Courtney’s POV

Tap tap tap

Tap tap tap

I lift my hand from tapping the counter and look to the door again. Josh should be here soon. I take out my cell phone and look myself over in the reflection. Though the blue uniform isn’t exactly flattering, my hair is neatly brushed and my make-up isn’t smudged. Slipping my phone into my purse, I recall my 日付 with Josh last night.

Josh is different from Duncan in so many ways. He's never been to Juvie, first of all. And he's really sweet. Not to mention Duncan can be such a pervert. But I get two totally different feelings when I'm around them. When I'm with Josh, I feel happy and light. Like I can depend on him and he'll be a total gentleman to me. We could be a perfect couple with full parental support. With Duncan, it's the opposite. He's irritating and vulgar, but with Duncan it's like riding a roller coaster. It's exciting and unpredictable. One 分 I'm having fun, and the 次 I want to get off before I puke. It's just so confusing.

I sigh and アヒル, 鴨 under the counter to re-arrange several movie cases.

“Fancy meeting あなた here.” A male voice makes me nearly jump out of my skin.

I jump up, nearly smacking my head on the counter with a bright smile.

“Hey-” My smile disappears when I see the pierced face. Oh, no. Not here!

"Princess! I never thought a job at Blockbuster would meet your standards." Duncan muses. I wish I could rip the smug, satisfied smile off of his face.

“What the hell are あなた doing here!?” I growl.

He fake-gasps. “I was just stopping によって to pick up a movie. It’s not like I knew that あなた worked here.”

My eyes narrow. “Right. Now if あなた don’t mind, I’m working. So leave.”

“Is that anyway to treat a customer? Actually I could use your help. I’m looking for a movie…” He grins.

“Forget it. Now leave.”

Duncan shakes his head slowly, still smiling. “The sooner あなた help me, the sooner I’ll go.”

“Fine.” I lead him over to the new releases. “So what movie do あなた want?”

"Hey, can I ask あなた a question?”

I roll my eyes. “No.”

“Why haven’t we hooked up yet?” Duncan’s smile is devious, but the glint in his eyes is serious. I’m suddenly very aware that we are alone.

“Be- because I’m not interested.” My eyes don’t meet his when I say this.

“You really should go.” Duncan moves closer to me.

“My boss doesn’t like me socializing when I’m working…” I lean back and look around the shelf of DVDs. In the distance, I see a brown haired boy getting out of his car. My heartbeat quickens.

“Here! あなた can go out the back door!” I race over to the door at the back of the store, blocking the view of the front window.

“You know, あなた still owe my something from last week when I walked あなた home.” Duncan grins, almost evilly.

“I don’t owe あなた anything.” I sneer, but he still inches closer. His hands ラップ around my waist.

“D- Duncan… s- stop…” My voice wavers. Whether I’m stuttering because I’m scared または excited, I don’t know.

“Go.” He doesn’t flinch, despite my voice being stronger.

“Okay.”

With that, he presses his lips against mine, making my eyes go wide. Sparks fly through my body. As soon as he’d kissed me, he breaks away, bolting out the back exit.

I can feel blood rush to my face. Though he’s gone and can’t hear me, I yell after him anyway.

“DUNCAN! あなた DISGUSTING PIG!”

The front door opens. Josh!

I run to the front of the store, scared of what he could have heard.

“Hey... Josh.” I say nervously.

“Hey, Court.” Josh gives me an odd look. “Are you… okay?”

“Oh- oh, yeah. Totally. I’m fine. Just there was this thing, and it was, uh, weird and, um, yeah. I’m fine. Are あなた okay?” I’m blabbering on.

“Yeah... I’m fine.”

“Oh, okay. Well… good. That’s good. Right well, um.” Get a hold of yourself, Courtney! “You 発言しました あなた were getting a movie?” He nods.

“Yeah, do あなた have Hancock?”

“Uh-huh.” I walk over to one of the shelves, picking out the DVD.

“Here, the last one, too.” Josh takes the movie and looks it over.

“Cool. Hey, do あなた want to do something this week?” His soft brown eyes meet mine, and a wave of guilt passes over me.

I smile as sweetly as I can. “Sounds like fun. I really had fun last night.”

“So did I.”

“I’ll just go scan this for you.” Josh hands me the case and I walk over to the counter.

“That’ll be… four ninety-two. I let あなた use my discount.”

“Thanks.” He smiles sincerely and hands me the money. “I’ll call あなた later, okay?”

“Great. Bye.”

Josh waves good-bye and walks out of the stores. When he’s gone, I sink to my knees.

“Stupid, stupid Duncan.” I whisper, overwhelmed with anger, confusion and embarrassment. And, though I’d hate to admit it, a sliver of satisfaction.

“Awww, that’s so sweet of him!”

“Yeah.” I sigh into the phone.

“What is it?” Becky asks.

“Well, Duncan also showed up while I was working.”

“Ouch. That must have been awkward for Josh.”

“Well… Duncan actually showed up right before Josh. Josh came immediately after he left. Talk about a close call.”

There’s a moment of silence on the phone. “Hey, Courtney? Have あなた told Josh about Duncan yet?”

I groan. “No, and there is no way I will, if I can help it. Besides, what would I even say? ‘Oh, によって the way, that guy the whole viewing world saw me hook up with on T.V. that I 発言しました I hadn’t seen in forever goes to my school now, just so あなた know’.”

“Okay, I get it. No need for sarcasm.”

“Sorry, just I really don’t want to screw up with Josh. He’s a great guy, and I don’t want Duncan ruining it. Plus, Duncan totally pissed me off earlier…”

“What’d he do?”

“Don’t ask.”

“Fine. But just one question.”

“Yeah?”

“You don’t have any feelings left for Duncan, right?”

“Oh, no way! I can’t stand him!” I gasp.

“Just making sure. Talk to あなた on Monday, alright?”

“Mmhmm. See あなた then.” I snap my cell shut and place it on my nightstand, a queasy feeling forming in the pit of my stomach.

“I don’t still like him. I don’t still like him. I don’t still like him.” I chant to myself, hoping that によって the time I fall asleep, I’d believe it.