A couple of weeks had passed. I hadn't seen or heard any ghosts. I was growing more skeptical, but was willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. And to make things even more strange than they already seemed, Danny kept running off for moments at a time. Tucker usually gave me some sort of excuse as to why, but I knew something was up. I just had no idea what it was.
As to life at home, my father mostly kept to himself. I was thankful for that, but I couldn't remember the last time he seemed to enjoy his time spent with me. I felt like a huge burden to him. I didn't want to talk to him about it because I was afraid my fears would be proven true. So I kept it to myself.
As I sat in my lit class reading Macbeth, my thoughts kept wandering over to Danny. I tried to concentrate on the play, but it was like my mind was magnetized toward him. I thought about the way his eyes seemed to tell me something he couldn't voice aloud, but mostly I wondered what he thought about. What were his fears, his dreams, his accomplishments...But I figured in time I would find out. I already found out he likes astronomy (which was surprising), he hates the word "mush," and doesn't know the difference between cerulean and pacific blue. Which, embarrassingly, I blurted were both colors in his eyes. Of course I turned red, and of course he didn't know what to say. I mentally slapped myself in the face.
On the way to lunch, I headed to my locker to put away a textbook. The hallways were too narrow, so every time the bell rang, students would scrample off to their next class bumping into each other. It was especially annoying when some kids just stood in a circle talking to each other, blocking everyone's way. A couple of times I had to firmly tell them to move. It worked after a while, but I think that's because they were younger than me.
Right when I got to my locker, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I smelled an almost overwhelming scent of flowery perfume. I turned my head and almost rolled my eyes when I saw who the person was. Paulina, with her blonde friend by her side.
"Yes?" I prompted. I fiddled with the lock. I was having a difficult time getting it open.
"Stay away from Danny," she demanded. She slightly paused after each word to sound threatening, but I think she tried a bit too hard.
"I...No?" I wasn't sure how to respond to something like that. I still couldn't get my locker open, and I was becoming increasingly frustrated.
"Look, bitch. I don't have time for your attitude. Just stay away from him or you'll be sorry." I sighed and turned around. Her brown eyes were strangely cool for someone who sounded so angry. Her perfect pink lips gave her away. They were set in a slight frown.
"If you don't have time for my attitude, then just leave me alone." I turned my back to her and once again tried opening the stupid locker.
"Whatever, loser. You're just jealous because Danny is in love with me." Logically I knew her words were empty. Who could ever fall in love with someone who acted like that? But they still sank to the bottom of my stomach.
I heard them walk swiftly away as I finally opened my locker. I placed my book inside and headed to the cafeteria.
"I don't even know Paulina and she's already giving me trouble." I heaved a sigh and plopped myself down next to Tucker and Danny. I tore open my lunch sack and chomped on a sandwich.
"Dude, what happened?" Tucker was mid-chew on a sloppy joe.
"She threatened me to stay away from Danny."
"Me? Why?" He sounded incredulous. His eyes widened with curiosity.
"I'm guessing it was because she thinks you know Inviso-Bill. She probably thinks our newfound friendship will get in the way of her getting closer to him." I wasn't even tasting my food; just shoving it down my throat.
"But I'm friends with Tucker and she's never said anything like that to him."
"That's because Sam's a girl, bro," Tucker said suggestively.
"Oh...Right," he said quietly. How awkward.
"Anyway...I hope she doesn't try to talk to me again." Hiding my unease, I broke the tension. "I might have to do something drastic." My eyes widened and I smiled maniacally.
"Like what, stuff your nasty tofu down her throat until she chokes?" Tucker took a large bite out of his food and continued, spitting food out of his mouth in the process. "Let me tell you, that is the last way I would want to die."
"Ugh, Tucker!" I covered my food with my hands, protecting it from the human garbage disposal. Tucker and Danny laughed. And so did I, forgetting about my encounter with Paulina as they told jokes the rest of the lunch period.
After school, I met up with Tucker and Danny. We made plans to hang out at the Nasty Burger and then at the park. I was relieved when I discovered that the restaurant served garden burgers. The time spent there was pretty much like lunchtime, but with better conversations. And better food, despite its name.
We were sitting on a small hill in the park under a large evergreen tree. The sun was setting, casting brilliant shadows on the ground and adding color to the sky. I couldn't help but notice how the light set on Danny's face. He looked like a Greek god. I know that's dramatic, but I'm merely exaggerating to convey how attractive he was. I mentally sighed. 'Silly Sam,' I thought. 'Don't get yourself too attached.'
Just when we were in the middle of a conversation, Danny shot up from his seat on the ground. "Uh, I forgot I have to...go pick something up...from the library. I'll see you guys later, okay?" And with that, he ran off. I looked at Tucker with a confused glance.
"Is the library even open at this hour?"
"Yeah, I think so." Tucker kept his eyes away from me. Something was definitely up.
Then I remembered. "Crap, what time is it?"
Tucker looked at his technologically advanced watch. "6:03. Why?"
"Oh, no. This is not good. I have to go home right now." I am screwed, screwed, screwed! I was supposed to have dinner on the table three minutes ago. I really hoped my father wasn't too mad.
I cautiously opened the front door of my house and left my things by the stairs. I went into the kitchen, hoping that maybe my dad was late from work. To my dismay, he was not. I saw him sitting at the dining table staring at me with that look of his. The one that passes right through me.
"Samantha, where have you been?" His voice was calm, but I knew he wasn't.
"Um, I went to the Nasty Burger with a couple of friends from school. I'm real sorry I'm late, I lost track of time."
"You lost track of time," he repeated. "Well, Samantha. Because you lost track of time, I came home to a bare dinner table. How do you think I feel?" He hadn't moved a single inch.
"I'm sorry, I-"
"I feel frustrated because I spent a hard day at work and came home, tired, to no meal and a missing daughter." The way he said 'missing daughter' didn't tell me he missed me. He stood up and walked towards me. "Who were you with?"
"Some friends from school." I didn't like the look in his eyes now. It was unfamiliar. I instinctively took a small step back.
"Oh? You made friends, hmm? Well, isn't that lovely. And who are these friends?"
"Danny and Tucker." Boy, was he going to like that.
"Boys? Your new friends are boys." I didn't say anything. I kept quiet, figuring that any answer would probably further his anger. He was in front of me now. "Do you know what boys want, Samantha?" I seriously hoped he didn't expect me to answer that. "They want sex, and only sex. Is that what you want?" I just stood there like an idiot. "Is it?" He persisted.
"Of course not, but I-"
"That's what they want from you, Samantha."
I scoffed. "Is that all you wanted?" I instantly regretted saying that.
He slapped me in the face. "Don't you ever talk to me like that! I am your father and deserve respect!"
I was mad now. "Respect?" I laughed bitterly, but knew where this conversation was going. I didn't care. How dare he treat me like this? "How can you expect me to give you any respect when you treat me like shit?"
"Watch your tongue, Samantha! I will not tolerate cursing in this household. Now, go to your room and stay there for the night."
I glared at him, then turned around to stalk off to my room. "Bastard," I muttered.
"What did you just say?" Oops.
"Nothing." I felt him come up, grab my arms, and turn me around to face him.
"Don't you lie to me! What did you say?"
Holding my head up, I repeated. "Bastard." His hand flew up and slapped me again, hard. It stung like Hell and made me cry out a little. I glared at my father, stumbled backwards, and ran up to my room.
"I better hear an apology from you tomorrow!" He called.
I entered my room trying not to cry. I had to remain strong. 'What the hell just happened?' I thought. He's never hit me before. I slowly sat on the bed, touching my stinging cheek. I looked in the mirror across from my bed, above the desk. My cheek was red. I hoped that nothing would show tomorrow. I really, really didn't want anyone asking any questions. Especially Danny and Tucker.
