Boy, it's good to be back in Seattle. I have to admit though, coming in through Sea-Tac is just plain weird. I'm not used to the drive going home wither, plus rush hour.
I'm at Bushwell now, and I just avoided Lewbert's rant on how lazy I really am and am now in the elevator.
8-D. Man, I missed this place.
"Knock, Knock."
Tiffani opened the door after a moment, looking confused.
"Can I help—FREDDIE!" She yelled, tackling me into a hug.
"Hey girl." I smiled as she clung to me.
"I missed you." She stated, then kissing my cheek.
"I can see that." I laughed. She grabbed my bag and took it inside. The furniture was rearranged to suit Tiffani's eye better, and it looks pretty good. She looks good too—eyes up Freddie.
I shake my head as Tiffani comes back into view. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" She asked.
"Surprise?" I threw out there.
She laughed, then frowned. "I could have gotten you at the airport."
"It's ok Tiffani. I'm here now aren't I?"
"Yeah…"
"I'm going to go give Spencer the scare of his life ok?"
"Sure, you know where I'll be…" She trailed off.
My bedroom, wait…stop it Freddie! Why are you thinking like this?
She's freaking gorgeous, that's why. I answered myself.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
Carly.
That was easy.
"Knock, Knock…" on the Shay's door.
Sam opened the door, wearing a face similar to Tiffani's.
"You're back!" She suddenly yelled, hugging me happily.
"Who are you and what have you done with Sam Puckett?" I joked, causing her to punch my arm. HARD.
"OW!" I yelled. "There she is." I joked again, causing her to smile.
"Here I am, now what are you waiting for? Get in here!" She told me, whacking my butt. I turned to look at her.
"Don't do that." I sternly said. To my surprise, she actually listened.
I turned back around to the familiar sight of the Shay loft, complete with incomplete sculpture by the island.
"You get that much?" I asked Sam, looking towards the kitchen to the sight of Kyle's intimidating figure with his back to me. I guessed Carly was behind him, but I couldn't see her.
She groaned softly. "Yeah." She said, looking unhappy.
I moved to go see what the studio was being put to use as but suddenly Carly dashed right past me. No hello or anything, just bye Carly.
"Nice seeing you." I say sarcastically as Kyle dodged me to chase after her upstairs.
"Hey Sam, my bank account says that I bought $300 worth of Chinese fireworks, and I know I didn't, did—FREDDO!" Spencer yelled, rushing up to me and hugging me.
"You're here!" He yelled happily after he released me.
"I'm here." I smiled.
"Sit down! Make yourself at home!" He said, pulling up a chair. I sat on the couch, and Sam sat next to me.
"So how's everyone's favorite 4 letter network doing?" Spencer asked as Sam went to grab something.
"C-SPAN is doing awesome from what I've been told. Ratings are up a bunch." I said as Sam fell down she was laughing so hard.
Spencer was smiling. "Yeah right. CSPAN could have Megan Fox on and she wouldn't be seen by anyone."
"Maybe she should do that." I joked again, referencing her freak out with the media, ending with her yelling "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Spencer and Sam both laughed.
"Nah, everything is fine at work. The book made everyone nervous, but it's very fun."
"Is it true about the filing cabinets?" Sam asked as Spencer rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, and I think I found one that left its mark." I said, smiling.
"The shot heard round the office?" She asked as Spencer groaned.
"Exactly. It's like they don't allow people to get rid of the evidence. It's like they want to bring their kids and say 'Hey sweetie, that's where you were first thought of.'".
"So other than that how are things?" Spencer jumped in.
"Good, hot and muggy though." I sighed.
"Well get used to our awesome summer because we're partying it up." Sam said.
Something very heavy just scraped across the floor in Carly's bedroom, which is directly over the living room.
"Subtle." I said, causing Spencer and Sam to fall into fits of laughter.
"What's the bet that if I ask her if she heard anything she'll say no?" Spencer said, then laughing again.
"$10 bucks." Sam said in between breaths.
"I'm not taking you up on that." I smiled, and it was returned by both.
"Anyway, back to the party. Is tomorrow night ok?" Spencer asked.
"Yeah, sure." I said. I just remembered something I wanted to say. My stomach instantly tied itself into knots at the thought.
"You ok? You look like you're about to be sick." Sam said, gently putting her hand on my shoulder.
"Uhh, yeah. I want to say something."
"Talk man, what's bugging you." Spencer said, looking worried.
"Carly and Kyle called, and…"
"Did they act all lovey dovey?" Sam interjected. I nodded. Sam let out a howl of frustration.
"You love her! Can't they just tone it down? It's torturing you clearly!" She ranted.
"I don't want her at the party if you don't mind. Either of them."
Spencer's face was a mask. "I understand. It's supposed to be a celebration and if you don't want them there, they won't be there."
"I'm sorry Spence…it just hurts too much, and I'm trying to let her go." I confessed, feeling like I was on the edge of tears.
"Sorry she's done all that to you man, you don't deserve it." He said, patting my back.
The three of us chatted for about an hour longer. The mood got back to a happy level and everyone was laughing, especially when the scraping sound came from upstairs.
"Thanks guys, see you tomorrow." I told them.
Carly POV
I love the Fourth of July weekend. Everyone is all happy and patriotic, it always makes me smile. Freddie should be getting in town in the next couple of days, I need to ask Spencer when he's getting in.
I've been thinking a lot about Freddie recently. He clearly didn't like Kyle and I being so sweet to one another, and I feel kinda bad. He didn't do anything wrong, and I've done a lot more harm than good in the past year so I want to try to kinda fix things, and hopefully—
"Hey kiddo, you awake?" Spencer asked through my closed door.
"Yeah, come in!" I called back. Spencer walked in, wearing a blank look.
"What's up?" I asked, sitting on my bed with my legs crossed.
"Not much, did Kyle leave?" he asked.
"Yeah, he left a couple of hours ago."
"That reminds me, did you hear any scraping sounds? It sounded like it came from up here."
Oh damn. That was Kyle pinning me against the dresser. I was quiet, but we pushed the dresser against the wall!
"No, must have been the elevator or something." I quickly lied.
"When's Freddie getting in? His party is in the next couple of days isn't it?" I asked, switching the topic. Suddenly, Spencer went back to looking miserable.
"He came today." Spencer answered.
"WHAT? Why didn't you tell me? I have to go talk to him right now." I said, getting off my bed. Spencer stopped me and sat me back down.
"No, you aren't. Give him some space." He said sternly.
"Why? Why are you acting so…mature?" I asked him.
"If you go and talk to him you won't be doing him any favors. I'm not letting you drag him along like you have been." Spencer said seriously.
"I don't get it." I said. My mind was spinning.
"You and Kyle. You guys are good together. It kills him to see that, and he's trying to get over you. If you truly care about him you'll give him the time and space he needs to recover and get over you little sis."
"But he's my friend."
"You haven't been a good friend Carls. And you know it. The way you acted during school, the events with Mrs. Benson, the phone call 2 weeks ago. You're torturing him. It's worse than anything you can do to him."
"How do you know that I called him?" I asked, perplexed.
"Freddie told me."
My heart sunk. I'm done, and I know it.
I couldn't say anything.
"He's accepting the reality of the situation. He doesn't want you or Kyle at the party Carly." Spencer said, looking miserable but unwavering.
"But—"
"But nothing. You guys will have to find another place to have sex. I know what caused that dresser to move Carly. I may be silly, but I'm not stupid."
"Why doesn't he want me there? It's supposed to be a celebration of his graduation and success working." I asked.
"As I said earlier. He's giving you up Carly. He knows with you there he'll be miserable watching you have fun with another guy. Good night Carly." He said, kissing my head and walking out.
I felt tears spring to my eyes.
He's giving up on me? I…why? He supposed to love me forever, not give me up when I've found a guy I really want to be with. And why doesn't he want me to be there?
The tears I've been holding back start falling in waves, and I sob into my pillow.
Why? Whywhywhyhwywhy WHY? I don't want to lose him, he's important to me.
A brainwave hits me. I have been arguably the worst friend in the history of friends the last year.
Maybe it's better if he just goes on to live his life. It's a terrible thought, but it all goes back to what Spencer said.
He's giving up on me. I'm a lost cause to him.
My heart just broke, and I can't stop crying.
Freddie Benson is giving up on me.
