Courtney walked to her classroom trying desperately not to think of what she had just witnessed. Duncan and Gwen, together, heading to her school. This was just a nightmare. Although she convinced herself that Duncan, the brainless, monstrous neanderthal and that back stabbing, heliophobic, goth meant nothing to her anymore. Why should she have to kill herself over what happened? She kept repeating so in her mind but it was no use. When she had placed so much faith and trust into both parties and to be betrayed the way she was, it was just horrible.
Courtney didn't just blame them either. She knew she was pushing her boyfriend away. They were never compatiable in the first place. Duncan just wanted someone to corrupt, and she wanted someone to fix. Goth girl, and punk rebel? Oh yeah it was so original, totally not cliche, but who was she to say. Bad boy with a good girl? That was also very cliche. The girl chuckled to herself half-heartedly. "What am I even thinking?" she mumbled silently. She focused on her lesson pushing the memory and her feelings deeper and deeper within herself. She would harden again and this time, she'll never let anyone in again.
Duncan let go of Gwen's hand smirking her way. "Think you can handle yourself?" he said a hand in his pocket. "I'd walk you to class but if I'm late again I'll get the mouth." he said.
"Oh really?" Gwen asked smirking, "Bad boy Duncan afraid of some teacher's lecture?" she asked taunting him playfully.
"Oh not a teacher-" Duncan said catching himself when he realized again what mouth he was talking about. On most occasions Courtney would scold Duncan if he missed class, or if he did something he shouldn't. She generally let him do what he wanted, but she would try steering him in the right direction. Duncan always thought it to be annoying but the routine became a habit and so was the want to avoid a lecture. Despite what Duncan thought and felt at the time, Courtney really did bring out the best in him. She never gave up on him or thought he was a waste of time.
Gwen raised an eyebrow looking to him wondering what he meant and he shook his head. "Nevermind. Come on babe, I'll show you around." the male said.
"If this wasn't my first day I'd take you up on the offer but I really should get to class." Gwen said smiling. She leaned in kissing her boyfriend's lips and turned to go. "I'll catch you later." the goth said before walking down the hallway. Duncan smiled her way and headed to class. He was turbulently reminded that his schedule was mixed in with Courtney's, they would have to spend three classes together. Probably the most awkward thing to think about at this point.
The room was silent when he walked inside and the brunette glared at him from her seat in the front. Duncan narrowed his eyes at her sitting somewhere in the back. The two didn't even offer words to one another, and the tension in the room was so thick, it could have been cut from Duncan's pocket knife. Courtney huffed and placed her hands on her palm irritated by the morning's scene.
How could he? Why would he want to bring that stupid goth, occultist, witch to their school? Did he want her to have a mental break down?
Duncan leaned his head on his arm and used his pocket knife to carve Gwen's face on the desk. He had already missed her. His mind did wander towards Courtney but he quickly returned it towards Gwen. A much happier place. He knew it was better this way and although he wished he had done so differently, he didn't regret kissing Gwen.
The class continued with Courtney enthusiastically answering questions and solving problems. She had extra energy today, but not because she wanted Duncan to see how fine she was without him. How his actions hasn't affected her in the slightest, no matter how much of a lie it was. Duncan looked to her as if he couldn't care less and ignored her, which annoyed the buxom brunette but she went on with her day, a facade, a mask on her face. When class ended students gathered around the two wanting to ask about them from the show but Courtney shoved past them and went on her way refusing to say a word, although she had a few choice words to say about Duncan's cheating butt.
Duncan glared at the students immediately scaring them away and headed to his next class. "Hey Court! Not even going to say a word to me?" Duncan called from the doorway wanting to infuriate her. Something he felt he had to do. It never occurred to him that he just wanted Courtney to talk to him again.
Courtney spun around glaring at the delinquent and suddenly smiled. Clearly, she hasn't a word to spare for him. She continued walking, ignoring him and hurried to class. This made Duncan raise an eyebrow and he rubbed the back of his neck thinking her strange. He thought she would take his bait and yell at him some more but the silence was new. "Wish she'd done that more often when we were dating." he grumbled going his way.
After school Courtney checked her watch for the time before hurrying out of the classroom to gather her things. She didn't want to miss work at the mall. She managed to find a job in retail at a Rue 21 store. She was glad her boss was so understanding and gave her extra hours when she asked for them. Anything to help out her family in need. It was her responsibility, and duty as a daughter, and the eldest sister.
Courtney waited at the bus stop checking her time again and crossed her arms, her foot tapping on the sidewalk impatiently. Her mind was busy with bills, and groceries. What they were going to eat tonight? And how were they going to pay rent? Courtney gave up trying to enjoy life ever since they went bankrupt. She didn't have the luxury.
She boarded the bus when it came and sat down in the front leaning her head on the window. She thought back to the morning, when she saw Gwen kissing Duncan and the two getting irritatingly close to one another. She dug her nails into her arms and resisted the urge to scream. She had more important things to think about.
As she arrived at the mall she headed right to Rue 21 and greeted her boss. His name was Nate, and he was just a bit older than Courtney. A university student, having just turned eighteen. He was tall, with dark hair and blue eyes. His frame was bigger than Duncan's, you could probably compare it to Alejandro's frame.
"Hey Courtney, perfect timing. Mind helping me with the registers?" he asked tending to a customer.
"Sure thing! I'll be right out!" she called going in back to hang her things and slip on her name tag before getting right to work. Courtney considered herself lucky to find such a great job. She knew Duncan would have come to this mall at some point but she knew he would never step into this kind of store. It wasn't his style, nor was it Gwen's so they had no reason to be here. Here, Courtney can relax and just take it easy. Working hard and enjoying her solitude, although Nate was also a plus. A nice guy like him was a great change from the monstrosity she once called her boyfriend. Once things settled for a bit Nate smiled towards Courtney.
"I saw the show last night. I think they aired the episode where you St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. You really missed Duncan huh?" he asked having not realized that he and Courtney were no longer a thing. Courtney was obligated by the producers, not to speak of the show or spoil it before it aired. She really didn't want to be sued by the network and forced a smile on her face.
"Oh yeah, I really wanted to see him…" she began, the truth as it turned out, "Honestly though, had it not been for that stupid rock, our team wouldn't have been disqualified." she said irritation returning to her tone. Nate perked a smile, a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure you pulled through next episode." he said smiling. "Duncan's pretty lucky to have a girlfriend who cared for him and missed him as much as you did." he said before heading back to work. Courtney stared back at him a bit surprised.
"You really think so? I-I mean, you don't think I'm awful to him? You know...bossy and stuff?" she asked him. She knew what most of the viewers thought of her. That she was a crazy psycho, who is only money hungry and would even leave Duncan behind to get what she wanted.
"Well, you are pretty headstrong, but isn't that why Duncan likes you?" he asked. Courtney was caught a bit off guard. She stared at Nate before crossing her arms.
"Yeah yeah! Anyway, I'm under contract to not talk about the show. Any subject related to Duncan is included." she said turning away and ran some returns through the scanner. Nate only chuckled and playfully ruffled her hair.
"Whatever you say Court." he chuckled heading to the front to fold some shirts. Courtney frowned watching his back as he walked away and thought about what he said.
For Duncan to like that side of me...what was it he saw in me anyway? she thought. What could someone like him see? Was it because she was stubborn and headstrong? Did he think she was pretty? Did he just want to see a model student do bad things…? Courtney suddenly felt like she lost all energy. She stared at Nate's back and hurried back to work. She was unexpectedly happy that someone seemed to see under the thick armor she put over herself. How he managed to deduce that just from watching her on the show, and just talking to her. He was honestly looking past it and trying to see the real Courtney. Courtney however looked back to Nate from the clothes she was folding and then quickly stared down at the shirt in her hands.
'Don't let them fool you Courtney...you've been deceived like this before.' she thought to herself. Thinking back to Alejandro, who only used her. Although when she thought about it, she had no right to criticize. She had no excuse, and she planned on using Alejandro to make Duncan jealousy, and anger Heather. All she knew how to do was to use others for her own selfish gain. This was definately karma, she didn't deserve to have a happy ending.
Courtney spent the rest of the night working, using her break time to study and do her homework. By the time she returned home she left food on the table for Carol and Larson to eat and dragged herself to her room. She fell into her bed and sighed a bit tired from the day. Since she was alone she looked into her drawer and dug into it pulling the wooden skull from the back. She stared at the trinket affectionately, stroking the top with her finger before glaring at it and threatened to throw it out the window. She hesitated wincing at the thought of losing it. The look on Duncan's face when he tossed it to her on the docks, saying it was for her. The look in his eyes when he smiled her way. The way his body felt when they embraced. It was there. All of it was right there, all the memories and the emotions were entangled and absorbed by this small wooden skull. If she was rid of it maybe she could forget and move on. But she couldn't do it. She couldn't get rid of something that once made her so happy.
"Goddamn jerk…why am I still in love with you?" she mumbled to herself the tears refusing to back down. She cried into her hand silently and sank to her knees, the skull pressed against her chest. "Why are you tormenting me?"
A few days gone by and finally the episode where Duncan kissed Gwen aired. Larson thought it would be best for Courtney to stay home but Courtney refused and went right to school. She wasn't afraid of anything. She had all eyes on her and it wasn't a shock when people crowded more than usual. She ignored them all refusing to say a single thing. What more did they want to ask? It's all right there! Duncan kissed Gwen and Gwen decided to be cute and keep it all to herself and hoped it would happen again. It only reminded her of how much of an idiot Courtney was to even think that Gwen could have been trusted. Courtney was especially irritated today and she had zero patience for anything.
Duncan on the other hand was handling the popularity well enough. He didn't like being bothered much, and because of his reputation and looks no one bothered him. Watching the episode seemed to have disappointed his parents but he could care less. 'I mean did anyone notice what a complete psychopath Courtney was being?' he thought bitterly and skipped morning class to avoid Court's glare. He met with Gwen outside and they hid away from the eyes of others to talk.
"I bet everyone will be surprised." she said looking to him.
"They shouldn't be, Courtney was crazy. It was only a matter of time before we split off for good." Duncan said.
"Did you want to be with me that badly?" Gwen asked smiling to him, a little happy he felt that way. Duncan smiled to Gwen and kissed her again.
"Don't act dumb, compared to Courtney you're much level headed, and totally grounded." he said leaning against the wall of the building. "I'm surprised Courtney hasn't said anything, or called her lawyers. That was usually step one whenever we broke up." he sighed. Gwen shrugged looking to him.
"Does it matter? I mean it's over. We're done with the show, you're through with her and now with me." she said blushing a little. "Let's change the subject." Gwen said going to sit next to him her head on his shoulder. "Wanna hang out after school?" she asked him.
"I've got time babe, where do you want to go?" he asked.
"My mom wants me to go to Rue 21 and buy a birthday present for my cousin." she groaned. "I wouldn't be caught dead in that place, but if you came along, I'd feel a lot better."
"It's not really my kind of scene either, but what the hay." Duncan said, an arm wrapping around her shoulders. "No problem. We'll go and head out in no time." he said. Gwen smiled kissing him again and the two began making out, with no regards of where they were. They didn't care. They were together and they were happy. Or at least one of them was.
Despite all his efforts, Courtney was always on his mind, in some shape or form. Whether it was from guilt or anger Courtney came back to him. It was as if everything reminded her of Courtney. Even if it was the smallest things, like not wanting to take his bike to school. I mean, he could if he wanted to. The old Duncan would have done it not caring if he got kicked out of school, but every time he picks up the keys Courtney's voice nags at his mind to put it down and he walks. If he wanted to skip school, he would hear Princess' chiding and as if she pulled the sheets herself he would get up and go to school.
He wouldn't admit it but Courtney did change him, for the better. He knew his juvi friends would certainly never let him hear the end of it. About how soft he had gotten since he started dating Courtney.
"I know I've said I didn't want to talk about Courtney, but...I really do feel bad about it." said Gwen staring down at her hands. Duncan raised a brow looking to Gwen with a frown on his face.
"So you regret kissing me?" he asked.
"No, the kiss was amazing. I just didn't like how it went down. It's just like when I saw Heather kiss Trent. I felt so horrible, and very betrayed, and it wasn't even mutual." she said thinking back to how hurt she felt. "And I did the same thing to Courtney, and it was mutual between us. We like eachother, and it must hurt more."
"Why are you so concerned about how she feels anyway? Are you trying to make me feel worse than I already do?" he asked getting angry.
"You feel bad?" Gwen asked surprised.
"Of course I do. I'm not that heartless. It wasn't like we dated for nothing. I loved her." he said. "What are you trying to get out of this anyway. I'm so sick of Courtney this, and Courtney that you know? We're dating now, I just want to focus on you and living the way I used to. Courtney is behind me now." he said standing. Gwen got on her feet brushing the back of her skirt.
"Yeah, sorry about that. I was just a bit insecure. Seeing it on TV made me feel horrible is all." she said.
"I can't believe you even watched it. I'm over it. You should be too." he said. Of course, he wasn't only directing his advice on her, but towards himself as well. He was all talk, but he didn't feel that he should be miserable for a kiss. It's not like he fucked Gwen or anything! He just wanted to force his heart to get the fuck over it.
And he would make it his mission to forget everything about Courtney and move on with his life. It would all just be a memory.
((Beware...rant ahead.))
Oh my god. I did it. I'm sorry for taking so long. I was screwed over by so many flaws. Like Courtney has a BROTHER and not a sister m Why didn't I just go with my brother idea? I wouldn't have had to go through all this embarrassment. Plus, watching the new season of Total Drama practically forces me to make Gwen a bit nicer. I'm just too damned confused now. I mean, in the new season Gwen claims she kissed Duncan while he was "single". Uh...bitch, when the fuck did THAT happen? When did Courtney and Duncan break up because I clearly missed something. I mean, she even sang a fucking song called "BOYFRIEND Kisser" not "EX-Boyfriend Kisser". Gwen, either your memory is fucked or your logic is flawed because last I checked, you kissed a boy who already had a boyfriend. *kicks Duncan's groin* As for this douche bag, really? Are we turning pansy all of a sudden? What the hell, you were never that nice to Courtney you ass?
Also, I'm pretty damn proud of Courtney for getting over Duncan. I hope that they can all just go back to being friends and stop with the hate. At this point in time, I just want Gwen to suffer, but at the same time I'll allow them to make up. Duncan can fuck himself for all I care. I thought after she ignored him he'd realize how much he loves her snappy attitude and feel empty inside but whatever, she doesn't need him. *Kicks Scott as far away from Courtney as possible, uses a catapult to send him to the moon.* No. Just no.
Anyway, I hope it doesn't affect how my story goes, and I hope you won't bring in the new season in my story. It hasn't happened yet, and well, whatever. I'm going to keep going with it. I'll do what I can. It's been kind of hard to write because I don't know if you can tell but I'm pretty much making them repeat themselves over and over. "I'm over him, but I love him." "Fuck this bitch...god I love her." Like really? Really? *shakes self* Ugh, alright, I think I've made it clear that they are not over each other soooooo, maybe Courtney and Duncan should have some 1x1 time...? What do you guys think.
Fun Fact: In my original draft when I wrote this physically, I had made Courtney work at Hot Topic, and they would sell Gwuncan merchandise in the shop. So it would turn to be Courtney's own little hell. But I thought working at Rue 21 would be better. A little safe haven away from school.
Anyway, question of the chapter: What do you think of the new season if you've seen it. If not, what do you think should be done to Gwen?
Thanks again to everyone for your patience. I shall never give up on this series. I've come to the conclusion that I can't keep promises, so I'll just post when I can. I love you all!
((I just had the most horrible scare of my life. As I am typing this my lights went out and I thought I lost you. QAQ I would have destroyed everything in my house.))