A/N: Never seen the actual movie. But I did see 'Lady In the Water'. That movie was great!

When A Stranger Calls

Chapter Three

Call #2

"The call is off," Sam said into the speaker of her phone.

"What? Why? We already told our parents we were heading to your place today," came the voice on the other end that was recognizably Star.

"Yeah, we can't just change plans all of a sudden, can we? He's expecting you," Valerie said.

"You can't leave him hanging," Paulina's voice added.

It was after school and Sam was at her place. Danny and Tucker had wondered why she had left so abruptly, but dismissed it as 'girl issues' or something like that. Sam had only shook her head and walked off, refusing even when Danny offered to fly her home - much to Tucker's amazement. But Danny had simply shrugged it off and flew Tucker home. Though the feeling of something being out of place was still there and eating at his insides. Sam wasn't like the person to talk to Val, Paulina, and Star just because she wants to see if she could find anything to black-mail them with. Something was up and he planned to find out what it was. But Sam hadn't a clue they suspected anything. She just knew that Valerie, Paulina, and Star were coming over to her place that day.

She sighed and said, "Fine. But this is the last call, okay?"

"Make it two more calls, and fine," Star said.

"Yes! I'm sure he'll be happy to hear you! I know every boy likes-" Paulina started, but was abruptly cut off.

"That's enough." Sam was seriously not in the mood to hear about whatever she was gonna say. She shivered slightly and said, "Just come over, you know the address, don't freak out when you do, I'm sure my parents will be out, and we'll make another call. I also disagree. This is the last call, final."

"Sounds good to me," Valerie murmured.

"Fine," Star said.

"Okay, we'll be there six sharp. Then the fun-" Paulina was once again cut off as Sam hung up the phone. She groaned and threw herself onto her bed, then turned onto her back.

"Yay," she mumbled. "A one-way ticket to hell." She closed her eyes and put an arm over them. "Oooh..." she moaned sadly, then sighed. "How did I get myself into this mess?"

Danny was half-asleep over his math notebook when the sound of a phone ringing woke him up. He bolted straight up in his chair and blinked several times. "Huh?" What?" he asked, then looked to one side. Shaking his head, he picked up the phone. "Number blocked," he said softly, then yawned before flipping his cell phone open, answering the call. "Hello?"

"Hey," said the seductively familiar voice on the other end. The female voice sent chills coursing through his very bones. His eyes widened and stood up from his chair, nearly knocking it over. Correction, it did fall over with a loud thud. He quickly rushed to pick it up.

"H-hello," he stammered out. Why now? There was a shout coming from downstairs asking if everything was alright. "Fine!" he shouted, then brought the phone back to his ear.

"Busy tonight?"

"Not exactly, but I got this...paper I have to turn in and...I can't fail it or else." He had to make-up something and that was all he could think of! There was what sounded like muffled giggling in the background, but it didn't catch his ear. He was much to focused on trying to unravel this mystery's secret mastermind, trying to see why that voice sounded so familiar.

"I'm sure you can finish up quickly."

"I'm not so-"

"Someone as smart as you should be able to do anything, don't you think?

"Well..." The girl laughed on the other end at his response.

"Listen, I've we could go out tonight, leave all our troubles behind. What do you say, Danny?"

He froze at the last word. His insides with dead cold and his eyes widened. No...Way. No freakin' way... "H-how'd you know my name?" he croaked. Tucker said, or rather explained to him in great detail, that these 'phone hookers', as he called them, chose numbers at random, not even trying to figure out who the person was. But this girl...she knew his name. Either this was a very intelligent 'hooker' or this was someone playing a prank. There was silence on the other end, as if the person felt she'd blown her cover. No. Danny's hands curled into fists. There was no way anyone was going to make a fool of him this way. Newly regained confidence flooded his system and his voice returned to normal as he said, "How do you know my name?"

"Does it matter? As long as we're having fun, I don't think it should matter."

"That's you," Danny said. "Not me."

"Don't be harsh, Danny, I'm just like you. Trying to forget all my troubles in simple conversation."

"Uhm..."

"So, tell me, do you want to go out? I'd be happy if you do. Want me to be happy?"

"Want you to stop calling," Danny said softly.

"That's a little mean. Don't you like me, Danny? Don't you? You're gonna make me sad."

Danny sighed and sat back down onto his computer chair. What was going on now? Everything was so confusing as his head filled with probable suspects. "I'm sorry," he said, before he could even think about what he was saying. Before she could say anything else, he added, "I've got to go. Maybe some other time."

There was a short giggle. "Love you, Danny." Then the call was disconnected. Danny groaned. That was the last straw! Tucker's uncle had better get here soon! This was going too far!

"Please let there be good news tomorrow?" he said, leaning back against the back of the chair. He stared at the ceiling. Why him? Why now? Why now of all times? He didn't need this type of distraction! His grades were already down the drain...

He sighed and went back to doing homework. He'd have to think about this more later.

When a hooker wasn't calling him.

About half an hour before the call that Danny received...

Sam was still lying on her bed when the door bell rang. No one was home, it was just her, so she rushed down to greet the 'guests' who just a might bit less than welcome. She went down the stairs as the doorbell was rung again. Now at the door, she opened it and was met with three very surprised faces.

"Sam, I never knew you lived here," Valerie was the first to speak.

"Well now you do," Sam said bitterly. "Come in," she stepped to one side and motioned entrance for them. Paulina and Star were gazing all about, stunned.

"But with all of this, you can hang out with us," Paulina said. "Why do you hang out with those two loser friends of yours?"

"You just said it, Paulina, they're my friends," Sam said. "You guys can head up to my room, first door to the left, while I get some snacks." The girls were more than happy to go heck out her room. Sam groaned and walked into the kitchen. A long night awaited her. And she wasn't gonna like it one bit.

E/N: Okay again. this story, in fact, will have a probable eight chapters MAX. I'm not sure how long the plot will run. Anywho, review if you wish it!