A/N: I do not own any characters. Here is Chapter 2. I think it says it all about the situation so far, but I couldn't make it any longer. Sorry. Hope you enjoy.

Brace Yourself—Chapter 2

Later that morning, Danny, Sam and Tucker are walking down the hallway of their school, Casper High. Danny tries hard to conceal his mouth, but for all his efforts, he is painfully obvious. He tries to keep his mouth closed so tightly, it is unnatural, and even downright scary, bidding many nearby anxious students to steer very clear of him as they pass.

Suddenly, a book comes flying out of nowhere and hits Danny in the back of his head. Livid, he turns around and unconsciously opens his mouth, revealing his braces, which are not only bright green, but are also now glowing eerily and reflectively. Sam and Tucker gasp at the sight. But Danny does not notice their reaction. Instead, Dash is at the receiving end of Danny's glare—and glaring teeth.

At first startled by the intensity of Danny's scowl and mouth, Dash quickly recovers and taunts, "Well, what do you know? Fen-tony's mouth is full of garbage! Hey, can you get any great radio stations with all those wires?"

All the students witnessing the scene laugh at Danny except for Sam and Tucker. Danny, though furious, says nothing and stomps away, tightening his lips even more unnaturally. Sam and Tucker helplessly follow him into their next class, which, of course, is Mr. Lancer's class.

Mr. Lancer clears his voice and opens his book. "Now, class, it's time to turn to Chapter 2, which deals with the mysterious force of electricity."

"Mr. Lancer," Dash begins innocently. "Doesn't electricity flow through wires?"

"Why, yes, Mr. Baxter. That's a good observation!"

"And, doesn't electricity make things like light bulbs or radios work?" Dash continues, and Danny perks up, suspecting something.

"Yes, my, you are on top of the subject!"

Then Dash lets Danny have it. "Then we can sure save a lot and plug right into Fenton, who has the whole power station right there in his mouth!"

The class and Mr. Lancer laughs. Sam and Tucker frown.

"Of, course," Danny sighs and retightens his lips even more unnaturally.

After enduring a day of taunting stares and snickering whispers, which, of course, are instigated and fueled by Dash, Danny is relieved that school has ended, at least for today. He joins Sam and Tucker outside the school.

As they walk away from the school and toward the school field, Danny moans, "This is the worst day of my life, and it's only Monday!"

Sam tries to cheer him. "Danny, lots of kids get braces. It's really no big deal. Just because Dash has it out for you doesn't mean that having braces is a bad thing. Try to think of them as an initiation rite of 'teenhood'."

Danny dryly retorts, "You mean, 'an initiation rite of 'tease-hood'!"

All of a sudden, a football comes flying out of nowhere and hits Danny in the back of the head. He turns around, incensed. But this time, not only do his eyes change from sapphire blue to intense green, but his braces also fervently flare up more than they did the first time. Sam and Tucker gasp as they shield their eyes from the glare of Danny's braces.

Excitedly, Tucker blurts out, "Danny! Your braces! They're changing again. Maybe you should try to get a radio station to come in!" And then catching himself, he quickly adds, "Erm, I mean, that can't be right!"

Sam, obviously more and more worried over the situation, adds, " You're right, Tucker. This is really weird. Even with all the new techno stuff they use with braces, this is nothing like anything I've ever seen or heard about. How about you guys?" The boys shake their heads, and she especially pays attention to Tucker's response. She concludes, "Then, don't you think now would be a great time to check out this 'Dr. Gould'?!"

Both of her friends agree, and they skirt toward town.