Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed or followed so far! Your input helps me know how my story is coming along, which I'm very grateful for! This chapter is about a thousand words shorter than my usual chapters, but I felt as if it was a good spot to end. Thank you again for the support and happy readings!

The rest of my weekend was spent alone. Other than the occasional texts from Tucker, I was disconnected from the outside world. I had thought that being alone would lead to my own brain eating me alive, but instead it was quite the opposite. Thoughts of Danny became less frequent as I relaxed into several goth books. My favorite was the one where the girl who could turn into a spider at will got stepped on by a heavy boot.

Monday morning came fast, to my ultimate displeasure. I tried to pretend like I didn't have to go to school until my mother threw open my black curtains.

I was hoping that my mother would pity me and let me actually skip school. My parents did check on me a few times throughout Saturday and Sunday. No shock, neither of them noticed that I was somewhat of an emotional wreck. I understand that teenagers could get moody and all, but they really shouldn't pass off everytime I get upset as some type of "gothic" personality.

I groaned and buried my head further into my pillow.

"Samantha Manson," I shuddered at the sound of my full name, "if you don't get up right now I'll have no choice but to have the limo take you to school so you won't be late."

Curse that woman. If there's one thing I could give my mother credit for is that she knew how to motivate me to do what she wants. Don't get me wrong, I'm still rebellious towards my parents, but I'm even more rebellious towards publically showing my wealth.

I rolled over in my bed, showing my mother that I was conscious. I waited for her to leave the room before getting out from under the covers. The air was cold, making me want to crawl back into the warm blankets. I fought the urge and continued with my daily routine.

Even though I had gotten plenty of sleep, I still felt exhausted. I almost fell over while I simultaneously worked on pulling up my thigh high, purple stockings and keeping both of my eyes open.

I looked into my mirror after I pulled my tank top over my head. My hair was a mess. Stray ends curled into different direction. A layer of frizz coated my entire scalp. A dark shadow rimmed underneath my eyes. It was safe to say that I looked like a mess.

I ran a brush through my hair. I winced slightly at the tug when the brustles pulled on my strands. A brushed back a few locks of hair and tied them together on the top of my head.

I then put on the same lilac lipstick as I had worn everyday. I was never good with makeup. I didn't put it on because I cared about how pretty others thought of me. I yet somehow felt more confident with purple lips.

As I spun around to leave my room, my shin collided directly with the edge of my desk. I shouted many curses, hopefully my family did not hear me.

I rubbed the already forming bruise. I inhaled sharply, and slowly let my breath out from my lips. I could already tell that this was how the rest of my day was going to go.

I walked, or half jogged, my way to school.

I pulled out my phone. No messages from Danny, not that I was expecting any. Tucker didn't even give me any updates concerning him either. I was about to message Tucker but decided against it since I was going to be seeing him at school anyways.

Something felt off when I opened the doors to Casper High. Along with the usual cluster in the hallways, I felt as if every single person I passed looked at me. Some glances were quicker than others, but no one outright stared at me. Despite my individuality as a goth, people still didn't pay much mind to me.

I ignored the looks and continued to my locker. I was probably just being paranoid. I knew I was just stressing myself out. I could physically feel any relaxed thoughts in my mind slip away.

I sighed to myself as I slammed my locker door shut. I jumped when Valerie had suddenly appeared at my side. She must've been standing behind the door. It was kind of creepy if she had just been standing there waiting for me to close the door.

"Um hi," I said. Valerie had never really approached me before, unless she wanted to know where Danny was.

The girl didn't look happy. Her eyes were narrowed at me as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I heard you and Danny were fighting," she stated, as if it was her business. I wonder what Danny had told her.

"What's it to ya?" I responded. I wasn't sure where Valerie wanted to go with this conversation, but I definitely was not in the mood for a lecture and from her of all people.

Valerie wasn't that bad of a person, but I still remembered the ways she had treated both Tucker and Danny before she became broke. I understand that people change, but she had used my best friends when it was convenient for her whereas I had been by Danny's- and Tucker's- side since elementary school. It was not in her place to lecture me on how I handle my friends.

I noticed a twitch of a smile in her face. "Oh nothing really," her voice rising a little as she spoke.

Valerie was already getting on my nerves. "What?" I pressed. Valerie shrugged her shoulders and turned to go the other way. I quickly moved to her side. "Did Danny tell you something?" I almost growled his name.

Valerie gave me a sideways look, "Yes he did, actually."

"Care to share?"

"You started dating his best friend."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, squeezing my eyes shut. I wonder if I wished hard enough that she would disappear. "And what does this have to do with you?" I asked Valerie, hoping she would take the hint and drop the subject. Hopefully even stay out of all of our lives.

"Well," she paused for a moment, "I guess it is my concern since Danny and I are- well we're…"

Her voice trailed off and I feared that she would say the one thing I didn't want her and Danny to be. "You and Danny are what?" I pressed.

Valerie ignored my question. "The point is, don't you think it's kind of low to date his best friend?"

"You don't know anything," I snarled at her. "You don't know anything about me or my relations. It's none of your business."

Valerie smirked at me. I hated that look girls got. It meant that they were planning. Valerie wasn't a bad person, but I could very well imagine her causing more trouble in my life, intentional or not.

"Maybe it's not," she shrugged. Valerie spun on her heels. I flinched back to avoid being whipped by her thick hair. "Bit of advice," she called over her shoulder to me as she walked down the hallway, "I would get my story straight before the entire school hears."

I didn't bother responding before she disappeared into the swarm of students. I hadn't even been to my first class and I was already as annoyed as it was. Anymore time spent talking to Valerie and my head will explode.

I glared at a couple who whispered and pointed at me as they passed.

Someone has been talking, someone as in Danny. On one hand, I didn't want to see Danny whatsoever, but on the other part of me wanted to talk to him. This has been the longest I had gone without speaking to him since we've met. I wouldn't be surprised if I started showing withdrawal symptoms.

No one was in the first class except for Tucker. He was typing away on his phone. I tried to hover over him and read the screen but his shoulder was blocking the majority of my view.

As soon as my friend noticed me he shut his phone right away. I eyed him suspiciously but didn't mention it.

"How was the rest of your weekend?" I asked, knowing that he probably spent it with Danny. I'm not gonna lie, it stung like a bitch that they were already getting along together while I was the lesser friend to either of them. I always figured that Tucker and Danny were closer than I was with either of them, but I didn't like being blocked out from Danny while he forgave Tucker for the same reason he was mad at me for.

"It was alright," he shrugged. Tucker paused for a moment before glancing over at me with that long concerned stare. I still hated that look, even if it meant he cared. Listen to me, my own brain is becoming all mushy and emotional.

Before I could stop myself I blurted, "I miss Danny." I could feel Tucker's eyes bore into the side of my head. I just stared down at my fingers, picking at my nail polish.

"Things will get better, Sam," Tucker sighed.

I smiled back at him. "I know they will," I tried to reassure myself. I chewed on the inside of my cheek. I really did just want to get all of this over with, even if it was initially my fault.

"I think," Tucker said slowly, as if he was afraid of me, "maybe you should just apologize to Danny."

I'll admit, I'm at fault for a lot of things, but Danny is too. I clenched my fists tightly, thinking about how he's shut me out. After a moment I slowly released them. That is what I am at fault for. I lied to him. He could've been less of a jerk about the whole situation, but when it comes down to it, everything started because I couldn't tell Danny the truth.

First things first, I have to stop lying to myself. The only reason that I am so torn over this is maybe because I do like Danny. I'm not over him just yet either. Also, it is completely infuriating how Valerie, of all people, is speaking to Danny while he won't even look at me.

"Tucker," I started with his name, something that I hated when people did to me, "do you know why Danny is really mad at me?"

He rolled his eyes at me, with a mile spreading across his face. "Of course I do," he was using his darned superior voice. "I've been trying to tell you the entire time, Sam. Danny likes you."

It was weird hearing those words out loud without me instantly denying them afterwards. "Has he ever actually said it though?" I had to be sure.

"Kinda," Tucker shrugged, "but it's obvious."

Valerie was still on my mind. She was with Danny a lot, even though they had ended what never was. It was obvious that they were flirting, just by the look of admiration Danny would always give her. He never gave me that look, or at least not that I know of. "What about Valerie?"

Tucker grabbed me by the shoulders. "What about Valerie?!" Tucker repeated with a different meaning. He began to shake me, as if he was literally shaking some sense into me. "You're Sam Manson! The edgy, ultra-recyclo-whatever"- vegetarian- "goth that's always been by Danny's side. These girls come and go but you're the one who's stayed no matter what. You're supposed to be smart but if you truly can't see that Danny likes you, then you might as well drop out now."

I looked towards the door. Danny had walked in at that moment, alone. He took a seat not on the opposite side of the room, but not quite next to me or Tucker.

I was tired of lying so much. Being bipolar and in denial took so much more work than necessary. "Lunch," I decided, "I'll apologize to him at lunch."

Tucker's grin brightened. He went back to playing on his gadget, satisfied. I, on the other hand, felt an unnerving feeling growing in the pit of my stomach.

Before I went to hunt down Danny during lunchtime, I decided to stop by the bathroom. I don't know why I did it, I didn't even have to pee or anything like that.

I never went in the school bathrooms anymore, unless I absolutely had to for the sake of puberty. I recall getting shoved into the wall by Paulina one time because I was taking up too much "background space" in the mirror while she was touching up her makeup. Another time, a group of girls turned off the lights and locked me in there. They weren't pretty smart since I just turned the lights back on and climbed out the window, but still, it sucked.

So since those incidents I've decided to swear off all forms of education facilities' public restrooms. They were never worth it. But now, I've broken my own safety rule and stood in the bathroom. No one else was in there, thank the guns of Plasmius.

I stood in front of the mirror, slowly looking myself up and down, particularly my face. I'd start at the top of my head, where my black ponytail was. I briefly looked at my bangs and how they hung over my forehead. I've thought about investing in a headband before, Valerie has one. My parents would be happy that I finally moved my hair out of my face. Then again, headbands are tacky.

My eyes then made contact with themselves through the reflection. I hadn't noticed much before, but they were kinda cool. It wasn't every day that you saw a girl with purple eyes. When I was younger, other kids would make fun of me. They'd call me a freak or an alien. Now, I'd embrace it, but back then it had bothered me so much. I don't even know why. I hated thinking of my younger self, who cared so much of what everyone thought.

I couldn't stop thinking about Danny as well. Maybe I cared about what he thought. That's weird. Danny Fenton, of all people, would be the one to make me check myself in the mirror.

I grimaced at myself. The rest of my face was pretty plain. My nose didn't stand out, nor did my lips or chin. Did anyone even care about what a chin looked like? I subconsciously rubbed my chin.

I couldn't stand to look in the mirror anymore. I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes.

I ducked out of the bathroom before anyone else could come in. I didn't want to risk being cornered in.

I took my time wandering through the halls, even though I knew exactly where I was going. I didn't know what I was going to say to Danny. I was not planning on confessing some undeniable love for him, that wasn't me.

I figured that I wouldn't overthink it too much. One thing I had to get across was that Tucker and I were not dating. Based on my conversation with Valerie earlier, I'm pretty that someone had heard the completely false rumor. I didn't want to think of where it came from, but I had a feeling Danny couldn't help but tell that certain girl.

I cut that thought from my head. I was not going to get mad at Danny once again. I was just going to apologize and clear the air.

Even though my heart was racing by the time I reached the cafeteria, I felt confident. Nervous, but confident. Was that even possible?

I scoped Danny out through the lunch tables, but I didn't see him at any of them. I stepped outside to look through the picnic tables. Again, I did not see Danny.

I decided to round the outside of the building before I could make the decision to go back inside. I heard a couple of voices around the corner on the side of the building not many people came from. Right away a recognized one of them as Danny's, even though I couldn't understand what exactly he and the other person were saying.

Remember how I said I was confident? I don't. All of that was erased from existence when I saw Danny Freakin Phantom sitting down and talking to Valerie Freakin Gray.

Let me clarify something: Danny Phantom, white haired dead boy, was sitting with Valerie, white haired dead boy hunter. They hated each other.

Now, the two sat side by side, leaning up against the brick wall of the building. What really killed me, other than how content the two looked with each other, was how her hand rested casually on his knee.

I was suddenly embarrassed for walking in on the two, even though neither of them noticed me. I was in a spot that I wasn't't welcomed to. I was an intruder. I spun on my heels, and walked away as fast as I could.

Something wasn't right there. It was supposed to be Danny, Tucker and I disconnected from the rest of the world, especially when he was in ghost form. The three of us together. Not the two of them.

As I walked back through the picnic table and the cafeteria, I noticed that I was the only person walking without a friend. I felt very lonely. It sucked. I didn't want to be alone, I wanted to find Tucker.

I felt real sore about myself as I left the lunch room. I was so wrong about everything. Even if I did apologize to Danny, we would never be close again. Phantom had Valerie just as much as Fenton did now. Me? I'm just the friend. It was dumb to even have hope that Danny would possibly like me. My eyes aren't that special.

The classrooms passed me like a blur. I was only looking for the computer lab, that's the only other place I could think for Tucker to be.

When I turned into the room, I spotted Tucker in the back. He was sitting with Mikey, gushing over whatever was on the screen. Nerds of a feather flock together.

I walked up behind the two. Tucker spotted me first. I faked a smile at him, even though he could see right through it. "Hi, Sam," he looked at me concerned.

"Bye, Mikey," I said in a sickly sweet tone. Mikey pushed his glasses up higher on his nose. I watched as he scurried out of his seat and from the room. I've never done anything to the kid before, but for some reason he found me intimidating.

The second Tucker and I were alone, something inside of me snapped. I couldn't help but suddenly let go of the self control that I've been holding onto. This was really going to hurt my pride.

I brought my hands up to my face the second my vision went blurry with tears. My lips pressed tightly together, preventing any whimpers from coming out. I didn't like the feeling of the uncontrollable quiver of my bottom lip.

"Sam," the sound of Tucker's voice only made more tears rush from my eyes. I felt like a broken sink, leaking all over the place. That sounded kinda gross.

Tucker grabbed my wrists, pulling my hands away from my face. I straightened my head up to look at him. Tucker's eyes were wide. Between our moment of silence, save for my sniffling, I heard him gulp unsurely.

Tucker had never seen me cry before. I guess there's a first time for everything. I must've looked ridiculous to him, based on how surprised his stare was.

I leaned forward to place my forehead on his shoulder. Tucker awkwardly patted the back of my head, as if I was a dog. I'm very aware that my techno geek friend isn't the best when it comes to comforting people.

"Sam," he repeated, "what happened? Did you talk to Danny?"

My chest ached at the sound of his name. I only shook my head.

Tucker pulled me back my the shoulders. He didn't move his grip as he looked me in the eyes with his brows furrowed. "You didn't? I thought that's what you went to do."

I shook my head again. "I looked for him," I forced out. It was hard to breathe, making it harder to speak. I don't know why crying took the breath out of me. "Phantom," my voice broke on the last syllable.

Tucker twitched slightly at this. "What about Phantom?" he pressed. I'm somewhat impressed that Tucker wasn't impatient with me, yet.

I gulped deeply. Still crying, I mustered up enough to speak more than a couple words. "I saw him, as Phantom," my voice was at least two octaves higher, on the verge of breaking again. "I don't know why he was like that, but then he was with Valerie. Valerie. Normal Valerie too, not the geared up, psychopathic, ghost hunter version." A new flow of tears ran down my cheeks. What I hated about crying was that once you started, you couldn't just flip a switch and stop when you wanted to.

Tucker finally retracted his hands from me, "Valerie?" I nodded my head slowly. "That makes no sense," Tucker said out loud, trying to straighten out his thoughts. "Danny wouldn't tell anyone about Phantom, even Jazz. Valerie hates phantom, too. That doesn't make any sense."

"Yeah well I saw the two cuddling up a storm," I said almost bitterly. "They were sitting practically on top of one another, and her hand was just on his knee," maybe I was exaggerating a bit. The knee thing didn't sound like such a big deal when I said it out loud but it still stung to think about.

"That doesn't make any sense," Tucker distantly repeated.

"And to think I was going to apologize to him," I laughed humorlessly. I felt ridiculous, crying while talking about a boy. I really have fallen. "I thought that I would just tell him the truth and forget all of the crap that happened since last week."

Tucker opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off, "Then maybe something good could've happened." I now understood that whole word vomit thing, gross. Really though, I couldn't shut up. "Maybe he would've stopped talking to Valerie. Maybe he would stop being so clueless and see me, you know?"

"Sam-"

"Everything could go back to normal, except be better, no, more than better. All those tauntings of Danny and his goth-freak girl wouldn't be so much a joke anymore."

"Sam-"

"Neither of us would care about them either because we would be happy. I should've apologized earlier. I shouldn't have lied. I could've said sorry and told Danny that I-"

"Sam!" Tucker yelled in my face.

I had to stop ignoring him repeatedly saying my name over and over. "What?" I wondered, not understand what was so important.

Tucker didn't say anything then. He kept glancing frantically between me and something over my shoulder. I turned around to face the front of the room and where the doorway was. My eyes widened when I saw Danny leaning against the frame with an unreadable expression. His eyes were clouded over and mouth wasn't turned in a smile or a frown.

To my horror, it had to be Danny of all people. Had he seen me earlier and followed me here? I didn't know how much he had heard nor did I want to know. Danny wouldn't move from his place. No one uttered a word.

I finally looked down towards my hands, not bearing to look at him any more. "Go away," I muttered, my voice breaking. It was like rubbing salt on my wounds. I didn't want Danny to know that I was crying over him, even though it was as obvious as it would be if I held up a big sign stating so.

I looked up again, to find that Danny was gone. I sighed in relief. Tucker, my dear, emotionally awkward friend held out his arm. I leaned into him, crying on his shoulder. I felt thankful for Tucker.

"How much did he hear?" my words were muffled by the fabric of his shirt.

"Everything after 'clueless'," Tucker stated as a matter of fact. He didn't sound anywhere near as upset as I was.

"Do you think he knows?" I pulled away from Tucker to look at him. Danny had Valerie, I didn't want him to know now. It was too late now. Him knowing would just make things even more complicated, if that was even possible.

Tucker cracked a grin at me, "He's clueless right?" What a wise guy.