The Mistakes We've Made
AU. I remembered the first night we spent together. I was crying, and even though I was telling you to go, you held me close. That was the moment I fell in love with you. That was my first mistake. Duncan/Gwen.
Chapter One: The Ones You Love
"Gwen!" Duncan called. I could hear his footsteps from behind me, and I could just imagine him in his usual attire, strolling casually behind me to catch up.
I stopped walking so he could catch up, and when he did, we fell into step. "Hi," I said, raising an eyebrow at him. Usually, he wouldn't speak to me. Then, he was too busy hanging out with Miss Perfect to even care for me. Even after his sentence was over, he continued to help out at the soup kitchen just so he could be with her. It disgusted me. He even skipped out on our movie nights, where we'd watch crappy horror movies from the early 90's and make fun of them.
"Hey, so I was wondering if you and Trent would like to go on a double date with me and Court," he said, grinning stupidly. So now he had a nickname for her even? That's just freakin' fantastic for him. I've known him since preschool, and even I don't have a nickname. I started picking at my bag's strap, annoyed.
"I'm not actually dating Trent," I muttered, trying to let him down nicely, though I don't know why because of all the hell he has put me through.
"So? It'll be fun," he reassured me. "We're going to go bowling."
I hated bowling, and he knew that. "Court loves to bowl," he added. Of course, I thought bitterly.
"Really, it's okay -"
"You're going," he interrupted, a playful look on his face. "Like I said, it will be fun. We haven't hung out for so long anyway." I gave him a look that said 'I wonder who's fault that is' and crossed my arms. Before I could object, he saw Courtney and his face lit up like a freakin' Christmas tree.
"Princess!" he called out for her, waving.
I saw her scowl. "Don't call me that - and not so loudly," she hissed as she walked over to Duncan, her books clutched against her chest. I just wanted to push them out of her hands and make her bend down to pick them up so I could kick her in the behind.
It wasn't like me to hate someone without knowing them, but Courtney was the exception. I knew her type: perfect, rich, and smart. And I knew Duncan: troublesome, rebellious, and ho - house-free. That's right... Anyway, they were complete opposites! So why were they together?
Before I had to endure anymore of their love-sick bickering, I spotted Trent. I waved him over, and he came jogging towards me, a smile on his perfect face. Trent was like the exact opposite of me as well - perfect, handsome, and nice. He was a great musician, and I was an artist. I told myself that that was the reason why were went so perfectly together, but in my head - and heart -, I always knew the truth.
"Hi," he said, giving me his famous, heartbreaking smile.
I smiled back at him and replied, "Hi."
"I was wondering," he started, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "If you wanted to do something this weekend?"
I had to laugh at this. He was so shy for someone so... wanted. "Sure. Actually," I started, not wanting to tell him because I didn't want to go. "I told Duncan we'd go bowling with him and Courtney. Is that okay?"
He laughed now, and pulled me in. My face grew red at the sudden contact, and I tried to hide it. "Of course it's okay," he reassured me, smiling down at me. "Why wouldn't it be?"
I didn't reply. I couldn't tell him that it wasn't okay with me at all.
Saturday rolled around, and during the morning, I decided to log onto my e-mail really quickly and see if I had any new e-mails. I only had a couple of spam, so I quickly closed it out. But, without anything else to do, I logged onto my MSN. Trent and Duncan were on, but I decided to talk to Trent instead. I knew I couldn't handle it if I said something to Duncan and he didn't reply.
shadesofmidnight: hi
music=life: hi :)
shadesofmidnight: we're going bowling today, right?
music=life: ya. i was talking to Duncan and he said around 5.
I frowned. Even he probably talked to Duncan more than I did.
shadesofmidnight: ok
music=life: so what's up?
shadesofmidnight: not much. just being bored
music=life: cool. gotta go, Gwen. band practice. see you later tho
He ended his message with a heart, and I felt a pang at my heart. He was such a sweet guy, and I was so lucky to have him. But...
breakyourfist: hey
It was Duncan. I hesitated on whether or not I should have just exited out the window and gone to watch T.V., but instead, I just sat there and replied.
shadesofmidnight: hi
breakyourfist: how's it going?
shadesofmidnight: fine
breakyourfist: doesn't sound fine to me
I wanted to laugh. Like it was any of his business anyway.
shadesofmidnight: whatever
breakyourfist: you talk to your boyfriend yet?
shadesofmidnight: don't have on, remember?
breakyourfist: don't play dumb with me, Gwen. I know you and Trent are dating.
You don't know shit about me, I wanted to say. Trent and I weren't dating, even though Trent asked me on sort-of dates before. But still, it didn't mean anything yet.
shadesofmidnight: we're just friends
breakyourfist: whatever
shadesofmidnight: i'm gonna go. see you.
breakyourfist: k bye
I logged off and turned off the laptop. I admitted that I was a bit surprised to hear Duncan call Trent my boyfriend. I barely spoke to him, so how could he know about it anyway? I threw away the memory though, and decided to just go out and sketch a bit in the park. It always helped whenever I was severely confused and annoyed.
Trent picked me up to so we could carpool on our way to the bowling alley. He said he offered Duncan and Courtney to carpool too, but they declined because they had their own ride. Secretly, I was happy they did. I didn't know if I could handle their "love" in a confined space like a car.
Trent seemed really eager for this "date" though, and since he was such a nice guy, I didn't want to ruin his night. I decided that, despite my hatred for Duncan's relationship, I would try to stay happy. For Trent.
"Hey," Trent greeted Duncan and Courtney as they walked together towards us. They already had their bowling shoes on.
"What's up," Duncan nodded towards Trent and I. "We're on lane eleven, so try getting lane twelve." And with that, he walked off with Courtney right beside him just as before.
I pursed my lips, annoyed. Duncan and I went bowling before, just the two of us. I sucked majorly, but Duncan was practically a pro at it. I hated it, and I even threw for him when he went to the restroom to throw off his score. When he got back, he cussed at me, and I started laughing, which made him laugh too. I almost smiled at the memory.
"Wanna go get the shoes?" Trent asked, interrupting my thoughts. He had already paid for our lanes - which kind of annoyed me, because I didn't ask for him to pay for me. I didn't like taking advantage of Trent and letting him pay for my stuff, no matter how much he insised.
I nodded though, ignoring it. We went and got our shoes, and we put them on before heading over to the lane beside Duncan and Courtney's. Courtney wasn't that bad - she was better than I was my first time - but she wasn't great either. I watched as she played, then I watched as Duncan stepped up, a stupid grin on his face. He held his stance, and threw the ball. My jaw slacked as I watched it roll in the gutter. He turned back at Courtney then, who was pouting, probably feeling bad for him. I, however, wanted to go and hit him in the head with the bowling ball! He rigged it so he could make Courtney look better - I just knew it! I was so annoyed that I wanted to just leave so I wouldn't have to see this, but I felt bad because Trent had paid for it already. I figured I could stay for him at least.
"You're up," Trent said as he returned. He had a strike, and was smiling gorgeously. I smiled back at him as I walked over to get the ball from the shelf. I picked a lighter ball, and walked over to the lane. I threw, and I only knocked down around five of the pins. It was still better than before.
"Good job!" I heard Duncan say. I almost smiled and said 'thanks', when I turned around and saw he was talking to Courtney, hugging her.
The rest of the game, needless to say, was as bitter as lemon zest.
Trent drove me home. Duncan barely spoke to me during the game, which pissed me off more than I'd like to admit. Trent kissed me on the cheek before he left, like always. I knew he wanted more - an actual kiss - but I told him I wasn't ready yet. Being the sweet guy he is, he understood.
I was already dressed when I heard the doorbell. My parents were out of town and I was the only one home. I wasn't like those stupid girls in horror movies who open the door to anyone, like the guy who claims to be the pizza man even though you didn't order pizza. I asked who it was, and I was surprised when I opened the door, with a lock still on, to see who it was.
It was Duncan. I should've slammed the door on his face.
A/N: If you haven't noticed, the beginning will be TDI canon (Duncan/Courtney, Gwen/Trent) but later, it will start becoming more Duncan/Gwen-like. Now stop yelling at me... honestly, it's all part of the plot. Besides, without Courtney, it'd be boring. Hah.