Author's Note: This is a much more serious chapter than the previous four, probably the most serious out of all of them. This is the turning point of the story, where the relationship thing gets shoved forward, and Paulina takes revenge on Sam for making her look stupid and having a steamy make-out session in the middle of lunch. Heh… Anyway, the next one is totally Sam-kicks-ass, so be on the lookout!
Chapter 5- Rumors
Danny was in a world of his own. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling blankly, not really seeing it at all.
He had made out with his best friend in front of the whole school.
That phrase kept running through his mind, boggling it. He had been relieved when Sam showed up to break him from Paulina's grasp, but what she did… it had shaken him to the core. He wasn't sure if it was a good or bad thing.
Yeah, kissing Sam had been one of the most amazing experiences of his life. It had knocked him back on his heels, stunning him from the lips down. While he was there, he wanted to stay there, with Sam falling into him like she needed him in order to stand. It was awesome.
But at the same time there was something… not right about it. She had done it to help him out and get back and "Nasty-P", not because she wanted him. A tiny but noticeable change had come over Sam in the past week, and it was that which gave him pause. The outfits, the scheming, the attitude… it was interesting and sexy, but not Sam's style. Sam had always been sexy and interesting in her own way. It was that individuality that made her who she was, and it was one of the things Danny loved about her.
So what was he going to do? He finally had the chance to get together with Sam, under the guise of this fight, but did he want to? He finally understood how Sam had felt during Ember's spell. Caught.
Danny grunted and swung himself out of bed. He stood before the window, one fist braced against it. He wanted to hit something, needed to take out his frustration. It was then that Danny spotted the Box Ghost zipping through the air.
Always there when I need him, Danny thought, smiling and going ghost.
What was she doing?
Sam frowned, staring at the clothes at the foot of her bed. Bright skirts, revealing tops, sexy accessories. When had she ever been the kind of girl to do this? She picked up a tank-top, one of the hottest and most popular things in the stores. Where was the individuality?
Missing.
Perfect; the voice was back.
You know you missed me.
Not really. Actually, right then she wanted to be alone.
No can do. I'm inside your head, remember? Hard to get rid of, you see. But listen, you know this isn't you. You finally kissed Danny, but why did you do it? Was it because you like him or because you hate Paulina?
Hadn't she said, numerous times, to shut up?
Yeah, but if you were me, would you listen? Wait… you are me… but that's beside the point. You need me; otherwise you'll continue this charade.
Maybe she wanted to continue it. She was popular, beautiful, and everyone wanted her.
But do you even want you anymore?
That sounded SO wrong.
You know what I mean. How do you even put up with yourself like this? You need to get a grip on yourself… the you that used to have the love of a certain half-a.
What did it mean, "used to"?
But for once, the voice didn't answer.
That was okay. Sam wasn't shallow or misguided like Paulina and the rest of her crew. Samantha Manson had substance, dammit! She was going to go to school on Monday like she had the past week, playing Paulina like the gilded witch she was and…
And trying to tell Danny, subtly, that she was in love with him.
Oh, yeah. That'll be easy. Right.
On Monday, Tucker decided to walk to school. He had a car and could get a ride with Danny and Sam, but he wanted to be alone, and the fresh air helped him think.
Tuck was the only one who could really watch this situation with any objectivity. Sam was the one going nuts over getting Paulina, and Danny was lovesick beyond recognition. So, the thought was left to Tucker. He sighed, not really sure what to do about his friends. They obviously liked each other, and had since 9th grade. Probably even before then.
But Sam was too focused on what she was doing, and Danny could never make decisions.
Maybe he shouldn't have set Danny up like that. The response to it was so different from what he expected.
That morning after his spat with Danny, Tucker had sent Paulina an anonymous text message. "Want to get to Sam? Go after Danny." It was simple but clear, and Paulina had gotten the hint. Tucker wanted Sam to get jealous, maybe realize she still had feelings for Danny even after all these years. Her actual reaction had made Tucker's mouth drop.
He shook his head, walking slowly up the school steps. His senior year was certainly an interesting one, at least.
As Tuck stepped into the main hallway, his eyes widened a low groan found its way out of his throat. He dropped his head, barely able to look.
"Oh, no…"
There were posters. They covered the windows, plastered the walls, and overtook the school. Each one saying the same thing: "Sam Sucks! Rich Witch Must Fall!"
Some were worse than others. Someone had found out about Sam's wealth, and there were pictures of her bowling in her basement or talking to maids and butlers, all with captions stating that Sam was the kind of person to sit on a throne, while the "little people" crawled at her feet. Others had pictures of her kiss with Danny, some of which were digitally altered to place her in different clothes and with different guys. Those messages were clear, saying simply at the bottom, "How easy can she be?" There was even a few with her hand on a sophomore's shoulder, saying, "Lower than low."
Tucker, Sam, and Danny stood together, staring at one of the brighter displays. Danny's face was murderous, he looked like he wanted to rip someone a new one. Tucker was thinking that the quality of the photo altering was actually pretty good, but he wasn't about to say that. He knew where to draw the line. Sam… Sam was blank.
Danny's arm wrapped around her shoulder at the same time Tuck grabbed her hand, both simultaneously lending support. But Sam just stood completely still, back straight, mouth thin. When her eyes had run over the same line of mud-slinging four times, she knew she was in trouble.
She turned, breaking away from her two best friends. Sam walked slowly and calmly, barely managing to contain the flood of feelings that was suddenly rushing through her. She made her way through the crowds of people that had clogged the hallways, staring at her and the posters. They parted for her like the Red Sea, but she barely noticed. There was one person she wanted to see, and one only.
When she was finally standing in front of Dash, who was in front of Paulina, she looked up. Her eyes caught his and she was surprised to see that he actually seemed sorry. There was a soft emotion on his face that startled her, but she couldn't worry about it then. He stepped aside, and Sam was faced with Paulina. Nasty-P had the smuggest smile on her lips. She smirked at Sam, daring her to say something.
Sam paused, simply staring at the person who had made her life hell. She took a deep breath, spit directly in Paulina's face, and walked calmly out of school.
Ack! So many reviews to respond to!
Squirt-Anne: Hah! I told you it was real!
Kats02980416: Wow. Those were two really long reviews. You see, they're in their senior year. I mentioned that back in chapter one, Sam said, "at least I only have one more year of this crap." I know that review was from chapter 3, but I figured I should clarify. Anyway, the whole "beauty on the inside" thing is going to come in big in chapter 8. Yeah, the emotions between Sam and Danny are really reeling… As you can see. (looks up at this chapter)
crazybluephantom: Yeah, actually. They did in front of basically the whole school. Hehe…
JNgirl: At the moment, Sam is a major rival to Nasty-P. But, as I've been saying with Kats, Paulina's beauty is only skin deep (she's so shallow, probably not even all the way through that). Sam has inner beauty, which is why Desiree's spell didn't work as well as Paulina thought it would.
Hina Beetles Fenton: Yes, they kissed with tongue! Ahhhhh! Anyway, yes, can't wait till Friday, and here's your chapter!
Inu luvz Kag not that claypot: Yes, they kissed, but you collapsed? Are you okay? Here, have some ice… And wee! Another person who I've converted! FLUFF HEALS THE SOUL!
dongsang: Wow, that's one of the best reviews I've gotten! Long and detailed, that's the way I like 'em. Anyway, response, yeah… Yes, it is ironic that Sam has made it to the top rung of the social monarchy. I think that's the humor, while her personal feelings toward it are the drama. She's confused by her new status and uneasy, and that's what's caused so many problems within herself. Yes, Sam's hot. Damn hot. That's how she pulled this whole thing off! And Danny's being OOC, it was necessary. Too much brushes off the real Danny's shoulders for the right drama to come out.
Musicgirl101: Glad you love it! I love writing it!
phantomwriter92: Their feelings are the most important part!
BuffytheVampslayer: I'm still writing, don't worry!
Snea: I think my dreams of making "fluff heals the soul" a catch-phrase are starting to be realized! Yay! Go me!
FLUFF HEALS THE SOUL!
--GS