Yellow-back: (n.) Cheap sensational novel.

Characters: Sam, Danny

Genre: Romance

Rating: T

Summary: Danny finds out about one of Sam's secrets. Romance novels.

Notes: Could it really be an update?!

Sigh, I've been very neglectful of these one-shots, even though I have a bunch already started on my laptop, I just can't seem to get the energy to finish any. But as luck would have it, the last day before break ends, I was struck with the writing bug and decided to actually write something! Sorry for the wait guys, I hope you like it :)

He spotted her leaning against a large oak outside the school, a book tight in her grip. It seemed to be covered in a homemade book jacket, wrapped in a shade of dark purple paper with little skulls decorating the front.

Danny stood a the entrance of Casper High, book bag slung over one shoulder and watched her with a warm gaze. Ever the studious one of him and Tucker, he had caught her reading more times than he could count. Usually a Gothic Dystopian novel that was filled with angst and hopelessness. But he had also seen her attached to the works of British authors like Emily and Charlotte Bronte, even Charles Dickens.

She had said reading was a great way to relax, a stress reliever to get away from reality. He had merely snorted in response, raising an eyebrow. His life was more like a book than actually reality. If he ever wanted to publish an autobiography, it would have to be labelled as a work of fiction.

Focusing his attention back toward Sam, Danny carefully examined her features before sauntering over to her. She was thoroughly engrossed with the book she was reading, violet eyes attached to the page, zigzagging from one side to the other. They were lit up with enjoyment, shining brightly as she read. It was hard not to watch Sam as she read, the brightness that radiated off her and the cute way she unconsciously bit her lip while her eyes scanned the page.

Back tracking in his thoughts, Danny shook his head and took a breath, walking over. The tree had blocked out the sun, creating a circle of shade to hide under during the really scorching days. His eyes could truly focus on her when he entered the ring, sun no longer blocking his vision. The leaves were creating a gentle sound as the slight breeze filtered though them.

He plunked himself down beside her, leaning against the bark of the oak tree and feeling the softness of grass beneath his legs. She wasn't even aware of his presence, totally captured within the moment of her novel. That was another thing about Sam, when she read, nothing bothered her, you had to say her name a few times to even get her attention.

Danny smiled and craned his neck to see what she was so entranced about. But only one thing stuck out from the page, jumping off the paper as though written in neon ink. His eyes widened.

"Harlequin?"

This got her attention right quick, her head shooting up. The book fell from her grasp and onto the ground below. She turned towards him with a hand against her heart.

"Jesus Danny, you scared me."

But the shocked look on his face made her fright turn to confusion.

"What's wrong?"

"You read Harlequin?!" Tumbled from his lips.

Sam gasped, her cheeks flushing slightly. Trying not to seem uncomfortable, she narrowed her eyes menacingly, quickly hiding the book underneath her book bag and away from his eyes.

"So what if I do?"

He paused for a moment, his world still a little off-kilter at the revelation. Sam read romance novels. Romance as in two people falling in love. Danny swallowed not knowing how to process the thought. She was a girl after all, and they read romance novels, but Sam? It was hard to think of romance and Sam in the same sentence. But deep down in the thoughts that he only let loose when bouts of restlessness hit, he knew that wasn't true.

He had had many fantasies about him and Sam together, about how he would finally ask her out, how they would go out on dates and everything would be perfect. But this was all hypothetical, because he would never have enough courage to actually ask her out, fearful she wouldn't say yes and their friendship since they had been kids would be ruined. But the thoughts were still stuck in his head and at the moment, they were flowing full force. All because of her secret love of romance novels.

Danny tried to shake the visions from his head and instead focus on the real Sam beside him.

"Hmm...oh nothing, I just didn't think you read those kinds of books, that's all..." he said in one fast sentence, trying to calm the beating of his heart.

Sam nodded, calming the beating of her own heart, as Danny's intense gaze faded. He rubbed the back of his neck and she saw a pink flush on the back of his neck and cheeks. Hiding a smile behind a hand, she flicked her gaze back over towards the book that had caused all this trouble and internally chuckled.

Who knew a romance would have this much of an effect on Danny. Clearing her throat, she grinned. He glanced over at her, waiting for her to speak.

Leaning closer to him, Sam whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, things don't get good until page one hundred and seventy."

The breath was stolen from his lungs. Damn romance novels.