The Kid with the Scar – Chapter 6

A Hidden Message

Disclaimer: iCarly is owned by Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon. All the copyrights associated with iCarly belong to them. Only the ideas contained within this story are my property. I am not gaining any profit from writing this story.

"Hey, Freddie, can you give us some help over here?"

"Wait, Benson, my computer isn't reading your file!"

"Freddie Benson, why isn't this working?"

I gasped as I ran over to one person and the next, plugging in the correct cords, handing fresh papers, and typing in codes to different programs. I wasn't in the mood today for doing anything; I'd had a rough morning. I barely had breakfast, due to Sam's whining and groaning about all different pains that I was half-listening to. I had no sleep at all last night also due to Sam insisting on watching some romantic-comedy movie about God knows what. And, now, I barely had time to give myself some air. It's been pretty rough around the office, with Mr. Bonner firing off two people down in the photography section to make room for more computer crew. If you ask me, though, we have enough of them already.

The new guy, Scott Johnson, was a bit of a downer. He hadn't talked all day and just sat there, twiddling the computer cord, getting drunk. Rolling my eyes, I swept over to him and snatched the bottle. He looked up with startling brown eyes and slapped me across the face, deliberately making me drop the beer. It cracked open and leaked onto all my documents that I had for Mr. Bonner, most being for the new laptop. I had figured out how to make it for a cheap price that night during the movie and was jotting down every detail of it on notebook paper. Now, all of my hard work lay on the wooden floor, drenched in dirty alcohol. I clenched my jaw and slammed the camera I was holding down on the man's desk. I raised my hands in exasperation and blew up.

"What was that for? You know you're cleaning this up! And, when you're done, you're gonna pay for the damage you did to our discovery papers! Got that?" I had leaned in close to his face and, on the last two words, splattered drops of beer all over his face and neck. After a few awkward moments of staring, he rose to his feet. He was exactly my height, making for an even match, with dirty blonde hair that had streaks of black in it. I couldn't stand him.

Without my noticing he was there, Mr. Bonner's booming voice radiated across the room to where we were standing. "Benson! What are you doing, boy?"

I smiled smugly at Scott and called to him clearly: "Our new employee just made me drop beer all over our papers. For the new laptop, may I add." Feeling a rush of satisfaction, I allowed myself a little chuckle and politely waited for the boss's response. What I got, though, was not my expectation.

"You clean it up yourself, Benson! Must you always cause trouble? Hurry up, now! You have work to do! Come now, Mr. Johnson, you can work here for the meantime." I stood there in utter shock. My mouth open and my eyes glazed over, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Scott Johnson brushed past me with his heavy suit and nodded towards Mr. Bonner. I just couldn't believe it. It was then that I noticed the whole room, jaws open, gazing up at me. Scarlett was, though, scribbling ferociously on her documents, obviously trying to make things less awkward. I clamped my mouth shut and, back straight, moved forward slowly. I dropped the dirty papers, reeking of alcohol and scowled.

"That son of a bitch…" I muttered to myself, grasping the filthy documents once more. Little did I know, though, Mr. Bonner was behind me.

"What was that, son?" I twirled around quickly and squeezed my eyes shut. This couldn't be happening. I had always been horrible at lying and now it was more crucial than ever. I stuttered as I tried to come up with an explanation.

"I…I…Nothing." I eventually settled on. Disappointed with myself, I stood waiting for a response. When all I got was two eyebrows raising, I gave up.

"Okay, fine, it isn't nothing. But, sir, why'd you put the blame on me? Didn't you know it was him?" As soon as the words had flown out of my mouth, I knew I had said something horribly wrong. Clenching my eyes shut, I waited for the blow. But, when I opened them once more, all I heard was a very soft, worried voice.

"Sometimes, Freddie, you have to deal with life. And there are times when you have to learn the hard way." With that, Mr. Bonner swept away, leaving. I got one last glance of his dark brown eyes before he left. They were filled with pure grief. Grief for something so utterly horrible, I couldn't even imagine. I could see his heart wrenching for something terrible enough to spring tears to my own eyes. What it was, I didn't know.

His last sentence to me was, I realized, filled with a hidden message I just didn't know.

After five more miserable hours at work and two more at home, I had somehow ended up in Spencer Shay's apartment building with Sam, Carly, Gibby, and Tijay. According to Spencer, his wedding with Veronica was booked for that summer and he wanted to be ready beforehand. Sam and I were reluctant to go, but we didn't have a choice as Carly had literally shoved us in her car and made us help. The three girls, Carly, Sam, and Veronica, were in charge of the guest list and us guys, Gibby, Spencer, and I, were in charge of organizing the themes and decorations. Tired from that day of work, I kept zoning out every few minutes.

"Freddie! Oh, Freddie, wake up!" Spencer screeched. He seemed extremely annoyed by my lack of attention and Gibby was starting to shoot me evil glares. I nodded and rested my head on my hand.

"So, I was thinking that we could have an outdoor party. Veronica wants it Hawaiian style. You know, her grandfather on her father's side is from Hawaii! Oh, there was this one time…" It was hard to keep paying attention. As Spencer went on and on about some amazing pool Veronica's grandfather, Tyler Groning, had, I went over the events of the day with Mr. Bonner and Scott. Twice again he had yelled at me for something that Johnson did purely on his own and screamed at me like a hawk. When I tried to tell Sam, she just told me that the chicken wings she was eating were delicious. I squinted at her through beady eyes and didn't talk to her for an hour. She can be so ignorant of people's feelings sometimes.

Excusing myself to go to the bathroom, I shut the door and dragged my back on the door, eyes shut. I had had such a rough day and now this. Looking at myself through the mirror, I wondered about that hidden message for the umpteenth time that day. What could it have meant? I had a horrible feeling that it had to do with me. Shaking my head, I told myself how absurd I was sounding. It was nothing. Just my mind playing tricks with me. It was then that I heard a knocking at the door. Getting myself focused again, I opened the door and saw Sam standing at the doorway, looking worried.

"Gibby told me you were in here. Are you okay?" She cocked her head to the side and stared at me with those beautiful, crystal blue eyes. I couldn't help but smile and nodded, waking up fully.

"Of course." I smiled widely and clutched her hand, walking out. She gave me a slight smirk, and then walked out, too, obviously confused as to why I was holding her hand. I didn't know myself. Maybe I just needed comfort and this was the way I was asking for it. Whatever it was, I loved it. Giving her a last kiss on the top of her head, I walked back to Gibby and Spencer, head held high. I wasn't going to let anything else ruin my life. Nothing at all.

Wow, I was so busy this week! I went to the beach for three days, and then completely forgot about updating. Good thing I remembered or I would have been in deep trouble. I got my schedule this week for school which is a pretty good one, despite the fact that I have barely any classes with my friends. Urgh…

I don't know if I'm happy with this chapter. I think it's okay, but I might be being judgmental of myself. Oh, well.

So, again, feel free to review, leave criticism, or ask me a question. No flames please. Thanks and happy reading!