3RD PERSON
"And yeah..." Joe finished awkwardly running his fingers through his hair. Courtney looked down at the ground, not knowing how to respond to this. Zach could be with the police? Would he ever find her again? What if he does? Joe noticed her worried expression and before registering what he was doing, he tucked a piece of her hair behind her head and leaving his hand in between her right ear and shoulder forcing her to look into is impossibly bright blue eyes. "Courtney, I don't know who that man that was attacking you was, but I promise that you are going to be safe. I won't let him get anywhere near you." Joe stated getting lost in her equally blue eyes. There was a sort of certainty in his voice that made her feel comforted. She realised that she was staring and tried her hardest tearing herself away from the heated gaze settling with the floor. "Thank you for saving me." She said turning a deep shade of red. Joe didn't know how to respond but settled with a hug. Courtney tightened her grip around his neck deepening the hug. Joe smiled into her hair, placing a small kiss on top of her head.
"Hey Courtney, the Langs were wondering if you want to stay for dinner-whoa." They broke apart from their intimate hug and looked wide eyed at Lauren who was standing in the doorway.
"Oh-Er-hi Lauren, yeah that would be great thanks" Courtney smiled playing with the hem of her shirt awkwardly. Lauren smiled triumphantly as she saw how uncomfortable Walker looked.
"Okay cool well were ordering pizza anything in particular that you want?"
"Um… you guys don't have Hawaiian, do you?" her brow furrowed.
"What the hell is Hawaiian pizza?" Walker asked, finally getting his voice back.
Courtney explained how a Hawaiian pizza is just a margarita with ham and pineapple which they found bizarre. Pineapple on a pizza? They decided just to get a margarita and put ham and pineapple on herself.
Half an hour later and the pizza arrived. All the StarKids started digging in as soon as they could, scaring the delivery boy and Courtney went to the kitchen and put pineapple on her pizza.
"Are you seriously eating that?" she jumped at the unsuspecting voice in her ear.
"That I am, Walker. It's very common in Australia believe it or not." Walker hummed in response stealing some pineapple from the open can on the bench. Courtney stuck her tongue out at him he returned the gesture before smiling and escorting her and her pizza to the living room where the StarKids were watching The Little Mermaid.
Half way though the movie Brian pipes up
"Hey walker, I dare you to eat some of Courtney's pizza"
"NO" a squawky voice screeches out. Everyone looked around to find the voice but couldn't see the source.
"Hey" Lauren says looking a bit scared "where is Courtney?" everyone's eyes widen and they cast their eyes around the room.
"I'm back here"
"Where is here Courtney?"
"…behind the couch…"
Suddenly as Courtney looks up she sees many worried faces looking down at her.
"hi guys"
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?" walker booms out as he picks her up with her legs still crossed
"I thought you were going to eat my pizza" Courtney said with an innocent face
"You, you, you…thought I was going to eat your bloody pizza!?" Joe made a face that could only be described as disgust.
"Yes I did!" Courtney hugged the pizza box to her chest but making sure no pizza falls out.
"You know what, I'm curious. I want to taste the pizza." Jim mused casting a look to the pizza box. If looks could kill, Jim would be dead right now. Courtney got out of Joe's grip and made her way to the kitchen as fast as she could.
"NO ONE IS GETTING MY PIZZA!" she yelled from the other room.
"Challenge Accepted" Brian and Jim shared a look before sprinting towards the pizza box, trying desperately to snatch it from her.
"Look out, I know Taekwondo!" Courtney warned. Jim laughed at this; he was so much taller than her that he wasn't really worried. That was until she kicked him in the balls. Soon after, Brian was also on the floor in pain as Courtney skipped back out into the living room and took a seat back next to walker who looked every confused and amused.
As everyone's attention went back to the movie, walker whispered into her ear. "What happened to Jim and Holden?"
"No one touches my food." Joe chuckled at the danger in her voice.
"Can I have a-"
"No." She interrupted.
"Please! I've never had Aussie pizza before." Walker pouted hoping that it would better his chances.
"No. And it's not Aussie pizza… It's Hawaiian." Courtney tilted her head and looked at Joe.
"And pouting or puppy dog eyes don't work on me. I have Cassie as a best friend. Your chances are nada…"Courtney smiles sweetly before going back to her pizza.
"BURN!" Joey shouted from across the room getting a well-deserved rude finger from Walker.
As the movie finished, they decided to choose sleeping arrangements. When they realised they had an extra guest than they usually do.
"Hey Courtney, do you have a place to stay tonight?" Joey asked.
"Um… no I don't actually. I'll go find a hotel or something…" she answered back. Walking over to where her phone lays on the coffee table. Darren tackled her down to the ground pinning her on her back. "You can stay with me!" he yelled excitedly sounding a lot like a 5 year old.
"Oh-uh-are you sure? I wouldn't want to intrude your privacy…" she says trying to shake Darren off not succeeding. "Ugh. For a short guy you're very strong…" she complained. Joey grabbed Darren by the back of his shirt. "Okay Darren stop groping the new kid."
"No but seriously Courtney! Stay with me!" Darren jumped up and down excitedly.
"NO I'M HER BEST FRIEND SHE CAN STAY WITH ME!" Lauren grabbed Courtney's hand as Darren grabbed the other yanking her to his side. "NO! She already has a Lopez!"
"Guys chill I can just stay on the couch!"
"NO!" all the boys shouted simultaneously.
"It's your first night in the manor and as a gentleman you are not sleeping on the couch tonight." Jim stated and all the StarKids nodded in agreement.
"Then where can I sleep?" Courtney asked.
"You can sleep with me!" Nick answered sweetly making Courtney smile.
"No she can stay with me!" Joey and Darren said at the same time.
"No! She can stay in our apartment!" Meredith and Lauren joined the argument.
"SHE MUST STAY WITH ME!" Jim boomed in a deep voice. Soon enough, all the StarKids were in an argument in the middle of the room until Courtney stepped in.
"GUYS! Darren is a short arse, he can sleep on the couch!" she reasoned before walking up the stairs.
"Goodnight!" she yelled behind her as she walked into Darren's room. They all stared at the stairs in disbelief.
"I like this girl." Walker commented an amused smile on his lips.
"We can tell." Matt muttered.