Sam was sitting on the bed looking at the clothes she was wearing, a sky blue long sleeve shirt, white knee-length pants, and black flats. She was Sam was sitting on the bed looking at the clothes she was wearing, a sky blue long sleeve shirt, white knee-length pants, and black flats. She was feeling nervous about wearing jazz's clothes to school in the next hour, this was the most colorful of clothing she would have ever worn in public. One would think she would have grown used to wearing Danny's sister's clothing all weekend long.

Since the attack of Danny's double that Friday night, Danny has taken it upon himself to keep Sam safe so he asked her to stay the weekend at his place and she didn't mind the suggestion. Of course, it took Danny to overshadow both his parents and Sam's parents so they can come to a consensus about the sudden arrangements. He even went to the trouble of cleaning up Sam's room so her family wouldn't notice the event that had transpired in there. Now Danny was happy to have her near so she can be protected.

But Sam had other intentions of agreeing to stay at Danny's place, she wanted to become closer to him. After the talk they had that night when they admitted to each other their true feelings for one another, Danny hasn't tried anything to show her some affections. She wasn't asking for much, she just wanted to know that what they talked about wasn't just a dream. She couldn't tell if he was her boyfriend or still just a friend.

"Sam, are you almost ready?" hollered from the other side of the door." I have breakfast ready now, dear."

"On my way, . Thank you!" Sam took one last look at a nearby mirror and went to the door, finger brushing her medium length hair.

had already made her way downstairs so Sam went down to the kitchen as well. When she walked through the opening from the living room to the kitchen she saw Danny was already seated and eating his breakfast. He didn't glance her way when she came in.

"Can I help you, ?" Sam asked, walking towards the stove.

"Oh no, that's ok, really." She smiled back at Sam." Besides, I'm done, here, now take your plate and have a seat."

"Will do." Sam grabbed her plate and took a seat right across from Danny.

"Since you helped with dinner last night, I wanted to take charge of breakfast." Mrs. Fenton started to take off her apron and placed it on the counter." Danny should learn a thing or two from you, he needs to start helping out around the place more often."

"Mom..." Danny groaned, glaring at his mother." Don't you have some work to do with dad or something?"

"In fact I do, sweetie. Now when you are both done with your plates just leave them in the sink for me. I will get to them later." said as she was walking out of the kitchen and out of view.

Sam did as she was told, she tried to finish her plate but couldn't help noticing the awkward silence surrounding them. She thought she should say something but no words came to mind at the moment, even more so for Danny. He wanted to say something sweet to her especially how nicely she was dressed despite it being clothing he had seen on his sister already. But he still couldn't get over the fact that she had slept over in his place for days.

It's one thing when Tucker sleeps over, with all the video games, movies, and loud music but Sam had never slept over at his place before. After that one night she visited his room, he had to restrain himself from doing the same thing to her. She came to him that one night to talk, but that's not what he would have had in mind if he visited her room instead. He wanted to hold her close to him. It's ironic really when you have no feelings for a friend you can do anything together but once the feelings are there, those same simple tasks become impossible.

They had both finished their plates already by this point, so Sam got up from her seat with her plate in hand then walked over to Danny's side. He looked at her for the first time today, and his face gave off a slight blush. Sam leaned over the table to collect his plate and then went over to the sink to wash them both.

"You didn't have to, you know? My mom... would have taken care of it." Danny spoke in a low voice, he was trying to keep the shyness at bay.

"Yeah, but I don't like to be rude. I can take of myself and my own chores." Sam smiled," of course, I don't mind doing you the favor of cleaning your plate too."

Danny looked over at her, washing the dishes. It was really corny of him but he started to imagine how she would be like if she was a wife. Was it weird of him to start imagining these things all of a sudden only after a few days after realizing his affections for her?

Sam heard the chair screech as Danny gave himself room to hunch over to rummage through his backpack. He stood up after he found what he needed and she heard his steps coming towards her. Danny stood behind her silently and she turned the faucet off and was about to turn around until Danny kept her in place by gently grabbing her shoulders.

"Danny?"

"Stay like this for a bit. I just need to give you something." Danny said.

Sam grabbed a hand towel at the edge of the sink and stayed in place as she was drying her hands. Danny wrapped his arms around her waist and his hand met together at her stomach with a click. She looked down at her waist when Danny took a step back from her.

"The specter deflector?" Sam asked." You really think this is necessary?"

"Yes, I really do think you might need it. Since I can't always be around you, this will give you added protection when I am not around." Danny walked back to his backpack and put it on." Go ahead, turn it on. Test it out."

Sam pressed the center button on the belt and it glowed to life, letting her know that it was active.

"Here." Danny reached out his hand.

Sam looked worriedly at his outstretched hand and hesitated. "But the belt, Danny. I don't want to shock you."

Danny gave her a warm smile, he really appreciated her worrying over him but he nevertheless stepped closer to her and grabbed her hand.

Sam looked at him in apprehension but he had made it apparent that her touch wasn't hurting him even with the belt being on. She took a sigh of relief, that heavy feeling in her chest dissipating.

"My mom made an upgrade. The old one was too glitchy according to her and she wanted to modify it." Danny unconsciously entwining his fingers with Sam's as he spoke."Imagine my surprise when she put it on me and I wasn't shocked. Course, she wouldn't have known that she put me in potential danger like that."

"Now, I can touch you without worry," Sam said, staring down at their held hands.

Danny realized that he was still holding her slim fingers and was going to pull away until Sam held him in place, gently squeezing his hand a bit tighter. She gave him a stern look and was letting him know that she wanted to be like this with him a bit longer. She slowly stepped closer to him, freeing his hand so she could wrap her arms around him. Her head rested on his chest, closing her eyes as she heard the rapid beating of Danny's heart. She gave out a soft sigh of relief, finally being able to display her affections has relieved her of her longing for him.

"Sam…" Danny wrapped his arms around her slim frame, placing his cheek at the top of her head.

Danny closed his eyes as he allowed himself a moment to take in the scent of her hair. Lavender...

"I'm sorry…" he continued." I should have given you more attention these last few days. But I just needed to be sure you were safe."

"No, it's ok, Danny, I get it." Sam replied." We don't have to rush into anything, we have plenty of time. We can still be friends for a while longer."

"No!" Danny clasped the back of her head with one hand as he dipped his face into her neck."Anything but that! I won't risk losing you again!"

"Danny…" Sam whimpered, feeling excited from the feel of his breath along her neck.

"That's the last thing that I want. I told you that I like you, that I want to be with you and I won't ever take that back, we are more than just friends now." Danny said." I want us to grow into something serious."

"Danny… you don't know how long I've wanted to hear this." She said.

"And I'm an idiot for not telling you sooner." Danny gave her one last gentle squeeze until he pulled back to hold her at arm's length and stared at her right in the eyes."So, want to give dating a try? You don't know how badly I want you to be my girlfriend."

"Y-yes, I'll be your girlfriend." Sam turned a bright red.

Danny beamed brightly at her reply, he himself turning a shade of crimson." No hesitation, I appreciate that. Let's me know how much we want one another."

"Wow, I am feeling a bit hot and dizzy now." Sam laughed, gently placing a hand on Danny's chest and pushing him away.

"Careful, maybe you are a bit hungry still. Or maybe you didn't sleep well enough last night." Danny said, he held out his arms outstretched so just in case Sam did have a fainting spell he would be able to catch her.

"Haha I don't think so, I think it has to do with you being so near me." Sam placed a hand on her cheek." I'm pretty new at this, I've never liked someone so deeply until you."

True, there was Gregor she dated before but she was just testing the waters with him and had no real feelings for him. She most likely was trying to teach herself to like another so she could move on from her feelings of Danny. Obviously, that plan never gave way.

"You and me both. But let's see if you do get like this when you're around me. I like to test this theory out." He smiled.

Sam could barely contain herself of wanting to jump him right then and there, after seeing such a cute and bright smile from him. She could hardly believe she was the cause of it and that he was all hers.

Danny looked passed her shoulder and to the living room through the kitchen opening, he was making sure no one else was around besides the both of them. After making certain of this, he closed his eyes as he let a white light enveloped him and when it finally dulled down he was standing as Danny Phantom.

Sam felt a little tightness in her chest seeing him in this form. It has been a few days since she saw Danny in his ghost form and in doing so made her remember about his double out there somewhere. She almost forgot what Danny was trying to protect her from, was this because she didn't see his double as a threat despite what he has done to her?

"Ok, now turn the belt off by pressing the center button again." Danny pointed at it with his index finger." It will definitely shock me in this form."

"Oh, right." Sam did as she was told." We aren't taking the bus?"

"Obviously." Danny chuckled." I want to spend more time with you. Now, come into my arms so we can test that theory out."

She looked down at the ground out of embarrassment and took a few tentative steps towards him. He placed one hand at her back and then swooped her off her feet, carrying her bridal style in his arms.

"Up we go then," Danny said.

Danny made them both intangible as he flew up from the ground and through the wall of the kitchen so they can make it outside. He started to fly into the sky making their way to the high school.

Sam looked at his face, admiring how his white hair and pale complexion shone with the brightness of the blue sky and the light of the sun. Moments like this reminded her how truly handsome Danny is, sometimes she wondered if she could compare with her own looks.

But slowly from the back of her mind, the thought of Danny's double came up to the surface. Flying like this with Danny made her remember how she enjoyed her flight with his double, the night when he flew her home from Dash's party. She remembered his touch, the coldness of it was as if she was being exposed to a cold blizzard with no protective clothing. The cold cutting at her skin like a knife all over her body, making her shiver.

But here in Danny's arm, he had warmth. It was soothing like being wrapped within a soft blanket, she cuddled into his chest a bit more preferring his arms instead of his double. But that didn't stop her from wondering about him and if there was a way she could possibly help him.

"So?" Danny looked down at her as she pressed her face into his chest."Was this flight better than taking the bus?"

"Was it ever." Sam said." Look, we're almost there."

Danny nodded and flew over the school so they can fly down the field behind the building, preferably landing behind a row of bleachers to keep out of view of the students and staff. He let Sam back on her feet and stepped back as he reverted back into his human form, during which Sam took the time to turn the specter deflector back on.

"Ok, we're set now." Sam said as she started to turn around." Let's go meet Tucker, he should be by the lockers by now."

"Wait!"

Sam looked back at him, he was timidly kicking the dirt under his feet and rubbing the back of his head.

"What's wrong?"

"Only if you don't mind, I was wondering if we should walk in holding hands. You know? To further cement the fact that we are a couple." Danny said.

"Hold hands? In front of the school?" Sam asked.

"Argh! I knew it." Danny sighed, placing his hands to cover his face." I'm already going too fast with this. Maybe it was dumb of me to suggest that!"

Sam quickly came up to him and held his hands from his face."No, no, that's not it at all. I was just surprised you are so eager to present ourselves."

"Just this, I want to show everyone I finally picked out the right girl for me. Not that they pretty much care of a nobody like me, but either way I don't want to keep you as a secret. People will stop seeing you as just that friend of the Fenton boy."

"You do make a good point," Sam said as she held his hand and started making him walk with her towards the school.

As they entered through the back entrance of the school, many students immediately noticed the pair holding hands. So many started whispering among their group of friends about the sudden turn of events. Sam honestly thought people would have not even bothered noticing them but she was mistaken but she wondered why. They've never caught the school's attention like this.

Danny and Sam made a turn in the hall so they can find their lockers and at one side they noticed Tucker in front of his own locker, looking through books. Tucker heard the many feet falls coming towards his direction and so he looked up from what he was reading. He eyes widened a bit when he saw his two best friends holding each other's hand. He quickly placed the books back in the locker and slammed it shut.

"Kawaii!" Tucker cheered as he clasped his hands together.

"Shut up, Tuck. You don't have to act so shocked," Danny said a bit annoyed, mostly out of embarrassment.

"Of course I'm surprised, you dork." Tucker said, raising an eyebrow." I've always been a fan of this ship and finally, you noticed Sam's feelings. Especially knowing it took her hard work to get to this point, for a guy that is too oblivious and thick-headed."

"Well, you are clueless and quite the dummy," Sam said to Danny.

"Thanks, I appreciate the sentiment from the both of you." Danny jokingly rolled his eyes." Where would my self-esteem be without you?"

Sam and Tucker laughed a bit, during which that's when Paulina happened to pass by them.

"Not surprising you losers ended up together," Paulina said, stopping in front of the three. "It's not like you had any other pickings."

"Get lost, Paulina." Danny said." Nobody asked for your input."

"Bunch of freaks, I'll be back in a bit, better watch yourself," Paulina said as she intently looked at Sam before she left.

The three of them looked at each other in confusion.

"What did she mean by that?" Danny asked.

"I don't get what we did to make her upset, not that I care, really. " Sam shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't really know. I don't understand how you would have preferred her over Sam, Danny." Tucker answered.

"Tucker…" Danny glared at him." Let's leave the past behind us. I've realized the errors of my ways so let's leave it at that, shall we?"

"Whatever you say, dude."

The group heard the bell go off signifying the beginning of class.

"Well, I'll just go on ahead." Tucker smiled at them while he started walking off." I need to let the new boyfriend walk his girl to class."

Danny waved Tucker off and after he left Danny faced Sam.

"So how about it? Want me to walk you to class?" Danny smiled.

"No, it's fine, really. Besides your class is pretty far from mine, making you walk me to my class will just cause you to be late."

"It's not like I'm a model student who shows up on time anyway. I can do this for you." Danny chuckled.

"Nope, you won't get off the hook that easily. I may be a goth but I take school very seriously, you should too." Sam said." Go to class, ok? I'll meet at lunchtime."

"Maybe you're right." Danny said." Lunch it is then."

"I'll be going then," Sam said as she gave his hand one more squeeze before she let go.

She turned around and was taking a few steps until Danny came up to give her a gentle hug from behind.

"I wanted to give a proper goodbye," Danny said.

"Haha, who knew you could be so affectionate." Sam blushed."I've never seen you like this even with your past girlfriends."

"I guess you have always been the one for me even if I didn't know it then." Danny let her go and turned swiftly,"Gosh, I'm starting to sound so cheesy. It's getting embarrassing a bit, let me leave you before you start getting annoyed with me."

Sam smiled at him as she waved him off when Danny turned the corner that's when she made her way to class. After homeroom, she went through 2 of her classes pretty quickly and now she was sitting in her English class. This was her favorite subject class since she loves reading and writing poetry but she wasn't paying too much attention today. She was thinking maybe she was feeling a bit too lovesick for Danny since she couldn't wait to be around him again. She would hate behaving so lovey-dovey but she guessed she couldn't help it, she would usually condemn this kind of behavior when she saw other teen girls acting like this, now she was no different from them.

"Maybe this is just a puppy dog phase of a relationship." She thought." Maybe I'm overthinking, we just started. It's way too early to start judging the relationship just because I finally got what I always wanted."

Eventually, the bell rang to dismiss the class, it was time for lunch and for Sam to meet Tucker and Danny. She didn't want to carry her books and backpack to lunch so she decided to head to her locker first to put them away. Sam made it to her locker and started to work out her locker combination. As she was spinning the lock, she felt someone was behind her and heard a very loud snip beside her ear. Sam gasped as she turned to see that her hair from her right side of her face had been cut.

She heard laughter and she turned round to see Paulina holding a pair of large scissors and Star laughing alongside her.

"Well, what do you think of her new hairstyle? Do you think it goes with her new outfit, Star?" Paulina asked, playfully snipping the scissors.

"Nah, she doesn't look slutty enough," Star said.

"What's wrong, Sammy? Being Danny's girl now you want to change your look to match his sister's. Wolf in sheep's clothing, huh? Slut."

Sam just stared in complete shock, that they actually cut a section of her hair just when she grew it out up to her shoulder, almost to her breasts. She didn't understand what they were talking about and she didn't much care because all she felt now was complete anger boiling up inside her.

"You bitch!" Sam yelled as she took a tough stance and raised a fist ready to punch Paulina. Paulina cowered back a bit as she saw the fist coming to her but before Sam's fist could strike true it was held back by someone gripping her wrist. Sam looked back and saw Valerie holding her hand back.

"Don't. She's not worth it." Valerie said." You hit her then she will get you in trouble if you leave a bruise."

"Like I should stand by and let her do this to me! This is way overdue between her and me!" Sam pulled her arm and freed herself from Valerie's grip." This is the last thing she will ever pull on me! I'm tired of her crap."

Paulina stepped a bit further once she was sure that Sam wouldn't try hitting her again.

"You really are a crazy freak." Star said to Sam." Come on, Paulina, let's go."

"No. What is it you were saying before? About Sam being a slut, why did you cut her hair off?" Valerie quickly stepped into their way, blocking them off from leaving. "That's a terrible thing you just did to her. No one deserves that."

"Like she will talk to you about anything! Paulina has been through a lot and this freak only makes things worse." Star said.

"What are you talking about?! I never did anything to her, I prefer it when we never encounter each other." Sam scoffed." I don't even know how I could make things worse for her when she is always picking on other people, maybe they did something to make her mad."

"Oh shut up!" Paulina yelled out as she stepped closer to Sam." Want to know what my problem is?! It's you! You took away the love of my life away from me!"

"Paulina, come on, she's not worth telling," Star said gently placing her hand on the latina's shoulder.

"NO! She needs to know this!" Paulina shrugged Star's hand off her shoulder." Remember Friday night, huh? What happened to you, huh?! What happened to you that made the Ghost boy leave me at Dash's pool party?!"

"I… I don't need to explain myself to you. Besides how can you know he left for me? He could have left for any other reason." Sam said.

"Don't get cute with me. That geek friend of yours pulled my love away from me and told him that YOU were in trouble. Then they both left, he left…. Without even giving me so much of a second look." Paulina said." For a moment, I thought I had everything I've wanted. I had him for myself. I was going to tell him I was in love with him that night."

"That's all great and good but I don't know how your feelings involve Sam. It shouldn't warrant you to cut her hair! " Valerie said." Maybe she really was in trouble that night."

"Then… I remembered how Sam made a drawing of the ghost boy that same day in class. You told me that the ghost boy would never go for a girl like me! I know what you did now, ok?! You weren't in trouble at all that night! Admit it, you're in love with the ghost boy too and planned for the ghost boy to leave me by sending out your geek friend with a fake s.o.s! You fooled him!" Paulina began to sob, pushing Sam against the locker." We all know how the ghost boy is eager to help anyone and you used that against him!"

"Hey!" Valerie said as she pulled Paulina off her.

"You got the wrong idea, Paulina. But I really couldn't care less if you believe me or not. Not that I blame you since you are all broad and no brains." Sam smiled.

"You stole him from me! And now, he isn't even enough for you, huh?! One weekend and the ghost boy bored you enough that you go off to your idiot, loser, friend Danny! Playing them both!" Paulina said.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, now don't you start! Think of me however you want but no one talks about Danny like that, not in front of me!" Sam said.

"I couldn't care less about Danny, cheat on him with how many countless guys that you want! But you won't toy with the ghost boy! I can't stand the fact the ghost boy left me for such a whore like you!" Paulina said.

Star started noticing that they were slowly building a crowd around them and it didn't look too good with the pair of scissors still in Paulina's hand. Star gripped Paulina's shoulder, warning her that it was time to end the fighting. Paulina looked back also noticing the people starting to stare their way but before she left, she leaned closer to Sam and told her," I will make your time at school hell, worse than before. For both you and Danny."

Paulina grabbed Star's hand and quickly left, speed walking down the hall.

Valerie did the same and grabbed Sam by her hand leading Sam to her own locker. She wanted to get away from the stares of the rest of the students.

"What did she say to you, Sam?" Valerie asked.

Valerie opened her locker door after she spun in her combination.

"Pretty much she will do the same thing she's been doing my whole high school life, annoy me." Sam rolled her eyes.

"Can't believe once upon a time I was part of her group." Valerie grabbed some brushes and some bobby pins from within her locker." Turn around for me, Sam."

"Um, Sure." Sam replied." What are you doing?"

"Brushing your hair up, I think a ponytail will be good enough. Some pins here and there will do, don't want Danny to get worried about this. I'm pretty sure you won't tell him about this." Valerie smiled." He's such a sensitive guy, huh?"

"Yeah, you're right." Sam smiled." He is. Thanks for helping me."

"It's been a while since we've talked. I'm not worried about how Paulina plans to ruin my life but I don't want Danny to start going through some more bullying just because of me. Now I know why the whole school was shocked to see me with Danny, they think I'm two-timing him with the ghost boy." Sam said.

"How can we avoid it then, the bullying and the rumors? I don't mind helping." Valerie started wrapping Sam's hair in a ponytail.

"I don't know, the ghost boy can actually visit Paulina and talk to her" Sam suggested.

"No, bad idea, that will just make things worse. She won't settle down until the ghost boy is hers, and we both know Danny is not going to give you up so he can calm down Paulina. That's one of the many things I like about him, he will never cheat."

"Sorry I'm talking to you about this, I know you still have feelings for him." Sam sighed.

"No, it's ok, really. We ended things, or at least I did a long time ago. Just takes a while for that feeling of what could have been to go away, you know? But yeah, I know how to handle my unrequited love, unlike Paulina." Valerie said." I'm finished with your hair now."

"You know, as much as it kills me to say this, I guess we both know what Paulina is feeling right now. That heartache she must be feeling… I can relate…" Sam sighed.

"Let's leave it alone until later, Danny is probably anxious by now. Lunch will be finished soon." Valerie said.

"Ok, I will go to him now." Sam said and hugged her." For what it's worth, I am glad that Danny did have good taste in one of his exes. You're a good friend, I'm sure he sees that too."

***** Author's Note: So are you understanding why I split my chapter into 3? I can't believe I planned to make my last chapter, this one, and the next one into just one whole chapter. That would have been way too long. Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying my story, I have not been getting the feedback I have wanted so I may never know if my story is good enough. But as long one person is enjoying then I will keep on writing. :) So let me know what you thought of Paulina and Valerie in this chapter. I wanted Valerie to know Danny's secret in this story and for her not be seen as an enemy, I think by 16 years old Danny and the others would have trusted her enough with his secret.