Disclaimer: I don't own it, you know I don't!! Ya probably don't even read this XD and so now onto the real reason your here...

Italics are thoughts.

Slipping Facade

Sam's p.o.v.

It was strange. I was so sure that Danny would meet me at lunch. On the bus this morning it had seemed so important. Maybe it had something to do with yesterday. I swallowed hard. Although I don't remember much I can't help but enjoy a visualized memory of Danny carrying me.

Shut up head.

But here was Tucker explaining how Danny couldn't meet me.

"Yea he said somethin came up and he was busy this lunch, so you can go back to your art project." Tuck smiled, he didn't look too sincere. But figuring what he's done for me I let it slide.

"Um ok you sure?" I was hoping I'd get to talk to Danny. I needed to tell him.

"Yea, now get outta here," Tuck encouraged, still smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Something wasn't right. But I pushed it out of mind. That art project would bring up my grade. I had been slacking. I headed out the cafeteria doors toward the art studio.

"I thought you were busy," My art teacher directed his attention on me when I entered.

"Men," I threw out, it was an answer to almost ever question. He gave me a smile and told me to use what I needed to finish. I went to the shelves and pulled out my collage. It was a huge poster board. I had been working for almost two weeks on it. Each day I did a different section. You could tell it was divided. Depending on the mood I was in was how it looked.

Parts were almost black, others had a deep blood red. Some were a confusion of thoughts and some parts reminded me of people. Yet today I sat thinking.

What was my mood?

A few magazines were stacked in front of me. I pushed through one looking for anything appealing to me.

After a few minutes I pulled out a picture of a closet. Not thinking I continued through. Every now and then pulling out pictures that meant something. I was working too fast for my mind to register each image.

Finally gathering enough I spread the pile in front of me. I almost choked.

I had a picture of a forest, a picture of a closet, one of a cartoon ghost, a few lyrics from songs, a picture of tickets, a black dress, and right in the middle was a quote.

I pulled it closer to read the small printed writing.

"Time will tell you when to speak."

What is this all an omen?

My subconscious mind is working to hard.

I pasted the pictures on, trying hard to ignore what they all had in common.

Time will tell...

Shut up head!

Folding up the posted I replaced it. Moving out of the classroom I headed to my last classes. After this I had to go home and get ready. Eating was out of the question, my nerves and subconscious apparently were already raddled.

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I paced the floor. I was home. My clock red 5 from the table beside me. Only another hour or so before Danny came.

I paced some more in front of my dress. It hung there. Waiting and daring me to put it on. I was afraid. I had to tell him, in time.

I picked up the phone. Reassurance was needed. Dialing Tucker's number I tapped my boot waiting for him to pick up.

"Hello?" Cam his voice from the other end.

"I can't do this." I got straight to the point.

"Sam, take a deep breath." I breathed in and out slowly.

"Ok."

"Now, of course you can, don't try and tell me you haven't been waiting forever for this."

I laughed a little, it sounded choked.

"All you have to do is hold yourself together for the next few hours. Believe me in the end it will all be worth it."

"How do you know?" I was catching that feeling again. The one telling me he knew something.

"There are some things that can never be transparent," He seemed to have a smile in his voice. Before I could ask he had hung up.

Surprisingly I felt better. More confident maybe. I mean all I had to do was get through the next few hours. Right?

I would be just like the last dance.

Right?

You know it won't be, your going with Danny.

Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!

I pulled at the dress finally deciding I was doing this.

Time to make him drool.

I growled at the way my thoughts went. Grabbing the dress and my boots I headed to the bathroom. Opening the door I found the most unpleasing sight. After a ghost free week too.

"I AM THE BOX GHOST!"

I growled grinding my boot into the carpeted floor.

"Why are you here?" I asked as kind as I could still grinding my boot.

"I am here to take control of all your cylindrical containers!

"Don't bother me,"

"I AM THE BOX GHOST!" He floated across the room almost to where he was sitting on my bed.

I turned around. No ghost, however as simple was going to mess up this dance.

"Listen carefully," I warned crossing my arms and giving off an evil aura. "You warn any ghost that dares get close, if they show themselves today, I will personally hurt them."

"Uh, FEAR ME!" And with that the ghost dematerialized. Smiling I headed toward the bathroom.

A little touchy are we?

Ignoring my thoughts I pulled on the corset. It fit the same, perfect. I gently tied the back using the mirror to look. I pulled on the classy boots tying them up as well. Next it was time for my hair.

After a few minutes I had it clipped up, a few random pieces just framing my face. I grabbed the necklace from the counter, it was a deep purple amethyst and hung just below my neck. I pulled on the black gloves, they fit nicely and were smooth silky fabric.

I finished with a little purple eye shadow, not much, I was never big on makeup.

I glanced at the clock. It said 5:53.

Smiling I stood back to get a full view in the mirror. I hardly looked like the outcast Sam. I was kind of awestruck a moment looking at myself. Somehow still dressed this way I was Sam.

The same Sam who loved her best friend. The same Sam who was going to this dance. The same Sam that was ready to tell her best friend.

And kiss him.

Yes, now shut up.

I kind up understood that. Whether not he liked me that way I would kiss him. Get something out of all this trouble.

I left the bathroom back into my bedroom. Pacing again I watched the time.

Near 6:30 the door bell rang.

"Here, we go, keep it together Sam," I tried calming my innermost turmoil. No luck.

I stepped out of the room. As soon as I stepped onto that staircase there was no going back. Smiling I stepped onto the top step and looked out.

There was Danny. Dressed in his tux with his hair somewhat tamed.

Time will tell...

This was the time. I watched him as I gracefully made my way down the stairs. He looked stuck. Like he couldn't stop staring.

Maybe it was bothering me because I enjoyed it. I blushed a little. Taking the last step I made my way closer to him. He had a cute lost smile on his face.

"Hey," I greeted. I waited. Nothing happened. Danny looked like he had zoned out. Like those times he saw Paulina, except this looked like a more severe case.

Maybe he...

Shut up already!

"Oh um, Sam you look beautiful." Time seemed to finally catch up to Danny.

"You don't look bad yourself." I attempted sarcasm. It wasn't working.

"Shall we?" Danny asked holding out his bend arm.

"Of course," I laughed looping my arm with his.

"I thought we could umm, walk there." Danny seemed more nervous as we exited my house.

"Sure, it's so nice out." I added. I was dying for something to converse about. It was a full moon and already dark out. The moon light bathed us while we walked. I was always conscious of my arm in his.

"Besides I wanted to talk to you, since umm I didn't get a chance to at lunch."

"Oh ok, but I need to say something first." We both stopped walking. He turned to face me. He looked a little too hopeful. His smile was nervous. For the first time maybe I was considering that he did like me.

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It has been bugging me I haven't added any ghosts. So the Box Ghost! And now the next ch is Danny seeing Sam's dress! You'll get more a description if you can't picture it. And if I get enough convincing I'll get the confession in there. XD

-Dragonslayer527