Last long chapter, I swear! Things just got a little bit our of hand, but don't lose faith yet! I even had to take out the last part and attach it to the next. Promise I'll post only normal chapters from now on and well this is becoming the typical romantic comedy.

Trent yawned as the doors of the lift opened. He still couldn't believe that he had woken up that early for Courtney. He sighed. Sometimes it was just too hard being the nice guy. He noticed that the hallway wasn't empty as he had predicted. Harold was pacing around a particular door.

"Greetings, Trent," he waved.

"Hey, Harold, what are you doing here?" If he remembered correctly, Harold lived on the same floor as him.

"I'm waiting for Leshawna so that I'll be the first person she sees in the morning," he answered.

"You do that often?" he awkwardly asked.

"Everyday," he answered. "It brightens her mornings," he nodded.

"I'm sure it does."

"So what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I'm…" he looked down at the coffee cups in his hands.

"Oh, I see," Harold said. "You want to surprise your lady. Ah, young love. I remember the first day of mine and Leshawna's relationship," he dreamingly continued.

"Harold, you and Leshawna weren't really in a relationship."

"You are so naïve, Trent," Harold threw his arm over his shoulder. "You have yet to learn."

"Learn what?"

"That you never realize how special a person is until you break her heart," he deeply said. "That's why I'm showing Leshawna how much I love her every day."

"That's not the case with me and Courtney-"

"I can't rely on her feelings," Harold ranted on. "I have to make her fall in love with me every day."

Leshawna's door opened.

"Which reminds me," he said. "I have to go woo an impossible woman. Catch you later!" he ran after her. "Leshawna, my delicate peach blossom…"

Trent smiled. The fool was truly in love with her. He sucked in a deep breath preparing to knock on Courtney's door when he heard the sharp sound of her violin. He glued his ear to the door. He didn't know whether it was good or bad if she was awake. The music was sad. He knew she was thinking of Duncan. It made his stomach turn and gave him the urge of walking up to him and punching him in the face. Words just wouldn't suffice. Clearing his throat, he knocked on the door. The music stopped. Several minutes had passed, but she didn't answer.

"Courtney, it' me," he said. The violin started again. He sighed. Why did she have to be such a difficult girl? "I know you're mad, but come out already," he continued. "I know you're up!"

"Well, well, what do we have here?" he heard Duncan's voice.

He grimly looked up at him to see that he exited his own room.

"Oh, you brought coffee? Thanks," he snatched the mug from his hand.

"Duncan, give me back my cup," Trent growled.

"Or what, Tory?" e rhetorically asked. "Are you going to slap me and grab my hair?"

Trent stepped forward. He knocked one more time at Courtney's door.

"Told you once, told you twice,' Duncan rolled his eyes. "Stay away from her, wimp!"

"I think that's her decision to make and as long as Courtney wants me, I'm never leaving her side," he threatened.

"Give me a break. Go put those words in one of your lame sissy songs," Duncan laughed.

Trent was fussing.

"Eventually, sing the song to her. That'll sweep her off her feet. I guess that's all you do right?"

"What we do is none of your business."

"Thought so…Man, she's like a reptile in bed. Those martial arts things do pay-off…"

"Okay, that's it!" Trent pounced on Duncan knocking him off his feet.

"Hey!" Duncan struggled as they rolled on the floor.

"Apologize!" Trent yelled.

"Why, you little shrimp-"Duncan wanted to say before Trent landed a fist in his face.

"Now you've asked for it!" Duncan rolled on top of him. "I'm telling you, stay away from her!" he grabbed him by the shirt.

"No," Trent hissed.

Duncan angrily started hitting him. He was dying to kick his boyfriend material ass for a while now.

"Hey!" they heard Courtney's cry. "Stop it, you two!"

She pulled Duncan away. "Whatever do you think you're doing?!" she yelled.

"He started it, babe," Duncan pointed at Trent who was nursing his bleeding nose.

Courtney got red with anger. "What gives you the right to call me that?! Let me remember you that I stopped being your girlfriend the moment you chose money over me!"

"Please," he scoffed. "Like you wouldn't have done the same."

She bit her lower lip trying to help Trent up.

"What's happening here?" they heard Gwen's raspy voice. "Trent! You're hurt," she ran up to him and held his chin. "What the hell!"

Courtney glared at her and pulled Trent away. "Come on, Mr. Muscles, let me clean those wounds," she scolded him.

"Gwen…" he sadly looked at her.

"Whatever did you do to him?" Gwen asked Duncan.

"Wimp asked for it," he shrugged.

Gwen angrily passed by him.

"What, no kiss?!" he cried. He flinched. Even though it took him a lot to admit, that black eye was real.

"Rest here," Courtney carefully laid him on the smooth white sheets.

He rolled his eyes around her incredibly tidy room.

"Hey, Courtney…" he said.

"Yeah?" she answered.

He could hear the tap water running. "I think that your ceiling is shaking…"

He heard her giggle. "Boy, you must have hurt your head pretty bad," she shook her head. "Let me just arrange those pillows," she leaned above him so that her hand could push up the pillows he had his head propped against.

Trent stared widely at the amount of cleavage he was unknowingly shown.

"There," she smiled.

He looked away blushing.

"Oh, dear," she tapped her lips.

"What?!" he asked afraid that she caught on to him.

"You're so red. Don't tell me you have a fever," she touched his forehead.

"N-no," he stammered. 'It's from the blood!"

"Right, the blood," she picked up the hot towel. "This might sting a bit," she proceeded cleaning his face.

"Ouch!" he hissed. "Courtney!"

"Not so macho like back there, huh? Men are such babies," she scolded him. "What were you thinking?"

"I just wanted to-"he tried.

"Stalking is not the solution!" she snapped.

"What are you talking about?"

She rolled her eyes. "Don't play dumb. You came around for Gwen."

He cleared his voice. "In case you haven't noticed I was knocking at your door."

"Then," her eyebrow furrowed. "After you chickened out on Gwen, you decided to come and whine at me. That's why I ignored you in the first place."

Trent had a bewildered look on his face. Wouldn't it had been more logical to assume that he was after her from the beginning? But leave it to Courtney to go for the long way around. He hated when she was oblivious to his chivalrous ways.

"Yeah," he squeezed his eyes as the towel brushed along his cheek. "I saw Duncan come out of his room."

A smile flashed on her lips. "Really?"

"Yes," he nodded. "I'm sorry to say this, Courtney; you've been nothing but a friend and all," she gave him a funny look. "A very deranged friend, but still a friend."

"And your point is?" she asked.

"That the guy is a creep!" he snapped. "Why?" he put a hand over hers. "Why him?"

Courtney felt her heart drop to the pit of her stomach as their hands melted together in an electrifying touch. His green eyes were hard on her disarmed figure gave her shivers down her spine.

"Because," she looked away. "Because he was the only one who wanted to know me." She pulled her hand away. "He wanted to know me: how I thought, how I acted, what made me tick and what calmed me. He wanted me in his world."

Trent thoughtfully looked at her. He wanted the same things with her. Of course, not in a romantic way, no, never, but she seemed kind and gentle underneath the tough psychotic exterior. He knew that there was more to her than her bratty fits. She made him curious.

"I know that I'm not very easy to like," she shrugged. "But he liked me just the way I was."

He softly blinked. He liked Courtney that way. He liked it when she spoke her mind and said what she wanted.

"I-"he wanted to say.

"And done," she got up and threw the towel in the basket. "Good as new," she smiled at him. She stretched her hands. "Man, I could use some coffee."

"Actually I-"he wanted to say when someone knocked at the door.

"Come in!" Courtney yelled.

"Hello, Courtney!" Bridgette came in the room. "Hey, Trent."

"Hi," he jumped off the bed.

"So I and the girls are hitting the spa. Wanna join us?" she asked.

"Sure!" she happily replied.

Trent pouted. He was really enjoying his conversation with Courtney. He felt stupid for being selfish enough to think that he was her only friend.

"Trent, Geoff said that he's going to play basketball with the guys," Bridgette told him.

"M'yeah."

"Can't wait for the spa!" Courtney punched her fists in the air.

"Aw, Courtney," Bridgette tapped her shoulder. "I think Trent wanted to spend some more time with you."

"Oh, he'll survive," she said. She looked at the pouting Trent. "Won't you, sweetie?"

"Sure, muffin," he sighed.

"Oh, why don't you give him a kiss?" Bridgette suggested.

"M-me?" Courtney asked in disbelief.

"You are his girlfriend, right?"

"Oh, right," she threw her arms around his neck. "I won't take too long with the girls."

"Fine," he firmly gripped her waist.

Courtney looked down at him with unsure eyes. His face didn't give anything away. She bit her lower lip.

"Oh, I'm going to give you two lovebirds a moment," Bridgette exited the room.

Trent continued to stare at her as they evenly breathed.

"You can let go of me now," her arms fell weak around his neck.

"I know," he whispered, but his grip only tightened around her, even though she was heavy.

Her body became more and more numb. She propped her forehead against his. "Damn…" she whispered.

He let her go. "Right, I was just playing it up in case Bridgette came back."

"Good thinking," she grabbed her stuff. "Come see me before dinner."

"Will do," he answered.

"This is awsome!" Lindsay squealed. "I feel so relaxed."

"Isn't it a bit too hot in here?" Beth asked propping against the wall of the sauna.

"It's supposed to be like that," Heather commented from her corner, but everyone ignored her.

"What am I doing here again?" Gwen sighed. Her foundation and eyeliner were trickled on her cheeks.

"Hush!" Leshawna said. "This is supposed to relax you. You don't get this kind of treatment out on the street."

Gwen rolled her eyes as the door opened and Bridgette and Courtney came in.

"Hey, guys!" Bridgette waved. "Look who's here!"

"Perfect," Gwen moaned.

"Christy!" Lindsay clapped her hands. "Come sit here!"

Courtney raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you hate me from the show?"

"I do?" Lindsay looked confused. "I forgot…"

"Come on girls," Bridgette said taking a seat next to Gwen. "We're all friends here, right?"

"Right," Leshawna and Gwen muttered.

"So, Courtney how's Trent?" both Katie and Sadie asked.

"What about him?" she bit her lower lip.

"Don't be shy," Lindsay grabbed her wrist as if they were childhood friends. "You can tell us. We won't tell anyone!"

She scratched the back of her head. "There's not much to say."

"When did you start crushing on him?" Sadie asked.

"How did you two hook up?" Katie seconded her.

"Is he a good kisser?" Sadie insisted.

Courtney was already getting dizzy.

"Girls, we shouldn't intrude," Bridgette interfered. "And I think that Courtney doesn't want to be insensitive."

"No," Gwen said. "Actually, I'm more than curious to hear how you two got together," she grinned. Since Courtney claimed that they were dating, she was just curious to see how much of a girlfriend she really was.

"I really do think it's none of your business," Courtney narrowed her eyes at her.

"Like Bridgette said, we're all friends here," Gwen insisted.

"Yay!" the blonde cheered. "If Greta's cool with it, spill!"

"Unless you have anything to hide," Gwen smirked.

Courtney was fussing. "Oh, well, you know how Duncan chose money over me on the show," she started. "I just knew that I couldn't possibly date him anymore."

"The jerk," Lindsay said. "You did a good thing dumping him."

"I don't know what was in my mind when I thought that I could ever commit to him."

"Actually, he dumped you," Gwen pointed out.

Courtney glared at her. "As I waited for the season finale, I met a very…special person."

"You mean Tyler?" Lindsay squealed.

"Um, no, I meant Trent," Courtney said.

"Oh," Lindsay's eyebrows furrowed. "Trent!"

"We didn't get to interact that much on the show, but we've spent some time alone and I got to see the real him," she smiled.

"That's so sweet!" Bridgette squealed.

"Funny," Gwen cut in. "I remember that Trent spent the whole time in his room."

"And where was I?" Courtney challenged her.

"Um, flirting with Justin?" Gwen rhetorically said.

"Oh," all the girls gasped.

"This is stupid," Heather got out.

"Hey," Courtney tried to laugh. "A girl has to keep her option open, right? And besides, you weren't his girlfriend anymore so you wouldn't know."

Gwen glared at her.

"So how did you two like hook up?" Sadie asked.

"Oh, well, it came naturally," she shrugged. "We were getting along so great and agreed that it was time to take it to the next level."

"And how does he kiss?" Katie asked.

Courtney blushed at the thought of kissing Trent, though she did wonder how it felt. "I'm not going to get into details."

She heard Gwen scoff.

"I'm just going to say… "she grinned at Gwen. "Mind-blowing."

"Oh and how does Trent feel about the list?" Gwen asked.

"Trent didn't need one."

"Neither did Duncan, but knowing you," Gwen rolled her eyes.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Courtney snapped.

"You know."

"No, I don't know!"

"The way that you're always trying to control other people's lives since you obviously have none on your own. The way you like tricking and manipulating people like you are doing with Trent!" Gwen yelled.

"Trent is not-"Courtney defended herself.

"He doesn't love you, Courtney! He does not love you!" Gwen yelled.

Courtney got up and stepped back.

"I think I had enough steam," she left.

"Me too," Beth seconded her.

"Dang, girl," Leshawna whispered.

"What?!" Gwen looked at her.

"Seriously, Gwen," Bridgette got up with an upset look on her face. "That was uncalled for."

Leshawna sighed.

"You agree with me!" Gwen cried.

"It sounded back there that you were more like trying to convince yourself rather than her," her friend answered.

"Convince what?"

"That Trent doesn't love her."

"Whatever," she crossed her arms.

"Who said he could play?" Duncan narrowed his eyes when he saw Trent on the basketball court.

"It's cool, man," Geoff said. "I told him to come."

"Fine," Duncan rolled his eyes. "As long as he's not on my team," he grinned.

Trent glared at him.

Duncan laughed. "I gave him a bloody nose this morning."

"Nasty," DJ said.

"And who gave you that black eye?" Trent crossed his arms.

"Whatever," he replied. "I'm the better kisser. Ask Courtney any day. Once we were…" he trailed off with DJ.

Trent was boiling inside. He wanted to go up to him and shut him up.

"Save it for the game, dude," Geoff grabbed him by the collar.

Trent sighed. So what if Duncan was a better kisser? At least he was an honest one. He felt like slapping his forehead. He and Courtney hadn't even kissed. How could he even be thinking about kissing her when he loved Gwen, didn't he?

As they started the game, the only thing Duncan did was harass Trent shoving him and tripping him.

"Hey, that's a penalty!" Trent yelled after falling flat on his face.

Duncan laughed. "Wuss," he high-fived DJ.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to let you go," Geoff patted his shoulder. "We're losing."

"Why?" Trent complained. "It's his fault!" Geoff pointed to the bleachers. "Fine."

The only other person there was Cody who looked very excited to see him.

"Did Geoff say that I'm in?" he asked.

"No," Trent sat next to im.

"Bummer," he sighed. "Oh, well, what's up?"

"Nothing," Trent sighed.

"You don't look good, man. Trouble in paradise?" he asked.

"What?"

"Did you and Courtney have a fight?"

"No…I mean…it's complicated."

"I'm good w ith relationships. You can talk to me," he said.

Trent skeptically looked at him.

"Hey, you don't have to worry about me. I'm actually glad that one managed to escape the Codemeister's charm. All those poor other girls," he shook his head.

Trent sighed. "Okay, but you have to promise not to tell anyone," he leaned closer and told Cody everything.

Cody's eyes widened. "So let me get this straight. One sunny August day, Courtney came stomping in your room saying that you should pretend to date to get back at Gwen and Duncan?"

"Right."

"And you accepted?"

"Right."

"And this has been going on for…?"

"Four days."

"So you've been pretending to date her for four days?"

"Right."

"And you still haven't cracked?"

"Right."

"Dude, you're totally falling for her," Cody said.

"Right," Trent automatically answered then flinched. "I mean no. Courtney, no."

"At first it was just pretend, but now you're totally hooked," he continued. "On Courtney. I feel sorry for you, man, Cody patted his shoulder.

"No!" Trent cried. "I'm doing this to spite Duncan for being a jerk. Gwen is just an innocent victim."

"You're not spiting Duncan for stealing Gwen away by pretending to date Courtney," Cody pointed out. "This is not about Gwen."

"No," he answered.

"So it is about Courtney."

"Yes! I mean no… I mean… I don't know."

"Dude, you love her."

"Seriously? Courtney? The bossy, bratty, crazy Courtney?"

"You love her."

"The obnoxious, insensitive, mean Courtney?"

"You love her," Cody insisted. He got a wave from Geoff. "I'm in! Wish me luck!" he jumped.

"The smart, talented and, in a twisted way, cute Courtney?" There was no Cody to tell him that he was falling for the most annoying and bratty and crazy girl on earth. "Oh, man," he sunk in his chair.

Lunch seemed strange without her around to point out his flaws and verbally emasculate him. There was a certain rumor around the room, but he was too busy grasping the fact that maybe he was falling for her. He moaned. It was a given that falling for Courtney meant no soft landing, not even a parachute.

"Is this seat taken?" Noah asked Heather who was enjoying her own table while Harold had managed to grab a seat at Leshawna's table.

She didn't bother to answer.

"Okay, then," he placed his plate across her. "Do you like…peas?" he awkwardly asked.

She didn't answer. He was thinking of giving up when she answered. "Maybe. Do you like me?" she bluntly asked.

He gulped trying to maintain his cool. "Maybe."

Trent was playing with the spaghetti in his plate when Katie and Sadie came up to him.

"Trent, you're sad!" they gasped.

"So did you and Courtney like break up?" Sadie asked.

"No!" he snapped. "Who said that?"

"Gwen said some harsh things to her. We thought that-"

"What did Gwen say?" he asked.

"She said that you don't love her," Katie answered.

"And Courtney?" he urged them.

"We don't know. She left."

"No…" he said. He immediately got up and rushed to her room without sparing Gwen a glance.

"He knows," Leshawna said.

"What?" Gwen asked.

"He knows that he loves her," Harold solemnly said.

Gwen waited for Leshawna to yell at her stalker, but she didn't.

"Where is that loser going?" Duncan suspiciously looked at him.

"I don't know," DJ replied. "You were saying?"

"Oh, yeah, so once I scored Courtney in…" he continued.

Cody was exaggerating. But what if there was the slightest chance that he was actually falling for her? He shook his head. No more what ifs. He knocked at the door.

"Come in!"

She was standing by the window looking outside.

"Courtney?" he asked.

"Oh, Trent," she turned on her heels and hid her eyes behind her hair. "What's up?"

He didn't know what to say. He wanted to be soft. He saw her violin on the bed. He grabbed it and gave it to her. "Play."

"Why?" she looked at him with red tired eyes.

"Please," he whispered. "Because I'd love to hear you play."

She weakly smiled. "Have a seat." She gripped her violin. "This one goes out to someone special in the audience."