To AngelVan105: as promised the flashback is here

To SoccerChica13: I totally agree, she ruined the relationship

To TrustYourHeart: yes he is stupid

To Jason: *thinks evilly* hmmm you might be onto something

To Metallica F: hehe liking the list

So we're now on chapter 14, amazing, now go on Cody you're up

Cody: ladies man here, coming to tell you that Jeanette doesn't own none of the characters here

Me: onwards :)

Chapter 14: And I've Lost My Way

It was now past four-thirty on this fine Sunday, but it wasn't enough to make a certain teenger rise up from bed. The only noise that could be heard from her was the voice that her house phone gave you after an unsuccessful call.

" hi you've reached Courtney's number and right now I am currently unavailable, but leave a message and I'll get back to you "

" Courtney it's Heather, can you give me a call back when you can "

" hey chica it's me Alejandro, I'd really would like to see you, so call me when you can "

" Court it's Owen, I was on my way to this all you can eat buffet and was wondering if you'd like to come. It'd be my treat, so if you wanna go call me...I'd really like it if you did "

" Courtney it's me...Tyler can you drop me a call I r-really wanna talk to you...please "

" hi Courtney it's me Lindsay, I'm off to the mall and would love it if you joined me, so call me back...I even got your name right this time "

" Courtney it's Trent, look I heard about what happened...and I'm here for you...I'll always be here for you "

The phone next to her bed just kept ringing but she as usual wasn't answering it. None of the calls her friends gave her were successful, and were all being sent to the answering machine. She was laying down on her bed with her back to the phone and a pillow to her head. The phone annoyingly rang again an hour later and like before was sent to the answering machine.

" Courtney it's Heather again, can you please pick up I wan- " and it was this time cut off by Courtney pulling the cord out and shutting the irritating phone up completely.

" can't they take a damn hint " she angrily thought and resumed her position on the bed. On the other side of the phone line was a disappointed asian teen. Heather ended her call and sat back down on her porch next to Alejandro.

" no luck again mi amor? " and she shook her head " no she didn't pick up...arrh DAMN IT, I just knew that bitch couldn't be trusted " and Alejandro already knew who she was talking about.

" come on beautiful let's go out "

" right...let's go "

He drove her to a nearby restaurant and the two sat on one of the booths. He ordered them both something and awaited for the food. Heather always loved going on dates with him but today she was just staring out the window, and didn't even notice the food had arrived.

" come on Heather eat, I don't like seeing you like this " but she didn't respond and continued looking out the window. She was in deep thought at the moment.

" when we were younger, Courtney would always listen to my stories without ever getting bored " she said half to herself and half to Alejandro.

" hey you're in my seat " an eight year old Heather said

" I don't see your name on it " replied the equally aged Courtney

" when I first met her in the second grade I couldn't stand her. She sat on my seat, nobody ever sat on my seat...but this girl actually sat on it "

Alejandro listened closely as Heather talked " we'd always try to get there before the other did, so we could sit on that seat...whoever was last always took the seat next to whoever was first " and her hands were now clenching and unclenching

" hey that's my pencil Heather, you stole it I'm gonna tell the teacher on you "

" I didn't steal it from you, I stole it from the monster in my closet "

" wow...really that must of been so scary, how'd you do it? "

" we'd always argue back and forth about the stupidest things, and as usual before she could rat me out I'd invent some dumb story which she always believed " and now Alejandro noticed her hands were trembling a little " she was the only one who ever believed my stories, and little by little we stopped arguing, and without us even realizing it we had become friends, though none of us would admit it. Then in the fifth grade we had to do this science project for a science fair, and seeing as how I sucked at school nobody wanted to be my partner. "

" hey Heather, looks like your dumbness scared away everyone "

" hmph like I care, this is no big deal I can do this myself I can go without help for days for weeks trust me "

" well I know you stink at school, but I heard you know how to draw and do cool designs...and I'm not good at none of those areas...so can you be my partner "

" huh, are you sure about that, I mean I'm no good at writing reports and stuff "

" I'll handle the reports and you handle the artworks, I'm sure if we work together we can ace this "

" well I don't actually need help, but I'm sure you do, so I'll help "

" despite everyone warning her about me...s-she still asked me to be her partner. It turns out..that our project was the one chosen to represent our school in the science fair " and by now her voice was breaking

" Heather did you hear that our project was the one that was picked " Courtney said as she hugged Heather for the first time " thank you so much I couldn't of done it alone " and as Courtney was hugging Heather she wasn't able to see the first true smile Heather had given in her life

" you have no idea how happy she made me that day...it was the first time t-that I've ever seen someone happy a-about anything I've ever done " she lowered her head " she... she's become my best friend "

Alejandro rose up from his spot and went to her side. He wrapped both his arms around her " it's okay mi amor everything will be okay "

Sunday was now over and it meant school was back in session. A very hesitant Gwen made her way to school and decided to go late. An equally hesitant Duncan did the same thing. He contemplated on ditching school, but he'd only prolonge the inevitable. He made sure to cut the health class he shared with Alejandro and Heather. As he sat on his desk he began noticing the difference in things now. Nobody called him yesterday to check if he'd done his homework, nobody called him Dunky, nobody assured him that he can do anything he set his mind to, and nobody gave him the other half of their bagel like Courtney use to do. Now the guilt and regret started pounding into his chest like a tsunami disaster. He had taken everything Courtney had done for him for granted, and now that all those things he had supposedly found irritating were gone he felt empty. Slowly he began playing with the skull he had made Courtney.

At lunch time Gwen knew she couldn't sit in the same table as before and began searching for somewhere else. She spotted Cody sitting at a table with Noah and Izzy, and made her way over to him. She knew he had this annoying crush on her, and although she didn't want to go he was the only choice. Once she took a seat next to him she prepared herself for a geek attack, but shockingly it never came. Instead he just looked at her with disgust " sorry but you're in Sierra's seat " he said with a cold voice

To say that she was surprised was an understatement and she observed the others. Noah was looking at her with indifference and Izzy gave her a glare " yeah that seats taken "

" eh hem you're in my seat " said Sierra as she finally arrived from the vending machines and was not so happy at seeing who was in her seat. Gwen was so shocked at Cody's reaction but she knew where she wasn't wanted and lifted herself up from the seat. She watched as Sierra sat and hugged Cody, who surprisingly didn't push her away. It was as if she were a new kid again, she had nowhere to sit. She sat where not many kids were seated at.

At another table sat an incomplete team. Courtney wasn't at school and the usually loud table was just in an awkward silence. Everything felt different now Owen wasn't eating, Lindsay wasn't being her dumb self, Tyler wasn't speaking, Alejandro wasn't flirting, and Heather wasn't talking about her popularity. It wasn't the same anymore. " so did anyone have any luck with Court " Tyler said breaking the silence and everyone just shook their heads.

" I miss her " Owen said sadly and Heather patted his back " me too "

After a dreaded day, school was finally over. Due to excessive rain today, all sports practices were canceled. It felt odd to be by the lockers without Duncan yelling around, and Courtney shutting him up.

" don't worry Heather I'm sure she'll be here tomorrow, you'll see " but that didn't cease her troubles " it's just that she's never absent, she was always so stubborn and refused to miss school even when she was sick "

Heather felt so helpless " I couldn't prevent it...I had a bad feeling something would of happened with those two...and even with knowing all that I still couldn't prevent it.

" mi amor it's not your fau-

" Courtney was always helping me out and making sure I did all of my schoolwork, so that I can pass and be with her in the next year. It had nothing to do with the way Duncan described it...she just cares about her friends too much and yet...I WAS USELESS... "

" c'mere my sweet Heather " and he put his arm on her shoulder " I'll keep calling her and if she doesn't pick up then I'll go to her house and drag her out if I have to "

" alright...uh thanks " she said looking away and he chuckled when he noticed she was still not so use to showing her sweet side

Behind the shadows Duncan watched as they left and he quickly went to his locker once they were gone. He felt so miserable and he hated this feeling so much. His friends hated him, Courtney hated him. It made him feel so alone. Before he'd always be happy when there was no practice, because it meant he could go on a date with Courtney. Now nobody was waiting for him, nobody wanted to see him.

It was by now almost six and Courtney was still on her bed and hadn't gotten up. She didn't even care that her mom was worried or that it was a school day. Around thirty minutes later she got up and entered the shower by her room. She stepped in and turned the knob, letting the hot water pour all over her head and body. The hot steam felt good, on her body. It was as if it were burning away her memories. She was to preoccupied with the shower that she didn't hear the knock to her bedroom.

" Courtney, honey your friend is here he's worried about you...I'm worried about you " her mother said and she was saddened by Courtney's lack of response " please talk to her for me Alejandro, she won't eat anything and hasn't been out of her room at all "

" don't worry that's what I'm here for " and with that Courtney's mother went downstairs hoping he can do something about Courtney.

As Courtney was washing the shampoo off of her hair she noticed that she hadn't locked the door. She lazily wrapped a towel around her body and stepped out to close it. Once Alejandro entered her room he saw that Courtney wasn't there. He then heard the sound of water running and turned his head to the closed door at the end of the room.

" please talk to her for me, she won't eat anything and hasn't been out of her room at all "

Suddenly a shiver went down his spine and his heart started skipped a beat. " she wouldn't be doing what I think she's doing right " he spoke out loud. He was breathing erratically and was beginning to assume the worst.

" why hello there señorita, I'm Alejandro and what might your name be? "

" okay stop right there, cuz I'm not interested "

Alejandro shut his eyes closed " why are these memories coming to me now? " but the flashback wasn't stopping

" you got it all wrong I merely wanted to know your name that's all, but you are very pretty "

" my name is Courtney Hernandez, and why is it that I've never seen you around here? "

" well pretty Courtney that's because I'm new around here "

" oh you're new "

These memories just wouldn't stop and it kept pulling at his heart strings more and more.

" let's get one thing straight Ale-jerk-dro just cause I'm showing you around doesn't mean were friends alright "

" fiesty aren't you I like that in a girl, but what I like more is when those fiesty girls escort me around " he said putting an arm around her

" oh spare me the theatrics " she replied removing his arm

He had secretly had a thing for Courtney when he first met her and was attracted by her fiestyness. That is until he met Heather and was struck with love at first sight. As the days went by he had formed a funny but strong bond of friendship with Courtney.

" ...and even with knowing all that I still couldn't prevent it "

Alejandro wasn't going to let Heather down, he knew how horrible she had been feeling about this. That's why he had come, to make his true love happy and cheer his friend up. He looked at the door with his mind made up and without hesitation he charged right through.

Right as Courtney was about to put the lock on she felt an incredible force pound into her and was sent to the floor. She could've sworn she felt a pair of arms go around her body and cushion the fall. She looked and saw Alejandro.

" Don't you fucking dare Courtney, don't you dare suicide, it isn't the answer and you know it. Heather misses you, I miss you...everyone misses you and we all want you back. That's why I came to knock some sense into you and stop you from doing shit like this. How could you have possibly thought...DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WOULD OF DONE TO US! I know you're sad but you can't leave us you're to special " and as he finished his speech he looked into Courtney's eyes and saw they were wide and her face was completely as red as a tomato.

Realization then hit him as he examined the situation more. He was on top of Courtney pinning her down by her shoulders and the only thing between them was a soaked up towel. Another shiver ran through him, but this time it wasn't Courtney's life he was worried about now. " oh...uh hehehe " he said nervously

" GET OUT! GET OUT! " and he dashed out the door as objects were flying at him going from toilet paper, to shampoo containers, to soaps. After about ten minutes she came out this time wearing her clothes instead of the towel, and she glared daggers at him " you god damn pervert, what were you thinking barging in like that "

" por favor don't tell my beautiful Heather, I was only worried that you were trying to kill yourself "

" I'm not suicidal you Moron!...just hurting a little " she said as it all started coming back to her and she layed back down to her bed

" Courtney I... "

" what's with everybody feeling sorry for me, I don't need your pity "

" Heather is worried about you " and she just turned away and gave him her back " tell her I'm fine, tell everyone I-I'm fine...all of you need to quit worrying...I'm not e-even bummed out about it "

" the pain of seeing someone taken away from you, the loneliness that comes afterwards...it's out of this world right " he replied

" WHAT DO YOU KNOW! "

" You know Courtney I wasn't always this lucky with the ladies. " and at this she turned and faced him " Back at my old school when I was in the 7th grade, there was this girl I use to go out with and I really liked her...but one day I caught her kissing my supposed best friend " Courtney saw the anger in his voice " I felt so betrayed... she had been the only girl to not be stolen away by my brother...and she had the audacity to say that she only thought of me as a friend...the lying bitch. I made sure to get my revenge on them...and I started playing around with the hearts of girls. I told myself none could be trusted "

" Alejandro... "

" I became indifferent towards the emotions of people...but then I moved here and I met you first, do you remember Courtney? "

" hehe yeah how could I forget? " and he smiled once he heard her chuckle " I met you and I met Heather and the two of you changed me. While you showed me that friendships did exist Heather showed me that true love exists too...and as corny as it sounds it's the truth "

He made his way to her bed and sat at the edge and she soon rose up and sat next to him " you see Courtney I didn't have friends to help me out four years ago, but you do...and we want to see you happy...so can you please come back to school tomorrow "

She thought for a moment before getting up from the bed " hehe you guys doing all these unnecessary things for me, I guess I've been in the dark for a while, but not anymore. I'll return to school and everyone will see me again. Me Courtney Hernandez the next future successful lawyer " and she faced him, pointing a fist to him " REMEMBER IT "

He saw as she wore this determined look on her and he grinned at her pointing a fist right back at her " that's the spirit chica "

He left Courtney's house and headed for Heather's house with a satisfied smile. Once his car was parked he knocked on her door and soon a rather hippy-looking man opened the door " can I help you young man " he said with a feminine type voice

" um is Heather home? " and the guy soon broke into a teasing smile " oh Heather Feather you're boyfriend is here "

" what have I said about calling me that " and she was slightly shocked to see Alejandro.

" hey honey! Come see our little Heather Feather's boyfriend " and soon a woman who greatly resembled Heather appeared " my, my what a handsome young man, so this is the Alejandro you're always on the phone with "

" well it's a pleasure to finally meet- " and Alejandro was cut off by Heather who pushed her parents inside the door while she stayed out " ugh they're always embarrassing me " she said before averting her gaze to him " now what are you doing here "

" well sweetheart you'll be happy to know that I've talked to Courtney and she'll be returning to school mañana " she lowered her eyes but her mouth twitched upwards into a grin " you- " and she cut him off again and leaped up on him sending them both to the grass. Again he was amazed by her strength. He felt her planting kisses all over his face.

" you did it baby, how I love you Alejandro " and she pressed her lips to him " mi angél I know you crave Alejandro like a big chicken craves molé sauce, but I don't want your parents to see us all over each other " he said as she broke the kiss

" oh right my bad " and she got up " I'm glad you convinced her...it means a lot really " and he felt relieved to see her problems disappear " I'd do anything for you " and the two leaned in for a heartwarming kiss

Just as promised Courtney arrived to school the next day and met up with Alejandro and Heather. Before she could greet them she was hugged by Heather " you came Courtney, I'm so glad " and Courtney hugged back " well we can't rule the school together if I'm just in bed all day right " and she raised her hand up high.

" ohh yeahh! " and Heather raised her hand up to meet Courtney's in a high five

Throughout the day Courtney realized just how much her friends had missed her. First it was Trent who was shocked to see her and soon ran up to her and hugged her tightly.

" Courtney it's you, you're back I'm so happy to see you " she hugged him back too " me too Trent, I'm happy to see you too "

It then went to lunch where her other friends were at all wearing a sad expression. That all changed once they saw her.

" Courtney "

" Court "

" Cassie "

Again Courtney dropped to the floor animately at Lindsay's forgetfulness, but was soon embraced by Owen who happily swung her around. " we all missed you Court " and she ruffled his blonde hair " thank you guys for worrying about me "

Unbeknown to her that a certain boy was watching her from afar. Duncan watched from his spot at how everyone was hugging up Courtney and she was wearing a huge grin. It was such a happy grin that reached from ear to ear. He wanted to go to his table and hug her too, but he knew he couldn't. How he missed her smiles, her hugs, her kisses, her love. It was all gone now and he had single handedly destroyed it. He had stupidly picked a relationship with Gwen over the love he had held for Courtney since he had met her. She was always there.

" Don't listen to those teachers Dunky, I know you can do anything you set your mind to "

" do you really think so, because I honestly don't think I can do anything successful "

" even if nobody believes in you, even if you don't believe in you, I'll always believe in you " and she planted a kiss to his lips

He clutched his heart in pain, the regret was eating away at his insides and it hurt so badly.

" what have I done? "

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Guess being with Gwen ain't as good as you thought huh Duncan? Oh and btw I found the Alejandro/Courtney moment to be hilarious, how the dummy jumped to conclusions and assumed the worst.