Author's Note: Here we go with chapter 2, "Whoa, Sam!" I think a lot of you know what's about to happen, but that won't decrease the excitement when it does. I read this chapter to my friend (who's annoyed with my DP obsession) and even she liked it, so I'm sending a challenge to my readers. NOTICE: THIS IS IMPORTANT! I want FIFTEEN new reviews for this chapter, and chapter 3 won't be coming until I get them. I've already had 83 hits and only 6 reviews, and I'm not taking it any more. If you want more updates, you have to review. Sorry, but that's the way it goes.
PS- I'm planning on this being a 10 chapter story, or at least that's what I've worked out with the plot-line so far. Those of you who hate Paulina with a passion will be really pleased. Those who feel sorry for her, I apologize ahead of time. Sam is coming back with a vengeance. Look out for it in the coming chapters!
"What is taking her so long?"
Tucker tapped his foot impatiently on the imported tile floor in the Manson's foyer. Sam was really late getting ready for school, and if they didn't hurry up, they wouldn't make homeroom. Danny's car idled in the long driveway outside.
"Do you really think I know?" Danny asked, almost as annoyed as Tuck was. Of course, Danny wouldn't mind escaping Dash's attempted beating before class, but he didn't want a detention for being late.
"Hey, Danny. Do you think maybe you could…?"
"Phase up there and see what's going on? No. I won't invade Sam's privacy like that."
Tuck made a disapproving noise in his throat. "Goody two-shoes."
Just then a door opened at the top of the stairs. Tucker grunted and spun on his heel, ready to walk out, but someone trapped his arm in a death grip. He stopped in mid-step, preparing to chew Danny out. However, when he turned and saw the look on his friend's face, he paused. Danny was staring at something as if it had just caused the world to cease spinning. His eyes were wide, his mouth slightly open, his cheeks redder than usual. Danny's grip on Tucker's arm tightened again.
"Tucker…" he muttered quietly out the side of his mouth. "Am I still standing up?"
"Yeah…" his friend answered slowly.
"Good. Keep me that way."
Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Tuck turned around. His breath caught in his throat.
It was, possibly, the most provocative thing Sam had ever worn. The top was a light lavender color, and the bottom hem stopped just short of revealing her breasts, clinging instead to her slim torso. The only visible support was a spaghetti-strap halter. Sam's skirt was deep purple, starting low on her hips and ending high up her thighs. The entire strip of fabric was no more than eleven inches wide. That, combined with her shoes, made her legs look considerably longer than normal. The boots were unlike any Sam had ever worn before. Black and knee-length, they fit her calves like a second skin and balanced on three-inch spike heels. Her hair was down—unusual in itself—and framed her face prettily. The most interesting part was that—aside from the boots—the outfit was very much like what Paulina wore every day.
She came down the stairs and grabbed her bag, then swayed calmly to stand before them.
"So?" she asked, turning in a circle. "What do you think?"
"I think you're bordering on the line of indecent exposure," said Tucker. "In fact, those breasts may even have crossed it."
"Thanks!" she said, smiling wickedly.
"Why…" was all Danny could say coherently.
"To get back at Paulina, of course. She humiliated me, so I'm going to steal her thunder."
"You're going to steal more than that," Tuck muttered before turning and heading for the door. "Come on Danny. I'll drive so you can come out of this catatonia."
Danny blushed. "I'm fine," he said simply, but it took him a minute to tear his eyes from Sam. He couldn't believe he'd known her for so long without ever realizing what great skin she had…
At school, people took notice. Girls made comments on her hair, "I never noticed how smooth it is," or, "You should wear it down more often." Guys saw… the other things. By the time second period rolled around, she had four requests to sit with her at lunch and two potential dates for the coming weekend. Soon, Danny was glaring at any guy who came within five feet of his best friend… Except Tucker, of course, who chose to keep his distance, preferring not to see Sam in such a seductive atmosphere. It creeped him out.
But possibly the best moment of the day came during math. Sam sat two seats to the left of Paulina, with Dash in the middle. He thought she didn't notice, but kept sneaking glances at Sam's legs for half an hour. When Sam finally caught his eye, she smiled and licked her lips, her eyes saying things words never could. Dash couldn't stop staring then, and when Paulina saw that, her scowl could have reached China. In the end, she actually had to pinch her boyfriend—twice—to get his attention from the "freak".
And in the hallway, it was Paulina to drop her books when Sam bumped into her.
Danny watched the whole thing from a distant perspective. He couldn't seem to get over Sam's change. He had never seen how much potential she had, even though there had been times in the past when he wondered if there was something between them. The two flirted back and forth on a regular basis, but in Danny's mind it was just in a friendly way. Sam didn't see him as anything more. She couldn't. Could she?
Nah, there was no way.
But that didn't keep Danny from being annoyed when the guys stared at her. His jealousy was unwarranted and inappropriate, but it happened anyway. At lunch he barely controlled himself. Sitting down made Sam's skirt rise almost to the point of being revealing, which drew Danny's attention enough, but the fact that his leg kept brushing against hers didn't help. Soon, he stopped trying to avoid it. Not long after that, he was using every excuse to touch her, in any way. Waist, leg, arm, ankle, hand… it didn't matter.
Hey, can you blame a guy?
He had, he suddenly realized, the hottest girl in school sitting next to him at lunch. He turned to her, unable to resist—again.
"Sit still, Sam, there's something in your hair."
She paused and he reached out, picking imaginary fuzz from her dark tresses. Out the corner of his eye, he saw Tucker send him a look, but ignored it. He shook his hand as if ridding it of the offending fluff.
"Is it gone?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said, and brushed her hair behind her ear with his fingertips. He smiled as she blushed, and turned back to his lunch.
A few minutes later, the bell rang. Sam dashed ahead to her locker, not daring to stay in the halls too long lest someone try to get another date out of her. Tucker caught up with Danny, elbowing him.
"That was, possibly, the oldest trick in the book."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"'Sit still, Sam, there's something in your hair?' Come on! I've been at this longer than you, buddy. I know an excuse to touch a girl when I see one." Tuck paused, looking his friend up and down. "I always knew you liked her."
Before Danny could object he was gone, lost in the crowded hallway. When he wanted to, Tucker could disappear as well as Danny Phantom.
review responses:
SetsuntaMew: Thanks, and I'm glad you enjoyed it!
PhantomLover: Yes, I'm continuing, of course! How could I deny the public?
sam manson rulez: I'll try to update as much as I can, while keeping my stand on the review thing. Seriously, isn't it upsetting?
Hina Beetles Fenton: Yes, the "Goth Girl" can do a lot, especially later when... oh wait, can't menion that! (smacks forehead) duh! Yes, I saw how she hugged Danny in PR, and I seethed with anger, not only at her but at Danny, too. He betrayed us in that moment. I mean, "He's a cool guy, you should totally make out with him" and "Seriously, you need to wrap your mind around 'Paulina, Fenton.'?' ARGH! (shakes fist) Although, I'm looking forward to the hour-long-special this friday. I'm hearing rumors that Valerie and Sam havea little... discussion.
Eternity's Shadow: I love that name... Eternity's Shadow... can I use it for a story or something? Anyway, I like the anger between these two girls, too. As for mean girls, I have to admit that some of my inspiration comes from there. I'm not a malicious person, andI needed some help in coming up with the things Paulina does. Anyway, happy you liked it!
Mike Jones frum da dirty south: Be overjoyed, I'm updating. And yes, I rock.(flips hair) But I still cower in the amazingness of Butch Hartman and all his glory. XD
Thanks to all my readers and reviewers for making my life worthwhile!