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Description
Out of Orbit

“Ohmigosh Star, is it true?”

“When’s the first date?”

“Have you two kissed yet?”

“When did you hook up?”

“Does he have a brother?”

Star smirked as she reveled in the attention she was getting from her classmates. Not acknowledging any of the questions being thrown her way, the blonde strutted down the hall to her locker, well aware of the small mob of curious students following her but pretending not to notice them.

Oh yeah… She thought smugly as she opened her locker to get ready for her first period. I can totally get used to this…

“Hey Sta- whoa…” Turning around, Star had to suppress a smile at the look on Valerie’s face as she took in the many kids surrounding them. “What’s with this crowd?”

“Oh hey Valerie!” Star sang out, still pretending that twenty plus students weren’t trying to get as close to her as humanly possible. Valerie’s eyebrow kicked up at her friends cheerful tone, a far cry for the emotional wreck she’d been when she left her apartment.

“Well you’re in a good mood…” Valerie said dryly, leaning against the rows of lockers. “Something good happen yesterday?” Star giggled slightly.

“You might say that…” She said coyly, delighting in her current position.

“Do you really want me to force it out of you, Star?” Valerie asked with a pointed look that had Star moving away slightly. She’d been to some of Valerie’s martial arts tournaments, and knew all too well the kind of pain her friend was capable of inflicting on others.

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard from someone else yet.” Star said instead, genuinely honest in that remark. She’d become a hot topic literally overnight, after all, and being Star’s best friend should have made Valerie the first person people went to with their questions.

Although, a lot of people still feared approaching her after what she’d done to Nathan to get him to stop stalking her…

“I was working last night.” Valerie said dismissively, which Star didn’t really understand since she could’ve sworn that her friend had the day off. “So? What’s the big deal, anyways? Did Kwan ask you back out or something?”

“Nope!” Star grinned happily at Valerie, eager to see the look on her face after she found out about this recent turn of events. “It’s—!”

BANG!

Several students jumped when Star’s locker door was slammed shut, cutting the blonde off and irritating her to no ends. At least until she turned to meet the angry blue eyes of the person who’d so rudely interrupted her. A person she knew all too well…

“Oh, hello Paulina.” Star said innocently with a razor edged smile. “Problems?”

“Like you don’t know!” Paulina hissed back, scowling at her. “I always knew you were pathetic, but this is sad even for you, Star.”

“Excuse me?” Star stiffened at that, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“You heard me.” Paulina sneered. “You actually think I believe your stupid little lie? It’s totally obvious you’re just jealous of me.” The crowd murmured slightly, looking to one another doubtfully as Star’s jaw dropped for a moment.

“I am not!” she protested angrily. “I’m not lying, and I’m not jealous! If anyone’s jealous here, it’s you, Paulina!”

“And why would I be jealous of you?” Paulina laughed cruelly. “I’m prettier then you are, I’m cooler then you are… I’m even the captain of the cheer squad! Face it Star, I’ve got you beat in everything!”

“Then how come I’m the one with the boy, huh?” Star asked, crossing her arms and turning away slightly.

“You are not!” Paulina snapped. “Stop saying that!”

“Can’t face the truth?” Paulina glowered at Star, who had to smirk. She was definitely enjoying this oh-so-refreshing change of pace…

“Prove it.” Paulina hissed. Star blinked at her in surprise.

“Huh?” Valerie said, raising an eyebrow with a baffled look. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Why do I have to prove anything to you, huh?” Star demanded angrily. Paulina smirked back triumphantly.

“Then it is a lie!” She said loudly, turning to address the surrounding crowd. “I knew my ghost boy would never settle for someone like her.”

“…WHAT?” Valerie shrieked, jumping to her feet. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me.” Paulina sneered. “You’re little friend here lied about being Danny Phantom’s girlfriend.”

“I did not!” Star growled out, glaring at her furiously. “I just don’t see why I have to prove anything to a jealous fangirl like you! And for your information, Phantom’s coming in after school to fly me home!”

“He’s WHAT?” Valerie asked, turning to her friend with wide eyes.

“Now I know you’re lying.” Paulina snorted disdainfully. “You’ve been afraid of heights since the third grade.” Star faltered a little at that, torn between feeling surprised that Paulina remembered that or foolish that she’d forgotten herself.

“So?” She said, covering the slip as gracefully as she could. “I’m not afraid when Phantom’s flying me! I know he won’t drop me!”

“Well then, I guess the entire school will know if you’re lying or not after school today, won’t they?” Paulina said arrogantly, cocking an eyebrow at Star.

“I guess they will.” Star countered, shrugging her bag up her shoulder before turning and storming away, a very surprised Valerie at her heels.

“Star, is it true?” She asked, her green eyes wide. “You’re dating that ghost?”

“Of course it’s true!” Star snapped, still a little irritated over Paulina’s accusations. “He asked me last night, on my way back come from your house.”

Star continued to class, too riled up to even notice when Valerie slowed her pace to a dead stop.

---

“We need to talk.”

Star scowled, irritated at her rotten luck. Unfortunately for her, Sam Manson returned the scowl with a vigor.

“Outta my way, loser.” Star scoffed as she brushed past Sam. “I don’t have time for someone like you.” Growling, Sam grabbed the girl by the wrist and yanked her back into the girl’s bathroom before she could leave.

“I said we need to talk.” Sam hissed, glaring at the girl as if daring her to try and escapes again. Star flinched.

Though she’d never admit it to anyone, Sam had always been able to scare her. Something about the goth had always seemed very intimidating, the reason she’s always avoided being caught in the same room as her alone.

Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be any chance for escape here. And since they were in the girls bathroom in the middle of second period, so the chances for a very welcomed interruption were slim.

“Fine.” Star huffed, leaning against a sink. Sam released her death grip on her arm while giving her the same dark smile she herself had given Paulina that morning.

“Good.” Sam said sweetly. “Then while I have your attention, let me tell you this; If anybody finds out about Danny thanks to you, I’m gonna incinerate you and hide the ashes under my bed where no one will find them.” Star scowled at her.

“You think you scare me?” She scoffed as she turned up her nose at the girl.

“I better.” Sam responded. “Because I’m being dead serious here. We worked too hard and gave up too much to lose it all thanks to some snot nosed little Paulina clone like you.”

“I am not a Paulina clone!” Star screeched, jumping to her feet. “What do you know about me, huh? Don’t you dare try and tell me what to do, Manson, I’m the one calling the shots here!”

“The only thing you’re doing is taking advantage of my best friend!” Sam growled back. “Danny has to put up with enough, he doesn’t need a headache from you now too!”

“Please!” Star snorted. “You’re just mad I got to him before you did!” Sam stiffened at that.

“Excuse me?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me.” Star rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows that you like Fenton.”

“…I see…” Star raised an eyebrow as Sam walked over to the door with an eerily calm expression, her concern growing then the goth turned the lock.

“What are you doing?” She asked warily, backing away slightly.

“Completely disregarding Danny and Jazz’s orders.” Sam responded before tackling the girl. Star screamed at the top of her lungs, struggling to get away. Her escape was hindered, though, when Sam grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked. Hard.

“Let me go! Let me go!”

“You dirty rotten deceiving shallow soulless husk of an A-list snob!” Sam growled back. “What gives you the right to use people like that, huh? Huh? Danny should’ve just let Johnny waste you!”

“Let me go you freak!” before anything else could be said, Star felt a strange tingling sensation before she and Sam where suddenly forced an arm’s length apart. While Star was wondering what on earth happened, Danny Fenton appeared in between the girls, frowning disapprovingly at Sam.

“Done yet?” He asked dryly. Sam looked faintly annoyed.

“How did you know I was—?”

“You left to go to the bathroom three minutes after Star, Sam.” Danny sighed. “It wasn’t that hard to figure out. Besides, the whole school heard you two yelling. They evacuated since they thought it was a ghost, and Mr. Lancer sent me to get you guys.” Star blushed as Sam just scowled in annoyance.

“Whatever.” Sam scoffed, turning to leave. Her posture betrayed her anger, though, and Danny sighed after she’d unlocked the door and left.

“Sorry about that.” He apologized to Star. “Sam and Tucker… they don’t like someone outside of our group… well, you know…”

“I noticed.” Star said bitterly as she tried to straighten out her hair. She was gonna kill the goth if she ended up with a bald spot…

“Yeah, kinda figured that…” Danny said with a weak smile. Star frowned a little. Didn’t he care at all that she was just using him? It was creepy that he didn’t seem to resent her at least a little… “Anyways, Sorry. I’ll talk to her later about keeping things non-violent. Later, Star!”

“Wait!” Stepping forward, Star grabbed Danny’s sleeve to stop him before he could make his way to the door, surprising the boy. “There’s a new condition.” Danny blinked.

“What?” He asked blankly. Star rolled her eyes, wondering how Amity Park was still standing given its hero’s short attention span.

“I have a new condition to our deal, the one we made last night?” Danny winced slightly there.

“Oh.” He said. “That. Sorry, I’ve been so busy with something else that I— erm, never mind. What’s the condition?”

“Paulina doesn’t think we’re really dating, so you have to fly me home today after school.” Star informed him haughtily. Danny frowned at her.

“So that’s what this is all about?” he sighed. “Getting back at Paulina?”

“So what if it is?” Star’s eyes narrowed at him. “You have no idea what she put me through! Always treating me like dirt… she deserves it!”

“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean you should do it.” Star blinked at Danny, surprised at how mature he sounded all of a sudden. “Trust me, Star, I’ve been there. Just because you can do something to get back at someone who’s hurt you doesn’t give you a right to. Sometimes it’s a lot more rewarding to just be the better person.”

“Shows what you know.” Star rolled her eyes. “You should have seen the look on Paulina’s face when she heard I was dating you… well, Phantom. And that was only the beginning! When I’m done with her, she’s gonna be sorry she ever messed with me!”

“Whatever you say, Star.” Danny said, though he still looked a little troubled. “Anyways, the flying thing shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Good.” Star said, walking past him. She stopped at the door to turn back, though. “And one last thing… if you drop me, I swear I’ll kill you.” And with that, the girl left, a surprised Danny blinking in her wake.

---

“You have no idea how much I hate her right now.” Danny groaned softly to himself as Sam glowered at Star, a distinct feeling of déjà vu overcoming him as he watched the blonde brag to a crowd of kids about her big date with Danny Phantom.

“Let it go, Sam.” he sighed. “You’re not helping things by mauling her in the girl’s bathroom.”

“It made me feel better.” Sam insisted stubbornly.

“Gotta hand it to Star, though, she doesn’t look like she just suffered through a Sam Attack.” Tucker admitted admiringly as he eyed the popular coed.

“And just who’s side are you on?” Sam demanded, scowling darkly at him.

“I said let it go, guys!” Danny sighed roughly. “I don’t think Star’s about to say anything, and we’ve got other problems to worry about, remember? Besides, I kinda feel bad for her…”

“You’re kidding?” Sam asked incredulously. “After everything she’s putting you through, you still feel sorry about her getting dumped by Kwan?”

“Not that!” Danny frowned. “It’s just… some of the things she said in the bathroom were kinda depressing to hear. She’s become so bent on getting back at Paulina, she doesn’t seem to care about anything else.” Danny paused here, thinking back to some of the less honorable things he’d done with his powers to the people who’d upset him. “I just wanna try and help her, I guess.”

“Who says she deserves it?” Sam asked bitterly.

“What kind of superhero would I be if I got selective about who I saved?” Danny shot back in return, only deepening Sam’s scowl. Suddenly Danny gasped, a jet of blue mist snaking out of his mouth. Sighing, the boy stood up. “Speaking of being a superhero…”

“I’m finishing your lunch, dude!” Tucker called to him as Danny jetted to hide behind the double doors leading into the cafeteria, checking around carefully before transforming into Danny Phantom.

Going invisible, Danny flew into the kitchen, where he couldn’t help but groan upon finding the Lunch Lady terrorizing the staff.

“You call this meat?” She roared at the cowering humans. “This is pathetic!”

“Yeah, well it’s not the only pathetic thing around here!” Danny shouted, kicking her away. Before he followed, he couldn’t help but add to himself. “Gotta work on the snappy banter…”

The fight was over quickly, partially because the Lunch Lady wasn’t the most powerful ghost and partially due to Danny’s bad mood. It ended with a screaming Lunch Lady being pulled into the Fenton Thermos yet again before Danny capped it. Sighing, the ghost boy turned to head back to the lunch room.

And found an ecto cannon three inches from his face.

Yelping, Danny ducked before his face could be blown off by the blast that followed this revelation, flying a good ten feet away to get a better look at this new foe. His heart dropped to his stomach when he saw the familiar black-and-red garbed figure.

Greeeat…

“Can’t we do this later?” Danny asked irritably. “I’ve got better places to be right now.”

“I can’t believe you.” Valerie hissed, her eyes narrowing at Danny. “Every time I give you even a little credit, you just have to do something to sink even lower, don’t you?” Danny frowned blankly at that.

“What?” He asked, taken aback.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know, ghost!” Valerie snarled, taking aim at him again. “This is the lowest thing you’ve ever done! Manipulating my best friend just to get closer to me…”

“Woah, woah, woah!” Danny shouted as he dodged the blasts. “I didn’t do anything! Star’s the one who—!”

“Liar!” Valerie shrieked. “And don’t you dare say her name, you dirty creep! You took advantage of her when you knew she was vulnerable because she’s one of the few friends I had left, just like what you did with Danny!”

I’d laugh right now if I didn’t think it’d get me killed… Danny thought dryly before he spoke up once again.

“I didn’t do anything to Danny, or Star!” He defended himself. “Believe it or not, Valerie, my afterlife doesn’t revolve around finding new ways to make you miserable!” Danny scowled, not catching the whining noise behind him until it was too late.

“I choose not.” Valerie said coldly, just before Danny was blasted in the back.

Going intangible at the last second, Danny fazed through the floor and into the boiler room, where he hit the ground painfully. Groaning, he stood up and transformed back into Fenton, hurrying to the door just incase Valerie was planning on following him.

Well, at least this day can’t get any worse from here on out… Danny told himself bitterly as he left. …I hope.

Description
Out of Orbit

“Ohmigosh Star, is it true?”

“When’s the first date?”

“Have you two kissed yet?”

“When did you hook up?”

“Does he have a brother?”

Star smirked as she reveled in the attention she was getting from her classmates. Not acknowledging any of the questions being thrown her way, the blonde strutted down the hall to her locker, well aware of the small mob of curious students following her but pretending not to notice them.

Oh yeah… She thought smugly as she opened her locker to get ready for her first period. I can totally get used to this…

“Hey Sta- whoa…” Turning around, Star had to suppress a smile at the look on Valerie’s face as she took in the many kids surrounding them. “What’s with this crowd?”

“Oh hey Valerie!” Star sang out, still pretending that twenty plus students weren’t trying to get as close to her as humanly possible. Valerie’s eyebrow kicked up at her friends cheerful tone, a far cry for the emotional wreck she’d been when she left her apartment.

“Well you’re in a good mood…” Valerie said dryly, leaning against the rows of lockers. “Something good happen yesterday?” Star giggled slightly.

“You might say that…” She said coyly, delighting in her current position.

“Do you really want me to force it out of you, Star?” Valerie asked with a pointed look that had Star moving away slightly. She’d been to some of Valerie’s martial arts tournaments, and knew all too well the kind of pain her friend was capable of inflicting on others.

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard from someone else yet.” Star said instead, genuinely honest in that remark. She’d become a hot topic literally overnight, after all, and being Star’s best friend should have made Valerie the first person people went to with their questions.

Although, a lot of people still feared approaching her after what she’d done to Nathan to get him to stop stalking her…

“I was working last night.” Valerie said dismissively, which Star didn’t really understand since she could’ve sworn that her friend had the day off. “So? What’s the big deal, anyways? Did Kwan ask you back out or something?”

“Nope!” Star grinned happily at Valerie, eager to see the look on her face after she found out about this recent turn of events. “It’s—!”

BANG!

Several students jumped when Star’s locker door was slammed shut, cutting the blonde off and irritating her to no ends. At least until she turned to meet the angry blue eyes of the person who’d so rudely interrupted her. A person she knew all too well…

“Oh, hello Paulina.” Star said innocently with a razor edged smile. “Problems?”

“Like you don’t know!” Paulina hissed back, scowling at her. “I always knew you were pathetic, but this is sad even for you, Star.”

“Excuse me?” Star stiffened at that, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“You heard me.” Paulina sneered. “You actually think I believe your stupid little lie? It’s totally obvious you’re just jealous of me.” The crowd murmured slightly, looking to one another doubtfully as Star’s jaw dropped for a moment.

“I am not!” she protested angrily. “I’m not lying, and I’m not jealous! If anyone’s jealous here, it’s you, Paulina!”

“And why would I be jealous of you?” Paulina laughed cruelly. “I’m prettier then you are, I’m cooler then you are… I’m even the captain of the cheer squad! Face it Star, I’ve got you beat in everything!”

“Then how come I’m the one with the boy, huh?” Star asked, crossing her arms and turning away slightly.

“You are not!” Paulina snapped. “Stop saying that!”

“Can’t face the truth?” Paulina glowered at Star, who had to smirk. She was definitely enjoying this oh-so-refreshing change of pace…

“Prove it.” Paulina hissed. Star blinked at her in surprise.

“Huh?” Valerie said, raising an eyebrow with a baffled look. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Why do I have to prove anything to you, huh?” Star demanded angrily. Paulina smirked back triumphantly.

“Then it is a lie!” She said loudly, turning to address the surrounding crowd. “I knew my ghost boy would never settle for someone like her.”

“…WHAT?” Valerie shrieked, jumping to her feet. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me.” Paulina sneered. “You’re little friend here lied about being Danny Phantom’s girlfriend.”

“I did not!” Star growled out, glaring at her furiously. “I just don’t see why I have to prove anything to a jealous fangirl like you! And for your information, Phantom’s coming in after school to fly me home!”

“He’s WHAT?” Valerie asked, turning to her friend with wide eyes.

“Now I know you’re lying.” Paulina snorted disdainfully. “You’ve been afraid of heights since the third grade.” Star faltered a little at that, torn between feeling surprised that Paulina remembered that or foolish that she’d forgotten herself.

“So?” She said, covering the slip as gracefully as she could. “I’m not afraid when Phantom’s flying me! I know he won’t drop me!”

“Well then, I guess the entire school will know if you’re lying or not after school today, won’t they?” Paulina said arrogantly, cocking an eyebrow at Star.

“I guess they will.” Star countered, shrugging her bag up her shoulder before turning and storming away, a very surprised Valerie at her heels.

“Star, is it true?” She asked, her green eyes wide. “You’re dating that ghost?”

“Of course it’s true!” Star snapped, still a little irritated over Paulina’s accusations. “He asked me last night, on my way back come from your house.”

Star continued to class, too riled up to even notice when Valerie slowed her pace to a dead stop.

---

“We need to talk.”

Star scowled, irritated at her rotten luck. Unfortunately for her, Sam Manson returned the scowl with a vigor.

“Outta my way, loser.” Star scoffed as she brushed past Sam. “I don’t have time for someone like you.” Growling, Sam grabbed the girl by the wrist and yanked her back into the girl’s bathroom before she could leave.

“I said we need to talk.” Sam hissed, glaring at the girl as if daring her to try and escapes again. Star flinched.

Though she’d never admit it to anyone, Sam had always been able to scare her. Something about the goth had always seemed very intimidating, the reason she’s always avoided being caught in the same room as her alone.

Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be any chance for escape here. And since they were in the girls bathroom in the middle of second period, so the chances for a very welcomed interruption were slim.

“Fine.” Star huffed, leaning against a sink. Sam released her death grip on her arm while giving her the same dark smile she herself had given Paulina that morning.

“Good.” Sam said sweetly. “Then while I have your attention, let me tell you this; If anybody finds out about Danny thanks to you, I’m gonna incinerate you and hide the ashes under my bed where no one will find them.” Star scowled at her.

“You think you scare me?” She scoffed as she turned up her nose at the girl.

“I better.” Sam responded. “Because I’m being dead serious here. We worked too hard and gave up too much to lose it all thanks to some snot nosed little Paulina clone like you.”

“I am not a Paulina clone!” Star screeched, jumping to her feet. “What do you know about me, huh? Don’t you dare try and tell me what to do, Manson, I’m the one calling the shots here!”

“The only thing you’re doing is taking advantage of my best friend!” Sam growled back. “Danny has to put up with enough, he doesn’t need a headache from you now too!”

“Please!” Star snorted. “You’re just mad I got to him before you did!” Sam stiffened at that.

“Excuse me?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me.” Star rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows that you like Fenton.”

“…I see…” Star raised an eyebrow as Sam walked over to the door with an eerily calm expression, her concern growing then the goth turned the lock.

“What are you doing?” She asked warily, backing away slightly.

“Completely disregarding Danny and Jazz’s orders.” Sam responded before tackling the girl. Star screamed at the top of her lungs, struggling to get away. Her escape was hindered, though, when Sam grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked. Hard.

“Let me go! Let me go!”

“You dirty rotten deceiving shallow soulless husk of an A-list snob!” Sam growled back. “What gives you the right to use people like that, huh? Huh? Danny should’ve just let Johnny waste you!”

“Let me go you freak!” before anything else could be said, Star felt a strange tingling sensation before she and Sam where suddenly forced an arm’s length apart. While Star was wondering what on earth happened, Danny Fenton appeared in between the girls, frowning disapprovingly at Sam.

“Done yet?” He asked dryly. Sam looked faintly annoyed.

“How did you know I was—?”

“You left to go to the bathroom three minutes after Star, Sam.” Danny sighed. “It wasn’t that hard to figure out. Besides, the whole school heard you two yelling. They evacuated since they thought it was a ghost, and Mr. Lancer sent me to get you guys.” Star blushed as Sam just scowled in annoyance.

“Whatever.” Sam scoffed, turning to leave. Her posture betrayed her anger, though, and Danny sighed after she’d unlocked the door and left.

“Sorry about that.” He apologized to Star. “Sam and Tucker… they don’t like someone outside of our group… well, you know…”

“I noticed.” Star said bitterly as she tried to straighten out her hair. She was gonna kill the goth if she ended up with a bald spot…

“Yeah, kinda figured that…” Danny said with a weak smile. Star frowned a little. Didn’t he care at all that she was just using him? It was creepy that he didn’t seem to resent her at least a little… “Anyways, Sorry. I’ll talk to her later about keeping things non-violent. Later, Star!”

“Wait!” Stepping forward, Star grabbed Danny’s sleeve to stop him before he could make his way to the door, surprising the boy. “There’s a new condition.” Danny blinked.

“What?” He asked blankly. Star rolled her eyes, wondering how Amity Park was still standing given its hero’s short attention span.

“I have a new condition to our deal, the one we made last night?” Danny winced slightly there.

“Oh.” He said. “That. Sorry, I’ve been so busy with something else that I— erm, never mind. What’s the condition?”

“Paulina doesn’t think we’re really dating, so you have to fly me home today after school.” Star informed him haughtily. Danny frowned at her.

“So that’s what this is all about?” he sighed. “Getting back at Paulina?”

“So what if it is?” Star’s eyes narrowed at him. “You have no idea what she put me through! Always treating me like dirt… she deserves it!”

“Maybe, but that doesn’t mean you should do it.” Star blinked at Danny, surprised at how mature he sounded all of a sudden. “Trust me, Star, I’ve been there. Just because you can do something to get back at someone who’s hurt you doesn’t give you a right to. Sometimes it’s a lot more rewarding to just be the better person.”

“Shows what you know.” Star rolled her eyes. “You should have seen the look on Paulina’s face when she heard I was dating you… well, Phantom. And that was only the beginning! When I’m done with her, she’s gonna be sorry she ever messed with me!”

“Whatever you say, Star.” Danny said, though he still looked a little troubled. “Anyways, the flying thing shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Good.” Star said, walking past him. She stopped at the door to turn back, though. “And one last thing… if you drop me, I swear I’ll kill you.” And with that, the girl left, a surprised Danny blinking in her wake.

---

“You have no idea how much I hate her right now.” Danny groaned softly to himself as Sam glowered at Star, a distinct feeling of déjà vu overcoming him as he watched the blonde brag to a crowd of kids about her big date with Danny Phantom.

“Let it go, Sam.” he sighed. “You’re not helping things by mauling her in the girl’s bathroom.”

“It made me feel better.” Sam insisted stubbornly.

“Gotta hand it to Star, though, she doesn’t look like she just suffered through a Sam Attack.” Tucker admitted admiringly as he eyed the popular coed.

“And just who’s side are you on?” Sam demanded, scowling darkly at him.

“I said let it go, guys!” Danny sighed roughly. “I don’t think Star’s about to say anything, and we’ve got other problems to worry about, remember? Besides, I kinda feel bad for her…”

“You’re kidding?” Sam asked incredulously. “After everything she’s putting you through, you still feel sorry about her getting dumped by Kwan?”

“Not that!” Danny frowned. “It’s just… some of the things she said in the bathroom were kinda depressing to hear. She’s become so bent on getting back at Paulina, she doesn’t seem to care about anything else.” Danny paused here, thinking back to some of the less honorable things he’d done with his powers to the people who’d upset him. “I just wanna try and help her, I guess.”

“Who says she deserves it?” Sam asked bitterly.

“What kind of superhero would I be if I got selective about who I saved?” Danny shot back in return, only deepening Sam’s scowl. Suddenly Danny gasped, a jet of blue mist snaking out of his mouth. Sighing, the boy stood up. “Speaking of being a superhero…”

“I’m finishing your lunch, dude!” Tucker called to him as Danny jetted to hide behind the double doors leading into the cafeteria, checking around carefully before transforming into Danny Phantom.

Going invisible, Danny flew into the kitchen, where he couldn’t help but groan upon finding the Lunch Lady terrorizing the staff.

“You call this meat?” She roared at the cowering humans. “This is pathetic!”

“Yeah, well it’s not the only pathetic thing around here!” Danny shouted, kicking her away. Before he followed, he couldn’t help but add to himself. “Gotta work on the snappy banter…”

The fight was over quickly, partially because the Lunch Lady wasn’t the most powerful ghost and partially due to Danny’s bad mood. It ended with a screaming Lunch Lady being pulled into the Fenton Thermos yet again before Danny capped it. Sighing, the ghost boy turned to head back to the lunch room.

And found an ecto cannon three inches from his face.

Yelping, Danny ducked before his face could be blown off by the blast that followed this revelation, flying a good ten feet away to get a better look at this new foe. His heart dropped to his stomach when he saw the familiar black-and-red garbed figure.

Greeeat…

“Can’t we do this later?” Danny asked irritably. “I’ve got better places to be right now.”

“I can’t believe you.” Valerie hissed, her eyes narrowing at Danny. “Every time I give you even a little credit, you just have to do something to sink even lower, don’t you?” Danny frowned blankly at that.

“What?” He asked, taken aback.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know, ghost!” Valerie snarled, taking aim at him again. “This is the lowest thing you’ve ever done! Manipulating my best friend just to get closer to me…”

“Woah, woah, woah!” Danny shouted as he dodged the blasts. “I didn’t do anything! Star’s the one who—!”

“Liar!” Valerie shrieked. “And don’t you dare say her name, you dirty creep! You took advantage of her when you knew she was vulnerable because she’s one of the few friends I had left, just like what you did with Danny!”

I’d laugh right now if I didn’t think it’d get me killed… Danny thought dryly before he spoke up once again.

“I didn’t do anything to Danny, or Star!” He defended himself. “Believe it or not, Valerie, my afterlife doesn’t revolve around finding new ways to make you miserable!” Danny scowled, not catching the whining noise behind him until it was too late.

“I choose not.” Valerie said coldly, just before Danny was blasted in the back.

Going intangible at the last second, Danny fazed through the floor and into the boiler room, where he hit the ground painfully. Groaning, he stood up and transformed back into Fenton, hurrying to the door just incase Valerie was planning on following him.

Well, at least this day can’t get any worse from here on out… Danny told himself bitterly as he left. …I hope.