Episode 2

Sorry for the late update. Seeing favs and follows makes me want to write more. Thanks guys!

Danny couldn't go to school the next day. He felt sick after realizing his friends despise for him. He was also fighting ghosts for the better half of the morning, and avoiding ghost hunters for the other. "Why did this have to happen?" Danny screamed.

Suddenly Danny's ghost sense went off and he went on to another battle. After defeating half a dozen ghosts Danny landed in a lonely section of the park and returned to his human form. He wandered around until his feet ached. "Danny!" someone shouted.

It was Tucker. Danny ignored the cry, hoping that he didn't have to face someone who would never accept him. "Danny!" the shout was closer, and it wasn't long before Danny felt a hand grab his shoulder.

He whipped around, "What do you want?" he sneered.

"Well, I was curious why you weren't at school today; you didn't even answer your phone." Tucker smiled, unaltered by his harsh tone.

"I was busy!" Danny shouted, "You used to understand!"

Tears welled in Danny's crystal blue eyes. Tucker's grin dropped. "Dude, are you ok?" he asked, "Are you upset over Sam and I laughing off your nice-Phantom theory?"

"It's not a theory it's true. Danny Phantom is a good guy!" Danny shouted.

The whole park seemed to freeze. Eyes stared shocked at the boys, mouths hung agape. Not a sound was heard. A blue mist escaped Danny's mouth. "I need to go," Danny whispered.

The halfa ran off, leaving Tucker frozen in surprise.

That night Danny returned home sore and miserable. After being scolded by his parents Danny shuffled up to his room, deciding to skip dinner. He stared at his phone. "Seven new voicemails" it read.

Tucker spoke, "Hey dude, what was with the outburst?" Delete.

"I'm sorry if I insulted you, but Danny Phantom is-"Delete.

"Come on Danny, just listen to-" Delete.

A female voice spoke, surprising Danny, "Hey Danny it's Sam, can we talk, you've been acting weird lately. Are you ok? Call me when you get this. Bye!" Danny listened to the message all the way through.

He could remember his friends being there for him. He was never quite as sore and tired when Sam and Tucker were around. He picked up his phone and began to dial. "Hello," Sam answered.

"Hey, I got your message," Danny replied.

"Oh yeah! Are you okay, is there anything you want to talk about?"

"I, um, I just wanted to know why everyone dislikes Danny Phantom."

"He is trying to trick the entire town! He only acts like he's good so people will follow him."

"Well, what if he really is good?"

"Danny don't fall for the trick the Phantom's-"

"Danny."

"What?"

"I just thought you know that it's kind of rude to call him 'the Phantom'. It's like referring to someone by only their last name. How would you feel if I called you, 'the Manson'? His name is Danny Phantom."

"Um Danny, not to burst your bubble, but ghosts don't have feelings and if they did then I wouldn't care if I insulted one."

"Sam! Whatever happened to appreciating differences?" Danny hung up.

The next day at school Sam and Tucker talked privately. "What do you think is wrong with Danny?" asked Sam.

"I don't know. How can he not accept the fact that the Phantom is evil?" responded Tucker.

"Danny. I think that it is better to call him Danny Phantom. It is his name, you know," shrugged Sam.

"Sam, that's our best friend's name! I don't want to associate the Phantom with Danny in any way!"

"Well then Foley, maybe you have some ideas on how to help Danny!"

"I, um, I, uh, I don't know."

Suddenly Danny bolted past them, and though none of them mentioned it, they couldn't help but notice a blue haze that clouded their vision. "What has gotten into him?" sighed Sam.

The two friends rolled their eyes and walked towards the cafeteria.
Danny dragged himself to his usual seat in the cafeteria, 10 minutes late. His stomach growled, but he had to fight Youngblood this morning and didn't have time to pack a lunch. However, he managed to sneak a napkin away from Tucker and cover the burn on his hand with it. Danny dropped his head onto his arms and mentally cried for the next two minutes. Finally Sam couldn't take his clear agony anymore. "Danny, is there anything you want to tell us?"

He lifted his head, "Is there anything Danny Phantom has done under his own free will that was evil?"

Tucker opened his mouth, "He kidnapped the mayor."

Danny rolled his eyes. "The mayor was possessed."

"How do you know that?"

"My parents are ghost hunters; I can tell when a ghost is around," Danny stated which was partially true. "Anything else?"

Sam spoke, "Yeah, he stole all of those jewels when the circus was in town."
"He was being controlled by the ring leader, Freakshow, and did you forget? He saved your life Sam!"

Sam dropped her head. "Well," Tucker added, "he is trying to trick the town."

"For the last time that is not true! Is this whole town so ignorant that they can't see a hero when he's right in front of them? This town would be in shambles if it weren't for him!"

"Danny calm down," hissed Sam, "he's a ghost and the only thing ghosts know how to do is be evil."

"Seriously Sam! Could you be more prejudice? How would you feel if I said something like that about Goths or ultra-recyclo-vegetarians?"

"Danny its okay," insisted Tucker.

"No it's not! You know I had this crazy theory that my two best friends, who had been bullied their entire lives, could look past serotypes and what everyone else says and accept someone for what they have done!"

"Danny, no!" cried Sam.

"But apparently I was wrong!" Danny shouted, "You are guys are no better than Dash or Paulina!"

"Danny listen to reason!" pleaded Tucker.

"No! I can't hang out with bullies! Sorry guys, but I don't think I can hang out with people who don't accept me."

Danny jumped up from the table and ran off, tears streaming down his face. Sam and Tucker stared with glistening eyes. Silence hung around the entire lunchroom, and once Danny was out of sight he flew off into the breezy afternoon air.