Chapter Four
Sam couldn't believe it. Her parents had hired a babysitter. She was 14 years old. She didn't need a baby sitter. She'd been taking care of herself for years, it was a little late for her parents to decide that she was on her own too much.
"We don't like how you are forming Samantha," her mother said in her oh so chipper tone. "But unfortunately your father and I have our many business ventures to attend to and that keeps us quite busy. We've been thinking about it and we've decided to hire someone to make sure you grow up to be a proper young lady. Someone we can introduce to society!"
With that they introduced Sam to a rather prim looking woman named, Victoria Hesslop, or Miss Hesslop as she preferred to be called. Sam greeted her coldly but politely. Miss Hesslop eyed her much the way Paulina did. Sam decided she would just ignore the woman until she quit or until her parents realized their ploy wouldn't work.
Sam sat at dinner wishing she was over at Danny's house. Regardless of how chaotic it was, it was still a homey environment. Plus Sam missed Danny. She looked at the clock. He and Tucker were probably playing video games. She asked to be excused, very politely then ran upstairs and dialed Danny's number. Unfortunately Jazz answered the phone.
"Danny's playing video games with Tucker," Jazz said, which told Sam what she all ready knew. Then she proceeded to chat with Sam until Sam finally gave up and demanded to talk to Danny. Miss Hesslop knocked on the door before Danny got to the phone.
Sam eyed her uncomfortably for a moment then said, "Can you excuse me please? I'm on an important call."
"I don't mind," Miss Hesslop said as she walked into the room and sat down on the couch. By that time Danny was on the other end of the line asking if she was still there.
"I'm here," Sam said as she eyed her newest irritation. "How are things going? What happened with your mom?"
Danny told Sam the story of his mother's confrontation. Sam expressed her disbelief as she edged toward the bathroom. She looked over at Miss Hesslop who was watching her unblinkingly then slipped into the bathroom and closed the door. She didn't relax until the lock was turned.
"Tucker told me about the governess," Danny said. "Did you meet her? Is she bad? Are your parents crazy?"
"Yes. Yes and Yes." Sam answered. "I am in utter disbelief!. She's sitting in my room right now. In fact, she's probably listening at the door. Sam stepped in side the shower stall and closed the glass door.
"I'm sorry Sam," Danny said. "So she's supposed to turn you into a proper young lady huh?"
"I guess," Sam answered as she picked at the hem of her shirt. "I don't know what my parents are thinking. I think it'd be better if they just gave me up for adoption." Danny laughed and Sam began to feel better.
"Do you think you can come over later?" she finally asked. "I really miss you."
"Yes," Danny said.
Sam smiled then sighed. "I see you later then."
"See ya Sam," Danny answered. She hung up the phone then stood. If Tucker were here she'd bet him 50 bucks that Miss Hesslop was standing at her door. Sam crept over and popped the door open. Miss Hesslop was still sitting on the couch with her legs crossed at the ankles.
"I thought the two of us could get to know each other," Miss Hesslop said as she eyed Sam expressionlessly. "I will tell you what your parents expect of me and what I expect of you."
Sam sighed as she sat down. "Listen whatever my parents are paying you. I'll pay you that amount and more to go away and leave me alone."
"I'm sorry Samantha," Miss Hesslop told her. "I'm afraid that's just not possible." She smiled coldly then laid down ground rules. She was to go straight from school to home, where she would do her home work. Then they would work for a few hours everyday on the proper things every proper young woman should know. There were no visitors allowed after 8 pm and no phone calls after 9 pm. Bed was promptly at 10 pm.
Sam crossed her arms over her chest. "What makes you think I'm going to follow your rules?"
Miss Hesslop smiled knowingly, "I have ways of making my charges behave Samantha," was all she said. Sam shuddered.
"My room is off limits," she finally told Miss Hesslop.
"I beg to differ!" Miss Hesslop countered. "It is important that I be able to access you at all times."
"It is important that I have my privacy!" Sam demanded. Luckily her parents were of the same belief. And supported her when she went to them to complain. Miss Hesslop conceded graciously and then shot Sam a look which warned her that the victory would be short lived.
Sam closed her door and let out a sigh as she leaned against it. She turned the lock then walked over to her desk to sit down and work on an English assignment. It wasn't long until there was a knock on the widow. Sam immediately perked up and motioned for Danny to enter. He phased through the window then returned to human form.
"It's been a tough day!" Sam growled. As she walked toward Danny.
"Yes it has been," He agreed as they closed the distance between them.
"And it all started with that jerk Dash!" Sam continued in her angry tone. "If he was here right now I'd punch his lights out."
Danny smiled and looked around Sam's room. "If Dash Baxter were here right now, I'd be doing more than punching his lights out. Sam laughed then kissed Danny's cheek. He blushed and Sam laughed again.
"You didn't tell me what happened with the princess," Sam said as Danny put his arms around her and gave her a questioning look.
He shrugged his shoulders. "She disappeared and I haven't seen her since."
Sam looked thoughtful for a moment. "So now that your mom knows. Are things any different?" she asked as she smoothed the fabric on his shoulder.
Danny sighed, "I don't know. Nothing is really different. It's just weird. And as for everything else I'd rather kiss you first."
Sam smiled then told Danny, "You better tell me first because if you kiss me, something is going to happen and you'll have to leave."
Danny gave her a confused look. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Haven't you noticed?" Sam replied. "Every time your lips touch mine, something happens. Either Jazz or a ghost or something."
Danny laughed. Sam was right. Something always happened to keep them apart. "Well this time we'll just ignore everything else." Danny said then slipped his hands up to cup her face. The looked into each other's eyes a moment and waited. Then they moved toward each other and stopped…and listened. "Nothing," Danny whispered almost against Sam's lips.
"Just wait," Sam said. She was aching to close the distance and touch her lips against his. They waited a moment then closed their eyes and attempted to close the slight distance between them, but there was a knock on the door. Sam pulled back and gave Danny a look and whispered. "See I told you." Danny gave her a wicked grin and pulled her back to him and kissed her. Sam forgot that someone was at her door as she threw her arms around him.
They didn't break apart until the knocking became louder and a voice on the otherside yelled, "I know you're in there Samantha! Open the door!"
"Hold on a moment," Samantha called. "It's Miss Snootypants," she whispered to Danny. She straightened herself out, then turned to Danny. "How do I look?"
Danny observed her with glee. "Like you have been kissed." He answered.
"Samantha!" came a voice at the door.
"Hold on!" Sam said. "I'm getting dressed. I was just about to get in the shower." Danny raised his eyebrows. Sam smacked him in the stomach.
"I'm just going to phase out and wait here," He said. "I want to see what this Miss Snootypants is like." Sam shot him a warning glance and waited until he went ghost and disappeared. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
Miss Hesslop pushed past her into the room and looked around suspiciously. "You have someone in here with you!" She declared. "I know it!" She looked in the closet, in the bathroom, under the bed, behind the bureau, outside on the balcony and behind the curtains. All the while Danny floated above and watched.
"No one is here," Sam said, hoping she didn't sound like she was lying.
Miss Hesslop surveyed her for a moment. "You're parent have decided to depart early. They want you to go downstairs." Sam proceeded her out of the room. Miss Hesslop stayed behind. She looked around the room again and scowled. Danny waited until she was gone before he followed. Miss. Hesslop was really something. Danny wondered how Sam was going to deal with having to answer to her. Sam could be pretty rebellious and Miss Hesslop looked pretty mean.
Sam kissed her parents good bye and then turned to go back to her room. Miss Hesslop was blocking her passage on the stairs. "Excuse me," Sam said. "I'd like to go back to my room now."
Miss Hesslop held up one finger and shook it at Sam. "Now listen to me you little brat!" She said in a harsh tone. "Your parents aren't here for you to go crying to. You will not lock your door. And you will change out of those horrible Goth clothes and put on something decent!"
Sam folded her arms across her chest and surveyed Miss Hesslop. "Or what?" Sam asked.
Miss Hesslop narrowed her eyes. "Or I'll make you rue the day you dared to defy me. No one defies me. I've dealt with worse punks than yourself! You will shape up Samantha."
"And I've dealt with worse monsters than you Miss Hesslop" Sam said as she pushed her way past the woman. "If you're trying to scare me. Forget it. Nothing scares me!"
Miss Hesslop waited a moment until Sam was out of sight then smiled, "You're not afraid of anything? Dealt with worse monsters than me? You don't know the half of it Miss Manson." Her eyes glowed a bright red for a brief instant before she slipped back up the stairs.
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