I know this chapter is short but I'm having issues in school. Just a heads up.
Danny walks through his front door to see Dani waiting with a smile plastered on her face. He ignores her in favor of looking around the house. Looks like his parents weren't around for now but he didn't know if they were in the basement.
He toes out of his shoes, kicking them to the side before dropping his backpack on top. Walking over to the couch he plops down next to her.
"Alright, you won. Now I get to tell mom and dad why you're here."
She bounces a little and he finally takes note of what she's wearing in her human form. Her old blue hoodie had been switched out for a darker and much larger version with Embers logo on it. Her shoes are black converse instead of blue though her beanie is the same one she's always had. Really she just looked like a taller version of herself.
"Technically their your parents. Not mine."
He nudges her in the side, "If we have the same DNA, their yours too. Think of it like an illegitimate child."
She laughs, "Right! At least I'm not your twin! That would be awful!"
"Hey!" He pushes her off the couch as her fit of giggles makes her an easy target.
"Danny? Is someone here?"
He flinches at his mom's voice before shouting, "Uh, yeah! Dani is here!" He watches as she climbs back onto the couch.
Loud footsteps make their way towards them before stopping, "Oh! You meant a different one! Heya kid! Wanna see my newest ghost invention?"
The two sitting on the couch roll their eyes before Danny waves his hand, "Dad, you're not supposed to use those indoor remember? We made it a house rule that if a ghost wasn't in the house then ghost weapons can't be used in it."
His father sags a little while his mother slips around him, "Heya kids, Danielle what brings you here? I thought your family lived up in Wisconsin?"
Dani for her part keeps all traces of negative emotion hidden away so well that he can't even tell she's upset, "Oh, you know. Wanted to visit good old Danny here before I started school."
The woman smiles widely, "Oh that's wonderful. It's nice to see you dear. Now that we know it's just you we're going to go back to work."
"YES!" Jack shouts, "Back to Jazz's ghost shield!" Before running back through the kitchen and down the stairs.
Maddie followed after at a much more relaxed pace, "Have fun kids!"
Once their footsteps have faded once more Dani sags down in her seat, "Honestly, I'm surprised you're not more messed up after living with them for so long."
He leans back with a sigh, "You know what? Me too."
They sit in comfortable silence before Dani pulls out her phone, it's old and the screen is cracked in multiple places but when she presses the power button it works all the same, "I listened to Ambers newest album. She even gave it the name Space Ward. Have you heard it?"
Danny laughs, "Yeah actually. She was at my house when she named it. Said I have her the idea."
"You must have been talking about astronauts then." She nods her head as if she just solved a puzzle, "Going to space always did sound fun. Hey, why did you decide to drop it?"
He gives her a confused look, "What do you mean? I didn't drop anything."
She points to him with an accusing look, "Nope! Nu-uh. I know for a fact that the classes you're taking right now won't get you into space school! Not even as an elective! So, why aren't you trying to get into a space program?"
He sighs heavily, he hated that question. Going into space had been his dream since he was little and having to throw that all away…
"I can't do it."
She frowns at him, "Why not?"
He throws his arms up with exasperation dripping from his voice, "They have to do so many tests! Blood work, medical work, physical work, mental work! The problem is that I would pass all of those tests but they could also find out about EVERYTHING I've been hiding for years. DNA tests would turn into experimentation, I would have the Guys in White after me again, my medical work doesn't exist because I don't go to a doctor anymore, my physicals would drive them up the walls, and my mental state is fake." He finishes with a huff and he sinks back into the couch, dropping his arms to his sides dramatically.
Next to him, Dani makes an understanding noise, "Oh yeah that makes sense. I've never thought that part out."
He sighs again and stares daggers into his discarded backpack, "Yeah, sorry to rain on your parade. I know I hated learning all of that."
She nods in sad sympathy, it made sense, they both had the same desire once upon a time, now it was shattered because they weren't even human. "Hey."
Danny hums low, to show he was listening.
"Wanna play some video games?"
He grins despite himself, "Heck yeah I do. Then I can trash you for winning the race."
She jumps up and goes to the tv, "Yeah, right. Can't beat me in real life, can't beat me in fake life."
He lunges off of the couch to tackle her, narrowly avoiding crashing into the tv and tickles her, "I can totally beat you in real life!"
She erupts into a fit of laughter, trying to push him off with all of her might.
They would be just fine.
