Chapter Twenty One: Apology and Revenge

Tuesday Morning: 7:21 AM

Courtney's POV

"Hey Court, me and Gwen are going to go down to breakfast now, you wanna come?" Bridgette asked cautiously my through the bathroom door.

"I'll be there in a little bit," I replied quietly as I looked myself over in the mirror, trying to access how I'll manage around two certain teenage boys today. Ugh, this was not going to be fun.

"Alright," Bridgette replied with a sigh. "But you're going to have to face them sooner or later." And with that she left.

"Thanks for reminding me," I mused as I buried my face in my hands and groaned. I ran my hand through my silky mocha hair and stepped out of the bathroom. I sighed and grabbed my tote bag and key about to head for the door, knowing I couldn't hide in here forever. When I opened the door, it was the last thing I expected to see. I saw Duncan leaning on the other side of the hall with his hands in his pockets and his head hanging down. Once he heard the door creak, he looked up at me with sorrow in his eyes.

I don't know why, but my stomach lurched when our eyes connected. I wasn't sure why though, considering what went down last night. I stared at him with a blank face while he looked right back at me.

"Princess,-" he started, but I swiftly walked away from him. I wasn't expecting to see him so soon and I wasn't composed enough to face him without possibly breaking down or making a fool out of myself. Well, that, and the fact that I couldn't help but feel a little guilty when his voice was filled with so much remorse.

I was stopped short by a calloused, yet gentle, hand encasing itself around my wrist and spinning me around. I came face to face with Duncan for a split second before he wrapped his toned arms around my waist, engulfing me in a warm hug. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that to you," he whispered lowly in my ear, causing shivers to be sent down my spine. Was Duncan actually being...nice? It couldn't be. He's annoying me constantly, argues with me every chance he gets, and toys with my mind.

Yet, here he is, hugging me, comforting me, and apologizing. That's a lot to take in at once. I slowly wrapped my arms around his torso to show that I forgave him. I don't know why, but it was impossible to stay mad at him. Zach, on the other hand, was a completely different story. He hadn't bothered to talk to me and didn't show any signs of remorse when he was about to try and beat the crap out of Duncan. Try being the operative word.

I let go of Duncan, then gasped in shock. There, on the left side of his jaw, was a purplish blue bruise. I felt my self filled with worry and rage.

"Oh my gosh, Duncan what happened?" I asked him worriedly, lightly tracing my fingers over his bruise.

"Well, after you left, I wasn't too focused on Zach. When I turned back around he caught be by surprise and hooked me in the jaw," he stated, slightly cringing at the beginning.

"Are you okay?" I asked using the same worried tone.

"I'm fine. I've got worse in juvie," he shrugged as if it was no big deal. I traced my fingers over his jaw once more, seeing him flinch and let out a slight "Ow".

"Liar," I muttered. He chuckled and looked me in the eyes.

"I didn't know you cared." My face flushed and realized my actions. I pulled away from him entirely, but we were still close. Close enough as to where I could smell the scent of Axe pouring off of him. He smelled so intoxicating...

"I don't," I lied as I scrunched up my nose in disgust. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have some unfinished business to attend to." With that I walked past him, our shoulders brushing against each other, leaving a tingling sensation on my skin that just wouldn't go away.

I walked down the hall to get to my destination, trying to plan out what I was going to do. My mind went blank. Oh well, I guess I'll just wing it. I stopped. Did I really just think that? I have always had a plan for anything. Always. What the heck is wrong with me?

Then I realized how much I had changed from the beginning of this school year. I wasn't as uptight (not that I was in the first place), I learned what true friends are like, let loose, I wasn't as proper about things, and I was feeling better than ever. Things were actually going a little better now than they were last night.

Now I just had to take care of one teensy weensy little problem.

"ZACH! OPEN UP THE DAMN DOOR!" I screamed while repeatedly banging my fist on his dorm. I waited in silence for a few seconds, not hearing anything from inside. I hit my fist on the door three more times. No answer. "ZACH! OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW BEFORE-"

The door swung open to reveal Zach wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt, looking as tired and scared as ever. "H-hey Courtney," he managed, giving me a slight wave.

"Don't you 'hey Courtney' me!" I said, putting my hands on my hips, anger boiling up inside me. I felt like shooting the kid.

"Jeeze, what's your damage?" he asked, slightly peeved, but I could sense a little waver of hesitation in his voice.

"Oh, it's not my damage I'm concerned about," I seethed, getting more aggravated with him than ever. "It's Duncan's!"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered, waving his hand in a 'pshaw' motion. I raised an eyebrow at him. Was he serious?

"Oh really?" I asked him with venom spewing out of my voice, letting him know his pathetic little ruse wasn't working. "Then would you mind explaining exactly how Duncan got a bruise the size of your fist on his cheek?" I asked innocently, watching his eyes grow twice their original size.

"W-well, uh, when y-you, um, left I kinda maybe sorta," he started, dragging out his words. "Uh, punched him in the face?" That did it.

I reached over and slapped him square across the face, leaving a red mark and a slight trickle of blood coming from his lips. He reached up to caress his now red cheek and moaned at the pain. "What the fuck was that for?" he asked, still in obvious pain.

"Do you really not know the answer to that?" I asked in a calm voice, eying him coldly.

"Whatever," he mumbled, probably angry as hell. "You know, you've changed. You're not the same Courtney I used to know," he spat coldly, somehow thinking that would make me regret my actions. Yeah right. His words didn't even affect me in the slightest.

"I know, and I'm loving it," I smirked. "But you're not the same Zach I knew either. Last year you where a nice and caring, but this year," I shook my head. "This year you're a complete jackass who threatened to beat up my friend."

"You think that guy is your friend?" he sneered. "Court, all he wants is to get in your pants. Have you even seen the guy? I wouldn't be surprised if he's been to juvie!" he screamed at me, throwing his hands up in the air for emphasis.

"He has. Twenty three times to be exact," I stated with a smirk. His face went pale and stared at me like I just sprouted a second head, which made me giggle a little bit. "But he wouldn't do that to me, Duncan may be a criminal, but I trust him," I stated, having complete faith in what I just said. "Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to try and enjoy the rest of my morning," I said with my head held high, walking back out the door. What I would give the see the expression on Zach's face right now.

When I headed in to the cafeteria, I had a skip in my step and felt giddy as ever. Slapping your ex can really make you feel good. (A/N: Very very true)

"Uh, Courtney?" Gwen asked, more than likely confused at my sudden change in mood. I just shrugged and sat down beside her while propping my elbow on the table and resting my chin in my hand.

"Okay, what the hell did you do to him?" Duncan asked me as he crossed his arms and laid back in his chair with a ridiculous smirk plastered on his face.

"I have no clue what you're talking about," I said as convincingly and sweet as possible, but the smile on my face made that facade slip in an instant.

"What's he talking about?" Geoff asked, more confused than normal.

"You'll find out soon enough," I answered, a smirk playing at my lips as I replayed the events again in my mind.

Geoff looked even more lost...if that's possible.

I heard the red doors to the entrance of the cafeteria open, and in came the low life himself.

Duncan's POV

Just then, the douche bag himself stepped in to the cafeteria with a red hand print on the left side of his cheek.

That's my girl, I thought with a smirk as I saw him glare at me.

I couldn't help but bust out laughing at the sight. Everybody stared at me, probably wondering what the hell was wrong with me. I just laughed more and pointed with my thumb towards Zach.

Geoff immediately started howling and Bridgette tried to be polite and held back a few giggles, Gwen smirked at him and gave Courtney a sly look, while Shelby looked at him with wide eyes and her mouth opening slightly because her smile was so big.

"Wow Court, I didn't think you had it in you," Toby laughed as we all continued to look at him sulk over to a table with his so called 'friends'.

I looked over and saw Courtney looking at him with this mischievous and confident look in her eyes, like she had just won a major battle. Which, in some way, she probably had. We locked eyes and I just melted with that look on her face, it was so damn hot, yet she seemed so innocent at the same time.

God I love that woman.

Love,

xXduncanxloverXx