Author's Note: Okay, so you might be wondering why Danny, Tucker, and Paulina don't suspect anything of each other. Well, the first reason is simple: it's only been two days. Paulina made the wish Monday night, and the last section ended Wednesday night. They're not going to figure out or even suspect something too radical in such a short amount of time. Second reason: people tend to make up all excuses possible before being convinced of something that just seems so impossible. Paulina doesn't think that Danny could ever be someone as cool as the ghost boy, so even with all of the clues, she wouldn't figure it out unless Danny actually transformed in front of her. The most Danny and Tucker could suspect of Paulina is that she's being overshadowed by a ghost, but Danny could just look into her and see that she's not. So, then, they'd really just think she's being weird. You see, Sam(after the wish) is not acting different. To them, Sam is Sam, she's always been Sam, she's acting just like Sam has always acted. Since everyone except Paulina is acting the same, there's not too much they can conclude about Paulina's strange behavior without knowing more about the situation, and it's not like they're going to go to Clockwork or whoever about it. So, yeah. I could go on much longer about this, but the rest is pretty easy to figure out.

The Luckiest Girl in the World

The sun streamed in through her window and implored her to open her eyes. Paulina groggily awoke, vaguely wondering where Danny and Tucker were.

And…what happened to the ghost boy? she thought. Stretching, she sat up and stood. She quickly regretted the action. Her head swam, her vision blackened, and her legs weakened. She grabbed onto a bedpost for support, feeling dizzy.

She breathed and slowly exhaled. Her head started to clear, and her vision slowly came back. She blinked and put a hand to her head, wondering what exactly had happened the night before.

-DP-

Downstairs, she was surprised to see Danny and Tucker already there, sitting at Sam's kitchen table.

"Hey, sunshine. Did you sleep well?" Jeremy asked.

"Yes," Paulina lied. She looked at the two boys. "Um…what are you guys doing here?" She sat down next to them. She didn't feel like eating.

"Oh, well…we just decided to come early today. We have to take the bus anyway," said Tucker.

"Okay, that's cool, I guess," said Paulina, still not feeling that well.

"We should go. The bus will be here soon," said Danny, looking at the clock in the kitchen.

"Sure. Let's go." Paulina stood. Danny and Tucker did as well.

"Pollykins, don't you want some breakfast?" asked Pamela, holding up a plate of toast.

Just looking at the food made Paulina's stomach churn. She shook her head. "No, thanks, Mama. I'm not hungry this morning."

"Since when do you call me 'Mama?'" asked Pamela.

Paulina just shrugged and followed Danny and Tucker outside, calling a hurried good-bye to Sam's parents.

They walked slowly to the bus stop. "Shouldn't we be going faster?" asked Paulina.

"Why?" asked Danny.

"You said the bus would be here soon," said Paulina.

"Oh, you know it won't come for another ten minutes. I just said that so that we could talk alone." Danny looked down at the ground, then back at her. "Paulina, I am so sorry. I didn't mean for you to get hurt! I feel so terrible. Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, I'm fine," said Paulina, though she didn't mean it. She felt a chill go down her spine. "Anyway, why are you sorry? I didn't see you at all last night."

Danny grimaced in mental pain. "Oh, I know! I'm sorry! I tried to get to you before the blast, but it just happened so fast! I mean, all of sudden, you were on the ground. You were breathing strangely, and you started burning up. I was so scared! Horrified, even, because I was too late to save you!" Paulina could tell he was really upset.

They arrived at the bus stop. Danny put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "Paulina, for a moment, I didn't know if you were going to be okay…"

Paulina was blank for a moment. It seemed so different to have someone care about her that much. It was new to her, and it made her feel wonderful. She gently shook off his grip. "Danny, it's okay. Don't worry about it. I don't blame you." You weren't even there, she silently added. To change the subject, she asked, "So, how long were you at my house?"

"A long time," said Tucker, "Till about two in the morning."

"Weren't your parents worried?" asked Paulina.

"Well, I called Jazz and got her to cover for me. Tucker actually went back to his house for a little while, then snuck back out," Danny informed.

"Hmm…" Paulina leaned against a nearby tree. "Two in the morning, huh? Was I that sick?"

"Yeah. That scorpion ghost got you pretty good," said Tucker.

"You were shivering, but you had a fever. Then, when you woke up for about five minutes, you seemed dazed and said some…weird things. You went back to sleep, but you were still shaking. After a couple of hours, you started to cool down and relax. That's when we left," said Danny, then he glared at Tucker, "I wanted to stay, though."

Tucker rolled his eyes. "Danny, you know we couldn't stay. What would our parents think if they couldn't find us in the morning? Or what would Paulina's parents think if they just happened to see us in her room?"

"Hey, it's okay," said Paulina. She looked up at the sky. A cloud was covering the sun at the moment.

"Paulina, if you don't mind my asking…" Tucker adjusted his glasses. "Why were you calling Danny 'ghost boy' last night?"

Danny, he means Danny Phantom, thought Paulina as she nervously shrugged.

Danny laughed. "Yeah, who do you think you are? Sam?"

Paulina's eyes widened at the look on Danny's face. Does he know something? Then it was gone, and Paulina relaxed. Okay, how would Sam respond? "Don't be comparing me to her!" she snapped.

Danny and Tucker exchanged amused glances.

-DP-

At lunch that day, Paulina still didn't feel like eating. Danny and Tucker rushed to get a spot in line. Paulina walked slowly to their normal table so as not to upset her stomach. Passing the popular table, she caught a bit of a conversation between Sam and Dash.

"Dash, just know that the only reason I'm going to the dance with you tomorrow is so that no one thinks I'm a loser who couldn't get a date," Sam said, "That's it."

Dash seemed dejected. "But Sam—"

"Dash, I told you. I'm only interested in the ghost boy," said Sam firmly, her arms crossed.

Paulina moved on, eventually reaching the table and taking a seat. She waited for Danny and Tucker.

Finally, they arrived with their lunches and sat down. "Paulina, you sure you're not hungry?" asked Tucker.

"Yeah, I'm sure," said Paulina. Her head was feeling better, but her stomach still felt unsettled.

There was silence for a couple of seconds. Danny cleared his throat. Tucker excused himself to get some ketchup for his hamburger.

"Paulina, I wanted to ask you yesterday, but…well, you know…" Danny swallowed. "The dance tomorrow? I was wondering if you—that is, if you want to, um—"

"Danny!" Valerie walked up to the table and smiled at him. She ignored Paulina. Paulina stiffened a little, remembering Valerie's punch the other day.

"Hi, Valerie!" said Danny, smiling broadly.

"Listen, Danny, you know the dance tomorrow? I don't have a date yet…I was wondering if you'd like to take me?" Valerie pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Really?" Danny was stunned. He glanced at Paulina. "Well, actually—"

"He'd love to," Paulina said quickly, thankful for Valerie's proposal. She didn't really want to go to the dance, not as Sam, anyway. She wanted to be popular. She wanted all of the boys to beg her to dance with them. She wanted attention, something she knew she couldn't get as Sam. "You would, right, Danny?"

"Wait, what?" Danny seemed surprised. "Well, uh, sure! Yeah, I'll take you! I'll pick you up at eight, okay?"

"Great! See you then, Danny!" Valerie waved and practically skipped away.

Danny turned back to Paulina, incredulous and blushing. "Valerie actually wants to go to the dance with me? I thought she wasn't interested…" He stood, gripping his tray. "I'm going to throw my lunch away. I'll be right back."

As soon as Danny left, Tucker came back. He looked excited. "So, did he ask?"

"Did he ask what?" Paulina combed her fingers through her hair.

"You know…did he ask you to the dance?" questioned Tucker.

"Oh. No, he didn't," said Paulina.

Tucker's jaw dropped. "What? He said he was going to! He really didn't ask?"

"Well, Valerie came over and asked him, and he said yes." Paulina shrugged.

"Oh, wow. I'm so sorry, Paulina." Tucker shook his head.

"Don't be. I don't care, honestly." Paulina could see Danny making his way back.

"Well, then, Paulina…I'll take you to the dance," Tucker offered.

Paulina blinked. He was trying to be a good friend. She wanted to say no, but then again, she was touched by his altruism. None of her other friends—her popular friends—would do something like that for her"Okay, that's fine." She reluctantly accepted, though she kind of wished she had let Danny ask her. I'd rather go with Danny than Tucker.

Tucker smiled sympathetically. Danny came over and sat down next to Tucker and breathlessly exclaimed, "Tucker, you won't believe what just happened!"

Paulina coughed. The techno geek looked at his friend vacantly. "You know, I probably won't."