AN: I know that it's been a while, but I've been caught up in the worlds of other peoples works. Glee, Total Drama, and Rent…mmmmmmm :)

Chapter Eleven

Courtney's POV

At the end of the school day I walked to Duncan's locker with determination in my mind. I had to talk to him and figure out what he did to get the necklace I was wearing. Did he steal it?

He was standing with Geoff. They were both laughing and carrying on like always. I walked right up to them.

"Geoff can you give me a moment alone with Duncan please?" I asked nicely. Geoff looked confused but nodded and went to find Bridgette.

"What's up babe?" he asked clueless.

"Where did you get nine hundred dollars for my necklace? And don't give me the bullshit excuse about your mom giving you money for cutting your hair. We both know that's a load of crap, so save it and don't lie to me." I demanded.

The expression on his face was that of pure shock. "How did you find out about the necklace's cost?" he asked surprised.

"Bridgette told me." I said.

"I'm going to kill Geoff the next time I get my hands on him. I can't believe he opened his mouth." Duncan said and let out a string of curse words.

"Did you steal it?" I asked him.

"No."

"Did you steal the money for it?"

"No. I told you that I'd never do that again and I intend to keep my promise."

"Then where did you get the money to pay for my necklace? If you didn't steal it then it had to come from somewhere." I explained.

I was starting to get mad. Where would he have gotten the money for this necklace?

"Can we not talk about this right now? I bought you the necklace, I didn't steal it," He promised, looking me straight in the eyes.

"I don't believe you. Why won't you tell me?" I asked him. I was getting worked up and could feel my eyes starting to water.

Duncan must have noticed too, because he pulled me into his chest and hugged me tight. I should have felt comforted, but I just couldn't at the moment. So I pulled away from him.

"Tell me." I demanded. He didn't answer. He just looked at the floor. "Then take it back. I don't want an expensive gift from you. I don't trust you and if I don't trust you then I can't be with you. Stay away from me." I handed him the necklace back. I headed for my corner in the library.

Although no matter how long I sat there nothing could erase the hurt and stunned look on Duncan's face. Now I lost my boyfriend. What have I done?

XXX

Duncan's POV

I knew that Courtney was in the library, but I couldn't bring myself to go to her. I knew I made a mistake about not telling her that the money came from selling my motorcycle, but I couldn't tell her that.

It would be too much. She'd probably feel guilty about the way I got it for her.

Courtney knew that I was crazy about my motorcycle just as much as I'm crazy about her. She'd feel guilty that I sold it. Fortunately, I got plenty of money since my bike was in perfect condition and an expensive model. So I got quite a bit of money selling it to the right person. No big deal.

However, Courtney would probably think that I did it out of pity. Because I was just pitying her because of her being sick. It wasn't an act of pity. Nothing is ever an act of pity!

And now I screwed things up because I can't tell her. So I'm standing like an idiot by my locker, after my girlfriend gives me back her present and breaks up with me.

Shit. I can't think of anything to do right now, I'm so mad at myself. So I do the only thing I can think of. I punch my locker.

"What did I tell you? Left you hurt and stupid." I heard a familiar voice say behind me. I turned around to find Heather behind me.

"Shut up Heather. We just had a fight." I told her and went to walk away.

"I would have trusted you. And even if you did steal a thousand dollar necklace for me, I wouldn't have cared." She told me.

"I didn't steal this necklace. I sold my bike to buy it for her okay? I didn't really want it anymore anyway. So it wasn't a sacrifice for me or anything. And I sure as hell didn't do it out of pity for her." I growled.

I was getting really mad. Not to mention I just noticed that my hand was throbbing in pain. I walk right past Heather and out to my car. I drive home, ignoring every thought I have right now.

XXX

"Why didn't you just tell her where you got the money?" my mom asked later that night.

I was helping dry the dishes for her after dinner.

"Because she'll assume that I only did it out of pity." I told her. She handed me a plate.

"Did you?"

"No. I love Courtney. Even if she wasn't sick I still would have sold my bike for the money. Because it still would have been the anniversary present that I bought her. Regardless of her getting sick or not." I explained. Another plate was passed to me.

"Why didn't you tell her that?" my mom asked.

"I don't know. I guess I was just a little bit hurt and insulted that she thought I stole the necklace." I said. I set down my dish towel and leaned against the counter.

"Sweetie, we both know that you didn't have the best record for being a good boy when you and Courtney first started dating. Don't be mad at me, but this girl might still be getting used to how much you've changed. It's a lot to take in." she explained to me.

"Why is it that you always know what to do and say about this? You're like a relationship genius." I joked.

"Years of practice sweetie. Besides, it isn't hard to help you out. The first time, Courtney was feeling insecure and scared about her appearance, that one was easy to fix."

"Yeah, easy for you. You're the one that cut my hair." I joked. I was actually over it. Our relationship is (was) stronger because of my mom's smart idea. And as my hair slowly grows out I'm getting used to it.

"You didn't seem to mind after Courtney was so happy. This is easy too. You just have to tell her the truth." She said.

"Do you mind if she comes over for a little bit? Just for a little while?" I asked her. My mom looked at me funny. "What?"

"You never ask my permission to bring girls over." She commented.

"This isn't just any girl mom. This is Courtney."

"Sure. But just for a little while. Her next treatment is tomorrow remember?" she reminded me.

Crap, I knew I forgot something!

She might be sleeping already, even though it's only seven. I tried her phone anyway. I was surprised when she actually picked up.

"Come over. I'll explain everything ok?" I told her and hung up.

I didn't want to be rude, but if I hung up then she couldn't argue with me. Plus I told her just enough to get her to come. Hopefully.

XXX

Courtney's POV

I drove to Duncan's house silently. I didn't even play any music. I was in bed trying to take my mind off what happened today when he called.

Duncan opened the front door before I even got out of my car. Once I reached where he was standing, he hugged me tightly.

"I'm so sorry for not telling you where I got the necklace." He whispered into my ear.

"I was promised an explanation," I said loudly.

We walked inside and upstairs to his bedroom.

"Sit," he said motioning to the bed. I took a seat and he sat beside me. "Here." He handed me a piece of folded up paper.

It was one of those "for sale" flyers that you see all the time. It had a picture of Duncan's motorcycle on it asking for $1500 and to contact Duncan if interested.

"You're selling your motorcycle?" I asked confused. What did that have to do with buying the necklace weeks ago?

"Sold. A while ago. It's how I got the money to pay for the necklace." He explained.

I looked up into his eyes. There was a hint of sadness. I knew why.

I had accused my boyfriend of stealing and he actually sold something he cared about to get me something special.

"I feel like such a terrible person." I said aloud.

"You're not. You're the most amazing person that I've ever met. I didn't sell it out of pity for you either. I just wanted to make you happy because I love and care about you." He said quietly.

"Can I have my necklace back then? Please?" I asked, also quietly.

"I was hoping that you would ask that." He said smiling. He picked my expensive necklace off of his night stand and put it back on me.

"I'm sorry that I didn't trust you. I really do love you. I was just a little shocked." I confessed.

"I love you too, and don't worry. You have previous experience that would make you doubt me. It's okay. I just want you to know that I am never going to break my promises to you. Everyone else, yes probably, but you? Never." He promised.

Then we did the best thing ever. We kissed. Not just a small kiss like I had been getting the last few weeks. This was a real, passionate, full of love kiss. The kind that we hadn't shared since I found out that I was sick.

No matter what is coming tomorrow, I'm just glad I still have Duncan with me.

AN: Duncan's mom, always the voice of reason. Melodramatic chapter? Yes! But for the sake of story telling! This chapter took FOREVER to pound out. I wasn't sure how I wanted it to go. But I'm finished!