Author's Note: Well, I wanted to make this section the dance one, but there was a problem: the last section ended Thursday afternoon, and the dance is on a Friday night. Since this is a character story, it would've been too much to jump that far. I needed to develop one last aspect of Paulina's changing outlook of things anyway(and a minor one of Danny's as well, but you probably won't recognize it until much later).

And now, something that has been bothering me. A lot of people are using the last name "Sanchez" for Paulina. Is this official, or did everyone just kind of adopt that to be her last name?

The Luckiest Girl in the World

Later that day, when the final bell rang, Paulina had to take the bus home alone. Danny and Tucker both received detention from Mr. Lancer for talking during class.

"Just rest, Paulina, okay? I can tell you're still not feeling that well," Danny had said before he waved good-bye to her. Paulina felt a strange surge of appreciation for the boy. He seemed to care so much about her.

Perhaps that's how a friend is supposed to be, Paulina thought to herself as she sat near the front of the bus, away from everyone else.

Sam's parents went out that night, so Paulina was home alone. She tried to get some homework done, but she couldn't concentrate. Finally, she gave up and moved to Sam's wide window. She stared out at the setting sun, her head still spinning with faint pain.

The brilliant reds and yellows soon faded into majestic blues and purples. Paulina started to feel sluggish. Last night, I saw the ghost boy. Does Sam get to fight with him all the time?

She flopped down on Sam's bed, not bothering to change out of the horrid Goth clothes. Maybe the ghost boy likes Sam? But, that night, when we danced…he really seemed to like me.

She massaged her disconcerted stomach. He mentioned he had a male ghost friend named Sam…maybe he actually meant Sam, and just didn't want me to know? Maybe he just didn't want me to feel jealous or something? Not that I'd be jealous of that freak, but…well… She looked at the picture of Danny Phantom she had put on Sam's wall. If she does actually know him, then I guess…maybe I am jealous.

I still need to do my—Sam's—homework… was Paulina's last thought before she fell asleep.

-DP-

The next morning, Danny and Tucker picked up Paulina for the bus. When they arrived at school, they stopped in front of Danny's locker.

"So, are you feeling better, Paulina?" asked Tucker.

"I am," said Paulina, though 'better' was an understatement. She felt wonderful and refreshed. "I had a really good sleep last night."

"I'm glad," Danny said before tripping over his shoelaces. He grabbed Paulina's shoulder to keep himself from falling.

Paulina blushed at his touch, then quickly recovered. "Way to suck, Danny." She flinched at her words. Well, maybe that's something Sam would say.

"Yeah, yeah," mumbled Danny, quickly retying his laces. He stood up and reached toward his locker.

"Hey, Fenton!" Dash grabbed Danny by the back of his shirt. Danny rolled his eyes, but he didn't bother trying to resist.

Paulina wanted to tell the jock to back off, to leave Danny alone, but she knew he wouldn't listen to her, not when she was currently Sam. Why doesn't Danny ever try to defend himself? She frowned. And why do I care so much about him all of a sudden?

"What do you want, Dash?" asked Danny, clearly irritated.

Dash smirked and slammed the smaller boy in the row of lockers, causing his right temple to hit a lock. Danny grimaced and put a hand to the side of his head. Dash, laughing, walked away to join his friends.

"Man, that hurt," said Danny, rubbing the now very sore and red spot.

"Danny, why do you let him bully you?" asked Paulina. She was amazed that Dash actually hurt him.

"Paulina, we all know that Danny could easily throw Dash—" Tucker began.

"Wait, he can?" Paulina interrupted, not believing it.

"I could," said Danny with a shrug, "but that would mean revealing my secret."

"What secret?" asked Paulina, looking first at Danny, then at Tucker.

"You know…Danny's ghost powers?" Tucker practically whispered.

Paulina stopped herself before she could exclaim anything. Danny's what? she silently wondered. She didn't know if she had heard right. Ghost powers? What did that mean?

Wait, his parents are ghost fighters. That must be what they're talking about. Yeah, I guess Danny could beat Dash with those cool ghost-fighting weapons… Paulina nodded at her own logic.

"Come on, let's go to class," said Tucker, tugging at her arm.

"Did the bell ring?" asked Paulina.

"Yeah, didn't you hear it?" asked Danny.

Paulina didn't answer. She had a caught a glimpse of the shrine to Danny Phantom in Sam's locker and was lost in thoughts of the ghost boy.

-DP-

After school, Danny, Tucker and Paulina decided to go to Nasty Burger before the dance.

"I'm really excited about going with Valerie," said Danny, "even if we're really only going as friends."

"Friends?" asked Paulina.

"Yeah, I don't think she's actually interested in me. I still kind of like her, though." Danny sighed, then smiled again. "So, it's interesting that you and Tucker are going to another dance together."

"Yeah, well, just don't steal her like you did last time, Danny," Tucker teased. He winked at Paulina, not really meaning it.

Paulina looked at the nearest wall clock. It was already 4:30. "What time does the dance start, anyway?"

"At seven," replied Danny.

"Wow, I should get home and get ready," said Paulina, standing up.

Tucker laughed. "Paulina, do you really need that much time?"

"Oh, uh, no," said the Latina quickly. How much time would Sam take? she wondered. She threw her soda away in the nearest trash can. "It's just I have some things to do at home first."

"Well, we'll walk you home, then. You live nearby," said Danny. He threw away his drink as well, but Tucker kept his.

"That'd be nice," said Paulina, meaning it.

The three freshmen headed out, enjoying the cool afternoon air. Danny and Tucker started a conversation about some new video game, but Paulina didn't pay much attention.

This wish is seriously being wasted. So far, I haven't found out anything about the ghost boy except that Danny, Tucker, and Sam all know him and even fight with him sometimes. The Hispanic girl gripped the strap of her bag tighter. Before, though, I noticed that the ghost boy always seems to appear wherever Danny is, so maybe…maybe he'll be at the dance tonight? She smiled. I hope a ghost attacks us. Then, he'll show up and save us…save me… She made a face. Or Sam, but I guess if he saved Sam, that would really be saving me, so—

"What are you thinking about, Paulina?" asked Tucker.

Paulina blinked. "Oh, I…" She cleared her throat. "Danny, please answer me something."

"What?" Danny leaned in closer to her.

"Do you think there will be any ghosts at the dance tonight?" questioned Paulina.

Danny was taken aback. "Well, uh—maybe—I don't know." He laughed. "But knowing my luck, probably."

"Stupid Murphy and his stupid law," said Tucker.

Paulina almost asked who Murphy was, but decided that Sam probably already knew. Danny and Tucker began a new conversation, and Paulina tried her best to join in, but she just couldn't push the thought of the ghost boy away.