Before I begin let me say that I appreciate any advice, reviews, hate mail, etc. Chapters will be from a 3rd person perspective but have thoughts/ focus on certain characters. I hope to expand on this story and that might depend on the amount of interest from you all.

A huge huge huge huge thanks to my friend Jess who helped proofread and edit this story so it didn't look terrible.

Enjoy readers,

JB

(Danny's Perspective)

Danny tugged at his collar and attempted to loosen the tie that prevented air from reaching his lungs. He slouched on a chair, near the punch table. He wasn't sure if it was the dancing that got his heart racing, the awkwardness of the situation, or the sight of Sam's dress. The dress definitely caught his attention. He had to peel his eyes from the sleek, all-black dress that succumbed to the shape of her body and boasted her pale skin and black hair which was pulled in a loose bun. Earlier in the night, he tried complimenting Sam on her outfit, but he ended up just stumbling over words before retreating to the dance floor in order to avoid the awkward blushing moment.

Tucker sauntered over looking like a disheveled mess. His shirt was half untucked, his classic red hat was slipping off, and his body sweat showed obvious signs of vigorous dancing. Or what Tucker considered dancing, Danny chuckled inwardly. Tucker grinned as he reached breathlessly for a glass of punch.

"It is crazy out there man! I'm tearing up the dance floor!" Danny raised an eyebrow in question. Tucker continued. "Yeah, I think Star and Valerie maybe looked at me a couple of times." He gave his best suave look and perused the dance floor while sipping on punch.

Danny shook his head.

"Are you planning on asking one of them to dance rather than waltzing with your PDA?" he asked.

Tucker glared at Danny and replied with mock laughter.

"Ha-ha Danny, not funny. I could ask one of them to dance but I just decide not to. I wouldn't want them to feel bad about their own dancing abilities." As if on cue, Tucker pulled out his PDA and admired it while the screen glowed. Danny rolled his eyes at his techno-geek friend. Tucker suddenly stood a little straighter and pointed his finger in the air as obvious inspiration struck him.

"According to my PDA, guess who hasn't been dancing at all tonight? Oh, that's right, you."

"Yes, I was dancing." It was Danny's turn to glare at Tucker.

"I should say you haven't danced WITH anyone yet." Tucker smirked as he looked at Danny's fidgeting figure.

"Neither have you!" Danny shot back as he swatted Tucker's accusing finger.

Tucker kept his impish grin pasted to his face while he replied. "Ah, but keep in mind that I did not take a date to the prom, so I don't have to." Danny hung his head while Tucker continued. "You were the one that decided to ask our cheery friend over there." He pointed at Sam who was sitting at a table shrouded in darkness. She looked uninterested and slightly miffed at all the merriment that was taking place.

Danny sighed. "Well, she doesn't really look like she wants to dance, so I don't have to ask her to dance." He crossed his arms, showing he had made up his mind. However, his mind wasn't so sure; it was swirling with thoughts and emotions. He wanted to ask Sam to dance, but he didn't want the hurt of rejection or the odd look she would give him that said you know I don't dance. He wasn't even sure why he asked her to the school dance in the first place. It was full of fake smiles, noisy teens, and bright colors. Three things that a goth such as Sam would hate. He tried to rationalize his reasons for asking her when he was interrupted by a bellowing football player.

"Hey Fentard! Where's your date?"

Danny sighed. So much for a peaceful night.

"She's busy, Dash. What do you want?"

Dash sneered. "I'm surprised anyone would want to go with you nerds, but I guess she is just as weird as you guys are."

Danny's eyes flashed green and a growl was forming in the back of his throat when Tucker pulled on his arm. Danny glanced at Tucker and Tucker shook his head. Dash noticed that he had stirred the pot and pursued the subject.

"I bet you two can't get a single girl in here to dance with you before the night is over." Dash puffed his chest. "In fact, I bet I could even get your goth girlfriend to dance with me before you two danced with anyone."

Danny's fists clenched tight. "She's not my girlfriend and there is no way she would dance with a jerk like you."

"We'll see about that." Dash sauntered away.

Tucker turned to Danny with a worried look on his face. "As much as I think Dash is a dull jock, I think he might have a point."

Danny snapped his head up in shock, eyes gleaming green. "He's going to ask Sam to dance! He can't... she won't... we have to do..."

"Danny, I think next time we come to the punch table, we should have danced with at least one girl."

"What if Sam says yes?!" Danny exclaimed, hand running through his already messy hair. "What if she has fun with him? Or worse, what if she becomes popular?"

Tucker could tell he was getting nowhere with his shell-shocked friend. He grabbed a cup of water and threw it in Danny's face. Danny spluttered and his eyes cleared to a confused blue. "What?!"

Tucker grabbed Danny by the shoulders. "If you're so worried about Dash asking Sam to dance, why don't you just ask her yourself?"

Danny's cheeks went pink. "Me? Ask her? But I can't because..."

"You're best friends. Don't be so thick, Danny. Just man up and ask her to dance before Dash does." Tucker appeared weary for a moment. "We all knew it was going to happen at some point anyway."

"We all knew Dash would ask Sam to dance?" Danny's face scrunched up in confusion.

Tucker put his hand to his face. "No, that you and Sam would share a dance together."

"Why do you say that?" Genuine interest spread across Danny's troubled features.

"Because it's obvious! You guys like each other!" Tucker was running out of patience. One of these days, they'll finally get it and I am going to rub it in their faces so much.I guess I already do that.Their denial of it just means it's even truer.

Danny shook his head. "No. No, that's not true. We are best friends and Sam wouldn't like me. That is just preposterous."

"You two are hopeless. You are still her friend, so go be her knight in shining armor and I'll go find myself a dame to dance with," sighed Tucker.

Danny retreated to a pensive state and murmured a "seeya" as Tucker left.

Is it that obvious? No, Sam wouldn't like me. I'm too awkward for her to find interest in me.We've been friends forever.Why would that change now?I wish we liked each other.

Danny scolded himself.What do you mean? That would ruin your relationship if you put yourself out there and she didn't feel anything.He let out a frustrated breath.

I just wish I knew... Danny quickly corrected his error, just to be safe. No, I want to know what she is thinking.