Chapter Three: The Master's Son

"There are no strangers, just friends you haven't met yet." - William Butler Yeats

As fate would have it, they shared a class. Which of course they would, fate loved to get Danny into trouble but never helped him get out of it. The history teacher called the class attention at the front.

"Mr. Masters. I'm sure you've had to introduce yourself in all of your morning classes today. I'm sure you are very tired of ice breaker questions and what not so I won't make you get up here, just say your name at your desk," she said in a droning voice.

"Hello everyone, my name is Gavriel. I sometimes go as Gabe, and I'm glad to meet everyone." Gabriel said. He did look like Vlad, the two had the same silver white hair and ice blue eyes, and square chins. If this was a Danny clone, he would have to ask why he was half asian. When Mr. Lancer said his name Danny did a double take; first he did know Vlad had a kid, second Danny had always assumed he be white? Did that make him racist? He shoved the thought far away from his mind.

Maybe it wasn't a clone then. Both Danny and Vlad were white, so nothing there that would make an asian clone. Maybe he was a robot? Danny didn't sense any ghostly energy from him, and he was breathing. He could've been programmed to breathe though? The teacher's lesson faded into muffled background noise as Danny stared at the new kid. He couldn't see any seams in the skin, but he was also wearing a turtleneck in September. Gabriel turned to look at him, and Danny quickly turned away.

The kid dressed like one of the goths Sam hung around with but missing the makeup and thirty pounds of chains and crosses. That just left a modern black look with combat boots. all of it looked brand new, including his backpack and supplies. Another point for the robot theory, and Danny was keeping track in a mental list. But one thought stuck in his mind like a rock in his shoe. What was the end goal of this? If the kid was a spy, then it was too obvious, and if he was meant to be a rival ghost hunter. Then there were already several groups and hunters around town. Including that weird group of teens that had the pet white tiger. Maybe he was trying to make Danny jealous? Danny rolled his eyes, no matter how many clothes or fancy items Vlad threw at this kid, Danny was never going to leave his friends and family to become his son. So, that couldn't be it. Danny crossed out the idea after idea in the margin of his notes. Maybe the old man had finally given up on making Danny his son and found himself look-a-like? That idea was quickly striked out. Vlad was an obsessive bitter old man who only cared about what he couldn't have. That left his original ideas in the margins, he was a spy or he was a robot.

Danny shot out of the room as soon as the bell began its hourly scream. He slammed and pushed other students, making his way down the hall, and twisting around the corner, slamming right into Tucker.

"Ow! Danny what-"

"We need to talk. I think Vlad's up to something," Danny cut his friend off.

"What? Why what happened? Is there a ghost?" Tucker said.

"I didn't sense any ghosts, but I did meet Vlad's new kid."

"Kid?!"

"Yeah, kid. His name is Gabriel Maters and He's in my sixth period history class. And Mr. Lancer knows about him."

"Are you sure he's Vlad's kid? Maybe he just has the same name?"

"No, I'm one-hundred percent sure. Not only does he look like Vlad, but Mr. Lancer scolded Dash when he tried to hit him and asked the kid to "not tell your father'. As if he's Draco Malfoy or something."

"Oh Shit. What is he doing here then?"

"I don't know, but I think he may be here to spy on us. If he's even human."

"If? What if he's a ghost?"

"No, not that I can tell. But, he looks so similar to Vlad that maybe he's a robot?"

"Did he make beep boop sounds?"

"Tuck, be serious."

"I am! Wait, is that him over there?" Tucker pointed down the hall. Gabriel stood at the door to their math room, talking to the teacher.

"Yep, that's him," Danny said.

"I kind of assumed he be white," Tucker said.

"I'm glad I wasn't the only one," Danny said.

"He looks human, I don't see any wires coming from him."

"Tuck…"
"I'm just making an observation. Did you tell Sam yet?"

"No, I just found out last period," Danny said. He pulled out his phone and shot her a message.

Danny: Watch out for the new kid. He's Vlad's new son.

Sam: Does he look like you?

Danny: No, he has white hair. And he's asian.

Sam: Oh! Truthfully, I wasn't expecting that.

Tucker: I know right! Also, the kids in all black, but not in a goth way, but in a bond villain way. He has a black turtleneck, black jeans, and combat boots. Even his backpack is all black.

Sam: Pics?

Danny: We will try.

Tucker: I'll try.

The math classroom was always cold. The teacher liked to blast the room with AC no matter what time of year it was. He was a porky bald man who would erupt in sweat when the temperature reached over 60 degrees. He stood at the front with Gabriel standing next to him.

"Good afternoon, everyone. Now, I know we did introductions in August when the school year started, but I guess some of us wanted to make a late entrance. Over a month late. For the love of God, look interested as we welcome Gabriel Masters. Tell them about yourself, kid," The teacher said.

"Hello everyone. My name is Gabirel, but you can call me Gabe, and it's very nice to meet everyone. I like to read, write, and go to concerts. One fun fact about me is that I used to be in the foster care system. and…" Gabriel looked to the teacher for help. The teacher motioned his hand to hurry Gabe up. "I hope we can all become friends," After that he took a seat in the front row.

Tucker and Danny sat in the back watching the reactions of their shivering classmates. They didn't look too interested, mostly looked upon the disabled smartboard in dread of their upcoming lesson. Paulina kept swiping glances at him, as she moved the hoodie tied around her waist to over her shoulders, protecting her exposed midriff. Dashed gave the new kid a dirty look, and his lackeys followed suit. Tucker snapped a picture of Gabriel.

Tucker: What do you think?

Sam: he's not goth. He's just in all black.

Tucker: Isn't that the same thing as goth?

Sam: No!

Tucker: Soooo is he emo then?

Sam: No! He's just in all black.

Tucker: Lame.

Danny: Guys. Focus. He's working with Vlad.

Sam: What is he doing now?

Danny: Writing in his notes.

Tucker: Probably writing down his evil plans no doubt.

Sam: Would it kill you to be serious?

Tucker: Yes!

A glitter smiling anime girl gif was added to Tucker's last text. Danny covered his mouth to sniffle a giggle.

"Mr. Fenton! What about my lesson is so funny?" The teacher called out.

"Uh, nothing sir," Danny said.

"Pardon me if I don't believe you. How about you come up here and show me how to solve for X?" With a groan Danny made his way up to the classroom taking peaks at Gabriel's notes as we came by and when he left. The teacher rolled his eyes. "While Mr. Fenton may be good at math, that does not mean he has an excuse for lollygagging in class. And that goes for the rest of you as well."

The rest of the class was filled with glances to the new kid from all around. When the bell rang out everyone ran to the door looking for warmth. Leaving Danny and Tucker to waddle behind.

"What did you see?" Tucker asked.

"Nothing. It was just messy notes," Danny said.

"That doesn't help us," Tucker said.

"Hello? Hey?" Gabriel tapped on their shoulder.

"Oh hey!" Tucker said. "How long has he been there?" He whispered to Danny.

"I don't know," Danny whispered back.

"Danny, right? I saw how you solved that math problem earlier and I was wondering if you could help me? I went to a school in a different state and I am quickly finding out that they are a year behind in math. I'm free Tuesday if you want to meet up at a cafe or something? It's okay if this is too much," Gabriel said.

"Uhhh… sure! Where do you want to meet?" Danny asked.

"There is a cafe near Mr- uh near Dad's house we can meet. I can text you the address. It's called Moriarty's Bookstore."