Phantom Feelings

Parental Bonding

"Tucker, are you sure you don't want to ask Sam and me to go with you?" You asked as you and Tucker walked to the side doors that led to the courtyard. "You know as friends?"

It was a few days before the upcoming school dance, and you've been watching throughout your calculus class as Tucker tried and failed to find a date for the dance. You, yourself had gotten a few of the jocks asking you to go, but you had told them you would think about it, considering, you were still holding out that a certain someone would ask you.

"No way!" Tucker says as he waves his arms in a no motion. "No offense to you or Sam, but the Tuckerino, needs to get his groove on with the ladies... that aren't his friends." You raised your eyebrow, before just giving a small laugh.

"Well, if you change your mind, you'll have a yes from me," You said as Tucker pushed open the door holding it open for you. "Thank you," You said giving him a hopeful smile before walking over to the picnic table, where Sam and Danny sat.

"Where's Tucker?" Danny asked as you sat in front of Sam.

"Trying his luck," You said motioning over to the door. "Which I don't think is going well."

You watched as Sam pulled out two bowls and forks. Raising an eyebrow, Sam slid one over to you placing a fork on top of the lid that covered it. Danny also seemed a bit confused, but you smiled thankfully at Sam. "Is this your-"

"Speciality Ultra-Recyclo Vegetarian Delight Salad?" Sam finished for you as your eyes widened in excitement. "I know you've been dying to try it since I brought it last week, so I made sure to prep extra for you to try."

Sam is your best girlfriend, considering she was the only girl you were close with, so you told her everything... even your current crush... but Danny and Tucker weren't aware that you were actually on your own this week at home. Your dad had to travel to Wisconsin of all places, for work this week and would be home Sunday night. You had bothered Sam with the information Monday night when you had her give her opinion on your choice of dress for the dance. It was kind of luck of the draw that she had given you her salad today, on the day when you hadn't really had a chance to pack lunch.

"Thank you, Sam!" You said as you grabbed the fork and salad and began to stir the contents together. Just as you had, Tucker made it over to the table. Looking rather upset, he took a seat next to Danny.

"Strike three, Tuck?" Danny asked as you shot Tucker a worried look as he placed his elbows on the table, then placed his head in his hands.

"Try strike three-thousand." Tucker groaned as Danny took a bite of his sandwich. You felt bad for Tucker but also envied him for taking rejection so well.

"I don't know what the big deal is about going to some stupid dance," Sam started raising her hands up to make her point, however, you noticed Danny and Tucker weren't paying attention and they lit up like Christmas trees with happiness. "I don't need to be asked to some dance to know I'm special. I--" This was when Sam noticed and became annoyed with the boys. "What?"

"Paulina..." Danny and Tucker practically droned on. You blinked turning around to see Paulina walking down the pathway of the courtyard. Someone who was riding their bike crashed into a tree behind Paulina, distracted by her beauty. While another, in the same state as Danny, Tucker, and the biker, walked into someone sitting by the fountain. Both of them fell into the water, before sitting back up to continue staring at the tan-skinned, raven-haired girl. Paulina was in skinny blue jeans, white flats, and a pink crop top showing off her midsection, with pink clips, clipping her bangs back.  "Paulina..."

Having heard the boys again, you turned to notice that they had stood up, probably to see over you. "Oh, Please!" Sam started "Paulina? Girls like her are a dime a dozen!"