"You wished for a girlfriend and Desiree granted it. But instead of the magic giving you someone random, it chose Desiree herself?" Sam surmised from what she heard.

They were all in Nasty Burger, seated at the table closest to the window. The battle with Ember had done a number on the centre of Amity Park, which was still being salvaged and rebuilt.

The moment Danny had woken up from his untimely slumber, Sam swiftly demanded answers. What she saw had shocked her tremendously, and knowing that Tucker was involved had made her understandably suspicious.

So, while eyeing the clingy genie, Sam spoke again, "And this whole time, Desiree has been completely obedient to you because your wish made her some sort slave."

"…You know, when you put it like that, it makes me sound even more pathetic," Tucker winced.

"Dude, seriously? What possessed you to wish for a girlfriend? There are so many girls you could have asked out at school," Danny said.

Tucker glared at him, and Danny felt like he said something he shouldn't have.

Sam hadn't noticed the tension, and promptly backed up her boyfriend. "This whole thing seems pretty selfish to me, Tucker. Even if it's Desiree, forcing anyone to love you is low!"

Desiree could somewhat understand their point of view, but they completely misunderstood Tucker's intentions. She knew fully well that he never truly meant for any of this to happen. And to be technical, her magic was kind of the reason for the slavery part (remember the gaps that needed to be filled?), so Tucker wasn't at fault.

She could definitely feel him hurting from the way his arm tensed in her embrace, even from the way the look on his face darkened considerably. His friends were probably running to conclusion, Desiree deduced. They must have thought that Tucker was using the wish to take advantage of her submissiveness. So when she felt Tucker's rage, she raged with him.

"What do you guys know?!" Tucker shouted; it was so loud that the entire Nasty Burger occupants must have heard.

Danny and Sam were taken aback by Tucker's anger, but that didn't stop them from rebuking him.

"Listen, Tuck, if you had a problem with girls, you could have talked to us about it, "Danny said.

"Er, no, not me," Sam interjected. "If you got girl problems, then I'm the last you need advice from."

"… Well any, this is seriously messed up. You said that Desiree was human now, right? I hope you haven't been doing anything weird."

Tucker only shook his head as he heard his own best friends subtly accuse him. He couldn't believe that they actually thought very little of him to begin with.

"First of all, Danny, ask out girls at school? Are you serious, bro? Have you seen the way I'm treated?! Star was the very first girlfriend I ever had, and she treated me like I didn't exist! No, she treated me like chewing gum that you scrape off the table! You think I haven't tried getting the little courage my nerdy brain can muster and try asking out other girls?! They all treat me like a plague! I can't even walk two steps without jocks throwing me in lockers! Do you think anyone would wanna go out with a loser like me?!"

Danny was rendered speechless. He was more astounded that Tucker could get this angry. It reminded him of the time when Tucker could turn into a ghost. The Ghost Boy just sat in place, not sure what to say.

Seeing her boyfriend at a loss for words, Sam tried to provide her own input, but Tucker cut her off.

"What about you?! You think this is selfish? Well, news flash, I never asked for any of it! What's wrong with making and innocent wish when your life is absolute crap? What's wrong with hoping for something out of being treated like a walking doormat?! Oh, you wouldn't know about that, would you? Nope, you guys are way too busy with each other to even look over shoulders and see your best friend stuffed in a locker!"

"Tucker," Sam gasped. Her eyes were wide open, showing the horror that was starting to plague them.

"Well, don't you worry. You don't have to deal with my selfishness any longer. I'm out of here!"

Tucker stormed out of Nasty Burger with Desiree right behind him. He ignored Sam's calls for him to come back. He just needed to get as far away as possible.

Desiree was silent the entire walk. She followed him until they found themselves in the actual park of Amity Park.

Tucker sat on a bench. His shoulders, once stiff, sagged and loosened. His head lowered, firmly glued in the direction on the ground. He exhaled sharply, hunching over further.

Desiree was quick to join him. She sat on the same bench and kept her eyes on him, looking at the way he seemed to be beating himself up for how he acted.

After a few minutes passed in silence, Tucker broke the void. "Huh… I shouldn't have said that."

"You were right to say those things," Desiree said.

"No…I-"

"They ran to their own conclusions about you, yet they didn't take the time to actually analyse real issues, like their neglect."

"I relationship takes time to maintain," Tucker groaned. "They couldn't have time for me. They need to focus on each other."

"While I am partially unnerved that you would fold so quickly to a justifiable outburst towards your friends, I feel you don't truly understand the concept of an intimate relationship. It is true that it takes time to establish and maintain, but that is not to say that it should take all priority. You are wrong into thinking they could not have time to spare for you. In fact, if they really thought of you as their best friend, then they should have made contingent effort to show how much you still matter to them. Your friends have no right to accuse you of anything when they haven't bothered making an impact to your current situation."

Tucker stared at her for a long moment. Truthfully, although Desiree was a bit vague on modern customs, she was very intellectual and bright in her words. It was these moments that Tucker found out a little more about his genie girlfriend. He had to admit, he really liked this side of her. She was right, too. But even so, he still felt a bit down.

"I know you well. You understand that you are that one that was wronged, but you cannot help but feel terrible for saying those things to your friends, correct?"

"You know, one of these days I'll get pretty annoyed with you reading my mind."

"I do not see that day coming. You love me, after all."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." He didn't bother trying to deny it. It was beginning to feel more natural anyway.

"Shall we get going to your home. The sun is beginning to set and your mother will worry for you."

"You sure settled in nicely with my mom. She even likes you, which is a huge bonus, by the way."

Desiree cupped his cheeks in her hands. "A huge bonus, you say?"

Tucker rolled his eyes, but smiled. "Why did you have to turn out so cute?"

Desiree beamed at him as she blushed. "Flatterer."

Tucker chuckled, and the genie joined him with soft giggles.

At least one good thing came out of a terrible day.

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The next morning was relatively uneventful. Tucker had made it to school without telling Danny and Sam anything. Even if he felt a tad guilty, he was still upset at them.

With Desiree in tow, he was able to arrive at school as early as the day he first met her. Tucker had to admit, the situation between them was very rocky in the beginning, but because of the night he promised to show her what a good boyfriend can be, things relatively mellowed down. Their interaction had ground casual and playful in some instances. Desiree had shown signs that she enjoyed his company, and Tucker was pretty sure that the magic had nothing to do with it.

He arrived at his locker and was prepared to get his textbooks when Danny and Sam cornered him.

He didn't face them outright, but noted the guilty looks plastered on their faces. He knew he was the cause of it. And knowing Danny and Sam, they probably felt that way ever since the squabble yesterday.

"Tucker," Sam began, eyes showing just how sorry she was. "Please hear me out before you start hating me, okay?"

Tucker didn't say a word or turn to her. He shuffled through his locker, distractedly searching for a book to pick out.

Taking that as her cue, Sam began, "I'm really sorry about everything you went through. I should have seen that weren't okay. I feel really awful."

Danny continued from where she left off. "Me too, man. I was kicking myself yesterday. We're supposed to be best friends, and we treated you horribly. Guess we're no better than Star, huh?"

His little attempt in humour was met with an indifferent shrug from the black guy. "Guess so."

Danny flinched at the humourless tone. He desperately searched from something that could help him. He eyed Desiree, yet the girl offered him no sympathy whatsoever.

Damn, even she's making me feel bad, Danny thought bitterly. "Hey, Tuck, what can we do to make it up to you?"

"We'll make more time for you!" Sam hastily said.

Tucker noticed how desperate she looked, how desperate they both looked. If it wasn't proof enough that they felt bad about yesterday, then Tucker didn't know what was.

He decided to spare them. "I don't need you doing anything just because you feel like you have to. It's okay-"

"No, it's not okay. How can you say that?!" Sam yelled.

Tucker sighed. He just knew things were leading up to this. Honestly, he tried to avoid awkward situations involving them. "Guys, I just said some stuff I wanted to say. You don't have to worry about me."

"Your friends are making a conscious effort to fix their wrongs. I'd advise you listen to them," Desiree cut in, earning everyone attention.

Tucker thought about it. He wasn't at all angry at Danny or Sam anymore. So maybe Desiree was right. Maybe he should take what they say into consideration.

"Okay, a little more time for us would be greatly appreciated."

"Then that's what we'll do," Danny and Sam said in unison.

"Geez," Tucker smirked, "you guys really are a couple."

Sam and Danny smiled at him. "So are we forgiven for being so stupid?"

"Maybe~"

While their banter turned playful, an envelope slipped out of Tucker's locker room and slid a few millimetres on the floor.

Tucker noticed the movement and looked down. He picked up the envelope, and eyed it with a critical eye.

It was pink, sealed with a heart sticker.

The nerd couldn't comprehend what he was looking at; more like, he couldn't believe that it was meant for him. He had seen many popular kids receiving love letters in their lockers, especially the cheer-squad, but this practically rarely happened to a boy in Casper High; a nerd? Never in a million years!

So he just stood still, looking perplexed.

Danny and Sam had noticed that little object a long time ago. Danny was deciding whether to cheer his buddy on or worry that it was some sort of trap.

As for Sam?

"Is that what I think it is?" the goth asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I can't tell whether it's a love letter or not," Tucker murmured, still mesmerised.

"A love letter?" Desiree reiterated, visibly curious.

Tucker opened the content like he was dealing with a bomb. He shakenly tore the envelope at the top and took out a piece of paper.

Maybe they got the wrong locker, the nerd mentally mused. It wouldn't be a ridiculous assumption. There was no way that any girl would dare come after him – popularity and all the crap that went with it.

Meet me at the roof during recess. Yes, I mean you, Tucker. Come alone.

That's it? Is this what a love letter is supposed to say? It sounded more like a threat then someone actually wanting to confess to him. This had fishy all over it.

"What kind of love letter is that?" Danny said over his shoulder.

"Looks more like a trap to me," Sam included.

Tucker hid the letter in embarrassment. "Come on, give a nerd some privacy, will ya?!"

Desiree was the first to speak on topic. "What does the person who wrote the letter want from you?"

"So far, just to meet me at recess…alone."

"Will you need my company?"

"It's really weird hearing you say that," Danny told Desiree.

Desiree focused on him. "Whether it's fake or real, I'm in love with Tucker. Knowing this, do you still think it's weird?"

"Well, we were fighting each other just two weeks ago…"

Desiree rolled her eyes and turned to Tucker. "Will you need me? If it's a trap, I can protect you."

"Hearing you say that makes me both happy and miserable," Tucker said.

"Why?" Desiree queried.

"It's male ego," Sam supplied. "He feels weak because he needs a girl for protection, right, Tucker?"

"Don't make me out to be some sexist jerk… But yeah, that's basically it."

"I apologise that I made you feel that way," Desiree said.

Tucker sputtered. "N-no, Desiree, there's nothing wrong with what you do. I appreciate it a lot. I just wish…"

He stopped himself cold. That was a close one.

Desiree understood immediately and decided to ease him. "I also need you to protect me. So I do not see what you're so worried about. We protect each other. Isn't that what love entails?"

She had a point, and Tucker nodded in agreement.

"Tuck, do you need us to go with you? If it's a ghost, then I can take it down," Danny said.

"Even Desiree's best suited for this. You should have seen her fight with Ember, Danny. She was crazy powerful," Sam said. It still flabbergasted her how much potential Desiree had to be a weapon of mass destruction.

Danny grimaced, not liking the idea of Desiree being more powerful than him. "I wish I was awake so I could have taken her."

"It's fine, guys," Tucker finally said. "I'll go alone."

"What if it's a trap, like those baboons who wear red jackets?" Desiree asked.

Tucker chuckled at her description of the jocks. "Then I've only got myself to blame."

"Its fine," Desiree agreed.

Tucker was surprised. "Really, that quickly?"

"Yes… I can read your mind. So I will know when you are in danger."

Oh…right.

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Recess actually came agonizingly slow for the nerd. Tucker couldn't believe that he was anticipating a meeting that could end up badly for him. Still, a little part of him hoped that this wasn't something fabricated.

Imagine it. A girl actually harbouring feelings for him? Desiree obviously wasn't included. Wait a minute…

Why did Desiree not stop him? In fact, she didn't show any visible jealousy or hostility at the prospect of another girl liking him. Maybe she was sure it was a trap. Even so, the fact that she didn't bat an eye to someone possibly interested in him was strange.

He walked slowly up the stairs to the roof, growing ever more nervous with each weighty step. It was so unreal that this was happening. He felt like he was playing out some ridiculously impossible scene from an anime show. He shook his head, smacked it a few times and dawned a game face. Get it together, man! Be focused! Be prepared! If it's a trap, then you better be ready!

The door to the roof was perfectly in reach. He could clearly see it from his vantage point, and his legs immediately came to a halt.

Was he really ready for this? Could he really handle what was on the other side?

I can read your mind. So I will know when you are in danger.

That's right, Desiree was attentively alert. She was probably waiting nearby and would strike at a moment's notice.

Seriously, she really was there for him. Tucker smiled. Desiree was definitely turning out to be the girl of his dreams.

Feeling a tad more confident in himself, he walked on and opened the door, sealing his fate.

White light blinded him momentarily; Tucker had to shield his eyes for a few seconds. When his vision adjusted to the brightness, he focused right in front of himself.

There was no one there.

The rooftop seemed completely empty, devoid of any life but his own. Tucker became even more anxious with that revelation. He wasn't sure if he should take the next step. The place looked no better than a landmine in his eyes.

But he had come this far. Maybe it wasn't too late to turn back, but he had no intention of running away with his tail between his legs.

Scrunching his face – and looking a bit funny doing so – he marched forward. The moment he stepped on the roof, the door behind him was hurriedly slammed shut.

"Kyaaaaa!" Tucker screamed like a girl as he whirled around, expecting swift death, but was stopped cold by the sight that greeted him.

Star breathed out sharply. Her cheeks were blushing like crazy, and her long hair covered most of her face from view.

Tucker eyed the cheerleader with trembling eyes. This could not be happening. Star was here? Then maybe this was a trap.

He looked around him, expecting Kwan and Dash to jump him, but as far as he knew, there was no one else on the rooftop.

Star finally calmed down and righted herself. The moment her baby blue eyes met Tucker, the nerd immediately stopped his nervous antics.

Now that he could see her face clearly, Tucker started to worry when he noticed Star's cheeks dusted in a pink tint.

"S-Star?" he stuttered out. Not sure what else to say.

But Star didn't say anything. She looked pretty angry, glaring at Tucker. She huffed and folded her arms.

Tucker was at a loss for what to do. Star's demeanour gave clear signals that she was upset – at him in particular.

Was it because of yesterday? When he protected her, did he maybe touch her in inappropriate places? He couldn't remember, but he was going for anything at this stage.

Star continued peering at him, softening her gaze when she saw him squirming in place. She awkwardly cleared her throat, then said, "Tucker."

Tucker stood stock still, like a gun was pointed at his head. Did Star just say his name? What happened to Nerd Boy or Geek? And the way she said it clearly disproved his earlier assumption of her anger.

"Uh… Yeah?" he answered nervously.

Star's gaze faltered and her cheeks seemed to flush considerably more. "I'm only going to ask you this once. When a girl writes a letter to a guy and puts it into his locker, asking him to meet her alone…what does that mean?

Oh crap. That was the last thing he was expecting from Star. He was initially preparing for insults and degrading comments, but not this.

His eyes danced around and he fumbled for an answer. Truthfully, he already had something in mind. But then again, he didn't want to run to conclusion. He had little experience with girls. He couldn't hope to understand how they work. Desiree was much easier to understand. She was honest and blunt, which he was grateful for. But a modern girl like Star? A cheerleader and beautiful blonde to boot? Blunt and easy to understand didn't fit at all with that picture.

From all the dating magazines he read up, girls were naturally complicated: they were never straightforward, provided it concerned a boy they were interested in. They never outright told the person they were interested. Nope! But that didn't mean they didn't give subtle hints for the guy to figure out and act on.

Wait… What was he thinking? Star was most definitely not interested in him, and he doubted he felt the same as he did when they first 'dated'.

So, casting that idea away, he entertained other notions.

Star was getting fed up waiting for Tucker to answer her. The answer was so damn obvious! Even a 'dumb blond' like her could get it.

"Answer me!" she barked, fuming.

Tucker stuttered at her animosity. He covered his face in his arms and screamed the first coherent answer he could come up with, "It means she likes the guy!"

"…"

The silence that came after his answer wasn't really something comfortable to Tucker. He slowly looked at Star, and saw her cast her gaze down, avoiding his.

"Well…now you know."

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This was more to confirm that I'm alive and kicking. Right now though, I'll leave this story with a cliff-hanger. Sorry to keep it short, but I just had to write something and this fic was the first thing that came to mind. You'll probably not hear from me until June. It's my last year of college. With scholarships and internships, I barely have time to fool around.

So, until we meet again, bye, guys!