Here it is! Welcome to part 2 of my little story. I appreciate the reviews for the first chapter. I never expected such a positive response! Hopefully you'll all enjoy this chapter as much as the first. Remember, you hold the key to the future of this fic. Once again, review, review, review!
AK
A very tired Sam yawned as she leaned up against a tree, all the memories of the recent events running through her mind. Prom weekend hadn't been a total loss. She did have a great time with Tucker after they left the prom, although she'd never tell him that. Toward the end of the night was when things got weird. There was no way she could have predicted what happened. It was something that had left her confused for the remainder of the weekend. But once again, that's getting ahead of the story.
Sam was awakened by her mother early that morning. Today was the big day. It didn't really matter to Sam. It was all just a formality now. With Danny out of the picture prom meant nothing to her. She knew that she would regret not going later so she had turned to Tucker. They were friends and friends helped each other out. He didn't have a date and she didn't have a date so it was perfect.
Sam got out of bed and quickly showered and dressed. The first thing up today was her hair appointment. She hated having to get it done so early but she had no other choice because she had waited too late. The plus side was that she wasn't likely to run into anybody else from school. They had made their appointments months in advance and were not going in until later in the day. She grabbed an apple off the kitchen table and headed out the door toward the salon. Her and Tucker had spent the past few weeks ironing out their plans for prom. The one small detail she had overlooked was how she was going to wear her hair. It didn't really matter to her, just as long as they didn't do it the same as everybody else that walked through the door.
Meanwhile across town, Danny woke up to a small explosion that rocked the whole house. His parents were at it again. He got out of bed, dressed and quickly headed out the door. He had plenty of time before he had to get ready. He decided to take a walk around town and maybe he would run into Sam. He hadn't got much sleep the previous night, thoughts of Sam wouldn't leave him alone. He had tried to think of a way to tell her how he felt. She was seeing Tucker now and no matter how hard he tried Danny couldn't think of a way to tell her without possibly losing both of his friends. He was starting to think that maybe it was best if he just let it go. Sam doesn't like him anyway. How could he ever go on if he at least didn't tell her that he loves her? When did life become so complicated?
Sam left the salon a little over an hour and a half later. Her hair had been pulled back and lots of little curls were falling all around her head. She wasn't particularly fond of it but it was stereotypical prom hair. She had little more than a half an hour 'til she had to be home. She walked toward the park. She headed toward the swings in the center of the park and was surprised to see Danny sitting in one of them, mindlessly swinging back and forth. He looked as though he hadn't slept in days. It must have been a ghost that did that to him. Despite everything her mind was telling her, she walked up and sat in the swing beside him. Danny turned toward her and gave her a small smile.
"Hey stranger."
"Hey Danny. How ya been?"
"I've seen better days."
"So why aren't you getting ready for prom?"
"I don't want to just yet. Sam?"
"Yes?"
"Are you going to prom with Tucker?"
"Yes."
"Ok. I just wanted to make sure we'd all be there tonight. I've gotta go. I'll see you then."
With that Danny got up and left Sam sitting there swinging back and forth. It had been weeks since she last spoke to him and now when she did he ran away. He shouldn't have just left her like that, he could have told her all about his feelings then. He mentally cursed himself for being a chicken as he walked away. At the rate he was going, he'd never be able to tell her how he felt. He headed toward his house to begin to get ready for the prom. Part of him couldn't help but feel disappointed that when he danced tonight, it wouldn't be Sam in his arms.
Sam exited the park and walked towards Tucker's house. She desperately needed to talk to someone. She knocked on the door and soon Tucker was standing in front of her.
"Sam, I'm not supposed to see you before the big event."
"Tucker, we're going to the prom, not getting married."
"Oh. Well what did ya need?"
"Can I come in? I need to talk about Danny."
Tucker moved to let Sam in. He took in her appearance. She had already had her hair done and it was beautiful. There was something about her that was off just a little bit. It was as if a horrible sadness lay buried just beneath the surface. Given the events of the past few weeks, he assumed that that wasn't far from the truth.
"Tuck, I can't do this. I was supposed to go to prom with him. That's how this story ends. We're supposed to confess our undying love, go to prom, get married, and so on."
"Take it easy, Sam. I never took you for the type to believe in fairy tales."
"I don't. At least, not anymore. Why do I have to love that clueless asshole?"
"We don't have to go if you don't want to. I think we should though. You could always ask him to dance. Maybe he'll realize what he's missing and your fairy tale will come true after all."
"That will never happen."
"It might. Just give it a chance to work. It's never too late."
"Thanks Tuck. I've got to go finish getting ready. See ya in a few?"
"See ya in a few."
After several hours of preparations, it was time for the big event. Sam heard the doorbell ring from up in her room. She had found it increasingly difficult to get excited about the prom. She once again thought about telling Tucker she wasn't going. Instead, she plastered the biggest hollow smile she could manage on her face. She picked up her tiny handbag and left her room. As she descended the stairs, she saw Tuck standing at the bottom. She had to admit he cleaned up nicely. It had taken nearly three weeks but in the end she had convinced him to leave the beret at home. Sam gracefully descended the final step and locked arms with Tucker. He looked at her and she noticed his smile slowly start to fade. Had he noticed that her smile was fake? Did he know where she really wanted to be tonight? He didn't need to worry about her. This was his prom and she had asked him. They posed for several pictures and then they were on their way. As soon as they were out of earshot of Sam's parents, Tucker asked her the big question.
"Sam, you don't really want to go, do you?"
"I'm sorry Tuck. I really don't. I don't want to see him dancing with her. I want to be the one he dances with. I'm getting so tired of this. I'm leaving this stupid town the day after I graduate."
"Don't say that Sam."
"Why not? Nobody'd miss me."
"Danny would."
"That just makes me want to leave that much more."
"Come on Sam, let's go to the prom."
"Right behind ya."
The gym looked beautiful. There was balloons and confetti everywhere. Sam looked around and hated to admit that she was impressed with what had been done with few dollars they had managed to raise. She felt Tucker pull on her arm and before she knew it they were in the middle of gym dancing. She quickly scanned the place only to find that Danny and Valerie hadn't arrived yet. She shuddered to think what they might be doing that would delay them. Those thoughts quickly vanished when she saw them walk through the door. Valerie was beautiful. All those weeks of planning had paid off. Sam looked over her dress as she remembered seeing it on the cover of one of her mom's fashion magazines. Valerie had to have been saving money since freshman year to be able to afford something like that. Sam's gaze drifted off of Valerie and for the first time it landed on Danny. Her heart nearly stopped. He was gorgeous, but then again he always looked good. There was just something about that suit he was wearing that fit him so perfectly. Sam chuckled to herself when she thought about what her mom would think if she ever brought Danny home looking like that. Not that it would ever happen. Tucker heard her chuckle and stepped back from her to see what she was looking at. He was surprised to see Danny and Valerie standing there.
"Wow, you're happier to see them than I thought you would be."
"I'm not happy to see them, just him. He looks really good tonight."
"Valerie's not looking too bad herself."
"Why don't you go talk to them? I'm going to go sit down at the table."
Sam sat down at a table in the far corner of the gym. She watched as all the happy couples danced to a love song. If she were out there with Danny it would have made a big difference, but as it was she hated that love song. It stood for everything she would never have, true love. The sound of the couples happily talking and laughing could nearly drown out the music. Sam hadn't quite decided yet if that was a good thing or a bad thing. As she sat watching, she saw Tucker with Valerie. They looked happy. Why couldn't he be the one in love with Valerie? Why did it have to be Danny?
"Am I not supposed to be happy? Everybody else is. Why not me?"
"What would make you happy Sam?" Sam turned to see Danny standing behind her.
"Doesn't matter anymore. I think things are the way they are supposed to be and I can't do anything to change it."
"If there's one thing I've learned in the past four years, it's that the future isn't as set in stone as people would lead you to believe. I mean you're alive and I'm not evil. There ya go. Proof positive."
"That may be but all those changes only had positive consequences. For me to be happy there would be at least one person unhappy, probably two."
"And who might they be?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Sam, I know you're with Tucker now, but would you like to dance?"
Sam got up and allowed Danny to lead her out onto the dance floor. He took her in his arms and spun her gracefully around the floor. Sam wasn't aware than Danny even knew how to dance, let alone be so good at it. He pulled her close so he could whisper in her ear.
"Sammy, I have something very important to tell you. I can't do it right now, not during prom. Would you meet me afterward behind the bleachers?"
"Sure, Danny."
"Thanks, Sam. I think Tuck's looking for you. You better get back to him."
"Sure. I'll see you after prom."
A few seconds after Danny departed, Tuck stormed up to her. He looked as if his blood was about to boil. Sam could only imagine what had happened to him.
"Tucker, what is going on? Why are you so angry?"
"Danny's little girlfriend is a huge bitch. She propositioned me. Can you believe it? Danny wasn't even fifteen feet away. I tell her no and then she starts calling you names. Nobody picks on Tucker Foley's date. Nobody!"
"Calm down Tucker. You don't have to stand up for me. I can beat her down myself. Let me at her." Tucker grabbed her wrist as she tried to storm off after Valerie.
"Sam, I think this was all a bad idea. Do you still wanna go home? We can watch movies or something. Anything has got to be better than this."
"Yeah I guess so. Wait, I was supposed to meet Danny afterward let me tell him I'm not going to be able to." Sam headed across the gym to Danny.
"Danny, I need to talk to you. I'm not going to be able to meet you. Me and Tuck are leaving now."
"Can I come by your place later? I really need to talk to you."
"Sure. See ya then."
Sam and Tucker left the prom and headed back to Sam's house. Tucker had luckily calmed down a bit and things were running a little more smoothly. When Sam walked through the door her mom looked very upset to see her. It hadn't even been an hour since they left to go to prom. Her mom was probably upset that her only daughter wouldn't be there to win prom queen. It wouldn't make a difference if she was there or not. The only way that Sam would ever be prom queen is if she paid off the entire student body. That didn't matter to her. It was a title she was more than ok with not winning. Her mother would have to get over her disappointment.
Tucker headed for the downstairs bathroom while Sam climbed the steps to her room. There was no need for either of them to be as dressed up as they were anymore. When Sam came back downstairs she was wearing her pajamas. Tuck had changed back into his regular clothes. They both headed down to the basement where they were planning on watching movies. Five hours into their mega horror movie-a-thon, Tucker stood and announced it was time for him to leave. Sam walked up stairs and said good night to him at the door. She returned to the basement to throw away the trash they had left scattered about and then went to her room. No sooner than the door was shut she could tell she wasn't alone.
"Who's in here?"
"I's jus' me Sam."
"Danny, are you drunk?"
"Maybe, jus' a li'l bit."
"What are you doing here?"
"I told yous I's comin' by."
"Oh, Danny what have you done? Where's Valerie?"
"Probably off gettin' laid by some unnerclassssman."
"And you don't care?"
"Nope, I'm lookin' at my lady. Whaddaya say Sam?"
"I say you're drunk and hell no."
"Come on Sammy, you're supposed to do it on prom night."
"Yeah, you're also supposed to be sober."
Danny did his best to walk up to her. He finally made it after nearly tripping over his own feet three times. He leaned forward and kissed her softly. Sam took a step back and Danny fell in the floor.
"What'd you do that for Sammy? I jus' wan-n-ned to kiss my girl."
"Danny, I'm not you're girl. If I was we would have went to prom together like we were supposed to. Hell, a lot of things that were supposed to happen would have. Instead of spending prom with you, I spent it with Tucker. I spent it with Tucker and had to take crap from your date. I would have loved to spend tonight with you but why did you have to screw everything up? Why am I telling you this? You won't remember any of it."
Sam looked down at Danny only to see that he had passed out. She rolled him over on his stomach and went to bed. This had been one confusing evening. What did Danny want? He had had something important to say before he showed up drunk.
Sam was awakened early the next morning when she felt someone sat down beside her on the bed. She looked at the clock to see it was only 6:00. She rolled toward her visitor and could barely make out Danny looking down at her.
"Hey, Sam."
"Oh great do I get to hear more of your drunken nonsense?"
"Uh oh. What did I say? I don't remember anything after I arrived here last night, other than I was drinking."
"You're not drunk anymore?"
"No it seems to pass through me fairly quickly."
"Good. I wouldn't want you to try to get lucky again."
"Oh no I didn't. Sam I'm so sorry. I've had a really hard time lately with Valerie and you and Tucker. I just needed to forget about it for a little bit."
"I have a couple questions. Where was Valerie last night? What did you have to tell me? Why were you in my room?"
"First off, I've known for a while now that Valerie has been less than faithful to me. There is both an upside and a downside to being able to sneak invisibly into your girlfriend's room."
"You sorta mentioned that last night."
"Yeah well I guess no amount of alcohol will wash that pain away. I suspect she went out with one of her junior boyfriends. I don't really care. I don't want to know anymore."
"Shouldn't you know what she's into so you won't get anything from her?"
"Hold up! I am not doing anything like that with her. I haven't done that with any… ya know what nevermind."
"Whatever. You still have two more questions to answer."
"Well, I was in your room to talk to you. I hadn't been here that long, I think. I don't really remember a whole lot about last night."
"I wonder why that would be. Now answer the last one. What was so important?"
"You know what? I haven't been home. I should probably go." Danny jumped up ready to fly out of the window.
"Hold it right there Inviso-Bill. You make one more move and I'll call the Guys in White and tell 'em where you live." Danny froze and slowly turned around to look at her.
"Your bluffin'."
"Try me ghost boy. Now just tell me what you had to tell me and then you can be on your way."
"It's not that simple. I wanted everything to be perfect. I was gonna meet you under the bleachers and then take you on a fly above the city. It would just be me and you without any interruptions. As usual though, nothing in my crazy life goes as planned."
"You make it sound like you were going to ask me to marry you or something." Danny blushed deeply.
"Well if I did would you say yes?" It was Sam's turn to blush.
"Danny, could you just tell me what you wanted and quit stallin'?"
"Fine, but you have to promise not to hurt me."
"I make no such promise."
"Sam!" Danny growled at her
"Fine."
"I know that you're seeing Tucker now, but…"
"Hold it right there. I went to prom with Tucker because I thought I would regret not going. I'm not his girlfriend."
"You're not?"
"No."
"Would you be my girlfriend then?"
"What?!?"
"Will you go out with me?"
"What about Valerie?"
"I broke up with her last night."
"Danny I don't know."
"Sam, please. I need you."
"Since when? Since you thought I was dating Tucker?"
"Actually, yeah."
"Danny…"
Sam was cut off by Danny pressing his lips to hers. Soon the two of them were oblivious to anything else. Sam didn't know if she wanted to be his girlfriend at that point in time. He had hurt her quite a bit recently. She did want to be with him right at that moment. She'd decide if she wanted to be his girlfriend later, right now she gave in to her wildest fantasies of her and Danny.
AK
Thanks again! Please review!