You know, I believe that, in life, you discover something that changes you.

For the better.

In love.

And makes you a different person.

A better one.

…

This chapter is not that special something.

Nope.

Not even close.

Chapter Nine:

Poor Miley

Courtney panted, stopping by a tree, looking to her watch. Fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes and Duncan was going to fall in love with Heather.

She shook her head and started running again, shouting his name the whole time.

Courtney mentally slapped herself. She should have known this was Heather's plan all along. Duncan was obviously a pawn in one of her stupid and pointless plots. The way that Heather had acted that one day at the beach and the way she had been skulking around lately should have been some indication…

She tore her mind away from that. She couldn't worry right now. She had to focus on finding Duncan.

But ten minutes later, she was getting even more discouraged. She had been running around for more than an hour- there was no way she was going to find Duncan at this rate. She slumped against a tree, panting for breath and feeling pathetic. It was over. She had lost, and that ate away at her more than anything. She had failed. No, worse- she had failed Duncan. He had trusted her, and she had failed to even keep him safe from stupid Heather…

That was when she heard it. The most heavenly sound she was sure to ever hear in her whole life, even if it was faint, even if she could just barely hear it...

"And the Britney song was on, and the Britney song was on!

So I put my hands up-"

Courtney almost died. Duncan was near. She got up shakily, running and following the small sound of 'Party in the USA' with all the strength she could manage.

Chris scoffed, looking to his phone with a scowl. He had given Duncan that phone so he would learn to pick up. God, what was wrong with that idiot?

Heather picked up the phone, shutting it instantly. "That dumbass host, yet again! He must be desperate."

Duncan sighed for the umpteenth time, trying to break his wrists free from the tight rope that bound them to the tree. "I don't want to fall in love with you, Heather! You're icky!" It hadn't been hard for Heather and Lindsay to tie him up- new Duncan was kind of weak.

Heather picked at one of her nails, rolling her eyes. "Shut up! I'm tired of hearing you're stupid voice. Gosh, when you fall in love with me, I'm going to make you wear a muzzle."

Lindsay stood, about two yards away, frowning at Heather. "Heather, he looks like he really doesn't want to do this…" Lindsay had to stand father away from Duncan than Heather, considering it was the person within closest proximity that he fell in love with.

Duncan growled, the first actual rude thing he had done since being kidnapped by Heather. "I don't have to fall in love with you! I don't want to!" He yelled.

Heather shot him an evil smirk, laughing without a hint of joy. "You say that as if it's your decision! Here's the thing, Duncan!" She pointed up to the sky, watching in glee as Duncan's eyes started to tear up. "You don't have a decision in anything anymore! YOU'RE CONTROLED BY THE FUCKING MOON! You lost your chance long ago, punk! You don't have a choice!"

Suddenly Heather fell forward as she felt the wind knock out of her as someone kicked her from behind. "Shit!-" She yelled, eating a face full of dirt. "What the hell-" She looked up to see Courtney running toward Duncan, trying to untie his hands from the rope. Heather tried to get back up, but she let out a grunt as she felt someone else push their foot on her back, keeping her from standing. "What the- Lindsay?" She shouted, looking up to blonde who now had her foot on her back.

Lindsay scowled at Heather. "I'm sorry, but… you just weren't being nice, Haley!" Heather let out a growl, but Lindsay just put her foot down harder. "And David was right! You are icky!"

Duncan rubbed his now free wrists, grinning at Courtney. "So how long until the moon?..." Duncan said quietly to her.

Courtney looked at her watch. "Less than a minute… but maybe we could… Chris could-"

Duncan shook his head. "I don't think that's possible anymore… Can I… Can I fall in love with you, Courtney?"

Courtney's eyes went wide, but she slowly nodded her head. "Are you sure?"

Duncan smiled, rolling his eyes. "Nah, I'd rather love Heather. Of course I want to fall in love with you, silly! Even if it does mean leaving Chris… don't you remember? I liked you way before I liked him…" Duncan sighed. "So, how much longer?"

Courtney looked to her watch. The long hand was on the ten. "About ten seconds… nine… eight…"

Duncan took in a deep breath, looking to the sky, with a long sigh. He guessed he couldn't avoid this forever.

"Seven… six…" Courtney counted.

Duncan took her hand in his, but she didn't stop counting. "If I had to fall in love with anybody new… I'm glad it was you, Courtney."

She blushed brightly, trying to ignore the sparks running through her body… she didn't want Duncan to fall in love with her like this, but it seemed it was the only option… "Four… three…"

Duncan pushed her hand up to his cheek, kissing it gently. She let out a shaky breath.

"Two…"

He kissed it once more.

"One."

Duncan's eyes went to the moon, and his pupils dilated largely, and his breathing stopped completely… his grip on Courtney's hand tightened.

But then…

Then…

Duncan's eyes went back to normal.

He turned to look at her. "D-Duncan?" She stuttered, watching his face for any signs as Lindsay pushed Heather's face deeper into the ground behind them. "Are you… in love with me?"

Duncan rubbed a hand on his forehead, looking up to the sky. "Where am I?" He asked. She didn't know Duncan would be so far gone once the curse came in, but she shrugged it off. "I…"

"Duncan?" He turned to face her, as she shook his shoulder. "Are you in love with me?"

Duncan gulped. "Isn't it a little bit early in our relationship for all that?" He then let out a playful smirk as he chuckled at her. "Though we can move through all the bases of love as fast as you want, Princess."

Courtney's eyes widened. "Princess? Duncan don't you… don't you feel dedicated to me? In love with me? Like you need to worship the ground I walk on?"

Duncan raised a brow at her. "No, why should I… oh my gosh. Wait… I'm remembering something…"

"So you're not in love with me?" Courtney said, clutching her head. She was super confused.

"No but…" Duncan's eyes widened. "Tell me I didn't have sex with Chris!"

a/n: Next chapter is the last one!