Wawanakwa High

Part Ten: Duncan's POV

In the middle of first period, Honors English for me, Principal McLean comes on the overhead speaker.
"All seniors please report to the gym for a mandatory assembly. Thank you."
     Great.  It always seems like these sort of things always interfere with your favorite classes.  I know what you're thinking, Duncan of all people has a favorite class and it's Honors English?!  Well maybe I like writing.  Also, maybe I like being able to sit with Courtney to start off my day. Hopefully we'll get to sit like this the whole year. Court'll get used to it. I can tell she likes me. Even if she only likes me as a friend, which I highly doubt, she still technically likes me. Wouldn't hurt to be friends with her. We were already good friends anyways, I guess.  The typical love-hate relationship. I mean I did kind of ruin that with the whole Gwen thing, but whatever. Gwen and I, it just didn't work out. We were better as friends. There was no fun there. With Courtney we had heart to heart conversations. Even though there were arguments, it was because we're still pretty different. Opposites have their advantages and disadvantages. I helped her to take a risk and calm down, which all went away with the Gwen thing. She helped me express myself without it always being illegal or getting me in trouble.  All of a sudden a voice brings me out of my daze. 
     "Are you coming or what?" asks an aggravated Courtney with her hand on her hip. 
     "Didn't know you cared, Princess," I answer, waggling my eyebrows. 
     "I wish you'd stop calling me that, Duncan." she says quietly, rolling her eyes and looking away. 
     "No you don't.  Anyways we better go then, shouldn't we?" I grab her hand and guide her to the gym.  Occasionally hearing her protest under her breath, but not wiggling her hand free from my grasp.  The gym is packed.  Luckily, towards the back, I see some seats.  I don't let go of her hand and then sit beside her on the bleachers. 
     "Duncan...  You do realize we're not dating anymore, right?" Court says, looking up at me with her big brown eyes. 
     "Yes I do, but... that doesn't mean we can't be friends..." I answer.  She doesn't say anything after that, but she doesn't let go of my hand; she actually squeezes it tighter.  Almost reassuringly.  I take comfort in knowing we're still close.  Courtney, she just messes with my heartstrings.  But I can tell I mess with hers too.  I'm surprised at how close we're sitting though, our hips touching.  It's not until now that I realize she's holding my hand which is resting on my lap.  Not the typical kind of gesture for someone to use when they attempt to make it abundantly clear that you get on their nerves.  Court gets on my nerves too, but isn't it said that the ones closest to you drive you the most crazy?  I can feel eyes staring at us, but honestly I don't even care.  I glance at Courtney and by the look on her face she doesn't seem bothered by the stares either.  Weird. 
     "Welcome back to the new school year, seniors!" exclaims Mr. McLean.  "With this being your last year, the rest of the faculty and I have decided to have a fall dance for seniors only!  No freshmen, sophomores, or juniors allowed!"  The entire gym cheers.  A school dance, just for us seniors.  Even though Prom is in the spring, that's for juniors too, so this senior exclusive dance isn't such a bad idea.  I also know just who I'm going to ask...
     "Simmer down, students.  To change things up a but, this dance will be girls ask guys!"
     Girls ask guys?!?  Well so much for me going with Court.  Unless...maybe I can make her want to ask me...  But, how?  On top of that, the dance is in a month!  Looks like I'm going to have to devote every minute to making Courtney want to go with me.  It might not be so hard, if I'm lucky.
     "That's all, students.  Please make your way back to class." 
     Courtney loosens her grip on my hand and drops it, standing up.  She flips her hair, stands up straight, and begins to head out of the gym.  Not be so hard?  Yeah right.  I've got a lot of work to do if I'm going to attempt to steal her heart again, and hopefully this time it won't be temporary...