Chapter 2

"It must be awful to love somebody who doesn't love you back." She said, looking in the distance towards the retreating Gibby.I didn't dare say anything, I just moved my eyes to look at her.

She quickly picked up on my message. "Don't start."

"Sorry." Was her apology. At least she sounded regretful, but said it really fast.

That was 3 weeks ago. Since then iCarly has been done via webcam because Carly, Spencer and Sam decided to go down to Southern California to see Colonial Morgan, Carly's father and some other close family members. I have been filling my time by getting a car, reading up on how to fix my iPhone (stupid first gen bugs) and going to the gym.

Shocking huh, Fredward Benson, going to the gym. Well, let me explain. It goes back to what Carly said.

It infuriated me. I just know her too well to see that she didn't 100% of her "Sorry". What's worse, it has been running on a loop in my mind. But that loop has driven me to start acting on something else I heard on the last day of school in the locker room after gym.

"Freddie Benson is small in every way. If he ever goes to the gym, things will start to change for him."

I don't know who it was, but they motivated me to start reinventing the way I looked and to step out of the "momma's boy" look. So the second thing I did after getting my car was get to 48 Hour Fitness and get the summer membership. What was first? Groovy smoothie, priorities people.

Believe it or not my mom's crazy diet is perfect for working out. I started lifting 65 lbs, but now am at 115 lbs. The results are surprising. I saw Wendy in Ty's Electronics and she didn't really think it was me.

Good thing is, Carly and Sam are coming back today. We haven't texted or talked since last Thursday, which is our iCarly day.

I head over to the studio to mess around on the site, look at some viewer emails, just kinda hang out until they get back.

A couple of hours, 2 tweets, and too many emails to count I hear the door downstairs shut and happy chatter float up.

I'm so happy that my frustration and vitriol about them leaving me twist in the wind for 3 entire weeks seemingly evaporated.

Carly and Sam both walked in, peppy cola in hand, smiling and talking excitedly. Both girls got a bit of a tan, and the look works for them.

They continue talking to each other for about 5 minutes. My annoyance is starting to rise rapidly. Finally Sam out of all people says hi. Well, kind of.

"How's things been nub? Boring without carly here?" She teased. I brushed her off.

"Who cares" Carly said, looking at me. "You have to hear about what happened."

"Ok." I say, leaning against my cart.

"Well, Sam and I were trying Sand volleyball, and a really cute guy came up. His name was Cory, and—" She continued to talk, but I tuned her out. I really don't want to hear about her new flame. She seems hellbent on torturing me until I give up or die, whichever comes first.

"His biceps were HUGE, and he was so muscular wasn't he Sam?" Carly rambled on.

"Can't say cupcake, you always had your hands on him." Sam said, gazing at me for my reaction. I remained focused on Carly, who was looking for something on her phone.

She shoved her phone right in my face, about 2 inches from my nose. "That's him, isn't he so hot? I would bake cookies on him."

Ok, I've had enough.

I reach into my pocket, pressing a button to sound like I'm getting called if I needed to eescape another situation like this.

I grab my phone, quickly engaging into a fake conversation, while Carly looked completely nonplussed or oblivious.

I walk out of the studio, Sam and Carly resuming their conversation about Cory.I put away my phone and sighed deeply.

"Freddo!" Spencer yelled as soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs, smothering me in a hug.

"Hey Spence." I said, smiling. He had a bit of a tan also.

"Whoa. Where did the muscle come from?" He asked, evidently surprised.

I turned towards the door. "Let me count the ways…"