Finals arrived for every young adult throughout the college. This also comes with the territory of overstudying and lack of sleep towards all. Everyone was focused on the after of finals: winter break. A month-long break from the stressors of school, the young adults were counting down the days of being free.
And luckily today was the last day for exams. The campus was busy as many students raced to their classes, running out of class to bask in the joys (or failures) of their courses.
After Sam and Valerie decided to be more friendly towards each other, they decided to merge their two groups into one for finals. Both groups were hesitant to do so due to their history but decided to put their differences aside this time.
Valerie was relieved her current friend group and old friend group was getting along. She felt a tug at her heart, wondering what could have been if she and Danny dated during high school. Maybe things could have been different, she thought.
The group decided to study at Sam's house as the goth lived alone in a huge modest house that was close to the campus. The former A-listers were shocked to see how rich the goth truly was.
Sam glared at them as to not much her wealth which they received. But they couldn't stop to wonder how and why she didn't become an A-Lister like them.
The first few days the groups split up for those who had similar classes or subjects. It was rough at first but over time the group became comfortable, forming another what-if between them. Then the last few days they all felt confident in their studying and grateful for the tips from each other as well.
Tucker helped Valerie with the editing of her writing, Danny getting help in math from Star, Paulina, and Sam helping Dash and Kwan with history. Each person saw newfound respect towards each other during the studying sessions. It was a start for the former classmates.
Today was the last day for finals, many students were seen running off towards their classes for the semester. After, it was off for winter break!
Valerie saw her classmates in a rush to either finish finals or hurry up packing to go home. She chuckled as a skinny rich white girl and her friend were rushing towards their classes with the girl dragging her friend behind her.
Different emotions raced through Valerie's head on her way to her Journalism final. Relief for a break, excited to spend time with Danny, happiness to see her father, and confidence that she'll pass her final.
Valerie took a deep breath and letting out the last-minute anxieties. She then went into the building where her final was being taken, a sea of her classmates making their way towards the room.
Her professor, Dr. Rogers, stood tall in the middle of the lecture hall, waiting for her students to settle in. In her hands were packets that contained the final for her students, who were still filing in.
Valerie took her seat and saw that the room was almost packed with other classmates and those who needed to retest. She was thankful her professor let those who fail to retake the test a total of 3 times before grading.
When the room began to settle down, the professor began to pass out the packets to the nervous-looking students on each row. When it was Val's turn, she thanked the professor quietly as she looked through the packet.
Ten pages, front and back, stared at Valerie as she looked through the packet, wanting to get a feel of what was needed. It looks easy, all the material covered in class, and pass quizzes.
Some were fill-in-the-blank, some multiple-choice questions, and an essay question. They had three hours max to finish all the exams which are enough for those who study or attempting to cheat. Val snorted at the thought of cheating and looked over the chapter 1 section of the test.
What is one important way that business interests influence the content of television news?
Valerie looked at the question and circle the correct answer, feeling confident of getting the answer right. The first 4 sections she breezed by all of them being multiple choices.
Chapter five took her 45 minutes to finish as it required critical thinking about the early years of America's newspaper history circa the 1800s.
'Oh great, the 1800s. So much fun.' Valerie groaned internally, having them remember the section regarding the upcoming passage.
Another hour later, Valerie finished up her exam and went up front to the class to place her exam next to her professor, who was reading a Toni Morrison book. She gave Valerie a knowing glance and gave her a goodbye nod which she returned.
She gave a glance at the few remaining people still left in class, stressing over the exam. The old competitive side of Val mentally snorted at those who were still taking the exam. But current Valerie silently wished them luck as their professor certainly did not hold back on the exam. She walked out of the class, free from finals, and can finally enjoy her winter break.
When she got outside, she texted Danny to meet at her apartment dorm which he replied he was on the way. Valerie already gave him a key for emergencies but was mostly used for late nights of studying or early morning dates. The fact half his clothes were also in her room shows how much time he spends with her as well.
He and Star even manage to become friends as well Kwan due to both boyfriends spending late nights with their respective girlfriends. Danny and Star bonded over math, science, and the occasional NASA announcements while Kwan had a wide interest in video games Danny shared.
Val thought back to the night they all stayed up to play House Mouse Party 7, a racing game of their beloved mouse characters from when they were children. It was a real bonding session between the group and a great way to unwind. She smiled at the memory of the night as she could never imagine them doing this in high school.
Shaking her head out of thought, she kept walking towards her shared apartment with Star, hopefully, Danny waiting for her. This semester had its ups and downs, but she survived the first half of her sophomore year. With her relationship with Danny and making amends with Sam, it turned out for the better.
'Especially with no ghost around on campus.' She thought to herself, glad no ghost has appeared.
When she gets into view of the apartment, she sees Danny is loading up her bags previously packed the week before into his car. It touched her heart that he went through all packing the car for their trip home.
He turned to her, giving his charming boyish grin before struggling with another bag of hers. Val chuckled at his shenanigans before going over to greet him with a short kiss.
"I see you've been busy today." Val cheekily pointed out to her boyfriend. Danny rolled his eyes as he huffed another bag of hers.
"Jeez Val, do you have a body in here?" He complained to his girlfriend about her heavy baggage. He only had a few more scarlet red suitcases and bags to fit into the back of the SUV he rented for the remaindered of Winter break.
She stuck her tongue out in return and went into her apartment to check for last-minute things.
He let Tucker and his girlfriend use his car and Sam already had her chauffeur drive to her parents' home. He was happy to afford the SUV to fit all of their things and have some extra room as well.
'Sam probably won't be happy I got this type of car, but she'll come around.' He thought to himself, knowing how his best friend is.
He smiled to himself, happy his best friend and girlfriend are civil towards one another. Both sides told their version of the meeting which was mostly positive on their part. Danny couldn't be happier that they decided to work out their issues with one another.
He throws the last bag of Valerie's into the truck, giving it a nice slam. Danny is glad he has his ghost powers because any other person could not handle the baggage Valerie had packed. His bags were light and easy compared to hers, which were a lot of luggage.
"Okay, I grabbed my road bag for the trip! I got snacks, drinks, books, backup chargers, and my books." Excitedly she told her boyfriend, throwing the said bag (another scarlet red bag as well) into the second row of the car.
Danny chuckled at her excitement, feeling a bit giddy on seeing his family and finally catching up on some well-needed sleep.
Valerie made sure the door was a lock to the apartment, checked her list on her phone, and both got into the SUV. Danny decided to drive to Amity while Val picked the music.
He pulled out of the driveway, driving through the campus until he was in town. While he was driving, she played her playlist of road music for them to listen to. So far, they were listening to a mixture of 90s rap and 2000s pop-punk as a balance.
While listening to the music at a comfortable volume, they recall the past of their high school adventures.
"I can't believe they gave us a flower baby to take care of! Talk about being cheap with the budget!" Valerie laughed at her former high school's choice of 'childcare'.
"What was even worse was Tucker's mom used it for cookies! It was good cookies but bad for Tuck and his grade. Sam was so pissed about it she had him her vegan food." He chuckled at the memory.
"At least ours survived, barley, but we weren't stupid enough to leave it with Tucker." She jokingly countered back to him, to which he agreed.
"If only Skulker didn't zap us, who knows what would have happened," Danny questioned out loud, giving a glance to Val who slightly blushed.
"I think those ghosts were the real matchmakers throughout our relationship." She spoke." She mused, smirking at him which caused him to chuckle.
"Maybe so in a weird way. Technus and Skulker guided us together through the power of evil."
"The only time evil prevails, is in the time of romance!"
They both burst out laughing at their dramatic love story then rode in cozy chats throughout the ride.
- 3 hours later -
Since it was winter, the sun had set but only a little light visible. Valerie was reading a book on her phone while Danny kept driving until he got to his parents' house.
They were going to stay with his parents for the night and the next day then Valerie would return to her father's house and him to his parents. A part of him was sad that he wouldn't be waking up to Valerie in the mornings, but it would be awkward for them to sleep together during their parent's homes despite being adults.
Danny sighed in relief at the giant sign of his childhood home. He pulled up to the driveway while sending a quick text to his parents. Valerie looked up from her phone, adjusting her eyes to the darkness.
"Well, home sweet home." He grinned at her, which she returned. Danny turned off the car as they both got out, taking only one bag for the night. Both joined hands as they walked upstairs to his parents' house.
When Danny opened the door, his father greeted both adults with a giant bear hug as his wife beamed beside him.
"Welcome home Danno and Val-Gal! Boy, we missed you, kids, while you were away, isn't that right Mads?!" His father excitedly said to the couple, who were trying to breathe.
"Oh, honey let them down!" She chastises her husband for his super strength. Jack dropped them gently, still beaming at both.
The couple returns the smile until Danny's eyes landed on his mother's stomach.
"Uh Mom, is there something you wanna confess?" Danny with wide eyes, said fearfully, knowing the answer.
Both parents looked at each other than the couple and yelled "WE'RE PREGNANT!", much to the shock of the young adults. Jack put his arm around his wife, touching her slightly swollen belly with a giant smile on his face.
Valerie and Danny had their jaw dropped at the news as his mother was maybe four months along with her pregnancy looking at her stomach.
Danny couldn't stop staring in shock until Val jabbed him in his ribs sharply, which made him straighten up. He looked at his parents, still beaming at the couple.
"Congrats mom, I did always want to be an older brother." He joked to his parents, who laughed at his comment. Valerie rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's joke, wanting to remind him he is an older brother.
The group made their way from the door entrance into the living room, Jack taking Valerie in the kitchen to get drinks and to know about his 'favorite could be in law' which both young adults blushed at the comment. This left Danny alone with his mother, glowing from her pregnancy (hopefully not ectoplasm).
The two were on the couch, waiting for their partners to return with drinks and snacks.
"So, son, how serious are you two? I see the way you look at her." Maddie spoke gently to her son.
"I love her mom. I never thought I could ever love someone so much like her." He gushed to his mother, blushing in embarrassment. She smiled knowingly at him, giving the motherly 'I know what you don't know' look.
"Are we going to hear wedding bells soon? I would love another daughter!" She laughs, patting her belly. Danny smiled at his mother and her stomach. Another kid into this crazy family, he thought.
"Not yet, I would want to wait until after we graduate or in a few years. But for now, we're comfortable where we are." He said, glancing into the kitchen where he heard his father's loud laughter.
He and his mother continue to catch up until Valerie and his father came back with a tray of hot tea, biscuits, cookies, pie, a turkey sandwich, yogurt, and fruit slices. Danny and his mom chuckle while shaking their heads at the amount of food served to them.
The group enjoys the food and stories told, much to the embarrassment of Danny. It was such a good time until Dani called on the Fenton Phone (a house phone with the logo on it). Danny grabbed the phone, wincing once he heard his younger sister's voice.
"Danny, Val, I need you guys. It's another ghost causing problems and I can't handle it!" Dani yelled through the phone; wreckage being heard throughout the background.
"We're on it!" He said then hanging up the phone. He gave Val a look, one she returned, as both headed out the door in a hurry.
Maddie gave her husband a concerned look, ever since they found out about Danny it made her worry even more. The doctors told her to take it easy for the baby and for her sake.
"Don't worry honey, they'll be fine! They have proven to us and themselves they can handle it." Jack said reassuringly, rubbing his wife's belly. She nodded as she cuddled up to them on the couch, hoping the kids would return to safety.
It has been a while since I have updated. A global pandemic, school, work, and capitalism have been a huge help. Hopefully, I may write another chapter around spring break. Any feedback is appreciated and hope you all enjoyed it.