[Jake's POV]

I was just coming back from Groovy Smoothie when I decided that I should stop by at Carly's. Maybe we could hang out like we talked about before. So, I walked into the lobby of the apartment complex getting ready to walk to the elevator. I heard screech and turned to see a man with a rather large boil protruding from his cheek, banging his hands on his desk, grumbling about how he had just mopped the floors. To be honest it kind of scared me, so I hurriedly went through the metal doors, and pressed the button with her floor number. When the elevator stopped with a resonating ding I got out and walked to where I presumed her door to be, it was large and wooden, I knocked. She seemed like a nice girl, and her web show was genius. I loved watching it, but she wasn't the only one who helped make the show possible. That girl Sam did too and their cute little technical producer. Freddie Benson might be the cutest thing that I've ever seen. A fond smile graced my features as I thought about him. Just then the door opened.
"Hi, Jake... JAKE!" Carly gasped loudly.
"Yeah, I was just in the neighbor-" My explanation was cut short be her slamming the door in my face. I stood there... confused... She re-opened the door.
"Wait here!" She said with a rushed smile. Her volume was still above the average indoor voice.
"If this isn't a good-", again my words were interrupted by the door being shut. I raised an eyebrow; well she's quite the character...
[Carly's POV]

Oh no! What do I do? I want to hang out with him but... I looked down at my shirt. It looks like a unicorn through-up on me!
"Um... Jake..." I asked hesitantly but still loud enough for him to hear.
"Yeah?" He inquired.
"I'm not going to be able to come out today. You see, I'm helping my brother, Spencer, with an art project he's working on."
"O...Kay... Tomorrow then?" He asked awkwardly. Great now I'm making him regret ever coming.
"Definitely. Uhh... Bye!"

"...Bye..."

I sighed, still propped against the door. When I looked up Spencer was giving me a weird look.
"WHAT! Can't a girl want to look attractive?" I ran up the stairs, trying to avoid his very bewildered facial expression.
[Jake's POV]

That wasn't strange at all, note the sarcasm. Shaking my head, still confused, I was just about to leave when suddenly the door across from Carly's opened. Freddie stepped out with his arms crossed and a slight outward jut to his lip. While I was watching his pouty lips, I didn't notice him sizing me up.
"Why are you here?" he articulated each word precisely like he was talking to a complete idiot. I could tell he liked Carly and thought that I was clearly a threat. I could also tell he didn't like me very much, which of course hurt, but I'm determined to make him think otherwise.
"I was visiting Carly but she's busy so..." I trailed off, giving him a general idea. A thought came to me, one that would prove I didn't necessarily have my eyes on Carly. "Hey, do you want to hang out with me?"
"What?" He asked, clearly caught off guard by my proposition.
"Do you want to hang out with me?" I asked slowly, like he did to me earlier but with a smirk.
" Uhh... Um..."
A twinge of hurt struck me as he tried to reply with an uneasy look on his face. "You don't have to if you-"
"No!" he yelled a little too quickly, surprising me and apparently himself too by the look on his face. "I-I m-mean. I'd be okay, i-if you want to too." His eyes rose from the floor meeting mine. His scarlet blush was very visible, and I loved it.
"I would love to", I reply with extra emphasis on 'love'. Just like I had anticipated, I watched as his already dark blush, grew darker. I didn't think it was possible.
"W-Where do you want to go?" He stuttered.
"We could go get something from groovy smoothie, then... maybe we could go to my house?"
"S-sure. I... um... just have to ask my mom. She's a little... overprotective." He finished now by the door to his apartment.
"Okay." I watched as he walked into his apartment, quickly turning around to give me a wary smile before shutting the door with a silent click. A few minutes later he had his coat on and a woman with a short bob like haircut was standing beside him.
"Mom. I'll be fine; he's a nice person, really." I could tell Freddie was trying to convince his mom but by the reluctant look she was giving him, it didn't seem to be working so well. I decided it was my turn to step in.
"Hello. You must be Ms. Benson. I must say it would be hard not to mistake you for Freddie's sister." She giggled and I knew my flattery was working.
"Well, I do my polatties exercise with Richard Simmons every Tuesday", she flicked her hair. I internally shuttered.
"It shows", I compliment. "Uh... I was wondering if I could hang out with Freddie. We were just going to take a little walk around my neighborhood, and if we get hungry maybe I'll get my mom to help us bake gluten free cookies. Don't worry, we'll be safe."
She looked at me a little in question, before quickly nodding her head yes. Freddie starred open mouthed in shock. "Just make sure to take care of my son."
" I will. Promise", even though Ms. Benson was the one to direct the question to me, the whole time I looked at Freddie with a smile. He started blushing again. Ms. Be said her good-bye's and we walked off, out of the building.
When we finally reached the elevator and got in I let out a laugh.
"What's so funny?" Freddie asked suspiciously with a slight glare, still not really trusting me. It only helped him look more adorable.
"It's funny. You're like, pocket sized compared to me", he looked up offended. "It's cute." He looked back down with heated cheeks.
As the bell rung, signalling our stop, I grabbed his hand, pulling him out with me, but as we walked to the doors I didn't let go. I saw Freddie starring down at our linked hands with unease.
[Freddie's POV]

I wonder if holding hands is normal for guy friends. I mean, he's popular; they could do a whole different thing then what my social status peers do. I can't believe he thinks I'm short though...
"Jake?" I inquired. He looked down at me with a facial expression I couldn't read.

"Yeah?"

I'm not short... you're just freakishly tall... Okay" I glared but not in a malicious way.
"Aw, that's so cute. Is someone mad?" He mocked. Even though I knew he was just joking I still felt my cheeks get that familiar heat, ever since I've been around Jake I couldn't help but blush... besides he's called me cute... TWO times already...
I look up at him; he still has that goofy smile on. I...I think I like him... No, I can't. He's a guy... Can I?