Sam's body hit the lockers hard, knocking both her head on the hard metal and the wind out of her lungs. She slid ungracefully on the floor and looked up at her attacker; disoriented.
As the dizzying sensation stopped she finally recognized Paulina and Star, though the latter looking mildly concerned, who stood above her. Paulina's gaze was cool and hard, a deadly flare resting on her usually gorgeous face.
"You peice of -"
"Save it, freak." Paulina spit, not letting Sam finish her string of curses. Paulina reached down to grab her victims hair, but Sam was ready this time and grabbed the girls wrist.
She twisted the Latina's arm and dug her fingers into her darker skin. Sam was furious. And she was in a lot of pain. She stood up, not letting go of Paulina's arm as she protectively kept the girl in her tight grip.
Sam had been walking to first period, early and unaware of her surroundings, enjoying herself as she remembered the conversation from the night before.
The fact that THE Danny Phantom had been on her roof, talking to her, had been one of the greatest experiences she's had in high school, she was beyond ecstatic and wasn't thinking about the messy problems that had been appearing at school.
She was especially oblivious to the girl coming up behind her until Sam had felt herself being slammed into the lockers.
Paulina's now bleeding skin leaked as Sam's nails continued to pierce her assaulters arm.
"Paulina you better have a good explanation for this or I'm gonna call the cops," Sam exclaimed. Letting go of the girl but shoving her away.
"I don't have to have any explanation for you, you man eating pig." Paulina rebutted her insult as if it was anything Sam hadn't herd before, but the man eating part had left her confused.
But she didn't really care too much on the insult rather on the girl in front of her. She was also vaguely aware of Star who had been trying to retreat at the sight of the red that speckled Paulina's now ruined top.
Sam was no stranger to the torment the popular girl dished out, but never had she been physically attacked like this.
"I don't know what makes you think you're gonna get away with that Paulina, but you're lucky-"
"Shut up!" She screamed, her voice rasping against Sam's ears. "I'm not afraid of you and your bats that I know live in that unwashed hair of yours."
Sam looked at the girl incredulously contemplating what her next move was gonna be. Despite already drawing small flecks of blood from the girl, Paulina clearly was unwavering. Whatever had set her off, was making her wild enough to come at Sam, personally.
"Are you going to tell me why you decided that today was the day you'd try to kill me?" Sam bit out. "Or did you think crazy psycho just matched your last-season Prada bag?"
Paulina's eyes narrowed and for once Sam physically recoiled from the girl, the strong confidence she usually wore cracking. She took a step back but hardened her scowl, cursing herself for the display of fear.
Of course she had always been slightly intimidated by the girl, but never had she shown it. It was worse, because Paulina had noticed the shift in Sam's stance, relishing in her fear.
"Don't think that just because you have Danny defending you now means anything to us," she barked, finally gaining the courage to say what she had wanted to.
Sam's jaw clenched and let her scowl fall deeper as she narrowed her eyes. "Of course it's Danny," she whispered to herself, gradually growing more and more irritated with the whole situation. "Just because your little boyfriend dumped you doesn't mean it's my fault."
It had been speculated, by the rumor mill: something Sam had often gotten aquatinted with as she was usually very quiet during class and could hear almost any new rumor spread, that Danny and Paulina had split.
She assumed it to be true because of their whole fight a few days before, and it seemed that Paulina was now taking the break up out on her favorite victim.
"I know you used your voodoo to sleep with him, skank." She snapped, venom dripping from her words. "Cause there's no other way you would get him in your pants."
The hallways were now beginning to fill, and a crowd had Fromer, hence the "oos" and laughter that played after Paulin's comment.
"Voodoo isn't goth Paulina," Sam fired, rolling her eyes. She had decided that this would be the moment she could finally tear Paulina down off her throne. If her and Danny were done, at least for now, as the two seemed to fall perfectly into their stereotypes, then Sam would take the opportunity to do some damage without Danny swooping down to save her. "And just because you sleep with anybody who will let you, doesn't mean I do."
"Oh you did not just say that,"
"If the fake Jimmy Choo's fit." Sam sneered. She admired it wasn't one of her best lines, it lacked her usual eloquence, but she decided that it was shallow enough to have an effect on the girl.
Paulina fumed but held her composure, not letting the Goth have any affect on her. Sam usually would have won by now, or a teacher would have come and yelled at her for her 'bad attitude' despite that she was in fact the victim. Once again she realized just how serious Paulina was about the whole situation.
Paulina crossed her arms over her chest and smirked, her once rigid shoulders relaxing. Sam was now even more on edge at the change in air around them.
"I'm so sick of you, freak." Paulina clenched through her teeth, and snapped her bony well manicured fingers. Sam furrowed her eyebrows in confusion but wasn't given much time to think on it when arms wrapped under her shoulders and held her in the air.
Sam whipped her head around and found both Kwan and Dash holding her up by the arms. She sung her legs in desperate attempt to kick them but her attempts were to no avail.
"Let me go," she yelled, trying to keep her cool, but she was rapidly growing more and more uncomfortable, with her body digging into the boys' arms. It felt like they were ripping her arms from her sockets. "Paulina this is sick."
"You're the sick one, Manson," she sneered, once again, watching Sam like she was nothing but her prey.
The students around were beginning to murmur louder. Some egged on them on, while others seemed uncomfortable and yelled out their disapproval. "I can't believe you'd go so far to poison Danny's mind like that."
Sam clenched her jaw as Paulina walked closer to her.
"You probably even payed some ghost to posses him."
"Or wished that he'd like you." Dash quipped, snickering to himself. "With that wishing ghost."
Sam scoffed at his futile attempts to sound intelligent, but to some in the crowed it was hilarious.
"Well you're done, Freak," Paulina laughed, before pulling on Sam's hair. Sam took no time to kick Paulina back, her combat boots pushing deep into her side.
Paulina fell back on her butt and hissed, glaring menacingly up at her assaulter. Sam smirked but gasped for air when the boys who held onto her arm pulled her arms.
"That's it," Paulina yelled, she stood up and aimed her sharp, witch like nails at Sam's face. On instinct, Sam looked away, not thinking about defending herself; only keeping her eye out of the fray.
But it never came.
She looked up after a beat of silence to see a hand grabbing Paulina's arm, stopping her from continuing her assault.
There stood Danny Fenton, towering over the girl. Danny ripped Paulina away from Sam and His broad shoulders left a shadow on the people around him and his bright blue eyes glared down at the Latina.
Paulina's face lit up, happily expecting Danny to join in, but she visibly shrunk away when she saw his face.
"Let her go," he breathed, his voice echoed throw the halls despite its low timber. There was a wild intensity in his eyes and the boys behind Sam slowly let her down, not being able to look away. "Don't ever touch her again."
Sam felt her feet touch the floor and she composed herself, despite the ache in her arms and the dizziness from before beginning to reappear.
The hallway was completely silent. Either from shock or fear, no one could tell. But everyone knew that Danny looked dangerous. More than any teenager should ever look. Despite his composition, the air around him was stark cold and he was menacing
Never had Danny stood up for anyone, let alone go against both Paulina and Dash. Especially, not for Sam Manson. Dash too was specifically surprised as he broke free from whatever hold Danny had on him.
Sam was just as dumbfounded, her heart hammering in her chest as she realized all that was happening. Why he was doing this she wasn't sure.
She wanted to scream at him. She did.
To yell at him and tell him that he should mind his own business and that she could take care of herself. That it was his fault she was hurting. That it was his fault that Paulina was practically going crazy. But she couldn't do it. She was honestly just grateful.
"You can't just boss us around you know, Danny," Dash was taking his opportunity as well, seeing that the two most popular people in the school were no longer a power couple.
Sam was knocked to the side as Dash stood face to face with Danny, pushing past her to look more intimidating.
Danny's hands clenched and the temperature around him dropped even more. His scowl illuminated as his eyes seemed to flash a dangerous green.
Dash made a grab for Danny's shirt but Danny had already seized him in his unrelenting hold. "Dash," he said coldly, "I'm giving you one warning, I will not give you another one".
Sam's breath hitched, a familiar feeling scratching at the back of her head. She's heard him say that before, but she didn't know where.
Dash took the the threat and backed off, but not before Mr. Lancer began pushing through the throng of people.
"Lord of the Flies!" The man shouted. "Mr. Fenton what is the meaning of this?" The teacher stood with his arms crossed as he watched Danny set Dash down. Sam
"Nothing Mr. Lancer." Dash said, laughing awkwardly and trying to appease the man. Dash always did have a way with getting away with anything. Sam rolled her eyes but assumed it'd be better to let this one slide. Speaking, she was probably just going to be thrown under the bus again.
"Well then get to class." Was all he said and he walked away, not even giving Sam a second look. "All of you get to class."
Paulina gave Sam one last glare before flipping her hair and walking off. She grabbed Dash's arm and leaned into him, turning just enough to see if Danny was jealous.
But Danny didn't even bother looking at her when he leaned down to Sam's height, concern etched into his features.
Sam's lip quivered under the scrutiny of his gaze, feeling completely and utterly lost in his eyes.
She wanted to cry again. She almost felt comfortable enough to cry as he shielded her from everything and everyone else.
She didn't realize how well she was holding back her feelings till the tension in the room dispersed. Her shoulders sagged and the dizziness turned to a full headache.
She supposed the hit to the lockers had left her a little more disoriented than she had realized. The adrenaline of the moment only pushed the affects back and Sam was now feeling it.
Danny grabbed her arm gently, brining her to her feet, letting her lean on him along the way. Sam mindlessly went with him as he walked her down the hall toward the nurses office. She only realized what was happening when she found herself face to face with the door.
She pulled away from his grasp and decided it was time to stop hiding from him.
"Thank you," she said, trying to regain some composure. Now that she was more aware, she was chiding herself for getting caught in the situation in the first place.
How it had escalated so quickly Sam didn't know but she let herself breathe in relief. She loved to stir up trouble with the populars, especially if it ever got back to her mom. She loved the chance to ruin the woman's reputation, even if it was just by association.
But now Sam was concluding that she'd lie low for a while. She didn't need Paulina showing up again and yelling at her when she wasn't ready.
"I'm so sorry, Sam." He whispered, breaking her out of her thoughts. "I wish I could've been there sooner."
Sam's eyebrows furrowed at his apology, not liking the way it made her heart flutter ever so slightly.
"Danny.." She sighed.
"Just let me help you inside before you start yelling at me again." He stopped her, holding up his hands in surrender as his eyes faced her pleading looks.
Sam nodded and Danny opened the door, escorting her inside the nurses office. The two found the nurse sitting behind her desk, looking at her computer that hid her face from view.
The room was cold, and it sent goosebumps down Sam's arms. She shivered but continued on. Danny too let out a small gasp, and he swiveled his head around in concern.
The nurse finally looked up when the two walked to the front of the desk. Her perfectly refined features set in a predetermined pout.
Her hair was a long and silky brown, cascading down her back in perfect water falls. She had no blemishes, but roses red cheeks, with long eyelashes that framed her bright blue eyes.
In short: she was gorgeous.
And Sam couldn't help but wonder what a woman like that was doing at a high school.
The woman's cold stare ran over Sam's body's and she shivered again, the room feeling even colder. But, her glare lifted as she met Danny's eyes, a small smile forming on her pouty lips.
Sam refrained from rolling her eyes, trying to give the woman the benefit of the doubt. It wasn't unheard of to not like the goth girl, so Sam brushed it off.
"Hello," she purred, standing up and begging to walk around her desk. Sam was certain, absolutely certain, that the woman swayed her hips on the way over. "Can I help you?"
The woman's eyes never left Danny, despite that Sam was clearly the one in need of assistance. Danny; however, to Sam's astonishment and awe, didn't seem to care much about the woman in front of him.
His face remained stoic as he eyes the woman's hand, that was now resting on his shoulder.
"Yeah," Danny began, moving out of the woman's grip and wrapping his arm around Sam waist. Sam went rigid, not ready for the sudden intimate contact. "My friend here needs some medical attention."
Sam have him a pointed look but she remained still.
This was her enemy here, she shouldn't be standing there letting him man handle her when she was in an hour of need.
So why did she let him keep his arm there? She wasn't sure but she knew in her head that she was against the whole idea. As if that was any consultation to her.
"Oh," the woman's eyes now went back to Sam, looking her over with uninterested eyes. "Yeah alright I have an ice pack for you but then you need to get back to class."
"Fantastic," Sam quipped after folding her arms over her chest, an action that reminded her of the pain under her arms. The nurse quickly grabbed her an ice pack and sent the two on their way, not before giving Danny an extra long in glance.
Sam pretended to gag.
She stopped outside the door once it was closed, using the ice pack on the side of her head she hit.
"Look Danny," she started, not really knowing what to say. She knew what she should've said, that he was crazy for even trying to be friends with her. Or that he needed to let it go, but she just couldn't. Because honestly, she didn't want to say all that. But she also couldn't just trust him.
"Sam wait," he interrupted. She let him since she didn't know exactly what she was going to say anyway. "Can… can you give me a chance?"
Sam looked away from him, not trusting herself to answer well when her heart began to pound under his gaze.
"I know I've done some stupid things, and I'm so sorry. Genuinely I just…" he paused looking for some response from the girl. Sam looked back at him, urging him to continue. "I… I met Danny phantom."
Sam gave him a questioning look, wondering how that related to anything.
"A-and you know I realized I wanted to be more like him." He awkwardly grabbed the back of his neck and Sam laughed to herself, realizing that they were already similar in that way. "He saved me from a ghost and I almost died, and I thought that I wanted to be a good guy not some villain."
"….what?" Sam shook her head in disbelief, because she wasn't convinced. Why would she be? Everyone in the school had been rescued at least by the famous ghost. And this new found hero complex was just so random and out of the blue.
But she supposed it could've been true. It was at least some insight to the flippant mode swing.
"I just thought I'd you knew why I changed so much, you'd understand me." He offered, a small smile dancing on his lips. Sam really should've just walked to class. She was already late as it was, but instead she hung her head in defeat.
It had to be easier just to be friends with him and chance that it all was a lie than to continue to think about it all day everyday.
So, despite her better judgment, and their history, she stuck out her hand. His smile grew and her cheeks got warmer. He too reached out his hand and grabbed hers in his own, shaking it ecstatically.