Hey, here's chapter 2! Please review if you read, I really need to know you guys are out there, and I do except anonymous reviews, so yay. Keep reading, and I'll keep writing!

~*FREDDIE*~

I took a deep breath, and wiped the sweat off of my brow. My heart beating like drum, I walk slowly over to Sam. I stop halfway in my tracks, when Carly says "Hey, if your gonna be okay, I really have to get home. You can come with me if you want….(she pauses and waits for Sam's answer. Silence) Okay, Sam. Well….call me later…..bye. " She says reluctantly. She knew Sam wasn't okay. I knew Sam wasn't okay. I watch her Sam for a second, and notice she's shivering.

"Freddie?" I hear Carly's voice ring through my ears.

"Uh..what…Oh yeah, whats up?" I say, trying to focus on her.

"Thanks. For…you know. Helping Sam out. It meant a lot to me, that you would risk getting beat to a pulp for her. I'm sure it means a lot to her to, even if she's not showing it."

"Carls, she's one of my best friends. I'd do anything for either of you. Even if it IS risking my well being." I say, with a small smile. She just smiled back.

"Oh, and Freddie – HUG- try and get her to talk to you. I think she's just a little in shock. Just help her get home and stuff if you think she needs it. I would do all this, but Grandad is in the hospital, and me and Spence are really stressed about it, and I just…really need to get home." She says slowly letting go of me.

" No problem Carly. I'll help her out while your busy. Don't stress about her AND your Grandad. I know that's too much to put on your plate. Just let me handle Sam. I doubt we'll do any bickering, anytime soon.." I spoke calmly, trying to reassure Carly. And with that, she walked past Sam, just standing blankly in the middle of the hallway, and out the door. I walked carefully up to Sam, trying to be as gentle as possible. I knew she was humiliated, and felt dominated, so all she needed was gentle, kindness. Something I hadn't even attempted to give to Sam in 4 years. I have reasons.

"Hey." I say softly.

"….."

"Okay, Sam. Look at me. I know your okay. You are the toughest person I know." She glares at me.

"Well I just got beat up by some chizzbag, so obviously I'm not as tough as you think." She manages to spit out at me.

"Sam. I understand what you are saying. You're sick of being so tough for everyone. Is that it?"

"No Freddie! You're proving my point by doing exactly what your doing! It'sw not like me being tough, is some kind of act, it's who I am! You of all people should know that! Everyone's gonna treat me like some delicate flower, now! I don't even feel the same anymore…I feel like he beat the tough right out of me..I just want everything to go back to normal. I wish this never would've happened. But now, I know for sure, everyone's going to treat me different, because you already are. Since when are YOU nice, and actually care about ME!" She says, staring at her hands, and then looks up at me, waiting for a response. I looked at her blue eyes deep like the sea. Something really was different about her. Her blonde curls, fell over her shoulders, as she kept looking at me expectantly.

"Sam, I may not show it, but I've always cared about you. Very much, actually. I would say, or do anything for you, no matter the consequences. I should have told you this sooner, so you would believe me. But I promise, I'm not lying. I really do care about you. Why else would I beat the hell out of that jerk for you? And so what if people treat you different? Just be YOU. Just be who you know you are, just be what you know you should be inside. Whether it's tough girl, or soft, girly and weak. Wow, I sound so cheesy right now, but I'm being serious." I say, very truthfully.

"That was you? Who beat the crap out of that piece of chizz? Wow, Benson, didn't know you had it in ya. Anyway, thanks. Looks like you got him pretty good, if you sent him to the nurse. Now, savor what I'm about to say, because you probably won't hear it for another 100000 years. You're right." She said, gulping and shivering, making it look like she was about to throw up. I just roll my eyes and smile. I was just happy she was going to be okay.

"Hey, do you want to come over to my apartment, so I could clean up those cuts? I'm pretty sure you've seen my mom's first aid kit the size of a suitcase. She's at the hospital till 8 tonight, so she won't be there to pester me about a tick bath or something." I ask her, being polite.

"Uh, no thanks dorkenstein, I'd rather let my cuts bleed out than go to your disinfected apartment. I'll just go over to Carly's." She says smirking.

" Awww, come on Sam, I have boo boo spray. I say in a baby voice. She just rolls her eyes. "And Carly has to take care of her Grandad in the hospital, and she told me to tell you that. " I added.

"Fine, whatever, just lead the way to your nerdlair." She says, smiling. I hold the door open for her, as I carry both of our backpacks, and walk out of the school, following close behind her.