Chapter 11: Why Now, of All Times?

Author's Note: Thank you all so much for the reviews! They mean so much to me, and they inspire me to write more. I've done like three chapters today, and I'll try to update more often now! So again, thanks so much. Enjoy!

Freddie's POV:

Sam and I were outside Carly's apartment. I knocked on the door. We were both worried about her because of what happened earlier in the day, when she left Groovy Smoothies crying.

Spencer opened the door. He looked a little sad or worried. "Hey guys… Carly's upstairs. Or the couch is empty if you want to make out on it."

Sam and I laughed. But then my face turned to a frown. I told him, "But we came here because Carly was really upset at Groovy Smoothies. We want to make sure she's okay."

Sam got a text, and she read at it. "Ugh, crap. I can't stay. I have to take my mom to the clinic. Good luck Fredward." She kissed my cheek. I didn't really mind if she called me Fredward anymore, especially if she kisses my cheek after. Hehe.

"Okay," I said with a smile. "Come back later."

Sam grinned. "I will." She then left.

After Sam left, Spencer said, "Freddie, you know, Carly's crying."

I frowned, worried. I asked, "What's wrong?"

Spencer frowned too. "I don't know. I thought you might've known. Want me to get her from her room so you guys can talk? I'll go back into my room to leave you guys alone."

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that'd be great. Thanks."

Spencer went upstairs to get Carly, and then Carly and Spencer came downstairs together and Spencer went into his room and shut the door.

Carly walked down the stairs and she sniffled. She wiped tears off of her red face, and it was obvious that she was crying. "Hey Freddie," she said, a frown on her face. "Where's Sam?"

I frowned. I hated seeing Carly that upset, especially since it was probably because of me. "She had to leave. But what's up, Carly? What's wrong?"

Carly didn't answer. Her brown eyes were just locked on mine, and she seemed like she was in dreamland. She was sort of freaking me out, the way she stared at me like that.

"Carly? Carly?" I asked, waving my hand in front of her face.

"Oh, sorry," Carly said, shaking her head. "I kind of just wanted to talk to Sam though. It's like… girl stuff."

I laughed. "My two best friends are girls. I deal with girl stuff every day. Just tell me."

"Okay…" Carly sighed, as we were still standing in front of each other. "Well I just have a question about you and Sam. It seems like just yesterday you guys were fighting about the Hot Seat. Now you guys seem like you have some kind of huge inside joke or secret that I'm not in on."

Oh God, I thought. She's suspicious. And she's my best friend. Why do I have to keep this from her? Ugh, well I can't tell her now. Sam would kill me if she wasn't part of the decision to tell Carly.

"Freddie?" Carly asked. "You look like you're thinking about something. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine… I'm just worried about you. We need to hang out just the two of us sometime," I told her. And it was true. I missed our friendship. Ever since Sam and I started going out, I'd gotten so caught up with Sam that I pretty much forgot about Carly.

Carly seemed to smile a bit at what I'd said. Then, what she asked freaked me out: "Yeah… and this is going to sound weird… but you're saying you're still in love with me?"

I didn't know what I was going to say. I didn't want to lie, but I certainly couldn't be mean to her. So I decided I'd tell her I loved her as a friend. "Well, Carly, I love you but-"

Carly smiled and interrupted me. "But you don't want Sam to know. I understand."

"No, that's not what I meant, I meant-"

Carly put her hands on my shoulders and she moved closer to me, having a flirtatious smile. "I know exactly what you mean."

I looked at her, not feeling any sparks from being so close to her. And I was proud of myself, and glad that I wasn't feeling anything for Carly. I stuttered, "I meant I love you as a friend."

"Oh…" Carly said, and then she threw her arms around me as tears rolled down her cheeks. While still hugging me, she said, "Freddie, you don't understand how messed up my life is."

I hugged her back, but not in a romantic way at all. In more of a friend way. While still hugging her, I said soothingly, "Carly, your life isn't messed up. You have a great web show with a lot of fans, you're smart and doing great in school, and you've got family and friends who love you."

Carly stopped hugging me and looked at me, a frown on her face. "Yeah, friends who love me as friends."

I laughed. "Well how else do you want your friends to love you?"

Carly smiled flirtatiously. "Does this answer your question?" And then she moved her lips onto mine.

I didn't feel anything. It was like two lips just touching. And I tried to pull away, and I knew I could've, but I didn't want to be rough so I tried lightly pulling away. It was starting to work, but then suddenly, of course, Sam had to walk in on that moment.

Why'd she have to walk in on that particular moment?

And she didn't notice that I was trying to pull away from Carly. Her jaw dropped and she ran off and started crying.

I mean, it wasn't Carly's fault. I know if she knew that Sam and I were going out, she wouldn't do that in a million years. So I can't blame her for kissing me.

But still I didn't care about hurting Carly anymore as I pushed her away and then ran out of the door and down the hall, screaming for Sam.