Chapter 9: Friday

~P.O.V Bridget~

I walked at a steady pace through the crisp morning air, the music entering my ears from my headphones my only company. I had left for school a bit earlier than normal, wanting to enjoy a nice walk. I could have stayed home and flown or teleported to school like normal. But I wanted to stretch my legs for a change. It also gave me time to think.

I had confirmed my theory of Danny being Phantom. But that did not help my situation any. He was likely going to figure me out soon enough. It would probably make things better if I just told him outright. I knew his secret after all. But what fun would that be if I just told him? A grin split my face as I entered the nearly deserted school building.

A couple senior students milled about but no one I knew personally so I went straight to my locker. I placed my backpack inside and pulled out my laptop along with the books for my first class. I had plenty of time before the first bell, but I still entered Mr. Lancer's classroom. He was not inside but that did not bother me. I sat down at my desk and began typing.

Mr. Lancer entered the room about five minutes later. I paid him no mind as I wrote some notes down into my notebook that sat next to my laptop. I then returned my attention to my writing. Mr. Lancer however was organizing th papers on his desk. When he heard the click of my keys he was startled and ended up swearing in a book title. I looked up at him and pulled off my headphones.

"Is there a problem?" I asked with a tilt of my head.

Mr. Lancer shook his head. "No, you just surprised me is all. There are usually not students this early for class."

"Is my being this early bad?" I asked. "I like the quiet time before class starts to get some writing done."

Mr. Lancer blinked before walking over. "I have no problem with it as long as you get your homework done first."

I nodded. "I have it already done, sir."

"Even the essay I assigned on Wednesday?" He asked.

I nodded again. "That was the first thing I got done. I don't like having assignments hanging over my head so I get them done as soon as I can."

Mr. Lancer smiled. "Then by all means. You may use this room whenever it is available."

"Thank you Mr. Lancer."

"Might I ask what you are writing?" He asked.

I smiled. "Of course!"

I then proceeded to tell him about the novel I was writing. He listened carefully and only interrupted to compliment or give pointers. Soon students began trickling in and we concluded our discussion. He was just leaving with a pleasant smile on his face when Danny and his friends entered the room.

"Hey, why does our teacher look so happy?" Tucker asked to no one in particular when he sat down.

I grinned. "Because we had an amazing discussion about writing." I replied putting my laptop aside and moving my stuff for class in front.

Tucker blinked. "You know, you are the only one I know that would actually make friends with a teacher."

Danny nodded his agreement. "Especially our vice principal."

Sam rolled her eyes. "So what if she gets along with Mr. Lancer? If her being on his good side helps us then all the better."

I could hear the double meaning in Sam's words but I just continued to grin as I turned my attention to the front. I was not going to let them in on the secret just yet. I was doing my best to disconnect any connection between me and Spirit Flame. I want it to be a nice surprise.

I jotted down thorough notes on the current topic of class and when the bell rang I was a bit glad, my wrist was killing me. Figuratively of course. As it was Friday and I was ready for the day and the week to end. After a couple more classes it was finally lunch time. I once again, like almost every day since I first started, joined Sam, Tucker, and Danny.

Tucker and Danny were talking about the latest version of an online game called Doomed while Sam and I silently ate our meals. When I was finished, and we still had time in our lunch period I decided to join in on the conversation. A conversation that had moved from how cool it was, to some of the games new cheats.

"Do you guys play any other games besides Doomed?" I asked.

Their conversation ground to a halt, and stared at me.

"Did I say something weird?" I asked.

Danny shook his head. "No. We just did not expect a girl to ask."

Sam glared at Danny but instead of speaking she stuffed a piece of salad into her mouth.

"So do you?" I asked.

"Sure we do, but we like Doomed the best." Tucker replied.

Danny nodded his agreement with Tucker.

I smiled. "I have played it before but I personally prefer the game Crimson Cavern*."

"Oh I have played that one too!" Sam said, pushing her tray aside with a rare smile. "The graphics are sweet."

"Crimson Cavern?" Danny asked. "I have never heard of it."

"You must really be out of the loop if you haven't even heard of it, Danny." Valerie said walking up to their table.

"Oh hey Valerie!" Danny said, jumping a little in his seat in surprise.

"Yeah dude. I have even heard of Crimson Cavern. I have not played it yet but I was hoping to try it with you on our next free weekend." Tucker informed his friend.

"You definitely need to play it. I am not that much of a gamer, and even I am obsessed with it." I said.

Valerie nodded slipping into a seat across from me.

"Alright. We will try it!" Danny relented, though there was a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"Good." Valerie replied.

"Who would have thought so many girls actually play video games!" Tucker cried.

Valerie rolled her eyes and turned her attention to me and held out her hand. "I don't think we were ever properly introduced. I am Valerie Gray."

"Bridget Star. It is a pleasure." I said returning the handshake.

"So. Tell us about yourself? I am sure someone with the last name of Star must have an interesting story to tell." Valerie asked.

"Not that interesting. Really." I replied.

"Oh come on!" She said. "I am sure the rest of us at this table want to hear it, right?"

A few nods from the rest of the table.

"Fine. You have twisted my arm." I replied with a huff.

"Good." Valerie grinned.

"I suppose i will begin at the beginning. I had lived my whole life in Terran**. Though I believe my mom lived elsewhere since she used to be a successful business woman. She raised me on her own. I have never known my father. I have asked but every time I have, she gets this painful expression of guilt and tells me not to ask. The only thing I know is that he is not dead. A few months ago I was informed that we were moving here since her job had been moved here. And well that is pretty much it. Other than my being obsessed with books and my writing." I told them.

"I was correct in assuming there was a mystery about you. Who else would love to write?" Valerie jokes.

The mood lightened and the rest of the group including me giggled.

"You should have seen Mr. Lancer before class this morning!" Tucker cries.

"What happened this morning?" Valerie asked.

"He was smiling because Bridget and him had a talk about writing." Danny said.

"And he is also ecstatic to have a writer for a student." Sam added.

I felt my cheeks heat. "Its nothing!"

The shrill sound of the bell rang in our ears signaling the end of lunch.

"You got out of that one!" Valerie said.

"No kidding." I mumbled heading for my locker.

The rest of the day went by at a snail's pace. The droning of the teachers was worse than normal even though it was friday. Even the ghosts seemed to stay away making the day seem longer. But finally I was at my locker retrieving my stuff so I could head home.

"Hey Bridget, Want to walk home with us today?" Danny asked, retrieving his stuff.

I thought for a moment and grinned. "Why not?"

Danny smiled. "Glad to have you along."

I swung my backpack over my shoulders and when it appears the trio was ready, I began my trek to the doors. I was halfway there when a voice stopped me. It was .

"Sorry guys, it seems I have to speak to Mr. Lancer. Go on ahead?"

"Alright, but do you have plans this weekend? Maybe we could all hang out then?" Danny asked.

"Maybe. My mom and I were going to do some shopping. I will let you know if i have some free time." I replied quickly before hurrying over to Mr. Lancer.

Mr Lancer was standing at the edge of the lockers. I approached him cautiously. I did not believe I was in trouble, but there was always a possibility.

"What do you need Mr. Lancer?"

"I wanted to talk to you about an extracurricular class…" Mr. Lancer proceeded to tell me about a writing class I could take that could earn me college credit. It was a great opportunity so I accepted and when we were done talking and Mr. Lancer had wandered away I heard a noise coming from the Library.

After checking that Mr. Lancer was gone and there was no one around I transformed and quickly turned invisible. I then flew to the library. I stuck my head inside using my intangibility. Inside I saw Arwen examining the books on a nearby shelf. I phased the rest of the way in and dropped my invisibility.

I glided over to her. "Hey Arwen!"

She jumped a little. "Oh hey Spirit! You should know better than to sneak up on me."

"I was not sneaking. You just weren't paying attention." I countered.

Arwen rolled her eyes. "Riiight."

"So what brings you to Casper's library again?" I asked.

"I was hoping to see you, but I got a bit distracted." She replied.

"Of course you did." It was my turn to roll my eyes. "What do you need?"

"I found another book about the rings." She said slipping a glowing blue book about an inch thick out of her messenger bag and handed it to me.

I took it and read its title haamu renkaat: opas. I smiled. "Thank you Arwen. I am not quite done with the other one, I will return it soon though."

"It was no trouble. I trust you Spiri." She said then looked at her watch. "Oh shoot! I am almost late for my shift!"

"Then you better hurry!" I said and waved goodbye as she vanished through the ceiling.

I weighed the book in my hands for a moment before I flew through the ceiling as well. Once outside I flew home. I was eager to get some rest and begin reading Ghost Rings: A Guide. If I have time.

* A completely made up game. I just thought it sounded cool.

** A completely made up town that is a play on Terrasen from Throne Of Glass.

I am hopefully going to be updating on a weekly or semi-weekly basis. Or it might just be whenever I get the chapters done. The next one is going to be good! See you next time!