When Dash first meets Danny, it's the summer before freshman year.
All he knows is that he doesn't know this kid. This scrawny, thin brunet with the brilliant sapphire eyes is unknown, new and different. A myriad of questions wrapped up in a living, breathing answer.
He thinks that the boy would have been popular, if the Foley kid hadn't found him first. It's obvious just by looking at him that the brunet has that odd witty banter that isn't funny but isn't not funny, and he certainly has the looks for the A-list crowd. Yet, as he sits in the Nasty Burger and watches him interact with the "techno-geek", he's glad the guy found him first.
Because if he hadn't, he would have had to go up to him and say hello.
He can't.
Not when he's finally at the top of the social hierarchy. Not when he's finally achieved everything his father wants from him. Not if he wants his father to stay happy.
Because Baxters simply do not associate with those beneath them, as this brunet has placed himself through Foley. Because the Baxters are the best of the best, and everyone looks to them as an example. Because Baxters cannot be seen with the "trash" of the city, and especially not after having been the one to approach said "trash".
He knows he should be surprised when the kid approaches him first. He knows the boy's feeling the same strange pull that he is, but unlike him the kid allows it. Unlike him, the kid can allow it.
Hi, he says in that adolescent tone of teenagers. I'm Danny, Danny Fenton.
Danny.
Danny is grinning at him, waiting for his name in return.
He forces his face into a sneer. So what?
The grin freezes into place, then falters slightly.
Outta my way, Fen-turd.
As he leaves, the grin is gone, and Dash can only close his eyes.