Hello! Thanks to my reviewers!
Galateagirl, RainRaven, Slayer of Souls, ROLOGIRL500, Master of Procrastination, Frodo01228, Sam-n-Danny1, SHADOW ANGUS, littlekittykat, Fantastic Bouncy Girl
I don't have any notes for once, ha ha, so on with the story. This is a fairly long chapter, but I think you'll enjoy it!
Disclaimer:
Danny Phantom is owned by Butch Hartman and Nickelodeon Studios.
"Rockafellar Skank" is owned by Fatboy Slim.
"Kryptonite" is owned by 3 Doors Down.
"Fall To Pieces" is owned by Avril Lavigne.
"Don't Funk With My Heart," is owned by Black Eyed Peas.
"Gotta Get Thru This" is owned by Daniel Bedingfield.
Chapter Seven
Tucker:
Part Two
Forgetting all I'm lacking…completely incomplete
"French fries, French fries," Danny said excitedly as he sat down in the booth next to Sam.
"With chili and cheese," Valerie agreed.
"Oh, now I'm going to eat it," Sam said sarcastically.
"We can get the chili on the side Miss Picky," Danny said. I sat down next to Valerie at the table and shook my head, listening to them bicker again.
"Cheese is still dairy you idiot. Potatoes would have been fine, but no…now you've grossed me out," she said, turning up her nose.
"Whatever," he said. He shook his head and muttered, "vegetarians."
She smacked the back of his head in retaliation and then gasped. "I'm sorry, I forgot about your head."
"Yeah, obviously," he said, blinking several times. She hit him on the arm hard and he stared at her. "What? I didn't do anything."
"That was for being a smart allec, when I was trying to apologize," she told him with a triumphant look. "And now I feel better."
"How is your head?" Valerie asked after a laugh.
"I'm actually fine," he said. (Sam said, "See?" to prove her point) "I had a few pills to take the pain away so…"
"Is that why you're so hyper?" I asked. Medicine had strange effects on Danny. Whenever he took pills that usually made a person drowsy or tired, he would become completely wired instead, and vice versa with the hyperactivity ones.
"I think I'm fairly calm actually," he said.
"Dude, your eyes are like twice their normal size," I told him.
Sam and Valerie seemed to notice this as well. Valerie laughed. "Danny on drugs, this should be interesting."
"Hey, that's not funny," he said seriously.
"I thought it was," Sam said.
He looked at her. "Of course you did. You're a girl."
"What is that supposed to mean? Is that some sort of sexist joke?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No…no," he stammered. He blinked several times. "Why do you people turn the things I say around all the time?"
"Because by the time it gets to your brain, it's been altered to a point too confusing to most humans," I replied.
Valerie and Sam laughed and Danny gave me a look as if to say, "I thought you were on my side."
For a minute, it was quiet because we were all looking at the menus. I, however, did not particularly care for silence.
"So, after our spectacular meal, we head to Skateland, and both movies start at nine. That's the plan, right?" I asked them.
"Sounds good," Valerie and Danny said together, still staring at their menus.
"Yeah," Sam said at the same time.
The waitress came over and we took a moment to order our food. I, of course, ordered the appetizer (which we ended up getting the cheese and chili together, but on the side of our fries because Danny just happened to finally agree with Sam of course) and a bacon steakburger.
"Hey, you guys, you wouldn't believe what I found in this today," Valerie said suddenly, grabbing a magazine. She flipped through to the back and opened it up, setting it down on the table.
"Do you bring that with you all the time?" Sam asked.
I looked up, hearing suspicion and slight annoyance in her tone. Annoyance, I knew was because Sam was the type that would only read rock magazines and Goth stuff. Suspicion…I wasn't sure about yet…
"Yeah," Valerie replied calmly. "But I found this quiz. What do you say, will you guys take it?" She looked all around at the three of us.
I raised an eyebrow. "You want us, (I referred to Danny and myself of course) to take a girl quiz?"
She glared at me and I knew she was trying to see what Danny and Sam's answers would be most likely. But then she changed her face. "Why not? You two are the perfect candidates."
Sam burst into laughter and the two girls high fived.
For a second, I was more amazed at the fact that they had just done that then the actual burn I had just received. They also seemed to notice this as well and looked away from each other awkwardly.
"What was that for?" Danny asked, breaking the ice.
"Because, the look on your faces was priceless," Sam said.
"So do you guys want to take the quiz or not?" Valerie asked, giggling.
"Sure," Danny replied.
I shrugged. "Go for it."
"Okay, question one; when he sees you looking your best, he A) tells you, B) tries to undress you with his eyes, or C) stands there and stares. This one is for Sam."
"Um…" she said. I saw her eyes just barely move towards Danny but the other two didn't. I knew she was trying to figure out how to answer without being completely obvious THAT SHE LIKED HIM.
The fact was, the answer was C and we all knew it, even Danny. Because Valerie had actually convinced Sam to dress up without trying to. She was wearing a silk tank top turtleneck and black pants with a purple belt and earrings and her usual choker and boots. Not much different, but she'd also put on some silver and purple makeup and she looked very differently facially. Which of course…Danny had noticed. He'd been mid-sentence when we'd first met up with them around five at the restaurant and had gone completely mind blank.
"C," she said nervously. Her cheeks had gone a bright shade of red and she fanned herself off with the menu. I was proud of her; Danny didn't seem to notice that or didn't want to make her more nervous.
"Okay," she said. "Here, this next one can be answered by all of us. When your date kisses you, they A) are total goofs about it and stammer, B) get scared that your parents will come out and beat them with a bat, (Danny laughed at this one) C) do it short and sweet, and/or passionately or D) don't make it good at all." She glanced all around.
"That's really hard actually," Sam said.
"Well, you've kissed Danny, what was it like?" she asked. We didn't notice anything, but she gave a small gasp. "I mean, surely you've kissed, right?"
I was confused and then I remembered. Valerie had been the ghost hunter when she'd seen Danny and Sam kiss for the first time in their fakeout makeout.
Sam and Danny exchanged glances.
"A," they finally agreed. They both looked away and I bit back a laugh.
"C," I replied, licking my lips.
Valerie snorted, shaking her head. What? I could dream too. "Question 3; it's DVD night. The two of you; A) naturally stroll over to the same section and zero in on the same movie, B) argue about which rental place had the best selection, C) Divide and conquer—one of you picks a comedy, the other a slasher flick."
"C," Danny and Sam said together.
"I don't know," I told her. "Why don't you just let them do it since you've already taken it?" My two best friends still didn't look at each other.
"Actually, the next one can be for us," she said. "Question four; The main reason other couples like to double date with you guys is; A) You always keep things lively with your entertaining conversations, B) They feel romantic just being around you, or C) You like doing lots of different things."
"Hmm…can we do all three?" I asked, thinking that was all true.
"Nope, it's on a point scale thing," she said, seeming to have the same problem as I was. "I'm guessing A."
"Fine then, I'll choose C," I answered.
"Question five." She suddenly started laughing. "When you go out to dinner; A) You get two different dishes and share, B) You get into a vegetarian versus carnivore debate, or C) you're both in the mood for the same meal—appetizer through dessert."
"B," we all said together.
Valerie was cracking up. "Okay, last question. Your relationship works because…A) you don't let your other half get away with anything, B) You like each other not only romantically but also as friends, C) you see eye to eye on everything."
"B," both of them said together.
This was a surprise. I'd at least expect Sam to say A, and Danny not to answer at all. I caught his eye, questionably and he swallowed and looked away. NO WAY.
It couldn't be possibly working already. Could Danny Fenton…my best friend and clueless wonder, slowly already be falling for Sam, who's liked him forever but can't admit her feelings? I repeat…NO WAY.
This night was going to be interesting…
……………………………………
"As graceful as Danny is, I'm astounded that he can skate," Valerie said.
It was a few hours later and we were at Skateland, standing at the edge of the skating rink, listening to music while Danny and Sam played.
They'd warmed up of course, claiming that all in all, it was totally fair, but they were starting to pick up speed. I watched, shaking my head.
My best friends had this thing. A competition sort of; it was how they tested each other out. I never understood it of course. But they'd always race anytime they came here. The thing was, Sam had won of course. Until the past few months…when Danny had equipped his ghostly power and had gotten a bit faster. So, now he was starting to win. Sam did not like this.
And it was absolutely great.
"If I go crazy then will you still call me superman? If I'm alive and well will you be there holding my hand? I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might…kryptonite."
Valerie and I were still standing there. I wasn't sure if she wanted to skate or not. She kept shuffling her feet back and forth, watching. There weren't many people here, but at least fifteen, plus us.
The whole skating rink was dark, the only light being from the snack bar and the DJ's corner. But there were ultraviolet lights and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling that sent multi—colored prisms of light everywhere.
I glanced at Valerie, and her face was centered right on Danny and Sam, who were skating around in circles, racing each other. That's when I got it.
"You still like him, don't you?" I asked, realizing that there was the possible chance that I could be very injured for saying this.
"What?" she exclaimed, looking at me incredulously. Her cheeks had gotten very red though.
"You heard me," I challenged. She didn't say anything and I sighed. "If you still like him…why are you trying to put him and Sam together?"
"I don't know…guilt I guess," she replied.
I was shocked she was being honest with me, but I was confused. "Guilt? About what?"
"Breaking up with him like that," she said, looking downcast. "It wasn't fair. I wanted to set things right again and give him someone better."
"Oh…" For once, I didn't have anything to say to that. Oh, if only she knew…Then again, if she did know, neither of us would be here right now, that was for certain.
"I mean…is this a good idea?" she asked.
"It's kind of late to be asking that, don't you think?" I teased.
"You're right. He'll be happy with Sam. And she'll be happy with Danny," she said. She actually sounded like she was convinced and I let it go.
"Want to go a few rounds?" I asked.
"Sure," she replied. We started skating, not necessarily slow, but not wickedly fast either. I was trying to break the icy silence.
"Want to see if later we can get Danny to play truth or dare?" I joked.
"What would be worse is if we asked him to play freeze out," she said, laughing.
"I heard that!" Danny said as he zoomed by. He spun around and nearly crashed into Sam, coming from the other direction.
"Oh, no, no, no…don't funk with my heart…I wonder if I take you home, would you still be in love baby, in love baby…"
Valerie burst into laughter. "I was just kidding."
"Whatever," he said.
"Come on, let's all race, I'm bored," Sam said.
"That's because I'm kicking your--" he began.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," she said. "Come on, please?"
"We get the head start," I told her. "Cause you two have been doing stuff non stop." It took them both a moment to figure out what I'd said, but by then, I'd prepared myself to duck, especially from Sam.
"Oh, jeeze, let's just go…" Valerie urged. "Ready…"
"Go!" Sam shouted.
"Oh, no, no, no, don't funk with my heart…oh, no, no, no, don't funk with my heart…"
I spun around the rink, following my three friends. I wasn't really competitive and right now, I was watching them more than trying to win.
Sam and Danny were neck in neck, but Valerie wasn't far behind. I'm sure with her abilities, she'd catch up to them though.
But that's when I heard….
"Danny, you act like you have wings. Since when have you been able to fly?" Valerie teased unknowingly.
Her statement must have really struck something because in the next moment, he was sliding on the ground, crashing hard into Sam, who landed straight on top of him.
I cringed. Well, that had to hurt.
"Are you guys okay?" Valerie asked, skating back.
"Not necessarily…" Danny grumbled.
"Ow..." Sam muttered, stretched out across his stomach. She did that neck pop thing that I hated and I shivered. How could someone possibly make that noise and not snap their freaking neck? "Since when did this turn into a "if I fall you're going down with me," story?" She got up off of him and held out her hand to help him up.
"Bet that helps your head," Valerie said. "Really, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, blinking several times. "Sorry."
"Did I say something?" Valerie asked.
Sam and Danny exchanged glances, then looked at me. I shrugged. "Doubt it," she said. "Danny's just a walking death trap sometimes."
"Sorry," he said again. "I must have rolled over something."
"You mean the floor?" she challenged. Danny and I both knew that she was getting the subject off track and she didn't really mean…some of it.
"Uh huh…" he said.
"I gotta get through this, I gotta get through this, I gotta make it, gonna make, gonna make it through, I'm gotta get through this, I gotta get through this, I gotta take my, gotta take my mind off you…"
"You guys hungry?" I asked.
"We just had dinner," Valerie said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, they have shakes here," Danny said.
"Chocolate cherry shakes," Sam said, licking her lips. "But there's no way that they would have that here."
"We could see," he said.
"Danny, could I talk to you a minute?" Valerie interrupted. "Skate with me…"
He looked at her warily at first, but then nodded. "Okay."
As they skated away, I noticed that Sam looked slightly jealous. Ah, clueless…
"Sam, he'll be back," I teased.
She glared at me. "I'm well aware of that." She skated closer to me. "So…what are you and Val up to?"
"Nothing," I lied, trying to make it sound convincing.
"Nothing," she said skeptically. "I don't think you've ever done nothing in your whole life."
"Uh huh," I said. "We're just…enjoying some fun time."
"You told her, didn't you? That's why she keeps insisting that this is a date," she suddenly said angrily.
"Hey, relax. I didn't say anything." At least that was…okay, none of it was honest.
"What did you tell her?" she demanded.
"Nothing she didn't already know Sam," I said truthfully.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"Sam…it's nothing okay? We're not doing anything."
She bit her lip, her eyes narrowing, but sighed. "If something happens…"
"What could possibly happen?" I asked her.
She hadn't figured it out yet. It was clear on her face. "Just…I know that you know some things…about my… Look, it doesn't matter, okay? Just don't tell her anything...got it?"
"Got it," I said. Oh, this was going to be a lovely little karma twist. Then again, maybe I'd get off better if it worked.
Valerie and Danny skated back over to us. She sighed. "Okay, my ankles hurt already, so, I'm going to go relax," she said. "What about you?"
"When your love is pouring like the rain, I close my eyes and through a glass's gone again, when will I get the, chance to say I love you?...I pretend that you're already mine, then my heart ain't breaking every time, I look into your eyes…"
"Nah, I'm going to skate for a little bit longer," Danny said.
"Me too," Sam agreed. "I can still take you."
"Try me. I'll even give you a ten second head start."
"I don't need head starts," she said, already skating.
"Hey! Cheater!" he cried, chasing after her.
Valerie laughed and we skated (much slower) back over to the corner. "He is fast," she said.
"Yeah…" I said uneasily. I wasn't good at the whole subject change thing…
"So…why are they clueless?" she asked. "Don't they get it?"
I laughed, wondering when she was going to ask that."It's just something they do because they're completely oblivious to the fact that they're both strangely in love," I said, shaking my head as I watched them.
"Yeah, really," Valerie agreed. She glanced up at the disco ball on the ceiling of the main floor. I didn't realize she must have just been listening to something I wasn't. "Hey, I haven't heard this song since She's All That." I listened to the song and recognized it immediately.
"Right about now…the funk soul brother…check it out now…the funk soul brother…right about now…the funk soul brother…check it out now…"
"Cool song," Valerie said, beating her foot to the beat.
She had no idea what this meant. I stood up, watching Danny and Sam and grinned. "Hey, Val…want to see a show?"
"A show?" Valerie asked excitedly. "What do you mean?"
"Let's just say...the movie title you just said, was pretty correct. Those two have seen the dance scene in She's All That, way too much…" I grinned again and her eyes brightened, switching towards the rink.
"Check it out now…the funk soul brother…" The music began to warp—and my best friends began to dance.
Back. Front. Spin around. I'd seen them do it before all the time when the watched the movie. And they'd watched that movie until they'd memorized all the moves.
"Oh…wow…" Valerie gasped. She shook her head, never leaving them as they swung their arms back in nearly identical motions, standing in front of each other for mirror moves. "And they don't realize how incredibly perfect they are for each other?"
"Clueless," I said.
"Danny hasn't tripped once. That's surprising," she said with a laugh. "I didn't think he'd be the type to dance in front of a lot of people either."
I raised my eyebrows. "That's because he doesn't. He also doesn't realize…how many people are watching…"
She looked around, seeing what I was seeing, which was everyone, who was clapping along with the beat, watching both Danny and Sam, who weren't exactly in the middle, but near enough. They were completely in…their own world.
"Check it out now…the funk soul brother, right about now…"
……………………………….
"And you couldn't have possibly found time to mention that everyone was staring at me!" Danny said a few minutes later after the song had ended and everyone had cheered.
We all laughed. "You know," I told him. "They weren't just watching you."
He glared at me. "I know that…but I…"
"You are just shy and you did perfectly fine realizing that no one was watching you," Sam cut him off by saying. "It was fun, wasn't it?"
"Yeah…I just didn't want everyone watching," he said, his cheeks very red.
"Oh, it was fun," Valerie said. "Movie time!"
"I looked away, then I look back at you. You try to say, the things that you can't undo. If I had my way, I'd never get over you…Today's the day, I pray that we make it through. Make it through the fall. Make it through it all."
"One last dance?" Sam asked, tugging on Danny's arm. "I really like this song."
"Sure," he said.
"So…" Valerie said, watching them. "It seems to be working."
"Nah," I told her. "They've danced together before, it's nothing new."
"Oh," she said. "Well, I have a few more plans. What about you?"
I had a problem, but one that couldn't possibly involve Valerie. Because I knew of one itty bitty complication that would have to be stopped. Paulina and Danny Phantom. And then there was trying to keep it secret… That was getting harder, especially since Sam was really suspicious.
"I think we need some reinforcements," I told her.
"Paulina?" Valerie asked.
I just stared at her. "Yes…Valerie, that will work out so well when Sam decides to shoot her."
"Well, she helped me out with a lot of things…"
"What kind of things?" I asked, feeling my eyes widen.
"Just…you know, date things. The perfect romance and stuff," she said. "And I think they can really help."
"They?" I exclaimed.
"Well, Dash for one…but he's not really going to be involved with anything that important…" She trailed off.
"And who else?"
"I talked to someone after school and she's really eager to help," she said. "And she has some really good insight view stuff."
"You don't mean…"
"Jazz," she replied.
Oh…no… I was going to die early
Hee hee, so Jazz is in the mix now…ha ha! I'm trying to update as many as I can today, but last night did not want to work out right for me, so this may or may not be the only update for today.
Please R&R! Here's your sneak peek!
Chapter Eight: Jazz: Part One
"It's just a bunch of letters," he told me, looking at me like I was crazy. Which, I was so not. I knew what it would do.
"But, it's a game…Just put them on the fridge…but do it discreetly. And it'll work I promise," I said.
"What game?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You'll see," I said, grinning.
Today's Updates: Hanging By A Moment, A Cross Between Crimes, Extremities; Unfortunately, this weekend I was very busy both days, and didn't have as much time as I would have liked to finish all the updates I had planned out for the week. So, instead of giving days, I'm just going to say that these will all be updated some time throughout the week.
Infinity, Insight View, Eternally Yours, Show And Tell, A Cross Between Crimes, Grease Remix, Sunshine Circle, Extremities, Time Of Your Life, Wherever You Will Go, If You're Not The One, Even In Death, Hanging By A Moment, Worthy, Virtuality, The Spirit Room, Adjustment, Dare You To Move, Chosen, Right Here/NEW: Sorry, Trinity, (Not certain) What Ifs, Savin Me
The best thing is, if this gives you any good perceptions that I might actually get them updated, is I don't have any extra curricular activities going on right now anymore and most of them I already have started the new chapters of. So, I should get them all up. Maybe more, you never know! Coming soon!
Lateraina Wolf