WoM- Wow, even more reviews! Sorry for not updating earlier, but since school's started up things have gotten hectic. I'm getting more reviews now, and sorry for not lifting the ban on anonymous reviews earlier. / Here's chapter three to make up for it;

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

-Mark Twain

Chapter 4; Ire

"That was lots of fun, Danny!" Neris said with a laugh as she danced off the Ferris Wheel.

"You're charged up tonight," Danny noticed, smiling at her antics. "Why the sudden change?" Neris shot him a mysterious smile.

"Oh, I guess I'm just glad that I can be around you without death glares from Samantha and Valerie." Neris answered innocently. "They're not even trying to hide that they don't like me," Danny flinched.

"It's not that," He said quickly. "It's just… they're really protective. Sam especially." Danny explained, "I'm sure once they see you're not here to hurt me, they'll lay off a little,"

'Doubt that…' Neris thought dryly. Then her eyes caught something on Danny's shirt. She frowned for a moment, then shook the look off for a cheerful smile.

"Well, come on! There's a ton of stuff I want to do!" Neris exclaimed, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards some more rides. Suddenly, she stopped, "Ah, Danny? Think you can get me an ice cream first? It's really hot…"

"Uh, sure," Danny said, surprised. "What flavor?"

"Strawberry, please," Neris replied, "I'll just sit at this bench and wait for you to get back. My feet are kind of tired…"

"Alright. I'll be back in a second." Neris watched Danny go carefully, waiting until he was a good ways away to glare at a nearby hedge in annoyance.

"Are you two going to follow us all day?" She asked, irritated. "Because this whole over protective thing gets old fast."

"Told you they'd notice," 'Thunk!' "OW!"

Grumbling, Sam and Tucker came out of the bushes. Tucker was attempting to dislodge a twig from his beret even as Sam and Neris exchanged their typical death glares.

"What's your problem!" Neris snapped.

"MY problem!" Sam said, "YOU'RE the one trying to trick Danny! And if you think I'm just gonna sit around and watch-!"

"Sam? Tucker!" All three teens froze as Danny approached, surprise etched on his face, "What're you doing here!"

"We could ask you the same thing!" Sam said accusingly. Danny glared slightly when he caught her tone.

"Sorry, I didn't know I had to run all my decisions by you," He said in a darker tone then he'd meant. Sam flinched, realizing how she must sound right now.

"Look, Danny-!"

"Sam, Neris and I aren't doing anything wrong, so why do you have such a problem with us being friends?"

"But… she… I…" Sam babbled, a blush tinting her cheeks, "You know what? Forget it! Come on, Tuck, Let's go. It's obvious Danny wants to be alone with Neris!" And before he could say anything, Sam dragged Tucker away by the back of his shirt.

"Wow, Danny, you must be a saint to put up with that kind of behavior from your friends," Neris said sympathetically, "Anyone even thought of acting like they owned me, and I'd drop them in a second."

"Sam and Tucker aren't that bad," Danny said, "Like I said, they just want to make sure I don't get hurt… they're my best friends, Neris, and I couldn't ask for better ones," Neris blinked then smiled.

"Well, it still makes you a saint. Most people wouldn't spare a pair like that a passing glance, let alone even consider befriending them."

"Hey, Sam and Tucker are nice," Danny defended them, "And anyways, everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves before people pass judgment on them, right? I mean, Sam might think you're mean, but I know you're nicer then you like people to think. Why else would you want to hang out with a loser like me when you could be with Dash?" Neris cringed guiltily for a second.

"You're not a loser, Danny," She said softly, "You're just not like anyone else, that's all. Being different, being strong… that doesn't make you a loser," Danny stared at Neris as her voice took on an almost wistful tone.

"Thanks," He said with an uncertain smile. Maybe he was wrong about her… Maybe Neris wasn't a ghost or something. Maybe that weird feeling was all him, a newly awakening power that reacted to something in Neris. Neris smiled back brightly, unaware of Danny's thoughts.

"Don't mention it." Grinning, she stood up, "Now who's up for the BacKracker?"

"Ooooh-!" Sam growled, dragging Tucker out of the theme park.

"Chill Sam!" Tucker said, "You gotta admit, Danny's got a point…"

"Don't start, Tucker," She growled. "Why are all you guys so gaga over her, anyways!"

"Dunno," Tucker shrugged, "There's just something about her that makes me feel…"

"Stupid?" A new voice filled in for him. Both Sam and Tucker turned.

"Valerie?" Sam said, an eyebrow raised.

"I need to talk to you, Sam," Valerie said seriously. Then, with a glare at Tucker, she added, "Alone." Tucker and Sam exchanged looks for a moment, before Sam followed Valerie away.

"What's up?" She asked as soon as Valerie stopped.

"Okay, I'm gonna tell you something now," Valerie said seriously, "It's gonna sound really crazy, and you're probably not gonna believe me, but I swear to you everything I'm gonna say is true," Sam frowned, liking the direction of the conversation less already.

"Go on…" She said, alert.

"Neris… isn't human," Valerie said, choosing her words carefully. "And there's something fishy about the school she attended before Casper High…"

"She's a ghost!" Sam was almost excited, glad to finally have something on the new girl.

"No," Valerie sighed in frustration, "She's not a ghost, but I don't know what she is,"

"What are you talking about?" Sam asked, "If she's not a ghost and she's not human, what else can she be?"

"I don't know," Valerie responded, "But whatever she is, she's dangerous. You have to keep Danny away from her at all costs."

"How!" Sam asked in frustration, "Danny doesn't see that Neris is an evil manipulative witch, and he's getting mad at me for fighting with her."

"Well, I think I have an idea," Valerie said with a rather evil looking smirk. "Leave Neris to me, just stick close to Danny, okay?"

"Okay…" Sam said, a little puzzled, "What-?"

"I can't tell you what I'm gonna do," Valerie said, "But it should send the bratty French poodle packing,"

"Really…" Sam said, liking the idea more and more, "How long will you need?"

"'Bout ten minutes," Valerie estimated.

"If you can guarantee she's not coming back any time soon, I can give you ten hours," Valerie was tempted to ask exactly what Danny and Sam would be doing in such a long time span, but decided she'd rather not know.

"I'll make the guarantee, but cut back on the time a little," Valerie said shortly.

"You'll need to do it tomorrow, though," Sam said, either not listening to Valerie or choosing not to respond, "I'll call you when I've got Danny distracted," Valerie was a little uneasy about the way she said that. Sam, on the other hand, seemed quite a bit happier now that they had something of a plan. She practically danced away from Valerie grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Suddenly, a thought stopped Sam, and she turned back to the ghost hunter.

"Oh, and Valerie?"

"Hm?"

"If you ever think of spying on Danny like this again, I'll kick your butt," Sam said, glaring before turning and heading away again. Valerie's only response was a dry look and a blush.

"No way!"

"Come on…"

"No! I'll never be able to look you in the eye again!"

"I swear I won't tell a soul!" Neris pouted.

"Promise?"

"Sure,"

"Promise not to laugh?"

"Not making any guarantees there."

"DANNY!" The dark haired boy just laughed at Neris' exclamation. Neris sighed, "Alright, alright…" Danny grinned expectantly in the girl's silence. Blushing, the girl muttered something under her breath.

"Sorry, didn't catch that," Neris' blush grew darker.

"I said I like to eat my cereal in orange juice in the morning." Danny burst out laughing.

"That's your most embarrassing secret!" He said between chuckles. Neris glared at him then grinned evilly.

"And you? What's your most embarrassing secret, Danny?" Danny looked startled for a moment, then he pondered the question thoughtfully.

"Well, one time I did fall down an up escalator at the mall…" Whatever answer Neris was expecting, this wasn't it. Still, she laughed loudly at the thought, making Danny grumble and blush.

"You're a real klutz, aren't you?" She giggled. Danny's blush deepened.

"Sam say's I'm the only person she know who can trip over air and cause mass chaos." Danny grumbled. "I've been like that forever, though it's been getting better lately."

Neris instantly sobered up at the Goth's name, though Danny was too busy sulking to notice. Suddenly, Neris' eyes narrowed and she stopped.

"Danny?" She said, her voice quavering slightly. Danny stopped, looking at his new friend in concern. Neris clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. "I'm… I'm… getting tired." Neris' serious expression turned into an obviously fake smile so quickly, Danny was left confused and startled. "Think we can call it a night?"

"Sure," Danny said, a little uncertain on what had brought about such a sudden change of character, "Want me to take you home?"

"No," Neris responded, "I wouldn't want to make you go out of your way. I'll be fine on my own, Danny, I swear!"

"Okay…" Danny said slowly, "If you're sure. See you tomorrow, Neris,"

"Yeah." Neris said, a fake smile still in place, "See you then…" With that, the two parted ways. Neris walked slowly towards the pier, stopping at the water's edge. She reached into her pocket and brought out a small electronic device, no bigger then a pinhead. Neris frowned at it was she mulled over her problems.

'I shouldn't have these thoughts…' She told herself darkly. 'I shouldn't have these feelings. He's a tool, simple as that. All men are. I won't be like Big Sis. I won't let a man take what I've worked so hard to achieve…'

With that, Neris glared at the thing in her hand and threw it into the ocean as hard as she could. She smiled in satisfaction when she heard it hit the water, almost as if all her problems were that easy to get rid of.

'…I won't fall in love.'

WoM- Sorry I took so long. The next chapter will be up quicker! I can't respond to reviews andymore, though. It's against the rules now, apparently. Sorry!