A/N: This is my final chapter, the ending to the story (sobs) I want to thank all my readers and everyone who reviewed. I would write down all your names but it would take forever. But truly thank you all and thank you to any future readers! Don't forget to check out my other stories and keep watching Total Drama Action and keep strong. Love to all of you.
P.S. For the fun of it I'm going to make this chapter longer than the others. So sorry if it was updated a little late.
Chapter 20: Perfect
Love is as much of an object as an obsession, everybody wants it, everybody seeks it, but few ever achieve it, those who do will cherish it, be lost in it, and among all, never… never forget it.
-Curtis Judalet
The five star hotel where the prom was being held had big fancy lights, banners, people dressed fancy, music playing, and food being served. The guys were waiting outside for their dates to arrive, all except one who was planning to ruin a date.
He felt so unbelievably out of place. Not only was he in some fancy tux but he was actually at a prom. His high school prom. And not to crash or ruin it, but to actually win a girl back. His girl. This was so not him.
"Dude relax, everything's going to be fine," said Geoff supportively.
"What are you talking about?" barked Duncan. "Of course everything's going to be fine, it's just a stupid prom."
"I think he was talking about Courtney," replied Trent.
Hearing her name only got him more jittery. "I'm not worried about Courtney, I'm perfectly fine… how's my tie."
Both the guys snickered until they saw a car approaching. They immediately recognized Leshawna's fancy BMW with the others riding in it. Duncan couldn't see Courtney since she was riding in the back and being blocked by Bridgette.
Duncan scanned all over the place for that pretty boy named Adam. So much for the guy being so great, he wasn't even here to walk her inside.
Duncan decided to play it cool and make it seem as if he hadn't been waiting for her. He quickly moved away from the guys an leaned against the entrance door. As the girls piled out of the car he still couldn't bring himself to even glance at her. He opted for pulling out a cigarette.
As he did one of the hotel workers came up to him. "Sir, you're not allowed to smoke here."
"Fuck off," snapped Duncan.
"Excuse him, he doesn't understand manners," said a sweet and beautiful voice.
Duncan turned and immediately felt his heart stop. Standing in front of him was perhaps the most beautiful girl in the world. Her sparkling onyx eyes, her dark exotic skin, her soft brown curled hair, her light pink lips. Her soft and tiny figure wrapped in a silk black dress that touched the floor and spread out from the waist in a ruffeld way. The dress was strapless and touching her chest was a sparkling jewel that sent little glittering lights dancing on her eyes.
Duncan couldn't even find his voice as he continued to stare at her. She looked like a princess.
"You look nice," said Courtney admiring his jet black tux, tie and dress shoes. Truth be told she didn't know he could pull it off, it actually went well with his Mohawk and shiny piercings. Hell she couldn't even believe he had shown up as an actual guest and not a troublemaker. As soon as she had spotted him her heart had twisted, but she forced herself to go up to him. She had to be near him just one last time, had to talk to him, had to absorb him.
At the moment he seemed somewhat vulnerable. His eyes were gentle and his face was soft and kind. This was the Duncan she loved the most. The real Duncan, the one who looked after her and tore her defenses down. The one who made her live life and appreciate it even more than she thought she could. The one person who was everything she wanted and needed.
"Goddamn" gasped Duncan still marveling at her.
Courtney couldn't help but giggle. Still no prince charming, but that's OK. She preferred the criminal anyway. "Thank you."
Duncan gulped nervously as he moved a little closer to her. "Courtney you look so… well how have you been."
He was being so careful around her. Courtney tried to do the same. "'I've been good," she lied horribly. "I got into the university."
Duncan nodded. "You must be happy."
Courtney would've kept going with the charade but seeing him in front of her and talking to him was proving o be too difficult. Courtney let her face fall and shrugged her shoulders pitifully. "You'd think I'd be happy… but." She gazed at his face even longer wondering how they ever came to this point. Not just as ex's, but as lovers, as friends. "I've missed you Duncan."
Duncan wanted to take her in his arms right then and there. But it was like sand had filled his muscles. "I've missed you too princess."
God she never thought she'd miss that nickname. The two of them could've stood like that forever if a certain hand hadn't placed itself on Courtney's shoulder. Courtney turned to see Adam standing there. As she looked at him she couldn't believe how extremely ordinary he looked next to Duncan. Duncan was just too good for words.
"Hey Court," said Adam grinning.
"Hi Adam," said Courtney carelessly.
He looked her up and down quickly. Too quickly in Duncan's opinion. You needed far more time to appreciate how breathtaking she looked.
"Wow you look really pretty Courtney."
"Beautiful," snapped Duncan. "She looks beautiful you jackass."
Courtney would've shot Duncan a disapproving look if she weren't too busy smiling. Adam meanwhile had no idea what to do as he tried to drag Courtney inside. He was quickly stopped by Duncan placing a hand on his shoulder roughly.
"I think I'll take it from here," ordered Duncan taking Courtney's hand out of his.
Adam looked at him flustered and even Courtney looked at him strangely. "Excuse me buddy but I think she had plans on going with me."
Duncan pretended to care. "Oh I'm so sorry, but I think there's been a change in plans."
Adam was about to grab Courtney back and Duncan was about to punch him when Courtney suddenly put herself in between the two and held her hands up. "Guys let's not get violent. Now Adam I know I said I'd go with you but…" Courtney looked at Duncan again. "I'm going to have to go with Duncan."
Adam's face dropped in defeat while Duncan's lit up with victory. He quickly grabbed her hand and dragged her inside with him. "Ah good call princess, I knew that jerk didn't stand a chance against me."
Courtney suddenly had his hand in a death grip and slammed him against a wall. Before he even had a chance to respond Courtney was already yelling at him and poking his chest accusingly. "First of all, you are a much bigger jerk than he is. Secondly, I only agreed to go with you so you wouldn't start a fight and get into trouble. And thirdly, What are you doing to me?"
"What do you mean," asked Duncan confused.
Courtney brought her hands to her face and practically growled at him. God he almost forgot how hot she was when she was mad. "Don't you know how hard this is for me? You broke up with me and now all of a sudden you think you can get on my good side just because it's prom night and you're wearing some cheap suit."
Duncan scoffed before it was his turn to point accusingly at her. "First of all this suit was not cheap. Secondly, how do you think I felt hearing you were going to prom with Mr. Big Shot out there. And thirdly if I wanted to get on your good side I'd just have to… well I won't say it out loud, but that's beside the point."
"So what is the point Duncan?" asked Courtney impatiently. "Why now? Why all of a sudden is OK for you walk back into my life when you're the one who walked out."
Duncan wasn't ready for this yet, he wasn't ready to explain his reasoning to her. He wasn't even sure if she was willing to hear him out yet. "Look can't we just-"
"Duncan! My homeboy, you showed up," said Leshawna slapping his back. "And looking good in a suit." She glanced at Courtney and her jaw fell wide open. "And dang girl if you ain't looking fly!" She elbowed Duncan roughly. "How the hell could you let this fine girl go. Look at her and tell me you don't regret it."
Courtney expected Duncan to argue or even fight back with her, or just plain blow her question off. Instead he did something that totally caught her off guard. "I regret it everyday."
Courtney's mouth opened and closed like a fish. She would've said something if it hadn't been for the sudden crowd of students trying to get in.
"Uh guys I think we're holding up the line," said Gwen giving everyone a gentle nudge.
Duncan took Courtney's hand in his and led her into the main room where everything couldn't have looked better. There was a huge chandelier in the middle of the room. At the edge of the room was the DJ and the dance floor where many people were already getting crazy. The room was dim light that gave it a romantic atmosphere, the tables were covered in white table cloths and candles surrounding rose center pieces. It was elegant and classy.
"Geez they really went all out didn't they?" asked Duncan making a face.
Courtney smiled softly. "I think it's nice."
Duncan shrugged once before leading them over to a table where everyone else was sitting. Courtney felt herself shaking as she sat down next to him. Just having him close was making her want to fall into his arms. But he had broke her heart too, so she didn't know if she hated him right now or loved him.
"I didn't know you were the prom type," said Courtney a little more harshly then she intended.
"I'm not, you're just worth it," said Duncan looking directly into her eyes.
Courtney took a shaky breath and started glaring at him. "What's going on with you?"
"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.
Courtney rolled her eyes and looked at him disbelievingly. "Duncan stop playing mind games with me. Last time we were together you were mad at me because I was going away, before that you were this great boyfriend, before that you were a jealous friend, and before that…" Courtney dropped her hands on the table and continued to glare at him. "Just make up your mind already and tell me what you want!"
Duncan folded his hands together uneasily, trying not to mess this up now. He knew she must be confused as hell right now but he was worried she had already moved on from him and was prepared to shoot him down. He didn't know if he could handle her rejection.
"I want you," he admitted.
Courtney scoffed and rubbed her temples. "You want me huh? What about holding me back? What about us being too different? What about the fact that I'm leaving?"
Duncan sighed knowing he was only upsetting her. "None of that should matter," he said calmly.
"And yet it was enough for you to break up with me," said Courtney angrily getting up from the table and leaving him behind. Duncan cursed under his breath and got up from the table as well.
Instead of going straight to Courtney he grabbed Trent by the collar and dragged him outside. "Hey man what's the problem?" asked Trent rubbing his now sore neck.
"I'm totally fucking up," stated Duncan gruffly.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean Courtney!" said Duncan throwing his hands up in the air. "She's still mad as hell at me."
Trent scratched the back of his head nervously. "Well can you blame her?"
Duncan whipped around at Trent with a murderous look on his face. "Watch it man."
Trent held his hands up defensively. "All I'm saying is she's still hurting from the break up and now you're turning things all upside down for her. Just be patient."
Duncan scoffed before walking back inside. "Let's pretend I'll take your advice."
Loving someone is like breathing… you can never stop
-Unknown
Courtney was leaning on the table next to the punch bowl trying to stay calm. She didn't want to fall any harder for Duncan because leaving him was just going to be that much harder. Why was he doing this? Was he trying to make it hard for her? Did he want to make her mad?
If they weren't together anymore did that make them enemies again? If that was the case then she had every right to push him away, she had every right to protect herself. But damn if it didn't feel good to have him close again.
She downed another cup of punch before moving onto the food. She knew she was eating a little too fast but she couldn't help it. She grabbed more and more food scaring off everyone else. She felt Duncan's hand on her shoulder and immediately pulled away.
"What are you doing?" asked Duncan already knowing she was stress eating.
"None of your business," said Courtney with a stuffed mouth.
Duncan suddenly grabbed her shoulders and forced her to look at him. When she did she completely froze up. The intensity in his eyes was almost terrifying. "When it comes to you princess you are my business. Now I don't know what your problem is but you're acting as if you're the only one who's innocent in all of this, look me in the eye and tell me you wouldn't have broken up with me if I hadn't done it first."
Courtney gulped heavily already feeling the tears forming. "I… I thought about it, but I was hoping… I don't know what I was hoping for. That maybe somehow we'd find a way. But you didn't even give it a chance. You didn't even let me apologize for the stupid thing I said that got you all mad to begin with."
Duncan rolled his eyes. "I know you didn't mean it, I was trying to find a reason to be mad at you. I was trying to make it easier for you by letting you go."
"You were trying to make it easier for me?" asked Courtney her voice cracking slightly. "Duncan if you want to make things easier for me, then stop trying to look after me. Stop trying so hard, because the only thing you're doing is hurting me."
Courtney grabbed one last sandwich and marched away.
I'm scared to face another day
'Cause the fear in me just won't go away
In an instant you were gone, and now I'm scared
-Duffy
It didn't take long for Courtney to start unwinding rather quickly. She danced long and hard to the music. Sweating like crazy and wearing out Gwen and Bridgette. When Adam approached her she didn't even bother pushing him away and let him dance with her. All of it was to keep herself distracted. If she couldn't do hard work to keep herself busy then she could just do some hard partying.
Little did she know that Duncan had been keeping an eye on her the entire night. She was still a light weight when it came to the party scene even if it was just prom. He knew he was disrespecting her wishes by still keeping an eye on her every move but he couldn't help it. It had been like the one night he found her completely stoned. It was the first time he allowed himself to feel something so deeply for someone else. For her.
Now it was like that all over again. He couldn't stop feeling, he couldn't stop wanting to protect her. If she ever got hurt he'd never forgive himself for never being able to protect her. He had already hurt her once and had to make amend or else lose her for good.
As Courtney went back to the buffet to inhale some more food some weird slightly disheveled guy made his way up to her. Duncan gritted his teeth recognizing trouble as soon as he saw it.
"You're a bit of party animal aren't you?"
Courtney looked at the guy with a hazy expression. "It's prom isn't it? Why not have a little fun?" she went back to eating not really caring for the guy talking to her.
The guy nodded with an evil grin on his face. "I hear you, so why not make things more exciting." He suddenly opened up his hand to reveal a couple of ecstasy pills. Courtney could tell by his body language that he was probably on a few other things as well and didn't like it. "If you come to my car with me I can guarantee you a very good time."
Before Courtney even got a chance to say no she realized Duncan was storming towards her and the burnout, looking pissed as hell. 'No, Duncan don't.'
Duncan clamped his hand down hard on the guy's shoulder and spun him around violently. "Hey man what the fuck do you think you're doing?"
The guy being slightly bigger than Duncan shrugged of his hand and moved towards him menacingly. "What's it to you man. Why don't you mind your fucking business and let cutie here get her groove on."
Duncan wasn't intimidated. Courtney could already see him balling up his fist. "I don't think she's interested and I think you'd better fuck off before your sorry ass regrets it."
Now the guy was really getting fired up, but instead of hitting Duncan he opted for grabbing Courtney's hand in a very painful grip. "She'll come with me if she wants to!" he yelled at Duncan.
Courtney could see Duncan getting ready to knock the living daylights out of this guy so she quickly threw herself at Duncan causing the other guy to loose his grip on her. Courtney held Duncan tightly and managed to make him step back a couple of steps. She looked at him seriously and whispered, "Calm down."
"Calm down!" hissed Duncan. "He just grabbed you! How could you not want to beat him up yourself."
Courtney glanced at the stoner evilly who was looking at her impatiently. She turned back to Duncan ,who she was still holding onto, and noticed security making their way over to the couple. "Watch this."
"Is there a problem here?" asked one of the guards. Courtney put on face and started pointing at the guy who had offered her drugs. The guy was too wasted to realize what she was doing.
"HE HAS DRUGS ON HIM!"
The drugged up guy's eyes went bug-eyed as the guards suddenly tackled him to the ground and stared strip searching him. The rest of the room went wild and crowded around the scene causing an even bigger commotion, which caused the rest of security to step in and try to get a hold of the situation. Between the loud music, the people pushing and shoving, to the security, to the collection of drugs being collected from the weirdo, Duncan and Courtney rushed past the riot and stared in complete amazement and shock. The place had literally turned into a circus.
"Holy shit," said Duncan dunking past a flying drink. "I had no idea you could create so much chaos princess."
Someone else suddenly jumped off one of the tables into the crowd while screaming started to erupt. Courtney watched in horror before shrugging nonchalantly. "Well I learned from the best."
Duncan smiled at her before security started busting more kids with drugs and alcohol. Courtney noticed one of them to be Adam who was crying like a baby. "No man I swear I have no idea who's those belong to."
Courtney shook her head in disgust. What did she ever see in that guy? Duncan suddenly started pulling her outside since the crowd was now getting dangerously hectic.
When they got outside the both of them couldn't help but start laughing. Talk about a prom that would not soon be forgotten. Duncan continued choking on his laughter as he managed to say. "Wow princess, you sure know how to keep me surprised."
Courtney continued to giggle saying, "Well I had to do something or else security would've thrown you out for starting a fight."
Duncan's laughter started dyeing down as he looked at her a little more seriously. "Yeah well that guy was trying to do something with you. The last thing we need is a Heather re-cap, on top of some sleaze ball trying to force you to…" he didn't even finish the sentence. It was too painful to think about.
Courtney shook her head at him. "I told you I can take care of myself."
"So it's only OK for you to look after me?" asked Duncan now moving closer to her. "You didn't have to do what you just did, I could've handle myself in any fight even if the guards did kick me out it wouldn't have been a big deal."
Courtney blushed madly and looked anywhere but at his face. Duncan had to grab her chin to force her to look at him. "You're no better than me princess."
Courtney sighed sadly before taking his hand in hers and admitting, "What can I say, I still love you, you rebellious, annoying, juvenile, egotistical, criminal."
Duncan entangled his fingers with hers before saying, "Well I still love you, you overachieving, uptight, goody-goody, princess."
Courtney smiled at him before shaking her head tiredly. "Duncan what are we going to do? You tried leaving me that didn't work, I try ignoring you and that doesn't work. We both want to be with each other but... what can we do about it. I leave as soon as high school is over."
Duncan opened his mouth to say something only to be interrupted by a song softly playing inside.
If I don't say this now I will surely break
As I'm leaving the one I want to take
Forgive the urgency but hurry up and wait
My heart has started to separate
"Let's dance," said Duncan pulling her close to him. Courtney did so, wrapping her arms around his neck and letting her head lean against his. Before she could stop herself she was already crying. She looked up at him sadly knowing this was beyond the perfect moment to let him know how much he meant to her. They were all alone, nothing else existed.
Oh, oh,
Be my baby
Oh
Oh, oh,
Be my baby
I'll look after you
"You know a couple days ago I told Gwen- well I actually yelled it at her- that you're the one who should be upset because I was the best thing that ever happened to you." Courtney rolled her eyes causing more tears to spill. "But I was wrong, you are the best thing that ever happened to me." Courtney wrapped her arms more tightly around him as if he would suddenly disappear.
There now steady love, so few come and won't go
Will you, won't you be the one I'll always know
When I'm losing my control, the city spins around
You're the only one who knows, you slow it down
Duncan held onto her securely, now slowly spinning them to the music. "Well I don't know if you're completely wrong about what you said the first time." He said grinning at her. She looked so beautiful as the moon hit her watery eyes. And the way she smiled at him.... Duncan couldn't find a more perfect moment. "My father offered me a job at the police academy, just to help out other kids like me and keep an eye on new officers."
Courtney smiled brightly at him. "That's great Duncan, I'm so proud of you." After she finished her sentence her smile dropped. "So that means you would have to stay here." He didn't say anything and just rested his chin against her shoulder while she did the same.
Oh, oh
Be my baby
Oh
Oh, oh,
Be my baby
I'll look after you
And I'll look after you.
Courtney absorbed him as much as she could. She decided she wouldn't hate him, she'd be happy for him and continue to be there for him as much as she could. He was the only person who cared about her the way he did and she would continue to love him as much as she could too. Because he was the only one for him, he was her other half, everything she wasn't, everything she needed and wanted. What could be more perfect than that?
She suddenly felt Duncan moving his jaw and heard him say. "You won't miss me."
Courtney moved her head off of his shoulder and looked at him strangely. "Why would you say that? Of course I'll miss you, I wouldn't know how to not miss you."
Duncan seemed to ponder on her words as he continued to dance with her. "Well you see it would be impossible, there's more than one police academy, and there are other places in this world that would take someone like me if a certain father made a couple of calls and transferred his son to that other police academy which happened to be nearby a certain university."
Courtney stopped moving and looked at him with a shocked expression.
"So it'd be hard to miss me if I happened to be in the same area as you and continued to see you nonstop while having my own job and you still being able to go to school."
If ever there was a doubt
My love she leans into me
This most assuredly counts
She says most assuredly
Courtney mouth dropped and her eyes seemed to water up again only this time with happiness. "What are saying? That you are…" she couldn't finish her sentence. She had to be dreaming, there was no way things could be this perfect.
As Duncan continued to watch her face he laughed lightly and wiped the tears from her face and cupped her face gently before whispering, "I'm coming with you princess. We aren't finished yet."
Courtney suddenly screamed and launched herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist. Duncan fell over at her sudden collision with him, but held onto her anyway as she continued to cheer and kiss him.
Oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you
Oh, oh
Be my baby
Oh
Courtney suddenly sat up glaring down at him and placed her hands on her hips. Duncan missed that face but quickly remembered to watch himself and his physical well being. "Exactly when were you going to tell me this?" she demanded.
Duncan waved his hand. "Eventually."
"Eventually?" asked Courtney now crossing her arms. "Was that after you showed up here, or after you started acting like my date, or after I got your ass out of trouble again?"
Duncan only smirked. "Hey c'mon I was waiting for the right moment, not only did I have to make sure you'd listen, I also had to wait for you to loosen up miss tight ass."
Courtney smiled a little looking up at the night sky and still listening to the music. "Well you certainly did a good job," she said punching him playfully on the shoulder. "Now I just don't know if I should be happy or pissed off at you," she said standing up and brushing herself off.
It's always have and never hold
As you begin to feel like home
Duncan stood up and moved closer to her pulling her in for a kiss which she happily accepted. They probably weren't the most perfect couple, they probably didn't have the most in common. But they wouldn't have it any other way.
Duncan finally pulled away from her and said seductively. "Why don't we just get you out of that dress." He suddenly hoisted her up on his shoulder and carried her towards his motorcycle while she protested.
"No Duncan don't ruin my dress! Gwen and Bridgette helped me pick this out."
"Well then be sure to thank them for me," replied Duncan sitting her down in her rightful place and kissing her again. Courtney shook her head and smiled unable to deny him any further.
What's mine is yours to leave or take
What's mine is yours to make your own
As Duncan started up his motorcycle Courtney wrapped her arms around him and whispered in his ear. "So I guess this means we'll be sharing our very different lives together. You up for that challenge?"
Duncan looked back at her never more sure of anything in his life. "As long as you look after me, and I'll look after you princess, everything will be perfect."
And with that the two rode off together leaving everything else, but their love for each other, behind.
Oh, oh
Be my baby
Oh
Oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you
-The Fray
A/N: I hate the ending of any story I write because that means it's over (sobs) As you can tell by the ending of the story the whole thing was inspired by the song "Look After You" by The Fray. The Prom described in this story was kind of my prom execpt the whole riot thing, though there were a few people who got busted for drugs. Well anyway I hope liked it, loved it or whatever to it. I just want to say thank-you and good-bye. REVIEW!