Notes: Finally...

Confession Problems
Chapter XI
Complex

The floor vibrates with the drums and bass, coaxing the patrons to dance and swing. The guitar chords and notes fill the air, offering rhythm and tone. The band's voice can be heard echoing in the room, amplified by the speakers and the teens singing along. The club is high on the band's energy and the punch only adds to the euphoria.

Dan watches them, grinning from ear to ear. For someone who knows them on a personal level, the group on stage seems unique and foreign and HOT.

Ember is like a hypnotist; bending and commanding the crowd to sing like her. Remmy and Lexii seem like snake charmers, tricking the audience to dance for them. Rick is a totally different person, playing wild solos and almost flirting with Gat on stage (praise to fan service!).

His friends with alter egos.

Dan laughs to himself, shaking his head. Well, he is sure they all have something that they hide from everyone else. Ember is a ghost, Gat is in love with Rick, Remmy is a masochist (at least, Dan thinks he is), Lexii has a feminist complex, and Rick… he's just emo. Dan himself is in love with his twi—.

Dan winces and shakes his head. He needs to forget about that. Taking another sip of his punch (what is he on again? Fifth? Tenth?), Dan checks the crowd for abnormalities. Spotting one, he grins and heads out. Who would have thought Vad would be the first to arrive? Then again, he always is when it's for Dan.

"Danny?" Sam asks, watching her date carefuly. "What's wrong?" Blue eyes meet hers. The boy smiles and shrugs as though he is not sure. He knows what's bothering him, but he does not know how to say it. He is not even sure if it would make a difference.

The two of them have been going out for a week now. Tucker has faded into the background. Maddie is extatic (for reasons Danny can't figure). Jack is following his wife's example. Vlad (not that Danny really cares what he thinks) seems to subtlely hate them being together (another thing he can't fingure… Maybe Maddie and Vlad should have been together? … EW.)

For some reason, Danny seems to have drifted away from everyone. He is not spending time with his family (eating take out food rather than his mom's; sitting akwardly with Sammy rather than cleaning or working in the lab with his dad; not seeing Jazz rather than ignoring her attempts to make him grow up). He does not see Tucker. He… really misses Dan.

That is the other problem. Not him missing Dan! (although that has it's ill affects) No; the problem is that he isn't with Dan. Dan who, for almost a decade, had not been by his side. Dan who, thankfully, has returned and cares for him deeply. Dan who… Danny really… loves?

The boy swallows, eyes watering. Yes, he loves Dan. How much, he does not know, but… Danny looks at Sam. She is eating a lawn sandwich in the chair across from him. Her purple eyes look up and she smiles at him.

'I want green eyes.'

She sips her water and finishes her sandwich. Tucking some of her short black hair behind her ear, she takes a napkin and wipes her hands and mouth (of dirt, Danny assumes).

'I want silver hair.'

Standing, she excuses herself, saying she needs to use the bathroom. Leaving the table, she throws out her garbage and goes to the girl's room. All the while, Danny watches her. Her boots are black, thick and heavy (and annoying). Her skirt looks strange over her black pants. Her shirt is an awful neon purple (if that exists) and hurts his eyes.

'I want thin, white boots. Low hanging, black jeans. Nice band shirts. A soft slim figure. A comforting and familiar presence. The smell of…'

"Clean air."

When Sam returns to the table, she finds no Danny and a bus boy waiting for a bill and tip.

Posted: FEB 09
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