Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own or claim any of the characters except for those not mentioned in the show and Dash's parents.

Sam

Pamela and Jeremy Manson loved Sam's deal with them. They shoved food at her practically every twenty minutes it felt like and Sam would eat it without complaint as long as there was no meat or animal byproduct in it. As a result, plus all of the walking they did on tours around the city, Sam filled out. She also grew two inches.

Her mother was excited with a chance to restock her wardrobe. Sam said that she was willing to try some dresses as long as they weren't pouffe and old ladyish or pink. That didn't stop Pamela from showing her things that weren't classified as 'pink' but pretty darn close in Sam's opinion such as cotton candy, and cherry blossom.

She ended up getting several new outfits. Some were dresses, which made her mom happy, but they were more form fitting and in Sam approved colors. She got some form fitting pants that looked like they were painted on in black, red, purple, and gray. She got some short shorts, some cargo shorts, some khaki shorts, and some knee length shorts. She got blouses, camisoles, tee-shirts, and tank-tops in neon green, purple, red, orange, and green plaid, and black. She got some fitted sweaters, cardigans, and sweatshirts in black, red, green, and purple in different shades.

She got some jewelry to go with her new outfits. She had some that were simple and understated. She also had some elegant pieces for occasions when her mother forced her go to galas and dinners. She also had some for her every day outfits when she wanted to feel just a little fancier.

She also got some new swimsuits. She got a few of one pieces, a dark purple with crisscrossing straps in the back, black with white skulls placed randomly all over with a very low back that ended just above her lower back, and a light green with dark purple horizontal stripes. She also had a couple of bikinis, which she didn't think she'd wear except when she was sure she was by herself. She was feeling better about her body now that she filled out a little bit, but still rather self-conscious. One was bright neon orange with black polka dots and the other was chartreuse.

She had new shoes as well. Platforms, high heels, her trusty combat boots, sandals, etc. She had a shoe for basically every single possible event she could possibly ever go to. She wanted to be prepared for every eventuality.

Sam had read through Dash's journal from cover to cover over and over again. She felt she knew him so much better now. The him that he hid from the World. She was totally gonna do the dual credit AP classes. She thought it would be a good idea to have an option of a scholarship. She wished there were girls sports besides cheer leading offered. There weren't enough girls interested enough for there to be a team. She'd probably be a team of one.

Dash

Dash decided that during the summer he could sleep in the park on one of the benches as long as it wasn't raining and he was careful not to let the patrolling cops see him. He rented a storage locker for his clothes and other personal items for when the school closed because when it was closed, it was locked tighter than Fort Knox.

There was a local YMCA that had just been built recently that he could use to shower and change. He was also planning on using their swimming pool to exercise and train. Even though it was no longer a requirement, he still wanted to be the best football player he could be. He would also use their weight room.

He was also planning on spending most of his time that he wasn't at the Y at the Public Library. This way he could also study and read. The library was open until 8 on weekdays, til 5 on Saturdays, but closed on Sundays. At least that was until football camp. His dad had already signed the parent permission slip before he went to jail so that was one less thing to take care of.

Food was a different story. During the school year he had used the fridge and microwave in the teacher's lounge. He hid his food in the very back of the fridge and on the top shelf of his locker. He wouldn't have any place to store food outside and he doubted he could store it at the Y. Perhaps in his storage locker, but he definitely couldn't get fresh things, or things that needed to be refrigerated or heated up unless he was gonna eat it right away.

Dash kept up his behavior of bullying like he said he would. Nobody would understand his 'sudden' change of heart. He wasn't gonna bully anybody next school year. He wasn't going to pretend to be dumb, and he certainly wasn't gonna hide his intellectual side.

He kind of wanted to know what Sam would think of the 'new' him, but didn't want to dwell on it too much. He felt that she would think it was a sham. He didn't really think she'd like him no matter what considering how many times he beat up her best friends. Danny a lot more than Tucker. It made him kind of sad, but he realized a long time ago that his dad made sure that no girl would like him. If she liked his personality, which he thought was probably impossible, then she wouldn't like his looks. If she liked his looks, she wouldn't like him once she saw his scars. Sam was too good for him anyway.

(A/N: Time skip)

He spent the summer as he thought he would. He had a few close calls when sleeping on the benches in the park. He almost got caught by the cops a couple of times. He also found that he wasn't the only homeless person in Amity Park. He knew that from bringing food to the homeless shelter, which he thought about staying for about 1.2 seconds, but thought that there were other people who could use the beds more than he could.

It turns out there were others who slept in the park. He ended up getting in a few fights. He tried to avoid conflict with them and if they said a certain bench was their sleeping place, then he let them have it. However, some seemed to want to fight no matter what. It was like they went out of their way to antagonize him.

He learned that he was quite strong. He knew he was due to football, but this was in a whole different league. He also learned that they fought dirty. He got a few new scars to add to his collection, but he earned the respect of quite a few because no matter how badly he was hurt, he didn't let it show. He'd been knifed, hit, punched, kicked, etc. but he never went down once. He kept fighting even as he was oozing blood.

He had a jagged looking scar on his right arm from where someone cut him with a broken glass bottle. He also had a scar just peaking out from the collar of his shirt on his neck from one of his fights. He never lost a fight, but he also never attacked first. He only deflected blows, never inflicted unless they were determined not to give up. After awhile he was known not to be messed with.

He worked really hard at training and at studying. He wanted to be the strongest and best honestly, not through manipulation and intimidation. He didn't tell anyone anything. The ones he grappled with were also not going to say anything because they too couldn't be found out. They also didn't want anyone to know that he bested them. You could lose your street cred that way.

Dash had noticed that he was kind of bulking up and his clothes were starting to get snug. He also seemed to be growing taller as his pants that had been covering the tops of his shoe now only came down to his mid-calf. He was glad that he had access to his bank account so he could be able to buy new clothes so that when he went back to school he wouldn't look like a hobo.

Not that he had anything against hobos, as he kind of was one, he just didn't want to look like it. He had to walk everywhere, which he really didn't mind. He had his permit, but for obvious reasons couldn't drive. He was planning to get his license as soon as he turned sixteen. He didn't have a car yet, but he had enough money saved in the bank to buy one. He had enough he could buy a new one, but he never felt right about flaunting his money so a used one would do.

He did, however; splurge by going to the barber. He'd never grown facial hair before, but that came along with the growth spurt apparently. He hadn't been taught to shave and his first attempt ended up with him getting more nicks and cuts than actually getting it off. His hair had also grown quite shaggy and was nearing his shoulders. Therefore, he decided the barber was probably the best option until he could learn how to shave.

He still did things for others such as mowing lawns, raking leaves, etc. He didn't need to be as careful because his dad couldn't punish him anymore, but he still would rather not be acknowledged for his deeds. It made him feel superficial when they praised him, like he was only doing it to get noticed.

(A/N: Time skip)

General

Sam came back the States the week before school started again. Her mom insisted she go to the salon right away. She did something different this time. She had let it grow out during the summer so it was just past her shoulders. She got a tight perm so her hair came just above her shoulders afterward. She also got red and blond streaks added.

She had her outfit for the first day of school picked out. She was gonna wear a purple spaghetti strap tank top with a blood red cardigan on top of that, black pants, and black combat boots with neon green stripes.

She also had her idea of how to give Dash his journal back. She hoped he went through with being himself this school year. She was wondering who all would be in their dual credit AP classes. She knew it would be her and Dash for sure, but didn't know who else could possibly be in them.

Dash got all his new clothes ready. He was able to move back into the school once the teachers were prepping their rooms. He was really careful not to let them see him. He was able to find out by using the thing in the gym that he was now 6'3. He left his hair a little shaggy and it just hung over the tops of his ears at the sides and his bangs just over his eyebrows. He decided to keep a little facial hair, just a little fuller than a goatee.

Sam didn't see Danny or Tucker until they stopped by her house to pick her up on the first day of school. She was standing outside waiting for them and they didn't recognize her at first. All they thought was 'hot girl' and then kept heading to Sam's door. Sam had to ask them where they were going and why they weren't saying 'hi' to her before they realized it was her.

Every first day of school, Dash would start off the day by shoving Danny into his locker right when the first bell rang since fifth grade when they got lockers. That decidedly didn't happen this time. They didn't see Dash anywhere. Tucker and Danny thought it odd because he had never missed a day of school except for when Spectra came and infected everyone with ghost bugs.

Sam knew he must have begun his plan to not beat anyone up since he wasn't outside and she was assuming he still lived in the school. She just had to figure out which was his locker so she could put her plan into action.

Tucker and Danny were just happy that he was leaving them alone. They were too busy checking out the 'babes' for the new school year. Sam noticed them looking at her a few times, but at least they weren't as obvious as usual at least when it came to her. All the other girls seemed to still make them stuck on stupid.

When they went in, they each went their separate ways. Sam tried to keep a look out for Dash, but thought they would probably have some of the same AP classes so she wasn't too worried about it. She was really curious about if there were any other students who would be in the AP classes.

When the bell rang, the students headed to their first classes. There were about ten students in her first AP class. When roll call was called, Dash noticed Sam. He really liked her new look. It was so her without being over the top. He always thought if she was going to put color in her hair that it would be purple, which has always seemed to have been her favorite color. Sam also noticed Dash. She noticed him looking at her and he gave her a cute little grin and a nod.

She thought he looked hot, for lack of a better word. She thought his grin was adorable, a word which she wouldn't admit was in her vocabulary. She thought it made her sound like she was talking about a puppy. Although she was suddenly having an odd urge to run her fingers through his now shaggy hair, which she would also never admit.

She really liked the goatee too. She thought it was probably that he did look hot, but she probably thought she was noticing more than she would have before she read his journal. She knew it wasn't total bias because she noticed other girls watching him in between classes.

After school Dash went to his locker to put his books away. He saw a folded piece of paper on one of the shelves that he didn't put there. He opened it out of curiosity and was surprised about what he saw.

'Dash,

I found your journal on the last day of school last year. If you want it back, it will be in empty locker 426. The combination is L35, R67, L21.

A friend'

He was very surprised as he figured that his journal was something that he'd never get back. He was curious as to the signage of 'a friend.' He went to that locker and opened it up. He found his journal with another note on top of it. He opened it to find it was much longer than the other and took both back with him to his own locker so he could get ready for football practice and he'd read it when everyone else left.

Football went pretty well. He went to football camp so all of his teammates were aware of his changes. He had to get a different size uniform and a new letter jacket. The incoming freshman got to see the legendary Dash in action. The others that had worked with him before noticed he was even better than before.

Once everyone had left and Dash ate his dinner did he finally remember the note that was on his journal and decided to read it.

'To the real Dash Baxter,

I admit when I found your journal I was overjoyed. I thought I'd have perfect blackmail material. I felt you deserved it for being the school bully for so many years. The first ten pages just seemed to confirm that you needed to be knocked down a peg or two. I soldiered on and kept reading.

I've read your entire journal. I'm sorry that it's an invasion of your privacy, however; I understand you so much better now. The Dash that has been hidden away is an amazing person. Take a chance and let the World see that person. I know you at least did have plans on letting your true personality shine through this school year. I want to encourage you to do just that.

I also want to encourage you to stand strong. You did a great job of protecting your mother the best you could. It has probably saved her life numerous times. Be proud of the scars; they're the mark of strength, survival, and the protection you gave your mother. I wouldn't count on it scaring away all girls. Some girls find them sexy.

I wanted to let you know that you're not alone. I'm here for you. It's up to you whether or not you accept my offer, but we can be pen-pals, for lack of a better word. I'm not ready to reveal myself to you unless you decide you really want to get to know me because, let's just say, we run in completely different circles. If you decide to get to know me and you like me on paper, then I'll reveal my identity to you. That way I'll be pretty sure you'll still like me whether I'm a band geek or a cheerleader. If you don't like me through our letters, then no harm, no foul.

As I said, it's up to you. If you decide you want to be pen-pals, then leave me a note or letter in this locker. You can ask me questions if you wish, such as if I'm male or female, what class is my favorite, etc. If you figure out who I am, I'll give you a prize. I have no idea what the prize could possibly be, but if you figure it out, the prize will be grand. If the next time I open this locker it's empty, you'll never hear from me again.

A friend'

Dash was really surprised. He didn't think he'd ever see his journal again much less gain an anonymous 'friend' from its disappearance. He wasn't sure to take this letter seriously or not. It did encourage him like it was supposedly supposed to. He wondered if he were to trust this person if some day it would come back to bite him such as posters hanging around the school that said 'Dash's dad is in jail and he's a poser' or some such thing.

He decided to take a chance. If this was for real, it'd be pretty cool and if it wasn't, whatever their gain was from it would blow out and die down in gossip eventually. He thought about what he wanted to write and ask. He supposed he ought to start how regular pen-pals started, although they at least know the name of who they're writing to.

'Dear Friend,

It would be nice to have someone know the real me. I can't say I'm not suspicious of your motives for wanting to be pen-pals with me. I'll give it a shot. So I guess the first would be a list of questions. What's your favorite color? Gender? Into sports? Favorite teams if so? Favorite food? Hobbies? Favorite music? I guess that's it to start. Feel free to ask me questions as well. Though I guess you already know quite a bit about me seeing as you read my journal. I'm not sure how to feel about that to tell you the truth, but I can understand your thought that I needed to be brought down. Is there something else I should address you as or keep using 'Friend'?

Dash'

A/N: Read and Review.