A/N: Hey guys I'm back! Ugh, that episode was crazy. I thought that we could use a light (ish) story like this...

His footsteps echoed, leaving behind a sense of loneliness. I stopped short, frozen in awe. There is a small noise. A little squeak, and I remember Gibby is behind me. Innocent Gibby. I wonder if he's ever had his heart broken? I can feel him step closer, trying to grasp a way to comfort me. Instinct flows through me. "

"Too Close." I spit. Gibby steps away, his eyes still lingering on the back of my head. I can feel them. I don't need Gibby to pity me. Instead, I continue pushing. Push away Freddie. Push away Carly. Push away innocent Gibby. Push, Push, Push. Push away the feelings. Push away that elevator ride. Push away those three words I was beginning to regret saying. Did Freddie really have a crush on Carly? I walk in to the kitchen pushing away the need to follow Freddie and make sure Carly and him weren't up to anything. Pushing away the mental image of Carly and Freddie's lips locking.

To take my mind off of everything, I go to the kitchen and find some meat in the fridge. One good thing my dad taught me before he left was how to make a hot meat sandwich. It was my favorite thing. I got a knife and cut the meat into thin slices. I found a glass pan, poured some water, gravy, pepper, cinnamon, red pepper, milk, onion, apple, and red wine. I danced around the kitchen, finding all different hidden spices. Cooking made Mama happy. I splashed the meat in to the brew I just made and turned the oven on. I was so caught up in cooking that I didn't realize-

"What are you doing?" Gibby stood at the kitchen door, his hands on his hips.

"Oh my gosh Gib!" I shouted. "You scared me!" Gibby raised his eyebrows. "C'mon! Come see what I'm doing!" I motioned him to come closer. He tiptoed hesitantly. I opened up the oven door and let him peer inside.

"What is that?" he asked. "That." I pointed to my masterpiece. "Is Mama's hot meat sandwich." I smiled. "You could have it on your menu! It would be amazing."

"I'd have to try it first." he said. "But meanwhile, do you mind trying this new lemonade I came up with?" He held up a jug of yellow liquid with floating red flakes in it.

"It looks disgusting." I said honestly.

"Just try it." Gibby whined filling a cup and passing it to me. I took a sip. Huh! This was actually pretty good! It was sweet and spicy.

"You love it" Gibby said knowingly.

"Yeah I do! Y'know..." I mummered. "With your lemonade and my hot meat sandwiches, we could be a great team."

"What are you saying...Puckett?" he asked.

The oven dinged and interuppted my proposal. To be honest, I thought it would be really fun to just spend sometime cooking and being with Gibby. With Gibby, there was no drama. There wasn't heartbreak or jealousy like there was with Carly and Freddie. It was just fun. I didn't have to worry at all when I was around Gib.

Gibby passed me a pot holder and I slid my meat out from the oven. The aroma filled the room.

"That smells so good!" he cried. I got a slice of bread and slapped some of the meat on it. I handed it to Gibby.

"What about the plates?" He asked.

"Just eat it!" I snapped. Gibby did as he was told. He took one bite and his eyes lit up.

"Dis oh ood!" He tried to say. I stopped him.

"Chew, Chew..." I paused. "and now swallow."

"That was the most amazing hot meat sandwich that I have ever been fortunate enough to eat." he breathed. "I've got to have this on my menu!"

"Of course!" I cried "Also, Gib, I have a cousin who has a HUGE nose and he could probably help us get all kinds of stuff for this restaurant!"

"Really?" Gibby's face lit up like a little kid.

"Yeah!" I smiled. "But there's only one condition."

"What?"

"I have to get atleast some of the money. No less than half." I pointed to Gibby, willing him to argue. Instead he jumped up.

"I have an even better idea!" He motioned me closer. I hesitantly obliged. "You, me." he pointed. "Partners!"

"Gib, I'm really sorry bud, but you know I'm not interested in -" he interuppted me. "Sam! I mean business partners!"

"Oh!" I cried. "Yeah! That sounds awesome!"

"Really?" Gibby asked.

"Yeah...why not?" I spat. "I'll go call my cousin!"

Later in the day, I went back downstairs to check on our new restaurant. Then, I saw them.

By them, I mean my best friends: Freddie and Carly. I was totally trying to avoid them. Unfortunately Gibby was talking about me and their heads all turned to me before I could run.

"She makes the best hot meat sandwiches." Gibby says, smiling. I play it cool.

"The secret is the hot meat." I say, pulling up a chair. Oh great...I'm sitting next to Freddie.

Our waiter comes to the table bringing two bowls of Pasta to Carly and Freddie. Oh how freaking adorable. They both got the same meal. How couple-y I push those thoughts away. Gibby continues, grabbing the pepper flakes and shaking them all over Carly's pasta. I almost say "Carly doesn't like pepper flakes!" but I decide not to. How am I supposed to know what people like and don't like anymore?

Instead, I turn to Gibby.

"You know my Cousin Dominic?"

"The one with the nose?"

I smile.

Suddenly, Carly's coughing and sputtering and screaming. I continue talking to Gibby. Freddie will save her.

"So I'll hook it up"

"Hook it baby." Gibby says.

I smile and fist bump him. Isn't this what friendship is supposed to be?

The waiter comes with some of the lemonades. The red pepper lemonades. Freddie takes a sip. "Hmmm...interesting."

"That's red pepper lemonade." Carly screams. Her tounge must be on fire! I can't help but watch Freddie react. He doesn't do anything to help.

He just sits there. What is he doing? Why isn't he helping her? She runs up the stairs. Freddie turns around and goes back to his pasta. As he turns our eyes meet. My heart skips. Was that a hint of a smile? I push those feelings away again.

Instead, I turn to Gibby. He's smiling micheviously. What is he up to?

Alright. End of the chapter for now. I have homework. But read, review. NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE SEDDIE-ER