Discalimer: I do not own Danny Phantom

33. Expectations

She hated him.

She hated his smile. She hated his laugh, the way it bubbled out of his small mouth. She hated his eyes, the way they stared up at her with sparkling curiosity.

But, most of all, she hated the way they looked at him. How her parents stared at him, longingly. The way they talked to him, lovingly.

They never looked at her that way. And they never talked to her that way. They barely spoke to her at all. The most she got from them was that look of doubt, like they still couldn't believe that she shared their blood.

Her aunt and uncle had dropped him off before leaving for their 2 week vacation. It had only been 4 days and yet she knew that, if given the chance, her parents would trade her away just to keep that little child. The child they had always wanted.

"Samantha" her mother said "Could you bring Alex some milk?"

Funny how she suddenly had no problem with nicknames.

"Why can't he get it himself?" She asked bored.

"Samantha, he's only seven years old" her mother sighed

So? He's not disabled. I learned how to get things myself when I was five. She felt like saying it, but she didn't. No need to sound bitter and jealous.

Alex turned to look at her, distracted from playing his PSP. Once again, curiosity burned in them. Sam hated the way her mother noticed him move and smiled at him. She walked over to him and stroked his golden blond hair. He blinked at her.

"Would you like Samantha to bring you some milk?"

Alex glanced in my direction again before smiling up at her. "No thank you" he replied sweetly.

Sam wanted to vomit in disgust at how her mother's eyes brightened with admiration and love. Jealousy tugged on her heart and anger pulsed through her veins. She silently slipped out of the room and up the stairs. When she stepped inside her room she noticed it was colder than usual.

"Danny, I know your there. You can come out." She murmured.

He materialized behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her against his chest and whispered in her ear. "Don't take it out on him, Sam." He said gently "He's not doing it to hurt you."

At first, hurt and anger boiled her blood at his words, like he was taking his side over hers. Then, she was calmed by the soothing touch of his hands rubbing her arms. She turned and snuggled into him.

"I know." She sighed "It just feels like I'll never live up to their expectations"

"You shouldn't feel like you need to live up to them. You're better than that." He stated.

So, maybe she couldn't live up to her parents' expectations.

But, at least she could live up to Danny's.

--

review please