Vinegar and Wine

Chapter Three

Why'd You Let Me Go?

Sitting on a park bench in the middle of Amity's local park, Danny Fenton fiddled with the strap of his backpack, his eyes downcast as his hair hung limply in front of his forehead. His best friend Tucker Foley was doing the same, only staring down at the cell phone in his hand, his eyes every so often glancing up to Danny, to see if his friend was about to talk or anything before his eyes returned to stare down at his hands. After an extended amount of time Danny finally let out a drawled out sigh.

"I've been thinking a lot lately," he stated, before pausing again, his eyes dropping to the pavement.

Tucker waited for a moment, giving Danny a chance to reply. When he realized Danny had fallen silent again, he said, "And…"

Danny cast him an unreadable expression before growling and carrying on. "You remember that Sam girl we use to hang out with?"

Tucker gave him an odd look before realization dawned over him, "What, that dark haired girl we hanged out with when we were seven?"

Danny gave a small nod, his eyes not lifting from the ground. Tucker gave him a sideways look before asking, "what about her?"

Danny just smiled and shook his head. "Nothing," he said, picking up his backpack and swinging it over his shoulder, "nothing at all." With that, Danny walked away with a brisk step, purposely so Tucker could not catch up to him. Tucker just shook his head in confusion. Maybe Danny had a screw lose? Tucker shuddered at the thought. His friend was certainly acting that way, yet Tucker thought he had more sense. But just maybe, all this ghost fighting was getting to him. Either that or something was seriously up. But what could be on Danny's mind that linked to that girl named Sam?

She had moved away almost eight years ago and they had both moved on.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Star snorted as she watched local geek Danny Fenton walk away, stirring the straw of her milkshake slightly. "What a loser," she exclaimed, rolling her eyes dramatically as she turned back to Paullina, leaning against a playground slide. "You're telling me," Paullina said, "he could've been kinda cute though, in a lost puppy kind of sense."

Star laughed at her friend, glancing over briefly at Honey who was taking a sip of her own milkshake. "What about that Tucker guy? Imagine getting cozy with him!" Star exclaimed. Both girls shrieked out an 'ew!' as Honey almost choked on her milkshake.

"What about you Honey? Meet any cute guys since your first day of Casper high?" Star asked, raising an eyebrow in the girl's direction. Honey merely shook her head and pointed in the direction Danny had left him. "I do believe I know him from somewhere. I just don't know where…" Honey pondered.

Paullina and Star exchanged looks before Paullina spoke up, "you're friends with us now. You don't even need to concern yourself with Fentoad." Honey just gave her a polite smile.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Danny sat on his bed, staring out the window, his homework rested on his lap. Lately, he had been having weird thoughts about his childhood friend. It confused him beyond belief. He hadn't thought about her in so long. Not since she moved. He guessed these thoughts started a few weeks ago, when he spotted Mrs. Manson on the street. At least he thought is was Mrs. Manson.

Age had not been kind to her. Even though she still contained her elegant air about her, Danny couldn't help but notice the dark bags under her eyes, her hollow cheeks or the way her hair seemed elegant, yet frizzed from stress. Still, as far as Danny was concerned, it was definitely her.

What they were doing back in Amity mystified him. When he had heard of the move, it had all seemed such a great opportunity, considering it had been so sudden. He didn't even really get to say goodbye. Letting off yet another sigh, he placed his homework aside and made his way downstairs to see what diner would be.

As he walked downstairs, he could hear the laughter erupting from his family in the living room. Curious as to what was going on, he stepped into the living room to see his family crowded around a TV, a large cardboard box filled with home made videos sat on the floor. On the TV, conveniently enough, was a home video of him and Sam.

It was in Primary school at show and tell, when Danny had just begun his guitar lessons and learned his first song. He was showing it off to the class and just because Sam had seemed to eager, he had let her sung it. He smiled slightly as he listened to the out of time music and wrong notes.

"Bottle of Wine…"

-x-x-x-x-x-

"…Fruit from the vine," a young dark haired girl sang, clutching her knees close to her chest as she watched the thick smoke blow passed her window. She leaned her head against the cool glass as she sang quietly to herself. Downstairs, she could hear her master yelling at someone or something again. The man had no idea how to control his temper. She had learned to ignore it long ago.

Fingering the black metal cuff around her ankle, she sang quietly, "Why won't you let me get sober?"