I roll my eyes, hanging up on Paulina's sobs. She kicked me out of the A-List, but she still thinks she can just call me up whenever? No way.

Paulina's call brings up the memories of high school. Being friends with her seems like it was such a long time ago, and it seems even longer with Star. Tucker was kind of fun, but he was a little too into his technology. Sam was . . . an acquaintance, not a friend, maybe a rival.

And then there was Danny Fenton.

I never really had that many friends, and sometimes I wonder why he didn't, either. He was amazingly sweet, nice and caring. One of those friends that, if you had a crisis at two in the morning and woke him up, he'd still help you. That isn't to say he was perfect – he ran late to almost everything, and he never told others his secrets. He was also really klutzy, but it was actually kind of cute. He could have been friends with everyone in the school, and it's always been a mystery to me why he wasn't.

He was a sweet boyfriend, too.

I blush at that, shaking my head to clear it of my thoughts. I'm about to go on patrol with Mrs. Fenton – I can't be distracted by memories of pretty blue eyes!

. . . Danny had the prettiest blue eyes ever . . .

I frown. This wasn't working at all, and if it kept up I'd be useless over the patrol. Scowling at missing my next chance to whoop that stupid Phantom's butt, I called up Mrs. Fenton and took a mental-health day.

Five minutes later, I'm trawling the mall for new shoes to go with my new look. What better way to forget the past than by giving yourself a total makeover? I hope Danny will like the new look!

. . . bad Valerie, reminding yourself! Danny's probably away in Florida getting ready to head for Pluto or something. He's not here to see your new look!

Not that it matters. I broke up with him, not the other way around, so I shouldn't be doing this to myself!

"Oh come on, Dash!"

It's a startlingly familiar voice, especially with the train of thought that has plagued me all day. I turn, and sure enough . . .

Black hair, blue eyes. Slim frame, pale skin, easy smile. Danny.

And right behind him is blonde hair, blue eyes, muscular and tan with a wide grin. Dash Baxter? With Danny?

What the hell is going on?

Neither of them notices me, even when I'm blatantly staring. Danny is laughing with his old bully, pointing out various stores or items. The blonde is smiling back, also pointing out things, but seems to be watching my brunet more than anything else (wait, my brunet?). I know Danny knows he's watching him, because he's got this pale-pink blush and he shuffles shyly in that adorable way of his. He ponders something for a moment, and then gives a shy smile and takes Dash's hand. The brunet drags him away, and both leave my line of sight.

I stay put, stunned. Danny was getting along with Dash? When the hell did this happen?

That's when Star calls, and I numbly pick up. "Yeah?"

"Valerie, you won't believe this!"

"You don't know what I've just seen. Try me."

"Okay, well, you know how Paulina's been sobbing all over the place?" Star's voice is shocked, but excited. "It's 'cause she, like, went to go see her ex, Dash!"

". . . Star, why does this matter to me?"

"Because while she was there, he like totally turned her down when she asked him to ask her out!" Why was I friends with Star again?

"Why? Dash adores Paulina."

"AdoreD! Like, past tense! He's totally got a boyfriend!"

No way. No, no no no, no. "What? Who?"

"Get this – Danny Fenton!"

. . . oh my god.

Star jammers in my ear, but I'm not listening. I'm staring after where the two – the couple – disappeared, and only one thought is running through my mind.

I've got to break them up.