Turning to stare at his bedroom door that shook under the pounding his cousin was subjecting it to, he groaned. "What is it Dash?" He did not want to get out of bed, sure he wasn't sleeping but he'd rather lay in bed all day than go to school.

"I just wanted to know if you were feeling any better, you didn't even eat dinner yesterday."

Buster scowled, of course he wasn't feeling any better. He felt empty. But Dash couldn't really know that, "I'm not hungry, I still feel pretty sick" he mumbled.

There was silence from behind the closed door, but Buster was sure the boy was still standing there. A heavy sigh broke out, "Alright, there's chicken soup in the fridge. Mom said to heat it up in the microwave."

His retreating footsteps could be heard as he reluctantly made his way across the hall. Relieved, Buster cuddled further into his pillows and shut his eyes. He was finally drifting off when a soft buzzing brought him back into consciousness. Sluggishly reaching into his jeans that he hadn't bothered changing out of, he took out his phone. Momentarily blinded by the bright screen, Buster grumbled and reopened his eyes. He was slightly surprised to find a text from Danny, he had been sure it was Arthur again.

He hadn't talked to his Amity friends since they had gone bowling together.

'Hey, how are you?'

The question irritated him, rolling onto his back he lifted his arms up to type out his reply.

'Not good.'

Dropping his phone back down beside him, he rubbed his face. Why couldn't everyone just leave him alone? He wanted to disappear. There was another buzz.

'Can I come over after school?'

Buster sighed, he didn't want to deal with Danny and his problems right now.

'I'm pretty contagious. I'll see you at school when I get over it."

He didn't really care if it sounded rude. He waited a few seconds before Danny's reply.

'Ok.'

Powering off his phone, Buster shoved it into his drawer. Pulling the covers over his head, he curled up into a ball and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

Shoving his phone into his back pocket with a frown on his face, Danny turned the corner from the alley he had just transformed in. Looking over, he waved at Wes as he passed his hiding spot but didn't bother with their daily teasing routine. He wasn't really in the mood.

He knew Buster would want his space, he respected that, but he didn't want him to think they didn't care. It was important for him to realize he wasn't alone.

Walking into the school, Danny glanced around for his friends. A waving hand caught his attention from down the hall. "Hey Tuck, hi Sam." he greeted unenthusiastically. They both frowned, instantly picking up on his gloomy mood.

"Who died?" Sam responded sardonically. Danny flinched at the comment, but quickly straightened up to avoid the oncoming interrogation. Buster could tell them himself if he wanted, besides Danny Fenton wasn't supposed to know.

Sam had noticed the flinch, narrowing her eyes she studied him but thankfully chose to drop it. "Did you finish your paper?" she asked instead.

Danny slapped himself in the forehead, "Shoot."

Tucker shook his head, "Damn dude, that's rough."

Danny sighed as he dropped his bag down by his locker, "I guess that's another F under my belt."

Patting him on the back, Tucker smirked mischievously. "Don't worry man. I could always hack in to the system and change up a few grades if you're failing."

Sam rolled her eyes, shoving Tucker away from Danny she glared at them both. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Tucker threw back his head in exasperation, "come on, manipulating government systems is my specialty."

Danny shook his head as he chuckled half-heartedly. "Nah, I'd rather not cheat…"

Tucker shrank back down, "Oh yeah…."

Danny turned back to his locker, and shut the metal door. The wheels in his head turning as he thought about what Tucker had just said regarding his hacking skills. Just as he was about to voice his thoughts, the warning bell went off.

Sam and Tucker waved goodbye as they both departed to get to their own classes. They hardly spent time together at school anymore. Sighing, Danny picked up his bag and turned in his own direction. Maybe his teacher would give him an extension he thought. Rolling his eyes at his own ridiculous thoughts, Danny didn't notice the stomping before it was too late.

Pushing him against the school's painted brick wall, standing nose to nose, Dash scowled at him. Everything about his body language read enraged; his muscled were tensed, teeth clenched, jaw jutted forward and various veins popping out. Everything, except for his eyes.

Danny quirked up his eyebrow at the out-of-place concern laced within his anger glazed orbs. Dash didn't say anything as he glared at him, probably hoping he would cower under his 'fearful' display. Danny was really too tired for this.

Noticing the jocks eyes flick down his face to his mouth for a split-second, Danny smirked. "Gee Dash, if you liked me that way you could've just said so."

Instantly turning red, Dash pushed himself away, "Shut up Fentoad," he growled, "what the hell did you do to Buster?"

Straightening out his shirt, Danny glared. "I didn't do anything to him," he defended as he tried to make his way around the wall of a boy.

Dash grabbed the back of his shirt to stop him and turned him around. "He told me about your gun," he sneered, pure venom in his voice. "If he's in some kind of danger because of you and your sketchy hobbies I swear…"

Danny's eyes widened, holding up his hands and taking a small step back. "Dude, calm down. That gun wasn't mine!"

Dash didn't look convinced. His eyebrows knitted together further, the wrinkles in his forehead deepened. "Then what were you doing showing it off to a fourteen your old! He was scared of you Fenton, and now he won't leave his room!"

Danny stared at him, his arms still raised in defense. Buster hadn't really told him anything, it seemed like Dash was jumping to uninformed conclusions.

"We were being mugged, I disarmed the guy. That's it. I didn't do anything to him or to Buster." he said trying to clear up the confusion. When Dash's anger seemed to diminish slightly, he continued. "If you cared about him as much as you let on, you'd realize what's really wrong."

"What is that supposed to mean?" He gritted, eyes narrowed.

Danny rolled his eyes, "his mom, Dash, I'm sure you're aware since you know…you guys are family. It's been a year. He's grieving," he said as vague as possible.

Releasing the tension in his muscles, Dash backed away and scratched his head "…oh."

Danny smiled at the compassionate expression that took over his features. It really was strange how much Dash actually cared for his cousin, Danny would have never thought he would see such emotions on the guy. "Just leave him be for a bit okay? He's avoiding me too."

Dash sighed but nodded. "Yeah I guess you're right…but this isn't over."

Shaking his head in minor annoyance, Danny turned around to finally get to class only for the bell to ring. He was late.

"Wonderful."