courtney's choice

Chapter One: Smosh

Courtney had been working at Smosh for a while now. She was having so much fun with her squad and filming videos. There were some things she was frustrated with about the company Defy but that is beside the point. Courtney was excited as the smosh squad was going out for dinner to celebrate olivia's birthday.

Int. Karl's Jr.
Olivia, Courtney, Noah, and Keith and sitting inside, food already ordered.

Olivia: this is so nice you guys. I love hanging out with my friends. Best birthday ever. Thank you so much.

Courtney: for sure, Olivia. You deserve to be celebrated.

Keith: yeah liv liv. We love hanging out with you too.

The friends continue laughing and chatting as Noah leans his head on Keith's shoulder.

Noah whispers: is this okay? I know you like your space

Keith: my space is better with you in it.

Just then, Shayne, exasperated, stumbles through the door of the restaurant.

Shayne: hey guys sorry I'm late. Happy birthday Olivia!

Courtney noticed the way Shayne looked. He was just wearing a simple tee shirt and jeans but he looked so handsome all out of breath.

The group all together: hey Shayne! Hi! Etc.
The rest of the night went as planned. Olivia opened her gifts and everyone had a great time. Keith got tired and decided to Uber home and Noah left with him. ;)

Olivia wanted to go home and relax for the rest of the night so she drove home, leaving Courtney and Shayne alone at the Karl's. Jr

Courtney: looks like it's just us
Shayne: yeah do you want anything else, I'm going to get another drink?
Courtney: oh sure just some water would be nice.
Courtney smiled at the attractive man in front of her.
Shayne came back a few min later, drinks in hand.
Shayne: here ya go
Courtney: thanks
It was a bit awkward between the two and Courtney started to realize she hadn't been alone with Shayne a lot before. They slowly started talking about food, then working out, then music, then aspirations, and the conversation just flowed.

Shayne: I wanted to be a vet when I grew up
Courtney: omg that's really cool
Shayne: yeah, I just really love animals
Courtney: hey I think they're about to close so we should probably head home
Shayne: oh shoot, you're right
The two left, with a feeling of a new friendship between them.

Over the next year, Shayne and Courtney had become really close. They worked together all the time and some would even call them best friends. Shayne had become attached to Courtney in a protective way. He didn't want anyone to hurt her. He recalled a few times when he comforted her during anxiety.
And Courtney appreciated it. She never saw Shayne as more than a friend, though she admitted he was hot.
Int smosh HQ day

One day, shayne was talking about his roommate. He had told stories about him before, but this time was different.

Shayne: yeah, his name is Damien haas. We worked together on Disney. He's gonna come be on Smosh Games.

Ian: it's official. Damien is part of Smosh. We'll probably have him do a video with the squad too, so the fans can get to know him better.

Olivia, Keith and Courtney: sounds good. Cool, ad lib

Shayne: I'm stoked.

Noah: we should have lunch with him soon.

Ian: great idea, he's coming in later this week.

Shayne: yeah I'll talk to him about lunch. I'm sure he's cool with it.

Courtney: awesome

The cast go about there day, filming videos and whatnot.
Later that week

A slightly shy, but smiley young brunette enters the room. He is handsome and tall. Courtney notices.

Damien: hi everybody. I'm Damien.
Damian takes it all in. Shayne had told numerous stories about everyone to him before but it was different in person.

One by one, the cast introduce themselves.

Damien: it's great to meet everyone and I'm totally down for lunch. I'm a big foodie so I'm cool with any restaurant.

Courtney to Olivia aside: he seems cool
Olivia: yeah

Int Smosh
Next week:
Noah is ranting about some conspiracy theories he read about to Keith, who is not at all interested. Shayne and Ian are talking about a sketch they are doing and Courtney sits by herself. All of the sudden, Courtney starts having a panic attack, but no one notices. She is shaking and crying quietly and she rushes to the bathroom. Courtney hates when she gets like this but she just tries to focus on breathing.  She is crying quite loudly now and a passing by Damien overhears.
Damien knocks on the door.

Damien: hello? Are you okay?
Courtney: y-yeah I'm... I'm fine.
Damien: Courtney? Is that you? You don't sound fine. Can I come in?

Courtney doesn't say anything. She can't. No one has ever wanted to help her like this besides Shayne. She hesitantly unlocks the door. Damien embraces her in a tight hug.

Damien: come splash some water in your face. It helps.

Courtney goes over to the sink and does what Damien suggested.

Damien: better?
Courtney: a little
Damien: do you want to talk about it or just take some deep breaths
Courtney: breaths
Damien: okay. Breath in. Out.

Damien helps Courtney calm down and regroup.

Damien: I gotta get back to work but if you want to talk or you need anything at all, I'm here, okay?
Courtney: thanks. And thank you for your help.
Damien: anytime.

They smile at each other before Damien leaves the bathroom. Courtney returns to where the squad is getting ready for a table read. Courtney sits down next to Shayne.

Shayne: hey, where did you go?

Courtney takes a minute to decide what to tell him. She doesn't want to get into it.

Courtney: just had to go to the bathroom
Shayne: oh okay

Over time, Courtney starts to feel more comfortable going to Damien for help and to talk about things she's going through. Not as a therapist but as a good friend.