Chapter 11:

I Just Wanna Love You.

(Freddie's POV)

She broke away from my embrace, backing away several steps.

"Sam," I began, stepping toward her yet again, "Please, just get back in the car."

"I don't want to." She mumbled, crossing her arms.

"I know you don't want to, and I don't care. Please, just hear me out. I am begging you to just listen to me. If you want to run away again, that's your choice, but just know that no matter how many times you run away, I'll never stop coming after you. Just let me in, Sam. Please."

She continued to stand her ground, refusing to look me in the eye. I sighed. She was so stubborn. All I wanted was a chance, and she was so proud, she couldn't even manage to give me that. I pushed my hands in my pockets, and turned to walk away.

"Goodbye, Sam," I sighed, starting to head back to the car. I had only walked about ten feet before I realized I heard footsteps behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Sam trudging behind me, arms still crossed defiantly, wet curls plastered to her forehead.

I opened her door so she could climb in, then walked around to my side and sat back down behind the steering wheel. I looked over at her and saw that she was curled up in her seat under her blanket, finally fixing her eyes on me. All anger and irritation was gone from her face. She just looked sad and tired, one hand tugging on her hair while the other fiddled with a frayed seam on the edge of the blanket.

I laid my hand on her knee.

"Sam, just listen for five minutes. Please. Okay?"

She nodded, looking defeated. I knew then that she wasn't going to go anywhere.

I took a deep breath and ran my fingers through my hair. Here we go, Freddie. This was going to be interesting.

"Sam, first thing you've gotta know is that... what happened at Carly's? It didn't horrify me."

She looked up at me with doubtful eyes, opening her mouth to start to say something, but I cut her off before she could.

"No, I mean it. I promise. And it wasn't that I didn't want to say anything, it was just- I couldn't. I couldn't find the words to. I was speechless. And do you know why?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Because I surprised the crap out of you and you had no idea how to react?"

"No. I mean, yes. Kind of. I was surprised, all right, but it wasn't an unwelcome surprise. What you need to know, Sam, is... I like you, too. A lot. And I'm not just saying that because you told me you liked me! I mean, if we're being honest here... I have loved you ever since that night on the fire escape. I've thought about what happened that night every single day since it happened. I was just afraid to tell you, because that was a business deal, and we swore to never speak of it again. But I..." I chuckled a little to myself. I sounded like such a nub, but I didn't even care. "I just can't keep it to myself any longer. That's why I came after you tonight. You are so important to me, Samantha Puckett. Just let me love you. Please." I reached over and grabbed her hand, looking her in the eye. "Please. Just give me a chance."

She didn't speak, just looked at me, studying my expression carefully, as if she expected me to suddenly start laughing and say I was kidding. Once she was sure that nothing like that was going to happen, her face softened, and for once she didn't pull her hand away.

Author's Note: The title of this chapter comes from a lyric from the song "I Just Wanna Love You" by The Strange Familiar.

I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews are welcome and appreciated! :)