Realization and Diseases


He stared.

She glared.

That rhymed.

Courtney sighed irritably and took a couple of deep breaths. It was useless; it didn’t calm her down. Nothing could calm her down right now.

Duncan kept staring at Courtney, a smirk growing on his mouth. It was a slow day, and he was so bored—what better way than to aggravate Courtney?

Courtney couldn’t take it anymore. She groaned aloud and slammed her hands on the counter.

“If no one enters this damn coffee shop, or so help me, I will murder the first person I see!” she shouted. She glared harshly at Duncan. “Which is you,” she added menacingly.

Duncan gulped. “P-Princess, it’s just a slow day, and I’m here…so yeah,” he replied lamely. “You shouldn’t get so…crotchety.” He snickered at the word.

“Duncan Aiden Evans… Do you honestly believe that that statement you just stated will do anything to calm me down?” She waved her arms around the shop. “Look at this place—it’s freaking vacant! Why can’t we just go home?!”

Duncan put his arm around her shoulders, chuckling. “Well, babe, maybe Frankie-boy knew that it would be a terribly slow day, and he just made us work together alone so we could spend some quality time together.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Courtney gritted her teeth hard. “If Frank really did that, I would do things to him that you wouldn’t even want to see.”

“Oh, I would. A violent Courtney beating up—murdering—poor, innocent Frankie.”

They both heard the bells ringing, signaling them that a customer is here. They saw a couple going straight towards them.

Finally, Courtney thought exuberantly. I was just about to enter the world of insanity—Duncan’s world.

She pushed Duncan away with her hip and put on a bright, welcoming smile—of course it was fake. If there was one thing she hated about customers, it was couples. They just didn’t know what to pick, and they were the ones holding up the queue. It just irritated Courtney. But now she didn’t care, as long as there’s at least one customer, she’s fine.

“Welcome to Starbucks—how may I help you?” Courtney asked politely. “We have our new flavors: Aged Sumatra and Anniversary Blend.”

The boy looked at the girl with a bored look. “Well? Pick something,” he said coolly. “We’re going to be late for our appointment.”

The girl scowled at him. “Do not rush me, Kyle!” she snapped. “It takes time to pick things, you know!”

“Yeah, but apparently I didn’t get to do that,” Kyle grumbled bitterly.

“What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“It means I didn’t get to choose whoever I wanted to date! Our parents forced us to date! I’m glad I didn’t have to marry you!”

The girl looked like she wanted to slap him. She looked angry, but Courtney could tell she was hurt by what he just said.

“It’s not my fault, either,” she replied quietly. “You don’t see me blaming it all on you.”

Kyle sighed. “I didn’t mean that, Amethyst. I’m just saying it’s not fair for both of us. I wanted to be with someone I love, not someone I don’t know that much.”

Amethyst’s eyes watered a bit, but she quickly wiped them inconspicuously. “We’ve known each other for years, Kyle; we’re practically childhood friends. How could you say that?”

Courtney would normally get mad at them and tell them to hurry up, but the dramatic scene in front of her was so overwhelming she didn’t know what to do.

Duncan was getting annoyed by this Kyle dude. He wanted to give him a guillotine for saying those things to the girl Amethyst. Kyle didn’t like her, but…it looked like Amethyst likes him. It was a one-sided love.

He stole a glance at Courtney, who looked heartbroken towards this situation. Was their relationship like theirs? But he doesn’t like Courtney that way, and the same goes for Courtney.

Duncan wanted to comfort Courtney, pull her in a warm embrace, and kiss her sweetly. It was something Duncan never felt.

Courtney, he thought sadly.

“Amethyst, just pick something please,” Kyle pleaded. “We have to go now.”

Amethyst’s eyes were downcast. She shook her head. “No, let’s just go. I don’t want anything. We’re going to be late, and we’ll just go since this appointment’s important.”

“You can’t just change your mind! We’re here already, so just—!”

“Hey, she’s only doing this so you won’t be mad at her anymore, okay, dude?” Duncan intervened. “You’re making her sad enough. Stop.”

Amethyst stared at Duncan in shock, as well as Courtney. Kyle glared at him harshly.

“This isn’t your problem, man. Stay out of it.”

“I would, but you’re getting on my nerves ever since you opened your freaking cold mouth. Don’t you see that your words are hurting her?” Duncan spat.

Courtney grabbed Duncan by the arm. “Duncan, leave them alone. Don’t cause a scene,” she whispered frantically in his ear.

“It’s only us four, babe; I’m not going to attract anybody’s attention. Now, let me deal with this punk. In case you might still argue, I will first do it your way—I will be mature. If that doesn’t work, honey, then I’ll do it my way which involves some physical things. My way can be your way, too, of course considering how appallingly violent you are.” He winked at her.

Courtney didn’t glare at him. She just looked at Duncan with a concerned expression. She didn’t want him to intervene, but Duncan was stubborn. She sighed eventually and let go of his arm.

Duncan chuckled. “You didn’t have to let go of me, Courtney. We’re just going to talk here.” Then he turned serious and glared at Kyle, who was glaring, as well.

“You should listen to your girlfriend—” he squinted to see his nametag “—Dun…con?”

“What the hell, dude? It’s Duncan! Didn’t you hear Courtney say it? How did you get—?” Kyle pointed at the nametag, and Duncan looked at it, realization dawning on him. “Oh… That was a mistake.”

“What kind of person doesn’t know how to spell his name?” Kyle jeered.

Courtney giggled loudly. “Apparently Duncan!” she exclaimed. She hugged her sides, because she was laughing hard. “I—I didn’t know…you…were—were that…stupid!”

Duncan glared at both of them. He even saw Amethyst trying to stifle her giggles with her mouth. Well, at least she’s not crying. I hate that, he thought.

“Okay, okay, enough. This situation we’re having is serious; don’t ruin it with my…blunder.” He tried to use wise vocabulary to prove them wrong. All he got was more laughter from Courtney.

“Princess…,” Duncan growled. “Now, don’t take this personally, but I think you’re the immature person now. You see one adult and one kid”—Kyle growled at that, knowing what Duncan implied—“having a serious conversation, and you’re ruining it with your giggles.”

Courtney wiped the tears from her eyes. “S-Sorry… Go continue,” she giggled.

Duncan rolled his eyes at Courtney and turned back to Kyle. “Look, all I’m saying is…think before you say, you know? You may not love her, but this girl right here does. It’s pretty obvious.”

Kyle furrowed his eyebrows. “You…love me?” he asked Amethyst.

She looked away, tears pouring down her porcelain cheeks. “Like what Duncon—”

“Duncan,” Duncan amended irritably.

“—Duncan said, I…do,” she finished sadly. “I was elated when I heard that our parents were forcing us to be together for unknown reasons. But…I was sad, as well, because I knew you didn’t have the same feelings… I just knew that.”

Duncan looked at Courtney sadly. Somehow, he knew how Amethyst felt; he felt her pain. It was like they were alike.

Do I actually…like Courtney?

Courtney wanted to aw, but she kept her cool. She looked at Duncan, who looked like he was in pain for some reason. Her arms ached to hold him and console him.

I—I shouldn’t have these kinds of thoughts! I can’t feel that way towards him! Besides…he doesn’t…, Courtney thought, feeling confused and…quite sad.

Kyle put a hand on her shoulder. “Amethyst, this is why we’re seeing a therapist about this.” He sighed. “Look, I like you, not love you, okay? I don’t know, but maybe in the later future I’ll come to liking you, so…just wait for me?” He made it a question.

Amethyst smiled a little. “Yeah, I will. I love you enough to do that,” she said lovingly. She grabbed his hand gently. “Let’s go.”

Kyle blushed. “Um, yeah, uh, sure, Amethyst.” He suddenly looked at Duncan. “Thanks, man. Here—” He gave them twenty dollars. “Sorry for not buying—” he looked at her nametag “—uh, Courtney. Short-term memory. Sucks. Bye, guys.” He gave them a small smile and left, holding hands with Amethyst.

Courtney smiled gently at Duncan. “That was very charming of you, Duncan,” she complimented. “You did a very good thing.” She pecked him on the cheek.

Duncan turned away, a bit red. “It’s nothing. Whatever. Shush,” he said incoherently. “It…just reminded me of…well, me.”

Courtney gave him a perplexed look. “How so?”

“One of my old girlfriends, Vivian, said she loves me, but then…I didn’t feel the same way. She was the first girl to say ‘I love you’ to me.” He smiled a bit. “I felt super guilty when I saw her face; that was when I broke up with her. It wouldn’t be fair to keep dating her when I don’t feel anything anymore, right?”

Courtney nodded. She never experienced that, but she just…knew.

“You’re very experienced, aren’t you, Duncan?”

Duncan looked at her lecherously. “In more ways than one.”

“It’s just like you to ruin the perfectly wonderful, rare moments we have.” She shook her head amusedly. “You’re amazing, you know?”

Duncan stared at her in shock. It was rare of her to actually compliment this perverted criminal. He never knew that at times Courtney thought so highly of him. It made him feel just plain happy.

Realizing this, Courtney blushed, emphasizing her freckles, and covered her mouth quickly. She just blurted that out unintentionally. What was wrong with her?

“I—I—I am in my crazy mode, so please just ignore what I just said and we can just move on with that!” She giggled nervously.

Duncan would normally taunt her about that strange comment she made. But he just smiled at her genuinely and hugged her softly.

“Hey, thanks, Princess,” he whispered huskily in her ear. “I…don’t get much…er, pleasant compliments like that. So, yeah, thanks.”

Courtney smiled and slowly hugged him back. “You are very welcome, Duncan,” she replied. “You have your moments, and it’s nice to experience them since they appear so infrequently.”

Duncan chuckled a bit at that.

They failed to notice the bells ring.

“Aw! Look at the two cute lovebirds!” a girlie voice squealed. “This is just like this one romantic movie I saw!”

They both quickly let go—reluctantly—and looked to see their friend Lindsay smiling widely at them. Shockingly, Beth wasn’t with her. They both thought they were literally attached to the hip.

“Hi, Lindsay,” Courtney greeted awkwardly. “Uh, what are you doing here?”

Lindsay giggled. “I’m here to talk to you, silly!” She rummaged through her Gucci bag, muttering loudly, “Where’s that flyer…? I know it’s a colorful paper; is it a colorful paper or a paper? Where—Oh! Got it!” She quickly got out a colorful-looking paper.

Duncan read it: “Come all to the charity festival for underprivileged families! There are many entertaining booths and showcases for you all to see! We will have some mini rides and some clowns for the children! It is on a Saturday between ten o’ clock am and seven o’ clock pm. Come and help for charity-y-y-y!” He grimaced. “Well, that was bogus.”

Courtney rolled her eyes. “You’re the one who acted out the words on the flyer, stupid,” she retorted.

“So! The reason why I’m here is that this baldy guy with a goatee or whatever gave me this and asked me to help with one of the booths there!” She held out her hands, wiggling her fingertips. “I have to get a manicure, so I can’t make it! My nail beds are ugly!”

“Okay, so what do you want me to do?” Courtney was getting impatient with the ditz.

“The booth I was supposed to do…is…” Lindsay tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Oh! It’s called ‘The Kissing Booth,’ starring a beautiful person—which is me! I was looking for some of my close girlfriends to do it! Beth can’t, because she has kissing problems”—Duncan laughed at that—“so I’m asking you since…”

“Since…what?” Courtney questioned.

She looked unsure. “Well…” She interlocked her fingers together and put it under her chin, rocking it back and fro. “Please, please—don’t tell Beth or anyone else this, Courtney! But I definitely think you’re the second most beautiful person ever! Your tan skin, mocha hair, red, kissy-kissy lips, hot bod, pretty onyx eyes, adorable freckles, and your boobies—they all are absolutely…a lesser-hotter version of what I could maybe look like if your mom was my mom and your dad was my dad!” She said that all in one breath.

“Um…Lindsay, I apologize, but that’s just not my thing. I don’t go randomly kissing strangers who are desperate for a kiss. It’s for charity, but…I just can’t. They might have sexually transmitted disease, human immunodeficiency virus, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome.”

Lindsay had a dumb look on. “Huh?” she asked stupidly.

Duncan sighed irritably. “They might have yucky sex thingies in them if you kissy them,” he explained, lessening it down.

Lindsay laughed out loud. “Courtney, you should have just said that! Were you speaking Swedish or something?”

Courtney wanted to strangle the blonde in front of her. How could anybody be that stupid?! She makes Duncan look innocent!

“Lindsay, I won’t—”

Duncan put an arm around my waist casually. “Linds, she’ll do it. No worries. I’ll be there to watch her.”

Lindsay clapped her hands together furiously. “Oh, thank you, thank you, Courtney!” She opened the door, the bells jingling. “Remember: don’t tell anyone about me saying how you are prettier than everyone else other than me! Not even Dylan! Buh-bye!” She left.

Duncan grumbled. “Did she forget that I was here? Damn chick; she even got my name wrong again.”

Courtney pushed him away roughly. “Since when did you make the decisions for me?! Didn’t you hear me say that I didn’t want to do that crappy booth!”

“It’s for charity, babe.”

“I know that! I just don’t want to kiss anyone!”

“What make you so sure anyone wants to kiss you?” He smirked.

“You kiss me, don’t you?”

That did Duncan. “Touché.”

Courtney sighed and put her head on the counter, tired as hell. “I guess I’m going to have do that, huh?” she mumbled. “Well…I’ll only do it for the charity, Lindsay…and you since you’re so willing. I better get something in return, though.” She turned and gave him a beautiful smile.

Duncan grinned back.

Yeah, I definitely like Courtney.