"So Sam, what are you going to do?" Valerie asked. b (They're friends now, remember? You would if you read Characterizations) /b

"I'm going to sing."

"I didn't know you can sing!"

"Just like the rich thing, I don't want it waved around."

"Okay, so what are you singing?"

"Complicated,"

"By Avril Lavgine?"

"No, Carolyn Dawn Johnson." b (No ownership) /b

"Wow Sam, that's wierd."

"It'll be my way of telling."

"Ohhhhhh," Valerie said in a knowing way.

"Yeah, you want to grab a coffee?"

"Sure,"

b Danny's POV /b

"S'up Tucker."

"Hey Danny. I was talking to Sam last night and,"

"And?"

"And she's worried about you."

She's worried about me? Why would she worry about me? "Why?" I asked.

"She's worried about the talent show, and what you're doing. By the way, what are you doing?"

"Promise you won't tell?"

"Promise dude."

"Well, I'm singing, and playing guitar," I said quietly.

"Wow. I didn't know you could sing or play. What are you singing?"

"Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney. b (Don't own it. Don't own DP, stop asking) /b

"For Sam I assume?"

"Yeah, it'll be my way of telling her how I feel."

"Why not just tell her?"

"Because, I'm a wimp."

"Dude, you're not a wimp, you're just clueless."

"What is with it and people calling me clueless?!"

"Well dude, you are. Hey look! It's Sam and Valerie!" Tucker said. I knew he was trying to change the subject. I looked over and was surprised that Sam and Valerie had just walked in. We waved them over to our usual table in Le Cafe.

The place opened a few weeks before tenth grade started. We decided to check it out, and it's been our hangout since then. Then, when Valerie found out my secret, she joined us. Tucker's been dating her, and since he's dropped a lot of the technology, even though I know he still carries his PDA. That thing is so cool. He also joined the football team and adopted a jazz-listening, poetry-writing additude. Man, that's just as annoying as his techno-geekness used to be.

b Valerie's POV /b

"Why not alter "Teardrops on my Guitar" By Taylor Swift?" I told her as we walked into Le Cafe.

"Yeah, I mean, I guess it would work. Change Drew to Danny, and boom, it fits." Sam replied.

"Look, there are the guys. I'll go get us a couple cups of coffee and meet you over there, okay?"

"Alright."

I went over to the counter and got a couple large coffees. When I came over to our table, Tucker and Danny were laughing at something Sam said.

"What's so funny boys?"

"Sam just told us that she was singing a country song and playing the guitar at the talent show." Danny said.

"It's true," Sam said, "Right Val?"

"Yeah, it's true. We were just talking about it. I'm doing a marshal arts demonstration. What are you doing by the way?"

"I'm doing poetry, Danny well, you tell them."

"No, it's a surprise. Jeez, can't you people understand that?" Danny said. I noticed him sneek a look at Sam however.

"Hey Sam, mind if I sit next to my boyfriend?"

"Sure Valerie." she said, but her eyes pleaded with me "Please don't make me Valerie, why must you torture me? Nooooooo!" I am so evil. I made Sam and Danny sit next to each other, time for Tucker and I to have fun.

I kissed Tucker on the cheek and sat on the stool next to him. "Hey, aren't they holding a poetry reading tonight?"

"Yeah," Danny said.

"Why don't we go. I've been itching to do some reading lately."

"Me too," Tucker added.

i He's good. We've been dating for about two years. He dropped the technology first. He still "secretly" carries a PDA though. Then he gained his, what I like to call, "cool at Jazz style". Then, he joined the football team. I think his parents put him up to it, but he enjoys it.

Dash also doesn't tease us anymore, but that's because Danny and Tucker pose a threat now. Tucker's a linebacker, and we all know Danny can easily overpower him. Without ghost powers. I mean seriously. Danny's well built. Now that we all have to take swimming in gym, everyone's noticed. Hard to hide in a pair of swim trunks. I'm not surprised Paulina is all over him. He's got a washboard stomach, well defined arm muscles and powerful legs. No wonder Dash is intimidated.

Then there's Sam. She's definetly changed. She grew her hair out and wears it loose. She's gotten curvy, and flaunts it a little. Her top is sleeveless. It's black and has this cool rhinestone too. Tight flared jeans, black of course, and boots. Her combat boots of course.. She got me a pair, and man are they comfortable, but I don't wear them often. She's got a choker with an amythyst dangling from it. I think Danny got it for her. Personally, I think she looks better than Paulina. She also writes for the paper.

Me, I've changed too. I cut my hair, dyed it lighter, got highlights, and I straighten it too.I wear dark blue flared jeans and a red tank top. I wear a pair of boots, but they're the kind that are leather (mine are faux leather though) with heels. I help Tucker make stuff for Team Phantom, and I write poetry. My dad got his old job back a few months ago, so we were able to get a house. I also could have gotten my seat with the A-list again, but I realized that those people weren't my friends. I'm happy now. /i

I was pulled out of my thoughts by Tucker. "Earth to Val! Can you hear me? Valerie!"

"What?"

"C'mon, we gotta go get ready for the poetry reading!"

"Danny are you and Sam coming?"

"Yeah, we just said that." Sam said.

"Oh, yeah. Okay, well see ya later!" I said as Tucker and I left.