Epilogue: Forgiveness

A/N: I love this chapter! It's so cute!

Thanks to Bookninja15 for reviewing. Please continue to review. I'll still read them.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Danny Phantom or any related themes, characters, or storylines.

(1st Person POV- Paulina)

My sentence is almost done. I can almost feel the wind and fresh air caressing my face like Dash did before this mess.

It will feel like freedom, even though I won't be free. There will still be those glaring looks, the people who think I'm a monster, a druggie instead of girl who made a stupid mistake in a fit of jealousy.

It's ironic that the people who are going to view me as evil (even though they don't know me!) are going to be holier-than-thou-church-going-people who hear sermons about forgiveness and being unbiased every Sunday, but never listen. It takes an amazing person to be forgiving, even when you have every right not to be.

Danny and Sam are those kind of people. After all the crap I've put them though, they've forgiven me.

They day after the trial, they visited me in my holding cell and congratulated me on not having to serve any time in real jail. That little gesture made me realize that now was the time for me to apologize. Even though I doubted they would accept it, I believed that they wouldn't have come if they weren't considering forgiving me.

I bend down on my knees and asked, no begged, for Sam to forgive me. I explained how I got the roofies and why I was that horrible to Sam. After I was done with my story, they looked at me with compassion and said in unison, "Of course we forgive you. But do you forgive us for getting the police involved with our crappy high school drama?"

I wept for joy. In between sobs, I gasped, "Of course!" They stood there patiently while my emotions slowly became more stable. At last, I was able to form words and said sheepishly, "Sorry for breaking down like that. I don't know what came over me."

Sam said, "It's fine. But you should know that the rest of Amity Park will not be as forgiving as us. Danny and I pulled some strings for you. We set up a safe house for you and your father to live until the public cools down. It's right next to Danny's, so you should be safe. On the day you are going to be released from jail, Danny will fly you to the house invisibly. Then he will go get your father; he already knows the plan. Dash's parents will also move in with you because they might get some crap from the haters. We will bring you groceries, so you won't need to leave very often, but if you do leave, Danny will fly you invisible to a spot five blocks away. You can go about your business, but he will be your invisible guard. We will provide you with anything you might need, so there is no need to trail the adults at work. Also, Mayor Tucker managed to bully the superintendent into letting you finish your senior year at Casper High next year."

My heart soared. They not only forgave me, but they are trying to befriend me. Maybe getting convicted wasn't as bad as I originally thought. Sure, it's pretty bad, but I wouldn't have fallen in love with Dash, and I wouldn't have amazing friends like Danny and Sam. If I hadn't drugged Sam, I would still be a shallow girl who got everything in life handed to her because of her beauty.

(1st Person P.O.V.- Sam, A year after Dash is released from jail)

"Gosh, I can't believe they made you into a movie, without asking you to be in it!" Paulina said to Danny.

"I'm glad. Those special effects were horrible! You could even see the cables. I'll show you some real flying," Danny said while jumping into the air and hovering, without bothering to change. "Ta da!"

Paulina and Dash mockingly clapped, while I said, "Not everyone can be half-ghost Danny."

We all broke out into laughter. Danny laughed so hard that he fell back to the ground, hard. Naturally, this only brought about more laughter.

The feeling of comradely was real, and it was nice. Apologizing to Dash and Paulina really was the best thing we could have done. Instead of being enemies, a true friendship had been foraged.

In fact, we were bridesmaids at each other's back-to-back weddings. I would have never thought that I would have allowed her near my hair on the day of my wedding, much less put her in charge of it. It actually turned out amazing! She did some kind of complicated braid swirl that was very edgy and very Goth. She straightened her naturally wavy hair and left it down.

In turn, she let me do her makeup. Because of her flawless skin, I didn't really need to do much. I did a nice neutral eye with false lashes. I use a barely-there blush. But the centerpiece of her face was beautiful, deep berry lips that complemented her Latina skin color so nicely. For myself, I used an amazing foundation that made my skin paler without looking ashy. I did a classic black smoky eye, tons of black eyeliner, and mountainous lashes. For my lips, I kept my typical purple lips with a clear gloss over them.

Paulina's dress was a classy, floor-length, satin, strapless dress. Mine was a floor-length silky white dress covered in black lace.

She and Dash were the first to get married, to which Paulina was glad about. If Danny and I had gone first, nearly none of our guest would have stayed for Dash and Paulina's wedding. I think she feels ashamed that the people of Amity Park treat her like a criminal, despite Danny's and my best efforts.

Everything went flawlessly. The guests of Danny and I were patient and polite during the ceremony. Some even congratulated them at our joint wedding reception.

Forgiveness is a virtue we all have come to live by. Without it, we don't live for happiness and love.

Would you want to live a life ruled by guilt and revenge?

A/N: Thanks for reading! Comments are welcome. Epilogues are how books are remembered; how will you remember this story?