Yo dudes. (Or dudetts) I totally know that I should be updating The Satellite right now but I NEEDED to get this out before I went to my schoolís orientation tonight. So uhh... Ladies and Dudes, I present 'Defining Normal'

(dannydannydannydannydanny n)

"Defining Normal"

Chapter 1: My Daughter, the 'Teen Rebel'

I, Pamela Manson, sat on a couch in our downstairs rec room with a clear view of both the front door and the large grandfather clock that was owned, ironically, by my grandfather Izzy.

I was all alone, and it was quickly nearing midnight. My husband, Jeremy Manson, was on a business trip and whether or not my mother, Ida, was still bowling or now sleeping was unknown. The only thing on my mind was that my daughter, Samantha (although she likes being called Sam), was almost an entire hour past her eleven-o-clock curfew.

It was just like her.

Although I normally wouldn't call Sam a teen rebel, she was very close to becoming one. Sam is, to my dismay, a goth. She has been for quite some time, and I am sure that she is that way just to tick her father and I off. Either that or she is in fact an individualist.

She never eats any real food. Only salad and this grass on bread. (I believe she calls it 'turfwich') You see, my daughter is an Ultra-Recyclo-Vegetarian, which is an extremely strict form of vegetarianism.

I wouldn't have a problem with her being a normal vegetarian, and not some sort of extremist vegan, but she worries me sometimes. I mean, she so darn skinny because she gets no protein.

It's frightening. This silence. Normally I would hear Sam blasting that CD her friend Danny lent her, Morbid Antisocial Youth or something like that. You know, the one with the song called'My Parents Reek'. Apparently, as Danny put it -- that cut rocks.

Ugh. That boy. I become simply appalled when I think of the influence he might have had on Sam. Especially with a family like that. It's no wonder she's been showing an interest in ghost hunting. Heavens, it all his parents ever thing about. His sister, Jazz, however is probably the only responsible adult in the family. I'm sorry, but I find it foolish to have so many dangerous things in ones house.

He, is obviously a troublemaker of some sort, always afoot. I can't blame him, really. I suppose the only way for him to get his parent's attention is if he is in trouble all the time, That's most likely where Sam gets it. She's almost always with him.

And when she's not she is in her dark, dreary room staring at her computer screen playing that devilish game DOOMED. What is so entertaining about shooting at people? It's probably some sort of criminal training program for juvenile delinquents.

It's entirely possible that she got that 'wonderful' trait from that other friend of hers. I believe his name is Tucker. I'm telling you, that child is completely obsessed with all types of technology. He's always playing with that blasted PDA everytime I see him. Or hes staring at money. And of course, like most teenage boys he enjoys talking to girls. Well, obsessing over girls that don't talk to him in his case.

It's very rare that Sam ever talks to me anymore, but when she does all she ever talks about is Danny. Or ghosts. She apparently has a rather large crush on him. But why him? With the money our family has, she could get any boy she wants. She could be the most popular girl in school, for Pete's sake!

But of course she keeps everything a secret.

I don't really blame her. I can understand that she doesn't want fake friends. But why not? You know, I have always wanted to put a restraining order on Danny.

But I can't.

Because I fear that she is only happy anymore because of him. It would break her heart. And because she somehow reminds me of myself when she is talking of him. When I was younger, it was simply amazing everytime I was near Jeremy. We were in love. I can see that in Sam, too.

For a goth, my daughter is rather cheery. I always knew that at least some sort of sunny personality would rub of on her. It may be alot less than I expected though. I mean, the girl uses candles as her light source! Those simply terrify me. I know she's not using them for anything demonic with spells or something of that sort, for I know for a fact that she agrees with her Jewish upbringing. But they still scare me.

There are sometimes when I really do wish I had a normal teenager. One who adores pink and frills, and allows me to put her into beautiful dresses. How she was when she was little. Always smiling and wearing cute little dresses. Her hair always in curls. She was simply adorable.

Now I fear that she's on the road to troubled teenhood.

Not only does she constantly scream in terror everytime I try to force her into a dress, but she barely ever smiles (only when she's drooling and talking of Danny), and she's so morbid. And constantly breaking rules. I swear, if she and Danny are doing anything I'll--.

She's home! And actually smiling! I walk up the stairs and dart in front of her.

"Samantha Manson, where in the world have you been?"

Her heavy, black, mascara coated, eyes float to the floor as she mumbles.

"With Danny," she perks up a bit "and guess what!"

I stare into her beautiful amethiest eyes. The very sam ones that I used to boast about all the time to my friends when she was little.

"Yes?" I ask, a bit of bitterness rolling off me tongue. I can't stay angry. Who could be angry at those eyes?

"I told him that I loved him finally, and now he and I are dating. And just because I love how it sounds, I'll say it again. Danny and I are finally dating!"

My whole world comes to a halt. Wait! Go back! She loves him. I knew that had feelings for each other..but love. DANNY FENTON?

"Was that why you were late!" I blurted out. Of course, trying to not let her hear that I didn't approve. It would most likely cause some fight.

"Yes." She chirped. I cringed as I wondered what they were doing at such a time. Hopefully nothing too serious. God, they're only fifteen. Must they really even be dating? I should have know this would happen eventually...

"Where were you?" I was beginning to fume.

"Crusty's Pizza and then the park." I shivered. I wonder what that is supposed to mean.

"MOM I can tell your not happy about this. But I don't care. It's my life. And it's very annoying when you interfere!" She began to yell.

"Sam it's just that I'm worried about you. You're my daughter afterall. I just want you to make the right choices, so you won't end up some pregnant teen!" I spoke softy.

"Mom! You know I would never do that! Why don't you trust me? Because believe it or not, I am very responsible and mature for my age! Why can't you except me for who I am?î

That didn't go as I planned. I'm just concerned, thats all. There are alot of pregnant teens out there today, afterall.

"You know what mom? I'm going to date Danny whether you like it or not. Because its MY life. Goodnight"

I close my eyes and listen to her feet stomping up the stairs to her room, fuming.

I released a long sigh as I walked back down to the rec room and sat back in my seat. My hand went to my forehead and I rubbed my temples. What did I do to deserve I daughter like this? I'm only trying to help!

I stared at the ceiling as I yelled those horrible words to my daughter that I would soon regret.

"You know what Sam? Sometimes I wish I had a normal teenage daughter. But who do I get? YOU!"

(...d...n...)
Author's Note: Arg. I'm doomed to writing from the POV's of unused characters. Crap. KK, I need help from you guys. I need to know what you all think a 'normal' teenage daughter should be and act like. The direction this story goes depends completely on you. (smirks) In the meantime, I shall be practicing opening up my locker. (I'm going into 7th grade, which is middle school here in New Jersey. Cause I'm finally 13!) Alright, remember, reviews are my favorite things in life!

-M.M