Apartments and Thoughts


Duncan laid on the top of DJ's bunk bed. He seemed to be sleeping over at all of his best friend's house, but they didn't seem to mind. And if they don't mind, he doesn't mind that they don't mind, because it's a good thing they don't mind.

Duncan sat up on the bed, hitting his head in the process. Duncan was too tall to be on the top. He jumped off and sat down on the carpet floor of DJ's room.

Do I actually like Princess? Duncan thought.

He shook his head, groaning. He only thought of Courtney as his semi-friend with hot lips, but he never thought he would actually grow to like her. Courtney wasn't his type; she was too uptight and too snotty.

But that's the problem.

Duncan's never met a girl who wasn't interested him in the least—excluding Gwen, Bridgette, and all of the other girls who are friends of his. He loves challenges. Courtney is challenge which he never beat yet.

Yet.

And there was also another thing: her secret. Just what was her secret that will probably surprise Duncan? She used to strip or what? Hot. She's actually a guy or—

Duncan shivered. No. Courtney cannot be a guy. If she was, then Duncan would ask Harold to kill him.

The door opened, showing DJ with a tray of sandwiches. Duncan absolutely loves DJ's cooking. Who doesn't?

“It's your famous sandwiches, DJ,” Duncan said, grinning in anticipation. “My stomach's ready to digest this yummy crap.”

DJ laughed and set down the tray beside him, sitting next to Duncan. Duncan took two sandwiches and shoved them inside his throat.

“You are a freaking master, dude,” Duncan sighed happily. “You're in that elite cooking school, right?”

DJ nodded. “We're taking a break for a while, though. All schools are.”

Duncan gulped the food down slowly. “Why?”

“Some problem with the government or something, I don't know.” DJ looked at the alarm clock. “Didn't you say you were going apartment hunting?”

“Oh, yeah! Hey, can you help me find one? I'm freaking tired of crashing in all you guys' apartments.” Duncan yawned. He didn't get much sleep due to images of a so-called Princess.

DJ scratched the back of his head nervously. “Well, yeah, I can—but we're going to have a tag-along, so…you wouldn't mind, right?”

Why does he look so nervous? Duncan thought suspiciously.

Duncan smirked. “Nah, I wouldn't. As long as he or she isn't annoying, loud, or stupid, I'm cool.” He paused. “Is it Bunny?”

DJ laughed. “No, no. My mama has Bunny. They're bonding right now,” he replied happily. He looked proud.

Duncan felt weird about that; he didn't show it, though.

“So, where are we going to meet this—wait, who are we meeting?” he asked.

DJ looked away from Duncan. “Er…well, you know…Courtney.” He cringed.

Duncan laughed. “Dude, why do you look so scared? I'm actually quite elated to hear that Princess will be joining us. Get ready for some teasing by yours truly, DJ.” He smirked, picturing Courtney's hot, furious face.

“Because remember when Trent told you that Harold was the one who made your ex-girlfriend dump you? You had this murderous expression on, and it scared me…a lot.” DJ chuckled nervously. “But I'm over it, so…”

Duncan shook his head at his friend. “You're weird, dude.” He was quiet for a moment. “You know, maybe I didn't punish Harold enough for that incident… I really did like that chick. Her name was…Trisha. Yeah, Trisha. She was hot.”

“I thought you liked Courtney?”

Duncan sighed heavily. “Do I?”

–

Courtney sat down on the fountain near her apartment, waiting for DJ to come. He was going to teach her how to cook this certain recipe that she had trouble getting right.

She watched people walk their dogs, exercise, and all those daily routines. Courtney wished she had a dog when she was young; her parents never allowed it. They never allow anything—except good grades, scholarships, and anything else related to academics.

She suddenly felt somebody's presence next to her. She whipped her head to the right and saw none other than…

Heather.

Courtney wanted to tear out Heather's eyeballs out of their sockets for calling her an “up-tight ho”—which was true, the up-tight part. Courtney would never admit that, though.

Heather smiled politely at her. “Hi, there, Courtney,” she greeted, pulling her sunglasses down. “It's nice to see you here.”

Courtney put on a fake smile. “Hi, Heather. What are you doing here?” she tried to ask politely.

Heather waved her hand in the air casually. “Oh, you know, I was just driving around the streets, and then I saw you, so I thought, ‘I haven't seen Courtney in a while.’ Now, here I am, talking to you.”

“Um, okay.” Then she looked away, still searching for DJ. DJ, help me from this she-devil! she thought frantically.

Courtney appraised Heather in her peripheral vision. She was wearing short shorts—which was totally obvious for Heather—and a tube top that showed off her mid-riff. Her long hair was tied in a messy bun in a stylish way. She also wore gladiator sandals.

“So…, Courtney,” Heather began, “I heard that you and Duncan are semi-friends.” She giggled snobbishly. “Listen, a girl and a guy can't be semi-friends, even if they have absolutely no feelings for each other whatsoever. Eventually you and Duncan will like each other. I've seen that happening to other hopelessly in love couples.”

Courtney rolled her eyes. “Well, you're wrong there. I will not like Duncan ever, Heather. He's not my type, and besides, he doesn't like me that way. Flirting is in his nature.”

“Uh-huh. Keep telling that to yourself, Courtney. You may be saying that, but your heart is trying to tell you the truth. You're too stubborn and too dense, so you probably don't hear it. You do, but you just shrug it off, am I right?” Heather smirked.

“No, you are not” is what Courtney wanted to say. No matter how much she despised Heather, she knew she was right. She hated it when she was wrong and other people were right. It made her feel…

Stupid.

Courtney let out another fake smile. “Wow, thanks, Heather. That helped me quite a bit. Thanks again,” she said in clenched teeth.

“I'm always here to help you know that, right?” Heather sighed dramatically. “But I always thought that Duncan wasn't ‘boyfriend-material.’”

Courtney looked at her with confusing eyes. “Why?”

“He's a ‘wannabe’ bad-ass, right? All bad-asses have a player personality. Your his target, and if you ever fall for his charms”—she said that sarcastically—“then you'll regret it, because he'll just throw you away and find another target.” Heather leaned in closer. “Take my advice, Courtney: stay strong. Don't be like those other pathetic girls who fell for him and got dumped just like that.” She snapped her fingers.

“H-How do you know? He might not be like that, you know.” Courtney didn't know why, but she just had to defend Duncan.

“Okay, then, don't believe me. I'm just saying, because in every get-together Trent always has, he has a different girl in his arms—well, that's if he isn't in prison or something.” Heather smiled wickedly.

Courtney glared at her. “You don't know Duncan,” she spat.

“You don't know him, either.” She stood up from the fountain and smiled that fake warm smile. “I have to go now. Buh-bye, Courtney. Remember what I said and follow it.” It was as if she was going to add, “Or else…”

Courtney watched Heather leave to her car, feeling somewhat irritated by said Asian.

Could what Heather said be true? I know that Heather was the most diabolical liar in high school, but I just didn't know. I don’t really know that Duncan that much, so…who should I trust?

“Hey, babe!” a familiar voice called.

She looked up slowly and saw Duncan.

Speaking of Duncan…

–

Duncan smiled happily when he saw his Princess sitting on the fountain, looking as gorgeous as ever. Duncan didn’t know why, but he always felt like that when he sees her.

Do I like Courtney?

“Hi, DJ,” Courtney greeted warmly to the animal lover. She narrowed her eyes at Duncan. “What’s he doing here? I thought it was only you and me.”

DJ laughed nervously. “Yeah, well…Duncan needed to go apartment hunting, and he asked me to help him; I said yes. Before I can teach you how to make chicken alfredo, can you help me help Duncan find an apartment?” He pouted.

Courtney reluctantly agreed, “Fine, I will—but I’m not chipping in.” She directed that towards Duncan.

“What’s with the snappy attitude, babe?” Duncan questioned. “Yesterday, you were all, ‘What is this feeling, baby? What am I feeling for you? I love you,’ and then we made out passionately.”

DJ blushed and gave Courtney a shocked look. “R-Really, Court?”

“No! We were having a mature conversation about something important and personal! It’s completely different than Duncan’s juvenile summarization of what happened yesterday.” She crossed her arms over her chest for, emphasizing what she explained.

Duncan chuckled. One day, Princess, you’ll stop denying it and fall into my arms. One day, he thought smugly.

DJ looked awkward. “Um…well, let’s get going now, guys. Time’s a wastin’, right?” He pulled out a folded newspaper from his pocket and opened it up, searching for a certain page. “We can check…‘Sunshine Apartments.’”

“The name sounds…ew,” Duncan commented, grimacing. “It doesn’t match me.”

Courtney scoffed. “It’s just the name, Duncan. Don’t judge things.”

“Hypocrite,” Duncan sneered.

Courtney glared.

DJ skimmed for more frantically. “How—how about…‘Norman Apartments’? The apartment looks nice and the price is reasonable. Do you want to try it?” he offered.

Duncan rubbed the back of his neck nervously. “I don’t know. The apartment looks okay, but the name is—”

Courtney sighed exasperatedly. “Just go check it out first, Duncan! It looks nice, and you should take advantage of this opportunity! Where’s it at?” DJ showed her the newspaper. “It’s at… Okay, it’s close here, so we can just walk.” She grabbed both of the guys’ arms.

Duncan narrowed his eyes at her. Pushy freak, he thought. He looked at DJ who looked scared to death and also looked like he was about to piss his pants. Poor dude.

Do I like her?

There it goes again.

--

Duncan waited for the landlord on the comfy sofas with DJ and Courtney talking about food. It made him feel hungry, but if asked Courtney to leave this crappy place to eat, she’ll do things to him. Illegal things. Hot, illegal things that will include something very—

“Duncan, stop staring at me like I’m some prostitute!” Courtney spat, interrupting his “Rated XXX” reverie.

Duncan felt drool on his chin and he quickly wiped it. He looked at Courtney who was still glaring at him icily.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he said seductively.

Courtney glared at him some more, and then resumed talking to DJ.

Duncan took this opportunity to appraise Courtney’s physical appearance. He took in her conservative clothing, which made him almost grimace. She had a hot body, and she was covering it with…unnecessary material. He looked at her luscious, mocha-looking hair. It reminded him of Starbucks. He saw her flawless, tan skin, and he just wanted to touch it. His eyes traveled up to her plump, kissable lips. He knew how they felt like and how they moved. Duncan just loved everything about her—minus the uptight attitude and her conservative clothing.

Suddenly the door opened, showing a mid-twenties woman in professional clothing. She looked like an older Courtney except less hotter.

The lady looked at Duncan and gave him a critical look. Then she glared at him fiercely. Duncan was taken aback by her hostile expression.

“I don’t like that expression you are giving me, you perverted alien,” she said robotically.

Duncan glared at her harshly. “What the hell did I do to you?” he spat. “I don’t even freaking know you!”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m Madeline McAdams,” she introduced, “Trisha’s sister.”

Duncan’s eyes widened. He saw Courtney give him a confused look. DJ looked nervous about this.

“Y-You’re Trish’s sister?” he stuttered.

“You don’t have a right to call her that anymore, Duncan—only her friends and family call her that. I cannot believe that you would say those things about Trisha! I thought you loved her and I thought you were different than those other jerks who dated her! What kind of boyfriend calls her girlfriend a ‘slutty freak’?!” She took a couple of deep breaths, calming herself down. “She has a boyfriend now—a good one, at that. She won’t get hurt anymore just like how you—”

Duncan interjected, “I was blackmailed, dude—dudette! This nerd Harold blackmailed me! You received a voice recorder or whatever shit, saying that I called her a ‘slutty freak,’ right?! That stupid nerd must have done some freaky nerdy voodoo with technology to trick me! I would never call Trisha that! To be honest, I didn’t love her, but I cared about her a hell lot! You’ve seen how I am with her! Believe me!”

Madeline shook her head at me. “It’s in the past now, Duncan.” She looked at a confused-looking Courtney. “I hope you make up from your mistakes for her. She’s pretty. Treat her right.” Then she left.

Duncan sighed and buried himself in his hands.

Treat Courtney right, huh? he thought. We’re not even dating… Damn it, do I like her?

--

Courtney looked at Duncan sadly. At first, she was about to consider Heather’s advice, but then when she saw how Duncan defended himself, it made her feel something. She knew Duncan was telling the truth. But Courtney also felt something else.

Jealousy. The little green monster. Who’s not the hulk—well, not yet.

Duncan didn’t say that he loved this Trisha girl—he even said so himself—but Courtney couldn’t help but feel jealous. Duncan must have cared about her a lot. It made Courtney want to be the one he cares about.

“Madeline is going to be living here, right?” Courtney suddenly heard Duncan ask quietly.

“Um…well, maybe, but she probably just wanted to—,” Courtney started.

“She might live here,” Duncan interrupted. “I don’t want to live in the same apartment as my ex-girlfriend’s sister. I’ll always feel remorse; I don’t want that, Courtney.” He suddenly stood up and headed out.

Courtney quickly grabbed his wrist. “Duncan, we can’t just leave! This apart—!”

Duncan pried his wrist away from Courtney’s grip quickly. “No,” he said firmly.

Courtney’s eyebrows furrowed as she saw Duncan leave the landlord’s office. She felt a bulky hand on her shoulder.

“Courtney, we should just go,” she heard DJ say softly. “Duncan feels really down. Let’s go.”

Courtney sighed deeply and nodded. She walked outside and saw Duncan waiting for them, leaning against the wall. He still looked gloomy. DJ was talking to the landlord about cancelling their meeting. Courtney walked slowly to Duncan. She put her hand on her cheek.

“Now, for sure, I know you’re not acting,” she joked lightly. She heard Duncan chuckle quietly, and that made her feel quite relieved.

Then Duncan stayed quiet, not replying. Courtney didn’t know what to do. Duncan just looked so…heartbroken. It made Courtney feel even more envious towards this Trisha person.

“Duncan, are you o—that’s a stupid question…,” Courtney muttered.

Duncan chuckled again. “You don’t have to try so hard, babe. I just feel sad. I could’ve tried harder to get her back, you know? I mean, I really liked her. But…if I did that, then I wouldn’t even be here with you.” He smiled at her.

Courtney felt herself blush. She was used to Duncan smirking, but not smiling. It was a genuine, warm smile. It just…made Courtney feel something inside her stomach. Her heart was pounding like crazy. It was making this th-thump sound.

Shut up, heart, Courtney chastised mentally. Now’s not the time.

“Um, should I say thanks?” Courtney asked unsurely. “I don’t really know what to say to be honest.”

“Save that ‘thank you’ crap and just give me a big, wet kiss, Princess,” Duncan joked.

Courtney sighed, smiling. There was the Duncan she knew and lo—

Courtney stopped herself. She couldn’t love Duncan, right? It’s just not… She couldn’t explain it. It wasn’t about her reputation, right? Right? Right?

“Shut up, Courtney!” she hissed to herself.

“Okay, now I definitely think my seductive looks are driving you psycho,” Duncan said, laughing quietly. “You okay, babe?”

Courtney looked at Duncan intently. He saw his teal eyes look at her with a semi-joking, semi-concerned expression. She blushed.

Do I like Duncan?

--

“And in the end, I don’t have an apartment,” Duncan narrated quietly to himself. “All because of some unforeseen meeting with my ex’s sister… Just freaking crap-tastic.”

Courtney bonked Duncan on the head softly. “Don’t feel down, idiot. There’s always tomorrow. There are multiples of available apartments here,” she said positively.

She saw DJ on the phone with someone. He was speaking low, so she couldn’t make out what he was saying to the other person.

Duncan grinned at her. “You’ll help me, right, honey?”

“I wish you would stop with these ridiculous pet names for me, Duncan,” Courtney grumbled. “It sounds…uncharacteristic.”

Duncan laughed at her and continued walking to God-knows-where. She didn’t care, though. She liked it when Duncan was all teasing and smiling—or, in his case, smirking.

They all arrived in front of Courtney’s apartment. Courtney gave DJ and Duncan a small smile.

Duncan whistled lowly. “Damn, I never actually got a chance to look at this beauty.” He winked at Courtney. “See ya’, sexy.”

Courtney rolled her eyes, but nonetheless laughed. “See you guys whenever!” she yelled before jogging up the steps to her apartment. She preferred taking the steps rather than the elevator.

She walked to her apartment door and opened it with her key. She went inside and headed towards the kitchen. She didn’t know she was so tired and thirsty. She grabbed a cold bottle of water from the refrigerator and gulped it down until there was no more.

What a day…

--

Courtney was currently brushing her teeth. She was ready for a tedious day at work and jeers by Duncan. She smiled, remembering said criminal.

After she was done with her necessities, Courtney whipped herself up some breakfast. She put some bacon on the frying pan, humming quietly to herself. She heard the phone ring, and she put the stove on low. She grabbed the cordless phone near her and answered it.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Good a.m., Princess!” Duncan’s voice greeted. “How are you doing, your sexiness?”

“Whatever, Duncan. What do you want? You’re lucky I’m not in one of my cranky, morning moods,” Courtney said, exasperated. “You need to go apartment hunting again?”

“Nah. Apparently DJ already found me one yesterday. I owe that animal-loving dude a whole lot.”

“Okay, so what do you want? I have to get ready for work.”

“We’ll go together, sweetie. And it’s too early to go. What’s the rush?”

“I just always go there early.”

“Okay, then. I’m coming over. Bye, darling.” He hung up.

Courtney stared at her telephone in astonishment. What the hell was that? That was so freaking random, she thought, mystified.

Courtney continued finishing up her breakfast, and then she ate it. She put the dishes in the dishwasher and headed to the bathroom to get ready for work.

All of a sudden, she heard the doorbell ring. Courtney walked quickly to the door and opened it, showing Duncan.

“Duncan,” Courtney acknowledged. “That was fast. Were you near my apartment or something?”

Duncan smirked. “You could say that, Princess.” He grabbed her hand gently. “I want to show you my new apartment!”

Courtney groaned. “Duncan! I have to get ready for work! I’ll be late once I get back home!”

Duncan pouted. “Please, baby?” he pleaded cutely.

Courtney cursed silently and let Duncan drag her to his apartment. She winced at the thought of walking to Duncan’s far apartment.

Or so she thought.

She and Duncan stood in front of the apartment which was…right next door of Courtney’s! Courtney was really taken aback.

“You’re—next—Duncan—thought—far—eh?!” Courtney spluttered out. “What the hell is this?!”

Duncan hugged her from behind, putting his strong arms around her waist. “This is, my Princess, an apartment door, which is right next to you.” He put his lips near her ear. “Hello, neighbor.”

Unbelievable!