Courtney hears him close the door as she walked to her bed. She sat on her bed and put her coffee on her bedstand. As she was doing so she felt him slide next to her. Both their shoulders, hips and thighs were touching. He then put a hand on her thigh and that's when she snapped.
Immediately getting on defense mode Courtney jumped and whipped over to face him. "What the hell are you doing!" She snapped at him while scooting away from him.
"Proving my point. You need to get comfortable with me doing this whenever. now that more people know that we're dating. Meaning we're gonna have to go on a fake date or just hang out to really sell this." Duncan informed her.
He saw her reluctant face and tried to convince her further.
"I know this sucks. But at that party I saw and know she still cares for me. Maybe this really will work. And I don't wanna screw things up. I'll help you with Justin and more if you need, just please do this for me and listen." He pleaded. Courtney rolled her eyes.
"How long are we supposed to do this? This whole dating thing?" Courtney asked Flatly. She hoped it wouldn't take too long, she missed her old life.
"Well I was hoping till she gives in, but it may not be as fast as I hoped... so her deadline is prom." Duncan said after a moment.
Courtney's eyes nearly bulged out her head. "What?! Our senior prom is in April! It's the beginning of the school year! are you out of your fucking mind?!" She demanded outraged.
Duncan opened his mouth to reply but she started ranting.
"Duncan you are going far lengths for a girl who is dating someone. Not to mention she cheated on you and tried to blame you for why she did it. Is she really worth this effort Duncan? Especially when you can find someone new and better?" She asked him with her eyebrows furrowed.
"I know what she did. You don't know anything about our relationship Courtney. Yes she fucked up and did shitty things but so have I... I love Gwen. So yes the effort and the dedication I'm making is worth it. Especially if I can have her in the end." He said completely serious.
Courtney frowned at him but she could see the love in his eyes. She wasn't dumb. She saw the way his beautiful eyes sparkled whenever Gwen walked in the room. The way he perked up when her name was spoken. The smile he fights when he sees Gwen looking at him.
Duncan had hope and even though Courtney thought what he was doing was incredibly stupid, she didn't have the heart to crush his spirits. She'd let Gwen do that, if Gwen stayed with Trent.
"Fine. I'll play along. However you will not embarrass me at all. Your actions will be shown on me too." Courtney said firmly.
Duncan nodded happy that she agreed.
"So what's the plan." Courtney sighed reaching to grab a notebook and the sparkly purple pen from her bedside table.
"Well. At the moment. We need to work on authenticity and knowing eachother better. It's not long before someone throws a hurdle our way. Then we need to take this out of school like I said before. Physically and on social media." Duncan laid out for her. He noticed she was actually taking notes. he shook his head in amusement.
"What do you mean social media? Like post eachother? Duncan I can't do that. I don't even use it, plus all my family is on there!" Courtney exclaimed.
Duncan rolled his eyes. "Chill drama queen post it on your story and block them from seeing it. Besides you're 17 turning 18 this year. Who the fuck cares what they think."
Courtney huffed, clearly not happy but said nothing.
"For right now let's practice for being more comfortable. Do you have a mirror? Like a full one?" Duncan smirked.
Courtney mentally gulped seeing that smirk on his face. They both knew she wasn't going to like where this was going.
"Why..." she trailed off hesitantly.
"So I can read your body language like my mom would. My mom has literal hawk eyes." Duncan explained.
Courtney sighed before Leading him to her bathroom that was in her room.
Duncan looked at the bathroom in awe. Courtney saw and smiled proudly. "I personally decorated it. Well I didn't build it but I mapped out what I wanted and what it'd look like."
Courtney had black marble floors with a black and specs of purple on the wall in the shower. On the other side of her spacious bathroom was a large circle jacuzzi tub. With a huge mirror then the nice sink.
Not to mention she worked her ass off on the decorations. If she wasn't driven about being a lawyer, she would've worked towards being an interior designer.
"It's fucking amazing. Too bad gwen doesn't have one of these. We would've had fun here." Duncan said in awe.
Courtney rolled her eyes now frowning in disgust. "Thanks."
Duncan snapped out his amazement and got back to business. He stood at the mirror and Courtney walked to him with her arms folded. "So what now."
"Okay so what you're gonna do is face the mirror and we're going to hug, so I can try to see how my ma would see it." Duncan said as he moved Courtney to face the mirror.
Courtney looked at herself in the mirror and all she heard was Justin constantly rejecting her. everytime she tried to hug him, kiss him and more physical things that usually made a relationship more intimate, he'd constantly reject her. Making her feel like it was her fault, making it seem like how she looked, her actions and the people she talked to was the reason he wouldn't do anything with her. It totally destroyed herself esteem and 99% of the time she was scared to initiate anything in private, cause that's when he was actually a jerk. While in public he was way more nice. It was different when Duncan and her did it in public, cause Duncan had to do it. Just like Justin. but they were now by theirselves and she was hearing every negative thing he said about her behind closed doors, seeing the disgusting look on Justins face and could practically feel Justin pushing her off him.
She didn't want to admit it but she was scared Duncan would do the same or was thinking the words Justin said to her in the past in his head.
Duncan wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Courtney tried to act nonchalant like it didn't bother her, but she was desperately just wanting to get this over with. She felt like she couldn't relax. She just hoped he wouldn't notice it.
"Courtney relax. You're tensing up." Duncan said clearly noticing that she wasn't relaxing.
She took a deep breath in and tried to relax but no avail. It seemed to only get worse. Justin's voice seemed to get louder in her head.
"Maybe we should try a different position. Face me." Duncan instructed.
Courtney did as told and she felt his hands dangerously low on the small of her back.
"Don't go any lower." She glared.
Duncan just smirked. "For now. We gotta show some type of pda. Plus you know you want me to." He said flirtatiously before winking playfully.
Courtney scoffed before focusing on trying to relax.
He pulled her arms over his shoulders and pulled her close. Courtney tried to block out her ex's voice. Tried to ignore how she felt ugly and not enough. Courtney felt his eyes on her and she just thought about how Duncan must've been judging her. She didn't even realize she started to squirm cause of how self conscious she felt until Duncan locked eyes with her.
"Okay what's going on? You don't act like this when we're in public. Well at least the squirming part." He asked confused before pulling away.
She sighed. "I'm sorry it's...just with Justin when we did these type of things he would always reject me or insult me and it's just kinda...hard to do these things without you know. Thinking about that." embarrassed was an understatement of how she felt. She felt humiliated. Courtney didn't want to let Justin have this much control over her.
She saw Duncan's eyebrows furrow. "But you do it with me without this happening right?" He asked confused.
Courtney sighed. "Well if you noticed Justin had no problem with showing affection in public if it was convenient to him or made him look good. I wouldn't have to deal with the rather harsh commentary in public. So no I haven't felt like this with you till now."
Duncan didn't know what to say. Courtney was too beautiful to have dealt with Justin's shit. He couldn't believe someone like him broke her down and left her this damaged. Dating can be a pain in the ass.
She grew nervous when Duncan didn't say anything. "You know what forget it. It's stupid." Courtney waved off dismissively clearly embarrassed.
"Courtney-" Duncan started.
"What's the next position." She said not wanting to talk to him about it farther.
Duncan frowned but guided her to the next position. He faced her to the mirror and Courtney felt his body press against her back. One thing she couldn't help but notice was that her ass was pressing against his pelvis and... other places. Thankfully he wasn't hard and little did she know Duncan was praying he wouldn't get hard, so he wouldn't make her more uncomfortable or embarrassed than she already was.
He wrapped her arms around to his stomach, she once again tried to not tense up.
"You look beautiful Courtney." He murmured in her ear. Courtney blushed immediately, why was he telling her that.
She felt him rub up and down her stomach soothingly before speaking again. "You have an amazing figure, relax princess."
Now it made sense. He thought some positive comments would help her feel less insecure.
She took a breath and tried to relax and it was easier to relax. Maybe it was his voice? It was cancelling out Justin's voice in her head. Maybe it was how she knew Duncan was attracted to her physically. It was hard to tell if she was with Justin. He was so bipolar but with Duncan it was so obvious he found her physically appealing.
"See you're doing great." Duncan said happily. Courtney smiled and continued. They did a few more poses and Duncan realized how much Justin fucked up Courtney's self confidence.
He remembered how he overheard his mom's meeting with one of the victims in this case. The lady was worried about herself or something. So his mom gave her soothing and and positive affirmations to help the situation.
Duncan figured that it would at least help in this situation too and for her to gain more confidence. So he started by picking out stuff he physically liked about Courtney that wasn't sexually suggestive.
After an hour Courtney finally came around and was way less tense.
Duncan had to admit to himself it felt a little odd saying those things to Courtney. He hasn't even said things like that to Gwen when they were together or ever. He wasn't the emotional type or even affectionate with his words to that extent.
"Alright now we're gonna go somewhere fun so you can look like you had fun with me and so we can practice a bit of pda in public. Hell maybe we'll know eachother more too." Duncan declared before looking at his watch and checking the time.
"We got awhile till the dinner. So where do you like to go for fun. The library?" Duncan said sarcastically.
Courtney gave him a flat look. "Ha ha ha. Very funny." Duncan snickered and sat on her bed.
"I like to go to the skating rink. Skating is great for unwinding." Courtney said walking over to pick something to put on to go out.
"Oh. I'm kinda surprised..." Duncan trailed off. He just assumed that Courtney just centered her life around school activities, since she did a lot of them.
Courtney just rolled her eyes already know what he was thinking. "Do you know how to skate?"
"Nope. Never been. Besides skateboarding but I'm sure it's the same." Duncan answered as Courtney pulled out some white skinny jeans and a white skirt to change into after she gets done skating.
"Not the same." Courtney replied as she grabbed a red button up shirt.
Duncan just scoffed. "Oh please. I'm sure it'll be easy just like boarding."
Courtney just shrugged. She was just looking forward to when he'd fall on his ass.
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Courtney and Duncan walked over to the skating rink booth. They approached the skating rental booth and waited in line till they were up next.
"Hey what can I do for you." The guy asked bored. Duncan recognized the guy from school. Jake Anderson. He was one of the heart throbs on the swim team. Duncan thought he was a tool but everyone liked him. Especially the girls.
"Hi. We'd like to look at some skates to purchase." Courtney said politely looking down in her purse to grab her wallet.
Duncan noticed the boy looked directly at her cleavage while she wasn't paying attention and let out a wolfish grin. Duncan immediately frowned.
"Hey Courtney. It's cool to see you outside of class." He said with a charming smile. either ignoring Duncan or genuinely not noticing him.
Duncan glared at him but Jake didn't even notice and that pissed him off.
"Thanks. You too Jake. I have my own skates but Duncan here needs a pair." Courtney replied with a polite smile, but that made Duncan strangely annoyed. Couldn't she tell he was being a flirt?
"Almost forgot about him court. What kinda skates you want? Roller blades or roller skates?" Jake asked Duncan less enthusiastically then he was with Courtney.
"Uh." Duncan didn't know the difference. He would've been snapped at this guy if it wasn't for this stupid question.
"Roller skates. Thanks. What size shoe are you Duncan." Courtney turned to him to ask him. Jake again took this opportunity to look at her again checking her out before nodding in approval.
Duncan sighed relieved she helped him. "13 and a half in men." Duncan answered before he saw in the corner of his eye, Jake staring at her again.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" He barked annoyed making Courtney glare at him for being unreasonably rude.
"What color skates?" Jake asked annoyed immediately snapping his eyes back to Duncan.
"Red or green." The green haired punk said with a scowl on his face.
Jake just nodded before going to the back room to get skates.
Duncan turned to Courtney. "that guy is such a duche bag."
"Duncan you hate everyone but that doesn't mean you need to be an ass. Remember what we talked about." Courtney said rolling her eyes disapprovingly referring to him not embarrassing her.
"But Princess he likes you. He was literally checking you out and disrespecting me! How could you not see that?!" Duncan shook his head disbelievingly, how couldn't she have not seen his stupid stares.
"Duncan you're seeing things. Calm down." She said looking at him in confusion. Before Duncan could reply Jake came with rubi red skates with green skulls on them.
"Figured you'd like these. You know since you have a thing for skulls." Jake said in a condescending tone Duncan didn't like.
"Yeah thanks. I'm glad I didn't get anything with speedos on it. I know you were planning on wearing them." Duncan snipped. Courtney reached out and pinched his thigh making him jump up slightly in surprise.
"My boyfriend is just kidding don't mind him. I'll purchase instead of renting the skates." Courtney replied before handing Jake the 45.
Duncan looked at her surprised. She didn't have to spend that much money on him.
"Don't worry pretty girls like you get discounts. Hope to see you cheering for me at my meets sometime." Jake said flirtatiously before giving Courtney 24 back. Duncan suddenly felt a bubbling green monster start to boil at the pit of his stomach.
"Oh." Courtney blushed. Suddenly he felt that negative feeling get stronger. Before she could respond Duncan butted in.
"She won't be there prick so fuck off." Duncan snapped annoyed and in envy before gently pulling Courtney away. Jake watched them leave with a scowl on his face.
When they were out of ear shot, she looked at him with a glare." What the fuck was that?!"
"He was flirting with you in front of me! Like I've been saying from the beginning!" He exclaimed.
"No he wasn't he was complimenting me you ass! If it was a girl doing that to you, you wouldn't have cared."
Duncan rolled his eyes. "I would've. You'll see when it happens."
As they continued walking Duncan heard her mutter angrily about jealousy.
He wasn't jealous. It was the disrespect and how rude the guy was being. That's what he was mad at. Right?
Duncan mentally swore for second guessing himself.
They walked to the skating floor and Courtney put on her purple and white skates.
Duncan copied and found that he had great balance. "Told you it was like skateboarding." He said smugly.
Courtney rolled her eyes before slowly skating ahead and turned around to see what she's been waiting to see.
Duncan tried to skate forward and immediately began flailing his arms, nearly falling.
Luckily he caught himself... before he fell.
"Told you it's not like skate boarding." Courtney smirked this time.
Duncan couldn't lie. That was extremely hot.
Courtney walked over to him and let him wrap his arm around her shoulders to keep balance.
"I'll learn fast don't worry. I'll probably get it in 10 minutes." Duncan smirked trying to make up for him falling.
Courtney scoffed. "Yeah right just listen. Think of it as skiing or gliding with clothes on your feet. You're kinda pushing yourself forward." When they got to the rink Courtney let go of him when she was sure he'd balance good by himself.
"Watch how I do it. And try to do what I do." Courtney instructed before gracefully gliding down the rink. She went at a medium pace before expertly turning around and skated back to him.
Duncan gulped and tried to do what she did while pushing the image of Courtney's ass while she was skating out of his head before he fell. Courtney laughed at him while he glared.
"Just help me up." He muttered annoyed he couldn't do it like she did right away. She chuckled and helped him up.
"It wasn't that funny." He grumbled. Courtney smiled widely. "It was hillarious. It's nice to see you fall on your ass for once."
He just rolled his eyes and grabbed her hand. "We'll just start slow."
Courtney agreed and they began skating. Duncan struggled for a long time and Courtney was helping him.
Duncan noticed she smiled a lot more than she usually did with him. He found himself loving every second she smiled. It made him feel weird but weird in a good way.
He shrugged it off and just assumed it was cause he rarely saw her genuine smile. Duncan also liked the attention she was giving him. It was different then the negative attention she usually gave him. Which was hot and turned him on. But with this attention, it made him feel strangely good.
"See you're doing really good! try pushing a bit harder." Courtney said encouragingly after Duncan did a full lap around the rink without holding her hand and falling.
"You sure?" He asked cautiously. He didn't want to fall or look stupid.
Courtney bit her inner cheek trying to hide her smile. She didn't know why but him acting carefully made him look extremely adorable. Him learning to skate entirely was cute.
"Yes. Try to catch up to me." She affirmed before she skated faster. Duncan just took a breath and did as she said and he stumbled but got his balance. He continued and found him doing great almost as good as Courtney. He felt a immense feeling of joy as he found himself getting closer and closer to Courtney. Courtney turned to see him catching up to her and started skating even faster.
Duncan gaped but when he heard her laughing he smirked. He then skated the other way to meet her the other way.
Courtney continued skating before turning back and didn't see him behind her. Courtney stopped skating and tried to look for him but couldn't see him. She immediately got worried and anxious. Did he fall? Where is he? Is he okay? She thought he could handle her going faster.
"Thought you could get away from me princess?" Duncan's velvet voice said behind her. Courtney jumped and turned around. He wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer.
She looked up and saw him smirking. She huffed before snapping at him. "Don't scare me like that. I thought you fell or hurt your self or... something."
"Awe didn't know you cared princess." He said as his thumbs began rubbing soft circles on her back.
"I don't care! It's just that I would be responsible if something happened to you." She lied to him.
His eyes flickered to her lips and he knew what he wanted to do. So he did what he was thinking. He kissed her soft lips. Courtney felt herself blush and her heart speed up as she felt his lips on hers. She relaxed and kissed him back wrapping her hands around his neck.
"Get out the way dumb fucks!" A man screamed at them as he skated by.
Courtney and him jumped back, the moment now ruined. Duncan glared after the guy who interrupted them. Not very happy he had to stop kissing Courtney.
"Next time keep your bitch ass mouth shut and just go around!" Duncan yelled after him.
"Duncan! Let's not fight please." Courtney said before checking her watch.
Duncan saw the time on her watch. "Well wanna go walk around at the mall by my house or something?"
Courtney shrugged. "Yeah we can get something to drink at the food court there."
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A/N: I'll be posting the next chapter soon when I wake up. I'm editing the lady part before I post it and i just started a new chapter so yay. I hope you like this chapter. I tried to go in depth about Courtney's struggles with her self esteem and insecurities. And started to make Duncan start to feel weird things before he starts comparing her to Gwen. It won't be long before they start getting close as friends with crushes they don't even realize they have yet. It's gonna be good. Anyways let me know what you think.