Sorry for the super long wait guys. I planned to have this up much much much earlier, but I had TONS of homework, tests, standardized tests, and of course the cherry on top, the ACT. Luckily enough, it's all over and hopefully it'll be smooth sailing till the end of the year...hopefully :D This chapter is kinda on the short side, and I apologize. I just figured I needed a slight bridge between the first chapter and when Duncan and Courtney actually start the project so that it wouldn't seem too rushed.
Anyhow, I wanted to thank you guys soooo much! I didn't think I would get so many reviews on the first chapter alone, I was shocked and happy and giddy inside, it was nice. Thank you.
I still couldn't believe I was stuck partnered with him. The very thought of it made me cringe. But I had to accept the painful defeat I experienced with my teacher, I had to get over myself, redeem myself with the win of best couple. It would be a tough, stressful journey, but I could handle it. I was sure.
The moment I arrived home that day after the grueling English class, I dashed up to my room and began to plan out every detail of the project I could do myself. Of course I could do all of it myself, but for the sake of the win, I unfortunately had to let the criminal have a part in it.
I mapped out the days we should meet, what times and for how long. I even picked out my bridal gown and brides maids' dresses. I was taking control of the situation like usual, displaying my devine leadership skills.
And after a while, I nearly forgot that I was partnered with such a pig-headed neanderthall. Never before had I realized how much organizing things calmed me down until that moment. I leaned back on my bed and turned my head to look at my silver digital alarm clock on my nightstand. 9:30 pm.
I'd skipped dinner and was now starving, hoping my mom left some food out for me, which she normally did anyhow. It wasn't like this was the frist time I skipped dinner to do extra work, as a matter of fact I did it more often than most working adults.
This behavior of mine bothered my parents a lot, but by this point in my high school career it was safe to say they were used to it. They couldn't argue with perfect grades and a perfect child at that.
Besides, they had my less than perfect younger brother to keep them company at the dinner table. I stood up from my royal purple colored canopy bed and stretched, when my phone rang. I sighed as I reached for my Blackberry on top of my neatly made bed.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey Court," It was Bridgette, she normally called me every night, but I didn't always answer. I was actually surprised I didn't guess it was her the moment my phone rang.
"Oh hey, Bridgette" I replied running my left hand through my silky brown hair. Suddenly, I wasn't really in the mood to talk. Maybe it was just because my stomach was over powering my thoughts at the moment.
"So, tell me what happened..." Her statement threw me off. What happened? I stared blank ahead thinking.
"What? What happened?" I repeated my thoughts out loud. But then my mind answered my own question, I knew exactly what she was talking about, and then I really, really, really, didn't feel like talking anymore.
"After class, English, remember? Are you still stuck with Duncan?" My eyebrows furrowed together and I suddenly became angry. I couldn't believe she had the nerve to ask me. I felt like screaming bloddy murder into my pillow.
"Yes, um, yes I am." I replied quietly. The words burned on the way out, and I was surprised that my response wasn't yelled out to her. Didn't people typically yell when they were angry? I supposed I just had more self control than I thought.
"Wow, you mean your argument didn't work?" Bridgette sounded surprised, it was an expected reaction since I usually never lost a fight, but I began angrily pacing my bedroom, waiting for my temper to explode. I breathed in through my nose and out through my mouth quietly, just like I learned in that yoga class mother made me take with her to stregthen our relationship.
"No, Bridgette, I didn't!" I snapped out loud. So much for self control. And all that yoga gone to waste. The defeat was stinging now, more than it had before.
"Gee, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you angry. I guess it's bothering you, huh?" That was a stupid question of her to ask, of course it was bothering me, but then again of course I wouldn't tell her that. I wouldn't be showing weakness yet again.
"Well, it was bothering me at first, but I believe I've entered into a stage of acceptance. If I want to win this competition, I must move on and look at all of the positives and ignore the negatives." I nodded my head, pleased with my response. She would definitely buy it, I was almost sure that I even sold myself over.
"The positives being..." Bridgette said, her voice trailing off at the end. Crap, I never really thought of the positives, really. I just sort of threw that last part in there just because it sounded nice.
My mind began searching endlessly for positives. And what my mind landed on first threw me off completely and was so glad I didn't say it out loud. He's cute. The words stopped my mind in it's tracks. He's cute? He's cute? No he's not! I wasn't even sure where it came from. Why would I think that? He most certainly was not! Of course not!
But I had to shake it off. I went with the much, much better answer.
"Well, the positive being that he's determined to win too, and he'll probably let me take over if he actually wants the prize." Was he determined to win? He didn't really seem like it, but who wouldn't be determined to win. Winning things was like an addiction, once I tried, I was hooked.
I assumed it was like that for everybody, but he was different. He was a criminal. Maybe criminals didn't care about winning. I guess I would have to find out the hard way. Meaning of course, actually talking to him.
"Oh, I see." Bridgette said. I let out a sigh, I didn't think talking to Bridgette would ever be such hard work. "Well good luck with that whole winning thing, because Geoff and me,"
"Geoff and I," I corrected. Why was it so hard for everyone to use proper grammar lately?
"Right, Geoff and I are determined to win too." I frowned, Geoff and Bridgette made the more adorable couple. They had more of a chance at winning because they had so much in common and got along. But I couldn't let myself think like that.
"Listen, Bridge, I was just going to go and grab some late dinner and I'm starving. Could I call you back tomorrow possibly?" I asked, changing the subject rapidly. I didn't feel like dwelling on this project all night.
"Um, sure. Tomorrow. Sorry to keep you hungry." Bridgette said sweetly.
"It's okay, and thanks. Bye." I pressed end on my Blackberry phone and put it on silent. I didn't want to answer my phone again that night. Quietly, I crept out of my room and down the hall where my family was sleeping peacefully in their rooms. Everyone in my family usually went to bed early, even on the weekends. If I wasn't me, I would probably think it was pathetic.
There was some leftover lemon chicken and potatoes sitting on the counter covered in tin foil waiting for me when I ascended into the kitchen. I quickly popped my dinner into the microwave for two minutes. I waited leaning against the the island in our kitchen when the thought came back to my mind. He's cute. The words angered me, and confused me at the same time. Why would a thought even come to my mind?
I decided to make it out as my mind's feeble attempt to bring me to positive thinking. Also, if the project we were supposed to be working on had to do with marriage, I would have to think of something positive about him to make it work.
I would need to show some kind of affection towards him, even if it were fake. When the microwave went off, and my food was well heated, I took a seat at the breakfast bar and began eating my late supper. Annoyingly and inconveniently, my thoughts kept drifting to the two words that had now become my main focus of the evening. He's cute.
I became so frustrated my appetite became completely lost after only about half of my dinner was consumed. I angrily stood up, dumped my unfinished meal into the trash, and stomped up the stairs.
As I entered my bedroom, I closed the door behind me and flopped onto my royal purple comforter. He's cute. I reached for my pillow and buried my face into it's fluffy surface, where I let out a good, well needed scream. This was going to be a long week.
So, I hope this wasn't too boring for you guys, and I sincerely apologize if it was. I promise next chapter will be much, much better! Yup, next chapter is going to be the monday after the weekend meaning, the project begins. WOOOOO! And I was also thinking of doing a few parts of this story in Duncan's POV, what do you guys think? Please let me know! Thanks everyone!
