The setting sun turned into a rich orange haze, lighting up the sky for the sun's last huzzah before night took over. Paulina watched as Phantom swooped down to the ground and gently let Dash go. Her boyfriend's golden hair looked like fire in the sun's setting rays, and she loved to run her fingers through it. But if Dash was like Apollo the Phantom was Hades himself with his hair and skin glowing on their own. The soft white light that constantly radiated off the ghost boy was not only a reminder that he was not of this world, but that nothing in this world could compete with his ghostly beauty.
Paulina moved closer, her body was hidden in the alley's dark shadow. There was a ghost attack at Amity mall today. Some ghost with a bike ripped through the mall's stores, his girl stealing everything she could grab. Dash tried to play hero, and failed. He had to be rescued by Phantom.
"Typical," she scowled. Dash was getting saved by Phantom a lot lately. He had started throwing himself at every ghost he saw. It was ridiculous. Dash was always the jealous type, but everybody knew he wasn't the hero type, so why even try? Paulina scoffed to herself. It wasn't making her like him any more than she did and it prevented her from approaching Phantom. Maybe that was his plan. Dick.
"Dash, I know you want to help the town but you can't keep putting yourself in danger. One day I won't be there to save you," Phantom said.
"But I don't know how else to see you," Dash said.
"What?" Phantom said. He looked confused and Paulina agreed. What was going on?
"Truthfully, uhh I'm not fighting Ghost to save anyone. I just want a chance to see you again."
"Me? Oh well you can always see me flying around town."
"That's not what I mean, and you know it. I - Um wait. "
"Dash are you alright?"
"Yes, no. I just. I've never felt this way about another dude before."
"But I thought you were dating Paulina?" Phantom asked. Paulina slammed her mouth shut. He knew her name.
"Paulina and I are only dating because everyone expects us to date. I don't actually feel that way towards her, and she doesn't like me that way either. We're just using each other to stay popular." Dash said. And Paulina couldn't disagree. "But then I met you for the first time, and it's not like being with Paulina. It makes me feel funny and strange, but wonderful, and sometimes it hurts."
"Dash.."
"Worst of all. I don't know if it's a phase or not. But I want to find out."
Phantom was silent, his mouth gaping like a fish out of water. "Does anyone know?"
"No. But I don't care if they do, cause I'll show them why I won the state wrestling championship last year."
"Um… good to know," Phantom's face was blushing? Where red would appear was now a light green, but he didn't look sick.
"Look this is new to me too, so you don't have to say anything, just here take this," Dash held out something to Phantom. "It's tickets to the boxing match Friday, at the Ravens stadium. Some YouTuber is gonna box Lance McFist. He's a three time world boxing champion. I'll be waiting outside for you okay! I'll see you then Ghost boy!" Dash spun on his heels and bolted down the street. His face matched the setting sky.
Paulina collected her jaw off the ground. Her eyes fixed to the spot where Dash was, slowly grinded against her eyelids to Phantom. Who, while very embarrassed was not disgusted? His bright eyes were soft and a smile was drawn upon his face. He looked at the ticket again, and muttered so softly that she could barely make out the words,
"I guess I have a date this Friday."
Paulina wanted to scream. She had lost a war she didn't even know she was fighting, to her boyfriend. Life couldn't get any worse. She hung her head low and wandered through the streets of Amity Park, finding her way back to her home. She collapsed into her pink princess bed and fell asleep dreaming of better days.