Disclaimer: I don't own anything at all.
Chapter 1
We sit on the ledge of Bushwell Plaza and gaze out across Seattle at the nearing dusk, my knuckles white from holding the edge as she laughs. I'm terrified of falling to the sidewalk beneath us, people rushing past like ants in a rainstorm, but she has no fear of such a thing. Instead, she's laughing and teasing me because somehow she managed to convince me to come up here and "live on the wild side" and as horrified as I am, I'm almost enjoying myself. She grins at me and looks down at the unsuspecting passer-bys beneath us.
I'm too afraid of turning my eyes down and the smirk on her face tells me she knows this. She rolls her eyes and points out across the horizon at the multi-colored sky as the sun lowers as slow as a snail. I feel the weight of her head resting on my shoulder and glance at her when her arm wraps around mine. For once she's this innocent girl who stops to smell the roses and watch one of the most beautiful things in the world.
Darkness spreads quickly throughout Seattle, only to be vanquished by the city lights, and I'm pushed backward off of the ledge. She grins at me and swings her legs over the edge to stand up next to my possibly bruised body. I stare at her in confusion when she holds out her hand, sure that it's just a trick to pull me up and let go before I'm balanced. She laughs and reaches down for my hand, pulling me to my feet, even going as far as brushing the dirt off of my back. "I can be nice, Benson."
I nod and she grabs my hand, dragging me downstairs to the Shay apartment. Something about her is off today, but I'm enjoying the absence of her teasing too much to ask what's going on. When she opens the door, there's no light and no sound, and I study her face. This is a trap, something she's expecting and one that I'm not. She kicks the door shut behind us and the lights flicker on, a group of people jumping up from behind the bar. "Surprise!" they all shout, and I flinch, wondering when all of this was planned and why the bully had to be the one I spent my eighteenth birthday with.
Sam smirks at me before pushing me toward the others, and Carly pulls me into a hug with a "Happy Birthday" whispered into my ear. I high-five Gibby and Spencer and everyone else who was invited and embrace my mother, surprised she would even take part in this. The blonde demon must have had something to do with her sanity, considering she hasn't even looked in Sam's direction, nor has she given me grief about hanging out with her.
After three hours, I find myself irritated. I don't know if it's the music or because I danced with just about everyone here, with the exception of Sam and the guys, but I can't take anymore. I sit at the bar and sip my soda, watching everyone else have a good time. A chin rests on my shoulder and I freeze, my eyes catching blonde to my right. "Relax, Fredward, I'm just doing what you're doing." She grabs my drink from me and finishes it, her chin still on my shoulder. "Why aren't you out there dancing or whatever?"
I shrug. "Why aren't you?" She laughs and it's loud in my ear, causing me to flinch and groan. "I don't feel like dancing anymore and everyone's already talking. I don't want to interrupt them." She snorts another laugh and turns me on the stool to face her. I raise my brow when she grabs my wrists and pulls me to my feet. "What are you doing?" I ask her.
She leans in, her mouth close to my ear. "Will you dance with me? Or do you want to leave your own party?" I look over my shoulder and sigh, taking her hand and pulling her to the living room. Of course, the radio station would choose then to play some sappy song. I roll my eyes and rest my hands on her waist, just above her hips, and her arms wrap loosely around my neck. We barely move, rocking slowly to the tune, and she grins at me.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I can see maybe one or two "couples" dancing and the rest of the guests are watching Sam and me. Over Sam's shoulder, Carly's sitting on a stool, smiling at us, and when my eyes meet hers she turns to talk to Gibby, laughing. Was this some joke, Sam dancing with me? Was she trying to embarrass me at my own party? My eyes meet the blonde's and I stop moving. "Why are you dancing with me?" I whisper.
Sam blushes, yes blushes, and opens her mouth to speak, closing it almost immediately when the song ends. "And that was 'Tell Me That You Love Me', called in tonight and dedicated to Freddie Benson for his eighteenth birthday. Happy birthday, Mr. Benson, and enjoy your evening with that special someone." Everyone in the apartment is staring at us, especially at Sam. She glances around and runs, slamming the apartment door behind her.
My face is hot and I look to Carly for help, which she automatically accepts. "Okay, guys, party's over. We're all tired and it's a school night. Come on, go home." There are grumbles and whispers, and I'm pretty sure I heard a few snickers. I drop onto the couch and sigh, my head in my hands because I never expected this to happen. Someone sits on the couch next to me and a thin arm wraps around my shoulders. "What's going on, Freddie?" my brunette best friend questions, and I shake my head.
I politely pull away from her and lean back, closing my eyes. Everything is so confusing now, and the only person who could clear it up is Sam, unless Carly knows something. I turn my head to her and sigh. "Does Sam like me, Carly? I mean, today she's been insanely nice and occasionally teasing me and then she asks me to dance. She dedicated a song on the radio to me, a love song no less. Am I missing something or am I so stupid that I don't know?" I groan. "God, I don't know what I should do. Should I chase her and tell her I feel?"
"Freddie…how do you feel about Sam?" I shrug. "I think that would be the most important thing before you hurt her or yourself." I nod and cross my arms, looking up at the ceiling. "Stay here as long as you need to. I'm going to get ready for bed." She kisses my cheek and I hear her footsteps on the stairs.
It's not that I don't like Sam. It isn't. I mean, sure, I get tired of her constant teasing, but that's what she does. I don't want that to change, and if we were to date and something went wrong, I think it would, whether for the better or worse. She's violent enough now, that if we were to break up, she'd probably kill me. I take a deep breath. It's a catch twenty-two. If I tell Sam I like her, then things will be different, but if I don't then we'll both suffer with a 'what if' and I don't want to wonder.
The sound of Carly's shower sounded through the silent apartment and I sigh, leaving the apartment. With one glance at the door across the hall, I turn and drag myself down the hall to the stairs, trekking up to the roof. As expected, Sam sits on the ledge, looking out over the city. She sighs and turns her head slightly. "If you're here to tell me that you don't like me or whatever, don't bother. I already know the 'we can still be friends' spiel."
I rub the back of my neck and step closer, standing behind her and pulling her off of the ledge. "Sam, listen to me," I whisper, turning her to face me. Her eyes snap away from me and I sigh, leaning forward, my lips pressed against hers. She freezes as my arms snake around her waist and finally hers wrap around my neck. I pull away after a few moments, my arms still around her, and smile at her. "Listen." She nods, her blue eyes melting mine. "Today has been the best birthday of my life. You've made it special, and I want to thank you."
"But…" She knows there's a 'but' in there.
"I do like you, Sam, but I don't know if it's that way." She frowns and I know she misinterprets this statement. "No, Sam, listen. I don't know if I like you in that way, but I want to know. I don't want to wonder 'what if', I want to try." I take her hand in both of mine. "That is, if you'll let me." She stares at me, biting her lip, and I wonder if she's going to say 'no' and just move past this.
She sighs and nods. "Take your time, Benson."
A/N: I don't know how long this will be yet, but updating it is going to be slightly complicated. As in, I am running away with the Carnival (not really 'running away' but I am going to be a Carney) until sometime in November. So I figured I would post this and see how you guys like it, and if it's good, then I will be writing from (First stop, Pennsylvania) wherever I am and will be texting what I come up with to my sister. When it gets posted is up to her.
Thank you for reading, and reviews are welcome. If you haven't, check out my one-shot 'Come Back To Me'. Thanks again.