Disclaimer: Susan is mine. Nothing else is.

Author's Notes: Miss me? I'm not dead. I swear. I've just been very busy.

Thank you to all of my readers, by the way. Every review and favourite makes me smile and motivates me to write more.

Chapter Four
Rock Bottom? You Wish.

When something hits rock bottom, it can't go any lower, right? Nothing is lower than rock bottom. I thought that the lunchroom incident was Susan's rock bottom. I thought that the girl couldn't get any crazier than standing on tables and screaming Disney songs. I thought that she couldn't possibly get any worse.

I was so wrong. It was like Susan hit rock bottom, then pulled out a freaking jackhammer to go even lower.

The next day, in English class, she tried getting my attention. "Danny," she whispered from the back of the room. The next whispers only got louder. "Danny. Danny. . . ! Danny! Danny! Danny! Daaaanny! Danny! Dan-ny! Dan! Danny! Danny! DANNY!"

"Miss Williams!" Mr. Lancer interrupted. "I'm in the middle of a lesson. You can wait to tell Mr. Fenton whatever you'd like after class."

"B-but, Mr. Lancer! It's important!"

"It can wait. In the meantime, Susan, I suggest that you pay attention to this grammar lesson. Your paper was most certainly not outstanding."

"Oh, I know, Mr. Lancer," Susan said, suddenly very serious. "It wasn't outstanding. It was excellent!"

Lancer, who was clearly at the end of his rope, muttered something about not getting paid enough, and said, "One more outburst, Susan, and you'll be staying after school."

"My name is Dani," she answered.

"What?"

"My name isn't 'Susan,'" she said, crossing her arms across her chest. "It's Daniella Krystaleen Sakura Ravynn Sapphyre Rose Ivory Ebony Malfoy."

"After school, Miss Williams. One hour."

"BAKA! It's Dani!"

"Would you like to stay two hours after school?"

"Yes!"

"Two-and-a-half hours, then, since you're so enthusiastic about staying." He sighed. "Back to punctuation. If you'll turn to page ninety-three in the text, you'll see a few examples of how dashes can be used. Dashes can take the place of commas, and may be used in the middle or at the end of a sentence, but should be used to emphasize. . ."

Somewhere, in the room, a pencil snapped in half. "Will you stop?" Sam asked, glaring at Susan. A broken pencil was in her hand.

"Miss Williams. Miss Manson. Is there a problem?"

"Yes, Mr. Lancer," Susan said.

"What is it?"

"Sam and Danny are passing notes."

"What?" Sam asked.

"No, we're not!" I said.

"She was throwing balls of paper at me," Sam said. "They're all over the floor."

"Because," Susan said, simply, "you were texting." She seemed proud of herself.

"Huh? A minute ago, you said we were passing notes," Sam said, crossing her arms across her chest. "Now, we were texting?"

"Enough!" Lancer said. "You've whittled away my class time to nothing with this nonsense. Miss Williams, see me after class."

"Mr. Lancer?" Susan asked.

"Yes, Miss Williams?"

"Does this mean that Danny isn't going to stay after school with me?"

"No, he won't be staying."

"But-"

"After class." Lancer glanced at the clock. "That would be now."

It seemed like everyone left the room quicker than they usually did, piling into the doorway to get out as fast as possible. A lot of them were trying not to laugh, and some just looked scared. Thankfully, I didn't need a door to get the heck out of there. As I shoved my books into my backpack and slung the bag over my shoulder, I heard Mr. Lancer say to Susan, "I'm going to have to schedule a conference. . ."

It's about damn time, I thought as I slipped through the wall.

It wasn't long before Susan found me at my locker. I didn't even see her show up, and jumped a little as she said, "Oh my God! Guess what?"

"What?" I said, not even looking at her.

"I'm going to stay after school!"

"Yeah. I heard. You sound happy about it."

"Well, duh! I'm gonna help Mr. Lancer grade papers, because I'm so smart and did so well on the essay. Did you know I was a child prodigy? I totally was. And I wanted to tell you in class, but Mr. Lancer wouldn't let me; I'm totally the star of the musical!"

"Huh?"

"Yeah. My name wasn't on the list. That means that they have a super special part for me."

"Susan, your name wasn't on the list beca-"

"DANI!"

"Augh! Whatever!" I slammed my locker door shut, deciding not to try reasoning with her. "I have to go to class."

"We have to go to class."

"Actually," I said, "I have to go. . . I'm not feeling good."

"KAWAII DESU!" she squealed. "I'll nurse you back to health, my love!"

"NO! I-I'm contagious. Really, really contagious," I said.

That's when I made a beeline for the school nurse's office. I told her that I was feeling really queasy and that my nerves were shot. I guess I didn't look too good, either, because, after a few minutes, she called my parents and informed them that I was coming home sick. The fact that I was physically shaking could have been the reason why, but I wasn't sure why I was shaking. It could have been from dealing with Susan that day, or dealing with her every day for the past week or so. Or it could have been from the idea that I'd have to put up with her the next day, and the day after, and the day after. . .

The nurse had just gotten off the phone with Mom when I grabbed the garbage can and upchucked.

Maybe I can stay home tomorrow, I thought.

Author's Notes: I promise I'll write and post the next chapter ASAP. Please review!