First Published: 3/24/14

Edited: 2/9/19

PRESENT DAY

"Months passed by," Courtney said. "I knew that this Total Drama thing wasn't guaranteed so I worked my ass off in school trying to get the top grades. Sometimes Jenny would try to help, but most of the time, I didn't see her and that was fine with me. The busier I was, the less time I had for personal relationships. However, no matter what I did, I always came in second place to Noah.

"To make a long story short, I got into Total Drama, things happened, my dad was still looking for a job, blah, blah, blah... And then I finally was on the boat towards this godforsaken island. I was excited. I was going to prove myself. I was going to show the world that I was a fighter. When the boat finally reached the camp, I stepped out the boat with the mind set of winning. Sure, I could make a few friends along the way, but I needed the money more than anything. I remember standing on the dock looking at you guys and focusing on all the things I had to do in order to gain allies, stay in this competition, and win.

"But then, I saw you, and for a moment, my concentration went away. I don't know how you did it, but you became a pain in my ass before I even knew you."

"Just cut to the story, Princess."

DUNCAN'S STORY

If this was an 80s movie, music would've been blaring as a montage of Courtney would go through the screen of ways she was preparing for the island. She was ready. She had a plan of how she was going to get people to like her. She had a plan of how she was going to act in front of the cameras so that she didn't make a total fool of herself (after all, I am planning to run for office one day). But most importantly, she had a plan of how she was going to win this competition.

Stepping onto the dock, Courtney remembered her manners and waved as soon as she saw a camera pointing in her direction. She even thanked Chris when he helped her down. First impressions are always the best. I can't make enemies... At least, not yet. At least not until I know who is on my team. While saying hello to everyone, she remembered to look into everyone's eyes and act friendly. However, inside, she smirked. The competition... It's too easy.

She avoided eye contact with Heather (how the hell did she get in?) and would have looked at Noah if someone's blue eyes didn't get in her way. Duncan's eyes. Looking into his eyes made her heart flutter a bit. And it scared her. Because she knew what that meant...

The boy with blue eyes was a distraction and had to be eliminated as soon as possible.

Courtney's never been so confused in her life. While her heart kept beating faster every time she saw Duncan, she couldn't help but despise him. Maybe it had to do with the fact that her last relationship was a complete train wreck, and even though she was still angry at her ex (why is he here?), she couldn't stop sneaking a glance at him every so often. I need to stop. However, the only other person her eyes seemed to wander off to was Duncan. Just one look caused her to forget about Noah. But why? He's a total bad boy. I've never been into those kind of people before. Why now?

When Chris divided the teams, Courtney prayed that she would not end up on the same team as Noah or Duncan. At first, she wanted to make amends with Noah (not because she forgives him or anything but because it would be nice to have at least one friend) but realized then she would talk to him again which would make her fall for him again and she did not need that distraction.

However, of course, as luck would have it, Courtney was put on the same team as Duncan. And her goddamn heart seemed ecstatic with the news.

Courtney didn't understand why it was Duncan who heart decided to beat faster to. First, he was flirting with Heather, which in Courtney's opinion is an automatic red flag. However, Courtney couldn't deny that she felt giddy when she realized that Heather did not enjoy this attention. Second, he was giving a deer a noogie. Like a middle schooler! Third, she could've swore he walked back to the cabin with an ax.

All in all, Duncan was not a catch in Courtney's book. Yet, when he sat across from her during their first meal and his eyes gazed into her eyes, she could feel her heart flutter just a little.

Goddammit.

What Courtney wanted to do was ignore Duncan. But she couldn't do that for two reasons. One, he was on the same team as her so she knew at some point she'd have to interact with him. Two, she craved for his attention.

As soon as the first location of their challenge was announced, Courtney followed her teammates with Duncan directly behind her. It's no big deal, she told herself while she pushed her shoulders back making sure she had a good posture.

Once the challenge started, she watched with envy as each of teammates jumped over the cliff with ease (except for DJ). Hell, Duncan even jumped without making a sound! When it was her turn, she stood at the edge of the cliff looking down into the shark infested water. Half of her wanted to jump down to impress Duncan. However, there were two problems. One, Courtney was deathly afraid of heights. Two, she knew that if she jumped, she'd die of embarrassment from screaming at the top of her lungs in front of Duncan (you know, assuming that she doesn't die by the sharks). Three, what if she looks like a mess after she jumps? Then she would never get a chance with Duncan! Courtney shook her head. Okay, reason number two and three is dumb. You can do this. You were a CIT for crying out loud. Just jump, and it'll be over before you know it.

So she stepped away from the edge and found herself saying, "Excuse me, Chris. I have a medical condition..."

LATER THAT NIGHT

After trying to look tough in front of the camera, Courtney walked back to the cabin feeling dejected and humiliated. Here she was with a swollen eye, a chicken hat (She could've taken off by now by why do that? She had to face the fact that she let her team down.), and nearly voted by her own teammates. And it was all thanks to Duncan. Why do I even like him? She slapped herself. Get a grip. You don't like him. You're here to win.

"That was pretty intense."

She looked up and sighed. Of course, right there on the stairs was Duncan. She rolled her eyes, "I beg your pardon?"

He stood up and walked over to her. "That campfire ceremony. Pretty intense. Well, for you at least. Me personally? I was enjoying the show."

"Yeah, well, it's all thanks to you," she said while glaring at him.

He laughed. "I know people like you. You will do anything in your power to win. Your guard is up so that you won't face any type of distractions. People like you annoy the shit out of me."

What the hell is his problem? "Is there a point in you telling me all of this?"

"What I want to know is why. There's always a story of why a person, like you, becomes uptight. So what's yours?"

He seems like he actually cares. Maybe, he actually like me? Courtney could feel her heart beating faster and her cheeks burning. Good thing it's dark. "Why do you care?"

Duncan sighed and started walking away back inside his side of cabin. "I never said I cared. I don't care."

She could feel her heart sink. So much for letting my guard down. "Then why are you asking?"

When he reached the doorway, he turned and looked her in the eyes. "Because I thought it might help you. I may not like people like you, but you're still a teammate who seemed distracted. And we need everyone at their 100% if we don't want to be by that campfire again." He then walked in.

Courtney let out a huge breath. What the hell just happened? Still confused, she walked into the her side of the cabin and found medicine for her eye on her pillow probably left by Bridgette. She smiled a little to herself. At least something good happened today.

Each day, the challenges got more intense, and each day, Courtney could feel herself falling for Duncan a little more. Even though he is a little shit.

Being around Duncan almost felt like kindergarten again. Ever since the first day when he called her "Princess", it seemed like it was his personal goal to think of as many nicknames for her as possible (including "Sweetheart", "Drama Queen", and "Woman" but "Princess" seemed to be his favorite). He also seemed to go out of his way to annoy the shit out of her. Like the time when they were at the cabin and he purposely brought out the hook to scare her just one more time. (But let the record show that she was not scared. It was completely circumstantial.)

And then there were those times when acted like he cared. Like when Geoff revealed to her that Duncan didn't actually vote her off after that first challenge and actually stole medicine from the medical tent to help with her swelling eye.

It was just too confusing.

It was through all these things that gave Courtney hope that he likes her too. No, that's not possible. You saw him flirt with Heather. You'll just get your heart broken again. Just ignore him. Keep telling yourself you don't like him and one day, it will actually be true.

Everywhere she went, he seemed to always be by her side. She tried hanging out with Bridgette more (the only person she could actually stand), but Bridgette was starting to develop something with Geoff, and even though Courtney thought that Bridgette could do much better (The gift was a monstrosity!), she's been through enough to know that she should let Bridgette be. Though Geoff and Bridgette didn't mind Courtney hanging out with them, Courtney chose to spend as little time with them when they're together as possible. It just reminded her of her single life and of how much she wanted Duncan.

It also didn't help that Geoff started to invite Duncan to hang out with all of them. Though Geoff didn't know about Courtney's crush (or obsession) with Duncan, Bridgette knew all too well about it ("How did you know?" "Isn't it obvious? You're always staring at him.") and would try to play Cupid whenever she could. Like that one time Chris made camping out into the woods their challenge.

It was pouring rain, and there was no tent (Thanks to Bridgette!). The only two things that kept Courtney from getting wet was DJ and a big leaf that he had happened to find. The camera crew decided to call it a day after worrying that their expensive equipment would get water damaged, which left the teenagers all alone in the woods.

Eventually, it stopped raining. By that time, it was well passed midnight, and it was freezing cold. While Harold, Tyler, and DJ easily passed out, Bridgette and Courtney were way too cold to get comfortable enough to sleep. Geoff, being the nice guy that he is, offered to cuddle with Bridgette to keep her warm, and Bridgette quickly accepted. As soon as Geoff put his arm around Bridgette, he fell fast asleep. Courtney couldn't help but smile at that.

"She's so lucky she found a guy willing to keep her warm," Courtney quietly mumbled to himself.

"Well, Princess," said Duncan. "If you wanted to cuddle with me, all you had to do was ask."

Apparently, not quietly enough! "Just go to sleep, Duncan."

She watched as Duncan got into a comfortable position. "Alright, but just know, the offer still stands." He quickly dozed off to sleep.

Courtney was seriously considering just staying up. It was way too cold for her to fall asleep. Besides, there's probably only a couple of hours left before we have to wake up again to leave anyway.

"Just accept his offer," Bridgette said encouragingly. Courtney looked back at Bridgette. "Think about it, Courtney. He's asleep right now. You'll probably wake up before him so he'll never know what you did. Or would you rather freeze?"

Before Courtney could respond, she watched as Bridgette yawned before closing her eyes. Courtney groaned to herself. She's right. She's always right... So, Courtney gently lowered herself onto Duncan. Her heart was beating crazy fast. She just hoped that he wouldn't notice that she was ever there.

Then, morning came, and she heard someone say, "Good morning, sunshine."

Damn you, Bridgette!

Today was no exception. Currently, the four of them sat on the dock dangling their feet in the water. Geoff and Bridgette sat by each with (She's basically on his lap!) while Courtney sat by Bridgette, and Duncan sat by Geoff. Courtney was lazily swinging her legs back and forth and watched as it made ripples in the water. If she had looked up, she would've noticed Bridgette giving Geoff a signal that they should leave so that Courtney and Duncan would be alone (although if you asked Geoff the same story, he had no idea what Bridgette was saying and just nodded hoping it would satisfy her. It did.)

"Hey Courtney," said Bridgette. Courtney looked up. "Geoff and I are going back to the cabin to get something."

"Alright." Courtney started to get up.

"Oh no. Why don't you stay here? If you leave, then Duncan will be lonely," she said while discreetly winking at Courtney.

Wait, is she trying to set me up? Courtney discreetly glanced at Duncan. There, he was carving something into the dock. She could feel her face starting to warm up. She grabbed Bridgette's arm before she could walk away and whispered, "Why are you doing this to me?"

Bridgette gave her a look as to say "I know something that you don't" before nodding at Geoff and walking back to their cabin.

Courtney sat back down and gave an exasperated sighed. What do I do now? He already probably thinks I'm not worth his time. He told me that people like me annoy the shit out of him! She covered her face with her hands. I hate you, Bridgette!

"Looks like it's just you and me, Princess."

"Looks like it," she replied without looking at him.

Duncan stopped carving. He was sick of Courtney sounding depressed when he was around her. Yes, when the camera is rolling, she'll act bossy towards him, but that was because she was competitive and also (from what Duncan is guessing) a way to keep her from actually liking him. When the challenge is over and her adrenaline is all out, she can barely say two sentences to him and those sentences often seem detached. He sighed and looked at her. "Courtney, please tell me what's wrong?"

Everything. Courtney dropped her hands and looked over to him. "What do you mean?"

"Why are you afraid of admitting that you like me?"

She froze and felt her heart thump faster than before. Bridgette, if you told him, I will murder you. "What? I don't like you."

"Yeah, you do. I can tell from the way you act around me. It might fool everyone else, but trust me, I can read you like an open book. Now, what's stopping you from admitting that fact to yourself?"

She looked down. "Look, the last relationship I had made me lose everything. You know Noah?" Duncan nods his head. "He was my best friend and later on, my first boyfriend. We dated for a while but then he ignored me. He didn't even try to tell me what was going on." She could feel her tears starting to run down her cheeks. "Isn't the best relationship you're supposed to have is the one where you're dating your best friend? Well, I did it, and it turned out to be one of the worst things that's ever happened to me. I don't ever want to go down that road again." She could feel the tears starting to come out.

Duncan scooted closer to Courtney and put his arms around her before kissing the top of her head. "Give me a chance. Just because you got your heart broken once doesn't mean that you should shut every opportunity out. I promise that I'm nothing like Noah. I promise that I'll never hurt you."

Courtney looked up. "Really?"

Duncan looked right into her eyes. "Really."

Courtney smiled. "You know Chris would kill us if he knew that we had a moment that wasn't filmed on tape."

Duncan chuckled. "Then we better stage one."

And that's how Basic Straining happened.

Through all of Total Drama Island, Duncan and Courtney felt as though they were in love. Seeing Courtney leave was hard on Duncan so when he finally got eliminated and reached Playa des Losers, he ran up to her and gave her a bone crushing hard. He even got a little teary eyed.

"I missed you," he whispered in her eye.

"I missed you, too," she whispered. More than you'll ever know.

Being with Duncan made Courtney completely forget about Noah. She found herself falling more for Duncan than she ever did for Noah. However, she still worried that this wouldn't last. While she believed Duncan when he made that promise, a thought kept plaguing her mind. How do I know this won't end the same way it did with Noah?

Then, Courtney's fears started to come to life thanks to Total Drama Action. When the show started, she began to worry when she didn't get to compete. Duncan reassured her that she had nothing to worry about and that he'd win the money for both of them. Though his assurance eased her worries for a little while, she started worrying even more when she watched the show and saw that Duncan started to get awfully close with Gwen. She felt as though her world was crumbling down on her. The final straw was when Gwen got eliminated, and Geoff showed a never before seen clip of Duncan and Gwen. That's it. I have to get on that show.

She looked like a crazy person. She was always screaming to her lawyers on her PDA demanding that they speed up the lawsuit so that she could get on the show. Though Bridgette tried to talk some sense into Courtney, Courtney started working on her letter for Duncan. In her mind, if Duncan was able to make the effort to commit to the demands listed in that letter, then that meant that Duncan was serious about the promise he gave her. It would erase any doubt in her mind she had about him.

The day that Courtney was finally brought onto Total Drama Action was probably one of the best days of Duncan's life (not that he'd ever admit it out loud). Once the sun set, Duncan was able to get a moment alone with Courtney, he did something that Courtney never saw coming. He said, "I love you." Courtney balled her eyes out as soon as he uttered those words. For a moment, she considered ripping apart the letter. However, the thought still plagued her mind. When Duncan would look over at Courtney, her heart would flutter for half a second before her mind brought up the fact that he probably cheated on her with Gwen. He's not going to keep his promise. Noah broke your heart. Why are you trying to convince yourself that this will end differently?

Because I have a letter.

Courtney was cold that season. The hatred she built up towards Noah and Duncan broke something in her. And now, people were actually starting to hate her. She knew they were. She could feel the atmosphere change in the room whenever she walked in, but she just kept telling herself that as long as she still had Duncan, it didn't matter that they hated her. She just had to give him the letter.

Somehow, Courtney built up the courage to give Duncan that letter. Just like Courtney thought, the letter changed everything. It just didn't change in the way that she hoped.

Was the letter a bit much? Yes. Courtney's smart, and when the show ended and the adrenaline wore out, she realized exactly what she had done. But Duncan I will get through this. We will. Won't we?

Then, Total Drama World Tour came.

By the time Total Drama World Tour started, Duncan had stopped saying, "I love you" to Courtney. He started to not hang out with her as much as they once did, and Courtney could feel that Duncan was losing interest in her. And it's all my fault.

Courtney sighed as she watched Duncan about to leave. This might be my last chance. I need to make things right. "Wait," she called out to Duncan.

Duncan turned around and stopped waiting for her to run up to him.

"Duncan," she said looking down at the ground in shame. "I know that I haven't always acted the best towards you but please. I really do love you, and I really want this relationship to work out."

He paused before sighing and scratching his head. Looking her right in the eyes, he finally said, "I do too. I just... I just have some things to think about. I promise that we'll talk about it when I see you again."

"Really?"

He kissed her on her forehead. "Really. Don't worry about it. I still love you."

Courtney smiled as she watched Duncan turn around and walk away once again. For a moment, she thought that everything was going to be okay. I will be okay.

How wrong she was.

Her life took a dark turn when Duncan returned. When he first came back, Courtney was initially angry. However, once the anger faded, she was able to show her true feelings to him. She missed him. She truly missed him. While he was gone, Courtney had time to reflect on their relation and realized the wrong that she had done. She was ready to talk things through with him. She was ready to rectify the situation. And, to her at least, it seemed like Duncan felt the same way.

So, when Tyler revealed that Gwen and Duncan kissed, well... She felt as though her heart was ripped out of her chest. Her worst fear had come true.

She tried to let out her feelings to someone in order to lessen the pain, but nobody wanted to listen. In their eyes, Courtney was 100% at fault. Usually, Courtney wouldn't care about what others thought of her because she would always have at least one person, who she knew truly cared for her. This time, she had nobody.

END OF DUNCAN'S STORY