- I mean it Tuck! Sam's dad hates me! – He complained to his best friend.
Danny and Tucker were walking on the park. It was around noon when they agreed on hanging out for a while, and the blue-eyed boy used the opportunity to share with him what happened last night. He was unlucky though, because his friend just laughed at him.
- Ok, let's break it down. – He said when he regained his composure, raising his index finger. – First: he hates us both… - He raised his middle finger. – And second, it's been that way since we became friends with Sam. You just take it personally now because you want to date his daughter.
- Hey! – He blushed. – Don't say it out loud. – He whispered.
Tucker's eyes went blank for a second.
- I'm not discovering America with this, Danny. Everybody knows. – He looked away towards a small group of people under a tree. – Wanna see I'm right? – He smiled.
Danny frowned and dragged Tucker a few meters ahead. They spotted a free bench and took a seat there.
- So… what's your plan, Casanova?
Danny rubbed his face with both hands.
- I don't know, Tuck.
- Just ask her out Danny.
- It's not that simple. – He retorted.
- Of course it is! Just watch and learn. – He said as a group of girls was walking in front of them.
- Tuck, what are you…? – Dany said concerned.
- Ladies! – He said when he reached them.
They stopped and turned to look at him with caution.
- What? – One of them said.
- See, I have a reservation in this restaurant for tonight and all I'm missing now is some good company.
- Who are you? – Another one said, clearly annoyed.
- My name us Foley, Tucker Foley. – He made a stud pose. – So… who wants to be the lucky one?
Danny shrank in the bench and hid his face while all the girls frowned and turned around, leaving the techno-geek alone in the middle of the road.
- 8 o'clock works for you? – He shouted when they were far from him.
- What was that?
Danny jumped form his seat when he heard Dam's voice coming from behind him and quickly turned around, face completely pale and extremely nervous.
- S-sam! – His squealed. – How... how much did you hear… see?
Sam crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Danny seemed like a child busted doing something he wasn't supposed to and trying to cover it up.
- Just Tucker trying to pick up 5 girls at the same time.
Danny sighed audibly in relief before straightening in the bench. Sam narrowed her eyes. "Something's going on".
- It's nothing. – He said relaxed. – Just… the same old Tuck trying to catch a date. You know how he is… - He tried to drop the topic.
- And I was very close. – Tucker approached them smiling. – But apparently, I need a better wingman. – He stared at Danny.
Danny's and Sam's eyes opened after that statement, for very different reasons.
- Danny is your wingman? – She said.
- What? No! I'm not… - He panicked and looked at her. – He's lying! I had nothing to do with that. I swear!
Tucker just laughed it off and shook his head. Sam read Danny's body language and confirmed that he was telling the truth. She felt somewhat relieved for it.
- How did you find us? – Tucker spoke again.
- I stopped by Danny's house… - She ignored the suggestive look on Tucker. - … to return him his backpack. Her mom took it and told me where you were to bring him his wallet. – She threw it to Danny's chest. – I assume she didn't know I wasn't invited to your reunion. – She added looking at her fingernails, pretending to be mad.
- It's not that we didn't want you here, Sam… - Danny tried to defend himself.
- It's just that, sometimes, we men need some "time with the boys" to do, you know, men stuff. – Tucker finished.
- Yeah. – Sam raised her eyebrow. – I just witnessed one of those… "men stuff". – She made quotations in the air.
"Damn it, Tucker! Whose side are you on?" Danny thought, but before he could reply, blue mist came out of his mouth and that only meant one thing.
- Wow. – Sam said. – It's been a while.
- Guys, cover me. – Danny got serious.
- With what? – Tucker said looking around.
Danny and Sam imitated him and couldn't find any hideout. "This was easier years ago". Danny thought. Far from their position, there was an empty planter and Danny ran to it. When he was close, he jumped inside and before touching the ground, he went ghost. Tucker used Danny's absence to play his cards.
- So… now he's leaving clothes in your house? That was fast. – He smiled.
- Very funny Tuck. – She looked away blushing.
Through the years, Danny made several modifications to his suit. The most significative one was the addition of the color green: it was present in his wrists at the end of his gloves, in the middle of his shin at the upper part of his boots, in his belt, around the "DP" symbol and in some lines throughout his chest. That area in particular now had more color grey, starting in his shoulders and narrowing down in the shape of a reverse triangle until it reached his symbol.
He flew around the park, but there were no signs of ghost activity.
- You guys see anything? – He asked.
On the ground, the other 2 were looking up, searching for anything ghost related. Before they could find anything, they heard someone shouting.
- I am the Box Ghost! Beware, weak humans, of my might!
Team Phantom collectively growled.
- Soo not worth it. – Danny whispered to himself before approaching the ghost.
- Fear me! Run for your lives before I…!
- Hey. – Danny called him from behind.
When the Box Ghost turned around, he squealed with wide open eyes when he recognized a very boring Danny Phantom floating in front of him.
- What are you doing here?! – He pointed at him with a finger. Looking down, he also noticed the goth girls and the techno-geek observing him, covering their eyes from the sun with one hand. – Why are you here?!
- I know we've been away for a while… - He crossed his arms. – But we're back. – He smiled. – So, let's be civilized and just go back to where you come from.
- Never!
- Do you need the thermos? – Sam shouted form the ground.
- No. – He waved his hand. – I won't need it.
- Cool! We don't carry one anyways. – Said Tucker.
- Alright. Let's end this. – Danny closed his fist and took him by his jump suit.
- No! Wait! Hold on! – He said desperately. – I have a dela with the girl! – He covered his face with both hands.
- What? – Danny stopped his fist midair.
- Yeah. – He freed himself from Danny's grip. – She lets me do this for 5 minutes. Then she shows up, we exchange some insults and then she puts me in the thermos. I can roam freely for some time and then she's seen as the hero. We all win. – He explained.
People nearby started gathering around Tucker and Sam, watching the ghost boy reappear after several years of absence. Whispers started floating around, calling the attention of both ghosts in the air.
- Is there always a crowd? – Danny said looking down.
- No. – The Box Ghost raised his shoulders. – They usually just ignore me. But now that we have an audience…
The Box ghost shot an energy beam at Danny's chest, sending him backwards.
- Dude! That was low. – Danny complained.
- I am the Box…!
A different energy beam hit the ghost. A small figure appeared near that.
- We didn't agree on that, blue. – A girls said with a smile.
- Danielle? – Danny approached her.
- Hi Danny.
Just like his, Danielle's suit also added the color green in the same areas and forms, excepting the chest. In hers, the division between the color black and grey was a diagonal across her chest, with the symbol in green.
- You made a deal with the box ghost? – He asked pretending to be her old brother.
- Yes, but only because he's harmless. – She defended herself.
- Hey! I heard that!
They both shot another energy beam to the ghost, who flew backwards and squealed in pain.
- Fine. – He said unsure. – Is there anything else I need to know?
- Oh, you have no idea. – She muttered, scratching her nape.
- What? – Danny raised an eyebrow. – You're Klemper's new best friend? Or did you become a chorus girl for Ember? – He added sarcastically.
- Her drummer, actually. – Danny didn't laugh, just frowned. – Look, there is a lot I have to tell you, but your return is attracting way too much attention. – She pointed at the crowd below them. – How a bout we meet in our place to catch up?
- Fine. – He sighed. – Meet me there in half an hour.
- Great. – She smiled. – You have to go now. It won't be long before she arrives if she finds out you're back. I'll handle him.
He sighed again. It seems like Valerie was still after his bones. He said goodbye to his "cousin" and turned invisible to revert back to his human form. When he left his hideout, the crowd has somewhat disbanded, but he managed to catch some of the things they were saying. Apparently, he was still famous. He liked that.
He walked up to his friends who now were under the shade of a tree.
- Did she really make a deal with him? – Sam asked.
- It seems like that. But she'll tell me everything in a while.
- Dude, you're rusty. – Tucker said. – I mean… being hit by the box ghost… that's a new kind of low…
- He caught me by surprise. That's it. – He replied.
- Are you sure? – Sam added. – You did seem pretty helpless until Dani arrived.
- Ha ha. Very funny.
- Now what? – Tucker asked.
- I'll talk to her in the headquarters. – He said while in the background, she captured the box ghost in the thermos. – You coming?
- Yeah. – Tucker said.
- Sam?
- Oh, now I'm invited? – She faked annoyance.
- You don't need invitation Sam. You're always welcome. – He smiled at her and she smiled back at him.
- Lovebirds. – Tucker fake coughed.
They were seated in their usual spot in the Nasty Burger waiting for Danielle. Years have gone by and the only thing that ever changed about that place was the composition of the nasty sauce. The flavor wasn't good by any means, but at least they solved the overheating problem. Danny and Sam were seated together, with her by the window and Tucker in front of them totally absorbed by his tablet.
- Hey guys, sorry I'm late. – They raised their head to see Dani walking towards them and taking her seat next to Tucker.
- Don't worry. – Tucker said. – We haven't been waiting for that long.
- So? – She said excited. – How is college life like?
- An unending void of time-consuming activities that may or may not be useful for you in the future and jeopardizes your mental and financial stability. – Sam said.
- And sometimes, it can be funny. – Danny added.
- But don't worry. The debt only last one lifetime. – Tucker joked.
- Wow. – She said serious, resting her head in the palm of her hand. - Way to kill a dream.
- And what about you? – Danny finally asked.
- Well… - She sighed. – It's complicated, but I make it work. – She gave him a weak smile. – That's why I had to make some deals, as you already now.
- Well then… – Tucker said. – Spit it all out.
Dani inhaled deeply before starting.
- As you know, Valerie knows my secret identity. That helped me a little because she became my unofficial ghost-hunting sidekick. – She started. – We alternate work days. Today it was my turn, then tomorrow will be hers. On the weekends we work together. I've tried to convince her to let go of her hate towards you, but dear lord she knows how to hold a grudge.
- You don't say. - Sam said annoyed.
- She somewhat believes me, but she would prefer to punch the truth out of you. – The girl said.
- I can handle her. – Danny rubbed the bridge of his nose.
- You already know about my agreement with the ghost box… - She started remembering. – I convinced Skulker that you were in vacations indefinitely. Which is why he has limited his activities as a bounty hunter for Walker in the ghost zone.
- Skulker and Walker are working together? – Tucker asked.
- They saw an opportunity and they took it. – She shrugged. – Besides, it makes my job way easier so I can't complain. But now that you're back, he probably would be too. – She paused. – Let's see… Kitty and Johnny 13 broke up. Again. Do you know how weird it is to be asked for relationship advice by a ghost when you are single?
- Johnny 13 asked you for advice? – Sam asked.
- No. Kitty. – She said. – And many ghosts return voluntarily to the ghost zone when they find out you're not around.
- That's weird. – Danny said.
- Apparently, fighting me is not as entertaining to them as it is to fight you. – She crossed her arms.
Danny smiled at her jealousy.
- But ghosts aren't my biggest issue. – She finally said.
- The Guys in White. – The other 3 said.
- And with them, the Masters' Blasters. – She sighed. – Even when Valerie tries to stand up for me, they prefer to chase me over doing something useful.
- Vlad. – Danny said with contempt in his voice.
If Vlad's puppets were after Danielle, it was probably a direct order from him. Dealing with the cheese-headed idiot had become a real pain in their ass over the past years, especially after he won the reelection as mayor. Danny crashed back to reality when he noticed the girl looking down and stay silent.
- Dani? – He asked cautiously.
- There is something else. – She made a small pause. – But before I tell you, you have to promise me you won't get mad.
They engaged in a staring contest for a few seconds that ended when Danny frowned.
- Great. You're already mad. – She crossed her arms and laid back on her seat.
- What did you expect? – He said serious. – That's something people say when they know what they're about to say will make the other person angry.
- Fine. – She deviated her gaze. – At least, try to understand why I did it. – She said embarrassed.
- Tell me.
- I made a deal with Vlad.
As soon as she said those words, she shut her eyes closed and shrank in her seat, expecting the angry screams of her "cousin". After a few seconds in silence, she opened one eye to look at him. Danny was beyond livid. Luckily for her, Sam managed to grab him by the wrist and the shoulder, anchoring him to the seat while Tucker reached across the table to hold him by the chest with his hand.
- You did what? – He hissed.
- Dude, calm down. – Tucker reasoned. – She has as many reasons as you to hate him, if not more.
- Listen to her first, Danny. – Sam said.
Danny relaxed a bit when he noted the concern in his friends' voices and laid back on his seat. Both Tucker and Sam removed their hold on him and he crossed his arms on his chest, waiting for an explanation. Dani fidgeted before talking again.
- You know I've always wanted to go to school. – She started weakly. – Try to live a normal life the same way you do.
- We…
- I know Danny. – She interrupted him. – And I truly appreciate everything you've done for me. But after you guys left… well, let's just say I was alone.
When she officially joined Team Phantom, she secretly started going to school, taking classes as an invisible and intangible student. They helped her in everything the could: Jazz was her long-distance tutor for her "homework", Sam fetched her clothes, Tucker gave her food and Danny hid her every night from his parents so she could sleep in Jazz's bed. It was an unorthodox methodology, but it was functional.
- I lost my support system for basic stuff. Valerie helped me with what she could, but…
- You could've gone to my parents. Should've. – He replied serious.
- You know that would've never worked. – She said lowly. – Maybe I could've fooled your father with a tale of a long distant cousin… but not your mother. And we know that explaining my origin it's something…
- Complicated. – Tucker and Sam concluded for her.
Danny rubbed his face with anger. He felt guilty for leaving her to her own devices and she noticed it in his eyes.
- It wasn't the first I had to live like that, but this was different because I had something I didn't want to give up.
- And in comes Vlad. – Tucker deducted.
- Yes. – She nodded. – I went to his place and asked him for help. He… offered me a small apartment, daily meals, clothing, and the opportunity to study formally.
- In exchange for what? – Sam asked.
- Freedom. – She said looking at Danny. – That I stay out of his business and… - She sighed. – To agree to have him as my legal guardian.
Danny's eyes glowed bright green and immediately left his seat walking towards the exit. Worried, the 3 stood up and ran after him, catching up to him when he exited the Nasty Burger. Sam tried to hold him back by grabbing him from the left arm and Tucker helped his the right one; Dani ran until she was in front of him and extended both her arms to stop him.
- Guys… you better let me go. – He hissed violently, making Tucker's blood run cold.
- Danny, I know. I know! This sound terrible…
- He's blackmailing you! – At this point he started screaming and people getting in and out of the establishment, as well as pedestrians, stared curious at the exchange.
Dani got nervous with all the attention falling on them and used her head to point towards a green area next to the restaurant, to avoid being recognized. Danny's jaw hardened and easily broke free from his friends' hold and followed his cousin. Tucker and Sam exchanged concern glances and followed them.
- Look, is not as bad as it sounds. – She tried to appease him when they were away from curious pedestrians, under the shadow of a tree. – After all, he is my father. In a very strange and twisted way.
- How can you…? Don't say that! – He bereted her. – He's not your…
- It's a win-win situation. – She interrupted him. – I can have a life as Danielle and he thinks he's free. No one gets hurt.
- What do you mean "he thinks"? – Sam asked, trying to ease the tension.
Dani turned to her and thanked her mentally for the excuse to finally stop looking at Danny's angry face. He was unnerving her and had her at the edge of an emotional brink thanks to the deep deception he was feeling towards in that moment.
- He's been extra busy since his reelection and even more after you left. – She explained. – As I told you, the absence of Danny Phantom brought down ghost activities, so the people started demanding result in other areas and he can't have the luxury to not deliver them. Why do you think he's expanding the city to the south?
- That's more like an ecocide. – Sam whispered.
- Criticism will rain down on him and that would be catastrophic for his public image. – Tucker added.
- I thought the same. – Dani started feeling more confident now that she knew she had Sam and Tucker on her side. – I think that's why he wanted to be my legal guardian. The story of how he gave an orphan child a second chance in life would keep the press eating from the palm of his hand and the tabloids would worship him for balancing his duties as mayor with being a first-time adoptive father.
- Or a perv. – Tucker joked to ease the mood.
- This is wrong. Wrong! And how the hell I didn't find out sooner?! – He yelled at her. – I came back every summer and New Year's Eve for the past 4 years. We spoke on the phone, texted each other and exchange mails, and it never crossed your mind that was something I should now?! – He pretended his hand was a phone and imitated Dani's voice. - "Hi Danny. Today a boy asked me out on a date. Oh, by the way, Vlad adopted me!"
- That's not fair. – her voice started to break. – And I told you that in confidence!
Danny ignored her and stared, waiting for an answer.
- So?
- Bro, just relax. – Tucker said when he noticed Dani whipping a tear from her eyes.
- I'm still a minor. – Her eyes were fixed on the ground. – That's why it was easy for him to have my face and name erased from everywhere, except for the official events I have to attend to with him. Besides, he asked everyone to respect my privacy so I could have a "normal life". – She did quotation marks in the air.
- Wow! The father of the year. – Danny retorted.
- You could at least give me some credit… - She whispered.
- Why would I do that? Because you let my… no, our worst enemy to roam free to do as he pleases without any consequence? Do I have to remind you what he wanted to do to me? Or even worst, what he wanted to do to you?!
- Our agreement doesn't allow me to keep an eye on him, but it's not extensive to Valerie. – She defended herself.
Danny's face twisted when he failed to understand the correlation between the 2 topics.
- What does Valerie have to do with any of this? – Sam asked softly.
- I don't know how or when… but she knows Vlad is the ghost of Wisconsin.
The 3 were shocked by the news, but Danny refused to let it show.
- She knows about my agreement with him, and since Vlad is her weapons supplier, she's the one doing the spying. That's why we are unofficial partners. As long as he doesn't find out we are close, we can keep taking advantage of the situation.
- Ok, so in short… he thinks he's using your but in reality, it's you who are using him. That's… not a bad plan.
Tucker tried his best to paint the story on her favor, but Danny didn't budge.
- No… he's still using her. – He turned around and stormed off.
His friends exchanged worried looks and Tucker pointed at him with his head so she would follow him.
- Why me? You are stronger than me!
- Because he can beat me if he wants to, but he would rather getting crucified before hurting you!
Sam sighed and ran after him before losing sight of him.
- Danny! – She called for him.
Tucker rubbed his face and sighed before focusing on the girl.
- I screwed up. – She said with her eyes on the ground. – I shouldn't have told him that.
Tucker shook his head.
- It was better he found out about this from you.
- He's furious.
- Just because he feels responsible. – He explained. – I mean, he hates Vlad and worries about you.
- I've never seen him like this.
Tucker only smiled.
- That's because you didn't see his face when he found out James Bond's existence.
- He never saw the films? – She asked confused.
- I was talking about Sam's suitor in Cambridge.
- Oh. – Now she understood. – I thought his name was Stephen… Stephen something.
- That's his codename. – He said remembering that videocall when he told Danny Sam met someone…
Danny was laying in his bed, holding the phone in front of his face with both hands when he dropped the bomb. Out of pure muscle reflexes, he broke his phone nearly bending it in half, and tried to hide the anger and jealousy by making more questions about the guy. Back then, Tucker told him he was like a real-life version of James Bond (hence the nickname) to torture his friend, who just pretended to be listening with a smile.
- How did he calm down back then? – Dani asked a bit more relaxed.
- He said he would give Sam something no one would ever top. He was full maniac mode for a week, and then he just stopped. He never told me what he did.
Danielle sighed and looked at him.
- You don't think I made a mistake?
He looked up to the tree branches, trying to find the best words to answer her.
- I think… - He started. – I think you did what you could with the cards you were dealt with.
- How diplomatic. – She smiled.
- Look, it might have been a mistake… but if nothing wrong has happened in years, I don't think it's something unforgivable.
- I guess you're right. – She said with resignation.
- Just give him time. – He said. – He just needs to blow off some steam and he'll come around.
Tucker stayed with her a little longer, trying to lift the girl's spirit. He had forgotten how easy it was to talk to her, after all, she was a female version of his best friend. Meanwhile, Sam was still chasing Danny on the streets. He was trying desperately to find a secluded area to transform, but Sam's screams were drawing to much attention to them and didn't gave him the privacy he needed.
- Danny! Stop!
He turned around to face her when she pulled him from his shirt.
- What do you want Sam?
- To stop you from doing something stupid. – She said, bothered by his tone.
- Then your help isn't needed! – He shot back.
Sam knew he was angry, which was why she didn't take the comment personally. She gabbed him by the arm and lead him towards a not too crowded open space. Her first idea was to take him to a more private setting where they could chat freely, but that would have made Danny's escape way easier.
- Where were you going? – She crossed her arms.
- Where do you think? – He replied sarcastically. – I'm going to drag him out of the City Hall and I'm…
- No, you won't.
- Wanna bet? – He challenged her.
- I know you're angry… - Danny snorted by the comment. – But you cannot let that clod your judgement, Danny.
- My judgment is very clear!
- Then have you thought what would happen to Danielle if you show up to shove everything in Vlad's face?! What would happen to her life, her education? You're not thinking clearly Danny.
- You don't understand Sam!
- No! It's you who doesn't understand! – The screamed desperately. – This is not your fault.
Sam grabbed him by the shoulders and looked straight into his eyes. Usually, that was more than enough to calm him down. But Danny took her by the wrists with softness and removed them form his body.
- It is. – He clenched his jaw. – I abandoned her, Sam. If I hadn't…
- Stop right there. – She warned him.
- … left, she wouldn't have had the need to…
- Listen to me Danny: you have the right to live your life. – She lectured him. – You are 2 completely independent people and…
- But she's my…
- Your what? – She raised an eyebrow. – Cousin? Sister? Clon?
-My responsibility. – He replied.
- You and your stupid hero complex. – Sam whispered rubbing her temples.
Danny stared at her and just shook his head.
- That has nothing to do with this and you know it. – He said raising his voice a bit. – Vlad exploited the vacuum we left and now is using her as a pawn. Why am I the only who sees it? – He added with frustration.
- You won't be there for her always, Danny. – She sighed. – And she has the right to make her own choices…
- No, no, no… You're not doing this again. Your "all for one and one for all" logic won't work this time. I know you wanna play this one for "team women" but…
- That's not it, Danny. – she felt slightly offended for that comment, but looking back, that was her intention in some past incidents.
- Then what is it?
- Look… she survived a long time on her own before she came to us for help, and she found a way to do it again when we weren't around. Why don't you give her credit for that?
- Because she made a very stupid decision. – He pointed out the obvious.
- And you never made stupid choices? – Sam put her hands on her hips.
- Not that stupid! – He defended himself.
They stared at each other and when she raised her eyebrow, Danny knew which memories were going through her mind.
- Ok, maybe I have. – He admitted. – But I was supposed to guide her so she won't make the same mistakes I did.
- I get it. – She got closer to him. – But that doesn't mean she won't be making mistakes of her own.
Danny rubbed his face with frustration and growled. He was still angry, but Sam always helped him to find some clarity in his thoughts.
- I'm gonna kill him. – He refused to let go if his anger,
- You'll fight him… you'll kick his ass and you'll make your point very clear. But you're not going to kill him. That's not who you are.
Danny listened to her and sighed in an attempt to calm down. He crossed his hand behind his head, by the nape, while looking up and taking deep breathes. He knew Sam was right, and he hated feeling like that… consumed by anger. Sam noticed Danny was relaxing, but he wasn't quite calm yet.
- Thanks. – He finally said. – And I'm sorry. I shouldn't have taken it out on you nor tell you those things.
- It's okay. I get it. – She smiled.
Danny lowered his hand to his hips and looked at her serious for a few seconds.
- Are you ready to go back? – She asked.
- No. – He replied quickly. – I… need to clear my head first.
- Still, you should apologize to her. – She reminded him.
- I know. – He bit his lower lip. – Bur for now, I need to be alone…
- We both know that's the last thing you need now.
- Sam…
- Come with me.
Sam grabbed him by the wrist and started walking. Danny let her drag him and looked at her curiously.
- Where are you taking me?
- You need to get stuff out of your head… so we're going to the best place to numb it.
- Dear lord, not the library.
Danny's joke got a laugh out of her so hard she had to cover her mouth to muffle the sound. Danny smiled at the sound of her laughter and let her lead the way.
They spent most of the day together. The visited many new places in Amity Park and most of the ones they already knew. First Sam took him to the arcade the 3 of them used to frequent; then, Danny took the lead and gave her a tour across all the new places than opened after they left for college. They stopped by Sam's favorite book store to see the new material, then went to the shopping mall for lunch and bowling afterwards. Danny was having such a great time that he ignored every time his phone rang or vibrated to avoid ruining the mood. After defeating Sam, they took a walk to the park and then they had dinner.
And now, they were walking down the dark streets of the city early in the night. She was the one marking the pace and route, because Danny was jut lost on the way her lips moved while she spoke.
- When did it get so dark? – She wondered looking at the sky.
- I never thought that would bother a creature of the night like you. – He smiled.
- Ha ha. – She smiled back and pushed Danny with her shoulder against a traffic sign, but he just phased through it. – That's cheating.
- Well sorry for not wanting a bruise on my face.
Silence set between them for a few seconds before she spoke again.
- Ok. One last time. – She said. – Danielle made a deal with Vlad.
She watched his reaction. He just sighed and looked back at her.
- It was something dumb, but not the worst crime ever. – He recited as a child saying "good morning" at school. – I'm bothered, but I won't let my emotions get the best of me.
Satisfied, Sam smiled and looked ahead once more. The small tremor on Danny's hands was gone, which was a good sign.
- Very well. You can now apologize to her.
- Is there anything else I can do for Her Majesty? – He said with a fake British accent, then his face lost its joy by remembering a certain British guy.
- Actually, there is something. – She smiled, not noticing Danny's mood going sour. – But it's something you won't be willing to give me.
Sam's smiled faded when she realized how badly her words could be misinterpreted. But she relaxed when she remembered that Danny was a world-class clueless guy. He, however, opened his mouth in shock and his tongue beat his brain.
- Try me. – He said.
She smiled nervously.
- Ok. About the book…
- Never mind. – Danny smiled as he tried to cross the street to get away from her, but she took him by the arm.
- Please! – She said laughing. – I just wanna know…
- Samantha Manson, I already told I won't talk about it.
- Just one thing! And I swear I won't bring that up again.
Danny sighed and looked at her straight into her eyes.
- No. – He said serious before laughing.
- Buzz killer. – She pushed him again.
They kept walking in the direction she was heading.
- Sam. – He called her. – Thank you.
- Why exactly? – She asked.
- If it wasn't for you, I would've done something very dumb. I was gonna beat the mayor! – He smiled. – Now that I say that out loud, it sounds very stupid.
- Not a big deal Danny. That's what friends are for.
Realizing what she just said, Sam deviated her gaze and bit her lip. Why does she do that to herself? 7 years and still she liked to hurt herself the same way. Every smiled, gaze, hug or compliment that Danny threw her way was like a dagger, and she just loved to stab herself in the heart by keep reminding herself that they were just friends. She smiled bitterly.
- I mean it Sam. – He stared at her. – I think I own you another one.
- Well… - She finally stopped walking. – You walked me home so… let's call it even.
- What? – Danny blinked confused by her comment and looked around.
Sam just laughed at him.
- You didn't notice I was walking home? – She asked amused.
- No. I was… distracted. – He admitted.
He had been so focused on her that he failed to recognize the familiar streets. In his defense, Sam's laughter was more than enough to distract anyone. Besides, he didn't want the day to be over. He enjoyed her company and wanted to keep doing it, but by being so distracted his chance slipped through his hands.
- Well… - She started. – I guess I'll see you tomorrow.
- Yeah… yeah. – He replied uncomfortable.
They stayed in silence for a moment, not knowing what to say or what to do. Danny didn't wanna leave, but she said saying goodbye; whereas Sam knew she had to leave or her mind would start wandering towards dangerous grounds.
- Good night. – She said.
- Good night, Sam. – His mood decayed a bit.
This time she noticed it, but didn't understand why he looked so… disappointed. She corrected herself mentally. That was just her perception, it had nothing to do with the way he really felt. Even so, she stepped out of her comfort zone and did something she had never done: she put her left hand on Danny's right shoulder and, standing on her tiptoes, kissed him on his cheek.
- Bye. – She said to a very shocked Danny.
Her heart started beating like crazy and a blush covered her face. It had been a small innocent gesture of no more than a second, totally justifiable in the grounds of their friendship, right? Wrong. If that was the case, she wouldn't be feeling so embarrassed for doing something that bold. She tried to run away as fast as she could to reach her bedroom and locked herself there until the next eclipse, wailing to her hearts' content for that mistake she just made. But a hand held her forearm.
His body tensed when he felt her hand on his shoulder. He petrified when he saw her getting closer to him. The sensation of her lips on his cheeks sent a shiver down his spine that gave him goosebumps and made his ears ring. He could feel his blood rushing to his face, heating it… and a second later, it was gone. That warm and lovely sensation disappeared… and with it, his inhibitions. When he noticed the girl turning around, he grabbed her by her forearm.
The strength he used was enough to stop her without hurting her. Curious, she turned to ask him why, but was suddenly stopped when Danny's free hand rested on her cheek and pulled her to him. And he finally kissed her.
His eyes shut immediately, focusing all his senses in the softness of her lips, the light vanilla breeze coming from her hair and the warmth her body released. He had been wishing for this for years. A real kiss, not one of those fake-out make-out they had on their belt. He had been fighting with the impulse to kiss her since he was 15, but no more.
Sam went rigid immediately. She underwent a brief state of shock and before she could understand what was going on, her eyelids betrayed her and shut closed. Her mind screamed at her to stop that madness, but she would be lying if she said she dislike the sensation. Fighting against her own desires, she took her free hand to his chest and pushed him gently.
When Danny opened his eyes, he understood the weight of his actions. Sam was shaking and her face was red.
- Why did you do that? – Her voice came out fearful.