AN: A giant, mountain-sized thanks to my reviewers this time around, pansy cake, Light of the Dawn, Helmet 798, Tiggystretch, Torie Rilistkrytcat, Munchlax Jr, Pussycat7, MEGA DUNCNEY FAN, She Invictus, play for keeps, EmeraldQueen14, ShadowSwan9, and anyone else who favorited, followed, or read.
This chapter was really difficult to string together because I kept re-writing things. I'm glad one reviewer mentioned Aleheather, because I'm keeping most of the original pairings! Once Izzy is introduced (not in this chapter), you guys will have to let me know if you prefer Ozzy or Nizzy.
Thanks for reading!
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A Classic Love Story
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Chapter 7: Classic Shit
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"Oh, Duncan, happy one week anniversary!" Gwen gushed, throwing her pale, slender arms around Duncan's neck and squeezing.
Duncan pulled himself from her grip. "Gwen, I hate to break it to you, but it's only Thursday... We started dating last Friday."
She only smiled smugly back at him, clicking her tongue. "You know I'm busy tomorrow!" Gwen's parents were taking her out to dinner to celebrate winning the election she hadn't won yet.
He ignored her comment and handed her a small bouquet of lavender, tied with a knobby string. "These are for you," he grinned, taking in her reaction.
Her dark eyes expanded, greedily looking over the soft purple petals. "Where did you get these? They aren't even in season!" she breathed, turning the flowers in her hand.
Duncan shrugged. "My grandma has a greenhouse; she'd been saving those for," he paused reflectively, "...for something special."
Gwen's smile widened, and a beady glint entered her eyes. "Then they're perfect for me!"
Duncan nodded absently, clearly enveloped in different thoughts.
Her eyes narrowed a bit. She curled her hand around his suit-sleeved bicep and fluttered her eyes up at him. "You think I'm special, right?"
"Of course," Duncan smiled reassuringly.
She gripped Duncan's un-bandaged hand, her long red nails scratching his palm, and pressed her face up against his neck. "I love that cologne," she said quietly, her ruby red lips against his ear.
Duncan thought it was funny; recently he couldn't stand the smell.
Gwen and Duncan continued their leisurely pace on the cobble promenade, admiring the tiny flowering shrubs and dewy, dangling willow branches. The walk was lit up by antique oil lamps, rewired with electricity, but the dancing fireflies bobbing along the grass and full, yellow moon provided enough light as it was.
Duncan glanced down at his girlfriend. Her pallor skin was flushed a healthy pink, her sparkly black eye shadow rested heavily on her dusty lashes, and her tight, dark green dress hugged her sinuous curves expertly, though it was a little short for Gwen's usual taste. The hormonal side of Duncan didn't hate it. She wore her glossy black hair straight, and the way it fluttered softly against her jaw at the slightest wind made Duncan's knees tremble.
"So," Duncan started, "What do you have planned for our date?"
"I'm glad you asked!"
Gwen pulled out a perfectly folded piece of paper from her clutch, as if on cue. She began reading. "8:10- meet Duncan. 8:11- receive flowers!" Gwen looked at him approvingly, but Duncan just rolled his eyes. Of course she'd expected him to bring flowers. "8:15 to 8:25- stroll gardens. 8:30- arrive at fountain and enjoy an incredible meal. 9:00- back to my house for..." Gwen trailed off, biting her lip suggestively, "...dessert."
Whoa.
The couple finally came upon the fountain, and Gwen had completely outdone herself. The large stone fountain was lit up for the nighttime, the water reflection glimmered against the grey detailing of the elaborate park fountain. A small table had been set up in front of it, a simple white, lacy tablecloth sat on top, along with two covered silver platters. Strings of twinkling lights had been braided above them, coming to a point above the sloshing water feature. But the most prominent element about the elegant set up was the bounds and bounds of blooming pastel flowers. They spilled out of vases stacked upon the fountain stairs, and gushed along the walkway in planters and boxes. Duncan half expected a string quartet to appear.
There was also a tiny girl dressed in all black with spidery blonde hair pointing a silver video camera their way, but no one seemed to notice that.
It was the perfect romantic date destination. The sheer over-the-top beauty of the scene before him rendered Duncan almost speechless, yet he managed to utter, "Gwen.. How... How did you do all this?"
She waved her hand in the air nonchalantly. "Eva did it all, I just paid for it. She's such a sappy romantic, don't you think?"
"Yeah," Duncan breathed, impressed, soaking in the atmosphere.
Gwen pouted. "Well don't go running off with Eva! It's bad enough I have to worry about Courtney."
That comment got his attention. "What do you mean?" he asked, spinning to face her.
Gwen looked away. "Well, you're partners with that slutbag for the stupid psychology project!" She glanced back up at him, her brows knit together sadly, "And you're just spending a lot of time with her, is all."
Duncan frowned. "Courtney isn't a 'slutbag'. She's really cool if you talk to her!"
"That's all you seem to be doing lately, Duncan!" Gwen cried, crossing her arms.
"What are you even talking about? I barely ever see her!" he yelled back.
"Really? When's the last time you talked to her then?" Gwen demanded.
Duncan thought back to earlier that day, remembering the lingering feeling of Courtney's soft fingers under his eyes.
"Awhile ago," he lied.
Gwen huffed angrily, turning her back on him. Her dress was backless, very backless. Was she even wearing a bra? The hormonal side of Duncan took control of the situation.
"Gwen, let's just go eat, please?" he asked softly.
Without turning Gwen responded stubbornly, "Admit that I'm right."
"You're right."
Gwen looked back at him. "And promise you'll stop spending time with Courtney!"
"Promise," Duncan sighed. He wouldn't mention to Gwen that he and Courtney had already planned to meet Friday, after school.
"Okay," she nodded her head, smiling. He pulled out the curly metal chair for her, scraping it on the concrete, and took his place in the other. He thoughtfully leaned his chin on his knuckles, watching Gwen set up her silverware. Despite all her arrogance and eccentrics, Gwen was supremely beautiful, as was her choice in date location and preparation.
He hated all the damn flowers, though.
The petals continued to float past them, like a rainfall of sweet smelling snow. Gwen loved it; he picked the offending blossoms from his food.
Gwen surveyed the scene. The fountain was gurgling, the flowers were shedding, and the lights were twinkling like a firmament of their own. Duncan looked happy, picking at his salmon dish, and Gwen decided to go for it.
"Duncan, we dated for a while last year and a lot of the year before, and I know it didn't end so well, but things change..."
He looked up from his food, thankful for a distraction. Apparently she had forgotten that he hated seafood. Again.
"...People change! And well, I really like you," she added shyly. She looked him in the eyes, smoldering him with her serious gaze. Petals swept around her bare, milky white shoulders; the moon shone brightly in the starry sky. She took his un-bandaged hand in hers, though the bandaged one sat in plain view. He pulled it back under the table.
"No," she said firmly, as if coming to some mental clarity, " 'Like' is the wrong word... I-
"I love you, Duncan."
...
The next day wasn't just some ordinary Friday; it was Primary Election Day. The five candidates stood by the voting booths, smiling and chatting with the people in line. The entire senior class was present to vote, minus Noah, who was being detained in the detention room for obvious reasons, and Cody, who had recently been caught breaking into Sierra's locker. He claims it was to return a book, but her gym socks mysteriously disappeared. He was also in detention hall.
Owen was bowing and kissing hands politely, Alejandro was carefully stuttering out his goals again to a curious crowd, and Gwen and Duncan stood side-by-side, hands clasped together, smiling and laughing amicably like they weren't competing against each other. Harold stood by a cluster of people, looking surprisingly formal in a green button down.
Heather and Courtney shuffled in the line.
"Ugh, that Amish girl, Anne Maria, needs to move her giant head. As if a bonnet is really practical is a hot gym! Come on!" Heather snarled viciously, standing on her tiptoes. Courtney just chuckled at her nerdy friend's rage. Heather had been impatiently trying to catch a glimpse of Harold since they entered the gym.
"Heather, you'll see him when you get up there," Courtney said with a shrug.
Heather didn't stop searching until she noticed Duncan and Gwen and their proximity to each other. "I see your future boyfriend over there!" she giggled. Courtney swiftly punched Heather's skinny arm.
"Duncan is not my future boyfriend! I do not like him!" Courtney whisper-yelled, just loud enough for only Heather to hear.
"Well it's a good thing that you don't like him, or watching this would be really painful," Heather commented, her greasy black bangs swinging into her face.
"What do you mean? Watching what?" Courtney asked, pushing Heather aside. She craned her neck over the others blocking her view for her eyes to land on the sight of Duncan and Gwen kissing, while others around them gushed how 'cute' and 'adorable' the couple was. She noticed that Duncan wasn't wearing a suit that day, but rather, a vest, and she also noticed how Gwen was possessively hanging onto the bottom of it, even when they left their embrace.
Courtney immediately turned back to Heather. Though her heart rate had just double-timed and a small lump had developed in her throat, Courtney only rolled her eyes. "Who cares if he makes out with his girlfriend? That's why they're dating, right? And vests aren't even that cute, so I don't care. Nope. I don't-"
"Courtney, enough with your denial! I see Harold!" Heather beamed. Her face fell into a serious gaze of pure lust. "God, his shoulders roll like a panther when he walks," she mumbled, twirling a piece of her ponytail between her fingers.
Courtney smiled, letting her eyes wander. She looked around and recognized a few people: Beth, Tyler, DJ, Noah, wait he's not supposed to be in here, and Izzy, but her gaze stopped on Alejandro. He was tall, tan, and his long hair framed his face in a way that actually made him look decent. Courtney pondered if he ditched the sweater vests and goggle glasses, that he might actually clean up well. She spotted an R2D2 keychain sprouting from his pocket and tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Heather," she turned to her friend, "Have you ever thought about going out with Alejandro?"
Heather looked taken aback, her small eyebrows flying up at the thought. "I've.. I've never really considered Alejandro as a-" her eyes flickered back over to Harold, and she squealed. "OOO! He's looking this way! God, his neck muscles are so.. so.. prominent! And his eyes are so green! I've always wondered what a pure jade crystal looked like. If only I could just run my fingers through his red hair..."
Courtney shook her head. If Heather could play matchmaker, so could she.
"So," Heather began, coming back to reality, "Who are you voting for?"
Courtney frowned, glancing back at Duncan and Gwen who had their arms happily wrapped around each other. Duncan pecked Gwen's cheek, to which she smiled and said something about not smearing her makeup.
Courtney sighed and crossed her arms. "I don't know yet."
...
"Hey, Courtney!"
The punk girl spun around to see Duncan jogging up behind her, his dark bangs flopping against his forehead. The bell had just chimed twice, signaling the end of the day, and Courtney was making her way to her second afternoon of detention with Miss Blainley.
"Hey!" he repeated once he'd caught up to her. His dress shirtsleeves were rolled over his elbows, exposing a blue hair tie on his wrist. Courtney's nose wrinkled involuntarily; it had to be Gwen's.
"Sup?" she asked, refusing to make eye contact. She continued walking, and he followed.
Katie and Sadie appeared behind the duo. "Duncan!" Katie squealed, "We voted for you!"
Duncan pretended to look taken aback, because he knew that he was the best option. "Really?" he asked happily.
Sadie chimed in. "Of course! Everyone did! You're totally gonna win this round."
Duncan resisted the urge to say 'Obviously I'm going to win!', and responded with a humble 'thank you'.
Once the twin girls had left, Courtney spoke up. "So what did you want again?"
"I'm still coming over today? Like now?" he questioned, thumbing the thick straps of his backpacks.
"Sorry, prep, I have detention right now!" Courtney said unashamedly.
Duncan smiled. "Of course you do. Well that's only like half an hour, right?" After a second he added cheekily, "I wouldn't know!" Courtney said nothing, so Duncan figured she must be in a bad mood. He cleared his throat and continued, "I can just wait until you're out."
Courtney froze, and she couldn't mask the panic in her eyes. "No!" she yelled. He gave her a suspicious look. Courtney fumbled for words. "What I mean is, um, I just, I have a thing later on. But you can come over after that!"
Duncan's eyes narrowed. "What kind of thing?"
"Um, ah, um, I have to, um, go shopping?" Courtney said unconvincingly.
Duncan let out a sigh. "Well, Gwen's busy today anyways, so what the heck. I'll see you tonight." Courtney attempted to smile back at him, but the falseness of it was not lost on Duncan. He frowned.
"Courtney, are you okay?" Duncan asked carefully, crossing his arms.
Courtney rolled her eyes, "I'm fine, Dunkie!"
She tried to walk away, but he stepped in front of her. His face was suddenly much closer to hers. "That's what girls say when they're not fine," he insisted, his bright eyes boring into her own.
She huffed and took a step away. "Alright, I'm upset because a type-A whacko is following me around, insinuating that I'm not okay when I'm perfectly fine!"
"Courtney..." Duncan said, a hint of warning in his voice. "Just tell me!"
She turned on him evasively. "What happened to your hand?"
Duncan looked shocked and quickly stuffed his bandaged hand into his pants pocket. "Nothing," he mumbled, averting his eyes.
Courtney nodded knowingly, but she didn't stop. "How'd you get that cut? Slicing muffins in AP home ec?"
"Yeah, AP home ec," Duncan echoed sarcastically, avoiding the real answer.
Courtney smirked stupidly. "Not so fun when you're the one being interrogated, is it?"
Duncan glared at her defensively. "I wasn't interrogating you!"
Courtney just shook her head and spun on her heel.
"Courtney," Duncan called, a little quieter. She looked back; he was just standing there with his shoulders turned inward and his hands buried in his pockets, looking completely unlike the confident person he usually portrayed. A painful stab of guilt hit Courtney with such an intense force, she put her hand to her chest to contain it. He gave her the fakest of all fake smiles. "Thanks for asking," he said weakly.
Courtney should've ran back to him, she should've enveloped him in a tight hug and she should've told him everything was going to be alright, because she recognized that fake, enigmatic smile and those hurt eyes; she knew what they meant.
But instead, she ran away.
...
"Shit-!" Courtney cried out. Miss Blainley looked like she was about to scold Courtney for using 'such a gruesome word', so Courtney quickly tacked on, "-itake mushrooms! Shiitake mushrooms!"
"Nice save," Heather giggled. The detention group was on their way out of the school after a long half hour of sweeping, mopping, and picking up reams of trash.
"I left my bag in the gym!" Courtney moaned, mashing the heels of her hands into her eyes.
"I'll go get it with you," Heather offered, spitting out her retainer and sticking it in the tiny orange case she kept on her at all times.
Courtney shook her head. "No thanks. I don't need another recap of exactly where Harold was standing today during the election."
Heather smiled dreamily, "He sneezed when he was standing right off the three point line."
"Bye Heather," Courtney chuckled. Everyone else had dispersed, either to the parking lot or the cafeteria to wait for a ride, so Courtney found herself walking alone through the poorly lit hallways.
Upon entering the dark gym, Courtney instantly located her purple bag, slouched on a row of pulled out bleachers. She crossed the rubbery, wood planked floor of the gym quickly; frustrated that she wouldn't have time to clean up her room before Duncan came over. Her secretive after school activity would just take up too much time. She figured if she walked faster, there might be more time in the end.
Something of a shuffling sound made Courtney pause. She looked towards the voting booth, which was still set up in the center of the lightless gym. Without any people or much light, the curtained cubicle looked like an eerie carnival game stand, discordant in the empty gym.
Another scratchy noise added to the creepy atmosphere. Courtney knew better than to Nancy Drew her way around a scary-movie-esque situation, but she figured she needed to make up for her earlier cowardice regarding Duncan.
Yeah, she ran away. And she would hide from him too, if they didn't already have plans. Where others might've seen a guy that just needed a hug, Courtney saw responsibility. And maybe she might've considered taking on that responsibility, if the bitter realization that he already had Princess Gwen to take care of him didn't stop her. He didn't want, or need Servant Girl Courtney as well.
Courtney settled a sigh and snuck over to the booth as stealthily as she could. The odd noises only increased.
Soon, she was standing in front of the dark curtain door, looking from her hovering hand to her shoes, and she was debating whether or not to fling the curtain open. Courtney tried to rationalize what she was doing by asking herself questions such as 'For what purpose would an axe murderer be in my school's gym?'
Eventually, she decided to go worse for ware, and Courtney tore open the velvet curtain.
"AHA!" Courtney screamed, not sure of who or what she was expecting. When her eyes finally zeroed in on the startled figure in the booth, Courtney's expression could have curdled milk. She leaned against the makeshift doorway of the stand and her lips curled into a lording smile.
"Hey, Gwen! Whatcha doing?"
...
