AN: Here I am again! We get a sort of flashback scene this chapter; and Gwen's POV just seemed to flow so smoothly. Oh! And before I forget, if you've got a minute, go vote in the poll on my profile on how good you think my writing is! I'd really enjoy it if you did, I love seeing everyone's opinion! It may even help me type the next chapter faster. ;)

Courtney's POV

I was doing all I could to ignore him; staring directly down at my feet, watching them as they squished through the slush that coated the pavement.

Duncan whistled a cheerful tune behind me, and I had to clench my teeth together in order to keep myself from beating his brains out with a nearby rock. It was cold, wet, and dark, and here we were, lost somewhere near my house. All thanks to him.

"I hate you, you know." I hissed, not even bothering to look behind me as I said it.

"Thirty-eight." He chirped, apparently counting the number of times I said those exact five words in the past forty-five minutes we had been walking.

I grunted in response, swivelling on the heel of my snow boot to glower at him. "If you hadn't been such an imbecile, this never would of happe- stop that!" I yelled in frustrating, watching as he made a mouth with his left hand, opening and closing it as I talked, mimicking my speech. He shoved his hand back in his pocket with a smirk, causing me to pause for a moment, then turned back around and continue my trek through the soup-like snow. "I hate you, you know."

"Thirty-nine."

Gwen's POV

I stayed up much longer then I needed to, busily informing Bridgette and LeShawana of my wonderful date by text, not wanting to phone them and disturb their own nights. My mom had prodded for details, but I had given her only what was strictly necessary. We had fun, and didn't have sex in the back of his car. That seemed to please her, and she went on with the rest of her night. For an hour, I just laid in bed, soaking in every detail of the night, -though thinking about me vomiting on him was off limits as far as thoughts went- and found myself smiling a little. It was cliché and really lame, but I just couldn't keep the smile off my face. The rest of the night hadn't been so bad, either...

We'd sat on the curb of the parking lot for a while longer, until with a smile, Trent said;

"I hate to ruin this moment we're having, but I'm starting to feel like a Popsicle." I laughed in response, and he offered his hand to me, before pulling me upwards.

"So," He began with another grin, swinging our still entwined hands together as we casually made our way over to the car. "Got any plans for next Friday?"

I pursed my lips, pretending to consider it. "Well, I was going to go watch paint dry, but if you want to do something..." We both chuckled lightly while I nudged him in playfully in side.

"You know, you're amazing, Gwen." Trent said as we stood before the passenger's side of his car. I snorted non-nonchalantly, trying to keep the wide smile that was threatening to burst at bay. He was just so sweet.

"You're alright yourself, handsome." I settled for a small smirk, which admittedly widened as he leaned down to kiss my cheek then opened my door for me. "After you, beautiful."

Once inside, I clicked my tongue inside my mouth as we waited for the car to heat up; I grimaced, tasting remnants of my barfed food, still. I dug into my purse for some gum, but frowned to find none there.

"Looking for something?" Trent asked while pulling out of the parking lot, looking behind him to make sure no other cars were in the way.

"Oh, no. Nothing." I answered quickly, starring at the restaurant before looking over at him. "You did remember to pay, right?"

"Of course I di- Gwen, no," He grabbed my hand that was going for my wallet. "It's on me. I told you already."

Always the gentlemen. "No way. I ruined our meal, I should at least help pay." I insisted, shaking off his hand and looking through my wallet.

"I won't accept it. And you didn't ruin our meal." He shook his head as I offered him a twenty.

I held the money out to him stubbornly, and finally he groaned and took it from me.

We drove in relative silence, the late hour of the night making my eyelids feel heavy. Before I knew it, he was shaking my shoulder, the car parked in front of my house. "You're home, Gwen." He said softly, gazing at me with adoration, making my cheeks burn a little.

"Sorry, I didn't drool in my sleep or anything, did I?" He shook his head no, and I gazed ruefully at my front door for a moment. I didn't want this night to end, as utterly corny it sounded.

When I turned back to him to say good night, he cupped my face and gently kissed me, beating me to the punch. "Good night, Gwen. Sweet dreams."

Instead of coming up with some kind of smooth line, all I did was nod and breathe a; "You too..." before exciting the vehicle.

Just as I was leaving, out of the corner of my eye, I could of sworn I saw him drop a twenty dollar bill into my purse.

After a while of just laying in peaceful silence, I noticed my room was still a complete pigsty from my clothing disaster earlier. I sat up reluctantly, and began picking up articles of clothing and placing them back on their hangers and into my closet.

Picking up a violet colored corset I'd thrown to the floor, I noticed a folded slip of paper underneath it. Tossing the shirt carelessly aside once more, I grabbed the paper and unfolded it. The words hurriedly scribble across the stationery had me smiling, and my stomach twisting anxiously at the same time.

"You can call me whenever.

Knock him dead, gothy."

-Duncan

I chewed on my lip, eyeing my phone with mixed emotions. We're just friends now, no need to be nervous. I reminded myself. Though the digital clock informed me was already nearing one in the morning, -though I knew from experience that Duncan usually stayed up till at least two in order to catch some horror flicks on TV- and what was I supposed to say? He wasn't like Bridgette or LeShawna; someone I could gush about my date, and how amazing our kiss was. It would only lead me to thinking about how different Trent's kisses were, compared to Duncan's. I didn't need that right now.

"You're starring off into space like an idiot." A voice remarked dryly, and I jumped, eyes narrowing at my brother who stood in front of my open door.

"What are you still doing up?" I demanded in false anger, trying to cover up for him catching me. I hid the paper behind my back, before pulling open the drawer of my nightstand and dropped the note inside, facing the brunette afterwards.

He wiggled a glass of water before me in explanation, then gave a sly grin. "Your face is all red. Thinking about boys?" He said the last word teasingly, but his next four words made my breath catch in my throat. "Or thinking about Duncan?"

"Just go to bed, Jeremy!" I muttered quickly, pushing him lightly out of my room and shutting the door. My brother and I had a pretty good relationship, but sometimes he was just too smart for his own good. He knew how to read me like an open book, like only two people in this world could. One of them being a certain punk boy I had no intention of calling tonight...

Duncan's POV

I chuckled loudly to myself, watching Courtney visibly fume as she turned another street corner. She squinted through the darkness, the dim streetlights providing little to no help.

"Would you be quiet?" She ordered, shooting me a cold look as she stood before an intersection, looking up at the street names and trying to put together where her house would be. I'd of thought she'd know this neighbourhood like the back of her hand; with all the fancy houses and gates everywhere. I'd have to come up here again next time I felt the urge to make a little extra cash. I'm sure the rich snobs here wouldn't miss a few diamond necklaces...

As I glanced back to the girl, I saw her mashing away at buttons on her phone, face scrunched up as she seemed to be unable to find whatever she was looking for. "Yo, babe, what'cha doing?" I called to her, jogging up so I could lean over her and peer at the screen.

"I'm calling for a ride home." She replied in a monotone. I glanced at the number she was about to call, the name Nathan highlighted on the front, with her finger held over the talk button hesitantly.

Before she could think about it anymore, I swiped the cell from her hand, and click the back button. "Let's just walk around a little longer." I was kind of stunned when all I got in return was a glare before she nodded and demanded I return her phone to her.

After what seemed like days more of walking, we came across her house, mostly by accident.

"I'll fill up both our cars with gas and drive yours home tomorrow, okay?" I said once we reached her porch. Courtney looked irritated and freezing, but she still had enough energy left in her to argue with me.

"I will retrieve it myself. You may not touch my mother's car, you cretin." She quipped, then proceeded to spin on her heel and head for the door.

"So what are you going to tell mommy when she sees it's missing, hm?" I questioned, causing her to stop mid-step, seeming frozen where she stood.

"I'll calmly explain to her what happened. Everything will be fine." She breathed, and I leaned up against her mail box beside me.

"Oh yeah? You trying to convince me, or yourself, sweetheart?"

Courtney ignored me completely, mumbling something about not calling her sweetheart, before sneaking inside and shutting the door quietly. Now I had a long walk home, and a giddy mom to look forward to at the end of that walk. Great.

I walked out of Courtney's yard without looking back, my mind seemed to be spinning, not pausing long enough for me to form a coherent thought, except for the fact that Courtney had almost called Nathan. That one phone call could of ruined my chances with her forever.

Suddenly, my own phone started to play it's signature ring tone, while Gwen's name lit up the screen.

Apparently, that wasn't the only thing that could ruin my chances with Princess forever...

AN: Cliffhanger. So, I'm sorry this chapter came out so slow, but here it is! :) Review and let me know what you think! I'll try to get the next one out sooner.