Disclaimer: I know I haven't don't this in a while, but I own nothing and cannot claim rights to anything but my ideas.

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Chapter Fourteen

Duncan's POV

Today was another day. A really good day for Courtney, and I noticed it. She seemed happy and peaceful. I on the other hand, seemed to be taking all types of crap from people.

This guy Dave: "Dude your girlfriend doesn't have any hair!"

And my reply: "No shit dumbass, she's sick, but why should that even matter?"

Then another guy Kevin: "Sorry dude."

And me: "She's not dead or dying, and she's still insanely hot. Why sorry?!"

I was getting especially frustrated when I had to listen to a group of girls gossiping away about Courtney in my Chemistry class.

"I heard she is dying of cancer." Amber.

"The whole team trashed their hair just for her." Samantha.

"When's Duncan going to dump her and just go out with me? At least I have hair!" Rebecca.

I got so mad I wanted to just leave class, but couldn't because I would get in trouble. As much as I wanted to punch myself for staying in class. Since when had I become such a rule following wimp?

Anyway, I wrote the girls a letter and left it for them as the bell rang.

Dear Ladies,

Courtney has leukemia. Not cancer. She also isn't dying, she's going through chemotherapy right now. The team cut their hair and donated it for other girls to have wigs. It was a nice gesture, something none of you are capable or apparently, since you're trash talking a girl who isn't even around to defend herself. Sick or not.

And Becca, I will never go out with you on principle alone. When you do things like this, talk about my girlfriend and trash her with your friends even though she is sick. That's low. Even for you.

So if you three would please leave my girlfriend alone it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Yours,

Duncan

I left them with gaping mouths at the realization that I heard everything they had said.

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Courtney found me waiting for her outside the cafeteria. I had brought lunch in for us today. It was a last minute idea I had gotten yesterday. I stopped by our favorite Italian place and got Courtney's favorite, Manicotti, for the two of us. And a cannoli just for her.

"What's this?" she asked referring to the bag in my hands. I led her to a table inside the cafeteria.

"It's our lunch. Your favorite and one cannoli made especially for you." I told her proudly. I am a pretty good boyfriend if I do say so myself.

"Really? We haven't brought lunch in to have together in forever. I can't believe that you even remembered this!" she exclaimed.

"Before we eat, I have to tell you something." I began.

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Courtney's POV

I knew that there had to be another reason for why Duncan had brought me lunch. Not that it was unusual, but the dessert kind of gave away the fact that he was trying to butter me up.

"Okay, what trouble are you in? Tell me. Is it another fight?" I asked quietly. He knew I hated it when he got into fights. Or did anything that would get him into trouble.

"It's nothing terrible like that. My parents are dragging me to the beach for a family vacation next week, so I won't be here. Please go to them and beg them on your knee's that you don't want me to go. Say you can't live without me being by your side. Please?" he pleaded.

"Duncan it's your family. They're not that bad." I reminded him.

"My parents aren't that bad. This is my mother's whole side of the family. She has five brothers and sisters. Not to mention all of my cousins. All of whom think that they are better than me." Duncan explained.

He had told me about his mother's side of the family. They all didn't understand Duncan's rebellious stage, neither did almost anyone else, but none of them had much respect for him after that.

"Well it's been a year since you've seen them last. They haven't seen you since we got together, or since you got rid of your Mohawk. That's bound to change their opinions about you. Not to mention, you are a lot nicer and more open now." I explained.

"Don't make me sound all sensitive princess. I'm still an ass kicker on the inside." He promised me. I laughed.

"But you wouldn't do that because you know it upsets me." I added.

"And I promised that as long as we are together I wouldn't get into any more fights, unless absolutely necessary for self-defense." He promised. I laughed but it was cut short when he pulled me in for a kiss.

"So does this mean you're going to make me go on this heinous family vacation?" he asked again.

"You have to go. And your family is going to understand Duncan. You've changed a lot and everyone is going to see that. You aren't nearly as terrible as you used to be." I complimented him.

But one thing I knew about Duncan (that no one else knew) was that he actually cared about people's opinion of him. Despite the "badass" exterior, he's just as insecure as the rest of us.

"Just bring me back a seashell or something please?" I asked.

"I'd bring you the whole ocean if I could." He replied seriously.

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AN: So Duncan actually cares about what people think? He is really a sensitive guy? Whoa….Who knew? That's not something that happens every day. Anyway, I've been working on this chapter for a while, but I've also been working on a speech. The guidance counselor for my school is helping me prepare to give a speech to my school about stress causing depression among teens in high school. Anyway, I'll continue!