Epilogue
Casper High, April 25, 2006
(ordinary universe)
"Is she here yet?" Danny asked nervously. The one class he had with Valerie, English, was just about to start. The suspense was nerve-wrecking for the recently discovered ghost hybrid.
Sam sighed and shook her head. "No, Danny. Relax. The worst she might do . . . well, it's not really comforting . . ."
"I'm dead, or my secret's out, or . . ."
Tucker put a hand on Danny's shoulder. "She won't expose you, dude. She has her own secret to look out for. So even if she kills you during lunch, or after school, or something, 's'not like you're gonna end up on the cover of The National Investigator."
Both Sam and Danny glared at the techno-geek. "Not helping," Danny growled.
Cree-eek.
The classroom door opened. Danny knew it was her the moment he heard her foot get through the door. Her extra-heavy shoes, designed to hold her extra hover board in the soles. Just in case.
"Phew. I can't believe we were almost late!" Valerie said to someone unseen.
"I know. Lancer would, like, kill us, or something!" Star's screechy, whiny voice came from beyond the door.
Valerie chuckled, and walked in the room completely, followed by Star. Danny gulped.
Star sat down next to Kwan, leaving only one chair left in the entire room.
The one next to Danny.
Valerie hung her backpack by one strap from the back of her chair, reaching in and grabbing her copy of Catcher in the Rye and her English textbook. She sat them down and wiggled in behind her desk.
Danny sweated throughout the entire class, glancing at her nervously, but she did nothing.
Life went on for another hour.
Finally, Lancer released them, and Danny walked in between Sam and Tucker out the door, really hoping to avoid his ex-girlfriend at least until lunch. He valued his life, after all. Even if he was half dead.
But Valerie called him aside in the hall, and Danny had no choice but to go. "Tell my parents I love them," Danny whispered to Sam and Tucker.
Sam rolled her eyes, and Tucker shook his head, but after he'd turned around, they both let worry seep into their features.
Valerie was leaning against the wall, crinkling a poster for the upcoming school dance. Danny attempted to act nonchalant, and leaned on the wall as well. "Hi," he said awkwardly.
"Hi," she said, a good deal much more casually. "I was . . . wondering if you'd, maybe, like to catch a movie or grab some dinner this Friday?"
Danny blinked rapidly. Huh . . .? Then he shook his head, smiled, and shrugged. "Okay. I'll pick you up at six."
She smiled. "Six it is." Valerie leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "See you Friday, Phantom."
As she walked off, Danny felt the blood rise in his cheeks, and he turned his back to wall, then slid downwards. There was no denying the smile on his face.
Sam and Tucker rushed over to Danny as soon as they noticed Valerie had left him. "Well?" they demanded.
"Can you cover for me Friday? I have a date."