((Author's Note: Whooa that cliffhanger thing was kind of over-dramatic. Oh well! I can emphasize on the things that happen because...because I hold the magical staff of emphasizing. BWAHAHAHA! (shifty eyes)
WHOA this took a while to get out. JEEPERS! I'm really sorry about that. I've got about...a zillion story ideas buzzing in my head and I didn't want to let them go. (clings to ideas)
Now, before I give out treats...I must say this.
OMFG101REVIEWSTHISISTHEMOSTCOOLESTTHINGINTHEWORLDIAMSTILLSPAZZINGOUTOVERTHATYOUGUYSARETHEBESTESTTHINGSINTHEWHOLEWORLDANDIMSURPIRISEDYOUGUYSCOULDNTHEARMYSQUEALWHENIFOUNDTHATOUTANDTHANKYOUSOMUCHANDOMFGTHANKYOU! (screams on and on and on and on and on)
Yes. 101 REVIEWS BABY! W00t! (jumps up and down)THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Imaginary Whisper: XDD THANK YOU! (glomp) ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
jessicajason: Teehee. Yesh I am. ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Dark Lady Of The Sith: Whicheeeever muffin you like! I gots a magikey stick. XP THANK YOUS! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
annonymous: heh. ; Hope this is soon enough. ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Passing4insane: Thanks! Yes...he is. I'm not good with describing Danny. XDD But oh wellz. Live and learn, I assume. ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Save Danny69: Thank you! I love your name by the way. (winky wink) ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Phantom Of a Rose: OMFGMEHTOO! o0 THANKYOU! (glomp) (zips lips) I shan't say what is to come. ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Wolffeather: ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3 Teehee. You'll see.
Summers rage: Aww! (huggles) THANK YOU! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Raven Of The Night 676: Erm...I've been hiding under a rock so I dunno if that's good or bad. XDD But thanks for reviewing anyways! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
dAnnYsGiRl777: Gah! Thank you for that review! I didn't know it was a book! (pokes friend that came up with title and summary after FS gave her her idea...) Teehee. But thanks! That seriously made my jaw drop to the floor...er...close enough anyhoo. ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
midnight scare: Yesh it was short. XP Thank you! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
look for the girl with the broken smile: AWW! (glomp) Thank you! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Zirra Nova: Me too. Heh. Thank you! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
muffin: o.o I am in luff with your name. 0.0 THANK YOU! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Nnyletak: Teehee. Thanks! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
iLOVEyou.dork: Oh.My.GOSH! (squeezes you till your eyeballs pop out) Oopsies. Sorry. But YOU'RE MY 100TH REVIEWER! OMFGOMFGOMFGOMFGOMFGOMFGOMFG! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
knowledge In The Hollow Noggin: AWW! OMFG! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3 THANK YOU SOO MUCH!
Midnight: . THANK YOU! (glompifying nation) Teehee. Thank you! ()()()()()()()()()()$$$$(:)+(3
Now...(pokes lame chapter title) I'm not good wif titles guys. Don't blame meh. -.-
BUTCH OWNS DANNY! I...(sigh) do not. I own...I own...I own my...oooh I own my totally awshum Danny plushie! (clings to plushie and runs away)
Chapter Nine
Explanations
"Pack your bags," Pam said stiffly, glancing up to meet my anxious gaze.
"Excuse me?" I asked her, biting my lip. What was going on?
"Jeremy called." My stomach tightened. Jeremy, my father, only called if things were an emergency or was in desperate need to correspond with me. "He's made the arrangements."
I furrowed my brow, shaking in my boots. And not because I was cold.
"What...what arrangements?" I could feel my voice growing shakier by the second. I had an inkling of what she was talking about, though I was clinging to hope that I was wrong.
Pam set the phone beside her on the sofa, and I took a small, obstinate step out of the threshold.
"I know it took a while honey." She gave me her forced smile. The only smile she gave me to try to lighten my spirits.
Now, however, it only made them dampen.
"What took a while?" I was outraged at her obliviousness. Would she get to the point? I could feel my blood boiling beneath my skin from both anxiety and rage. I was torn between longing to hear what she would say...and wanting to bolt out of this house.
"He's...enrolled you up for school in Denver," She explained. "Great education. Probably better than Casper." My eyes widened.
I was right.
"No," I breathed, though I was sure that Pam couldn't hear me.
About four ago, a bit before school started and the ghosts began appearing in Amity Park more than ever, I confided in my father over the phone that I wanted to live with him; to get away from Amity Park as soon as possible. I was terrified of those creatures that haunted the neighborhoods, caused residents of the town to shudder in fear inside of their households.
"It's like being caged up," I remember myself telling Jeremy over the phone. "I need out."
Jeremy agreed to my pleas to stay with him, though he told me he was extremely busy with his career and it would take a while to get things sorted out.
"He...seemed very excited about having you live with him, Samantha," Pam said, averting her gaze from mine. Was she disappointed? I hadn't told her about that conversation with Jeremy. He wasn't the most reliable person, and I didn't expect anything to come of it. Normally he would just agree with my situation. I had never thought that I would actually hear that he would take me in.
Two months ago I would have jumped for joy and packed my bags immediately. Two months ago I would have been ecstatic, going to Denver to get away from Pam, to meet new people...to get out of this ghost infested town.
Two months ago I wasn't in love.
"Tell him I changed my mind," I said hastily, edging toward the hallway. I didn't want to face Pam. I didn't want to face anyone. "I don't want to go there anymore."
Pam sighed and shook her head.
I pressed my back against the wall, close to knocking down the portrait of a flower that I had drawn in second grade.
"He's already made the space. You're expected to show up at Denver High School in two weeks."
Two weeks. The one time that Jeremy took things seriously...the one time he was dependent...was the time that I didn't need him! I was waiting for Pam to shout out 'April Fool's!' yet her expression remained blank. This couldn't be happening.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, dumbfounded, unable to say a word. Pam took my silence as a beckoning to continue.
"You'll love it there, sweetie."
"I don't...Mom...I...I wanna stay here...in Amity Park." I never thought that I would say these words, especially while blinking back tears.
"Samantha..." Pam's voice was shaky. She didn't want me to leave either. That was a given. "He's enrolled you for school. He's emptied out the extra room for you. He's made sure it'll be easy for you to...to settle down." I stiffened. This was so unlike Jeremy...my father Jeremy, to make space for me in his home. I had been asking to stay with him since I was little, missing having a father. Pam was just too perky for my gothic taste.
Now, though, I'd take perky, optimistic Pam over irresponsible, go-with-the-flow Jeremy.
"Well..." I took a deep breath. "Tell him to unsettle. I'm not leaving." Pam's face did not harden, as I assumed that it would. She had a light tint behind her eyes. Sympathy, perhaps?
"You'll love it!" She said once more.
"What, are you a psychic or something?" I crossed my arms. How could she know if I'd enjoy staying in Colorado, away from my school. My friends...
Danny.
The thought stung.
"No," Pam said, slightly taken aback, now face to face with me. "But I am your mother. And I know what's best for you."
I furrowed my brow, feeling my lips quivering from trying not to scream in outrage.
"So...you think that it's best for me to live with a work-obsessed father who doesn't know how to cook?" The words slipped out of my mouth before I could control it. "You think that it's best for me to start all over?"
Pam scoffed.
"I think that it's best for you to get out of this town. You seemed to think it was as well, not too long ago."
"Whatever," I said, adverting her motherly gaze from mine. I didn't want to listen to her any longer. Under no circumstances was I leaving Amity Park.
That Monday, I did my best to avoid Valerie, Tucker, and especially Danny. How would I face any of them after the events of Saturday? I didn't think I could handle it. I ensured that I was the first one in the room when second period came so Valerie wouldn't run to catch up with me, swarming me with questions about where Danny and I had run off to on Saturday. I hadn't thought up an idea.
I kept my head down low as Lancer droned on and on about the misunderstood concepts in Romeo and Juliet, not listening to a word that he said. It didn't matter...two weeks from now I'd be in Denver.
I couldn't believe it! How could my own mother want me to leave and live with my dad? It wasn't like I was a burden or anything. And she didn't really want me to leave either, I could tell. I sighed to myself, downed in my own self-pity.
"Samantha?" I heard Mr. Lancer call my name from the front of the room.
"Forty-two," I answered dryly and unaware of what was going on. I could hear the snickers from the other students surrounding me. I furrowed my brow, curious as to why they were laughing until I heard Mr. Lancer's snide comment.
"Ms. Manson, if you could just pull your head out of the clouds, you could easily realize that this is an English class." I frowned, resisting the wonderful temptation to roll my eyes.
"Whatever," I muttered under my breath, glancing up to face Mr. Lancer.
That was a mistake.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Danny giving me a sympathetic smile. I had been trying to erase his face from my mind (impossible and futile as it may sound). Acting as if I hadn't seen him, I glanced down at my desk, furrowing my brow at the unfinished inscriptions that previous students had engraved upon this desk. I lightly traced one of the longer ones. 'Lancer needs breath mint' and smiled to myself. That was indeed true.
Under these horrific circumstances, my mood lightened ever so slightly.
"Sam!" I heard Valerie's voice call behind me. I cringed. I wasn't expecting to speak to her today. Having to be in the same classroom was bad enough.
I told myself to ignore her. To continue fast walking to History. But, of course, my fear and curiosity of what she might say, of what she knew, caused me to stop.
"Hey." Valerie's voice was chipper, but her face showed no emotion at all. I sighed, awaiting the scolding that I would receive, and, do something totally unlike me, not argue back with her. I deserved every word that she was going to say to me, I could sense it.
"Listen, Sam," Valerie began. "I need to talk to you. I stood there, immobile, watching as Danny exited out of English class and headed onto his third period, glancing back at Valerie and me. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Before I knew it, I had already opened my mouth to defend myself.
"Val, I'm really sorry about Saturday night and--"
"Saturday?" Valerie intervened, raising and eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" I bit my lip. She wasn't going to tell me off? How could she not know about what happened? Wasn't it obvious?
"Erm...what are you talking about?" I asked sheepishly.
"Why didn't you call and tell me you were moving?" Valerie shifted her backpack from one side to the other.
Relief swarmed over me.
She didn't know! She didn't suspect a thing about the occurrences of Saturday. Slightly concerned about how she didn't notice the things that were right under her nose, I couldn't help but feel my lips twitch. Both warmth from the thought of her obliviousness spread through my stomach, as did the bitter cold pit in my stomach growing deeper at the thought of Colorado.
"Oh..." I said nervously. "Erm...you see...I was..." I was avoiding you in case you found out that I kissed the boy you're totally in love with, who just happens to be my mother's boyfriend's son.
"I had to learn second hand, Sam. Pam had to call my dad and he told me. I'd think that at least you'd give me a phone call or something."
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. So I was receiving a scolding, though I preferred this one much more.
"I'm sorry, Val," I said softly, though deep down I wasn't. I had spent all of yesterday in my room, plotting how to get out of this mess. What I would tell Pam once I got home was the biggest thing that ran through my head. I had gone from being completely ignorant and simply refusing to leave Amity Park to telling her the truth about the going-ons ever since I met Jack and Danny. I was desperate to do anything at the moment, even if it meant telling her the truth.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked, placing a friendly hand on my shoulder. I glanced down at it, afraid that she would squeeze it until I had turned unconscious, but she did no such thing.
"I was...hoping you'd take my consistent absences as an insight to what happened." My explanation came out playful, as a joke, though it was true.
Valerie, however, was not amused.
I sighed.
"Because I didn't think that I would leave. I don't want to, and just telling you that I am leaving would make me in this...big deep hole. It would mean...It would mean that I'd have to face the facts and know that I'm moving. That I'm giving up. And I'm not." I shrugged. "Pam's literally forcing me to go to Denver, but...I've got a few ideas that'll change both her and Jeremy's mind."
Valerie's blank face told me that she wasn't going to buy my excuse.
"But, you said it yourself that you'd do anything to get away from Amity," Valerie pressed on, dropping her hand. "The ghosts?"
"Yeah," I said with another shrug. "But...now I'm used to them." My voice was almost as unconvincing as my thoughts were. No matter what happened, I was positive that I would never get used to the specters that shook the people of Amity Park and its tourists into a state of shock.
Though, now that I had a...a full knowledge of the guardian angel of Amity Park, the knots in my stomach loosened.
Valerie bit her lip.
"So...are you leaving or not?"
I rolled my eyes.
"I dunno," I snapped. Valerie furrowed her brow, hurt clearly written across her face.
"Fine...I...I guess I'll see you at lunch...then..." Valerie's voice drifted off as she turned in the opposite direction. I groaned. Lunch. She'd surely consider what happened on Saturday with Danny in attendance. What moron wouldn't?
I balanced my books in my arms, cursing myself for not getting a new backpack.
I, the coward that I was, hid out in the library during lunch.
I wasn't much of a bookworm, but it was the only place that I knew Valerie would never find me if she were to come looking for me, noticing my absence. I munched on the granola bar that I had gotten from a nearby snack machine, leaned my back against one of the bookcases in the back, and slid down onto the floor.
Things in my life had been going great for all of ten minutes. Pam could never keep a relationship with a man for more than a few months. She had a problem with commitment, that I was sure of. I wasn't threatened at all by her and Jack. Every man that Pam dated always had flaws or was completely perfect. Jack was no different.
I took another bite of the granola bar.
And it wasn't as if Valerie wouldn't come to her senses and realize that she and Tucker were made for each other. It might have taken a month or two, but she would still notice him eventually.
All these thoughts made my stomach hurt. Because when they happened, I wouldn't be here to enjoy them. I'd be stuck up in Colorado, watching as the ski lift got shut off due to an upcoming blizzard. I frowned at the thought.
"I really hate Mondays," I muttered to myself.
"Yeah, me too," A voice from behind the bookshelf in front of me said in response. I stifled a gasp. It was that wonderful, velvety, musical voice that I adored.
I hated Danny.
He emerged from behind the shelf, smiling his crooked smile. I felt my lips quiver. If things weren't going to turn out as I had planned (and they most likely wouldn't), this would be one of the last times I could see his smile.
I savored it.
"Hey," He said weakly, sitting down beside me. I kept a mental note of how close he subconsciously did so.
"Hey," I replied, looking straight ahead, not wanting to look him in the eyes. I had to tell him sometime...perhaps over the phone two weeks from now.
"How are...things with you and Val?"
Danny chuckled.
"Tuck and I had a little...chat in first period." He winked at me. "He's going on a date with her this weekend."
I faked a grin. What I had hoped and dreamed of happening finally occurs...and I couldn't even be happy.
I heard Danny scoot his leg out on the floor.
"Listen, Sam, about Saturday--"
"Look, let's just both stop here before we both say things we're gonna regret," I said, turning to face him. He had his brow furrowed deeply, almost to his nose. "Er...my..." I had to tell him, whether the result be something I anticipated or not. "I'm...my dad is...gonna--"
I heard Danny chuckle, causing me to turn my head and raise an eyebrow.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Just...wondering when you were gonna tell me, is all." His crystal blue eyes seemed to grow larger with both anticipation and remorse.
"Uhm..." I shrugged. "Tell you...what?" I had an idea about what he was talking about...
"That you were leaving." His voice was no longer light and amusing. It was grave and...grim. So I didn't have to tell him!
"Er..." I took a deep breath. "How'd you find out?" Did Pam actually call Jack yesterday and inform him of my reluctant move?
"Tucker told me in first period." I nodded.
"Oh..." I turned back to facing the bookshelf in front of us, fixing my eyes on a book entitled Berry's Big Bashful Bash.
"Do...y'know...you want to?" He asked stiffly. I sighed. He didn't know how much I loathed the thought of having to be in Colorado. And he wouldn't. Not if I could help it. I didn't want to have to leave, knowing that Danny...felt the same way I did about him (somewhat, at least). Even if he didn't...I probably still wouldn't want to go, anyway.
"Not in a million years," I sighed. "But Jeremy—my dad—he's already made the arrangements, he's en—enrolled me in the school there..."
Danny sighed so softly I wasn't sure that if it actually was a sigh, or if he was just breathing.
"When is he gonna...erm..." I sighed.
"I—I think this week. Take a...take a few days to get my stuff unpacked and what not." My voice was shaking and cracking. I was trying my hardest, doing my best not to cry.
Danny nodded, silent.
"Is...is he coming here or are you gonna fly there?"
I shrugged.
"I'm not gonna get on a plane." I laughed a shaky laugh. Danny smiled a weak smile as well. "Erm...why do you ask?"
It was at that moment did I realize something incredible. I gave Danny a deviant grin. He furrowed his brow.
"What?"
((Author's Note: ;.; this is turning into a soap opera! FEAR MY SOAP OPERA TURNING POWERS! BWAHAHAHAHA! Okay...sorry this took a WEEK to get out. I've been writing Nick letters (like...three a day. O0) and then I got five BILLION fan fic idears. They're in my profile thingy. (eventually. XP) So...yes...Meh...I stayed up 'till about three writing this. It's either too over dramatic or too...blah... . I was in one of those moods, okay? Sheesh. XDD okay, ranting over... if you review you shall get a really really cool prize! (shifty eyes)
FS))