Okay here's chapter seven! It took me a bit to edit this one (New characters are so hard to write) but I think it turned out pretty well. I hope everyone enjoys it!

Chapter 7 (Sam's POV)

I sit down with a long sigh as I look across the small distance to my friends.

"So… how was your date?" Tucker asks me, wiggling his eyebrows. After sending him my most vicious glare, I allow a small smile to come to my face.

"It… it was really nice actually… she wasn't patronizing or anything like I was afraid she would be. I actually got to give her some tips too on her stance. It was… almost fun…" I realize a moment too late how I sound, because Danny starts to call me out on it.

"Got a crush Sam?" He asks with a smug grin.

"Oh, shut up! Like you don't go prancing off to see your boyfriend all the time!" The bright blush that consumes my friends face is worth the little bit of embarrassment I felt. Serves him right…

"So, do we need to talk about anything still? I mean, you two talked about everything so Tucker is caught up. And technically today wasn't super catastrophic. A bit annoying, but not anything we didn't expect. So, are we good?" As I ask, I can feel the air shift as we all get back to the reason we're here in the first place. I look to Danny, but Tucker is the one to speak up.

"I think today went surprisingly well all things considered. I'm not entirely sure what the plan is going forward so we should still be prepared for anything, but I don't think this class is going to be as bad as we all thought." I hear Danny groan and know he must be thinking the same thing I am.

"Great job Tuck, I bet you just jinxed us again!"

"I should mention that I talked to my parents a bit today about their plans for the rest of the year. We're only a couple weeks in, so we have a while left to go, but they're taking the class at an incredibly fast pace, so I wanted to ask them what they were up to. This week they're planning weapon training, next week we begin hand to hand combat. Guys, I think they're preparing us to actually fight ghosts. Maybe as a final exam or something." Danny says all of this while still covering his face with his hands. I glance to Tucker and see the same worried expression on his face that I know must be mirrored on my own.

"Fuck! They wouldn't actually do that right?"

"I don't know Sam… I really don't know…" Danny mutters, looking at the ground in concern.

"How would they even grade us for something like that?" Tuck asks incredulously. I give an amused snort before sobering.

"Probably based on stance and shot accuracy, and how we do overall. I hope they would intervene if something went wrong or at least have a contingency plan but honestly that feels like wishful thinking…" Even though I'm the one saying it I can't shake the sense of dread that comes with the words. They wouldn't actually do something like this, right…?

"Whatever happens we need to be prepared. If worse comes to worse our secrets aren't worth the lives of our classmates. For the most part ghosts aren't really a problem anymore but knowing my parents they will have some kind of plan for this. We need to be prepared for anything and have each other's backs." I look to Danny as he speaks and give a small smile, he always knows what to say to make us feel better.

"Yeah, whatever happens, we'll be prepared. We've got this, guys." Tuck's confidence, though often misplaced, still brought a smile to my friends faces. We'll be okay, so long as we prepare for everything...

"Okay. I'll admit. I was not prepared for this." This encouraging statement is barely audible over the cacophonous noise of our Ghost Defense 101 class. It's week five so we just finished the hand-to-hand combat unit. We're about to start the physical fitness unit, which is pretty much as boring as it sounds.

"Remember class, the most important part to ghost hunting is keeping your body in peak physical condition!" Mrs. Fenton was speaking from the front of the class while quickly passing out the sweatshirts we had to wear while participating in today's class activities. A run. An honest to god run. Why the fuck do we have to go on a run when this isn't even gym class?!

My internal monologue was cut short by someone shoving a bright blue sweatshirt in my face. It has Mr. Fenton's face on it. There's no way I'm wearing this…

I share a look with my friends as I toss the brightly colored garment to the floor. Following the line of students out the door, we stand among our peers; the only ones who actually put the sweatshirt on being Mikey and Nathan.

"Alright kids! We're gonna do a ten-minute run around the school. It's not that big so most of you should be able to complete it within that time frame. Whoever doesn't, has to continue on to the next set of exercises. Everyone understand?" The long series of groans and nods held the answer to her question. I look to my friends to gauge what they think. Tucker looks annoyed, probably already figured out about how fast he can go without causing suspicion. Looks like he will be doing the next set of exercises…

I look to Danny next. The set of his eyes and frown on his face could mean a lot of things. However, I know he's frustrated. He's the strongest out of the three of us, but he has to pretend to be a wimp. He did kind of stand up to Dash a bit though… maybe he could show off a bit…

I try to signal to Danny and get his attention but suddenly I hear the loud yell from the far end of the field.

"Get in position! Get set! Go!" It took me all of thirty seconds to run over to Danny and touch his shoulder. When I knew he was looking at me I turned back to the front and made a fist at my lower back before racing off to the front of the group. I didn't look back, but if I did, I know I would've seen the challenge in his eyes.

It was only a couple more seconds before I heard the shocked gasps ringing through the group of teens behind me. Then I felt the touch on my shoulder before watching Danny fall back in with the rest of the crowd, smirk on his face. It's one of his greatest weaknesses, he can never back down from a friendly challenge.

I turn back to pay attention to the road in front of me just to be surprised by the fact I'm not alone in the front. Cheyenne can run too, and she's fast. Not bad…

"How long have you been there?" I ask, trying to pretend I'm a bit out of breath.

"Not… as long… as you…" Cheyenne wasn't pretending. Her face was red with exertion, there was a little bit of sweat on her brow. Her panting was harsh but measured, she was still good to run a bit more.

"Think you can keep up?" I ask with a teasing smile. The look she gives me had to have been from running. I've never seen someone look at me with that much heat before.

"Not a chance." My breath caught at her reply, and I almost tripped. Luckily, I didn't make a total fool of myself in front of her. Spirits she's gorgeous…

I saw the field we were running to up ahead and gave her a short wink before adding a quick burst of speed. I haven't been getting top grades in gym for nothing after all. Cheyenne comes in second, then Dash, then surprisingly Danny, with a Cheshire grin on his face. I walk over to him where he lays spread eagle on the grass, trying to appear tired for the sake of our class.

"Well, you sure improved." He grins up at me lazily.

"I had a great teacher." The short laugh that bursts from me is both unexpected and incredibly loud, drawing the attention of the few people who were back from the run. Making the executive decision to sit down, I nearly miss seeing Cheyenne walk over to us.

"That was a great run, I see why you're the top grade in gym." She giggles a bit as I snap my head up to look at her in shock.

"You thought that run was something, you should see Sam when she's boxi- OW!" I land a sharp hit to Danny's ribs to cut him off.

"Ignore him. You did great too. I'm impressed you kept up with me. You were even in front of Dash." I give her a proud smile and she looks back with a small blush, running a hand through her short hair.

"It… it was nothing… I uhm, I took some self-defense classes a while ago, and just kept working on keeping in shape… you wouldn't be able to tell from looking at me… but… I'm actually a lot stronger than I look…" The blush on her face was adorable, but then I registered what she said and took a calculating look at her.

"No, you're wrong," She looks to me confused, "You don't look weak or anything. Your build is consistent with muscle mass born from proper eating and regular exercise. You look extremely strong to me. I guess the average person just isn't very good at seeing the obvious." Her face lights up in a dazzling smile at my words, so I figure I said something right. Danny, who I had forgotten was sitting there, finally pipes up from his position next to me.

"What type of self-defense classes did you take?" Cheyenne, who had just sat down, looks sharply to my friend at his question. We both recognize the emotion on her face immediately for what it is: fear.

"Uhm… none in particular… just tried to learn a few moves…" I know Danny can tell it's a lie. If it's obvious to him it's a lie, then she really sucks at lying…

"That's cool. Might be helpful someday." Danny says with a smile, I let out the small breath I was holding, and notice Cheyenne does the same. Good job Danny, everyone has their secrets.

I'm about to ask something when the whistle for ten minutes is blown, and my thoughts are interrupted.

"Congratulations to everyone who made it back before the ten-minute mark! Because of your excellent physical fitness, you are excused from doing the next couple of exercises. Instead, you will be practicing weapon accuracy with Mr. Fenton. Please follow him over to the small shooting range and pick your weapons."

I share a glance with Danny and, surprisingly, Cheyenne as we all head over to pick out a weapon to use for practice shooting. There's something oddly comforting in the oddness of this class.

"What are you gonna use?" I ask Danny, turning to watch him scan the weapons. He picks up a small ecto pistol from the bottom of the pile and grins up at me.

"I have the least practice with this one." I'm rolling my eyes when I catch the sight of Cheyenne picking up a Fenton Bazooka.

"Uhm… you sure you wanna use that one…?" I ask cautiously. Turning to face her fully I see the almost manic grin on her face and suddenly become very concerned.

"Yes, I really want to learn how to shoot this. You said you had experience with it right? Can you show me?" She looked at me with the cutest set of doe eyes I've ever seen, and I felt my heart melt right out of my chest.

Picking up the other Fenton Bazooka I gave a resigned nod and signaled her to follow me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Danny covering his laugh with his hand. I swear I could shoot him with this damn thing right now…

Standing at the end of the shooting range I'm sure we looked insane. Two girls dressed in very dark colors holding some of the biggest guns in the pile on our shoulders. If only my mom could see me now…

"Okay. So, here's what you want to do…" for the next thirty minutes of class I showed her how to properly hold the gun, how to aim, and what the best uses for this type of weapon were. After a few minutes I see Valerie join Danny at the target a few feet down from us with an ecto pistol. Though I can't hear what they're saying, I still notice the tense set of Dany's shoulders.

After forty-five minutes the whistle is blown, and I look over to Chey proudly. By the end of the class period, she's able to shoot three bullseyes in a row, unaided. She's better than I was…

"Well done my pupil." I say with a dramatic bow. She giggles and bows back.

"Thank you, great master." At that we both burst out into laughter until I hear the clearing of a throat I'd recognize anywhere.

"Hey Tuck, how'd the exercise go?" I say, more laughter escaping me. He smirks and I start to panic.

"Not as well as it looks like your shooting practice went." I can tell from the heat of my face that I'm blushing, my only solace is Cheyenne is blushing too, so at least I'm not alone.

"It… it's not… we're not…" My extensive vocabulary is truly failing me right now. As much as I instinctively want to say it's not like that, I'm pretty sure everyone present knows that's a complete lie. Or at least, I want it to be a complete lie. I really need to figure out how she feels…

"Anyway! Guess who can hit a bullseye three times in a row with a Fenton Bazooka!" Cheyenne looks smug at my words and Tuck just looks impressed.

"Just from one practice?"

"Well, it's not like the targets are moving or anything… but yeah. Just today." I give her a small smile at the accomplishment. She's certainly got promise.

"Wanna join us for a snack at the Nasty Burger after school?" The new voice belongs to Danny, he walks up from behind Tuck to talk with us, Valerie in tow.

"You mean… me? You want me to go with you? For food?" The uncertainty in Cheyenne's voice is heartbreaking. So, I have to do something about that.

"Yeah! You're really fun and… well… I think we get along pretty well…" I can feel the blush on my cheeks again.

"And we're pretty sure Sam has a massive crus- OW!" I place a kick squarely to Tuckers shin so he can't finish that sentence. Looking at my new friends face though I'm pretty sure she knows exactly what he was going to say. Her blush is so cute though…

"Ignore Tucker. He's an idiot."

"Isn't he a genius?"

"A genius idiot." I send him another glare to cut off his protest, the meaning clear in my eyes: do not mess this up for me.

"So! You in?" Danny interrupts the tension.

"For Nasty Burger?" We all nod, "Uhm… yeah! I'm in!" There are three simultaneous cheers before we agree on when and where to meet up, Valerie stays silent behind Danny, watching the exchange. As we're heading back to the classroom to pick up our bags I linger behind for a moment to get a word in with my friend.

"Danny, is Valerie joining us? What's going on?" He gives me a small smile and shakes his head.

"It's nothing really. She just had something she wanted to apologize for, so I invited her to come with us so she knows all is forgiven. I figured Chey could come too, since you have such a thing for her." At this last part he gives me a smirk, it's almost enough to make me forget what he started with.

"Apologize for? Do you mean…?"

"Yeah… that. She knows. She told me she just realized it after talking to me recently in G form. I told her all was forgiven, but she feels bad about everything. We're gonna be alright though. Oh! And thanks for that challenge earlier. You're really using our hand signals just to make me do better in classes now?" He gives a small chuckle as we stray even further from the group.

"Hey! Whatever it takes! I know you can't resist a challenge, and if I can use that to help you do better in class? I'm gonna." I give a small chuckle when I see his smile. At least he's not upset.

"Just be careful you don't overdo it. And really? Keep up? That's the best challenge you could think of?" His laugh makes my shoulders feel lighter as we finally grab our bags from the classroom and head out to meet Tucker.

"It worked didn't it?" My smile only grows as Danny laughs beside me. Seeing my friend relaxed after being so tense is nice. As we finally meet up with Tuck at the lockers there's only one thought on my mind. What a ride today has taken me on. But it's not over yet.

Aaaaaaaand scene! So, just in case anyone is wondering, this OC is actually based off one of my friends. We both were head over heels in love with Sam when we were kids (and let's face it, we still are) so I just had to write her into the story. I hope everyone enjoyed this! Next couple chapters are gonna be INTENSE. (Possibly) See ya!