Chapter 1 – Invitation

Wednesday morning at Addams Junior High, a couple of boys were watching their mutual friend, who was dressed in black boots, a dark plaid skirt and a black, sleeveless top, walk up to the usual meeting place. Her shining black pony tail swished as she walked.

"Sam looks a little worried Danny." Tucker Foley was wondering how someone could be worried just two days before school was out for the summer. The eighth grade was almost history!

"Kinda. She's seems to have been really stressed out the past couple of months." Danny watched Sam walk up to the lunch table. She was holding what looked like some very fancy greeting cards.

"Hey guys." She smiled weakly.

Tucker smiled at his thirteen year old best friend, who just also happened to be a girl.

"Something on your mind Sam? Come on, you can talk to us, we're your friends!"

"Yeah Sam, can we help?" Shaggy haired, blue eyed Danny Fenton was always ready to help Sam Manson, ever since he had saved her last year from a kidnapper. They had grown close since then, but after the excitement had died down from his heroic rescue, his romantic feelings and approaches had been too much for the dark haired Sam, and she had not returned any visible signs of affection beyond friendship. She appreciated Danny saving her, and he would always be special to her because of the rescue, but…

Inside, she just wasn't ready for a boyfriend. Trying to think of Danny as a boyfriend confused her. She had never said "I love you" or any other encouragement to Danny, or to any other guy for that matter.

This had signaled a stop sign to Danny, who then suppressed any more outward signs of wanting to be more than a friend. After a while, it became automatic, to know when to stop before crossing the line beyond friendly words or deeds. It was a little frustrating to him at first, but he eventually learned that it was better to at least be side by side with Sam, than to not be with her at all. He would have to do something a little more spectacular to win the romantic affection of the lavender eyed girl, but he didn't know what. Maybe something would come along.

Sam appreciated the concern that her two best buddies were showing towards her. She rewarded them with a smile.

"It is nothing bad guys, really! Look, I just want to…uh…well just give these to you."

She handed them each a card.

"Looks like somethin' special!" Tucker smiled and looked at her as he opened it.

Danny was ripping his to shreds in a clumsy manner, but got his open too, and pulled out a gold engraved card, with a thin parchment cover that was almost transparent.

"You guys don't have to come if you don't want to…" Sam was looking away as she said it.

Sam is not herself, Danny thought, she usually has no problem ordering Tuck and I around. He opened the card.

"Alright Sam!" Tucker shouted. "Your Bat Mitzvah! Congratulations Sam, and yeah, I'll be there!"

Sam smiled, but she was looking at Danny, trying to measure his reaction. Danny smiled as he read the invitation:

"Samantha Manson!" it read. He looked up at her with a questioning face. He knew she didn't like to be called Samantha. Her friends always call her Sam. "What's a Bat Mitzvah?" he asked.

Sam blushed. "It's my dedication to the Jewish way of life, and to G-d, as a Daughter of the Commandment." Danny loved the way she blushed, but he was careful to listen to what she was saying. This was obviously very important to his best friend, and if he ever wanted to get closer to her, he had to learn everything about her.

She continued: "I have been studying the past year to be able to lead the congregation in the service at my synagogue. I have to exercise my religious responsibilities. So I am going to do some reading and chanting in trope. The tradition dates back to ancient times. You guys will probably be bored."

"No I won't Sam, I want to go." Danny tried to give her a smile that said 'I am proud of you', and saw the relief on her face.

"Thanks guys! There'll be some food and dancing afterwards too!" She gave them each two more invitations. "These are for your families. They're invited too."

"Sooooo" Tucker began, "will you have any cousins your age showing up too? Girl cousins?" He tried to sound casual.

Sam smiled too "Yes, Tucker, there will be girls. Some of them may even want to dance with you!"

"Sweet!" Tucker raised a fist, and then looked at Sam. He calmed down. "Uh, thanks for inviting me!"

Danny planned on asking Sam to dance too! They went to class.