Author's Note: This is, by far, the longest chapter yet. I had SO MUCH FUN writing this one, you have no idea. I hope you like it as much while you're reading it. Anyway, you all should really know that I'm running this story a chapter ahead of itself. As I post this, I already have chapter 5 written, just waiting for my minimum number of reviews to come in. We're nearing the half-way mark, so get ready for some major developments. Also, I have to say that I'll only be responding personally to reviews I get before I post the next chapter. It would get way too confusing trying to back-track. And, before I leave you to read, one more thing. You guys are all totally awesome. Thanks for your amazing reviews and responses to my stories; they make me warm and fuzzy inside.
Chapter 4- Excuses, Excuses
An hour and a half later, Sam was still smiling. Danny had stuck up for her, and he was so sweet about it, too!
Whoa… wait a second.
Since when did Sam Manson, lover of all that is strange and nonconformist, gush over a guy? Never, that's when. So why was she doing it with Danny?
Yeah, there had been times when their getting together seemed almost inevitable. After Ember's spell, after the first fake-out make-out, after the second fake-out make-out (which only Sam knew about, thank goodness… memory wishes can be good for some things, she supposed), even a little after she and Danny danced together. But things had always smoothed over, returning back to the comfortable friendship they had shared for what seemed like forever. That's the way Sam preferred it… right? Right.
Totally. Suuure.
She laid her head against her locker after first period, sighing. Did she want to be with Danny? Maybe. Okay, yeah. Yes, she wanted to be with Danny. But it could ruin the friendship!
That's what you've been saying for years, whispered a voice in her head.
Great, now there were voices in her head. Just great.
You know I'm right.
Jeez, shut up! She couldn't be with Danny because if things didn't work out, their friendship might be done for.
Do you honestly believe that? You and Danny have been friends for so long; do you really think that one mishap would break your bond? If so, that's sad. Get it together, girl! Going out with ghost-kid can only progress your relationship. It's not going to fall apart if something goes wrong. And that's a big if.
She slammed her locker shut, at the same time mentally blocking the annoying voice.
So now I'm right AND annoying!
Shut UP!
Unfortunately, her morning went downhill from there. She couldn't pay attention in science and managed to spill a bunch of ammonia, which made a great, big, fat stink, and earned her a great, big, fat C. She felt like Danny.
After that, she was blocked from going to third period by Nasty-P's posse, who all snarled at her as she walked by. She could have dealt, but a sophomore stuck up for his choice of queen and ended up getting shoved in a locker—he was a small sophomore. After getting him out and apologizing for her classmates' rudeness, she still felt bad, and zoned out. That led to the math teacher calling on her and catching her off-guard, which then proceeded to her not knowing the answer to the question on the board. That meant disapproving glares for the next hour, which Sam wasn't used to getting.
And the whole time, Tucker was uncharacteristically quiet. That meant he was up to something.
Lunch was a blessed reprieve. Sure, she got asked out on a few dates on the way there, but they all went quietly when she turned them down.
That was another thing that was wearing her out lately. Around every corner was someone lurking, ready to ask her to the movies or the Nasty Burger or the ice cream shop. She had even gotten a few offers to guys' houses. Those she immediately turned down, without even considering. She was way too smart to make that mistake.
She refused to get sucked up in the high of being popular. That's what bugged her so much about Paulina, besides that she was cruel… and manipulative… and shallow… and self-absorbed… and…
And Danny used to like her.
And Sam really needed to stop talking to herself.
Anyway, lunch was a blessed and welcome reprieve. It was a beautiful day, so most kids were eating outside. She sat down across from Tucker, who was digging in enthusiastically to meat-loaf surprise. He looked up and smiled, tiny bits of browned meat stuck between his teeth. Sam gagged.
"Do I even need to say it anymore?"
"No," he replied around another mouthful.
"Ugh. Swallow, at least."
He did so. "Listen, Sam, I'm sorry about the whole Paulina thing. It's just… I can't see you in that way. It's too weird."
"I understand," she admitted. "To be honest, I think I would be more than a little scared if you were on my side of the devotees."
"How are you handling it? This past week has gone by fast."
"It really has. Sometimes the attention is nice, but it lost its glamour fast. For a girl who's spent most of her life in the shadows, this is a brutal culture shock."
"Look at it this way. At least you've finally got Danny bowing at your feet."
She sent him a reprimanding look. "I told you to leave him alone." Then she looked around. "Where is Danny, anyway?"
Tucker paused a moment, and Sam thought he might have been grimacing. His expression was smoothed in and instant, though, and he silently nodded in the direction behind her, immediately returning to his lunch.
Curious, Sam turned around, and anger flared almost instantly. Danny was standing against a tree, talking to Paulina. Nasty-P was practically waving her boobs in his face, and she was leaning just a little too close. Sam realized it was Friday; they had their date that night. Sam got to her feet, ready to rip them both to shreds, but paused. Danny said he didn't like Paulina anymore.
Sam looked closer, and sure enough, Dan had quite an uncomfortable expression on his face. He was actually edging around the tree, trying to get away, but Paulina had him cornered. Whatever it was that clenched at her heart when she saw them together relaxed, replaced instead by feminine hatred.
Paulina was using Danny to get to Sam, like she had so many times before. It was kind of obvious that even if they weren't going out, Sam and Danny cared about each other. Paulina was taking advantage of that, knowing Sam would see them together. This was her way of getting back at Sam for lessening her social life.
Sam had to retaliate. She couldn't let Nasty-P get the last word. However, this situation called for cunning and style, not brute force and anger. She calmed herself, silently forming her plan in her mind. She'd put Paulina in her place and save Danny from the date he didn't want all in one stroke.
Smoothing the skirt of her sun-dress, Sam walked calmly to where her best friend and worst enemy were standing. When Danny saw her his eyes lit with relief, and Sam knew she was doing the right thing. Her slim form slipped neatly between Paulina's and Danny's, and her arms swung naturally around his neck.
"Here you are," she crooned before pressing her lips to his.
Dan was stiff from shock, but Sam didn't care. She slanted their mouths together and kissed him with everything she had, silently begging him to get the hint. For Sam, fireworks were literally exploding behind her closed eyelids, and something that sounded vaguely like bells and whistles were going off in her head. She kissed Danny harder and in a second his hands were at her waist, pulling her flush against him. His fingers touched her with a possessiveness Sam marveled at, and it made her practically melt into him. After too few moments of bliss, however, she pulled away. She turned and looked at Nasty-P, almost as if in afterthought.
"Oh, and Paulina? Danny won't be seeing you tonight." She turned back to her best friend and whispered, "Kiss me again."
"What?" he asked.
"Kiss me again," she urged. "And make it convincing."
In the next moment, his mouth captured hers. And, as if on cue, the fireworks exploded in time with the bell-like music. He licked lightly across her lips and she accepted him, their tongues meeting to dance and duel. Sam couldn't believe it but as he kissed her, tiny shivers ran continually down her back and her knees weakened until she had to hang on to him for support.
Danny lifted himself from the kiss and she was about to speak, but before she could, his tongue touched her neck. A whole new set of feelings erupted and she moaned, her eyes fluttering closed. He kissed and licked little whorls from her jaw to her collarbone, occasionally pausing to breathe cool air across her hyper-sensitive skin.
He was going way above and beyond the call of duty.
I told you so, said a tiny voice in Sam's head. This time, she didn't bother arguing.
She was concentrating on other things…
When Dan and Sam finally made it back to Tucker, he was staring at them in wide-eyed shock. He was so silent it worried them, and they mentioned it. He shook his head.
"That one skated right past unusual and built a house in the realm of disturbing. I never, ever, want to see you two do that in front of me again. Got it?" He didn't wait for an answer. "At least now it's out in the open. Samantha Manson and Daniel Fenton are a couple."
Before he could react, Sam had punched his arm, hard.
"Don't call me Samantha!" she scolded. "And anyway, I only did it to save Danny and exact my revenge."
"Excuses, excuses," Tucker muttered, sitting up again. As Sam settled down to her lunch, oblivious to the lingering stares around her, Tuck snuck a glance at his half-ghost friend.
Danny was gazing at Sam, a blatantly hungry look in his eye. Tucker was startled. How bad did Danny really want Sam? Had Tuck underestimated him? He frowned. Sam may think their make-out session was another fake-out, but it looked like Danny had other ideas.
Okay, I just gotta mention this again. You. Guys. Rock. I wrote the other A/N before I saw thefull response to the chapter, and it's just amazing. I posted that chapter 2:30 this morning, and I've already got nine reviews for this chapter and others for other chapters, and it's only noon! You reviewers rock my socks, you really do. I love you all, and thanks tons for all your support. Luvs and kotex!
SetsuntaMew: Yes, and it's update time again! Woot! I'm ecstatic you're so excited about my story, that's one of the beauties of writing, knowing that your work made someone smile. As for your parents taking your laptop… hide it! Shhh! Yes, Nasty-P is just the perfect name for Paulina, don't you think? I needed Sam to stick to her character, and that just seems the kind of thing Miss Manson would come up with. And yes, Fluff Heals the Soul! I'm seriously working on making that a catch-phrase. And with all the fluff I've been reading and putting out lately, my soul is good till Kingdom Come. XD
sam manson rulez: Yeah, Sam is the shiznit. Go Sam!
Yinyang-shadow: YAY! MY FIRST "UPDATE OR ELSE" THREAT! You made my day, yingyang, so be happy. And if I haven't done so by the time you read this, I'll be over to review on your story. Woo kindred spirits!
Squirt-Anne: Is this "real" enough for you? Hehe.
crazybluephantom: The e-mail is on the way, no fear. It took me some time to find it, too, as I originally heard about it on Quills and Spills, and just had to see it. Can you believe the interviewers called us delusional? JK chose not to, but really! (pouts)
nebodiesnobody: Yes, it's a tragedy that H/Hr won't be happening, but I'm slowly coping. My therapist says the obsession was unhealthy, anyway XD -.-;
SilverSummerMoon: I totally agree with you that beauty has nothing to do with breast size. But you must understand that this is Desiree we're talking about, who is obsessed with material things and outward appearance. Plus, there's the whole "beauty on the inside" deal, which will come into play later. Here's your update, ASAP
sam+danny4eva: I'm really not sure if I should up the rating or not. I need to go back and look over the guidelines, I might do it. Thanks for the heads up. And yeah, I always thought Harry and Hermione were the best, but I think I can deal with Harry and Ginny. At least Ginny's got some fire in her… did you read the sixth book? Cheese & crackers, that girl has a mouth.
Sailor Attitude: Thanks! Here's your update!
Fluff Heals the Soul!
--GS