Hi! Sorry I didn't update sooner. Ski trip, go figure. I'm getting braces tomorrow. I'm scared. Yeah. Now, for the reviews!

Eternity's Shadow: Hey, don't apologize for celebrating a great event. Yeah, it does serve her right. Thanks!

X: Really? I've always thought she was a mindless idiot out of fanfics, too. Thank you. Now, since I updated, keep on reading!

Disclaimer: If I owned DP, Danny and Sam would be dating, and Paulina would be dead in the show. Wait, that's why I wrote this fic!

Numb or Careless?

Paulina was hospitalized for suffocation from smoke, as well as severe burns. Her father had left a burrito in the microwave for too long, and it caught fire. He had been in the shed working on a new bookshelf, and was using a chainsaw when she screamed. By the time he'd realized what was going on, Paulina was unconscious. One week later, she died in her feverish, miserable sleep.

Her funeral was the next day, and all of Casper High was there. Even the toughest of jocks were in tears. The only one who wasn't crying was Danny. As a matter of fact, he wasn't sad at all. When he got home, he left himself to his own thoughts.

Why aren't I sad? I loved her, didn't I? Didn't I?

His own thoughts scared him. While she had been alive, he was convinced that he was head over heals for her. But, now, he couldn't care less about her. Was he numb from the sadness of her death, or had she never mattered at all?

His thinking was interrupted by the ring of the phone. He picked it up, grateful for something to distract him from this thought.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Danny. It's Sam," answered a sympathetic voice. Danny loved the sound of her voice. It was smooth and sweet, yet playful and serious. It was as beautiful as she was. Why was he always thinking these things?

"Hi."

"So, how did the funeral go?" she asked in a cautious voice.

"For a funeral, it was good," Danny joked. He and Sam both let out a laugh. How was Danny laughing at a time like this?

"How're you feeling?"

"I'm not sure. Either numb, careless, or somewhere in between."

"Huh?"

"I don't know! Well, in a way, I do, but I don't, but…Ok, my brain hurts a lot. But, anyway, I'm ok, Sam. Did you call Tuck?"

"Yeah. He's taking it pretty hard. I hope he's alright."

"If he attempts suicide, I'll be there faster than you can say 'supercalifragilisticexpialidocious'."

"Ok, Danny. Bye."

"Bye."

Danny hung up the phone with a sigh. He lay in bed a few more minutes, and then his mom called him to dinner. Everyone was flashing him sympathetic looks, but he just ignored them and became occupied with his mashed-potato-and-gravy volcano. After that, he went right to his homework.

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I know, boring, huh? Relax, peoples, there's gonna be some action soon. Or my name isn't Hallie! Byez!