Stranded Side Story: Bonding

Chapter 1: What Happened?

It was Monday in Amity Park and Star and Danny had just gotten out of class after another long day between tests, books and teacher's dirty looks.

Behind them is Tucker and Sam.

The four were trying to figure out how to make plans for this afternoon.

"So, what do you guys want to do this afternoon?" Danny asked his friends and his girlfriend.

Wanting to show her wanting to be friends with her boyfriend's friends, Star spoke.

"I'm open to whatever you guys want…" The blonde said.

"Wanna catch a movie? Femalien the sequel is out..." Sam suggested.

"Can't, remember, I won't be getting my allowance until tomorrow..." Star said.

"And I spent my last ten bucks downloading a new app for my PDA..." Tucker said.

"Okay… any other ideas?" Danny asked.

All of them shook their heads.

"What do you think, Danny?" Sam asked.

"How about we go to the park and catch some frisbee… at least, that's free..." Danny suggested.

"I'm game..." Tucker said.

"Me too..." Sam said.

"Sure, why not..." Star said.

She didn't mind. As long as she was with Danny, she's open to anything.

Suddenly, a limo stopped by in front of them and within it was Stella Bevier, Star's mother.

"Est...I mean, Star..." Stella said upon walking out of the limo.

"Hi... Mom…" Star said as she blushed in embarrassment.

"Hello, Mrs. Bevier..." Danny said politely.

"Now, Danny… I told you that you may call me Stella." Mrs. Bevier said kindly. "Anyway darling, I was going to pick up Colette. I figure, after she's dropped off at home, you and I can grab a bite. Maybe this… Nasty Burger you kids like." She suggested.

"Oh… sorry, but I'm doing something with Danny right now." Star said.

Stella looked up and, not recognizing Sam and Tucker, smiled.

"Oh, a double date?"

Both of them shuddered at that question.

"We're Danny's friends…" Sam clarified with a glare.

"We're just going to the park, Mom..." Star said.

"I see… well, have fun and remember that tomorrow, you and I are having quality time..." Stella said.

"I won't forget..." Star said with a small smile on her face.

That's when Stella's diamond encrusted smartphone, which looked far more advanced than Tucker's PDA, went off. She saw who it was and groaned.

"Oh dear, I better go pick up Colette… her teacher wanted to speak to me about some test. Anyway, I shall see you both later... farewell..." Stella said before leaving.

She went back into the limousine and it drove towards the school.

Star sighed in embarrassment, Danny put a hand on her shoulder.

"You okay, Starlight?" He asked in his nickname.

Star nodded.

"She really has been trying to be a better mom, but sometimes she seems to be trying a little too hard, remember what happened the last time our family's hung out together?" Star asked.

"How can I forget?" Danny laughed.

This got Tucker's interest.

"Okay, this I got to hear... what happened?" Tucker asked, interested.

Sam groaned.

"I'd rather not…" Sam said.

Tucker was surprised.

"You were there too?" She nodded.

"Wish I wasn't…" The goth mumbled.

"What happened? When did it happen? What was so embarrassing? And does Colette realize you have a handsome best friend?" Tucker asked with a grin. Everyone sent him a disapproving glare at that, he shrugged in response. "A valid question."

"It's a pretty long story..." Danny said.

"And we don't have any REAL plans this afternoon, so dish it..."Tucker said.

"Alright... it's like this. Remember the weekend after the whole Starlight thing, you know, when your folks took you to go see your grandpa?" Danny said.

Tucker nodded.

'Well, it started like any other day...'Star began.

It was the weekend before someone close to Danny was FOUND.

Star was in her room, organizing her closet as well as hiding a rather special outfit that she hoped no one, besides her boyfriend and new friends, ever gets too see.

As she placed the outfit in a small box, Star slid it into her closet, burying it under a blanket and a shoe rack.

Hopefully… nobody finds out it was me in that outfit. She thought.

As nice as the outfit was, Star didn't want people knowing it was her in it. She's considering getting out for Halloween if she's lucky.

"Star!" Georgia was heard calling out from downstairs.

"Yes?!" She asked.

"Your mother is on the phone!" Georgia informed her.

Star was getting up.

"Coming!" Star got up and answered the phone, which was in her bedroom. "Hey Mom..." Star greeted.

"Hello, my darling. How is my beautiful daughter today?" Stella's extravagant voice could be heard on the other end.

"Just fine, Mom..." Star said with a straight face.

"That's good… anyway, Star… I was thinking that maybe this afternoon, we could spend some time together..." Stella said.

Star heard this and sighed. Ever since she returned from the Ghost Zone, her mom has been trying to reconnect with her.

This is just another one of those attempts.

"Like I told you before, I'm fine with anything, so long as Colette or Jean-Luc aren't there." Star said.

"Estelle…" Stella said, sounding sad.

"Mom, you promised me..." Star said in a stern voice.

Stella was heard sighing at the end.

"I know and I do, I just wish you both could try and get along..."

Yeah, like THAT will ever happen… Star thought with an eye roll.

"Mom, my terms are non negotiable, if you want to spend time with me, it has to be just you and maybe Pierre, but no Jean Luc and no Colette..." Star said.

"Alright... alright... I didn't ask her since she may have plans anyway..."

"So what is it that you want to do?" Star asked.

"There is this adorable little boutique that has just opened up, with designs all the way from Paris and I thought you and I could have a shopping day, just like we used to…" Stella said.

"Sure, why not?" Star said with a shrug.

"Splendid! I will be right over." Stella said happily before hanging up.

Star sighed as she put the phone down. She promised that she'd give her mother a chance.

Looks like she's getting a chance to do that this afternoon.

At least Colette won't be there... Star thought as she decided to get ready.

Later

Star and Stella soon arrived at the boutique that Stella mentioned and Star had to admit that she did like the decor and style of the place a bit, even if she has changed for the better, she still had some love for fashion deep down.

Both mother and daughter just walked together, not really picking anything out, just trying to talk as they examined clothes.

"So, Star? How have things been lately? Has anything interesting happened?" Stella asked, trying to make conversation with her daughter.

"Oh… uh…Not much..." Star said.

Aside from being a superhero for a while… She briefly thought, before continuing.

"Just been sketching new stuff, trying to get along with my boyfriend's best friends..." Star said.

"I see..."Stella said, before registering the last one. "Didn't you once mention something about one of them being a pain… some… Goth girl, you said?" Stella asked.

"Sam? Well… we made a truce..."Star said.

"Truce? Why? And why was she being so impossible to you in the first place?" Stella asked.

Star knew that her mom is trying to be helpful but Star wasn't at the point to confide such secrets so early in their "new" relationship.

"Let's just say that we had differences of opinion but we decided to take a truce for Danny's sake, even if now, the only thing we have in common is that we both care for his safety..." Star said.

"Oh..."

Hearing that last part got Stella looking concerned, something Star took notice of.

"Mom?" Star asked.

"Oh… uh…I see...well, I... hope this truce works out, dear..." Stella said as she looked like she was trying to think of something. "Anyway…" She pulled out a pink dress. "How about this? It goes well with your eyes."

Star saw the dress and tried hard not to visibly cringe at it.

"Mom I… don't really wear dresses like those anymore… Not since I was 10." Star explained.

"Oh… right…" Stella said. She looked at another dress and pulled it out. "This one?"

It was all pink and a little too revealing, so Star shook her head.

"Too Paulina…"

Stella looked at it and nodded in agreement, before discarding it.

"Hmm… yes, it does look quite tacky, just like her?" Stella joked.

That got Star to chuckle a little.

"I see you're not fond of her either…" Star said.

In the past, even if her mom wasn't always around, the few times she had spoken to Paulina (before Star realized what a witch she is and dumped her as a friend), Stella acted nice around her solely for being a friend of her daughter that also happened to be within her social class.

"Well, I have nothing against her personally… even if all she does is brag about marrying Danny Phantom." Stella said with an eye roll.

Star cringed at hearing that.

"You don't say…"

"Personally, I think that Starlight girl he dates is far nicer, even if the mask is a little… how you say..." Stella paused.

"Comicbooky?" Star suggested.

"Yes, like that..." Stella said.

Star smiled, unaware her mother has just complimented her relationship with Danny.

After another half hour of shopping, Stella saw that her daughter didn't seem to be enjoying herself as much as she thought she would and they barely had any luck with conversation.

This isn't working. I thought she would have loved a shopping trip with me but she almost looks like she would rather be someplace else… Stella thought in frustration.

She tried a different tactic here.

"So… this is tiring… how about a spa with a manicure?" She suggested.

"Maybe not now…" Star said.

"Why not?" Stella asked.

"Well… those are nice but I am going to do some sketching tomorrow morning with charcoal…" Star explained. "That stuff kind of clashes with manicured nails…"

"Oh… I see…" Stella said as she suddenly fell silent.

Star recognized the awkwardness and looked away.

"Yeah… sorry." Star said.

Her mother, however, didn't give up.

'Well, we could still at least get some massages and a facial. Uh… that won't get in the way of your art...will it?" Stella asked awkwardly.

Star shook her head.

"Hasn't happened before…" Star said, deciding to go for it.

Later

Star and Stella had gone to a spa together and had just gotten some massages and were now enjoying a mother-daughter facial.

"Now, isn't this nice?" Stella asked.

"I guess..." Star said, though Stella noticed that she didn't seem all that into it.

Star liked spas and pampering as much as the next girl but she's not as obsessed with it as she used to be.

Mom is trying here… I have to give her a chance... no matter how awkward this is. Star thought, as she turned to her mother, deciding to make conversation.

"So… Mom? Anything… interesting happened to you lately?" She asked.

"Oh… a lovely new place to have my eyelashes done. You should try it." She said.

"Uh… I don't do work on my eyelashes anymore, Mom." Star said. When she heard the sad sounds from her mother, Star tried to speak up. "You know… this weekend, I wanted to check out the zoo to the fox exhibit. Do you… wanna come?"

"A zoo?" Stella questioned. "I haven't been in one in years. Do they serve decaf lattes at least?"

Star didn't even respond, indicating what the answer is.

Now both blondes were silent.

Wow… Mom and I barely have anything in common anymore... Star thought, almost feeling a little sad here.

Not as much as Stella thought.

Do I really not know so much about my Estelle? Stella thought, sadly.

Later

After the spa, Stella decided to get Star some tea and the mother and daughter were drinking and talking, but just like the last few times, they saw that they didn't have as much in common as they used to… if they ever had anything in common.

Wow… we're so good at conversations… Star thought in sarcasm.

Both of them shared awkward glances as they just sat down, cross-legged, and just looking around at the sky.

"So… uh… pretty clouds?" Star asked.

"Hmm… yeah…" Stella agreed.

They were silent again.

Stella just whistled a small tune to alleviate how bored and awkward she was.

"Hmm?" Star went.

"What?" Stella asked, stopping her whistling.

"Did you say something?" She asked.

"Oh… no…"

"Oh…"

As Star went back to just looking around aimlessly, Stella thought.

Come on… there must be something I know she likes…

That's when one thing she knew of came to mind.

"Um… so… uh… how are things with you and that nice boyfriend of yours, Danny?" She asked suddenly.

Star quickly smiled at that, which Stella noticed. Star suddenly started talking more happily than she has all afternoon.

"Really good." She started. "We've been at the movies, kissing, gone walking, kissing, talked about future goals and, whenever possible, kissing…"

Stella rose a brow and smiled.

"You said kissing three times…" Stella said in amusement.

Star blushed, smiled, and shrugged.

"I like that part…" She admitted with a sheepish tone.

Stella chuckled at her daughter's admission.

"Ah, to be young and in love." Stella mused out loud. "Are you two at that point yet?"

"N… no." Star said shyly. "Not yet…"

"Hmm… yes. Wait for Prom." Stella joked.

"Mother!" Star went with a blush before laughing it off.

Stella saw the look on her daughter's face. Sure, she has met some of her daughter's previous boyfriends but none of them made her smile the way she did when she thought about this Danny boy.

When she first met the boy,she wasn't impressed and she ended up saying things that she regretted, but now she could see that he is a nice boy and her little Estelle looked so happy whenever she saw them together.

Happier than she has seen her in a long time.

She really is in love, isn't she? Stella thought, then she gasped at an idea.

"That's it!" Stella exclaimed.

Star flinched at her mom"s outburst.

"What's it, Mom?" Star asked.

Her mother covered her mouth and looked embarrassed when she saw people around looking.

"Oh, uh... nothing..." Stella said with a giggle, while Star raised a brow. As people stopped paying attention to them, Stella continued with a whisper. "So... you and Danny are happy together?"

"Yes, very happy, mother..." Star said, wondering where her mom is going with this.

Stella thought to herself.

This way… I can help make things better with my daughter, advance their relationship and look better to the Fentons.

"Perhaps we should invite him to join us one of these times?" Stella suggested.

"To a spa?" Star questioned with a smile. "Not sure he'd like that unless they were serving grilled cheese sandwiches…"

She then imagined the idea of Danny at a spa and shook her head in amusement.

"No, not the spa…" Stella explained. "I meant join us to eat. I know! Why not invite him to dinner at the country club? Him and his family?" Stella said, as if the idea just now came to her.

Star snapped out of it.

"Huh?"

"I said that you could invite your boyfriend and his family for dinner with us, dear…" Stella said.

Star looked at her mom questioningly.

"You're serious?" She asked.

"I am." Stella said.

"Mom, why? You never wanted to invite my last boyfriends before?" Star said.

"You said it yourself that Danny is special. And… I want to be nice to his family as Johnathan has."

"Like Dad?"

"Besides, I obviously did not make a good impression on them, so I want to make it up and invite them..." Stella said.

"Mom, I don't think this is necessary." Star said.

"Why not? There is nothing wrong with a mother wanting to have dinner with her daughter and the boy, along with trying to get to know his family better… After all, there is a chance that you might marry him some day..."Stella said.

Star blushed.

"Mother, we are just dating…"

"But you'll never know." Stella said.

"That's okay, we don't have to…"

Stella then began pleading.

"Star, please? I promise Jean Luc and Colette will not come… Your father can come too."

"What about Pierre?" Star asked. "Don't you think it's awkward to have a kid you had with another man around him?"

"Hmm… yes…" Stella said, not realizing that. "Well, Georgia's sister has watched over him for us a few times. I'm sure our schedules can work."

"I'm not so su-"

"Star, please? It is just dinner and I promise that I will be nothing but a good hostess to our guests, especially Danny, please...'Stella said.

Star looked at her mother's face.

She saw she was desperate to do this. Star knew this was an attempt to be a better mother by looking better around her boyfriend's family.

After a moment to think, Star sighed.

"I'll ask him at school… I'll let you know then."

Stella smiled.

"Wonderful, darling…"

Star nodded, looking really unsure about this.

Well… at least Colette's not coming. I just hope I don't regret this if he says yes.

New side story!

Flower princess11 helped me. In fact, she suggested this idea.

I look forward to writing more of this.

What will happen next?