and ended up drinking. That led onto harder drugs," he sighed. "My Mom knew James from high school. She rang him up and he agreed to be my 'Big Brother',"

"When my Mum was sixteen she ran away from Australia, and her family, and became a groupie," I told him, not at all feeling embarrassed like I usually did. "She got hooked on heroin and went into rehab when she found out she was having me,"

"I got hooked too," he was looking at me so I looked down. "That's why I'm here, I guess. James doesn't even drink. He's a good role model. He has his music, without the rock-n-roll life style,"

"I hope so. The last time I was here, he was on something. I was five. Mum took me home and I didn't get to say goodbye. I was sad about that. Should I have been?" I asked him whilst looking intensely into his eyes. It was his turn to look away, and he did.

"I don't know. You were five. Your mom got you out of a situation that she didn't want to be in," He said this all to his hands. I looked around to find a clock. It was a quarter to six.

"What time does James get up?" I asked, not wanting to be in a convocation in which I knew nothing.

"Ten, I guess," he looked back down to his guitar and started to play again.

"Four hours to kill? Hey, do you know anywhere I can surf?"

"Not personally. One of my friend's girlfriend surfs. I'll introduce you," I smiled slowly, the heat of it filling my face.

"Can you swim in that pool?" I asked, nodding my head to the window.

"Yes, I guess. It's really chlorinated, though,"

"I'm going swimming then!"

"What? It's like…. Six!" he was rather shocked at my habits, obviously.

"At home, I got up at five every morning to catch the train to the beach, so I could surf," I told in, proud of myself. All the other teenagers I knew were asleep until ten.

But Duncan just rolled his eyes. I huffed and got out of my seat. I quietly walked down the hall to my room and changed into my red bikini, throwing a white t-shirt over the top. Slopping on sunscreen as I walked out, I could feel Duncan's eyes on me and it unnerved me slightly. I really didn't know how to act around guys.

I walked down the concrete stairs that looked like they should smell like piss. But they didn't, thank god.

I opened the high up lock on the pool gate and stepped in; hopping it would make the home sickness for the water go away just a little bit.

I slid into the water, feeling like I was a dolphin in captivity, itching to be let out. I knew from experience that that feeling would only go away when I was in the sea.

I swam until I knew I looked like a prune. I had lost count of the amount of laps I had done.

A guy came down from the opposite building. He looked like some sort of Sex God, but I knew better than to get interested in someone like him.

"Hello," he said. "I'm Justin," He slid into the water.

"Hey, Justin. I'm Courtney," I carefully got out of the water, giving him space in the small pool. I walked over to my stuff and put my goggles away. I also grabbed my white t-shirt and slid it over my body to roughly dry it. I slid on my thongs, or flip flops, and walked back up the stairs to James' flat.

"So you met Justin?" I was almost attacked by Duncan at the door.

"Um, yeah?" I was rather shocked and trying not to drip on the carpet.

"What do you think?" wait a minute, was that jealousy in his eyes?

"He's hot," I didn't mention that he would be a heart breaker. "Now excuse me, I want to rinse off," I stepped past him, making my way down the hall to the bathroom. I made the water cold so the hot water didn't run out and I stepped under it, rinsing out my hair like I did at the beach.

For the second time that morning, I stepped out and got dressed in shorts and my darling triple J t-shirt. I actually have quite a collection of them all, plus all my favourite bands.

"Morning Courtney," said James from the kitchen. "I'm going to go get some croissants," I nodded, thinking of Bella, me, Jay and Jackson's after surfing tradition.

I suddenly felt so homesick. "Have you got the internet?" I asked James.

"Yes, just over there," he pointed, grabbing a wallet. The computer was so tucked away I hadn't noticed it before. I walked over to find it was already on, so I got onto my email and typed happy emails to Mum and Nonna. They were full of gush. But to Bella, I wrote all the important things.

Dear Bella, Jay and Jackson (I know you're looking over her shoulder),

Here I am, not really jetlagged.

James has a room mate my age that is a bit weird. He keeps looking at me like he can see into my head.

Also, James has quite an electric guitar collection, and he got me an orange one. He knows I love orange. Is that good?

I just went for a swim and Duncan (James' room mate) says one of his mate's girlfriend surfs, so maybe I can keep it up, hey?

You know I miss you so much. I love you all and I think maybe I can get through with this.

Courtney

I know it's short, but I have so many things flying in my head. I need triple J. I streamed it, and guess what came on? Sticks N Stones by Jamie T, one of my favourite songs.

When there's no one left to fight, boys like him don't shine so bright,
Soon as I see the dust settle, he's out on the town tryin' to find trouble.
When there's no one left to fight, boys like him don't shine so bright,
Soon as I see (LIGHTWEIGHT PRICK!) the dust settle, he's out on the town tryin' to find trouble.

I take a train again away from shame and blame a city pained to see, a friend I hadn't seen since I was drinking underage.
I was a ten a day, how'd you say, little shit, white lightning, heightening all my courage, quick wit.
We wore checkered season wallabies, buttoned shirts and whiskey, mutton dressed as lamb, a fan of bands like The Jam Jam Jam Jam,
I don't know who I am, he said I dunno if I can, I said yeah man, you can-can.

When there's no one left to fight, boys like him don't shine so bright,
Soon as I see the dust settle, he's out on the town tryin' to find trouble.
When there's no one left to fight, boys like him don't shine so bright,
Soon as I see the dust settle, he's out on the town tryin' to find trouble.

Drunk and being sick, I feel like shit, I gotta quit.
I hope I haven't missed the last train gonna be stuck in Hampton Wick,
With the boys across the platform shouting "lightweight prick!"
I'm a featherweight champion, cheap to get pissed, wish Candy were here with me, she'd deffa deal with it, tell 'em all to shut their mouths and go suck their mommas dicks, coz she ain't no she ain't that low, three fingers down, or the other two up, and I'll sing this proud.

Runnin' with believers, no time for fever, and I haven't got time for you either, with your sticks n' stones, sticks n' stones, I take 'em home on my own.
Runnin' with believers, no time for fever, and I haven't got time for you either, with your sticks n' stones, sticks n' stones, I take 'em home on my own.

As I travel down the track all my memories flood back.
We were runnin' at ease from enemies, and rushed back to your momma's flat, it's the only place but home I feel relaxed enough to crap, I know it sounds crude, but there's something in that.
How's danny doin'? Hear he's high flyin' and that, stockbroker in the city with a lady and a baby.
And Fee, is she free from the demons she had? Was it two months clean, routine to relapse.

Runnin' with believers, no time for fever, and I haven't got time for you either, with your sticks n' stones, sticks n' stones, I take 'em home on my own.
Runnin' with believers, no time for fever, and I haven't got time for you either, with your sticks n' stones, sticks n' stones, I take 'em home on my own.

She smoked all of your weed that's why the loved ones out to leave,
Why when you take the lead they stab you in the back 'till you can't breathe,
When you're bleeding on the floor, and no one hears your call at all, she screamed out to the party 'you are sheeps and cattle!'

I was hanging out with Louie in the shooting gallery, when the news got through to me about you and Jeremy.
Pat on my back, and a swig on my brew, you're still my friend, it's impossible to hate you.
Cradle to the grave, I know we always misbehave, people latch down and then they rain on our parade.
Girls we love leave when we want them to stay, like today, remember, what shall we say?

When there's no one left to fight, boys like us don't shine so bright,
Soon as I see the dust settle, let's go out and find some trouble!

Runnin' with believers, no time for fever, and I haven't got time for you either, with your sticks n' stones, sticks n' stones, I take 'em home on my own.
Runnin' with believers, no time for fever, and I haven't got time for you either, with your sticks n' stones, sticks n' stones, I take 'em home on my own.

Runnin' with believers, no time for fever, and I haven't got time for you either, with your sticks n' stones, sticks n' stones, I take 'em home on my own.
Runnin' with believers, no time for fever, and I haven't got time for you either, with your sticks n' stones, sticks n' stones, I take 'em home on my own.

I sat there the whole time, with it on full ball, just singing. I forgot my homesickness all in one song.

I didn't even notice Duncan staring at me. After the song had ended, I slumped into my seat, smiling like and idiot. I was horribly in love with that song, no questions asked.

"Hey Courtney, my friend Geoff is coming over. His girl surfs," I nodded at him, still smiling. "And I love that song," he said this experimentally, as though he was worried about what my reaction would be.

"Cool," I would not let on to this boy. I would not look at him. Actually, let's look and see his reaction. He was looking downcast. Heh, I have control over him. No, I don't. Don't think that, Courtney.

There was giggling and stomping at the door, then knocking.

"That's Geoff," said Duncan, getting up without looking at me. I got up too, walking after him. Duncan opened the door and in it stood a tall blond guy in an open pink shirt with a cowboy hat. Under his arm was the traditional surfer girl. Board shorts, a blue jumper and she was blond. I smiled at her.

"Hey dude!" said Geoff. He clapped Duncan on the back, letting go of the surfer chick for a while.

"Hello. I'm Courtney," I said, pushing past the guys who were making their way to the couch talking about all sorts of things.

"Hey. I'm Bridgette," she said. I took her into the lounge room, where the computer was still blaring triple J. I blushed and made my way to turn it off, but Duncan called out to leave it, so I did.

James turned up with a huge bag of croissants, enough to go round. It was all good, I guess. Bridgette and I had hit it off rather well. We were talking all about surfing, which was the main thing we had in common.

But I still felt I didn't fit in. I don't know why. Maybe it was my accent? I don't know. I just felt out of place. We were all talking, but it still wasn't like Jay, Bella, Jackson and my debates and discussions raining from climate change and the meaning of life to fashion and your favourite lollies. I guess I had a perfect relationship with my friends at home and these were people I've just met, and nothing to be compared to.

"Oh and Courtney, I have someone you need to meet! She's going to look after you!" inwardly, I groaned. But on my face I plastered a cheery smile. How bad could it be? "THIS is Gwen!" he said. I hadn't noticed the girl come in; I was talking so adamantly with Bridgette.

Bridgette squealed and ran up to the girl who had such a Goth look going I was scared. But I wouldn't show that. She had dark hair with teal streaks. She was wearing black, with combat boots.

I winced.

What has my mother got me into?

Okay, we all know that you've disappointed me greatly, not reviewing and all.

Please review.