PhantomAL: Uff, what are ya, a cynic? ((laughs)) no offence man. Good news about your dating is nice to hear. You don't want to be a cynic like me. Means I can write romance, but, um, real life, no way José, scared to death of it. And I'm fifteen.
ChalaZae: Merci beaucoup! I usually confuse people around where I live with a large vocabulary. ((cough))cow town((cough)) but thank you babe, I'm trying hard to make everything sound real, it's nice to know when you've succeeded!
Je vous remercerie aussi:
masami yada, scubagurl, cakreut12, Sqweakie the Wonder Mouse (love that name y'all!)
The next morning I was skulking and who can blame me? It dropped into the negatives last night and I nearly became a 'Sam-sicle'! Damn, hormonal, single mided boys! I slammed my locker shut with all the force I could. Last night, when I had arrived home alone Grandma got a little worried.
"Where is that cute little boyfriend of yours?" she'd asked. I had gritted my teeth and growled in reply. The older woman had backed off as I seethed with unusual rage, wishing I could kill Danny for making me walk. I marched to my room, threw myself onto my bed and screamed into my pillow. Still lying face down I fumbled for the remote to my stereo. I found it and the silence segued cleanly into 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams'. (A/N: Love Green Day!) I took a half-hearted swipe at my pillow when I did rise. What was wrong with me? Since when would something like this have gotten under my skin so much? I moaned and began ticking reasons off on my fingers; or, at least, I tried to. I could find veritable information that would provided grounds for my thoughts, feelings and actions. Nothing to justify and I hated that 'loose end' sensation. There was something that I couldn't quite put my finger on.
A rapping at my door cut through the music that streamed from the speakers. I stretched and cleared me mind. Grannie was at the door. I blinked at her, sorry for my earlier lack of respect.
"Is there something that you would like to talk about Samantha?" she asked quietly. I leaned against the frame of the door dark, scowling, taller than her and obviously much stronger. I let her in. After all, she was the only family I had around at the moment.
"Did you have a fight with your boyfriend Samantha?" she asked bluntly. I twisted my face into a scowl further.
"He's not my boyfriend." I said heatedly.
"But I've never seen you without that boy in tow." Grandma said in her defense, putting her hand on my arm. "I'm sorry for assuming-
"Everyone assumes." I sneered. "And they're never right."
"Fine then, but I still think-
"IS THERE A WORLD WIDE CONSPIRACY TO MAKE US DATE?" I near screamed, years of frustration catching up with me.
"You will not use that tone of voice with me young lady! Now shut that infernal racket off and GO TO BED!" she yelled right back. "I don't know what's wrong with you, but you will not be rude and bite my head off!" With that she flounced off in a huff and I heard the scooter motor fire up. I leapt back onto my bed and screamed into my pillow, again.
Later that night, at approximately three in the morning, I was lying awake and staring at the darkness. The dark was writhing and spinning, you know, when your eyes can't see anything so they make these little waves and swirls that aren't really there. I noticed that they kept coming together and making faces. Tuck's, Danny's, Jazz's, Danny's, my own, Danny's, the Box Ghost (where the hell did that come from?) Danny's-
Wait a minute. I shifted uncomfortably. Danny had popped up four times, what was up with that? I pulled my blankets up to chin as his sweetly grinning face came into view. I thought for a second that I was delusional but was given affirmation when I could have sworn I heard Danny laughing me. I dove beneath the covers, keeping them tight over my head until my alarm clock signaled the beginning if another long day.
Which brings me back to skulking and locker slamming. I hadn't met Danny and Tucker at the bus stop, favoring walking in early, and I knew they must have been worried. There were kids filtering in from the buses bringing in with them the cold air that had clung to their clothes.
"SAM!"
I turned and saw Danny's hair and hands bobbing over the crowd as he tried to jump to see me. I set my face hard as stone, crammed my books in my bag, spun on my heel and headed for homeroom.
"Sam!"
Danny had finally caught up to me and had grabbed my arm, spinning me to face him. He was breathing hard and I could feel the warm glow of his skin though his coat was exuding cold. He looked flushed and worried; good, whatever. If he couldn't give a shit about how I felt last night, then I could care less what he was going through now. I pulled hard against his grasp.
"Sammie, what's wrong?" he asked, dropping my arm. I looked him over; I saw Paulina approaching from behind him, oblivious to the fact the Phantom was right there in front of her. I grinned at him in a cruel manner.
"Why not ask your little girlfriend?" I asked, motioning to the trendy and popular girl. He looked over his shoulder and closed his eyes as if in pain. When he looked back at me, it was with an expression of confusion.
"Are you jealous?" he queried, stressing his words.
"I am most certainly NOT!" I began walking off.
"Sammie." Again he used my baby name, and it struck a nerve of our past. I turned to face him again. Now his hands were shoved in his coat pockets and an understanding face in place. "You can tell me anything you know. That's how things have always worked."
I rubbed the heel of my hand against my temples, another headache coming on and me with no Advil. "Danny, it's sort of complicated." I said slowly.
"I am the king of complicated secrets." He reminded me, quirking an eyebrow.
"This is different." I asserted, my mood swinging from hostile to unsure. I bit my lip. "This is much different."
Dan threw up his arms and muttered, "Women! Why do you have to be so complicated?"
I gave a bit of laughter. "I thought you only had problems talking to pretty girls."
"I do." He said rubbing the back of his neck. I glared at him, reminding him of the barb in that comment. "But-
He tried to redeem himself, enough at the moment for truce. I put up my hand to silence him. "Chill man, I know, I know, I'm used to it."
Danny looked grateful; I spotted Tuck.
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I shall now jump to a lunch that had not been preceded by Dash trying to stuff either one of my friends into a locker. Today, though, I sat opposite Tucker and Danny, separating myself. It became clearer then that there was a line between us, though a truce had been called. I pushed the greens of my salad around, my thoughts apprehensive and terse. And then there was a squealing from the popular table. I looked up, hoping to catch a glance at the latest in loser chic so I could have my entertainment for the day. But what was actually plastered to Paulina's body made me drop my fork and my jaw.
A Danny Phantom costume almost, his face where a logo would be. Danny was blushing furiously as she flaunted her body, twisting sinuously to show off the skin-tight get up. Tucker cat-called. My hand found my fork and I chucked it at the back of Danny's head. He jumped up when it made contact, rubbing the sore spot. He was peering at me with curiosity.
Oh, god damn, I really was jealous.
I have to spill some news now. My best friend Kayla just died yesterday, in a riding accident. The horse reared and slipped on some ice, it fell back and crushed her. She was announced DOA by the ambulance. Kay died in her twin's arms and far too soon for the rest of us. I'm taking a break for a while to get back on track, so there might not be anything for a while as I reconcile with the world. Support/feedback/reviews are wanted/needed/appreciated…luv ya Kay and miss ya much already.