Chapter 3

"So…you and Sam have a date, do you?" Tucker teased as he propped himself on my bed.

I stood in my bedroom closet before peaking around the door to respond to him, "Well, yeah, what else would you call going to the movies with your girlfriend? A 'friendly outing?'" I retorted using my hands to quote the last words.

"Hey, your sarcasm isn't needed, man."

"I know it isn't needed, but I said it anyway."

"Jerk."

I snorted at his comment as I walked out of my closet with a coat, "Don't you have some work to go do?"

"I do actually, but I was trying to avoid it and hang out with my best friend who apparently doesn't want me around." He replied in mock hurt and gripped a hand on his chest.

I started pulling my jacket over my shoulders, "Your best friend has a date with your other best friend to get ready for…"

Tucker crossed his arms, "Still trying to get rid of me?"

"Kinda…" I hissed with a shrug.

"I see how it is, man."

"Tuck."

"Yeah?"

"Leave."

Tucker sighed in defeat and stood, "Fine, fine. Don't mess up."

I felt a sudden nervousness shoot up my spine, but I made an attempt to reassure myself out-loud, "It's Sam. Would she even care if I messed up?"

"Nah, she might laugh at you though." He replied with a shrug.

I squeezed the edge of my jacket tightly, "But laughing from Sam is okay though right?"

My friend gave a curt nod, "Yeah, it's her acknowledging your screw ups in a kind way. She's not laughing at you Danny, she's laughing with you."

"Funny how people tell me that but I never believe them." I groaned.

Tucker began to make his way towards the door, "It's Sam, dude. I mean, really."

I nodded, "You're right…"

"I know I am. I'm the Mayor! I'm always right! See ya!"

Tucker strolled out of the doorway and I heard the sound of the front door opening and shutting. I sighed. I can do this, it's just Sam! She's my girlfriend now but she's still Sam! The only difference is I can kiss her! Okay…that was weird to think… I smacked my forehead and ran my hand down my face. I can do this!

I can't do this! My mind screamed as I sat next to Sam in the theater. Her head was on my shoulder as she stared at the screen in front of us. I gulped. I can't do this…

She was so close and cuddled onto me. I felt my chest tightening with every breath. This was Tucker's fault! He made me nervous! Stop thinking so negatively. You can do this Fenton! She's your girlfriend! You've had a crush on her forever! You can handle this! You fight ghost! You can do it!

I had just gained my confidence when she snuggled her face into my neck more, her hair tickling my neck. Oh damn, I can't do this…

Suddenly, she moved her head to see me before speaking a soft voice, "Danny… is everything okay?"

"What? Psht, yeah! I'm fine! Totally fine!" I lied in a harsh whisper.

She cocked a brow at me before responding quietly, "You sure? You seem really nervous."

"Me? No! Of course not! What would give you that idea?" I sputtered while making an attempt to keep my voice low.

Her gaze hardened, "Danny Fenton, don't you lie to me."

"What are you? My mom? I'm fine, Sam. I'm not nervous. Why would I be nervous? I mean it's just you and me and a movie and- is it that obvious?"

"Danny, you're flinching every time I move." Sam growled in her low tone.

I sighed, "I'm sorry… I just don't want to disappoint you as a boyfriend."

Sam suddenly sat up and held a hand out to me, "Come on."

I raised a brow in confusion, "What?"

She merely wiggled her hand at me to insist upon me taking her hand. I hesitantly locked my fingers with hers, and she pulled me from my seat as she stood. She dragged me out of the theater and out into the parking lot.

"If we're going to talk, we should probably go somewhere that doesn't encourage silence." She said.

I furrowed my brows at her, "But you've wanted to see this movie for months."

"You're more important."

So instead of returning to the movie we went out to eat at a restaurant (aka The Nasty Burger because I'm a broke high-schooler that insisted upon his rich girlfriend not paying for anything. Congrats to me. Chivalry is not dead.)

"So, what made you so nervous to go see a movie with me? It's something we do every day." She asked me.

"Well to be honest, Tucker freaked me out a little bit and made me second guess all that I believed." I admitted.

She snorted at me, "Really? You let Tucker ruin my movie?"

"Hey! I apologized!" I cried.

"I know that, you dork. I also forgave you. This is better anyway because I like talking to you."

Well she could talk to me most of the time since it's hard to be on a date and have adoring fans run up to you. I can't even eat one bite without getting asked about something 'Phantom' related. Sometimes I want to be normal, or wish my secret hadn't been told but in the end, it was all worth it. I've just got to keep that in mind.