I ladled a few circles of pancake mix into the hot pan and moved to the cabinet to search for syrup while they cooked. I wasn't fully accustomed to being in Freddie's home. Nothing resembled a syrup container in the uniform series of boxes in Mrs. Benson's cupboards when the words "Organic Maple" caught my eye. I pulled down the box to reveal "Flavored Syrup Powder" just as Freddie entered the kitchen with a damp towel draped around his shoulders.
"You've got to be kidding me, right?" I held the box out to him. He grimaced a bit.
"You shouldn't be surprised. You know how she is. Hang on."
He turned around and pushed himself onto the counter next to the fridge. From the high cabinet above he pulled out a small glass bottle and sat it next to me. 100% Pure Grade A Dark Maple Syrup.
"My contraband cabinet," he smirked. "My Mom doesn't condone the use of out of reach shelves, so I can keep stuff here without getting caught." I grinned as I flipped our pancakes.
"I love your devious mind."
He slipped off the cabinet and moved in behind me, hooking one arm around my stomach and using the other hand to brush the hair from my neck. He pulled me back against him and started kissing my neck. His hot breath traveled down my shirt sending chills up my spine. I struggled to concentrate as I tossed our breakfast onto a plate. He licked and nibbled up to my ear where he whispered, "Thank you." He snaked his arm past me and snatched the plate off the counter before evaporating from my side.
With my breath shallow from his unexpected contact I grabbed another plate, flipped the last of the pancakes onto it and followed him to the table. We ate hungrily and silently. His eyes wandered to the clock a few times and I couldn't help but feel like our time was up. I cleared the plates and loaded the dishwasher as he placed the syrup bottle back in his secret cabinet. He came around me again, this time placing a pack of detergent in the dishwasher. Regardless of our mundane actions the air around us was charged with anticipation. As I turned toward him he pulled me in tight and planted a sweet kiss on my forehead.
"What are we going to do now?" he asked.
Without warning, we were on the opposite sides of the kitchen. I hadn't detected the slight click of the deadbolt as Mrs. Benson turned her key in the front door.
"Freddie?" she called into the apartment. My heart pound in my ears.
"In here Mom!" he shouted back. Mrs. Benson's smile faded as she rounded the corner to the kitchen and saw me standing there.
"Freddie...I didn't realize you had company."
"Yeah Mom, Carly came over to make me breakfast since you weren't here."
He smiled at me in a manner that was meant to convey friendly appreciation. Freddie was far more deceitful than I had ever realized, but with a mother like his, who could blame him? I hadn't developed the quality of deception he had, so I decided my best option to was to make a hasty retreat.
"Everything's cleaned up Mrs. Benson," I smiled at her as sincerely as possible. "I'll head home and let you get settled in." I shot a quick look at Freddie. "See ya later."
Walking away from him was like denying a force of nature, trying to pull apart the strongest magnets, but I knew I had no option. I let myself out and walked cautiously to my own door, opening it slowly. Inside Spencer was asleep on the couch holding a bowl of Fiber Nuts. I eased around him and made my way up to my room for a shower. The image in the mirror was flushed and disheveled and utterly perplexed. Although I had no idea what to expect when I went to Freddie's apartment last night, I had at least expected some resolution.
buzz
It was a text from Freddie. Sorry we got interrupted. Hope it's not to soon to say I miss you.
All my worries melted away. Somehow knowing he cared about me made everything else seem less important. I still had no idea when I would get to be alone with him again.
Don't worry, I'll miss you every minute.
He wrote back within seconds. I'll see you in a bit, gotta help Mom unpack :(
Til Then. xoxo I tossed my phone onto the counter and drew a long hot bath.
Daydreaming about him was nothing new, but with all the new emotions swirling around in my head today it was nearly impossible to focus on a conversation with my best friend. I couldn't let her catch on to my preoccupation and I couldn't ignore the work that needed to be done for iCarly so I was trying to force myself out of the daze I was in.
"How about racing fish? They'd follow bait, right?" I was snapped back to the present with her suggestion for the show. We were discussing bits for next week.
"We can test it out," I answered "I'll stop by the pet store in the morning and see what I can find out." The answer seemed to satisfy her enough. She shifted on her bean bag and hopped up to her feet.
"C'mon. I need food to think."
I followed her from the studio down to the main floor to find a snack where Spencer was hunched over an unformed lump of clay with a studious expression.
"Should I even ask?" I prompted him. He responded without looking up.
"I have to wait for the clay to speak to me."
"You shouldn't have asked." Sam interjected while rummaging through the fridge. My heart leaped into my throat when I heard the door.
"Buenas dias." Freddie announced with his entrance. His smile was so bright and clear. My stomach turned flips at the sight of him. Joy radiated from his smile; he beamed directly at me for just a moment. He came into the room and sneakily touched my back as he passed me. It took nothing more than a simple touch and the fresh masculine scent of him so near to make my blood boil. As if I wasn't distracted enough.
"Fredwardo," Sam started. "I was wondering when you were gonna show up. Guess I should have left a little sooner."
"Sam," he shot back, "How's summer school?" She glared at the reminder of her self imposed torment. Her less than desirable grades had sentenced her to a stint of extra classes for the season.
"It's just great Freddie, today the teacher was sick so they let the janitor be the substitute."
"Maybe you'll finally learn something," Freddie smirked.
Behind us a fist slammed into the slab of clay.
"Gah!" Spencer screamed. He looked up, gauging our questioning expressions. "What? I didn't like what it had to say." he wiped his hands on his shirt and headed for the fridge himself. He grabbed a bottle of cream soda and turned back towards us before changing the subject. "So did you guys find any good videos for iCarly last night?"
Sam's eyes snapped up from the pot pie she was devouring to give me an unfriendly stare.
"Oh yeah," I began. "We found one of a guy who, um... has a pet lemur." My eyes widened at the absurdity of my own imagination. Where the hell had that come from?
"Cool!" Spencer chimed in, "Is he here in Seattle? I want a lemur!"
"Absolutely. Freddie, has he responded to your email yet?" He looked puzzled but ultimately amused.
"Not yet."
"Don't take no for an answer!" Spencer urged.
"So we have "Count the Freckles on the Gibby," filling Lewbert's pillow with oatmeal, and a dude with an exotic animal. Sounds like a pretty full show." Sam concluded. "I'm getting outta here before I barf at the sight of Fredalita over here."
"Later Carls!" she called over her shoulder as she made her way for the door.
My brain kicked into overdrive now that the only thing standing between Freddie and I being alone was my easily distracted brother. If my memory didn't fail me Mrs. Benson should be at work right now. If his place was empty it seemed safer than being here with my curious older sibling.
"Groovy Smoothie, Freddie?"
"Sure, Carly."
"Maybe a Mango Madness would jump start my creativity." suggested Spencer.
I couldn't help but laugh at his question-less request.
"One Mango Madness, coming up."
I had to resist the urge to sprint as we moved toward the door. The prospect of having my arms around him again made my mouth water. In the hall, I immediately went for his doorknob.
"Carly." he interrupted with a huge smile on his face. "Eager?" He seemed to be sincerely enjoying my enthusiasm. "We should probably get Spencer's smoothie first. Don't want to forget completely."
"Right," I relented. "No interruptions later." My demeanor improved at the prospects.
He grabbed my hand as we rounded the corner toward the elevator and pulled me close to his side. We fell against the back wall of the vacant elevator as soon as we could squeeze through the opening door. Our arms wrapped around one another as our lips crashed together. He ran his hands down my sides from bra to waistband and back again. My breath stopped short and I was on my tiptoes in response. Before yesterday, I had no idea I could be so turned on by simply having his hands on my body. We had taken the eight floor ride hundreds of times; instinctively we parted just before the doors opened to the lobby as not to reveal our passionate embrace. I found myself staring into the unblinking eyes of Marissa Benson.
"Freddie, I was just coming to get you."
"Why?" His expression turned sour.
"We have to go shopping for your school supplies. It's only six weeks until school is back in session!" Her face tightened as she emphasized her words.
"Can't it wait, Mom?"
She stepped forward and grabbed his arm, dragging him out of the elevator. "It can most certainly not wait young man. Would you like to be unprepared for your Senior year?"
He looked back at me with an apologetic expression. I waved a silent goodbye. My typical response to his ordeal with his mother was sympathy, but today was different. With all the hormones flooding my system the sexual energy morphed into rage. Freddie continued to protest unsuccessfully as his mother escorted him out of the building.
I stomped dutifully across the street to fetch Spencer's smoothie scowling at anyone who dared look my way. I ripped the door open just as my phone alerted me of a new text message. I couldn't help smile at what he had to say.
Just one question...a lemur?