Chapter Text
Silently and completely unseen Danny slid back into his seat between Sam and Tucker. Crossing his arms on the desk in front of him Danny laid his head to rest before turning visible.
Beside him, Sam leaned forward to speak. “Which ghost was it this time?”
“No Ghost.” Replied Danny licking his lips.
“You were gone since they started skiing along the Polar Express. Don’t tell me you were in the bathroom that whole time.” Sam eyed Danny in the dimly light classroom.
Deciding that it was better to not return her gaze or she might figure something out Danny shrugged. “I’m trying to watch the movie here. It’s getting to the good part with Santa Clause.”
This apparently was the wrong thing to say as Sam leaned down and peered intently at him. Danny tried not to lick his lips again even though the sensation was still lingering there, tingling and hot.
“Now I know you are up to something. This is a Christmas movie about meeting Santa Clause and believing in him and you hate that sort of stuff.”
Danny gulped and stared resolutely at the projected movie at the front of the classroom.
At that point the door to the room opened and the light from the corridor outside temporarily obscured the movie. Danny could see that half the class was sleeping and the rest were either playing games or whispering like he and Sam. Entering the classroom was Dash, his blond hair almost glowing from the light outside.
Danny couldn’t keep from watching Dash as the taller teen turned giving Danny a great view of his broad back. The varsity jacket was short enough that Danny could appreciate the tight jeans Dash wore.
Closing the door Dash turned and caught Danny’s eyes giving him a broad grin like he had done so often before. If one didn’t know it that smile would be a promise to make Danny his next target for bullying.
However, Danny knew better and realized that he was staring. Quickly he looked away hiding his face in his arms. He did not need Sam to notice it turning red or put two and two together. Heck, it was bad enough that Jazz had figured them out after only a week. Danny didn’t know what he would do if Sam and Tucker realized what was going on between him and his former bully.
“Did you run into Dash?” asked Tucker. He wasn’t watching the movie at all and had his old GameBoy up.
Danny didn’t say anything and looked up at the movie again catching Dash handing back the hall pass to Mr Lancer.
“What did he do this time? Follow you around until he could corner you and take your money again?” Sam was glaring at Dash who didn’t seem to notice.
“I don’t want to talk about it. Can we just watch the movie?” Danny tried to sound annoyed and not embarrassed.
Letting out a huff Sam leaned back and crossed her arms. “You hate this movie.”
“I don’t hate it. I think it's a stupid movie that tries to convince you to believe in a man who doesn’t exist and was created by the Coca-Cola company. If he was the real Santa he would be wearing grey clothes and a goat hat.” Grumbled Danny rolling his eyes as the main character was given the silver bell.
“You say he doesn’t exist in the same sentence that you describe him. How do you want it?”
Danny glared up at Sam who smiled sweetly at him. He wanted to argue with her, explain how the fat man in a red coat with a long beard hadn’t existed for as long as she thought, and then pull up all the other descriptions of the classic Santa Clause. They were all arguments he’d memorized by heart at this point. There hadn’t been a single day since Thanksgiving that he hadn’t heard them made. That and other arguments for why the man couldn’t exist.
He wanted to argue, but thinking of how it would make him sound like his parents took all the energy from him and Danny turned back to stare blankly at the movie.
“Good work Sam, now he is depressed.” Whispered Tucker behind Danny’s back.
“He brought up the subject.”
“And you made it worse.”
“I did not.”
“Manson, Foley, no speaking please. Some are actually trying to watch the movie!” Called Mr Lancer.
The two friends hunched their shoulders and stayed quiet for the rest of the movie.
As the after text started rolling Mr Lancer got up from his seat and turned on the lights. This caused a lot of grumbles and sleeping students to stir, especially when those who had been whispering before started speaking in their normal tones.
"Settle down class. We still got a few minutes.” Said Mr Lancer walking over to the centre of the classroom where he reached up with a ruler to turn off the projector.
“That means you can let us go early.” Called Kwan, the A-listers who sat around him fell quiet and watched the teacher hopefully.
“First thing first.” Mr Lancer looked around at the class. “As you all know we don’t watch movies for no reason in my class. This was a movie about giving, believing, and friendship. Now before any of you leave I want you to think about these things and how they pertain to your Holiday plans.”
The students around Mr Lancer frowned at him in confusion.
Sam eventually spoke up. “So to clarify, how would you answer that question, Mr. Lancer?”
The teacher smiled at her and put his hands on his hips. “Well, I am too old to believe in Santa Claus, however, I do believe in the spirit of the Holidays that makes people a little bit nicer and more caring. I’m planning to see my book club friends for the new year where we will all be reading this book that was just released and that I’m looking forward to reading over Christmas. That is how I would answer this question, turn to your table partners and tell each other what you think. Five minutes then you can leave."
“Well, that makes it a lot easier.” Danny stretched. “I believe in the truce. I wish for a new phone that doesn’t have a spider web crack over the screen and until the last minute I’m going to spend as much time as I can with you guys.”
“Ditto, only I expect money to upgrade my computer.” Tucker put down his Gameboy and smiled at Danny.
Sam let out a deep sigh. “You guys are missing the point. The holiday is not about gifts. It’s about the spirit of giving, spreading joy and warmth.”
Rolling his eyes at Sam Danny glanced at the clock. “If that’s what you believe.”
“How about we go to the Nasty Burger after school today? I’m starving.” Said Tucker before Sam pressed her point.
“Sounds good.” Sam collected her things.
“You are just saying that because you know I’m always hungry.” Danny smiled at Tucker and stretched.