Thanks for your reviews: Samantha-Girl Scout, Quote the mute, BlueMyst19, MusicalGurl, CelloSolo2007, Spidergirl, Sam-n-Danny1, Love Sucks, DoggieGurl10, Miss.Redi, DannyPSamM, Lindsay, GreenLeoFriend, and Phantomdog. I am so sorry I didn't update this sooner! I didn't realize this story was so popular…

A quick note from the author: At last, I am updating this adorable little story! I reread it this morning and just went, "That's it, they deserve an update!" And so, here it is!

Chapter 3: Exhaustion

"Yo, Danny!" The raven-haired boy raised his head, looking blearily at the techno geek beside him. "You pull an all night again?"

"I didn't have much of a choice." He showed the techno geek the list before stuffing it all the way in the back of his locker.

"Hi, Danny, Tucker," Sam called.

"For a goth, you are way too cheery in the mornings," Danny muttered, dropping his head in his locker once more.

"What? Were you up all night doing homework?"

"For once, I wish it was," Danny muttered under his breath before saying, "No, I was…trying to get it back from Leo who ended up shredding it." It was true. Halfway through his chores, Leo snatched his homework and shredded it. The part he hadn't finished in detention that is.

Vlad had laughed when Jazz went to complain. He said she was being far too nice to the "help." She had bit back a retort for Danny's sake.

"Maybe you could keep your homework at my house and come after school. I could help you," Sam offered.

"Thanks, but my step dad doesn't let me go anywhere," Danny said.

"I can't even get Mr. Masters to let Danny come to my house," Tucker said, "and we've known each other for years."

"Well, maybe if I talked to him—"

"Don't!" Danny begged with a sudden urgency that caught her off guard. "Just…I can't go places, okay?" Then he walked away.

"What's with him?" Sam muttered, crossing her arms and scowling.

"I would tell you, but then Danny would kill me," Tucker said before following after his friend.

She growled and slammed her locker shut. Those two were hiding something bigger than Danny's half ghost secret, but what was it?

Danny worked on homework in Mr. Lancer's classroom during lunch. Mr. Lancer had warned him that if he didn't pull his grades up this year, he'd be held back. Danny had big dreams too. He wanted to work for NASA and perhaps part time as Danny Phantom, his ghost "alter ego." Danny crumbled up another piece of paper and threw it in the trash. His English teacher had assigned the all too over-used essay of "What I did last summer." Unfortunately, Danny did nothing except chores. Whatever he came up with would have to be a good lie to cover up for Vlad.

"Having trouble, Mr. Fenton?" Lancer asked.

"Just the essay, sir."

"Well, what did you do last summer?"

"Nothing interesting," Danny muttered darkly. Lancer shot a look at the boy who plastered on a fake smile. "Just…playing video games," he said, echoing one of Mr. Lancer's own statements.

"I see…" Lancer sighed, stacking graded papers together. "Well, make something up."

"I've been trying." Danny knead his forehead with his knuckles, wincing as he touched his bruise. The bell rang, and he sighed. Well, that'll be one ting I won't have to write. "I better get to class."

"Aw, is poor Dannyrella having trouble with his English essay?" Leo snatched the assignment list from Danny who just sighed. "What did I do last summer?" Leo laughed. "How about slaving away for your step brother?"

"Shut up!" Danny growled, grabbing for the paper.

Leo kept it out of his reach. "Nah, I think I'll burn this."

Danny sighed and stuffed his hands in his pockets. He hated it when he had to walk home with Leo.

"Daniel!" Danny ran forward as Vlad shouted for him. "You stupid boy!" Vlad slapped the teen across the face with the back of his hand.

Danny fell back on the ground with a startled cry. "Wh-what did I do?"

"I had important guests visit this afternoon, but the living room was a disaster!" Vlad pulled the teen up by the collar of his shirt and threw him into the house. "Why didn't you finish your chores?"

"I…I had to go to school. I'm sorry, sir. I-I didn't realize…I-I didn't know."

"I don't want your stupid excuses," Vlad growled. "Just clean it." He kicked the boy aside as he passed.

Leo walked in, passing the crumpled teen. He smirked. "Stupid Dannyrella."

Danny rubbed his chest, taking deep breaths. It had been hard to breath as he cleaned the front room. He was lucky Vlad hadn't broken any of his ribs with how hard he'd kicked him. Danny groaned as he lay down, burying his face in his pillows. How was he going to survive school tomorrow?

A/N: Review! Let me know this story's still loved!