Two weeks went by and Danny still hadn't told me his secret. I respectfully kept my mouth closed on the subject, not wanting to pressure him to tell me. It had to be on his time when he felt it was right.
He appeared to be a bit apprehensive when he wasn't acting his normal self. We would all be talking as usual and once there was a break in the conversation, he would become quiet. I saw his wheels turning, but I wasn't sure what he was thinking. Maybe he was guaging the moment, trying to imagine talking about his secret. Maybe he was reconsidering telling me. I had come up with all sorts of maybes, but it didn't matter. I believed him when he said he'd tell me. And I had the patience to wait.
It was late; past ten o'clock at night. The dark sky was flecked with stars and smeared with stratus clouds. The wind was blowing slightly, swaying the leaves in the trees. Tucker and I sneeked out of our homes to plan a surprise for Danny's birthday. It was the only time we had to be alone without being questioned.
I walked down the street and met him at the park. We sat down at the fountain (which was turned off). Sandstone tiles were creatively placed underneath and all around the fountain ground. The base of the fountain was about twenty feet long and wide, and two feet deep. Three tiers ascended in the center with the head on top. Four benches circled the fountain. And when the water was actually turned on, it spouted from the top and blanketed down into the base. It was really a beautiful sight and the highlight of the city.
"So, what do we do?" I spoke. "I've never thrown anyone a surprise party before."
"It's easy. We just have to distract him long enough to get everyone together without him noticing. Now, since his birthday is next Wednesday, I'm thinking we have the party this weekend." I thought of throwing Danny a surprise birthday party. It was a fun idea and I wanted to show him how appreciated he was. And to further his trust in me.
"Okay. Who should we invite? It's not like we have any other friends."
"My parents will come, and obviously Danny's. What about yours? Can they come?" My stomach dropped so far down that it hit the ground. I still hadn't told them about my mom. I wasn't ready to, yet. But I thought I would do it soon. It was only fair since I was about to know something very personal about Danny.
"They can't; they'll be unavailable that week." My mom would definitely be unavailable considering that she now lives with the worms. Or angels? And my dad...I was not going to invite him. I could hardly be around him.
"Oh, well. Maybe we can meet them some other time."
I gave a small smile and nod. "We should have the party at his house. You can take him to see a movie or something while the rest of us get everything ready."
"Sounds good. Danny and I have been wanting to do that anyway. I can't remember the last time we actually stepped inside a movie theater."
We continued to make plans. Tucker would notify his and Danny's parents. He also gave me their numbers to contact them the day of.
I was excited to be a part of this. It felt good planning something special for someone without them having a clue. And it also felt good because that someone was Danny. My crush on him was becomming more than just a crush. More than just flutters in my stomach as he entered the room, more than just losing my train of thought in his weirdly blue eyes. But I was careful not to allow myself to delve into the fantasies of romance. There was no way he could return even an ounce of my feelings.
I shook my head as I walked back home. I had more important things to think of.
I reached my house and tiptoed up the steps and onto the porch. Quietly unlocking and opening the door, I stepped inside.
Only to meet the glare of my father. Startled, I let out a small squeak. His arms were crossed as he stood in front of me.
"Where were you?"
"The park," I said tentatively. Dread was creaping in.
"Why?"
"I couldn't sleep and I wanted some fresh air." There was no way I could tell him the truth. Even though it was a purely platonic meet, he wouldn't believe that.
My dad stood there with his arms still crossed and his jaw set. "You really expect me to believe that?" There was something odd in his voice. Usually he would talk to me in a calm, dry tone. Even when he was mad. But this was something else, something unpredictable. "You must think I'm pretty stupid." Something emotional.
That was it. Raw emotion hidden under his stoic facade.
"You know I have insomnia."
"So does every other teenager. Who were you with, Samantha?" he asked firmly.
"Nobody!" I moved to stalk off to my room and avoid the rest of the conversation, but he grabbed my wrist and yanked me back. I almost stumbled.
"Don't walk away from me when I'm talking to you. Tell me the truth!" he shouted.
"I am! Now, let go! You're hurting me!" His grip had gotten tighter as our voices got louder. He glared at me a little longer, anger and disbelief evident. Then he finally let go. I ran upstairs to my room and slammed the door. I sat on my bed, rubbing my wrist. I couldn't help but start to cry. I was confused about what was happening and it scared me.
I could barely focus at school the next day. I wore a black sweatshirt to cover up the bruises on my wrist. They weren't too bad, but I didn't want to risk anyone seeing.
"Danny, what do you want for your birthday?" I asked. It was Thursday and I had no idea what to get him. The weekend was coming up soon. He adverted his eyes and thought about it while he chewed on a bite of his hotdog.
A third bite went by and he was still thinking. I tapped my fingertips on the table.
Finally, he spoke. "I don't know." I groaned. "Sorry! I really don't know. I can't think of anything I need."
"Okay, but isn't there something you want? Anything at all?"
He shrugged. "I'll think about it and get back to you after school."
"Okay. You better."
"Or what?" he challenged.
"Or I'll...get you something I know you'll hate."
"Like tofu?" Tucker chimed. I glared at him.
"I couldn't hate anything you give me, Sam." I whipped my head back in Danny's direction. He held my stare for a second, then delved into another hotdog.
I let out a sigh. "Well, I'm going to the bathroom."
"Thanks for sharing!" Tucker called as I walked away.
After doing my business and washing my hands, I stood at the mirror. I moved my sleeve to look at the bruises. They were slightly purple and a little bit tender.
The bathroom door opened and I shoved my sleeve down.
"Well, well. If it isn't the goth freak." Paulina. She was with two other friends.
I rolled my eyes. "Yep. That's me. Now if you'll excuse me..." I started to walk away but she lightly grabbed my arm preventing me from passing. I stood back and looked her in the eyes. "What could you possibly say to me that I haven't heard already?"
Her eyes were cold as the corner of her mouth lifted up. "You're pathetic." I raised an eyebrow. "I've seen the way you look at Danny. You practically drool when he talks to you. It's sad, really. Because we all know I'm the one he's been after since freshman year."
I let out a laugh. "Okay, Paulina. Whatever."
"Everybody knows I'm selfish," she continued. "Even he knows it. But what he can't help is how attracted to me he is. My personality might turn him off, but my body sure as hell can turn him on." She leaned in to my ear. "And I know all the right moves to set him on fire." My eyes narrowed as she straightened up. "You've got nothing on me," she said. Then they left. I expected myself to be sad with self-pity. But I was angry. Furious. And I hated it, so I took some deep breaths. ...Didn't work. I swung open the bathroom door and stomped over to the table. I knew she'd be watching me to see my reaction, but I didn't care. I'd let her have her fun.
Tucker and Danny immediately saw the expression on my face.
"Whoa. Somebody unleashed a demon," Tucker said. I stared at him and he backed up his chair. I didn't want to look at Danny, but I couldn't help it. I could feel his eyes on me. They were boaring into mine with confusion and concern.
"What happened?" he asked. My shoulders slumped as I let out a huge breath.
"I don't get it. How is it that one simple girl can leave another person dangling from every word she says? How does she find my buttons? I thought I hid them well." I flicked a piece of lettuce off the table in frustration.
"Paulina's not a simple girl," a voice said. We looked behind me and saw Valerie standing there with a lunch tray in her hands. Her expression was morose as she looked at each of our faces. Then she walked away, dumped her barely touched food in the trash can, and left the cafeteria.
The three of us looked at each other.
"She needs us," Tucker said matter-of-factly.
"I don't know..." I said skeptically. I didn't really trust her that much. She used to be one of them. I didn't know her when she was, but if she was their friend, then she would have been just like them. They don't accept genuinely nice people into their group. Except Kwan, he was more polite and forgiving than most people realized. But his parents were loaded and he flaunted it.
"I think he's right, Sam," Danny said. "Did you see her face? She looks like the loneliest person I've ever seen."
I slowly nodded my head in agreement. Something my mother always taught me was to extend my hand to the lost and broken. I wanted to honor that.
"She'll be tough to get through to," I warned.
"It'll be worth the try, though," Tucker said. "Hey, what did Paulina say to you, anyway?"
I sighed. "She said I was pathetic."
Danny raised an eyebrow. "Why?" I shrugged, not knowing what to say. I couldn't tell them what she really said.
"She's crazy," Tucker said. "She will say anything to get what she wants. Don't let her get to you, Sam."
"Yeah," Danny chimed. "I know you're stronger than that." My heart puttered. He thought I was strong. I couldn't stop the small smile forming on my lips.
"You guys are right. I'm being silly. Why should I care what she thinks or says?"
"Exactly," Tucker said, drawing out the 'e'.
I decided I would say something to Valerie on Monday. I'd have the weekend to figure out what exactly I was going to say. I knew I had to pick my words carefully and honestly. I felt like I was going to approach a bird. If I made any sudden movements, it would fly away.
After school let out, Danny, Tucker, and I went to the Nasty Burger.
"So, did you figure out what you want for your birthday?" I asked Danny. We sat down with our food at a table by the window. It was a fairly sunny day.
"Yes," he said. "I want you to make me something."
"Make you something?" I did not expect that at all.
"Yeah. There's not really anything I want other than the stuff I already told my family and Tucker about."
"Okay," I said slowly. "What do you want me to make you?"
"Surprise me." Great. I had one day left until his party.
As soon as those words left his mouth, something crashed through the window a table down from us. We shielded ourselves on instinct. Looking over, we saw three giant green vultures with long legs and thick beaks. They squawked loudly as people were screaming and running to escape the restaurant. Ghosts again.
"Sam! Come on!" Tucker shouted. I looked back and he was motioning for me to follow him to the bathrooms. Danny was missing.
"Where's Danny?" I yelled. It was hard to hear with all the commotion.
"He ran off to help some kid! Come on, let's go!"
I started to run, but then I felt something dig into my shoulders and pick me up off the ground. I screamed in horror, wondering what the heck was happening. Then I realized it was one of the birds. It squawked and started to fly away. I tried to fiercely wiggle myself free of its grip, but it held fast.
A beam hit the bird causing it to release its grip and cry out in pain. I dropped to the ground. My head slammed on the back of a chair and I momentarily saw Inviso-Bill or (whatever his name was) flying towards me. Then blackness.