It was hours later when I finally decided to get up and go home. I could tell that there were dried tears stains on my face. People were looking at me concerned and suspicious, but I didn't care. I'd be gone soon, hopefully.
When I got to my street, the Foleys family car was outside on the curb, and so was the Manson family limo. I didn't want to deal with this right now.
I couldn't handle this right now.
I sighed and kept walking on shaky legs, my head turned down to the floor and my eyes watching where I stepped. I pressed my ear to the door and listened.
Muffled voices were talking in the living room.
"Tucker...apologize!"
"...Sam...too."
I was only catching bits and pieces of their conversation. I pressed my forehead against the door beside my palms and took deep breaths. In and out. In and out.
When I finally calmed down, I opened the door. "Danny? Oh my goodness." My mom rushed into the entryway, taking me into her arms. She brushed the tear tracks with her thumb before smiling. "Are you okay."
"Not really." I croaked, my throat sore and dry.
"Tucker and Sam are here..." Mom said, going to pull me into the living room. "I don't want to talk to them." I said. I turned to go upstairs when my mom caught my arm. "Danny..." she sighed. I shook my head.
"No."
My mom pulled me into the entrance of the living room and sat me down on the couch. I crossed my arms and turned my head away.
Soon my problems would be over.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
Stella [rec] I'm coming over.
I smiled a little bit before turning off my phone. "Go on Tucker." I had pulled up my hood so they couldn't see my face, but I leered at him through my bangs. "Go on." Mrs. Foley pushed him forward. Tucker sighed, going to open his mouth.
"Don't apologize if you don't mean it." I snapped. "Actually don't apologize at all. I don't want to hear it." I said, getting up.
"Danny..."
"No Sam, I understand that your opinion is the same, and I don't want to talk to you."
"Danny, stop. Your being-"
I got up in Tucker's face, letting my eyes glow green. "Being what?" I growled. Tucker's eyes glowed with determination. "Over dramatic." He hissed, going to push me back when my dad came up and forced us apart.
"This is ridiculous! Daniel apologize."
"No. I won't. I'm done. With everything." I spat, glaring at Tucker before rushing to my room and slamming the door.
Stella [sent] dont bother. i wont be here anyway.
I pressed my hands into my eyes and groaned, trying to not let myself cry. I'm Danny Phantom! Danny Phantom doesn't cry! Danny Phantom protects people…
Who I am I kidding? I'll never be the Danny Phantom people want me to be.
Stella [rec] whats wrong baby?
I took a deep breath, ignoring the knock on my door. I heard engines start and cars drive away. I watched them go. I watched two people who had been in my life since pre-school leave it. I collapsed onto my bed, my hands over my eyes. I ruin everything.
I ruined my own life by walking into that portal.
"Danny sweetie?" My mom called. I ignored her. I just wanted to be alone and wallowin my own self-pity.
"Danny...Stella's here." My dad called. I sighed. Stella was here sooner than I thought she'd be. My door opened and shut quietly as the one person I had left stood there.
"Hey…" She whispered, coming to sit down next to me. "...how are you feeling?" She said, clearing her throat. I shook my head and shrugged. "I feel nothing." I murmurred.
"Nothing?" She asked, her eyes sad. I nodded. "Just...numb. I should be mad, I should be so pissed but I can't be anything but numb. That's the scariest part." I whispered, closing my eyes. I felt Stella's lips on mine and opened them, she was smiling sadly at me.
"Look, do you wanna go out somewhere? Clear your head?" She asked. I nodded. "That would be good."
"Good, okay, because I got tickets to see Ouija tonight. You told me how much you liked scary movies. And...this may not be the best time but, My parents want to meet you?" Stella said awkwardly. I smiled. I smiled a real, almost genuine smile. "I'd love to. Anything to get away from here." I brought our held hands to my lips and kissed them gently.
Stella smirked. "Good, but I have to warn you, my mom is a bit over dramatic. She loves to cook, so she's making you dinner. You told me that your favorite food was Fettuccini Alfredo...right?" Stella asked again. I nodded.
"Good! Well, lets go to the park, walk around. Get some fresh air." Stella smirked and took me by the hand. "If you want...theres a party tonight." Stella sighed, like she didn't want to tell me. I nodded vigorously. "Where?"
"...Frank's. He got out of jail and is throwing a party for the special occasion." Stella rolled her eyes. "I told him about us. He just smirked and said, 'Well I was trying to set you guys up anyways.' I punched him." Stella chuckled. I laughed with her. I was starting to forget everything bad that was going on with me at the moment and was just caught up in her.
Stella, the one who saved my life even if I didn't want to be saved. Stella, who helps me forget everything. Stella, the one who is actually really smart and I would not mind learning more about her.
"...I'd probably be dead if I hadn't met you." I muttered. Stella turned her head sharply, smiling wide. "That's why I'm here! To make sure you don't do anything that could potentially do harm to you or others. I am your life preserver Mr. Fenton, and I'm not going anywhere for awhile." Stella smirked, standing and taking my hand. I rolled my eyes and stood up with her. Stella greeted my parents, saying goodbye and shoved me out the door.
"Danny?" My mom called last minute. "Yeah Mom?" I said, about to close the door. "I love you so much, and you can tell me anything. You know that, right?" My mom asked. I nodded. "Yeah of course. I tell you stuff that you need to know." I replied, closing the door and catching up with Stella.
What my mom needed to know about my life was absolutely nothing.
"The party is only if you still need to forget about what happened today. Even if we do go, you aren't touching a drop of alcohol or drugs. Do I make myself clear?" Stella suddenly said. I blinked and nodded, disappointment running through my veins. If I was going to go to this party, I had to go without Stella, if I was to drink myself into a stupor.
"Just letting you know, I don't have the best house, or neighborhood, but my parents are the best parents ever. They just don't make that much money and-"
"Woah, slow down. I don't care about that stuff, Stell." I said, gently putting my hands on her shoulder. She nodded. "Right. Yeah, you are just the first person, boyfriend, that I've had to introduce to my parents in a long time. You mean a lot to me, and my parents understand that. I just thought that you might be expecting, I don't know, mansions and the latest technology." Stella explained. I shook my head, pressing my lips onto hers.
"I have never cared about any of this. Money may not be a problem in my house at the moment, but it hasn't always been like that. I know what its like." I smiled. She nodded.
"Right, I'm just being stupid."She smiled. She took my hand and led me into the house.
"Mom? Dad?"
"Yeah Stella?"
"I want you to meet my boyfriend Danny!" Stella winked at me. I heard sprinting coming from upstairs and suddenly, a young woman and a young man were sitting there smiling at me.
Oh lord.
...
"Are you sure you don't want to go with me?" Stella asked sadly. "Yeah, my parents have been worried about me since the ghost told them that stuff, so I gotta get home." I lied awkwardly.
"Okay, babe. I'll see you later?" Stella asked. I nodded, catching her waist and putting my lips on hers. "Definitely." I said. I hoped that I didn't call her while I was drunk, because she is trusting me not to go to that party.
"Are you going to go to Frank's party tonight?" I asked her. She shook her head. "I never go to Frank's anything. He's a douche when he's drunk. I only hang out with him when we are at the park and he promises to bring someone else." She scoffed. I laughed lightly. Good, no need to worry about hiding at the party.
"I'll see you tomorrow Stella." I smiled, waving. She winked. "See you at school Fenton." She said, walking back inside of her house. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair.
I felt bad for lying to her, but I lied to everyone all the time. Today was no exception.
I set my course for Frank Smith's house, texting him to let him know I was coming.
…
"I FEEL LIKE DANCING TONIGHT!" I sang loudly, the crowd around me singing along as well. I felt great, better than I had in years. I was dancing and singing, and Frank was not a douche to other drunk people when he was drunk.
My phone (I was told by Frankie that it was not a magical device sent by the aliens) was ringing in my pocket. I didn't really want to answer it, but I fished it out and looked at the contact name.
Sam Manson is calling.
I answered it. "Hello?" I slurred. I heard her breathe a sigh of relief. "Danny…" She said gently, her voice sad.
"Why is everyone so sad all the time?" I slurred back, hearing her gasp on the phone. "Are you sad, Danny?" She asked. I nodded.
"If you are nodding, I can't see you." She sighed. I giggled. "Yeah, sometimes." I replied, my voice shaking.
"Okay, I'm sending Tucker to get you. He's really sorry." She added. I shook my head. "No Sam!" I snapped. "I don't want to be picked up. I don't want to be anything!" I said sharply before hanging up my phone and refilling my glass. I drank the liquid, hissing when it burned my throat.
Fuck my friends.
…
I woke up in the park, my head pounding. My phone was on the ground two feet from me. I groaned and sat up, laying back down when my stomach protested sharply. I grabbed my phone. There was only one text.
Sam Manson [rec] text me when you wake up and ill come get you. I won't yell or fuss, I'll just give you a ride home.
I sighed, thankful for that message, but somehow sad that it was the only one. I know Stella hadn't known where I was that night and we had only been together three days, but I had expected…
Never mind. It's better not to get attached.
I had no missed calls or voicemails, just that one text message from Sam. I was grateful, but sad.
Sam Manson [sent] ok. park.
Sam Manson [rec] I'm on my way.
I sighed, laying back down and closing my eyes. I wanted to talk to my friends. I wanted to talk to Tucker of all people. I miss the person I was a year ago.
What happened to that Danny Fenton? The one who was happy, who talked about what he was feeling?
He was beaten to a pulp by ghost fights and bullies and everything in between.
I opened my eyes to reveal Sam walking towards me, her expression blank. "I won't tell Stella." She said, no emotion in her voice. I nodded. She didn't even help me up.
I stood and walked with her. Her car with a driver in the drivers seat was waiting at the curb. Even though we were a five minute walk from my house, I don't even think I could make it that far. "Thank you." I whispered. Sam ignored me.
She was mad.
"...Tell Tucker I'm sorry." I said, before getting in the car and shutting the door. Sam paused, a shocked expression her face. She quickly downed the emotion and got in the car. "Fenton Works, please." She told the driver. I held in my sadness until I exited the car.
Never in my life had I ever regretted anything so strongly.
...Two Weeks Later…
"Happy Birthday!" Stella greeted me at my door, her backpack around her shoulders and an envelope in her hands. I smiled, kissing her forehead. "Thanks, but you didn't have to get me anything." I said.
My life hadn't improved the last two weeks. It had gotten worse. Stella was with my 24/7 after she had found out about me being at the party from Frank. She didn't yell, but I could tell she was disappointed.
I had picked up cutting again, because there was just too much tension in my body. I wasn't telling Stella, and the air was getting colder so it wouldn't be noticeable.
"Of course I did!" She scoffed, shoving the envelope in my hands. I rolled my eyes but opened it.
"You got me tickets to the All Time Low concert?!" I exclaimed. I relished in the happy things in life whenever I was this sad. Stella nodded excitely, the bun at the top her head swaying in time.
"Thank you so much!" I beamed, taking her into my arms and holding her tight. "I figured that you could use a weekend, so I talked to your parents and after tonight, I'm taking you to Chicago so that we can see them! Then, maybe we can rent a hotel room and have some alone time." She winked. I blushed brightly, like I always did when Stella got suggestive.
She laughed. "Come on, birthday boy! School awaits." She said in a heroic voice before running down the sidewalk with me in tow.
We were laughing and being happy (I was acting, but at the same time I wasn't) when Tucker and Sam walked up to us, little gift boxes in their hands. I stopped abruptly, not having talked to either of them since the incident. They seemed embarrassed but held out the presents anyway. "Happy birthday." Sam whispered, before taking Tuckers arm and walking away. I blinked.
They hadn't said two words to me in two weeks, so I appreciated that they still gave me the birthday presents. I opened them. Sam had gotten me a black necklace with a D on it, which was really rad looking, and Tucker had given me a black hoodie with my insignia on it, the tag saying that it had been personalized by him. I smiled, not noticing that Tucker and Sam had been waiting to see my reaction from behind a pillar.
"That was sweet of them. Why did Tucker get you a Danny Phantom hoodie?" Stella inquired. I shrugged. "Just an insider." I winked. Stella rolled her eyes. "Come on!" She urged. "We are going to be late for school!" Stella said. I rolled my eyes.
Ever since Stella had gotten pretty much clean from drugs, my parents had opened her eyes to saying that college was literally only two years away. Stella had panicked and put more effort into school and, much to my dismay, made me put more effort as well. If my parents had even liked her already, they loved her now.
"Okay miss bossy." I said, but when she pulled me, a card fell out of the hoodie pocket, gaining my attention. I shoved it into my pocket and followed my girlfriend.
We departed at her class. I changed my schedule to harder classes now that ghost attacks were scarce (courtesy of Clockwork and the Observants, who wanted me to get well into school before the chance that I go evil). I had two classes with Sam and Tucker, which is awkward because I sit right next to Tucker.
I headed to my first period class that Sam and Tucker were in and took out the card.
I don't to not be friends with you, but until you are open to talking about your feelings, I can't handle it.
~Tucker and Sam
I sighed. This basically just told me everything I already knew. Until I was open to therapy with Sam and Tucker, they couldn't emotionally handle being my friend. I understand, and I know that some day I'll be able to talk, be able to find the words, but for now, Stella was all I had.
I don't know what I'd do if I lost her.
I sat down at my desk and pulled out my notebook, reading over my notes on Chapter 17 before the test today. Sam and Tucker walked in, noticing my already there, and sighed, taking their seats behind me.
Lancer handed out the tests. I knew by the first question I was going to ace it, thanks to Stella and her studying tips.
I let my mind go blank with everything but the material during the class.
…
"Ready to go?" Stella smirked. I nodded, a big smile on my face. We loaded up into my new car that my parents had gotten me today (omg) and I got into the drivers side. "I love how you got your license the day you turned 16. I still haven't gotten mine." She pouted.
"That's because you didn't take drivers ed." I said, pulling out of the driveway and onto the road. The car was a black volvo. It wasn't new, but it still looked nice, and thats all I needed. My parents had surprised me and Stella when they had thrown me the keys. Today, I was happy and that was a big turn around.
Tucker and Sam had avoided me all day, but did give me surprised looks when I got a 100 on the Chemistry test (Tucker had gotten a 75 and Sam an 80).
I set my course for Chicago and hoped we made it there before the concert started. We had left school early so that we would have time to get there and be at the front of the line.
"How did you get the money for these tickets anyway?" I asked suddenly. Stella blushed and looked at me sheepishly. "I sold the rest of my weed at a party I was at." She mumbled.
"You were a drug dealer for the money?" I giggled. She glared. "Hey! I didn't use it anymore, and besides, anything to make you happy." She said, taking my hand in hers and rubbing my palm with her thumb. I smiled wide.
"My girlfriend the drug dealer." She hit me. I laughed, but focused on the road.
I could get used to it.
…
"That was so awesome!" I beamed, adrenaline running through my veins as I hit my steering wheel. Stella was laughing at me, but a smile was on her face to. She had enjoyed the concert just as much as me, even if she only memorized All Time Low's albums just so she could sing along with me.
"I'm glad you had fun. Pull into that motel." She said, and I did what I was told. She got out of the car and made her way to the front desk. She talked, fishing out money from her purse and handing it to the lady. The lady thanked her and Stella exited the building, waving me out of the car.
"What?" I asked. Stella winked at me, key in hand. "Lets go, birthday boy, I have one more present for you." She said, her eyes sparkling.
…
Stella was breathing hard, her hands clasped around my shoulders. "Woah." She breathed. I was resting my head on her chest and she was brushing my sweaty bangs from my forehead.
"Well, happy birthday to me." I said, looking at my wrists. Stella had kissed the scars that were there and there was now dark lipstick on the marks.
"Happy birthday to you. Just so you know, I only rented this room for five hours, so if you are going to sleep, I suggest you do it now." She smirked, knowing me well as my eyes shut.
"Whatever." I mumbled, but she just kept running her fingers through my hair, gently putting me to sleep.
…
When we had gotten home from the concert, my parents were happy to see we had made it safely. "Tucker and Sam had called while you were gone. If you want to call them back?" My mom smiled unsurely. I shook my head tiredly, Stella already asleep in my arms.
"I'm just gonna go to bed." I yawned. We had gotten home at 3 in the morning and my parents were tired as well.
"Okay, goodnight. I hope you had a good birthday." My mom smiled. I smiled back, looking down to Stella.
"One of the best." I said.
…
Happier Chapter! :D