And here it is, folks, Chapter Ten. Hope you like it. Thanks so much for all the encouraging reviews and support. You guys are the best! I have officially reached 100 reviews! Only one chapter remains after this one, and this story is complete!
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Sam :::
Pinned underneath Freddie, I could not believe the words falling from his lips.
Could it be true? Did Freddie REALLY love me? Me, Samantha Puckett?
I had never really thought it possible. He'd always loved Carly. From the moment I met him, my best friend had always been superior in his eyes. All he could think and talk about had been her. And then there was Melanie, my perfect and immaculate twin sister. Even my twin had gotten her clutches into Freddie. How could I complete with those two?
Tears clouded my vision, although I fought them like crazy. I didn't want Freddie to see me cry. Anything but that. But it was too late. The tears raced unbidden down my cheeks, and Freddie had seen each and every one.
My voice sounded pathetic and girly as I finally gained the ability to speak. "Let me up, Freddie. I promise, I'll tell you everything. Just get off me,"
I heard myself plead. When he hesitated, I added forcefully, "NOW."
Eventually, he sighed, rolling to his left so I was no longer crushed beneath his body. The two of us sat up on the bed, and I turned to look at him. Moments ticked by as I attempted to find the words.
"Okay, Freddie. I'll tell you the truth," I spoke softly, gazing into those amazing brown eyes of his.
"From the very beginning, I had feelings for you," I admitted. "But you loved Carly. The only way I could get you to notice me was to harrass you. And everytime I was reminded that Carly was your crush, it would infuriate me,
making me lash out at you and do something horrible."
"I know I was terrible to you. I don't know how you put up with me. But you did and in time we became good friends. Even though we fought and bickered constantly, we were still very close. But it wasn't until after we kissed that I realized just how much I cared..."
I took in a deep breath, forcing the words passed my lips. "I don't know when it happened and I don't know why, but I love you, too, nub. So much it hurts,"
I confessed. "I never wanted you to know, because I had myself convinced you could never love me like you loved Carly. I even thought Melanie would be a better match for you with her super-good grades and perfectly clean hair. Why would you love someone like me when you could have a Carly or a Melanie? I'm nothing compared to them..."
My words trailed off as I looked down at my hands in anguish. My tears had ceased to flow, but my vulnerability had already been revealed in every way. And to Freddie of all people. I wanted to run, but it was too late for that. I had already exposed everything to him. Everything I had kept hidden and protected for so very long.
Freddie :::
I ached inside seeing Sam's tears and hearing her sorrowed words. "Look at me,
Sam," I coaxed, placing my fingers under her chin to gently raise her gaze to my own.
"I do love you ... and you are everything to me. I don't love Carly. What I felt for her was nothing more than a childhood crush. Yes, she's a great person and wonderful friend, but it's you who has my heart. And as for Melanie, I only dated her because I thought it was you that night playing a trick on me. And when she kissed me, I honestly thought it was you and one of your pranks. I never wanted Melanie either."
"Sam, I want you. We've been stupid, holding all our feelings inside, afraid of admitting our love for one another. But I am not holding back another day.
I love you, Samantha Puckett. Only you. You're a blond-headed demon and sometimes you infuriate me, but I do love you just as you are."
"How did I fall in love with a nerd?" she asked softly as a bright smile came to overtake her face.
"Just admit it. Nerds make you hot," I chuckled. Then she slapped me, hard.
I knew she was feeling better then. I tugged her into my embrace, kissing her softly on her forehead.
"Behave yourself, Benson. Or you're gonna get slapped again," she warned with a small laugh as we fell down on the bed together, holding each other tight.
"You know I like it rough," I said as kissed along her jaw-line, tasting the saltiness of her earlier tears upon her skin.
"Mama loves it rough," she said in a breathless whisper, arching her neck as I was sipping at her soft flesh.
I nibbled her pulse point, leaving my mark there. Sam was making sexy noises as though she loved every second of it. My senses were soaring. She loved me! Finally I had Sam right where I wanted her. In my bed and in my heart. What more could I want?
"Take off my clothes, Dork. I want you again," she commanded. Ohhh yeah, she was definitely feeling better. The Sam Puckett I knew and loved was back.
"Yes, Princess Puckett," I said, ready to do as she commanded me. It was going to be a wonderful night.
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The next morning the unthinkable had happened. We had overslept once again. According to the bedside alarm clock, it was 11:17, and someone was pounding urgently upon the door. I threw on my boxers, walking sleepily toward the source of the offending noise. "Who's there?" I demanded, throwing the door open.
"Freddie!" Carly gasped. It was her standing in the doorway, along with Gibby. She ran her eyes up and down my body clad in only my boxers, blushing furiously.
Then I saw her glance over at Sam, lying in bed with nothing covering her but the tangled sheet. The expression on Carly's face was priceless. She looked as though she might lose consciousness.
"Wh-Wh-what's going on in here?" Carly cried out.
"Nothing much," I said with a smirk.
"Gibby, I think they #%&ed!" Carly blurted out as she turned to look at her companion. I raised an eyebrow as I never would have guessed that sweet,
little Carly Shay knew those sort of words.
"I would say you're probably right," Gibby responded, a small grin upon his face.
"Hey!" Sam called out from the bed, sitting up carefully while using the sheet to cover her nudity. "Sorry we slept through classes again. We were sort of... ummmm... BUSY last night."
Carly's eyes got huge. "OMG! It's about time, you two! Do you know how long I wanted you both to finally admit it and just get together?" she exclaimed.
"Does this mean you are dating?" was her next question.
I looked at Sam who was gazing back at me. "Does it?" I asked her.
"I've never dated a dork before..." was her answer. But I could tell by the little smirk on her face that she liked the idea.
"Ohhh Gibby, I am so excited!" Carly cried out, dancing around like a child and grabbing Gibby tight in her embrace. "My best friends FINALLY got together. Sam, Freddie, I am soooooo happy for you both!"
"That's great," said Sam. "But could you leave now? I think I'll get dressed.
Or on second thought, maybe I'll #%& the dork again."
"Sam!" Carly exclaimed, but Sam only giggled mischievously.
I escorted Carly and Gibby to the door, but not before I overheard her say quietly to him, "Do you think we should we tell them that we are #%&ing, too?"
I heard Gibby's reply. "Naaa ... let's let them figure it out for themselves."