Chapter 25:

The meeting is tomorrow…

Dani POV-

I got dressed for school as slowly as I could, hoping that Tony, and more importantly, Pepper, would change their minds about me having to attend school these next to days. So far, every ounce of begging I had poured into my argument wasn't working.

Unfortunately, in my absentminded anxiety, I had gotten myself completely ready for school much more quickly than I had hoped.

I trudged down the hallway. Pepper stood by the front door, arms crossed, and giving me a look of slight irritation for my procrastination about the school day. Tucker and Tony sat on the couch, being the only other ones up at this hour (a fact that Tony did not look too happy about). I sighed internally, wishing that I could be sleeping too.

"Do I really have to go," I whined, attempting the puppy dog eye trick one last time.

"Yes," they all said in unison. I glared at Tucker as if to say, "Thanks soo much for backing me up," he seemed ignorant of my glare and continued to fiddle with something on his PDA.

"I don't see what the big deal is, Vlad is only flying in today, none of us even have to see him yet," Pepper stated. Of course, we were still keeping up the charade around her so I couldn't disclose my fears that he would try something while I was at school.

I groaned and grabbed my backpack off of the countertop, walking towards the door. Pepper walked outside, and probably already got into the car. About half way to the door, I stubbornly planted my feet and refused to budge. Every time Tucker or Tony attempted to push me or pick me up from my spot, I simply turned intangible. Tony sighed in exasperation, just seconds away from cracking, I could feel it, that is, until Tucker opened his big mouth.

"Danielle," he sighed, "Vlad knows everything that goes on in our lives. I'm sure he has been keeping tabs on your grades and absences, so if you miss today, it will tip him off that something might be up, and it could ruin the plan."

I glared at him again, not wanting to obey, but knowing that he was right.

"Fine," I surrendered reluctantly after a few seconds, stomping out of the house and to the car, slamming the front door behind me.

…

[Lunch time]

I drummed my fingers lightly on the faux wood table, still unable to get over my anxiety from earlier in the day. My ghost sense had been going off at random points all day, but I had been warned by both Danny and Tony to ignore it, just in case it was some kind of trap. Even knowing this, it still did not help my anxiety at all. The only reassurance I got, was that Danny is sitting in Tony's house right now, fighting the same urge I have to go suck whatever ghost it was into a Fenton thermos.

Zeke shot me several concerned looks but, for whatever reason, decided it best not to ask what was wrong. I was grateful to him for not questioning me. Issa, on the other hand, did not posses the same tact that he has.

After the third time I accidentally kicked her leg while fidgeting in my seat, she slammed the palms of her hands on the table and demanded to know what was up. I raised an eyebrow at her. It took a few seconds for her to recognize what I meant as a look of realization appeared on her face, and she immediately changed the subject.

"So, am I coming home with you today?" she asked, relaxing back into her seat.

"So your not practicing for your dance recital anymore?" I wondered.

"Nope," she shook her head, "The recital was last night, thank God. I'm glad I don't have to worry about it anymore. So was that a yes?"

"Yeah, sounds good. You should meet my cousin anyway," I nodded, nonchalantly, trying to play it off like I was fine. Of course, the only two who bought it were Alec and Jesse, and Alec was so wrapped up in his Pokémon game on his old Gameboy, that I wouldn't be surprised if he believed me if I said that I decided to take a job training polka dot elephants.

"So is your cousin cute?" Issa asked suddenly, and I practically choked on my mystery meat.

"Um…I'm not sure I can really answer that, considering he's my cousin, but he looks a lot like me," I shrugged. Issa pondered this for a moment, and Zeke looked like he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself and turned back to the untouched slop on his plate. I briefly wondered what he might have been about to say, and debated on asking him, but I soon realized that it probably wasn't worth it anyway and continued eating.

…

We rode home together and Pepper kept giving me concerned looks. I felt bad for keeping her out of the loop, but knowing her, she would worry way too much if she knew what was going on, so instead, I gave her a fake reassuring smile. She reluctantly accepted it, mostly because she didn't have much choice, probably figuring that since we haven't told her what has been going on yet, we probably won't.

Issa and I walked into the house and saw that Tony, Sam, Tucker, and Danny were all standing around the hardly-used dining room table studying something, which I figured was probably schematics or something. Whatever was on the paper was abruptly shoved under the table as soon as the front door open, another precaution to keep Pepper as out of the loop as possible.

"Hey guys," I grinned walking up to the table, "This is Issa. Issa this is Tucker, Sam and Danny."

They all lifted a hand to halfheartedly wave to her as they were each introduced.

Issa nodded, taking in there faces and turned to Danny.

"Wow, Danielle was right. You two really do look alike."