Torn

Trouble

"So...here's what I'm thinking. I have to get back at Duncan, but how? I mean, the guy's already in prison!"

"You expressed that he forced himself onto you, correct?"

"Yeah..."

"Then file a harassment charge. Or how about a sexual assault case?"

Courtney shakes her head. "I'm not lying about something so serious. Sure, his kisses caught me off guard at first, but after that, it was pretty consensual."

And amazing. Ugh, not now stupid horny brain!

Courtney continues uneasily. "What if...no, that won't work."

"What if what?"

"It's a crazy idea."

"Humor me."

"What if I get him to fall in love with me just to break his heart? Give him a taste of what his own actions caused."

"It just might work. I mean, you guys will get close through counseling anyway. And I think his sentence ends in a little over a month."

"A month?!"

"That's what I heard from the prison's attorney."

"Yikes. Well, I'll give it a shot. What do I have to lose?"

"If you don't mind, could you please leave? I have an appointment with another client in ten minutes."

"Oh, sure! Bye Kate. Thanks for everything. You're my only friend in this mess."

The attorney smiles and Courtney leaves promptly.

The first counseling session was anything but smooth sailing. To start off, Duncan arrived 30 minutes late because he lied about the time of their counseling session and no one in the prison bothered to check. This caused an argument with Courtney right off the bat.

"You always do this!" She yells. "You don't care about anything! You should at least try to put in a little effort, considering this is all your fault."

"And why do you believe that, Ms. Cortez?" The counselor, a small brown woman with huge black glasses, says.

Courtney turns her attention from Duncan to the counselor. "Believe what?"

"That this is all his fault. Was the sexual misconduct not a mutual transgression?"

Courtney frowns. "Well, yes, I guess, but-"

"So I think you owe Duncan an apology."

Duncan laughs. "C'mon princess, apologize."

"I'm...sorry..." She says through gritted teeth.

Duncan bows dramatically. "I accept your apology."

"This is great progress. Accepting that the sexual misconduct was a joint effort is the first step in recognizing how both of you can grow from the experience," the counselor, named Elise, continued.

"Uh, how exactly can we grow from this? From my perspective, we didn't even do anything wrong," Courtney responds.

"Did you not have a boyfriend during the time of the sexual misconduct?" Elise asks.

Courtney stiffens. "That's really none of your business."

"Uh, princess, it kind of is. Hooking up with me cost you your relationship. Might as well own up to it."

Courtney turns to Elise furiously. "I understand that we chose to do that together but Duncan was the one who initiated it."

Elise turns to Duncan. "Care to explain your course of action?"

Duncan finds himself at a loss for words. "Uhhh...I'll get back to you on that."

"No Duncan, really. Why did you kiss me? You should have known there would be consequences."

He shrugs. "I clearly don't care about consequences. Besides, does there need to be a reason other than I think you're really hot?"

Courtney rolls her eyes. "I'm sure you find plenty of girls hot. Like Gwen."

"What the hell does Gwen have to do with this?"

"You know exactly what she has to do with this."

"I really don't-"

"Have you considered-"

"For all you know-"

Elise raises her voice to get their attention. "ENOUGH, BOTH OF YOU!"

Courtney and Duncan stop speaking and look at her with wide eyes.

Elise sighs. "Anyone care to explain who this Gwen is?" She continues.

"Gwen is the girl Duncan cheated on me with. He's kissed her behind my back more than once," Courtney responds a little too quickly.

"Is this true, Duncan?"

He sighs. "Yeah, but the second time Courtney and I weren't together, so it's not a big deal."

Elise looks at him quizzically. "Have you considered that this could be a big deal for Courtney?"

Duncan seems surprised. "...No, I haven't."

"Maybe you two should recognize that although you're not with each other romantically, you do care a lot about each other and that's the reason you're seeing me in the first case. It's all right to admit that there are some lingering feelings between the two of you."

Courtney and Duncan exchange a look before looking away and shifting in their seats awkwardly.

Silence fills the room.

Elise recognizes the tension she created and moves on to a different topic.

"So, what prompted your visit to the prison?"

Courtney shrugs. "I was just curious to see if he had changed. Also...I guess I missed him."

Duncan opens his mouth to say something.

Courtney puts her finger to his lips before he can speak.

"You do not get to comment."

Elise laughs and they move on to a different topic.

After the counseling session, Duncan is the first to leave.

"Sorry princess, but I need to head out. Seeing as I'm in prison and all."

"Mhm. You do that Duncan."

He smiles and exits the room.

Courtney quickly turns to the counselor. "Hey Elise, do you think there's any chance I can get that man to fall in love with me?"

Elise stares at Courtney, clearly dumbfounded. "Fall in love with you?" She pauses for a moment, deep in thought. "Now why would you want that? That boy is trouble."

"I'm just curious."

"Well, if you want my honest opinion, I think he might already be in love with you."

Courtney can't stop herself from gasping as Elise laughs. "Just kidding, dear. I'll see you at our next session."

Courtney makes her way to the door as Elise turns to look over her notes. God these two are a mess, she thinks to herself.

Once she arrives at her apartment, Courtney stares at her PDA and sighs. It's open to her texts with Scott.

I miss you, she sends.

You sure you weren't trying to send this to Duncan? He replies.

I'm sure.

Read, but no reply.