AN: I figured it's been a while since I did a strictly Duncan chapter. So I went with this one.

Chapter Fifteen

Duncan's POV

This is weird.

Everyone in my family is insane. Why?

Well for starters when we showed up to meet everyone else before leaving for the beach, my entire family was speechless. In shock and staring at me. Although I have to give some credit to my five year old cousin, Isabella, who whispered loudly:

"Why does Duncan look so funny?" she said this to her mother, my Aunt Julia.

I didn't look funny. I looked normal, and for some reason no one could comprehend that fully. Like it's beyond my capabilities to be normal.

Granted, I decided to take out my piercing the previous week and let the holes grow shut, so those weren't all over my face looking stupid. Then there was the fact that I was now rocking my naturally black, not green, short hair still growing out and taking the longest freaking time.

And last night when I was packing everything my mother informed me that she never picked up my contacts so I would be going without for the week, wearing my glasses instead. Not that I minded the wired rimmed, square framed things called my glasses, but I looked slightly nerdish.

I am ready for this vacation to be over already.

XXX

Later that afternoon, the entire family had made our way to the beach.

Usually I would not go to the beach, or outside, unless it had been to ride my motorcycle or something like that. I certainly didn't spend time actually on the beach with my whole family. But right now I'm sitting on the beach in a pair of swimming shorts that Courtney had bought for me when she found out that I didn't own any.

They were from some preppy store and plaid. But oddly enough I liked them. Anyway, I was just laying on my beach towel with my sunglasses on, trying to get a tan. Me. Tan.

"What is going on with your son?" I heard my Aunt Lisa ask my mom. They were farther away, but close enough to still hear.

"He's been changing a lot lately. It's surprising. He's a completely different person." My mom told her.

"Finally grew out of the rebellious phase? Or is this all just an act?" she asked my mom.

"He's been surprising me with something new every single day."

"Why? Still bringing home a different girl every day?" Aunt Lisa asked skeptically.

"Nope, he's been with his girlfriend Courtney for a while now. I think they've been together a year now." My mom said.

Year and two months. I've been counting.

"Really? Duncan in a committed relationship? That is a big change in him. This Courtney must be a miracle worker." Lisa joked.

"Well they have had their fair share of issues. But Duncan's been handling everything just fine. At first they both had to deal with their high school not wanting them together and now that Courtney's sick it seems like the two can't ever catch a break. And it seems like they can't be away from each other because their afraid one will get hurt. It's very sweet." My mom explained. Gag. I don't want to hear my mom saying my relationship is sweet.

"It certainly is a huge change in his personality too." Lisa noted.

I'm not going to lie, I have changed. A lot. But why is that so hard for everyone to believe?

"He's a completely different person, but it's the person we've always knew he would be. We were just waiting for this side of him to come out." My mom said.

"Anyway, would you like to hear about where we went on our anniversary trip this year?" Lisa changed the subject.

And just like that I was bored again. So I decided to join my cousins down at the beach. For once Isabella actually wanted to play with me.

"Duncan will you jump in the waves with me?" she asked.

"Sure," I said and took her hand. We waded out into the water a little bit and jumped waves until she got tired.

Then my cousin Stevie, Isabella's older sister, joined me. She's fourteen.

"Duncan, you continue to surprise me." She started.

"Hi to you too Stevie. You look nice." I said honestly. She stared at me funny.

"You scare me. What happened to you?" she asked.

"I grew up."

"I get that, I meant what happened to make you look and act so normal and civilized?" she asked.

Slightly rude, but I'll let it go.

"My girlfriend got to me, I guess." I answered. It was true.

"When did this happen? Didn't you swear for the last, I don't know, two years that nothing was going to change you and that your weird phase was going to be permanent?" she asked surprised.

"I did, and I changed. There were extenuating circumstances." I explained.

"Like what?" she quickly added.

"Like her having leukemia. Her losing her hair and being afraid of me leaving her alone and scared even though I love her beyond capability. The fact that I looked like I wouldn't stick around for a second didn't really help that. So why wouldn't I change for someone I love?" I finished.

"Awwwwwww, who knew that you were the romantic type Duncan? Your story could be part of a Nicholas Sparks novel." She joked.

"Not that douche bag. My life is more epic then those overly predictable movies." I retorted.

A few weeks ago Courtney heard that another one of those movies was coming out and insisted that we go see it. I didn't feel like fighting her at this point when everything seemed to be going to well. It was the worst experience of my life.

"You really like this girl don't you?" Stevie asked suddenly.

"I don't just like her. I love her. It's as simple as that." I replied.

"That's so cute. Duncan's in love with someone. I could just about cry from the sweetness. It warms my heart." She continued to joke.

"Laying it on a little thick there Stevie. That's enough. Please stop." I said nicely, but that only made things worse.

"Did you just say please? Holy crap this girl really has changed you. I don't think I've ever heard you say please before. I need to give this girl an award!" she continued to joke.

I couldn't take much more of this.

I wish I were back at school right now not being made fun of and spending time with my girlfriend. Not being teased by my family.

I have to call Courtney later and have her talk to me and keep me calm. Miss her already and it hasn't been a whole day.

XXX

AN: Okay, so Duncan's family is shocked by his transformation? And I wanted to show how even though he was away he still was thinking about her and wanting to be with her. Also I wanted to show how his family is thinking towards him and Courtney and how it's changed him.