Dash doesn't go out of his way to find any of the F-Listers. He calls them names when he sees them but that's all. He has his targets and it doesn't feel right to go after the same guys everyone else it out for. There should be at least a small amount of challenge in this.
He knows who Danny Fenton is by now. His parents had once dashed into an assembly claiming there was a ghost in the gym. He'd honestly felt embarrassed alongside the kid despite not knowing who he was. The first time he saw the F-List he was surprised Danny's name wasn't first. Then again, Paulina vs Sam was rather infamous.
It was March of eighth grade and Dash was contemplating why Paulina hated her nails. He wasn't out to pry, but he didn't get it. They were just nails, right?
He's shoulder checked (probably on accident) so he glares down at the dork. "Watch where you're going Fen-toenail."
Fen-toenail? Nice recovery!
"Sorry. I thought athletes were supposed to be more coordinated. Next time I'll remember that you're not just built like a brick wall, you're as smart as one, too."
Dash blinks. That's never happened before. People duck their head and walk away. They stammer apologies. They never insult him back.
Shaking off his surprise, he glares. "You better watch your back, Fen-turd." Ooh, that one was even better.
He rolled his eyes. No one had ever rolled their eyes at him! This little-
Nope. Stay calm. This is all about not getting carried away. He waits for no one to be behind Fenton before pushing him bodily out of the way.
Pesky, no good, foofy haired, annoying-
Foofy? Wait, was that even an insult? Dash liked guys with fluffy hair. Danny's was a little more spiky but-
No. Just no. He tied the thought to an anchor and threw it into the ocean.
The second encounter was no better than the first. It had only been a week and Dash still felt annoyed at such disrespect. When Fenton just happened to carry his lunch tray by the A-Lister's table, he tripped him.
His food was scattered and the exploded milk carton was all over the dweeb's shoes. This was fantastic!
"What's your problem?" He demanded.
Dash just smirked."Don't you ever look where you're walking? My foot was there first."
"No, it wasn't."
"And what are you gonna do about it?" Dash admits. Fenton narrows his eyes before stalking away. The football star smirks in triumph. Not so great now, are ya'?
A small part of him feels disappointed. There had been a certain rush, a challenge when Fenton had fought back.
It's after gym class that he notices something wrong. His pants itch. Like there's too much detergent left in them. But they were fine before class. He squirms. he scratches his legs. Anywhere that's not his ass (because that's too much).
He hears a snicker in the seat behind him.
Danny 'Loser' Fenton is smirking at him as if there's nothing as entertaining in the entire world. Fenton knows. Fenton did this! As soon as they were out of class, he was -
Going insane.
The itching wouldn't stop. He needed to move. He needed to get rid of his pants. Now.
He was dismissed for the restroom and nearly lunged for the door. That dweeb was so going to pay!
With his pants off, the itching wasn't as bad but it wasn't gone either. He scratched everywhere in the privacy of the stall. He didn't even care that he was supposed to go back to class or that he was even at school. What the hell had Fenton done to his pants?
He didn't know how much later it was that someone entered the bathroom. Footsteps halted outside of the stall he was occupying. "You know scratching isn't going to help. It just rubs the powder in further."
Fenton.
"When I get my hands on you-"
"You'll what? 'Pound me'? Get yourself thrown in detention - it's my win again." Dash glared through the door. "I'll tell you the best way to make it stop itching if you promise to leave me alone."
A way to make the itching stop? It sounded so much like heaven Dash almost buckled right there. But give in to an F-Lister? "Like hell, Fenton! I'm going to get you so good once I fix this! You're never going to be safe again!"
"Suit yourself." And with that, the dweeb walked off leaving Dash stranded.
He felt humiliated the whole way home and had to ask his mom how to get rid of itching powder. That's what he'd used, right? His mother grew concerned and asked if this was about...
He didn't let her finish the question. It wasn't.
Even if the worst of it faded after taking a bath with baking soda, his legs remained itchy and uncomfortable for the better part of two weeks.
From that point on, he made sure to seek out Fenton and give him everything that was coming to him. Within the unspoken rules. He hollered at him, cornered him, dissed his name and his weird parents, tripped him in the lunch room, and even gave him a wet Willie at one point.
And Fenton pushed back. He gave as good as he got, blow for blow. Dash found himself pranked at every turn and he grew obsessed with getting one over on Fenton, once and for all.
One afternoon, he was complaining to Paulina about how the dweeb just wouldn't give in. She raised an eyebrow imperiously. "Aren't you just pulling pigtails?"
Pigtails? Fenton didn't have any pig tails. He imagined it and almost laughed at how spiky and messy they'd be. That would humiliate him. But, looking at his best friend, he knew that wasn't what she was saying.
"It's an expression meaning you tease someone you like so that they'll notice you."
Him? Like Fenton? No way. That loser was just so uncool. With that foofy hair and the freaky parents and that aggravating smirk...
That smirk. He couldn't deny it. A small (very small) part of him wanted to see that smirk.
Dash dropped on his new queen size bed next to Paulina. He was getting a crush on Fenton? Of all people, why that dweeb?
Well, it was rather obvious. He never gave in. Every time Dash pushed, he pushed back. It didn't matter what he threw at the other boy, he was met slight for slight, insult for insult. It was...exciting. But did he really have a crush on the F-Lister?
He wasn't sure.
He paid more attention to the next few encounters. When he saw that smirk, he felt like smiling himself because he knew something exciting was about to happen. When blue eyes glared at him, he was pleased that he was monopolizing the boys attention. When they passed in the hall, he would call out different names and was excited that Fenton would automatically turn to look.
So he liked having Fenton's attention. So what? That didn't mean anything.
So he thought about his appearance. That foofy hair... well, so what if he had nice hair. That wasn't everything. What about the eyes. Those shining blue eyes that pierced right into Dash. Those sharp lips drawn into a taught smirk. What would they look like in a broad smile? With those blue eyes shining not in anger, but in happiness?
Oh no. He really did have a crush on Fenton.
Dash avoided him for two days before he couldn't take it anymore. Having those bright eyes on him was like an addiction and he didn't care what retaliation came with it, he wanted that fierce attention back on him.
He didn't want to be obvious so it couldn't be every day. And some days, watching him from across the way and seeing the way his eyes lit up in joy with his geeky friends, was enough. He'd imagine those welcoming eyes turned on him, and the way those pink lips pulled lightly upwards in a real smile; it was enough to turn him to butter.
And, ok, maybe he asked Paulina to look into him a bit and he admired that Danny wanted to be an astronaut. And maybe he snuck a peak at Danny's test and admired that he was smarter than Dash. And maybe he wondered what it would be like to eat lunch with him. Have a pleasant conversation. Did he like kung-fu movies as well?
Not that he thought it was likely to happen. Dash knew the social hierarchy up and down and he knew that people you bullied didn't turn around and declare their love for you. But it didn't feel like bullying with Danny because he was never a victim. It was like Paulina and Sam. They each gave as good as they got and it wasn't the antagonism against someone who wouldn't fight back.
It was a challenge. A game that Fenton didn't know he was playing. Or did he?
Dash was talking to Paulina about how to visit Star over the summer when he caught sight of Danny dreamily staring in his direction. His heart raced and he almost smiled back when he noticed it wasn't directed at him. He was looking at Paulina.
He knew he shouldn't have felt so crushed. He knew it wasn't likely that Danny was gay and Paulina was beautiful. Using the mirror in her locker, the latina noticed the problem and gave a small frown. She placed a hand on his shoulder and offered a light squeeze.
He knew it wasn't Paulina's fault but he couldn't stand to see her right then. He avoided both her and Fenton for the better part of a week.
Slouching into his seat at their lunch table, he turned to Paulina. She was amazing. Perfectly poised and carrying on like nothing was wrong. Not a glare or a reprimand to 'get over himself'. How could someone so amazing exist?
"I'm sorry."
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "You don't need to be. Your crush likes someone else so you felt hurt."
He wanted to apologize again in the face of her understanding, but he didn't. Paulina would just get annoyed if he said it a second time.
Kwan leaned over the table and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You know, I don't think all hope is lost. Danny is a very open minded guy. While he might have a crush on Paulina right now, he doesn't know her and liking someone just for their looks is a very small crush."
Looking at his friend, he feels hope. If anyone knows what love is, it's Kwan. So he takes solace in the fact that it's just a small crush and that it will probably go away.
High school starts and it takes just two weeks to settle back in near the top of the social hierarchy. They're not top dog (that belongs to the seniors) but everyone who went to middle school with them (sophomores and juniors included) acknowledge their position and it spreads through the school.
'The A-Listers in high school' they say and Dash smiles in amusement. That name really stuck around. He also notices that it doesn't seem to include Hayden, Taylor, Becky and Georgie anymore. They're still considered top tier, but the back-up quarterback is saddened that they're drifting apart. The two groups hadn't seen much of each other after the revelation of Star's problem.
They held a meeting at Paulina's and decided it was time to stop.
Casper high already had a system and there was no need to keep up the bullying. Becky was still going to keep lists and pass the names on the E-List along to everybody, but she wasn't as interested in being popular as she had been. Her chemistry class was very exciting and if she wanted a full ride to college, she needed to be serious about her work and her extracurriculars.
Taylor still wanted to be popular but was more interested in her art.
Georgie said he'd been thinking about it for a while and he wanted to strike out on his own. He still liked them all, but it was time for some new friends.
Hayden was fine anywhere. He just wanted to have fun with people he liked and if that was with the A-List or with someone else, he didn't mind.
They hung out the rest of the night for the last time and parted with well wishes.
The bullying ring was over and they were free to focus on other problems. Like Danny's continued crush on Paulina. The quarterback missed the distraction already.
Dash threw himself into sports and was promised a spot on the starting line as soon as the current quarterback got scouted.
But Dash couldn't last. Those blue eyes would always look right past him and it simmered resentment in his gut. He made it till Wednesday before tripping him.
"What's your problem, Dash?" he glared and the football player preened. Finally, those eyes were focused on him.
"Your face." he answered. Not that his face was a problem. No, Dash quite liked his face. He liked it even better when it was facing him.
"You're such a prick." Manson spoke up. Dash sneered at her. Why did she have to interfere? For the first time, he understood just how the goth got on Paulina's nerves so badly.
Their glaring contest was broken by Danny tugging on the girl's arm. "Let's go. It's not worth our time."
Dash switched his glare to the object of his affections. Not worth his time?
He stewed all day. By the time he was leaving for the day, he was ready to burst. The last time he'd felt this pent up he'd started a fist fight. He needed to get out of here and use the punching bag in his garage.
But there he was again. Standing in front of his open locker and making goo-goo eyes as Paulina passed by.
"What do you see in her?" Manson asked and Dash almost agreed with her. What did Danny see in her? But he also knew just how amazing she was. Anyone would be lucky to have her.
"She's hot." Danny replied like that explained everything and Dash felt anger rush through him. So Paulina was attractive but Dash wasn't? And how dare he reduce Paulina to her physical appearance? She was so much more than that!
He didn't think. He shoved Danny into his locker and slammed the door.
Oh no. He'd just slammed his crush into a locker. It was all over. He'd never look at Dash in a positive light now.
"What the hell, Dash!?" The she harpy was yelling so he fell back on his bullying ways.
"Dweeb has no right to be talking about Paulina like that. He doesn't even deserve to look at her." And this is not good. He's running on auto pilot and saying things he doesn't mean to. He's ruining everything.
"I agree Danny was being a pig, but you have no right to shove him into a locker!"
Now she was insulting Danny! This... this... cow!
"Go away, Dash!" She points down the hall and wants to have it out with her, right here, right now. Always throwing insults at Paulina and now she called Danny a pig? But Dash stops himself. He exhales heavily through his nose, and takes the out. He'll make things even worse if he stays.
"Like I'd want to hang around such a stinky loser anyway." He sneers. Hopefully, she knows he means her. Not Danny. Danny always smelt like soap and waterfalls. It might have been his shampoo or just his natural scent. Dash didn't care either way.
Kwan catches him on his way out so they end up tossing a football around the pitch. After a good half hour, the worst of his nervous energy is burned off. He holds the ball in both hands and his best friend approaches.
"I messed up so bad. I shoved Danny into a locker." He doesn't need to look up to know the surprise on his friend's face. "I didn't mean to, I just- he's always looking at Paulina and he won't even glance at me. And then he said that the only reason he liked Paulina was because she was hot and I got so pissed-
"I'm such an idiot."
Star, and he's not sure when she walked over, says, "You know, he's an idiot, too. Liking someone just because of their looks is shallow. Has he ever even spoken to Paulina? I don't think so. So it's a big, fat, pile of nothing. Not every boy is as sophisticated as Kwan.
"That doesn't make shoving him into a locker ok." She poked his chest. "If you want his attention, you need to find a better way to do it."
Dash blinks at her. She'd come a long way after rehab. It was always about 'handling your issues in a positive manner' these days.
He thanked both of them and left to think about it. There did have to be a better way to get his attention, but what? He couldn't just try to be friends. Danny would never believe him. Confess? No way. He'd be laughed at. He'd lose his status and maybe even his spot on the team. It wasn't an option. Show off? But Dash already showed off to anyone who was watching.
The next day, he tried to trip Manson on behalf of both Danny and Paulina. It didn't work. He tripped Danny.
Shit. Shit. Shit! Nothing was going right!
"Watch your step, Fen-turd." Shit! Mouth, stop working!
"He wouldn't have to if you'd just leave him alone." Manson defended.
Dash glares. He's not talking to her. "Need your boyfriend to protect you, Fen-tina?" And shit! Again! he doesn't even know if he's trying to imply that Manson is masculine or see how Danny reacts to the thought of having a boyfriend. Maybe it's both.
"I don't need Sam to do anything." And those baby blues are focused right on him again. He feels high. Danny's attention is on him alone and it's like he just scored a touchdown.
"Oh yeah? Your boyfriend doesn't seem to think you can defend yourself." And this time he definitely wants to know Danny's reaction to the word 'boyfriend'.
"She's not a boy and she's just a friend."
Manson frowns at that and Dash doesn't know whether to cheer or despair. He's ecstatic because Danny didn't seem to care about the word itself or that he might have a boyfriend. He's seething because Manson obviously wishes they weren't 'just friends'.
"Tell her that. Or can't you do anything without your knight in shining armor, Fen-tina?" And shit! He's not trying to imply that Danny is a girl. He was definitely male and Dash liked him that way. It was just supposed to get Manson out of the conversation but instead he insulted Danny again! Shit! He's so useless!
Blue eyes narrow into slits. He doesn't take his attention off of the football player even when he's addressing the goth. "Sam, stay out of it. I can take him."
On a date? No, no. Wishful thinking. "Bring it, Fen-turd." He smirks and shit! Why won't he just shut up!
The heavens apparently take mercy on him as Mr. Lancer rounds the corner. Crisis averted, Dash can't get home fast enough and calls Paulina over. He's such a mess. Everything is even worse than before and now he almost got into a fight with his crush! A real fight! This was the worst.
"Ignore Manson. She's not worth your time or energy."
"But she has a crush on Danny! And they're friends so it's a real crush! They both know each other and they get along well and she'll make him her boyfriend before I even manage to say something nice to him!"
"Don't worry about that. Manson has been crushing on Danny almost as long as she's known him and he's never taken an interest."
Wait, what? But, Danny and Manson had known each other all through middle school. How long had she been crushing on him?
And was Danny that oblivious? Dash didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. Danny couldn't be gay - he clearly noticed Paulina.
"Let this blow over before you try and talk to him again. Kwan said that Danny was open minded. If nothing happens for a while, he might be willing to start over."
Dash clings to the idea and avoids Fenton like the plague. Just leave him alone for a while and they could start over. Be friendly. Maybe.
Clinging to that 'maybe' was keeping Dash in check from hunting Danny down and demanding his attention - whether that be in a good or bad way. He felt like such an addict.
On Tuesday he gave in. Just a little. He made sure to walk past his crush's locker when he knew he'd be there. Except he wasn't. He spotted the rest of the loser brigade exchanging worried glances and felt a rock land in the pit of his stomach. Where was Danny?
Information spread through the grape vine that there had been an accident in his parent's lab and he'd be back at school in a few days. Dash barely resisted cornering his two friends and demanding to know what happened. Was Danny ok? Was he injured? Sick? What kind of 'accident' was this?
He didn't lose a limb, right?
His imagination was relentless as it gave him scenario after scenario of how his crush might be hurting. It was bad enough that he couldn't come to school and they didn't know when he would be back. How bad was bad?
And then a ghost showed up.
A real, glowing, see-through, floating, evil, ghost.
Oh, hell no. Dash couldn't stand to watch ghost movies. Friday the Thirteenth? Sure. Ghosts? Uh-uh. And now here one was. In the flesh. Ectoplasm. He didn't care.
He doesn't know what happened (and no, he won't deny having run away) but the ghost is gone by the end of the day so he puts it as far from his mind as he can.
Friday sees more ghosts around town and still no Danny. His parents were always going on about ghosts. Was Danny hurt by one?
By Monday Dash wants to leave town. He's seen three ghosts in the last week and heard about others scattered throughout town.
But there's good news. He spots Danny in the hallway and he seems ok. No missing limbs, no cast - not even a brace.
He wants to rush over and check him for injuries but his stupid, stupid auto pilot kicks in. He pushes him. Danny doesn't finch or adjust for any injuries, but he glares and Dash feels like the biggest fool in the world. "Where have you been, loser? Scared of ghosts?" He taunts and immediately wants to hit his head against a wall. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid!
"No. I'm not." Danny states with a certain finality that says he's not just answering Dash. "I was in an accident last week and had to wait to get better."
Don't say something stupid. Don't say something stupid. "I bet you would've run away like a coward anyway. Crying for your parents."
Dash didn't care anymore. Anything to get him out of this situation. A ghost attack. Please.
"Think what you want, Dash."
The A-Lister blinks. That was all? No accusing Dash of being the coward? No fight? He watched Danny walk away with his friends and frowned. Something was up. Something had changed with his crush and his gut told him it had something to do with the ghosts.
He'd find out what had happened to Danny.
After all, you watch out for the people you care for.
Even if it means facing ghosts.
