Thank you so much to all who favorited, reviewed, and/or added this story to Story Alerts! I know I'm not a reliable author. I'm more of a reader than writer. But thanks for staying with me and wanting to read on! I honestly don't think my story is all that good. But I'll try to satisfy you all to the best of my ability with my work.

Here's Chapter 4. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own iCarly or anything that is in relation to it.

iThought They Cared

4

It had been nearly three weeks since Freddie had seen Sam in her room. She had only been to school four days throughout the whole period. The days were far apart and she never actually stayed in school for the whole seven hours. Of course, both Carly and Freddie noticed her frequent absences but only one of them took this as a problem. I don't think I have to tell you which one.

Freddie sat in the front of the classroom jotting down biology notes quickly. He glanced behind him at Carly. She met his eyes only for a second before directing them back to the Mrs. Blalock's chicken scratch she called hand writing.

This exchange happened repeatedly for fifteen minutes until the dismissal bell rang. The students filed out of the classroom eagerly leaving Carly and Freddie in the dust. Carly packed her things in her arms as quickly as she could and began walking quickly to the door.

"Miss Shay," Mrs. Blalock said picking up a nice sized stack of papers and holding them in Carly's direction, "Could you deliver these assignments to Samantha, please. She has missed too many days and I really wouldn't want to see her fail this course. She has improved so m--." She didn't even finish her sentence because Carly just ignored her and marched straight out of the door without even glancing at the papers held out to her.

Freddie saw the confusion and shock written on Mrs. Blalock's face and gently took the assignments from her.

"I'll give them to her." He gave her a half-smile.

"Thank you, Fredward."

"Mrs. B, I've been in your class forever. Just call me Freddie." He turned to leave but Mrs. Blalock put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Um, Freddie about Sam's absenses...I'm really concerned and if you don't mind me asking, is she in any trouble? I mean Sam's behavior is nothing like it used to be but I'm getting worried." Her brown eyes, big and filled with concern, stared straight into his.

"Honestly, Mrs. B, I haven't talked to Sam in weeks. I don't know what's up with her. I can only hope she's not in any trouble." Freddie replied remembering his last talk with Sam in her room. He still didn't know what he had done wrong. Maybe I was coming on a little too strong. he thought.

"Well, haven't you talked to her?"

"No, I haven't. She, uh, won't pick up my calls." his head fell slightly.

"Carly? Has she spoken to her?" she asked.

"I don't know. Carly hasn't even talked to me," And I seen her every day. "Maybe they got in a fight.

"Yes...maybe." Mrs. Blalock looked at her desk and Freddie tilted his head up a little to look at her.

"I should...I should, uh, get going," he said slowly turning for the door. "I'll get these papers to Sam as soon as possible."

Freddie walked out of the door and the first thing he saw was the back of Sean's head and Carly's hands on his neck. They were making out. Get a room, he thought walking toward them.I swear, if he didn't have Carly this dude would fuck any organism that was sprawled out before him including the roots of a tree.

"Carly, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked when he reached them.

No answer.

"Carly!" he tried again.

"Go, away loser. Don't you have some computers to fix or something?" Sean said without moving away from Carly.

"No one was talking to you j-strap."

"Oh, but she was last night. In fact she was scr--"

"Sean!" Carly stopped him before he go any further.

"I'm sorry, babe." he leaned his head down to kiss her again. She gladly accepted his apology and moved her lips with his sloppily.

"Carly, I have to talk to you." Freddie said getting irritated.

Carly sighed and pulled away from Sean's face peeking around his body to look at Freddie. "About what?"

"Not getting any action." Sean answered before Freddie could. He started laughing at his own comment, his body shaking slightly over Carly's.

"Sean!" she shouted at him again this time swatting his arm.

"Alright, alright. I'll stop." he replied still snickering.

Immature,Carly and Freddie unknowingly thought in unison.

"About Sam."

"Why?" Carly pulled away from Sean completely. Her eyes got a little wider when she asked, "What about her?"

Freddie glared at Sean, "Privately. I want to talk to you about Sam privately."

She hesitated for a minute before at Sean. "Why don't you go and run a couple of laps 'til I'm done with Freddie."

"But Carl--" He bean to whine.

"Please," She stood on her toes to give him a peck on the cheek. "I promise I won't be long. Five minutes tops, alright? I'll find you when we're done here."

"Alright," he turned to Freddie, "You keep your hands to yourself Freddo."

"Oh, you don't have to worry about that. Trust me."

Sean sneered at him and walked away from the two.

"So what happened with you and Sam?" Freddie asked when Sean was out of earshot.

"What?"

Don't act stupid, Carly, it doesn't suit you. You know damn well what I'm talking about. I haven't seen or heard from Sam in weeks. What happened?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't talked to her either." Carly said matter-of-factly.

"Oh, you know. You would be as freaked as I am or any real friend if you didn't." he paused for a minute and looked her in her eyes, "That's why you were avoiding me in class today. What happened, Carly?" he asked again.

"Nothing happened. But if anything had--" she was interrupted by Freddie's snort.

"'But if anyhting had happened'" he copied her. "Ya'know most of the time when people say that, something did happen."

"It's none of your business, Freddie. If Sam hasn't told you anything than she obviously doesn't want you to know." she averted her eyes.

"None of my business?" his face began to turn red. "She's my best friend and she could be hurt for all I know! And it's NONE OF MY BUSINESS?! Carly, what the hell?" he was shouting about a foot away from her face.

"Why do you even care?" Carly said merely above a whisper.

"BECAUSE I LO--" he cut himself off mid-sentence. He leaned in closer, nearly backing her into the lockers, looking her straight in the eyes"Heed my words, Carly Shay. If she's hurt and you know something about it I'll make you regret not telling me. I swear on my grave you're going to regret it." He clenched his fist and threw it into the locker next to Carly's head.

Freddie had never been a really violent person before. So when he punched the locker it frightened Carly half to death. His fist was so close to her face her heart had nearly leaped out of her chest. "I-I have to f-find Sean." she said and stumbled away quickly.

Freddie took deep breaths trying to calm himself down. Of course, he would never hit Carly. Or any other girl. But the thought of Sam being in any king of danger enraged him to the max.

After thirty minutes of deep, slow breathing and chanting 'She's alright.' over and over both in his mind and aloud, he headed home.

Half-way to his apartment building Freddie remembered that he had Sam's missed work with him. He turned around and headed the opposite direction to Sam's house. Hopefully she'll let me in without arguement this time. he thought.

When he made it there Chrysler was no where in sight. He knocked on the door any way. He didn't get an answer. "Hello? Sam? It's me Freddie." He turned the knob and to his surprise the door was unlocked. Some one has to be here. Freddie opened the door slightly and poked his head through. "Hello?" he called out again. Still no answer. He walked inside the house and locked the door behind him. Making his way to Sam's room her heard movement behind her bedroom door. He stopped in front of her door.

"Sam I have all of the work you've missed from Mrs. Blalock's class. I could help you with it if you want... Can I come in?" he heard the lock on her door move and didn't know if she had just unlocked it or locked it. He twisted the knob to check. Unlocked. Freddie slowly pushed pass the door and into her room. His small eyes widened at the sight of her.

She looked a mess. Her eyes were blood shot red. Not like she had been crying just not sleeping. Her clothes were big and dingy looking. Her hair still had its mass to it. But it was all over her head like a 'Before' picture in a Pantiene advertising commercial.

"Uh..hi." he said uneasily.

She simply nodded her head in his direction.

"Here are your papers." he set them neatly on her night stand.

"Thanks." she said, her voice soft but still raspy. Dry.

Silence.

"When was the last time you slept?"

Sam hunched her shoulders. A silent 'I don't know.'

"Sam, I'm worried about you. Please say something. Call me 'nerd' or Freddork'. I don't care what just say something." Freddie pleaded.

"There's nothing to say."

"Was it me? Did I do something? If I did I'm sorry, alright?" he said stepping closer to her.

"No. It wasn't you." she let her head fall.

"Then, what? I hate seeing you like this, Sam! Let me help you!" he grabbed her shoulders tightly. Her body immediately reacted and she started shouting and fighting against him.

"NO! Stop! Spencer, please! NOT AGAIN! STOP!" Freddie immediately let his grip on her go. Sam backed away from him breathing heavily.

"Sam what ha--?"

"Nothing happened!" she yelled at him still holding herself tightly.

"Sam, you were just in hysterics!" he said shaking his head, confused. Then realization hit him. "You called me Spencer."

Sam's head snapped up, tears forming in her eyes.

"What did he do to you Sam?" he didn't need to ask. It was obvious. Her reaction to his hands on her. The screaming 'NO. NOT AGAIN!'.

Freddie's face lit up red again, awaiting her answer.

A/N: It's short. Yeah, I know. But it's something. My creativity for this story is dying. Sorry,

REVIEW, PLEASE!! FLAMES ARE WELCOME. :)