Opposites Attract- a Duncan and Courtney fanfic

Chapter nine

Duncan walked out of the library with a skip in his step. Things were going great with Courtney, and tomorrow they were going to the concert together. Score!

Duncan walked down the halls filled with college kids. He felt a little out of place, but he didn't regret that he dropped out of high school. Courtney didn't mind that he wasn't studious... but still, he wanted to find another way to impress her...

He smiled to himself. Even if she never admitted it, he saw how happy Courtney was when they hung out together. And he was happy too. I don't deserve to be with someone as great as her, but sometimes you just get lucky. As insecure as he felt sometimes, she was one of the only people he knew who didn't want him to be someone he wasn't. She loved him for who he was.

That whole thing in TDA where she made a list of stuff she wanted to change about him didn't count.

"Dude!" Geoff threw his arms around Duncan and grinned. Bridgette, his girlfriend, was walking next to him.

"Hey!" Duncan fist bumped his bro. "What's up?"

"We were going to get some lunch," Bridgette said, brushing her hair behind her ear as they talked.

"Want to tag along?" Geoff asked. "That's fine with you, right Bridge?"

"Sure, if you like vegan food."

"Yeah, I'll pass," Duncan slipped out of Geoff's grip and pivoted to walk in the opposite direction. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and ran off before Geoff could bring up the subject.

I don't know how much longer I can stay in his dorm room... Duncan thought, especially since his friend Brody is transferring here soon...

The school year had barely started. Duncan knew if he wanted to stay with Courtney, he'd have to buy an apartment. But with what money? His paycheck from his fast food gig? His Total Drama Action prize money??

No, he gave that all up to pay for...

Duncan wasn't paying attention, so he crashed into someone.

"Do you mind?" Heather hissed. Duncan slapped his forehead. She was the last person he wanted to talk to right now.

"Mi amigo!" Alejandro smiled coldly at Duncan. "Long time no see, my friend."

"Hi Al," Duncan said through gritted teeth. He realized that Heather and Alejandro were waiting in line to order from a coffee shop.

"No cutting!" Cody exclaimed from behind him. Duncan glared at the nerd, then ducked out of line to sit at a small table. Unfortunately, Heather joined him.

"Alejandro's saving my spot in line," she said, acting as if Duncan cared. She narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Getting lunch," Duncan leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. Heather laughed.

"Don't act stupid," she sneered, "everyone knows you're dating Courtney. But what I want to know is: what's your major?"

"You're majorly annoying," a raspy voice said from behind Heather. Duncan looked up, and he felt his stomach drop. He also almost dropped out of his chair.

Gwen and Trent were standing behind Heather.

Heather rolled her eyes and got to her feet. "Well, I don't really want to hang out here right now."

"Good, cause we don't want you here," Gwen smirked. Heather glared at her old arch enemy, then turned and stormed away, her pony tail swinging as she rejoined her boyfriend. It pleased Duncan to see that they were still far back in the line.

"I don't understand that chic," Trent shook his head. "Sometimes she's cool, but sometimes she's cold." Trent shivered. "I can still feel her presence."

Gwen patted Trent's shoulder, "all snow storms pass," she said gently, then she turned to Duncan, "mind if we crash at your table?"

Duncan quickly corrected his sitting position and sat upright in his chair. "Ah..."

He and Gwen had talked in passing a few times in the last month, but he hadn't talked to her up close like this yet. And Trent was a whole other matter... things were still awkward between them...

But apparently not for Gwen.

"I need your opinion," she said briskly, sitting down without waiting for his response. Trent pulled up a chair from a nearby table and brought it over to the two person table as Gwen opened her sketch book.

"I'm thinking of designing a costume for Trent's band..." Gwen put her pencil to her lips and stared at the page. "But I don't know if green would look good on Trent..."

"I'm right here you know!" Trent threw up his hands and laughed. "And what's wrong with my current shirt? It's green!" He pretend to look offended.

"That's lime green," Gwen said, shaking her head, "You look hot in that color, but I was thinking more of a forest green..." she slid her sketch book across the table for Duncan to see. "What do you think?" She asked.

Duncan looked at Gwen's sketch. It was a drawing of Trent in a shiny tux. The image was in black and white, and the drawing would have been very realistic if it wasn't for the elaborate outfit she had designed.

"He'd look good in pitch black," Duncan said, "but nice drawing, Gwen."

"Thanks," Gwen smiled, then swapped her sketchbook back.

"Can I see your drawings?" Trent asked.

Gwen smiled mischievously. "No! If you flipped through this book, you'd see pictures I drew dating all the way back to TDI!"

"Woah, you've had the same sketch book since Total Drama Island??" Duncan gapped at his ex.

Gwen stuck out her tongue. "I don't draw all the time, as some people might think. Besides, this book is thick, just like Trent will be in this outfit."

"What are you drawing me in?" Trent demanded, but then he laughed. "Is it inappropriate?"

Gwent giggled. "I'm not telling. Besides, I want the outfit to be a surprise. Lindsey works at a fashion boutique, so she can help me make it. But it won't be done until your next gig."

"Well, I can't wait," Trent started rocking back and forth in his chair. "But seriously, black?" He addressed Duncan. "You think I should wear black? We're not exactly a punk rock band..."

Duncan pointed to his own black shirt. "Seriously bruh, black will make you look like a rock star." He winked.

"I tried to go emo a while ago," Trent said, then his face flushed bright red. "Ah, I mean..."

"Seriously babe?" Gwen looked up from her book and gawked at her boyfriend. "I can't imagine you being a rebel!"

"You're saying I'm not fun?"

"I'm saying you're perfect!"

Trent grinned, then he and Gwen kissed.

"Dudes, this is my table!" Duncan exclaimed, snapping his fingers to try to get them to break away. "I don't do sappy..."

"Well, you and Courtney are practically glued to each other," Gwen said slyly as she and Trent broke apart. "The amount of times you guys make out...! It's all she talks about in our dorm!"

They all started laughing, and all of the awkwardness Duncan was feeling flew away. Gwen was happy with Trent, and he was happy with Courtney. All was right in the world.