Chapter 14: Learning Something New

Danielle groaned in frustration as she made her way to the cafeteria, sack lunch in hand as she rubbed her left temple, trying to massage the massive headache she had away. Ever since her first period, her day had been filled with nothing but constant annoyances. People were constantly asking her questions about her ghost powers, about Danny and everything else that came with being half dead. Her patience, though slightly better today than had been on any other average day, had become wire thin, and Danielle was ready to just start blasting any and everything else that seemed to annoy her. Especially people.

'Why couldn't I end up like all the new kids you see on TV? Alone, avoided and awkward until the one person talks to them and ends up being her friend. That didn't seem all that great this morning, but now I'd die for it….and I really hate when I make undead puns to myself!' She thought to herself as she approached the cafeteria and could already hear the loud sounds of student chatter. After the constant attention she seemed to have been getting, when the lunch bell rang, Danielle made a quick, quiet, invisible trip to the bathroom where she hid until the sounds of the hall way quiet once more and the lunch bell had rung again, notifying her that everyone was now eating.

Danielle stopped at the door as her enhanced ghost hearing kicked in, and she heard what sounded like an argument.

"There's no way she's gonna sit with you. You guys are losers!" a boy yelled.

"Look who's talking! You guys are the ones always playing those stupid card games during free time!" She heard a girl yell back. "Why would someone cool like Danny Phantom's cousin wanna sit with you dorks?"

Danielle's mouth dropped open in shock and disbelief. They were fighting over her. Over who she was going to sit with.

"Ha! You don't even know her name! Why would she wanna sit with someone who can't even remember her name?" the boy retaliated back.

Danielle groaned as her headache started coming back worse than ever. Why did everything have to be so complicated for her?

"Probably because Dad had to be stupid and let Mom talk him into going to the ghost portal," Danielle mumbled to herself. "There's no way I can go in there. Everybody's gonna want me to sit with them like some prize trophy or something. I'll never get a moments peace to actually get to eat my lunch. And If one more nerd proposes to me…" she growled as her free hand started to glow with energy. "Screw it. I'm eating outside."

Without any hesitation, she transformed into her ghost form and turned intangible before flying threw the opposite wall and into the school yard which, fortunately for her, was empty. Letting out a sigh of relief, Danielle quickly located a nearby tree that she could sit in, and lowered herself onto an empty branch. Once situated comfortably, she opened the brown bag that held her lunch and pulled out a note.

"Hope you're having a good first day. Your aunt and I packed your favorite sandwich and chips for you, and bought your favorite brand of juice. Lots of love, Grandma," Danielle said with a smile as she read the note out loud. "P.S., I made you a special batch of cookies, and snuck a few in the bag. Just don't tell your mom and dad. Love you, Aunt Jazz."

"Unless, of course, one of them happens to have ghost powers that they just so happened to use during their lunch period, and just so happens to find out."

Danielle smirked as she turned around to find her father floating behind her in all his ghostly glory.

"Well, if that were the case, that parent wouldn't have known about this because that would mean that parent was being an over-protective and nosey spy, which they know both their daughter and girlfriend don't like, especially after the last time they spied on one of them. That would obviously mean that they were here without the other parent knowing it. So if that person doesn't want to get in trouble too, they won't say anything about the cookies."

Danny laughed as he floated over to the branch and took a seat next to her, barely shaking the limb at all. "Well, that parent will keep this little incident from the other parent in exchange for a cookie."

"Deal," Danielle said with a smile as she shook hands with Danny and dug into the bag, pulling out two of the sweet confections, one for each of them. Without any hesitation, she ate the entire thing in one bite, dusting off her hands before turning back to him. "So where does Mom think you really are right now?"

"I told her I forgot my science homework at home and left to go get it."

"And what will happen if she finds out you were lying?"

"Actually, I wasn't," he said with a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his neck and pulled out his homework. "I guess I was so nervous and worried about you and your first day, I just completely spaced and left it on my desk. I figured I could check up on you on my way back, but when I saw you sitting out here by yourself, in a tree, I got worried," he said as he eyes filled with fatherly pride and a small smile graced his lips. Instinctively, his hand came up and moved a few strands of her snow white hair out of her face, a jester he'd often do to Sam.

"Daddy, stop. I'm fine, really," she said quietly with a small blush on her face. Although she often found his over-protectiveness annoying, she couldn't help but enjoy his fatherly jesters, and smiled a smile that a little girl smiles whenever she sees her father at him. Though in public she would, at times, deny such things, Danny knew she loved it, and loved how red her face would turn, which was all the proof her needed. "You're embarrassing me, and I don't think I really need any more attention on me around here."

"So. Why are you outside eating your lunch in a tree instead of in the cafeteria?"

"Because if I go in there, one of three things will happen. One, I could sit and have a nice peaceful lunch, which is definitely not going to happen. Two, everyone will sit and stare at me like I'm some celebrity that they all can't believe is really there. Again, not going to happen. And three, which will most definitely happen, is I'll go in there, get mobbed by everyone in there to sit at their tables, which will cause a mass fight to break out, and I won't get any peace at all, and I'll probably get proposed to again, and will make my already aching head explode, and I don't think I can take much more of everyone treating me like I'm some kind of goddess!" she shouted in exasperation as she continued to breath hard to regain her composure. Once she had calmed down, she noticed that Danny hadn't said a word. Turning to look at him, she was startled as his face suddenly went from calm and calculating to angry and almost beast like when his eyes seemed to flash a dark green color. "Da-daddy?"

"Who?" he said in a tone that was both dark and demanding.

"Wh-What?"

"Who? I want to know who it was that even had the NERVE to propose to you. If they think anyone is getting near you without my permission, they've got a very scary surprise in store!"

Danielle stared him in both shock and embarrassment.

"Are you serious!?" she shrieked at him. "After everything I've been through today, you're more concerned that a bunch of nerds want me to be their wife!?"

Danny paused for a moment before asking one very important question.

"How nerdy are we talking? Like, Tucker with his PDA on full tech mode nerdy, or Bookworm playing nerd poker while hiding from jocks, nerdy?"

"Sidney Poindexter nerdy," she said, her tone completely serious.

"Yikes. That is bad," he said, trying to hold back a laugh but failing.

"Shut up! Stop laughing!" Danielle shouted as she shoved him, her face burning red with embarrassment. As Danny continued to laugh, she growled, a warning he ignored. "Don't you have to get back to school!?"

"Yeah, I do," he said, finally gaining control over his laughter. "We'll be here to pick you up after school. Bye, Ellie." With a quick peck on the cheek and a wave, Danny bid her a goodbye and headed for his own school. Danielle grimaced as she wiped her cheek, still annoyed with his laughter.

"Ugh. This sucks. I wish there was some way to have fun around here," she said with a sad sigh. "I wish I had a friend and not a bunch of fans." 'Probably shouldn't say those words. Even with Desiree trapped in the Fenton Thermos.'

"Maybe I can help with that."

Danielle turned around, for the second time on that tree branch, and found none other than Captain Youngblood floating there.

"Jacob!" Danielle cheered happily as she grabbed him into a hug.

"Ew! Gross! Cooties!" he yelled as he pushed her away. "And I told you to never call me that. My name is Youngblood!"

Danielle, however, did not take too kindly to this.

"Jacob Aaron Jemerson, I will call you whatever I want," she said with her hands on her hips before a smile came to her face. "So what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he said as he tried to hide the embarrassment of being chastised by her.

"I go to school here. Today was my first day, and so far, it hasn't been all that great."

"I'll say. Who would wanna go to school?"

"Someone who doesn't want to become part of a pathetic pirate crew, like some people," Parrot said from his place on the young ghost captain's shoulder. Danielle laughed at the scowl on Youngblood's face as she patted the small bird on his head, a jester she knew he liked.

"Shut up! I be a great captain."

"Who can't remember half the pirate lingo."

"Ok, enough you two," she said. "Like I asked before, what are you doing here?"

"I came here looking for something to do and thought you might wanna join me. My sister's in a bad mood again. She's been like this for weeks! I figured now would be a good time to get away from her, so I went through Phantom's portal looking for you, but when you weren't anywhere around his house, I figured I'd wander around town for a while. I was flying over when I saw you guys talking, so I stayed back out of his range so he wouldn't know I was here and came down once he was gone."

"Wow. Your sister's pissed? Again? That's rough. You know, you never did introduce me to her. What was her name again?" she asked, taking a long sip on her juice threw the straw.

"Ember," he said nonchalantly.

Danielle's eyes grew large in surprise and horror as she quickly spat the juice from her mouth and choked on the remainder.

"Ember!? As in Ember McLain!?" she squeaked quietly.

"Uh, yeah. Remember I told you she and I bonded after the first time I came here to Amity, and we've been like brother and sister. But she's been going on this tangent lately about how mad she was at Phantom."

"Oh god! Oh crap!" Danielle said as she started pulling at her hair. "Oh crap! Oh God!"

"Dude, what's wrong with you? Why are you freaking out?"

"Jake, whatever you do, you cannot, I repeat, NOT tell Ember about us being friends!"

"What! Why not?" he asked, hurt by her words.

Danielle saw the hurt in his eyes and quickly back tracked in her words.

"It's nothing against you, Jake. The last time Ember was here, Danny and I…well…kinda…beat her and…I kinda insulted her. A lot."

"Oh…that's not good."

"I know. She's super mad and almost kicked my butt into a fiery oblivion."

"No not that," he said nervously.

"Then what?"

"This," A female voice said. Danielle turned around and was instantly blasted to the ground by a pink fist of energy. As she crashed into the ground, she couldn't help but wonder how much worse her already annoying headache could get. As she sat up and raised her hand to her head, she looked up and almost screamed in terror at the site of Ember McLain as she floated over her angrily, ponytail flaring up like an inferno. "So. You're the dipstick who was always hanging out with Youngblood. Figures. He would hang with a goody-goody like you."

"Danielle!" Youngblood said as he floated down to the ground next to her before floating between her and Ember. "Lay-off her, Em. She's my friend and really cool. So…just leave her alone, okay?" Ember's glare quickly turned onto him, making him flinch. "Wh-what are you doing here anyway?"

"Why do you think, dipstick? I figured you got yourself into some kind of trouble again and came looking for you," she said as she flew down to him, slinging her guitar back on her back and grabbed his ear, causing him to yelp in pain. "WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT NOT TELLING ME WHEN YOU WERE LEAVING!?"

"I'm sorry! I just…well…you were so mad about Phantom, and you were working on music. And I know you hate being disturbed when you're working on it, so…I…kinda…just left. I figured you wouldn't notice I was gone and I could just sneak back in."

"Oh, just wait until I get you back to the lair," she said before turning her attention back to Danielle who was still sitting in the small hole in the ground she made upon impact with the earth. "And as for you." Ember slowly lowered herself toward the ground, coming to eye level with the frightened Phantom who, in her fear forgot she was a ghost herself, flinched back a bit. "You'd better count yourself lucky that he's got a soft spot for you, or else you'd be barbeque by now." She gave her one last glare before turning back to Youngblood who was rubbing his ear from the pain. "Get moving, Jacob."

"Yes, ma'am," he said as he hung his head low at the commanding tone in her voice that clearly stated he was in massive trouble. As Ember floated past him, he quickly turned around and waved a goodbye to Danielle before floating after the angry Musician.

"Wait!" Danielle yelled as she floated out of the hole and grabbed both Ember and Youngblood's attention. "Does…does this mean you're not going to kill me and kick my butt into a fiery oblivion?"

Everyone stayed quiet as the two young ghosts stared at the teen, who hadn't said a word, making Danielle sweat a bit. Finally, much to Danielle's surprise, Ember smiled.

"Nah. If the kid likes you, then I guess you're not too bad, Baby-Dip," she said as she crossed her arms. "But you tell that Dipstick and little Ms. Babypop that they better stay on their toes." With a quick sinister grin, she departed with Youngblood following close behind.

Danielle blinked in confusion as she, ungracefully, fell from the short few feet she was in the air, to the ground, and unconsciously turned back to her human form. Her headache seemed to have disappeared, but she was still somewhat disoriented as she tried to wrap her head around what all just happened to her.

"I don't know what the hell just happened, but I know for a fact that NO NORMAL KID EVER HAS TO DEAL WITH THIS KINDA CRAP!" she yelled to herself as she stood up, dusting her clothes off of all dirt. "Maybe I'm finally being given a-"

As if on cue, the bell rang again, signaling the end of lunch. Danielle didn't even get a chance to move before hoards of students started moving about and heading to class, some heading outside to gym. Unfortunately for her, she was now in their path, and they all quickly took notice of her.

"Hey look! It's Danielle!" A boy said. Everyone cheered and ran towards her, all of them yelling questions and fighting for her attention.

"-break," she said before groaning and putting her head in her hands. She quickly picked up her lunch, which was miraculously still intact, and turned intangible, sinking into the ground.

The rest of the day went on like this with Danielle almost never having a moment of peace from all of the fans she never knew she had, and her trying to figure out how exactly she came out of that conversation with Ember without any real harm. By the time the end of the day came, Danielle was often seen twitching in irritation in her seat, and when the final bell rang, she out of the room and flying down the hall before her teacher even realize that the day was over, and many of the students she passed by were left with a case of windblown hair. Danielle sat impatiently in a tree as she watched everyone either catch the bus home or walk with their friends, and drummed her fingers as she looked across the area for any sign of her family. When they finally came into site, she nearly screamed with joy.

"Finally!" she said as she dropped out of the tree and ran up to them. "What took you guys so long!?"

"Well, hello to you too," Jazz said sarcastically at Danielle's behavior. Danielle rolled her eyes before turning back to her aunt.

"Hello. I'm sorry for being rude, but we really need to go. I've had the most exhausting day both mentally and physically that I've had since the last time I was melting, and really need to get home and get something to eat."

"Oh, Ellie," Sam said and she kneeled and pulled her daughter into a hug. "I'm sorry to hear that. Wanna tell us what happened?"

"Well, first, I got into a fight with Desiree that I would have lost if it wasn't for Dad coming to help. Then, because of Desiree, I had to show everyone that I not only hunt ghost, but also that I have ghost powers and that I'm afraid of snakes. Then, I was bombarded with questions about my life and about being a Phantom. I've been proposed to by WAY more nerds then I ever wanted to or expected to be. After that, I ran into and pissed off the popular kids by accident, and couldn't enter the cafeteria for lunch for fear of being mobbed to death by fans. Then, Youngblood came to visit me and then I was attacked by Ember who I found out is Youngblood's adopted sister, but apparently since I'm friends with him, I've been forever pardoned from her wrath. Once they left, I was about to eat my lunch, but the bell rang and I was almost mobbed, again. Not to mention that I've been holding my pee in for the last two hours because I can't even go to the bathroom in peace, and I have a headache so bad, I think my head might explode. So I'm sorry if I'm a little testy right now!" Danielle ranted as she explained her day. Once she had finished, her shoulder fell as she huffed and tried to catch her breath for the second time that day. Looking at her family, she wasn't surprised at all to see them all staring at her with wide eyes and mouths hanging wide open.

Jazz was the first to come out of her stupor, and shook her head in both worry and pity for her niece.

"On second thought, you can have the rest of those cookies I gave you when we get home. Anyone who's had a day like that and survived deserves them. I mean, that's a messed up day even for our family," she said as she walked over to Danielle and hugged her tightly. Danielle gladly accepted the hug, and relaxed into it a little as she felt somehow safer and more at peace with her family. Unfortunately, that peace didn't last too long either.

"Wait a minute, you gave her cookies for lunch, and didn't even ask us if it was ok?" Sam asked as she put her hands on her hips. "Jazz, we're trying to cut down on her sweets!"

"I know, Sam, but I was worried about her and didn't want her first day a school to be a bad one, and knew if I made her favorite batch of cookies, she could at least enjoy something."

"And in all fairness, Daddy knew when he came here to spy on me at lunch, and he bribed me into not telling you if I gave him one," Danielle said as an evil smirk came to her face.

"What!?" Sam said as she rounded on a now very nervous looking Danny. "Daniel James Fenton, you knew about this!?"

"What the heck, Danielle? We had a deal!" Danny said as he glared at his daughter but kept looking back at Sam who was now stomping toward him.

"Yeah, but since she knows about the cookies, there's really no point in me keeping quiet, and I figured if I was gonna get in trouble for it, it was only fair you did too," she said as she crossed her arms and continued to smirk at him. "You might want to run now."

Without a second thought, Danny quickly took off down the street with a very angry Sam following close behind as she yelled about how much trouble he was in.