"Well," Freddie said, slowly laying his wedding ring, safely, in his drawer. "I guess I won't be needing this anymore."
"Yeah," A familiar, soft voice from the doorframe called out, startling him. "Seems like you won't."
Carly made her way over to Freddie and gently opened his drawer again, taking out the piece of jewelry. She examined the ring, and sighed before speaking. "You know, Sam used to tell me she loved wearing her wedding ring. She said it made her feel like she was with you wherever you were even if you were miles away."
Freddie looked down, suddenly wondering if he'd cleaned the carpet in a while. This subject wasn't easy for him. It had been only two days since he and Sam—well, mostly Sam—had decided they needed a break. He, supposedly, should be getting the divorce papers any day now.
"Don't do this, Freddie," Carly pleaded. "Don't block me out. I'm only trying to help you two."
"You're not doing a very good job at that, Carly," Freddie snapped. "The last thing I need right now is someone helping me."
Carly crossed her arms, ready to oppose. "Really? Gibby told me how miserable you looked yesterday."
Freddie just shrugged, not really wanting to hear whatever lecture she was about to toss his way. He didn't want it, nor did he need it, but like the girl she was, she couldn't read any of the 'stop' signs he was giving her.
"You love Sam, and she loves you…so, I'm not getting why you guys are divorcing—"
"—Exactly. That's just it, Carly. If you don't get it now, you never will."
She closed her eyes and walked down the stairwell, wondering if Freddie was following her. He was. She went into the kitchen and helped herself to a bottle of Sweetened Iced Tea and sat on one of the arms of the sofa. "You guys aren't the type to give up so easily…and to divorce over a shirt? I just…that's crazy."
For the first time, Freddie felt as though it was his turn to speak up. "To be perfectly honest, I'd say our need to get a divorce started a long time ago."
"How long ago?" Carly asked, taking another sip of her tea.
"When we first met. I mean, think about it. Our arguments and banters started the moment we saw each other. We hated each other, and maybe…maybe that has yet to change."
In one swift movement, Carly had stood up and slapped Freddie across the face. It was hard, not hard enough to leave a bruise or even a red blotch, but it was still hard. The only thing he had to be thankful for at that moment was that it wasn't Sam who had slapped him. "Ow!"
As much as she wanted to, Carly didn't apologize. She had to prove a point here and apologizing wouldn't help her forcefulness. She watched Freddie grip his cheek, though she knew she hadn't hit him that hard. She sighed and sat next to Freddie again, except this time, not on the arm, but on the actual cushion. "Dammit, Carly, what was that for?"
With her voice barely above a whisper, she spoke again, "How could you even think something like that? Of course you guys don't hate each other."
He stood up, angrily. "You don't know that. You're not here every day to endure her beatings or hassles. You don't get chewed around like a play toy and tossed to the ground whenever the owner's done playing with you…but I do Carly."
Suddenly, Carly felt like a terrible person. Maybe she didn't know the whole story. Maybe she should have planned her approach to Freddie before she barged into his home and demanded answers. "You know that's just her way of showing affection to you."
Freddie rolled his eyes. "Then I'd hate to see how she shows hatred to me."
Carly pursed her lips. "I can help you fix this with her."
"How? You shouldn't try to fix something that you know will just fall apart again…or at least I wouldn't."
Carly left her best friend's home without another word. She was extremely aggravated and not just at Freddie, but at Sam, too.
X
"—and I'm glad Freddie and I are divorcing!" Sam said, pacing around Gibby's living room.
Gibby sighed, inwardly, knowing that if Sam caught him groaning at her endless speech, she'd harm him in some way. She had been rambling on for hours now. Where the hell is Carly, Gibby thought, sighing even more.
"—He was obnoxious, and clingy, and he barely bought me meat anymore! Can you believe that guy?"
Gibby answered in a monotone voice, "No, Sam, I cannot."
"And he was always crabby. Do you remember that time I ruined his chance to go to NERD camp?"
"Actually," Gibby interfered. "It's not called NERD camp...it's called New Electronics—"
"You're boring me already," Sam frowned, and then sat down beside Gibby. "Do you think I did the right thing? You know, just walking out on him like that?"
Gibby was surprised. He never thought he'd see the day where Samantha Puckett (for now) would ask for his opinion. This was his big moment, and he couldn't ruin it. His answer could decrease or increase how Sam felt about what she and Freddie agreed to. "You know, Sam, I've known you long enough to know that you hate it when people walk out on you. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Freddie feels how you felt all those times people exited your life."
Sam looked away, and then back at Gibby. When she didn't say anything, he continued, "If you ever wanted him back, it would take a lot of work."
An exasperated Sam stood again and marched her way into the kitchen. "Why should I do anything? He told me he hated me and he didn't try to fight for me. He doesn't love me, and I, of all people, should know you can't force someone to love you."
"Yeah, but—"
"I'm back," Carly announced, opening the door with two large pizzas in her hand. "Anyone want pizza?"
AN-Oh my gosh, thank you all so much for reviewing! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as you enjoyed the last! Now to the reviewers:
'Moviepal'-Thanks! :)
'SeddieFan99'-Thanks! Sorry for the long wait! :P
'Kyle McShade'-Yup, a divorce crisis. :) And lol, I hate witnessing arguments. And no, probably no Cibby. I don't think I want to do Cibby in any of my stories…I don't hate the ship, but it's not like I'm a hardcore Cibby fan either. :) Sorry if you are!
'Friends4ever55'-Thanks! The update for This is Love should be up either late tonight or tomorrow!
'jess(GUEST)'- Haha :) Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
'LadyJames'-I think that, too! And don't worry; I don't think this story will be long, so you should see them swallowing their pride in the next few chapters :)
'JJLHOTITEM1'-Thanks, JJ! :D I'm glad you're enjoying!
'Christina(GUEST)'-Thanks! I'm glad you're in love with this!
'Invader Johnny'-Ha, it'll make better sense later. Sam and Freddie tend to get into the weirdest of fights, so yeah. It's all normal for them!
Thanks for the nine reviews, guys! They mean so much!
-Megan xx
