Chapter One
It was a few days after the Benson's had moved into the Bushwell Plaza and they were finally situated in their new home. Freddie awoke on that bright Saturday morning to the sun shining into the window of his new bedroom. He yawned and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He saw that the time was 9:10am. Yawning, he threw back the covers and made his way into the kitchen, where Mrs. Benson had breakfast ready. After he finished eating, he got dressed and threw on his dark blue sweater.
''Mom, I'm going for a walk.'' Freddie said to his mother, who was currently sitting on the couch watching T.V.
''Be careful, Freddie. And don't talk to strangers!'' Marissa said as Freddie closed the door behind him. Freddie sighed and began walking down the hall, thinking about how his life was changing. He had lived with his father for as long as he could remember, and now it was just him and his mom. Normally, this would've made him extremely happy, but he couldn't help but worry. What if his father found out where they lived? Freddie didn't think he could handle another beating from his father. When Freddie turned eight years old, Leonard had become an alcoholic. He often became drunk and due to this, abused his son in his drunken state. To say that the beatings hurt was an understatement. Freddie was so lost in his thoughts, he was surprised when he bumped into someone.
''Watch it!'' Freddie looked in the direction of the voice and recognised it as the blonde girl he saw in the apartment across the hall the day he moved in. He also just realized that he had made it to the front lobby. Lewbert wasn't anywhere to be seen, so Freddie assumed he was in his office. He turned his attention back to the girl.
''Sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going.'' He said.
''Yeah, no chiz.'' The girl replied. ''What's your name, anyway?'' She asked.
''I'm Freddie Benson.'' He told her.
''Sam Puckett.'' The girl named Sam noticed the Galaxy Wars logo peeking out from underneath Freddie's sweater.
''Galaxy Wars? Oh. You're one of those nerds.'' She said with disgust. Freddie glared at her.
''I'm not a nerd!'' He defended. Sam scoffed.
''Please. I saw you moving in with all that technical equipment.'' She replied. Freddie groaned.
''That is very high tech, quality equipment! Like you would even understand.'' Sam's smile vanished. Before Freddie could comprehend what was happening, Sam had him pinned against the wall. She noticed Freddie flinch violently, as if expecting to be hit. She raised her eyebrow and released him. Freddie looked at her fearfully before running out the front doors. Sam thought it was a little strange that he tensed up so badly at her touch, but decided not to press the matter. The kid was a nerd, and she hated nerds. She knew he would probably be attending Ridgeway. She smiled. Finally, she had someone new to pick on.
Freddie stood at his locker on the first day of school, feeling slightly nervous. He'd never had to transfer schools before. He sighed heavily and threw his unneeded supplies into the metal container before slamming the door shut. Carly Shay, the girl who lived across from Freddie, was talking to her best friend, Sam. Sam spotted Freddie out of the corner of her eye and rushed over to him. Carly followed, confused.
''Hey, Fredbag.'' Sam greeted him. Freddie looked at Sam and suddenly recognized her.
''My name is Freddie.'' He replied, annoyed. Sam glared at him.
''I'll call you whatever I want, Fredifer.''
''Sam, leave him alone.'' Carly snapped. She smiled at Freddie.
''I'm Carly Shay. I live across the hall from you. I'm sorry about Sam. She finds it funny to pick on the new kids.'' She said kindly. Freddie smiled back at her.
''I'm Freddie Benson.'' He said. Carly giggled.
''I know. I heard your mom yelling at you to put on sunscreen.'' Freddie looked down, embarrassed.
''You don't have to be embarrassed. My older brother embarrasses me on a daily basis.'' Carly comforted.
''What about your parents?'' He wondered. Sam growled and lunged at him, pinning him to the lockers.
''She doesn't like to talk about, Frednub, so just butt out!'' She snarled. Carly pried Sam off of Freddie.
''It's okay. My mom passed away about a year ago and my dad's stationed overseas. He's in the military, so it's just me and my older brother, Spencer.'' Carly explained. Freddie nodded in understanding. Sam rolled her eyes and made to launch herself at him again. She stopped when she noticed Freddie flinch and his body tense.
''What's your deal, Benson? Are you abused at home or something?'' Sam asked harshly. Freddie, feeling panicked, grabbed his bookbag and ran off.
''Sam!'' Carly scolded.
''What? Why else would he tense like that?''
''You can't ask someone if they're being abused at home just because they flinch when getting ready to be hit.'' Carly said. Sam groaned.
''Why are you taking his side?'' She whined.
''Because. His life at home is none of our business.''
''He asked you about your parents!'' Sam defended.
''That's different. I brought up the family subject, so he had a right to ask what he did. Not everyone has two parents, you know. You only have your mom. And I don't like that you're picking on him. He's actually really nice.''
''Carls, that kid's a total nerd!'' Sam exclaimed.
''So? That means we can't be friends with him?'' Carly asked.
''Uh, yeah!'' Carly rolled her eyes. Sometimes she wondered how she was able to put up
A Few Weeks Later
Principal Franklin looked at the picture in his hand as he laughed continuously. His laughter stopped when Francine Briggs entered the office. He cleared his throat to erase any suspicion and set the picture down on the desk.
''Carly, get in here. Right now.'' Francine snapped. Carly walked into the office, taking in a deep breath as she did.
''Have a seat.'' Principal Franklin gestured to the one of the empty chairs in front of his desk. Carly stole a glance at her teacher Francine before taking the seat closest to the window. Francine shut the door and went to stand next to the principal's desk.
''So, I understand you put some flyers up all over the school.'' The principal started. Carly nodded her head.
''Yes. I did.'' She replied.
''Why would you photodock my head onto the body of a rhinoceros?'' Ms. Briggs exclaimed.
''Well, I-'' Carly was interrupted by her principal.
''Rhinoceros? Oh, no, no, no. She made you a hippopotamus.'' He showed her the picture again.
''No, no. She's a rhinoceros. A hippo has fatter thighs and a wider snout-''
''You know what, what does it matter?'' Ms. Briggs shouted, getting both Carly and Principal Franklin's attention.
''I think we should call her father in to discuss this.'' She said with an evil smile.
''Um, my dad's stationed in Europe right now.'' Carly informed her.
''He's in the military.'' Said Principal Franklin.
''Well, there must be some adult in charge of her.''
''My older brother, Spencer.'' Carly answered.
''Oh, yes.'' Ms. Briggs chuckled. ''The artist.'' She said with disgust.
''He's a great artist!'' Carly defended.
''Look, we don't need to call her brother in about this. I'm sure that you can come up with a suitable punishment?'' Principal Franklin suggested.
''Fine. You know, Carly, I am in charge of the talent show this year?'' Ms. Briggs asked.
''Yeah, you're holding auditions on Saturday.'' Carly responded.
''No, you are.''
''Huh?!''
''I will be enjoying my Saturday while you videotape the auditions for me.'' She pulled out a piece of paper from her folder and handed it to Carly. Carly stood.
''No! I'm going to see Cuttlefish play live at the Hawthorn on Saturday!'' She cried.
''Not anymore.'' Ms. Briggs said with fake sympathy.
''Aw, come on!'' Carly complained.
''It's what you get for turning me into a hippopotamus!'' The teacher declared.
''Rhinoceros.'' Carly corrected
''Get out!'' Ms. Briggs shouted, pointing towards the door.
''Right!'' Carly swiftly snatched her bag and ran out.
First off, I want to thank you guys on all the positive reviews I got on this! I wrote the introduction a long time ago and I didn't expect people to want more. So I will be continuing this. With that said, I give full credit to Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon for the office scene, as it is from iCarly's pilot episode and therefore, does not belong to me.
