i FIGHT

'You've got to come with me to the party tonight!'

'But Carly I don't want to go so you can meet some stupid guy.'

'Rick is not stupid. He's sweet. Plus it's gonna be an AWESOME party. His cousin has the house to himself tonight. There'll be drinks and ribs.'

'Ribs? Did you say ribs?'

Carly smiled. She knew she just said the magic words. Her blonde friend was in. 'Plus there'll be a lot of single guys there… I want to introduce you to meet someone.'

'Whatever Shay. Tell me about those ribs!'

'You said what? I thought we were going to spend the night with each other and ring in the New Year?'

'But she said that there'll be ribs. Plus I can't cancel on her. She'll want to know why and ask a whole lot of questions.'

Freddie was fuming. He had made plans for tonight. A couple of lawn chairs, a certain fire escape, a large blanket and a bucket of meatballs. It was supposed to be a nice quiet moment with his girlfriend. But now his plans flew out the window just because Samantha Puckett thinks with her stomach.

'Typical you. Stomach first everything else after!'

'I didn't know what else to say. She backed me in a corner. She knows my weakness. Hmm… I wonder what type of ribs they'll be having…' she replied trying to lighten up the mood.

'WILL YOU STOP THINKING ABOUT THE BLOODY RIBS!' Freddie blew his top. He didn't know you can love and hate someone so much. He took a deep breath and looked at Sam. Her eyes were starting to tear. In a calmer tone he continued, 'I'm sorry for shouting at you. I just wanted to spend some alone time with you. Carly asked me to go to the party and I turned her down… I guess I was hoping you would have done the same.' He wiped the tear away with his thumb. 'She really does know you well. I guess I can go to the party also.'

'Uhh Freddie, I'm not too sure you're invited,' Sam mumbled nervously, fearing that her boyfriend would go berserk again.

He did. 'What? Why?'

'Well you did tell Carly that you had plans, and well I told her I didn't have plans, that's why she invited me and she kinda set me umph a daumt.' She mumbled the last part.

'What? I didn't understand the last part.'

Sam rolled her eyes then closed them tightly while bracing for a scream, 'She set me on a date.'

Freddie turned red and looked away. He couldn't look at her. He growled in a hush tone, 'You are blowing me off to go to a party that I'm not invited to and you have a date?'

Sam started sobbing. 'Freddie I-'

'You know what, just go. I don't want to see you right now,' he stated in a monotone voice.

'Fred-'

'LEAVE!'

Sam ran out of Freddie's bedroom crying. She couldn't go to Carly's because she can't deal with the million and one questions about her crying and telling her the truth about her and Freddie. She made a promise to the boy she still loves and intended to keep it. She had to get away and think things through. Even thought it was a last resort, there was no place like home. She ran there hoping her that her mother was still passed out.

She lay on her bed thinking of what had just happened. Why didn't he realize it wasn't her fault? She was trapped by Carly into going to this party. Stupid party. If she just told Carly the truth all will be forgiven. But she promised Freddie. She picked up the phone to call him to apologize and ask permission to tell Carly. She typed his number and her thumb lingered on the send button. This is not her fault. It is Carly's. She decided that if Freddie had to act like an idiot, she was not going to call and apologize. He is a smart boy, he'll figure it out eventually.

'Well I'm not going to stay home tonight by myself!' she said to herself. She got off the bed to get ready. She had an hour before she had to pick up Carly and head to the party.

Meanwhile, Freddie was in his room trying not to think of what happened but the events kept replaying in his mind. Why Sam? Why? Carly and her stupid plans. Freddie thought that maybe he should call Carly and tell her the truth. No that's not the answer. He promised Sam and if he broke his promise she will break his arm. He looked at his phone hoping to see Sam's ID on the screen. Nothing. He had to get to that party, confront her and demand an apology. How was he going to get in? He made a few calls, eventually he got in touch with Wendy.

'Hey Freddie, what can I do for you?'

'You going to Rick's cousin party?'

'Yup. Why? Aren't you?'

'Well I was hoping to go but I wasn't invited. Think I can tag along with you?'

'Umm… sure! I'll tell them you're my date. Pick me up in half hour.' She hung up before he could respond.

'Sam's gonna kill me.' He got up to get ready.

Sam was into her second beer. Alcohol, the best social drug ever invented. Hats of to the guy who invented beer.

She was in no mood to party and decided to just drown her sorrows. Carly had introduced her to some guy and left, but he was a dud. She managed to ditch him and hide in the den mere seconds after Carly left. He wasn't Freddie. Oh how she wanted him so bad, but the boy just drives her nuts! Why couldn't he just understand what happened? She slouched even further in the sofa she was sitting in and took another gulp of her beer.

'There you are! I've been looking all over for you. What are you doing here?'

'Hey Carls. Just drinking … and thinking… and drinking.'

'What's wrong?' Carly sat next to her.

'Boys are stupid.'

'Who? Jack? He's nice.'

'Whatever. But I'm not talking about Jack.'

'Who then?'

'No one.'

'Liar.'

'Just drop it Carls!'

'Who is it? Tell me please?' Carly asked. She tilted her head, put on her puppy dog eyes and pouted. 'Please?'

'Fine! I had a fight with Freddie this evening and-'

'Freddie?' Carly questioned, 'I just saw him arrive with a date.'

Sam sat up in her seat. 'WHAT?'

'Yeah, he came with Wendy.'

'Why that little son of a…' Sam shouted as she got up and stomped off looking for her soon to be dead boyfriend.

'Oh oh. This can't be good,' Carly thought as she ran after her friend.

Sam pushed through the crowd and managed to spot him at the far side of the living room. He was looking around the room but he hadn't seen her. Next to him stood Wendy. Sam's blood started to boil. She was about to march over when she felt a pull on her arm. She turned to see it was Jack holding her.

Freddie had managed to enter the party when Wendy told their host that he was her date. Just his luck that Carly was there and over heard the introduction. He was about ask about the location of Sam before Carly was pulled away by her date. He continued walking with Wendy, scanning the mansion for any sign of Sam. They eventually reached the living room. It was crowded. He looked around until he finally saw her facing some guy who was holding her arm.

'Hey Sam. Where did you disappear to?' Jack asked.

'Uh… I just had to use the washroom,' she managed to lie. She looked at her arm. Remembering that she was in public, she decided to ask nicely, 'Please let go of my arm.'

'Nah. If I let you go you'll disappear again.'

'Let me go or I'll break your arm,' she growled.

'A little thing like you? Nah,' Jack chuckled confidently.

Sam was about to respond when she heard a familiar voice. 'I believe the lady asked you to let her go.' She turned to see Freddie staring at Jack intently in the eye. Freddie's jaw was clenched and he held a fist at either side. But there was something about his eyes. They burned of pure rage. They were even darker that when he got angry with her. She had never seen this part of him. Her heart started pounding.

'Who are you little runt? Me and her are going to have some fun.' Jack had a couple inches and pounds on Freddie.

'She is my… friend. I said let her go.' A crowd had gathered around them.

Jack let Sam go and put all his attention to Freddie and started walking towards him. 'No one tells me what to do. Run along and bind another bimbo to play-'

Jack was unable to complete his statement. He was on the floor out cold. Everyone looked at Jack then at the guy who had just knocked him out. All those years of battling with Sam had actually paid off. He was nimble and had developed a good fighting technique.

Freddie looked at Sam who was speechless. Her mouth hung open in shock at what had just happened. He approached her staring deeply into her eyes. She took a step back when he got closer. When they were inches apart, he lowered his lips to her ear and whispered, 'I just came to say that I'm sorry, Samantha'

He straightened and turned away leaving a still speechless Sam to ponder the night's events.

Freddie laid in bed thinking about what had happened earlier. He had managed to see Wendy on his way out and thanked her for getting him into the party. His knuckles were still throbbing for the right hook he gave that creep, but the icepack was helping. He was hoping he had not lost his Sam.

'I love you Puckett,' he whispered to himself.

His phone vibrated. Text from Sam

Fire escape in 5min nub

Freddie smiled. There was still hope.

He approached their fire escape. He saw her sitting on the stair. When she saw him approaching she took up her guitar and started playing a familiar tune.

'She said that she doesn't play for anyone,' he thought, remembering their past conversation.

She then started to sing,

Did I tell you I knew your name

But it seems that I've lost it

Did I tell you it's my own game

This is not your problem

I don't know if I'm gonna change

Wasting time and another day

I keep running away

Even from the good things

I keep running away

Even from the good things

Did I tell you it's not that bad

Sitting over here daydreaming

Did I tell you I'm right on track

This time I mean it

I don't know if I'm gonna change

Wasting time and another day

I keep running away

Even from the good things

I keep running away

Even from the good things

Tears rolled down her cheek as she sang. When she was done she looked at Freddie.

'I love you, dork. I'm so sorry for everything.'

'I'm sorry too. I love you so much.

Sam put her guitar down and wrapped herself in Freddie's arms. This is where she belonged. Here she was safe.

They heard the neighbors counting down '… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, HAPPY NEW YEAR!'

Their lips met and when they eventually parted, they looked at each other and said in unison, 'Happy New Year.'