Author's Note: You guys are amazing. I gave you a task, and you filled it to more than capacity. I got my fifteen reviews, all in one day! Actually most were within the first three hours of posting, which makes me very happy. And, since SilverSummerMoon's review counted as ten, I guess I really got 24 reviews… Thanks so much for listening and obeying my overblown author's ego. Now that I've made my point, I'm setting the minimum review per chapter to eight. Yeah, not even ten. I'm a softie, what can I say? I'm just hoping y'all will tell your DP fanatic friends about me (puppy-dog eyes). But enough about that. I know you all are squealing about the developments last chapter between Danny and Sam, but this chapter is jam-packed with clues for our prospective couple. Look for it as you read; Danny's all over the place dropping subconscious hints. Oh, I love writing. (Dreamy sigh…) On to chapter 3, "Nasty Girl."
The next day, Sam's short-shorts scorched Danny's eyeballs. Frayed, skin-tight, and bright red, they screamed for attention… and got it.
She had absolutely every guy in school drooling over her, even the lowliest freshmen—now, that was funny. One short but brave 9th grader had even gotten the nerve to brush past her, copping a feel of what lay under the shorts. Sam had been annoyed, as had Danny, but Tucker thought it was genius, and wouldn't stop laughing.
However, there was an occurrence that day that truly was funny. The cause of our trio's laughter? Paulina. Before, she had managed to pull off the sexy-but-classy look, what Sam had only just begun. But in trying to out-do the freak, Paulina had only succeeded in making herself look trashy. Real trashy. To the point where Sam started calling her Nasty-P.
And that was funny. Funnier? Nasty-P still paled in comparison to Sam. There was, it seemed, a new queen.
A queen who refused her crown. As many guys came up to her, she turned them all down. As much as the girls worshiped the ground she walked on, she set them straight. As much as the school wanted to set her on a pedestal, she kept her feet firmly on the ground. That was why, as he watched all this happening, Danny respected her even more.
At lunch, Tucker amused himself by counting the people eating salads.
"Forty-two, and I'm still going!" he announced after only a few minutes. Sam smiled.
"As much as I enjoy making a difference and achieving my goals for people to see the merits of vegetarianism, I wish it wasn't because of my looks. Kind of defeats the purpose, right?"
"Of course not," Danny said. "Not when you're only wearing the clothes to make a statement. You're protesting the plasticity of America's teenagers, and that's a noble stance."
Sam had paused, fork halfway to her mouth. She stared at Danny, dumbfounded.
"You actually listen when I talk?"
He laughed and guided the salad the rest of the way to her lips. "Sometimes, yeah. Only when I get tired of Tucker's computer-speak," he teased.
"Seventy-nine!" their geeky friend announced.
Unperceived among the chuckles and nudges, Paulina approached.
"Danny!" she said, making him jump. He turned around with a quick grimace then quickly masked it.
"Hey, uh, Paulina."
"I was wondering, Danny, if you'd go to the Nasty Burger with me later," she said in sugary tones, shrugging her shoulders so her breasts lifted.
"Um… er…" Danny fumbled, trying to find a way to turn her down without being mean. He really did feel bad… kind of… because of the way her admirers turned on her. He didn't want to go, but he didn't get the chance to say no.
"Wonderful!" Paulina gushed. "Pick me up at five on Friday, I'll be waiting." She blew an air-kiss at him before turning and flouncing away.
Sam was looking at him strangely. "Way to be with Nasty-P, Dan."
"I guess some things never change," Tucker said pointedly.
"I didn't want to go!" Danny protested, his eyes wide. "I was about to turn her down!"
"Then why didn't you?"
"She trapped me before I could. Come on, you guys know I don't like her anymore."
"I'm not so sure," Sam said. "Although, it would amaze me if you do, after all that's happened between her and me."
"I don't. Trust me."
As he said it a faint mist issued from his mouth, and he groaned.
"Ghost sense?" Tucker questioned.
"Yeah. Come on, let's go."
They shot out of the cafeteria, trying to find a place where Danny could transform. Before they did, however, they found the ghost.
Desiree, the wish-granting ghost from years ago, was floating over Paulina. Paulina seemed scared, but interested at the same time. Before Danny could even go ghost, she made a wish.
"I wish I was more beautiful than Samantha Manson!"
"So you wish it, so shall it be," was Desiree's answer, spoken softly, with just a hint of evil. A white light surrounded Paulina, momentarily blinding Danny, Tucker, and Sam. When the light receded, Desiree was gone, but Paulina was still there.
At least, it looked like Paulina.
She was standing casually, actually emitting her own kind of ethereal light. Her hair literally glittered, slipping down her back like waves of raven silk. Her face was perfectly symmetrical, lips fuller than before, eyes a little brighter. Her breasts had grown at least a cup size, and they were practically spilling out of her tight t-shirt. Paulina's hips were rounded and smooth, leading into trim, shapely legs that ended in dainty feet. She turned, smiling a million-dollar-smile that stopped a few passing juniors in their tracks.
Tucker was close to hyperventilating. Sam pushed him, snapping him only slightly out of the Paulina-induced stupor. She sighed, rolling her eyes. "I can see the headlines now," she muttered. "'Nasty-P Turns Beauty Queen Once More.' Sub-title? 'Wish Granted Gets Girl Gorgeous'." Sam turned around, prepared to break Danny of his daydreams, only to find him alert and staring at her. "Danny?" she asked quietly.
"I don't see that much of a difference. And honestly, isn't it sad she had to use ghost magic to be, quote un-quote, more beautiful than you?" Danny smiled. Sam blushed. "Come on; let's get Tucker to stop drooling. Somehow…"
For the first time in known history, there were two queens in Casper High Court.
The line was drawn almost perfectly down the middle. Those who cared about opinions and substance on top of beauty stuck close to Sam, still keeping her busy avoiding them. Those who were shallow and had next to no brain activity returned to Paulina like starving dogs to a piece of meat—however rotten it was. And, amazingly, Danny was fighting with Tucker instead of Sam.
"How can you be drawn to her? She's so shallow!"
"Danny, you don't get it. Paulina is hot. You used to realize that, too. It makes me wonder about this hold Sam has on you." Tucker smiled evilly, because Sam was listening. Danny's eyes shifted nervously to her and back to Tuck.
"Don't change the subject. Paulina is using her ghost-given beauty just so she can have admirers and attention. Sam's using her true beauty for a real reason!" he shouted in outburst, stopping in mid-step as they were walking from the parking lot to the school. Tucker and Sam stopped, too. Tuck's eyebrows had shot to Mars (coincidentally, where he's from), and Sam's mouth dropped slightly.
"Danny…" Sam said quietly. "Did you just call me truly beautiful?"
He blanched, finally realizing his slip. Tucker was smiling hugely, practically beaming. "I… uh… yeah, I guess," Danny replied. "You've always been beautiful, Sam. You just haven't really realized it until recently."
Behind Sam, Tucker made "aw" motions with his mouth and batted his eyelashes quickly. Dan glared at him then turned back to Sam, trying to gauge her reaction. She smiled.
"That's sweet, Danny. Thank you." She rounded on Tucker, who jumped. "You need to stop bugging him! At least he's supportive of me. Go off to Nasty-P if you want, but don't get mad at Danny for knowing where his loyalties lie."
She walked off, Danny following. He shot a smirk over his shoulder at Tuck.
"But he started it!" the geek yelled after them. When no answer returned he frowned and pulled out his PDA.
PhantomLover: Thanks, and yes he is! Egad, Danny's a cutie.
SilverSummerMoon: I know, it's an injustice that I'm ignored so badly (yeah right). I'm soooo happy that you like the story so much, it's one of my favorites; "Imperfection" and "Good and Harm" are right behind it. And thanks so much for the motivational speech, it really made me smile. I know I don't need the reviews to be cool, it's just nice to be commended for something I do, or at least given advice if it's bad. Plus, I go nuts if I don't figure out what people think. (Insecurity, I guess)
BlackIcyRoses: Here's your update! Wow, you're hyper… I like it!
Kats02980416: Yes, you're right. Sam is awesome, and she always had it in her. Please know that your review helped shape the last scene of this story (notice that Danny's argument is slightly parallel to yours). Of course, I couldn't have Danny say that Sam's "flaunting it," she'd kick his buttocks, but you get the idea.
SetsuntaMew: You think it's funny? I'm funny? YAY! Haha my favorite line was when Danny had to ask Tucker to keep him from falling down… I don't know why, just had to put it in there. And don't worry about the strangeness. There have been many-a-time when, while reading a story, I've squealed loud enough to wake the dead. That reminds me, one time after I found out one of my fav characters wasn't going to die in a story, I actually got so excited my mom thought someone had actually escaped death. Yeah… I can get hyper…
Hina Beetles Fenton: I'm getting more and more excited about Friday. I can't wait, honestly, 'cause I'm going to Six Flags that day, too. As for Paulina, well… she gets what she deserves. (Thinks forward to Chapter 4, where ever DxS shipper will scream until their head explodes, shooting DP ectoplasmic goo on the walls)
HPhantom: Thanks! And don't worry, I'm keeping up!
nebodiesnobody: Thanks for reviewing, and I'm looking forward to it, too!
Squirt-Anne: Well, here's your answer on what Paulina's going to do about it, but now a new question: what's Sam's next move? And the "real" romance starts next chapter! Woot!
ChemicalHappiness: Yeah, gotta love the DS awkward moments. Thanks tons for reviewing!
The Griminus: Yeah, I wanted to show just how deep in it Danny is. Like, almost over his head deep. He's got it bad.
Mike Jones frum da dirty south: Wee! I'm excited you're back. Yes, many people seem to enjoy that Danny was looking for excuses to touch Sam, as that's the most obvious show of affection from him in this chapter.
Dun Dun Duncan: Thanks for reviewing, I hope you like the rest of the story!
Paige Angel Lenaigh: You witch, what are you doing here? I'm surprised you're not my thirteenth review. That would be so suited. Jeez. Anyway, thanks.
SamFentonPhantom: Yes, Sam and Danny truly are made for each other. I hope Butch Hartman shares our view.
Okay, I have to mention this. The big thing in the Harry Potter network these days is an interview with JK Rowling, clearly and bluntly, almost brutally, stating that Ron and Hermione will be the "it" couple, not Harry and Hermione (if you want to see it, e-mail me). I know that comes as news to a lot of people, but I've seen it coming. Especially after the sixth book. Anyway, I suppose that's what fanfictions are for, right? Just because the HxHr thing isn't happening, doesn't mean that I can't write it that way. However, know that a few of my fan-fictions will be converting. Maybe not so much RxHr, but maybe a little HarryxGinny. I know you DP lovers don't really care, but for my HP readers it's a must. Also, don't think I'm coming off this DP high. I'm enjoying it way too much.
Love you all. Remember, fluff heals the soul.
--GS