I don't own Danny, Sam, or Valerie, and this story is based (with permission) on "Didn't She?" by Ambiguous Rose, a Percy Jackson and the Olympians fanfic. Anyway, enjoy!

I flopped onto bed and stared at the ceiling. I sighed. It had been a long day, between all my chores, Mr. Lancer first picking on me in class and then handing me a note for my parents about my dropping grades, and then there was that test I had been unable to study for, thanks to my ghost hunting. I closed my eyes and sighed again. I shouldn't think about that stuff, I reprimanded myself, focusing instead on the school dance next week. I gotta remember to ask Valerie before someone else does. She's so… so… so perfect. I am the luckiest boy on earth to know a girl like her.

Why? Part of my mind asked. So I started a mental list.

Why I like Valerie:

Her brown hair frames her face, making her look both beautiful and brainy at the same time.

Her dark hair compliments her, and is a great way for her to rebel against her parents- Valerie doesn't rebel.

I like Valerie.

The way she looks soft and sweet, masking the fact she can practically rip you in half with her hands.

The way she's unable to hide her feelings, or from me at least. What? Valerie is a closed book.

I like Valerie

I like the way her skin hides her from view.

I like the way her pale skin could show up anywhere-- doesn't Valerie blend into the shadows?

I like Valerie.

I enjoy the way her green eyes make her seem either especially kind or especially forbidding, depending on her mood.

I enjoy the way that her eyes are so unusual. I could look at them for hours… since when did Valerie have unusual eyes?

I like Valerie.

I take comfort in the sound of her voice, soft and sweet.

I take comfort in the sound of her voice, perfect for protesting anything from meats, to frog dissection… does Valerie protested anything other than ghosts?

I like Valerie.

I admire her determination, her ability to juggle school and homework with her after school job, with her family and friends and with her ghost hunting.

I admire her determination, her lack of care about what others think… Isn't Valerie all about the "in" crowd and what's popular?

I like Valerie.

I notice the fact that she started hanging out with us after her popular friends dumped her.

I notice the fact that she hangs out with me and Tucker, always has, always will, in spite of he fact that she is rich enough she could be popular if she dumped us. That, and if she took off her Goth makeup. Since when has Valerie been Goth? And before the ghost dog accident, she couldn't be paid to come down wind of us.

I like Valerie.

I like the way that I don't have to hide my gh- Valerie doesn't know about my powers.

I like Valerie… don't I?