Okay guys, second to last chapter! I'm so sorry it took this long…but please, enjoy!

But wait! So…I have a question for you readers! I'm writing a retelling of The Little Mermaid! I was wondering what category/characters should be in it? (Please, visit my profile to see all the categories/characters I like! I can't decide) The first five who vote/help me will get a request fic done by me! So…VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Chapter 10: Mitigation For Some

Jazz glared at the road in front of her. She cast a quick glance over to Danny and frowned. There must be a thousand different things going on in his mind. His face transformed every few seconds from an appreciative smile to absolute fear. It's weird….She sighed. Thinking about it now won't help anyone…I can't believe that Sam's mom is really calling this to the principal's attention…it's only for Sam's benefit, I know it! Christ, that woman is impossible…She was glad, however, that she had answered the phone before her parents could. That would be a nasty confrontation…Once again she had to lie to get Danny and herself out of the house to the school where the meeting would be held. What would mom and dad do if they found out we lied to them? She looked over to Danny again. I guess it doesn't matter…it's for him. Her heart started to beat faster as she got closer to the school. I still really hate the idea of this…so many things could go wrong! Oh Mrs. Manson, why did you have to be so difficult? You too Sam! She rolled her eyes and slowly came to a stop at the school parking lot. Well, knowing Sam this isn't so much of a surprise…and she has to get her attitude from someone. So, I guess it makes sense. She parked the car and turned it off, barely concealing her anxiety.

"Ready Danny?" She asked quietly.

"As I'll ever be…" He trailed off.

"So, are you going to tell the truth, or just go along with whatever lie they come up with?"

He shrugged in response. "I'll let the 'adults' talk it out. You know, let them draw their own conclusions. But I know there will be a bunch of different ideas, from both you guys and us…The truth is bound to come out, right?"

She smiled at her younger brother. He could be so smart sometimes. "Hmm, I guess so. But if the truth doesn't come out?"

"Well, then it all works out better for me."

Tucker sat in front of the principal's office. Foley's were always early, and with something like this…well, they were extra-early. His parents sat on either side of him, politely chatting with Sam's parents. Neither he or Sam dared to pull out their phones and text each other, nor did they speak. The Code of Honor. He thought to himself. None of us speaks so none of us gets into anymore trouble…He did send a pitying glance to Sam. If anyone needs comfort, it's her. Finding out one of your best friends is-er…that way, and in love with your worst enemy…And yet she still fights for him. He was drawn out of his thoughts as the door opened and Dash walked in, followed by his own parents and Kwan's family. Everyone stopped talking. Well, the tension in here is so thick you can cut it with a knife. He smirked. Oh, how I love cliché's …

Sam caught his look and gave him a questioning stare, but he quickly shook his head. I wonder when Danny's gonna get here? His question was soon answered when Jazz and Danny entered. He was avoiding everyone's gaze. Well, at least he remembers the Code of Honor…He took a seat across from Dash-next to Kwan. Ah, shit! Dash is going to kill me…But it's strange. He's not showing anything-not happiness, and he doesn't look sad either. Just…indifference? We've been best friends for how long, and I still can't read him?

Danny, you're an enigma.

Dash noted Danny's distant attitude. He's not even sitting by his friends…why Kwan? Is he trying to make me jealous? He crossed that thought out of his mind. No…he's not even acknowledging Kwan…what's he thinking? He cast a quick glance around the room. Well, we're all here…what's Lancer waiting for? The meeting had been scheduled for six exactly…it was six ten. And he gets to bitch when we're late. How fair. He rolled his eyes. Still, I guess this gives me time to think of a possible excuse. He surveyed the room again. Strange…none of the 'kids' are talking…So, we're all keeping quiet about this? When he looked around again, he saw Tucker's parents looking at him. Again? Is it because Foley tells them that I bully him? Or did he tell his parents what really happened today? Judging by their slightly weirded out stares, I'm guessing it's the latter. Fucking Foley! If they say anything to Lancer, it'll be the end of Danny…and me. That fucking sucks!

His phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling him out of his thoughts. Kwan? The thought incredulously. What does he want? He slid his phone open and read the text:

Dude, lets just take the blame already. We can just say that we were fighting over Paulina, and Danny guys tried to break up the fight. That way they can stay out of trouble, and we don't have to…say the exact nature of our fight.

Dash thought it over. I guess that'll work…He thought. He replied to Kwan's message with his exact thoughts. But what about Foley's parents? What if they know what really happened, and why it happened? Will they still care? I mean…Tucker will be out of trouble. That should be good enough, right? He mentally shrugged. I guess whatever happens…happens.

On the outside, Danny looked indifferent: calm, cool, collected. It looked as if he could care less about this entire situation…but that just wasn't true. No, he was feeling quite the opposite. I have to maintain this uncaring look. No matter what anyone says, I can't get involved. I'm not to say a word unless Sam and Tucker say something…and what's up with Lancer? Doesn't he know it's rude to keep people waiting? He shifted positions in his seat, doing his best to ignore Kwan's presence. I don't want to look at him. I don't know what to feel for him right now…What do I even feel towards Dash? He rolled his eyes. Yeah, right. I know what I feel for him…and I regret it. I hate it. And yet…what can I do about it? Who do I go with?

His inner struggles were cut short as Mr. Lancer opened the door. He smiled at each and every person in the room, causing Danny's blood to boil. Jerk.

"Well, I'm glad that you were all able to make it here tonight. Now, there was an incident this morning…one involving the five of you. Because none of you wanted to talk, you were all suspended…however, some of your parents have complaints about this…so, we're giving you the opportunity now to tell the truth, or accept the suspension." He smiled nastily.

"We already accepted the suspension." Sam growled. Her mother gave her a stern look before Sam could continue her statement.

"Well, your parents have not." She said coldly. "Now, could you two gentlemen please explain to me what happened?" She directed this statement to Kwan and Dash.

I wonder what they'll say? Danny asked himself. It will be a lie…won't it? There was absolute silence as everyone waited for their response, their parents included.

"Well boys?" Dash's mom asked.

"It's really idiotic." Kwan began. "And I regret getting everyone involved in this…"

Kwan was horrible at public speaking, even in front of a small group of people like this. Calm down and continue the story. Dash will back you up. I think. He sighed. Well, I started already…might as well finish up.

"So, as you guys know…prom's coming up. And, well, we both really wanted to ask Paulina to go with us. But then we got mad at each other 'cause, you know…we both wanted to take her…and we fought." Kwan started awkwardly.

"Then things started to get violent." Dash cut in. "And we started to fight. Danny and his friends saw us fighting and tried to break it up, but we didn't…and then Lancer caught us. You know the rest." He finished.

Kwan waited patiently for the questions. They're not gonna buy it…and if they do, they'll still have a shit load of questions to ask.

"And here I was under the impression that Samantha hated you two." Mrs. Manson drawled. "Why would she defend you? Mr. Foley and Mr. Fenton I can understand…but if you ask me, she would jump at the opportunity to get you in trouble…especially if it involved her own 'safety'." She look at Sam. "Or am I wrong?"

"Yeah, you are. As usual." Sam spat.

"Oh, really?" Her mom retorted. "Mr. Lancer, -"

"Lady, will you just shut up?"

"Excuse me?" Mrs. Mason asked. "I will not be spoken to like that!"

Dash rolled his eyes. "Your precious daughter had nothing to do with this stupid fight. We told you what happened. What more do you want for fucks sake?"

"Dash!" His mother scolded. "I raised you better than that. Apologize to Mrs. Mason this instant."

"Why should he?" Sam asked. "He had every right to." Her mother glared at her.

"Samantha!"

"Enough." Mr. Lancer yelled. "Calm down. Now, what was so hard about that? You three-" He pointed at Danny, Tucker and Sam. "-You're off the hook."

Sam's mother clenched her fists. "That's good to know. We'll be on our way then." She said with a forced smile. "Lets go, Samantha." Sam rolled her eyes but complied anyway.

"Whatever."

"You two, however, are still suspended." Lancer continued. Kwan's and Dash's parents nodded.

"We understand." Kwan's mother replied, getting up to leave. "We'll be on our way."

Kwan trudged along with his parents, giving Danny a small smile. At least he's off the hook.

"If that's all, then we'll be going too." Jazz said to Mr. Lancer.

"Hmm…yes. Oh, Danny?" Danny paused when he heard Mr. Lancer call his name. "I do hope you feel better." He sneered. Both Jazz and Danny paled.

"E-excuse me?" He asked timidly.

"Your parents will be waiting for you when you get home…I think you have some explaining to do. You too, Jazz. And I had such a high opinion for you…" He trailed off before leaving the two siblings alone.

Oooh, cliffy! What's gonna happen? Hahaha…well, you'll see in the next chapter…the *Final* Chapter! Reviews/Criticism is greatly appreciated!