Just real quick, I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. I got busy with work and didn't have much time to write. But here it is! It's finally done! Enjoy!
It has been two weeks now since we visited Wisconsin and fought Vlad Plasmius, the other ghost hybrid next to Danny and I. It's safe to say that I NEVER want to go back to his place...EVER! But it also marked two weeks since Danny and I became a couple. We hadn't told anyone yet, but today was going to be the day that we'd tell at least our friends. Though Jazz had found out one night when she came home and saw us making out on the couch (before you think it...NOTHING HAPPENED! Get your minds out of the gutter!) So now was to tell our friends at school.
But now I'm wishing I didn't show up today.
I walked up the sidewalk and saw Mr. Lancer jumping on a trampoline in front of the front steps and door of the school. "Casper … High … Spirit!" He yelled before he fell flat on his face, missing the trampoline after his third bounce. I was half tempted to turn around and head home because I could have gone my whole life without this image in my head.
Wait...it was Spirit Week? … Already?!
"Ah, Spirit Week," Lancer said. "I love it so. The pomp, the circumstance, and mostly the Spirit Sparklers!" Lancer exclaimed as he stood up and then showed us a photo of him in a cheer suit for Casper High.
"Jasmine, Briar, did you know I was a cheerleader when I went to school here?"
"Really? Weird. No clue," Jazz said as she pushed his hand down, just so we could stop looking at the photo.
"Yeah," I deadpanned. "I'm going to go."
"Wait, Briar! I want you here!" Jazz said, making me cock an eye as she looked back at Lancer. "Can I talk to you for you a minute, Mr. Lancer?"
"Why am I here?" I asked confused.
"About my brother, Danny?"
Oh...that's why.
"What about Danny?" I asked nervously, while Lancer listened to her and gestured for us follow him.
"He's been acting really strange lately," Jazz continued. "Like he's not himself anymore." We continued to walk along the hallway, and the more she spoke, the more anxious I got for Danny. "I'd talk to him, but I'm his older sister. He's just going to think I'm being bossy. And I'm sure you've seen it, Briar!"
"Trust me, I have," I said nervously since I knew his secret of being half-ghost. I'm just surprised she hasn't mentioned anything about my behavior since I have the same secret. I guess I'm not as bad as Danny.
"See?" Jazz exclaimed to Lancer. "And if he doesn't get some help, if he doesn't talk to somebody, all the frustration I think he's repressing could come out the wrong way!" Oh, this was good. She thought Danny was battling depression?! If anything, he was battling teenage boy hormones! Like, come on, Jazz!
My ghost sense went off as we walked by Penelope Spectra's office door. I looked towards it as Jazz and Lancer opened said door. And there, standing in a fighting stance (but in his human form), was Danny. I slapped my forehead as I figured he fought a ghost recently, taking in to count the destruction of the office.
"Good one, Fenton," Danny said to himself, making me look at him with worry. "You let him getaway, you idiot." Lancer grabbed Danny by the shirt and pulled him away. I followed behind with Jazz.
"You're wrong about this, Jazz," I said, making her look at me. "He's not depressed."
"Briar," Jazz sighed. "You wouldn't understand since you two just started dating."
"No," I said, stopping her and making my eyes glow blue. I didn't care at this point. "You don't understand. I know you're trying to help, and I appreciate you trying to be a good sister. But do me a favor...don't." And then I walked away with my eyes changing back to brown and leaving a surprised Jazz behind me.
"Is it always so cold in here?" Jazz asked as I was standing outside the door, leaning against the door frame and waiting to see if Danny got released from Lancer's grasp.
"Of course!" Ms. Spectra said as I watched her turn the dial to make it colder. She was an interesting woman with red hair up in a style that looked like two horns, pale skin, and she wore a pair of glasses on the bridge of her nose. She even wore this mini-skirt suit that was the same color as her hair. Not identically the same, but still red.
"I find that high temperatures keep minds icy sharp!" She added as she did finger guns and then headed to her desk. "And don't you worry about this mess of an office either. Stuff happens, no biggie. Right, Jasmine?"
"It's Jazz. My friends call me Jazz," Jazz retorted.
"Yeah! Well, your brother calls you fink!" Danny exclaimed, making me sigh.
"Danny, I'm only trying to help!" Jazz said, seeming hurt. But I was too stubborn to care.
"And I told you not to," I said with my arms crossed. If she continued to butt in, Danny's secret was bound to get exposed.
"Come on, we used to talk all the time!" Jazz exclaimed, seeming to clearly ignore me.
"Yeah, when I was 8 and you weren't a fink!" Danny retorted.
"That's more than enough out of you, Fenton," Lancer said with his arms crossed. "Get to class while Ms. Spectra and I decide what your punishment is." I watched as Danny looked at Jazz with anger before storming off. He grabbed my arm and we were both gone. Thank goodness.
"Now, mind telling me what happened?" I asked with a smirk as he released me.
"A ghost showed up in that office and I was fighting it when it got away," Danny answered with a sigh. "And of course, being the idiot I am, I could have just flown after it and I wouldn't be in this mess!"
"Aw, hun, I'm sorry," I said. "If I wasn't stopped by Jazz wanting to talk about you, I would have come and helped."
"Wait, Jazz was going to talk about me to you?" He asked confused.
"Not really, but she stopped me to be a material witness to something! She thinks you have depression."
"Depression?! I'm not depressed! Why would I be depressed when I have a wonderful girlfriend like you?!" Danny exclaimed as he took my hand. I giggled in return.
"That's what I was telling myself," I said. "But seeing that room after you fought that ghost, I think she feels that she's right about it." He sighed as I squeezed hand, making him grin at me. "But enough about that! We still on to tell our friends we're official?"
"Definitely," Danny confirmed before pulling me forward and kissing my forehead.
"Fenton!" We jumped with a start as we looked in the direction we came and saw Lancer down the hall. "You have an appointment with Ms. Spectra today during lunch. Be there." And with that, he was gone while Jazz walked to class.
"Ah, man," Danny said.
"If you want, I could come with you," I returned with empathy.
"It's fine," He said. "You just enjoy lunch and I'm okay with you telling our friends yourself. It might be better that way."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure," He bent forward and pecked my lips quickly before we headed to class.
"Alright. I'll tell them."
Robin screamed excitedly as she hugged me from her seat next to me. I couldn't help but laugh at her reaction, while Tucker and Sam just stared in shock. Edwin was just smiling like a proud brother (considering he saw me as a second sister to him). I had just told them that Danny and I were officially a couple. I also mentioned that Jazz was the first to find out, but they didn't seem to care about that. They were just happy for us.
"It's about time!" Tucker finally said with a smile.
"When did this happen?" Sam asked with a smile of her own.
"Remember that trip my mom and I took to Wisconsin two weeks ago?" I asked, earning nods from each of them.
"Yeah, Danny told me he was going as well," Sam said.
"Well, it happened then. He listened to my song for him, and the rest is history," I smiled as Robin squealed.
"I knew that would happen!" She yelled.
"By the way, where is Danny?" Edwin asked as he took a bite of his sandwich.
"Oh, Lancer's making him talk to Ms. Spectra since he's "holding in his feelings"," I air quoted the last part of my statement. "Speaking of, I should get going. His appointment is ending soon." I quickly grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder. "I'll see you guys later!" I then ran out of the lunchroom and walked down the hallway, stopping at Ms. Spectra's door. I went to knock on it when I heard voices on the other side. Neither one was Danny's, so I figured his session was over.
But something didn't feel right.
"Marvelous," I heard Ms. Spectra say.
"Why are you wasting your time on a messed up kid when we have a big to-do plan for Wednesday?" Another voice asked, which I assumed was Ms. Spectra's assistant, Bertrand.
"Yeah, but, Wednesday's still a couple of days away," Ms. Spectra said. "Teen misery is the nectar that keeps me looking fabulous. And that Fenton kid is like a walking spa treatment!" I gasped as my ghost sense went off.
"No," I said as I backed up with shock. Something had to have been wrong and I never noticed or felt it. "Spectra's a ghost?!"
I raced through the halls and found Tucker and Sam with Danny. They must have met up with him earlier. Robin and Edwin had a different schedule. So I ran over to them and grabbed Danny's arm, making him look at me and smile. But he soon scowled again and looked angry. Oh, boy, what did Spectra say to him.
"Hun, you okay?" I asked with worry. I'll mention my findings in a moment.
"I'm fine," Danny said in return as we started walking. "I can't believe my sister told that shrink I'm a loser!"
"Wait, Jazz did what?!" I asked shocked. Though, that didn't sound like Jazz.
"Are you sure Jazz said that?" Sam asked. "That doesn't sound like Jazz to me."
"Hey you guys," I looked in front of us and let my eyes glow blue out of anger. But with Danny's hand squeezing mine, they calmed down back to brown. "What doesn't sound like Jazz to you?" No one answered and Danny just looked mad at her. "Still mad?"
"Wow, you are the smart one," Danny said sarcastically.
"Danny, I know you're angry. But I'm worried about you," Jazz stated. "Ever since the accident-"
"Jazz," Danny began, "I know you THINK you're helping and I'm sure when I'm older, I'll appreciate it. But right now, I don't." I sighed.
"I told you to get off this, Jazz," I said sternly.
"You have to talk to somebody, Danny. You barely have any friends!"
"Hey!" I exclaimed as Sam and Tucker just looked at her angrily.
"Besides these three," She added.
"And one of us is his girlfriend," I deadpanned.
"And you have absolutely no extracurricular activities!"
"Unless you count the ghosts," Tucker said, making me ram my elbow in his stomach and having him yelp.
"Well, maybe this is me now, huh?!" Danny yelled. "Not everybody's pumped up full of spirit, you know!" That's when our ghost sense went off. Oh, yeah...I forgot to tell them what was going on with Spectra! Crap!
"Ghost Sense...I don't see anything," Danny said as I walked up to him and placed a hand on his shivering form.
"Danny, you're shivering," Jazz said as she reached out towards him.
"Leave me alone!" Danny yelled as he ran down the hall away from us.
"It's worse than I thought!"
"No, it's not!" I yelled to her, forgetting about my secret and letting my eyes glow blue. She looked at me with shock. "I told you to back down, Jazz. I told you not to help! But now I don't see any point of trying!" I quickly raced down the hall after Danny, but I couldn't find him anywhere. He might have already transformed and went to battle.
But Jazz's scream made me stop and look to see a giant ghost hornet getting ready to attack her. As much as I'm not liking Jazz right now, I have a responsibility as Stardust to save everyone. So I quickly raced back in and, while not in my ghost form, shot the bug away from Jazz with my icy blue ecto-ray.
"Whoa! Briar, how'd you do that?!" She asked.
"No time to answer," I said. "Run!" I yelled as the bug picked me up with it's tongue and shot me through the hallway. This made me hit another locker and the rest is a complete blank.
What's with me and blacking out?
~DANNY'S POV~
"Back off, ghost bug!" I yelled as I rammed into the ghost hornet, in my ghost form, and made us phase through the wall of the school, causing us to be out in the courtyard. "Somebody call for an exterminator!"
"My! You are clever, aren't you!" The bug yelled back to me. "Swat this, big boy!" He then flew right at me and stuck out his stinger. I freaked as I shielded my head and let the bug scratch my wrist. I yelled out in pain as I fell to the ground, holding the new wound.
"I should have gone intangible! Idiot!" I scolded myself, thinking of what Briar would have said to me. Speaking of Briar, where was she?! "I'm not getting better at this...I'm getting worse." I turned up to see the ghost hornet coming right at me again, which this time I made an ecto-shield appear around me. He hit it and bounced away.
"Alright, you," I began as I pulled out the Fenton Thermos. "Time for you to-" I stopped and looked around. The ghost hornet had vanish. "Gone. Great. Another bad guy gets away. And Briar didn't even come. Where is she?" I sighed as I floated up some, feeling dejected. "Maybe Jazz is right: I am a loser."
Not to me, you're not, I perked up at Briar's voice in my head, making me look around before remembering our ghost telepathy. I'm sorry I couldn't help. That ghost bug threw me through the hall and I hit a group of lockers. I'm blacked out right now!
WHAT?! I quickly flew up and over the school, phasing through the wall and changing back. I ran out of the room and down the halls quickly, trying to see if I could find Briar anywhere. Where are you, Briar? Where are you?
"Danny, over here!" I turned a corner and saw Sam and Tucker by Briar's unconscious form. She had a bruise forming on her forehead. "That ghost hornet knocked her out!" I ran over and knelt beside her as I pulled her into my arms. I felt her wrist for a pulse and sighed with relief that she had one. I had more things to worry about with Jazz poking her head into my life, I didn't need to find my girlfriend like this today.
"Briar, can you hear me?" I asked with worry, hoping she'd wake up to my voice. Thankfully, just hearing her groan out of pain was enough for me to know she was okay. I sighed as I picked her up bridal style and Sam and Tucker followed me as we went down the halls to the nurse's office. Tucker was even willing to go into the office! Briar must be a really good friend if he was willing to do that.
As we walked down the halls, I saw Jazz running through them, most likely looking for me. "Danny, where are-?" She stopped when she looked over and saw me carrying Briar in my arms. "Oh, my; gosh! What happened?!"
"I blame you!" I yelled. "If she hadn't had to come and save you from that ghost, she wouldn't be like this right now!"
"But-"
"She told you to back off," Sam spoke. "And because you didn't listen, this is what happened." With that, we were off again, leaving Jazz behind.
"What do you mean you didn't see a ghost?!" Jazz asked as we were sitting at the kitchen table. We were talking about that ghost attack at school today. Thankfully she didn't suspect me as the ghost boy.
"It didn't look like a ghost to me," I began, "it just looked like a big bug. So I ran, like a loser." I put emphasis on 'loser'.
"I was right, you're not gonna listen to me!" She said with a sigh.
"Nope," I replied. "And considering what happened with Briar, I'm DEFINITELY not listening to you."
"That wasn't my fault!"
"Sure feels like it. She was protecting you and got hurt!"
"Fine, I'm sorry I "made" that happen," She air-quoted 'made' and that just made me madder. "But now you don't leave me any choice." I cocked an eyebrow to her. "Mom! Dad! Can I talk to you about Danny?!" She yelled and I perked up. She wouldn't?
"What?! Jazz, no!" I turned around to see my mom and dad rush in from the lab, in a stance ready to attack.
"Is there something wrong with Danny?" Mom asked with worry.
"Is there a ghost involved?!" Dad asked, and if Briar was here, she would have rolled her eyes at these two.
"Is there something you want to talk about?" Mom asked.
"That involves ghosts?" Dad added. Again, Briar would be rolling her eyes...or slapping her forehead. Either or.
"I-I..." Then something came to mind. "Actually, yes! Jazz thinks she saw a ghost today. Tell them Jazz." I smirked to her, seeing a look of defeat painting her face.
"What?!" Mom yelled as she jumped over me. What the heck is she taking to that athletic?! "Why didn't you tell us?!"
"It would have been a good chance to try out the portable Fenton Ghost Peeler," Dad exclaimed. "It peels ghosts apart atom by atom." He aimed the invention up into the air, clicking a button, and having a silver suit of armor go around him. But he soon wobbled and then fell on the table, breaking it into pieces.
"Well, enjoy your chat!" I exclaimed as I stood up and left the kitchen. I heard Jazz groan, knowing this idea backfired on her, and making me snort with amusement. But my amusement died down when I thought of Briar. She got hurt because she was protecting Jazz and now who knew how long she'd be M.I.A?!
But I still felt the need to check on her. She was my girlfriend after all! I wanted to be a good boyfriend and make sure she was okay. So I left the house and ran across the street to Briar's house. I knocked on the door and Mrs. Winthrope answered. She smiled at me with warm and gentle eyes as she patted down some of her blond hair.
"Hi, Danny," She said.
"Hi, Mrs. Winthrope," I smiled. "Is it okay if I check on Briar?"
"Oh, sure! She's up in her room," I looked at her, kind of confused as I walked in and went up to Briar's room. I went to knock on the door, when I remembered she wouldn't be able to answer me. So I walked in and looked, seeing Briar laying on her bed with an ice pack on the back of her head while she scrolled through her laptop.
"Briar?" I asked surprised, making her look at me and smile.
"Hi, Danny," She said sweetly.
"When did you wake up?" I asked as I walked up to her and sat on her bed next to her.
"Just a few hours ago," She said, taking the ice pack away from her head. "I'm sorry I couldn't help earlier with that ghost."
"Hey, it's alright!" I exclaimed. "You were busy protecting Jazz...though you didn't have to."
"It's a responsibility for those with powers, to protect those who don't," She returned. "And though I'm still a little mad at her, she's your sister. I had to at least try to protect her."
"Yeah," I said defeated, making Briar giggle and causing me to grin at her.
"Come here," She said with a smirk now, making me smirk at her as I scooted closer to her and placed a sweet and gentle kiss to her lips. It didn't last long, but it still felt nice.
~BRIAR'S POV~
I walked into the school the next day, feeling better than I was the other day. The perks of being half-ghost. I heal super fast now and with my mom knowing (somehow) of my ghost form, it was easier for me to have that healing process. If I just went to the hospital, who knew what would have happened.
But as I was walking down the halls, I saw Jazz talking to Sam and Tucker. Oh, boy. What now? I double checked my surroundings before going invisible and walking up to them. I didn't want Jazz to know I was standing there.
"Don't you think he's been acting weird?" Jazz asked, which seemed to have been making Sam and Tucker look nervous and worried. "I mean, haven't you noticed how gloomy and negative he's been lately?"
Gloomy and negative?! I thought. He's far from that!
"Uh, Jazz," Tucker spoke. "We're Danny's friends. That means we keep his secrets from you." Jazz then pulled out a twenty and handed it to Tucker. "Although-" Thank you, Sam for snatching that away from him.
"We've all got our problems, Jazz," Sam said, handing her back the money. "I know you're worried, but Danny's okay."
"What about Briar?" Jazz spoke again.
"Her, too," Sam said in return as she crossed her arms.
"But she shot this weird ray from her hand the other day!" I gulped. I remember that. I had no time to change into Stardust, so I quickly just used my powers in front Jazz to protect her. "How is she fine?!" I sighed as I took a few steps back and made myself visible. I then walked on back.
"What's going on?" I asked with a fake smile.
"Briar, tell me you've seen how depressed Danny has been lately!" Jazz asked as she looked at me, making roll my eyes before noticing Danny go by the water fountain...and my ghost sense went off. Oh, boy.
"Uh...he's totally fine, Jazz! He's not depressed!" I yelled right before looking over to see a ghostly hand come out of the wall. "Excuse me." I raced over to Danny and swatted the hand away from him while putting my hand on his back. He looked at me and smiled.
"Hey, Briar," He said. "How are you feeling?"
"Better. Thanks," I returned before we started to walk away, only to have the fire alarm still get pulled. I looked behind me and sighed. I should have vaporized that ghost hand.
"A month's detention!?" I yelled as Lancer stared at me with anger. "But my bookbag got caught on the handle! I didn't mean to pull the fire alarm!"
"Hey, Mr. Lancer, it was an accident," Danny stuck up for me, making me smile at him as I rung out my hair from being wet.
"I'm sorry, Miss Winthrope, but rules are rules," Mr. Lancer said sternly.
"Oh, but I bet if one of the jocks pulled the alarm they'd get off scot-free! Right?!" I yelled, making Lancer's stern look fall as he gave me a sympathetic look. "Yeah, whatever," I exclaimed before walking away to grab my bag.
"Ah, Miss Winthrope," I turned around to see Spectra standing there, a creepy yet perky smile on her face. I felt uneasy with this encounter. "I heard it was accident with the fire alarm. Why don't we talk? We could turn that accident into an acci-don't!"
"Uh, I'm good," I said with a nervous grin. "I usually let my songwriting be therapy for me."
"Oh, a songwriter! That's wonderful!" Spectra said. "Say, how would it sound if you got to perform after Jazz's speech at the end of Spirit Week?!"
"I already have a month's worth of detention because of this," I said. "I doubt Lancer would-"
"That's a great idea, Ms. Spectra!" Lancer spoke with a smile. "I'm sorry I had to give you detention, Briar. But if you perform, I could reduce your month's detention to a few weeks." I grinned at him, seeing he was trying to be a good teacher. And if he was willing to do that for me...
"Alright, sure," I said. "I'll perform."
"Excellent!" And with that, those two were gone. But not before Spectra placed a hand on my shoulder and left. I sighed with relief.
"Well there's the silver lining," Sam spoke with a smile.
"Yeah," I returned. "And I have something to confess...that accident was aimed for Danny."
"What?!" Danny yelled.
"My ghost sense went off! I saw a ghostly hand...I had to stop it before you got into more trouble!" I exclaimed, earning me a smile from Danny.
"Thanks for having my back!" He said. "Literally!"
"No big," I returned with a giggle.
The end of the day finally came. I decided I would work on my music and songwriting later tonight when everything was said and done. So, I went to Elmer's Pharmacy to get some ice cream with Danny, Sam, and Tucker. Tucker got a strawberry sugar cone while Sam got some kind of vegetarian option on a sugar cone. I didn't see Danny get anything since he was already sitting down at the table with nothing in his hand.
I felt bad for him as I walked to the counter and ordered a cookies 'n cream cone (not a sugar cone). And all while I was waiting for it, I couldn't help but think of what song to sing at the finale for Spirit Week. I had so many different songs with so many different messages. It was hard just to pick one.
But I think I know EXACTLY which one.
After I grabbed my cone, I walked over to my friends and sat in between Tucker and Danny. I took a lick of my ice cream and sighed with content. Such a wonderful treat for such a hot day.
"I don't know," I heard Valerie say, making me look at her as I ate my ice cream. "Ms. Spectra says I worry way too much about material possessions."
"At least you'll have them!" Kwan stated as they started walking away. "Spectra says I'm going to grow old, broke, and alone." I cocked an eyebrow with wonder. That's weird. I've heard other students have similar dilemmas after talking to Spectra.
"Man," Tucker began, taking me away from my thoughts, "it was brutal making you wear that stupid baby suit! I could hardly watch!"
"Wait, what happened?" I asked with concern as I looked at Danny, seeing him sigh in return. Okay, I need to find out what Spectra is up to.
"Though I did get some good digital pics," Tucker quickly showed us his PDA, revealing a photo off Danny in the Spirit Baby suit and a bunch of kids laughing at him. Spectra made him do this?!
"Hey, who's side are you on anyway?!" Danny yelled with anger.
"Tucker!" I glared with eyes glowing blue.
"Danny, come on. You know he's kidding," Sam said with sweetly. With that, Danny put his head on the table out of either embarrassment, or from being miserable.
"Yeah," He said as I rubbed his back for comfort. "I know." He sat up after a while and leaned back in his chair. "I don't get it! Why am I so depressed and angry all the time?!"
"Wait, you are depressed?" I asked shocked. "That's not like you." I put a hand to my chin and thought about it. He wasn't like this before he spoke to Spectra and...wait a minute...I already knew Spectra was a ghost, but could it be that she was using teen misery to fuel something of hers?
There had to be more to this mystery I'm not seeing.
"That shrink was supposed to be helping me," Danny stated as he leaned back in his chair. "Ever since I started seeing her, I've been feeling worse." I went to say something when Jazz walked over with a smile.
"Hey, Danny. How's it going?" She asked as Danny just looked at her angrily.
"Like you care," He said. "Just go away, Jazz." Just at that moment, both our ghost senses went off, making me perk up as I spun around to see Paulina dabbing her face with blush. Personally, I don't think she needs all that makeup. But hey, who am I to judge when I accidentally put too much on sometimes myself?!
"Gotta keep Jazz busy," I heard Danny say as he winked at me. I smiled and took his hand.
"I'll keep her busy. You go," I whispered back, making him nod an okay before...
"Fine! Then if you're going to take her side than you should hang with her, too!" Danny yelled, making me sigh with a hand on my forehead. I do have to admit though, he's gotten better with the acting. "Take my seat! You've already taken my friends!" He said the last bit a bit dramatic before he raced off. I take back that comment of him being a good actor now.
"Danny, wait!" Jazz yelled as she raced after him, making me raced after her quickly. I turned a corner and ran through the emergency exit after Jazz, seeing her run up to another door that leads to the back alley. I tried to stop her from opening the door but it was too late. She opened it and looked around for a moment. I followed her gaze to see Danny in the center of the alley.
Oh, boy, I thought as I tried to get Jazz away. "Jazz, come on! Let's just go!" I exclaimed, making her shush me and watch as Danny changed into his ghost form and flew off. Sam and Tucker were a little too late to stop Jazz from finding out and I blew it with getting her distracted.
"Danny?!" She called, making me sigh as I raced passed her and watched as Danny flew away to stop the ghost attack.
"Did you see that?!" Jazz called, making me turn around with Sam and Tucker. "Tell me I didn't see what I just saw!"
"It's not what you think, Jazz!" Tucker said nervously, making me slap my forehead. There we go. That's normal. Though Sam eventually shoved Tucker's ice cream into his mouth while saying...
"Of course it's not," She seemed more "Ghosts aren't real! Jazz, you sound like your father."
I watched as Jazz seemed to have had some kind of thought process going on in her head before she perked up at a realization. I looked at her a bit confused before Sam spoke up.
"Jazz?"
"Oh! Oh, of course!" Jazz began with a nervous laugh. "My parents are such loons, it's rubbing off!" She proceeded to check her watch, making me roll my eyes. "Oh, my; gosh. Is it that late? I've got to work on my Spirit Week speech." She then ran off, like nothing had happened.
Sam and Tucker breathed a sigh of relief while I just sighed with annoyance. If only they knew that she saw him transform. Thankfully, I kept my secret at bay. I changed into my ghost form and floated into the air.
"You guys be careful, okay?" I said before I flew around the building and through the walls to the pharmacy again. I already caught a glimpse of Danny fighting off this blob monster with anger in his eyes.
"I know you need your makeup, but you're just gonna have to wait your turn!" I heard Danny quip, making me giggle as I floated down behind the blob monster.
"Oh, babe," I began with a smirk. "I think no amount of makeup will help this poor unfortunate soul." I giggled at my own quip before the blob monster hit Danny away. I quickly flew over to him as the blob monster made an ecto-ball in his hands and shot it at us. We dodged out of the way and it destroyed a display table, gaining everyone's attention. Eventually, everyone went screaming and running away as the blob monster came up to us and punched Danny into the backpacks.
"Danny!" I yelled as I was slapped away and hit a counter. Thankfully, I didn't break anything, but I did feel a bit winded.
"You're not very good at this, are you?" The monster asked, unamused.
"He may be a bit wet behind the ears," I exclaimed as I stood up and took a stance. "But I'm not." I took to the sky and shot a blue ecto-beam at him making him fly backwards and hit a shelving unit hard. I quickly floated over to to Danny as the blob monster turned into a green panther and got into a pounce-like stance. I stared it down, anger in my eyes as it pounced.
"Stardust, look out!" Danny yelled as he went to grab me, but he was too late. The panther pounced on me and growled at me. I struggled with it until I kicked it in the gut and made it fly back. I stood up as I could feel a strong energy inside me. It wasn't my ecto-energy like the ecto-beams or rays, but something more powerful.
I looked down at the star on my suit and saw that it was glowing as my locket appeared around my neck. It was different, though. It wasn't gold like it usually was, but silver instead. "What the..." I spoke as the light started to swirl around me like a ribbon. It was a blue and white light that reminded me a little of the explosion from the car crash 4 years ago.
"AH!" I looked up quickly to see the panther had pinned Danny down now, with a wicked smirk on his face.
"Oh, look!" It began, "the little loser ghost has a few baby helpers! And a ghost girlfriend!"
"Do...not...call...me...a LOSER!" Danny yelled as he kicked the panther off him and sent it flying into a freezer. It smashed the glass and fell as Danny floated back up to the sky and went to shoot his own ecto-beams at him when all of a sudden, the light around me turned silver and shot out to the panther. It sent it flying again and made it hit a wall before it looked at me with shock.
"No...it can't be..." I stared at it confused as the light disappeared around me, before shrugging it off and flying at a quick speed towards him. I pinned it to a wall as it had turned back into a blob monster and glared into his eyes.
"No one, and I mean NO ONE...picks on my friends!" I then zapped him with electricity before walking backwards and falling to my knees out of exhaustion. However, the blob monster was able to stand up after a while of being hurt by me and just left through the ceiling.
"Briar!" I heard Danny as I assumed he flew and helped me stand up. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I said. "Just a bit winded from that power. I didn't even know I had that!"
"That was insane!" Tucker yelled as he ran over to us. "Just like Danny, you're powers are evolving as well!"
"Evolving? What am I, a Pokémon?" I asked, making Danny snort as he stood there.
"You know what I mean?!" Tucker yelled as he crossed his arms.
"Sorry. Stressed," I sighed. "Anyway, I sure hope this place is insured."
"Great," Danny spoke. "He got anyway again. Another ringing endorsement for the town's screw-up."
"Danny, I-" But Danny was already leaving the pharmacy to head home. I sighed again as I looked at Sam and Tucker. "I feel so bad for him. It's like his energy and strength is being sucked out of him."
"Yeah," Sam agreed. "Like he's not himself."
"Exactly!" I placed a hand to my chin as I thought of something, right before I smiled. "You guys head home, I'm going to go visit Danny and see how he's doing."
"What are you planning?" Sam asked as she crossed her arms. Tucker just looked confused.
"What? Is his girlfriend not aloud to visit him in his time of need?" I asked with a smirk as I took to the fly and flew after him.
But before I go to his place...I need a change in wardrobe.
I took a deep breath as I looked into my compact mirror. Danny said he never liked girls who wore too much makeup, so I just did a light eye-shadow with a cat-eye and crimson lipstick. It was a liquid matte that dried super quickly, and it was dark enough so it wasn't too bright. I soon put my compact away into my red leather jacket pocket as I smoothed out the skirt of my black pencil dress. I don't usually wear this unless I'm going to a dance or to a conference with my mom. Mainly because it was spaghetti strap and hugged my figure all too well. My dad would have a COW if he saw me wear this.
Oh! I guess I should say that I'm in my human form again. Should have clarified that.
Anyway, I slowly pulled out my phone and checked the time. 6 pm. He didn't have to stay in the rest of the night. Perfect! I looked through the window real quick to see him move from the kitchen and sit on the sofa, looking all bummed and depressed. Hopefully, a surprise date would help him a bit. I know it's a school night, but desperate times calls for desperate measures.
I took another breath before I gave a smirk and rang the doorbell.
"I got it!" I heard Danny yell as I assumed he walked over to the door. He opened it not a moment later and his cheeks went red when he saw me. I gave him a smirk while I stood there, my hands behind my back.
"Hi, Danny," I said.
"Briar?" He asked as he looked at what I was wearing. "W-why are you wearing that?"
"Well, you see," I began as I walked closer to him, while placing a hand on his chest, "we never had our first real date yet. So I thought, to cheer you up and take your mind off things...how about we have that now?" He grinned at me as he looked into my eyes. But I could see he was still in pain.
"You know I'd like that very much, but-"
"It's only 6, Danny," I interrupted, making him look surprised. "Meaning we have plenty of time to go out, have a date, and come back. It'll probably be only a few minutes. Two hours, tops!" He seemed convinced by that before bent down and kissed me.
"Then, what are we waiting for?" He said after pulling away. He looked over at his mom and dad who were walking into the living room now, holding some strange device in their hands. "Mom, dad! I'm going out with Briar! Don't wait up!"
"Alright, dear! Just be sure to be home before 10!" Mrs. Fenton yelled back.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Fenton! I won't keep him too long!" I yelled in return as he grabbed his wallet and we left. I hooked my arm with his as I smiled. Danny was smiling, too...but he seemed out of it still.
"So, where to?" He asked after a while, still looking depressed.
"Danny, cheer up!" I exclaimed. "I'm doing this to help you!"
"I know, I just...I don't know how to shake this feeling," He answered. "That ghost called me a loser! And that's what I'm afraid of being."
"Danny," I stopped us and turned him to look at me. "You're not a loser. You're a wonderful guy that I can't believe I get to call my boyfriend." He snorted at that. "And you've saved my life on countless of occasions when I needed you the most! You always had my back. And to me that's not a loser...that's a hero." He perked up.
"You really think I'm a hero?" He asked sheepishly.
"Of course, silly!" I exclaimed with a giggle. "You're my best friend, boyfriend, and hero all rolled into one! And I'm sure you're Sam and Tucker's hero as well. So don't listen to those people who call you a loser...because you'll never be one to me."
Danny smiled as he pulled me close and hugged me. I returned the embrace as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Thank you, Briar." He said before we pulled away, but stayed in each other's arms. He hesitated at first but he sighed and said: "I love you." I froze but smiled. He actually said it first. Sam made a bet that I'd be the first to say. Guess she loses 20 bucks.
"I love you, too," I said in return, earning a relieved smile before he put an arm around my shoulders and we continued walking over to the park for just a casual stroll. We spoke more about our hopes and dreams, as well as what we hope will happen in 10 years.
"What names would you want for your kids?" Danny asked me, making me pause for a moment as I thought about it. It wasn't a hard answer to come by. But if Danny and I do stay together up to us getting married, I don't know if he'll like the names I've chosen.
"Well, for a girl," I began with a smile, "I was thinking Melody. Melody Rose."
"Why Rose for the middle name?" He asked with a smirk.
"My mom loved Sleeping Beauty, and so that's my middle name," I answered, surprising him as he stopped us by the water fountain.
"Your parents basically named you Briar Rose?" He asked.
"Yeah," I retorted. "But I have to admit, I like it. It's unique."
"It sure is," He said as he pulled me closer again. "Just like Melody is a perfect name for a girl." I smiled at him as we kissed under the moonlight.
It was around 9 pm when we went back to Danny's place. My mom didn't give me a curfew and didn't really mind me being out so late. Especially if she knew I was only at Danny's across the street. But, since it was so late and I didn't feel like leaving Danny alone, I asked my mom if it was okay to stay the night here.
And since Jazz and Danny's parents are home, she said yes.
So we were just up in his room, playing a video game together when I heard a knock on the door. I looked over and saw Danny was still just engrossed in the game. So I let my character get killed and stood up.
"What are you doing?" He asked concerned.
"Checking the door," I retorted before kissing his head and walking over to the door. I opened it and saw Jazz standing there with worry. "Jazz?"
"Oh, Briar! I didn't know you were staying the night," She said before looking at my dress.
"We had a date tonight. What's up?" I deadpanned, making her blink and seem a bit uncertain of me staying the night now. "I promise, nothing will happen since I plan on staying a virgin until marriage. Now, what's up, Jazz?" I giggled at her state of worry. But hearing me say this, she seemed to calm down some.
"I was just wondering I could talk to Danny for a moment," She said, making me look to see Danny still too engrossed in his game. I sighed and stepped out, closing the door behind me. I'm sure Danny will worry if I'm not back in after a moment.
"Is this about him having ghost powers?" I asked.
"You saw how he transformed with me! How are you not concerned about it?!" She asked, making me sigh.
"Jazz, when he's ready to tell you about them, he will," I retorted. "Just give him time."
"But, why aren't you-?"
"Because I already knew," I interrupted. "I found out on my first day at Casper High when we fought this meat monster."
"Wait...you knew all this time?" She asked surprised.
"Yes," I giggled out. "And I'm not bothered by it because-" I stopped myself, now debating whether to tell Jazz the truth about me or let her find out herself. I mean, she did see me shoot an ecto-ray from my hand when I was in my human form. So she has to have questions about me, too.
"Because what?" She asked.
"Because nothing," I decided. "When we're ready to open up, we'll tell you." And with that, I walked back into the room and closed the door again. I know I probably left Jazz in a state of confusion and wonder. But at the moment, I didn't care. I was having a nice date with Danny and I wanted to keep it that way.
"What did Jazz want?" Danny asked, not taking his eyes off the game.
"Oh, nothing," I answered. "Just girl talk." I smiled as I walked over and sat beside him as he died in the game.
"Dang it," He sighed. I giggled as I scooted closer to him. "I thought I had it."
"I'm sure you'll do better next time," I retorted as I placed my head on his shoulder. It didn't take long for me to feel his arm go around my shoulder and the channel to get changed to some sort of movie.
And that's how we stayed the rest of the night.
The next day was interesting. I woke up in Danny's arms, while still sitting in his bean bag chairs, and I could hear Mrs. Fenton freaking out about breakfast. Danny felt the need to take me home so I could change into my normal outfit for school and then walk there together. So, he changed quickly and we headed out.
We did stop at my house and I changed my clothes (as well as my converse since I wore heels last night), grabbed my bag filled with my finished homework and left. We walked hand in hand to the school, seeing Sam and Tucker by the flag pole.
"Hey, guys!" I called with a smile, though Danny seemed to be saddened again. But he did look a little better. Guess the last minute date worked.
"Hey!" Sam called back as she grabbed me and pulled me away from Danny. Again...I guess she needed to talk to me. "I was panicking all night. What did you two do last night?"
"Oh, Sam!" I sighed with frustration. "Do you really think I'd stoop to that level? We just had our first date is all."
"You just took him out on a date?" Sam asked. "That's it?"
"Well, I did stay the night, but nothing happened. We just walked around the park and then went back to his house since his curfew is still 10," I explained. I even explained how I woke up in the bean bag chairs still with the TV off. "So, nothing happened."
"Oh...I guess that's not bad," Sam retorted with a nervous chuckle. "Sorry, I just assumed-"
"I know, Sam. I know. And I appreciate you looking out for us," I smiled at her which she returned before the four us walked into the school. It didn't take long for us to make it to Danny's locker. When he opened it, I saw a Polaroid picture of me and him kissing on his locker door. I grinned as I wondered who took it. The only other person who could have is Sam since she's the only one I knew who had a Polaroid camera.
"Um, is it me, or is this the worst Spirit Week in the history of Casper High Spirit Weeks?" Sam asked, gesturing to a group of kids all looking miserable and depressed. I hadn't noticed until now, but she's right. This doesn't look like it's full of spirit.
"And to make it worse," Danny began as he closed his locker, "We're all gonna have to sit through Jazz's idiotic speech when she tries to put the "I back in Spirit"! Or some other nonsense." I giggled as I looked over to see Jazz skipping through the halls all happily. Maybe what I told her stuck with her.
"What the heck is she so happy about?!" Danny asked surprised.
"Don't ask me," Sam spoke. "I'm usually the sour one around here. But compared to everyone else here, I'm the goth bird of happiness."
"Me, too!" Tucker spoke.
"You're not goth," I retorted, but he kept right on going with his statement.
"And we're the only two people in this school who haven't had a session with Dr. Spectra." That's when I perked up. Oh, crap! I forgot again!
"Wait a minute," Danny said making me grab his arm. He looked at me with wonder.
"She's a ghost," I said, making him cock an eyebrow. "Spectra...she's a ghost. I meant to tell you this when I first found out at the beginning of the week, but with me getting knocked out and-"
"Hey, it's fine," Danny said. "You were trying to. That's all that matters." I smiled at him. I'm glad my friends understood.
"But we can't prove it," Danny sighed, making my smile fade.
"There's only one way to find out," Sam said with a smirk.
I watched as Sam and Tucker left Spectra's office, looking miserable. Just like the rest of the teens here. They walked away to head to class while Spectra waved goodbye from her door. She looked old with wrinkles now, but she still had the peppy attitude to her voice. I couldn't WAIT to give her a piece of my mind for messing with Danny's emotions.
After Spectra closed the door, Danny and I, in our ghost forms and invisible, flew up to it and phased into Spectra's office. There, I saw Spectra absorbing all the teen misery and growing young again. I only heard she did this, so seeing it in person was a whole different thing.
We watched as she walked over to her desk and sat on it. "Man, that's good!" She said before looking at some files. "I'm gonna miss these kids. They're waterfall of misery." It wasn't long before that blob monster from the other day showed up from the wall, making Spectra look at him.
"There you are," She spoke. "You hooked up the device?"
"Of course!" The blob monster answered. "And when the Spirit Sparklers go off, vaporizing the only chipper kid left in the entire school, there'll be enough misery and anguish in that room to keep us looking young forever!" I almost gasped at hearing this.
"And what about the other?" Spectra asked.
"Oh, the singing one?" I held my breath as Danny took my hand. "I'm sure she'll be vaporized, too!" I gulped as I could feel my body shake with fear. But Danny's arm around me calmed me down.
The school bell rang, making Danny and I jump as Spectra smirked.
"Well, there's the bell," She said. "Shall we go hear a speech? And bum some more kids out?" And with that, the blob monster made them go intangible and flew through the wall, making it be where Danny and I go back to being visible.
"Jazz!" Danny said with worry. I was worried, too.
"We have to save her!" I went to leave when Danny took my hand and stopped me.
"I have to save her! I can't let you go and get hurt, Briar!"
"Danny, I'll be fine," I said as I looked at him, stopping when I saw the worry in his eyes. "I promise." I pulled him over and kissed him. He pulled away after a moment and I grinned at him. "Now, let's go save your sister."
I quickly ran into the gymnasium as my human self, seeing Jazz at the podium already. She was giving her speech as Mr. Lancer was getting into the hype of Spirit Week. Though none of the kids were. I went to go stop her, to maybe at least get her away from the podium just to get her to safety, but my ghost sense went off. I don't know how since Danny and the ghosts he was fighting were further down the hall.
I took a quick look around before I saw a woman who looks to be at least three, maybe two, years younger than mom. She even had my mom's pine green eyes, but she had a black hair with a couple of white streaks going through it. She was smirking as she clapped, her eyes holding a mature and regal nature.
Who was this girl?
"Go be the pop princess I know you can be," I froze and looked back at the podium, seeing Mr. Lancer knock one domino down to cause a chain reaction. I quickly ran over to Mr. Lancer as I pulled out my ghostly microphone. I wasn't too confident in it's abilities since it didn't work on Sam in that dragon form, but something told me it just might work today.
"Mr. Lancer!" I spoke, gaining his attention. He smiled as he saw me there.
"Ah, Miss Winthrope. Perfect timing!" He said. "Now get up there and sing your little heart out! And I'll reduce your detention time."
"Right. Okay," I smiled as I raced up there, seeing Jazz give me a smile.
"Hey, Briar," She said before pushing some of her hair off her shoulder. "I just want to say I'm sorry for the way I've been with you. I guess I'm not used to my baby brother having another important girl in his life that I think I grew jealous."
"It's fine, Jazz. You were just worried for Danny," I watched the dominoes for a moment before seeing Danny in the arms of a shadowy woman ghost with a green glow around her. That had to be Spectra's true form. "Now, is it cool for me to sing?"
"Oh, by all means! Go for it!" Jazz said as she took a few steps back. I walked into Jazz's spot and took a deep breath. I looked at the microphone with hope and worry.
"Please work," She said before pressing the star on the device and having some nice music come out of nowhere.
(SONG: "Feel the Light" – Jennifer Lopez) [Shortened]
I smiled as I listened to it, before I put the microphone to my mouth and started to hum a tune after every beat. And soon, it picked up tempo.
BRIAR: Here I go/here I go/feel better now/feel better now./Here I go/here I go/it's better now/feel better now./Do you remember/when we fell under?/Did you expect me to/reason with thunder?/I still remember/when time was frozen./What seemed forever/was just a moment./Hurry up/hurry up/there's no more waiting/we're still worth saving!
At that moment, I saw Danny break free with realization, seeming stronger than before. I watched as he fought off the ghosts with ease, giving me some peace of mind again.
BRIAR: Feel the light/shinning in the dark of night/remember what we forget/I know it's a long shot.../feel the light/shinning like the stars tonight/remember what we forgot/I know it's a long shot/but we're bringing it all back/we're bringing it all back./Here we go/here we go/feel better now/feel better now./Here we go/here we go/it's better now/feel better now.
(End of the song)
Right then, the last domino fell and hit the switch. I looked up to see the lasers getting ready to hit me and Jazz. I quickly grabbed Jazz as my ghost eye saw Danny flying towards us. He grabbed us around the waist and flew through the wall, stopping us behind the school's dumpster area.
I watched as Jazz just stared at Danny for a moment, which made him grin at her. I don't know if he was about to tell her it was him or what, but Spectra's hand grabbed him and brought him back through another door, pinning him to a wall.
"Hey!" I yelled as I raced over with Jazz.
"Look at you," Spectra said as Danny held up the thermos, only to have Spectra knock it out of his hand. "What are you? A ghost trying to fit in with humans? Or some creepy little boy with creepy little powers?"
"Both! Neither! I don't know!" Danny yelled as Spectra drained some of his misery into her being.
"You're a freak! Not a ghost! Not a boy!" Spectra yelled as I took a few steps in. I didn't care that Jazz knew now. This was my boyfriend we were talking about! I was having his back no matter what. "Who cares for a thing like you?!"
"Hi," I spoke with a smirk, making Spectra and Danny look at me. "I don't know if you knew this, but-" I let the twin white rings form around my waist and have them go up and down my body. It changed me into my ghost form with my neon icy blue eyes staring dangerously at Spectra. "I'm just like him!" I shot a beam of energy at Spectra, knocking her into the wall behind her as I kicked up the thermos and caught it.
"What?!" Jazz and Spectra yelled in shock.
"You...Bertrand warned me about you!" Spectra said, making me cock an eyebrow.
"I'm sure he did," I said before aiming the thermos at her. "But now you guys have something in common...being beaten by Stardust!" I then uncapped the thermos and sucked up Spectra instantly. I quickly put the cap back on and sighed with relief.
"Briar!" Danny yelled as he raced over to me and hugged me, making me giggle as I patted his back. "I was so worried!"
"I'm fine, Phantom," I said with a smirk as he pulled away. "What would you do without me?"
"Uh..." I looked to Jazz with Danny and we looked at her nervously. She just grinned after a while before feigning a scream about ghosts and turning around. "You two better go." She said before running around the corner.
Danny sighed as I giggled before he took my hand and we flew to the sky invisibly.
I walked up to the second floor of the Fenton Household and passed Danny's room. I came to visit someone else, someone who I considered an older sister ever since I met her. I needed to talk to her about my powers and how it all happened. I felt like since Danny wasn't ready to tell her the truth, I figured I could at least tell her my secret.
I knocked on her door and heard her call for me to come in. So I opened the door and took a few steps in, stopping to see her looking out her window at Danny, flying around the city with not a care in the world.
"Hi, Jazz," I said, making her look at me and smile.
"Briar! Hey! What's up?" She asked all perky.
"Not much, I just...thought you'd like to know how it happened." I rubbed my arm out of being nervous. I haven't really told anyone how I became half-ghost, unless you count my friends and boyfriend who found out when I first came back. So this was a bit nerve wracking.
"How what happened?" Jazz asked concerned.
"How I got my ghost powers," I retorted, making Jazz in understanding.
"Briar, it's okay," She said. "If you're not ready to explain it, than that's fine. Whenever you and Danny are ready...I'll be here." I smiled at her. I could always count on Jazz to know exactly what to say. But my heart and mind were made up (for once they agreed).
"No," I said. "I'm ready." Jazz looked to be pleased, but tried her best not to show it. She gestured for me to take a seat as she sat down in her desk chair. I sat on the edge of her bed and took a deep breath, before going into my story.
~THE END – END OF CHAPTER 7~