A Bittersweet Memory

Thanks for the reviews, you guys! A few shout-outs:

Just Plain Insane- I had no idea Ember and Vlad were such a popular couple to write about, heh, but thanks for the review! You rock!

The Great Susinko- Peter, like Dash and Quan from the present, is basically a jock. Every school needs them, right? I'll probably add Peter more into the story as we get to the prom.

Straw Hat Luffy 312- I wish you could get into Danny Phantom more, but all the same, I'm pleased to hear that you like my ideas. Thanks for the review!

Digidestened7- I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far!

Many thanks to you guys! You rock! Keep up with the reviews! As promised, here's chapter 2!

Chapter 2

Ember McLain wore a smile on her face as she ran a comb through her waist-length blue hair. She studied her reflection in the mirror and shook her head, disapproving the image it showed her. She'd always worn her hair down, maybe it was time for a change.

She hummed softly to herself as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail, allowing two strands of hair to fall on either side of her face. She finished off the look by putting ruby red lipstick on her lips.

Ember jumped when she heard the doorbell. "Ember, honey, it's for you!" her mother hollered.

"Coming mom!"

Ember hurriedly rushed out of her room and down the stairs. "Vlad?" she asked, stopping in her tracks. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you wanted to come with me for a while," he suggested, smiling at her.

"I–sure! I'd love to," she returned the smile. "Mom? I'm going out for a while!"

"Okay, hon!"

Vlad's smile widened as he held out his hand for hers. "Let's go, shall we?"

Ember accepted his hand and walked with him together in silence. "What do you want to do, Ember?" Vlad asked, gently.

I don't care, as long as it's romantic, she wanted to say, but those words didn't come out. "Whatever you want to do, I guess," she replied, shyly.

Vlad arched an eyebrow at her response. "Well, I have something special planned for you after the prom tomorrow night so...why don't we just go to my place and I'll let you meet my parents so we won't have to go through this again tomorrow?" he suggested.

"Sure." Ember nodded. In the back of her mind, she silently hoped they'd have the chance to be alone.

She walked beside Vlad in silence, their hands still entwined, until they came to a stop in front of a quaint teal blue house. "Well, this is it. Sorry it's not much," he smiled sheepishly at her.

"I think it's lovely, Vlad," Ember gave him a warm smile.

"You do?" Vlad asked, a bit confused. He just smiled, opening the door, allowing Ember to go in first. "Mom, dad, I'm home!"

A woman with shoulder length brown hair, wearing a simple black dress shirt and pants entered the room with a man with neatly cut black hair, who wore a black tuxedo and dress pants.

"Welcome home, son!" the woman smiled brightly, hugging Vlad.

"Son, who's your friend?'" the man asked, upon seeing Ember for the first time.

"Oh, Mom, Dad, this is Ember McLain. She's my date for the Senior Prom," Vlad replied, standing beside Ember, taking her hand in his.

"Hi," Ember greeted, shyly.

"My, aren't you lovely, dear!" the woman gushed.

"So, I take it Maddie turned you down again, son?" the man asked.

Ember turned to Vlad, watching his expression. She blinked in confusion when he squeezed her hand tighter, his eyes narrowing at his father in anger. "She's still going out with that loser, Jack Fenton?" his father continued.

"Vlad?" Ember asked, softly, wincing in pain as he tightened his grip.

Vlad blinked in surprise and his grip loosened a bit as he looked down at Ember. "Maybe this was a bad idea. Let's go somewhere else, Ember," he spoke loud enough for his parents to hear.

Ember was as confused as ever as Vlad led her outside. "Vlad? What was that all about?"

He gazed down at her with saddened eyes. "It's nothing, Ember...just parent problems, you know?" he fakely joked, forcing a smile.

Ember shrugged and continued walking with Vlad, allowing him to lead the way, wherever he was taking her.

2 be continued...

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