Pink Dots (aka IGot the Chickenpox)

G

Freddie, Carly, appearances by Spencer, Mr. Shay, and Ms. Benson

Notes: A hint of pre-Creddie

Summary: Carly and Freddie meet for the first time.

Complete

--

"Carly, Daddy's going to be on the phone for a really long time, so Spencer is going to cook lunch and play with you, okay?" Mr. Shay asked his six-year-old as Spencer bounded down the stairs. "But no itching your spots, okay?"

"Okay," Carly agree, looking down at the pink dots all over her body.

"C'mon, I'll make spaghetti tacos!" Spencer said, causing Carly to grin.

"Yay!" She cried, rushing into the kitchen.

"I will never understand their appeal," Mr. Shay said, grinning at his son. "Just keep her pretty quiet, okay?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Spencer replied, saluting his dad's back as he ambled upstairs towards his home office.

"So, Carls, would you like chicken or beef?"

"Beeeeef!" Carly sang, grabbing plates and forks and setting them on the counter.

--

"Okay, if I clean up, can you play with your dolls in the living room until I'm done?"

"Yes, sir!" Carly replied, sliding off her stool and putting her plate and fork in the sink, then grabbing her bin of dolls and sitting on the couch. In one swift movement, she dumped them all out.

"Natalie!" Carly grinned, grabbing a blond doll with wavy hair. "And Kelly!" She said, grabbing a doll with long, dark hair.

"You are so mean!" She said, moving Kelly closer to Natalie.

"Nu-uh!" She said in a higher voice, moving Natalie closer. The dolls were poised to fight when she heard a thump and footsteps in the hallway.

Spencer had earphones on and was washing away, so Carly stood on her tiptoes and cracked open the door, keeping the chain in place. She saw a little boy sitting in the apartment across the hall playing with an action figure. She saw grown ups, so she dragged a chair to the door, undid the chain, and opened the door. She slipped out and ducked under two men moving a sofa, then stood in front of the boy.

"Hi!" She said. "I'm Carly." She stuck her hand out, just like Spencer had showed her.

"Hello," the boy said, standing up and shaking her hand. "My name is Fredward."

"That's a funny name. Can I call you Freddie?"

"Yes! I hate my stupid name."

"It's not stupid, just different." Carly grinned and sat down. "I live across the hall with my dad and my brother, Spencer."

"My mom and I are going to live here, once they get all the boxes inside."

"So we can be friends?"

"Sure!" Freddie replied. "Want to play?"

"Sure! Where are your toys?"

"I have a bunch in my suitcase in my room." Freddie said, taking her hand and leading her into his room.

--

"Fredward?" A woman's voice called, interrupting their game of dinosaurs.

"In here, Mom!" Freddie replied.

"And who is this?" Ms. Benson asked, looking down at Carly.

"This is Carly."

"I live across the hall!"

"Well, Carly, it is nice to meet you," Ms. Benson said, leaning down to shake her hand. "Oh no! Carly, do you have chickenpox?"

"Yes, I do." Carly replied, turning to Freddie. "It itches really bad." She said, showing him the raised dots on her arm.

"I've never had chickenpox, but I can help you scratch." Freddie replied, leaning forward to help.

"NO!" Ms. Benson replied, scooping up a struggling Freddie.

"Mo-om! Put me down!"

"I'm sorry, Carly, but you need to go home right this instant. You are sick and you're going to make other people sick!"

"Bu-but..."

"No, Carly, come on, I will walk you across the hall, you should eat some soup and put on some Calamine lotion."

"Okay, I guess," Carly replied. "Bye, Freddie!"

--

Knock knock!

"Hello, Carly, it is good to see you." Ms. Benson said, opening the door.

"Hi, Ms. Benson. Can Freddie play?"

"I'm sorry, Carly, Fredward has the chickenpox."