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Sam slammed her lunch tray down onto their table. Strong enough to nearly knock off Tucker's soda. "Sam! Careful!"
"Shut up!" she snapped.
Danny just sighed. "I take it Ishiyama and Lancer rejected your idea of hosting a Sadie Hopkins dance?"
"Yes." she growled. "They said I should opt for less aggressive activism, yet they reject it!"
Tucker hesitated, but then asked, "How exactly is this dance supposed to pull attention to women's right's? Aside from collecting money for charity, I mean."
Sam explained, somewhat less calm as his question was somewhat distracting, "You know that normally you guys fail to ask a girl to a school dance?"
"Do you have to phrase it like that?"
"For a Sadie Hopkins dance, the girls ask the guys!" Sam said. "It shows that girls initiate things."
"So we still won't get dates." Tucker concluded.
Danny chimed in, "I don't get why they said no. What is the issue to make the next school dance a Sadie one?"
"He didn't say, just that it would be a bad idea." Sam said, crossing her arms.
Danny's ghost sense then kicked in, followed by a familiar voice saying, "I can explain."
Sydney's gray scale head was peaking half though their table. Sam demanded, "Then spit."
Sydney told them, "Casper High used to throw them for Valentines, but thirty years ago they stopped. A rather unpopular girl, Amanda Lewis I think, asked a quarterback. He said yes but didn't pick her up. He had gone with a cheerleader. Like I said, Amanda was unpopular, so one day, she snapped and... jumped off the roof." he concluded.
"So, Ishiyama said no because of a suicide?" Tucker said.
"Oh no, the teachers are vary because of what had happened afterwards." Sydney clarified. "Amanda formed a ghost, she haunts Amity Park. However she is restricted like me-scratch that, she is more restricted than me. She only gets active when a Sadie Hopkins dance is held. It should remain unsaid, but she aimed for the athletes and cheerleaders. Amanda has a kill count. It took three bloody dances for Casper to ban them. Did you know Casper got nearly closed? People thought there was an annual serial killer, ya know, because no one believed in ghosts until last year."
"I see..." Danny said. "And now that ghosts are public, they are extra cautious."
"Yeah." he confirmed. "So, Manson, please stop pushing for a dance, unless you want someone to die."
"I won't mind if she gets to Paulina."
Sydney sighed and looked to Danny. "Phantom, your friends are worrisome."
Tucker chimed in, "Wait a minute, that happened decades after you, how do you know about it?"
"Well, in her living times, Amanda used my locker." he revealed. "And she attends my school now. And yes, she haunts our Sadie dances as well. On that note, Phantom, Amanda would like to meet you."
Danny blinked. "Huh." Sydney then left as Star and Sarah – a red head who barely missed the requirements for the A-List approached. "Uh, can we help you?"
Star said, "Not you, but Manson. We heard about your plan for the Sadie Hopkins dance."
"Ishiyama said no." Sam informed them.
"We know." Sarah said deviously. "That's why we hold a secret one, without the teacher's knowledge. The other girls like the idea, so we decided to sneak the Saturday after Valentines into the gym and do our own thing."
Star nod. "The administration is lazy, so the gym will only be tidied up on Monday, by whoever gets detention."
"Even if it will be a small dance, many will come for a little something." Sarah said, blinking with one eye and doing a motion as if she would down a shot. "Attendance only with dates and when asked out. Paulina thinks this lowers the risk someone rats us out. So keep silent about this." With that the two left.
"Let's hope this isn't triggering Amanda." Tucker said. "It isn't hosted by the school, just in the school."
"Knowing our luck, I think someone should go there. And bring a Thermos. And maybe a blaster." Danny stated. "I doubt they tell Jazz about this and Tucker and I won't be invited-"
"Hey! Speak for yourself!" Tucker interrupted him. "I'm sure there will be a long line, cuz I am 'Too Fine'!"
His friends rolled his eyes. "Danny-" Sam was interrupted by Valerie.
She slammed her hand onto the table in front of Danny. "Star talked to you." she stated. He nod, surprised by Valerie. "Good. You, me, Saturday. Pick me up at 9. As this is a secret operation, it'll be a late affair."
"Y-Yes."
"Good." Valerie then walked away, leaving Danny shaking like a leaf.
"Didn't you break up?" Tucker asked.
Danny said, "We did. I'm confused... but kinda happy."
Sam sighed. "Okay. Tucker, you go with me."
tucker asked, "Don't you think the Red Huntress and Phantom are enough if she appears?"
"Oh, they are. But I want to go there." Sam stated.
"I have a feeling I have no saying in this."
"Danny! Mind helping with my dress?" Jazz asked as she walked into her brother's room.
He looked up from his (late) home work. "Not at all." He got off his bed and helped her with her zipper. "So, Kyle Weston, eh?"
Jazz blushed, "Not that I like him, but he had a point that I need to take a break from studying for the final exams."
"Sure. And I am still not totally crushing on Valerie." he replied.
Jazz turned around. "Then why didn't you ask her for the Valentines Dance?"
"Because she already asked Wes." Danny told her nonchalantly. Which made the fact she demanded he attends the Secret Dance with her even weirder... then again, it could have been that Wes just wasn't allowed to know about it. Which, fair, would be very understandable.
"Oh, right." she replied. "And you aren't hurt?"
"Nah, Red Huntress' gear hurts more than that." he said. "Okay, I am salty that she choose Wes of all people, that damn conspiracy nut..."
"He isn't wrong."
"I know! Which is why this is bad!" he countered. "Though, I wonder if he knows she's Red?"
"Well, maybe I figure it out on the dance. Kyle should pick me up in half an hour." Jazz said. "Oh, I need to fix my hair!"
Their mother walked in, "Oh, there you two are! Good, I need to talk to both of you. Your father and I drive to Salem-now."
Jazz guessed, "Let me guess, aunt Elaine got her baby early?"
Maddie nod. "She's in labor and Jack wants to be there when your cousin arrives. So, we'll be gone for the weekend and next week. Jazz, you will be responsible, Danny, don't you think this means you can slack with your school work."
"Won't dare!" He gestured to his home work. "Already on it."
"And Jazz, you look good."
"Maddie!" their father yelled.
"Coming!" Their mom ran off. "I left you money! Don't waste it!"
Jazz rolled her eyes. "She forgot I have a credit card, didn't she?"
"As long as she doesn't forget her own credit card." her brother countered. "Do you think it'll be a boy or a girl?"
"As long as it is a name that fits to 'Nightingale' without being a bird pun-whatever. Listen, I won't return today... or tomorrow, as Kyle and I will study together-"
"Sure..."
"Behave and I'll let you keep the rest of the money mom left." Jazz said, "They don't need to know how often we ordered delivery."
"Deal!" Dating Kyle does good to her, Danny decided.
As soon as Jazz left, Danny rang up his friends. "Mom and dad are out for the weekend and next week, so I don't need to come up with an excuse!"
"Does mean Amity Park has to rely on us and Red." Tucker concluded.
Even though Jazz didn't return until he prepared to pick up Valerie, he left a note claiming to be in the Ghost Zone, if she were to return in the meantime. After making sure, he brought his backup motorcycle helmet, he drove to Elmerton.
His parents, especially his dad, were easily convinced of the bike... partly because his machine was cheaper than another car... and they didn't have a third parking lot. He has a driver's license, but he will only get a car after Jazz leaves for college... or he gets the Sedan. Knowing his sister, she probably gets a scholarship and can use her college fund for a car, which means he can get the old Sedan.
As he passed the bridge separating Amity and Elmerton, a wave of guilt washed over him again. Once again, he remembered her move to Elmerton was his fault.
Arriving at her apartment complex, Valerie was already at the entrance, her father, too. Damon Gray just eyed the bike. "You brought a helmet for her?"
"Yes, sir!" He took out said helmet from a seat compartment.
Valerie took it and put it on, her hair made in mind of the helmet.
That he has a bike was well known at Casper. As soon as he arrived on it for the first time at school, his popularity had risen a bit. Not much, but even Dash said, "Cool bike." Dale was more enthusiastic, but then again, he didn't care that much about his reputation.
Valerie wore a reddish orange dress, going to her knees. The top half covered everything, the cut reminding him of these Chinese hanfu dresses. As she got onto the bike, he didn't miss that she wore biking shorts under the skirt. Danny was not sure if that was a modesty thing, or a practical thing, but considering her hair, he opted for the later.
"Have fun, Valerie! Bring her back before midnight, Fenton!"
"Of course, Mr. Gray!"
The drive to Casper was silent, aside from the bike and their hearts beating. As soon as they arrived there, Valerie broke the silence. "Are you mad I was with Wes, yesterday?"
"Not really. Just confused. Wes is the resident conspiracy nut after all." Danny replied. "Hell, he thinks-"
"Yeah, he didn't shut up about you being, well..." Valerie said. "We should go in."
The gym looked similar to yesterday according to Valerie, just that the windows were covered, the tables were filled with alcohol, the lights were darker and the music was less... teacher approved.
"Who gave Dash access to the music player?" Sarah complained in her purple fluff dress.
"Hey! I didn't!" Dash yelled while dancing with Paulina who laughed at the overly immature lyrics.
Danny asked, "Do you believe Wes?"
"Oh god, no! I doubt you would be able to hide from your parents." she said, "If ghosts weren't already dead, I would say one would be suicidal to hide under the nose of ghost hunters. I only agreed to go with Wes to check if he figured out the identity of the Red Huntress."
"Did he?"
"No." Valerie replied. "Which is good. Hey, didn't Manson and Foley plan to come as well?"
"Yeah-" His phone rang, an organ melody. "It is Sam. Excuse me for a second." He accepted the call. "Sam?"
He heard the motor of a car on her end. 'My parents drag me to an unannounced Gala, so I can't hang out with you and Tucker. He already knows.'
Danny could hear Mrs. Manson. 'Telling you beforehand would mean you would have had prep time to get out of it!' The call ended.
"They're not coming.", Danny told his date. He offered his hand to Valerie, "Wanna dance-"
The lights shut down, only to be replaced by the sickly green glow of a ghost girl. Amanda.
She wore a long vintage dress with flowers, roses with thorns. Flat chested, the dress looked like a night gown, dripping with black gunk. Her black hair, like tendrils, moved around her. "A Sadie Hopkins Dance!" she screeched. "And no one dances with me!" The bottles of booze and foodstuffs floated around her, as well as some tables chairs. The paper hearts, the main part of the decor, on the other hand, ripped themselves apart. Her tendrils grabbed Kwan and Ashley at their necks.
Everyone but Danny and Valerie took a step back. "Stay behind me, Danny."
"Or..." He ran to Amanda. "Amanda! Wanna dance?"
She let go of Kwan and Ashley and flew do him. "You mean it?" she choked.
Danny took a deep breath. "Yes." He offered her a hand. Somewhere, he heard a needle of a gramophone hit a record plate and music started. A slow waltz. For once, he was glad about the classic dancing lessons Sam dragged him to (to avoid having to dance with a 'suitor' her parents want her to meet).
The music played and they slowly danced, his school mates making space for them. Danny kept his eyes on Amanda, partly to see if her emotions swing and to avoid looking at the others. If they laugh at him, or think he is suicidal to dance with a ghost, he didn't know. From time to time, he twirled Amanda. As the music played, the chairs and tables returned to the ground.
"You feel cold." she said softly.
The music came to an end and Amanda glowed, only to de-solve. The lights came on and he looked around. Amanda's levitation spell made the gym look like it was decorated for a Halloween dance, not for Valentines. Valerie held a small blaster, but didn't aim it. Everyone looked at Danny, no one saying anything.
Sydney then appeared, followed by a floating gramophone. "Nice one, Fenton! Amanda now moved on, she now should stop haunting any dances." He then dodged a shot from Valerie. "Ah!" He flew though the wall.
Valerie huffed and turned to Danny. "You-"
But Kwan hit Danny's back playfully. "You saved my ass, Fenton!"
Ashley nod, rubbing her neck. "Yes. Not bad for someone who constantly runs off when ghosts are near."
Sarah chimed in. "That ghost guy was weirdly nice to you."
Danny rubbed his neck. "Remember that rumor that my locker is haunted?" Sarah's eyes widen. "Sydney and I are locker mates, basically."
Sarah asked, carefully, "I assume that Amanda was the girl from decades ago?"
"Yes." Danny said.
Sarah nod. "Moving on, hm? I suppose this is one way to deal with a ghost."
He nod. "Please don't tell my parents about this." he plead, "They would be angry that I treated a ghost like a person."
Paulina stepped to Sarah's side and grabbed his arms, pulling him to her. "I assume this is how you summon Phantom? After this I doubt you are actually afraid of ghosts."
Sarah ushered her away. "Chillax. And Danny, as this dance is supposed to be a secret anyway, I say we can't exactly tell anyone about this."
"But-"
"I don't summon Phantom – pretty sure ghosts can't be summoned – but I maintain and empty his Fenton Thermos." he lied. "And about the dance, I just have no sense of self preservation."
"Noted." Valerie said.
Dale then yelled, "Guys! I think the cops are coming!"
Everyone was silent and listened. Danny, due to his enhanced hearing, confirmed, "He is right!"
The students left, some trying to rescue the booze and ran to their vehicles. Danny only drove off when Valerie gave him the go.
On the bridge, Danny dared to ask, "Wait, what did you tell your dad about the dance?"
"Sarah's birthday falls onto Valentines. Told him it was a late party for her." Valerie revealed. "Thinking about it, I start to think she pushed for this because she hates to celebrate on the actual holiday."
"Huh." Danny voiced, "now I feel bad for not congratulating her."
"I'm sure she isn't angry at you considering you stopped Amanda to kill Kwan and Ashley."
They arrived at her apartment complex. "I..." he wasn't sure what to say. Then Valerie punched him on the arm. "Ouch!"
"For working with that menace Phantom." Valerie said pissed. Then she pulled him into a kiss. "For handling that ghost. Maybe you can handle being Red Huntress' boy friend. You still need to work on your self preservation. See you Monday." She disappeared in the apartment building.
"Wait, you still have my helmet!"