AN: Can I just say that you guys are FREAKING AWESOME! 18 reviews in two days… that's more than I've ever gotten in that time! Thanks so much. And enjoy the chapter! (And, just to make this clear, I don't own Danny Phantom.)
"Okay, who will go next?" Mr. Lancer asked.
While the whole class deliberated whether or not they should volunteer to read their poems or not, Sam Danny and Tucker were having their own conversation in hushed tones.
"So, how'd your guys' poems come along?" Sam whispered.
"Pretty good," Tucker replied. "I did change my topic though."
"What'd you change your topic to?" Sam asked. Meanwhile, Danny face palmed. He had been so busy the past week with ghost fighting (Vlad decided to make a week long attempt at killing Jack and Danny was constantly having to ward off ghost from their home. Even with help from Jazz, Tucker, Sam, and, when they spotted the ghost first, his parents, it was still a lot of work, and Danny almost had no free time. It didn't help that whenever his parents saw Phantom they shot at him before any of the other ghosts either.) and completely forgot to complete, or even start, the assignment.
"It's a surprise," Tucker answered Sam's question. Looking to his downcast friend, Tucker asked, "What's wrong, Danny?"
"Completely forgot to do the assignment," Danny moaned, laying his head down on the desk.
"Maybe you can go last, that way you won't have to go until tomorrow," Sam suggested.
"And," Tucker added, "if that doesn't work, you could always just wing it."
"Gee thanks guys," Danny replied sarcastically. He was about to continue when Mr. Lancer spoke.
"Star, how nice of you to volunteer," he spoke, obviously happy that someone actually volunteered to read their poem, even if the blonde cheerleader was known as an airhead.
Star walked to the front of the classroom slowly, remembering the day about half a week ago when she chose her topic.
oOoOoOo
FOUR DAYS BEFORE:
Star was in her bedroom, trying to come up with a topic for her poem. She had procrastinated the assignment a few days, but she knew she could get it done in time. Most people thought that she was an airhead, but in reality she was actually very smart. She got straight A's in all of her classes. The only reason people thought she was an airhead was because a) she was popular. Star found this generalization to be stupid: must all high schoolers stereotype everyone? Why couldn't she be popular AND smart? b) She didn't show anyone her report card. Her mother always told her not to brag, so she doesn't. Wouldn't want to disrespect the dead, after all. c) she is dating Kwan. So? Kwan wasn't anywhere near as mean as Dash, and she genuinely liked the guy, even if he was a little empty headed at times. She liked her popularity, sure, but she also liked her intelligence.
So, after procrastinating the poem a few days, she was sure she was going to be fine. However, coming up with a topic was proving more difficult than she thought it would be. She didn't want to do something meaningless and empty headed that would be sure to earn her a bad grade, but she didn't want to lose her popularity or confuse her classmates. I'm sure I'll do fine, she told herself, but I want to do better than just fine. Fine was a concept Star thought about a lot. People always said they were fine, but most times someone said that they were actually doing horribly. As she thought through the word once again, an epiphany hit Star. And she knew what her topic was.
oOoOoOo
PRESENT TIME:
Star stood in front of the class. Following Nathan's example, she introduced her poem. "Hey," she greeted. "My poem is on the concept we call fine." Looking down at the paper she brought up with her, she began to read.
"Fine.
I'm sure I'll be fine,
But fine's not my goal in life,
I want to be better than just alright
I know I'll be okay,
But tomorrow I want to be better than I am today.
I'm sure I'll survive,
But I don't want to just exist
I want to live!
I'm perfectly, perfectly fine
But fine's overrated in my mind
I say I'm fine, and I am fine
But fine's just one step above the despair
Where no one cares
And no one cares
Now no one cares!
I want to live, not just exist
I have to find the purpose for my life
There has to be one, right?"
When Star finished reading her poem, everyone clapped. Most of the class didn't think that airhead Star could ever produce such a deep and thoughtful poem. Her "best friend" Paulina and the other populars certainly didn't. Most of the class, populars included, thought Star would write a poem about beauty or popularity or something of that sort.
Really the only person in the class that expected something of this caliber from her was Valerie Gray. The former popular turned outcast's only real friend since her fall from popularity was Star. Sure she was friends (somewhat) with Danny, but their friendship had been strained ever since she dumped him. And her former friends would have nothing to do with anyone who wasn't rich. But Star was the exception. Star still talked to Valerie on occasion, mostly because she sympathized with the girl. Star was unpopular at her old school back in the eighth grade and was always called a nerd, which was just another reason Star didn't show anyone her grades. That and she also related to Valerie's lack of a mother.
Hence, when Star read her poem in front of the class, Valerie wasn't shocked at all. When you only really talk to one person, you learn a lot about them, and Valerie learned that Star wasn't near as stupid as she seemed. And Val was really proud of her friend for showing everyone else that.
The applause for Star's poem died down, and she returned to her seat, happy that everyone both understood and liked her poem. Maybe they would think twice before calling her an airhead now.
As Star sat down, she looked around at her classmates and wondered who would go next.
AN: And that's it for this chapter! Hope you enjoyed and be sure to leave a review
