iAm Not Afraid
Chapter 28: Music Therapy
Jane wiped away her tears and nodded. "I'll go visit this Spencer guy later this week."
In the distance, they could hear Kana's laughter.
Carly walked down the street. All of a sudden, she saw the dark alley in front of her. Carly screamed and ran away as fast as she could. Carly looked back, and saw the Minotaur came out and started to chase Carly.
"No!" Carly yelled. "Get away!"
She looked in front of her and saw that there was a door. She quickly entered it and closed the door.
Carly leaned against the door, panting. She looked at the room she was in. It was all white and there was a piano in the middle of the room. Carly smiled.
She sat down on the piano bench and started to freestyle, playing something that soothed her fear. But it wasn't enough.
All of a sudden, her piano exploded in front of her. Carly screamed, protecting her face from the debris with her arms. When she peeked, the Minotaur was standing right in front of her, roaring.
Carly was suddenly on the floor, trying to get away from the monster. Carly couldn't stop crying.
"Go away!" Carly shrieked, tears pouring out her eyes.
The Minotaur roared and lunged towards Carly.
"AAAAHHHHHH!" Carly yelled, sitting up on her bed. She was breathing deeply, sweating. It was just a nightmare. She looked at her clock. It was only two-forty-five in the morning. Sam, Freddie, and Spencer came bursting in.
"Carly, you alright?" Spencer asked, sitting on her bedside.
Carly sighed. "I'm fine, really, just a dream."
"Another Minotaur nightmare?" Freddie asked. Carly nodded.
"Do you want me to sleep in here?" Sam asked.
Carly frowned. "When did you guys get here?"
"Carly, you invited them to sleep over last night," Spencer said. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, I just forgot," Carly said. "And I guess Sam could sleep on the couch."
"Okay," Spencer said, kissing Carly's forehead. "We'll see ya tomorrow."
"Good night Carly," Freddie said. Carly nodded.
Spencer and Freddie left, leaving Carly and Sam in Carly's bedroom. Sam lied down on the couch and hugged the pillow.
"Carls, I'm here for ya," Sam said, yawning. "Just close your eyes...and...go to...sleep." Sam fell asleep.
Carly sighed. She couldn't go back to sleep. She looked at her piano. She wanted to play so bad.
"Sam's a pretty heavy sleeper," Carly said. She got out of bed, put on her slippers, and sat down in front of her dresser. She lifted the piano cover up.
Carly rested her digits on the piano keys. It felt good to Carly, her fingers in between the black keys and the white keys. She sighed. She started playing.
Carly instantly felt better. She played all the songs she had learned so far. Then she just started improvising. Carly looked back often at Sam to see if she had woken up. She slept through everything.
Carly played 'till the sun rose. She jumped when her alarm went off. This caused Sam to groan.
"Carly! Turn off the alarm!"
"We have school today!" Carly exclaimed, hitting her alarm clock. "C'mon, let's get some breakfast."
"I want bacon," Sam said, standing up quickly. "Whoa, hehe, head rush."
Carly and Sam had breakfast together with Spencer. Freddie left for his apartment. They tried to talk about her night terrors, but Carly would avoid talking about it.
Carly went to school, yawning most of the day. She had a hard time keeping awake at the classes she would usually be alert. Freddie noticed it. He couldn't take it. His friend was having trouble and they couldn't find an answer.
During lunch, Freddie looked for Carly. She wasn't in the cafeteria, so he looked all around school. Freddie found her sitting on the stairs near their lockers. There were some guys around her. Freddie assumed they were just talking about dating stuff, but Freddie looked closely. Carly was crying. He decided to investigate.
Freddie stood in front of Carly's locker. This kept him out of sight while he could eavesdrop on their conversation.
"So," one of the guys said. "I'm still very curious Carly, why did you try to kill yourself?" Carly sobbed. Freddie's nostrils flared.
"Leave me alone!" Carly cried.
"No really, I'm curious, what did you do to try and kill yourself?" the same guy asked.
"Do you want to find out?" Freddie said, stepping out from his hiding spot. Carly looked up, her eyes wide open.
"Is that a challenge?" the guy said.
"Leave her alone," Freddie said. "She doesn't need anymore crap, especially from some stupid high school dumbasses."
All of a sudden, the guy threw a punch at Freddie. Freddie's eye exploded in pain as he was knocked back a few feet and to his knees.
"Freddie stop!" Carly cried.
Freddie breathed. His nostrils flared again. Then he jumped up. Freddie threw up his leg for a kick. It connected right on the cheek of the guy and it sent him flying. He landed on the ground, knocked out.
Freddie's eyes widened. Where the hell did that come from? The group of guys ran away, some of them helping their sleeping friend. Freddie looked at Carly. Her mouth was literally on the ground.
Freddie walked over as her covered his right eye. He sat next to Carly and sighed.
"Where in the world did you learn how to do that?" Carly asked.
"I'm guessing I still have some Quick-a-Heal in me," Freddie said.
Carly looked at Freddie. "Your eye..." Freddie removed his hand from his eye. It was all purple and the eyelids were halfway closed. Carly grimaced.
"That bad huh?" Freddie said.
"Could be worse right?" Carly said. Freddie smiled.
"So, are you okay?" Freddie asked.
"I am now, thanks to you," Carly said. Freddie blushed. Carly grabbed Freddie's arm and hugged it as she rested her on his shoulder. "You didn't have to do that you know."
Freddie lifted his arm and put it around Carly. "Yeah, I know. But I wanted to do it. Your my best friend Carly."
Carly smiled and let some tears out. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Freddie said. "So, can we talk about your dreams?"
"Do we have to?" Carly asked, retreating.
"I wanna help, but you're not letting us," Freddie said. "C'mon, let me help, and if I'm bad, you can slap me in the face."
Carly sighed. "Fine. I've been always dreaming about a Minotaur somehow killing me or eating me. It's not always the same, but it's always scary."
Freddie thought about it for a while. "Why don't you do something relaxing before you go to bed? Put your mind at ease. Maybe that could help."
"I like playing the piano," Carly said. "But I've tried that already, and trust me, it does not work."
"Okay, how about praying?"
"Is it weird for me to say that I've tried it?" Carly asked.
"No, why would it be?" Freddie asked.
"I don't want you to think that I'm religious and all that."
"I don't think that. So how did God do?"
"Not well."
"How about a glass of warm milk before bed?"
"That's for going to sleep, not getting rid of nightmares!" Carly exclaimed.
"Oh, well what about not drinking anything two hours before bed?" Freddie said, smiling.
Carly slapped Freddie on the good side of his face.
"Ow!" Freddie exclaimed. "What was that for?"
"You said I could slap you if you were bad," Carly said. "And you were." Fredie sighed. Carly smiled and hugged his arm again, resting her head on his shoulder. "But thanks for the effort." Freddie smiled.
"So, whatcha guys cuddling for?" Sam asked, coming out of nowhere. "And what happened to your eye?"
"Some bullies were making fun of how Carly tried to commit-" Freddie stopped abruptly. He looked at Carly.
She sighed. "It's okay, you can say suicide."
"-sui-"
"I got it," Sam said, sitting down next to Freddie. "So, what, did they beat you up?"
"The guy punched me," Freddie said.
"And then Freddie kicked the guy on the head!" Carly exclaimed.
"No way!" Sam exclaimed. "You did not!"
Freddie smiled. "I did."
"The guy was knocked out, you should've seen it!" Carly said.
"Wow," Sam said, looking at Freddie. She smiled. "I never knew you had it in you."
"Well...I do my best," Freddie said.
"Hey Sam, do you mind if I kiss Freddie on the cheek?" Carly asked.
"I'm punching you if you do."
Carly kissed Freddie on the cheek. Sam punched Carly on the shoulder.
"Ow!" Carly exclaimed, grabbing her shoulder.
"I warned you," Sam said.
"You didn't have to do that," Freddie said.
"Yeah I know, but I wanted to do it," Carly said. Freddie chuckled.
"So, are you gonna be okay with that black eye?" Sam asked.
"Yeah," Freddie said, putting his arms around Carly and Sam. "As long as I got my two favorite girls, I'll be fine." Carly and Sam blushed.
All of a sudden, the bell rang. Students filed into the hallway, going to their lockers. Carly said a quick farewell to Sam and Freddie, and she left for class. Sam and Freddie stayed a while longer.
"So did that guy really get knocked out?" Sam asked, excited.
"Yeah, he went straight to sleep," Freddie said, boasting a bit.
"You look so hot with that black eye," Sam said. Freddie chuckled. "Come over here!" They leaned in and kissed.
"Hey, let's go out," Freddie said.
"I get to pick!" Sam exclaimed. Freddie nodded. "That fancy restaurant near the car dealership."
"I didn't think that was your kind of a place."
"It isn't, but I hear they have some rockin' chicken wrapped in bacon!"
Freddie chuckled. "This Saturday."
"It's a date!"
Two days ago
"Are you ready?" Jerry asked.
"Yes," Jane said, walking out of the guest room. She was dressed in some black sweats with a sweatshirt hoodie on. She put the hoodie on.
"You can do this by yourself?" Jerry asked.
"I need you to stay and watch Kana for me," Jane said.
Jerry nodded. "Very well. I'll see you in an hour."
Jane walked out of the apartment. She called for a cab and got in.
"Where to?" the cab driver asked.
"Bushwell Plaza," Jane said.
Jane looked out the window. So many familiar sights. It was becoming very hard for Jane to keep from crying. She was surprised she was still able to keep this composed.
Jane saw the Groovy Smoothies sign. Then she had a flashback.
"So, where do you want to eat?" Jet asked.
"Jet, I don't know Seattle, you choose," I said in a semi-whining tone.
"Alright, but don't hate me if the place is bad," Jet said. He looked at his map. "Hey, there's a smoothie place nearby. It's called the Groovy Smoothies. Wanna try?"
"Sure, I guess," I said. Jet grabbed my hand.
"Hey, I know Seattle's kinda new, but you'll start to love it soon, just give yourself some time, okay?"
I gave him a fake smile. "Okay."
Jet smiled and flipped his hair. "Now let's go!"
We rode a cab to Groovy Smoothies because it was raining-again! Grr! Seriously, I am not loving Seattle right now. It's always raining, which always puts me in a bad mood. I couldn't believe Jet was having fun in this city.
We entered the smoothie place. My nose instantly filled with the smell of fruit smoothies, burgers, and French fries. We went in line.
"So, what do you want?" Jet asked.
"Surprise me," I said.
Jet sighed. "Okay, but don't you get mad at me for getting you something you don't like!"
After a few minutes of waiting in line, I decided to go sit down on a table. I looked around the restaurant. It was nice, colorful, full of life. I small smile appeared on my face. I kinda like the ambiance.
All of a sudden, Jet slammed a tray on the table in front of my face. I jumped a little.
"I got you a burger with a side of fries and a Strawberry Splat smoothie," Jet said, smiling. I looked out the window. Lightning slashed through the sky, then thunder rumbled afterward.
"Really Jet, a smoothie on a whether like this?" I asked.
"Hey, I told you not to get mad at me for choosing a place you don't like!" Jet exclaimed, biting his burger.
I sighed. Since we're here, might as well eat the food. I take a sip of the smoothie. I involuntarily smile. It was really good.
"Whoa, was that a smile I saw?" Jet asked. I removed the smile immediately off my face. "Here, let me flip my hair, maybe it'll make you laugh." He flipped his hair.
I couldn't hold it in. I started chuckling. "Stop it Jet! God..."
Jet laughed. "You're laughing and smiling! That's the best thing in the world!"
Jet sure does know how to make me smile.
"M'am, we're here," the cab driver said. Jane snapped back to reality. She looked out the window and they were in Bushwell Plaza. Jane gulped. She paid the driver and got out of the cab.
Jane walked in through the front door. She looked at the doorman. It was still Lewbert! Jane made sure her head was down with her hoodie on while she walked. All of a sudden, three people entered Bushwell. Jane panicked and sat down on the seats near the door and grabbed a magazine, pretending to read.
Two of them were wearing brown coats. One was a blonde woman, the other a brunette man. Jane couldn't see who the other one is, but she looked like she was wearing a uniform and her black hair flowed down her shoulders, kinda like Jane's hair. They went up to Lewbert.
"Hello Lewbert," the man said. "We need to go to Spencer's."
Jane's eyes widened.
"Arghh!" Lewbert yelled. "Is it important?"
"Yes!" the woman exclaimed. "We've got more information on Jet and we think we've found-"
"I don't care, just go!" Lewbert yelled.
All three headed for the elevator. Jane took a small peek at them.
"Are you ready Carla?" the man asked the black haired woman.
Jane's airways clogged up. The black haired woman turned around and stood in front of the two people with brown coats.
It was Carla.
"I'm ready."
Once the elevator door closed, Jane started running away.
Two days later
Carly played the piano smoothly. She sighed. She felt better already. It's like her troubles melted away, the music filling Carly's body with relaxation instead. When Carly got to the end of the song, somebody behind her clapped. She turned around.
"That was good," Freddie said, clapping. He sat down on the couch.
"What're you doing here?" Carly asked, sitting next to him.
"I can't visit my best friend?" Freddie asked.
"Good point. So how's your eye?"
"My mom freaked out about it when I go home today, but I told her I was fine."
"Are you really?"
"I'm pretty sure," Freddie said, feeling his eye.
"So, what's up?" Carly asked.
"So, I think I've found a way to get rid of your nightmares," Freddie said.
Carly's ears perked up. "Really?"
"Yeah," Freddie said, sitting up. "When Sam and I were down there in the maze, before we saw the Minotaur, there was a passage on the door."
"What did it say?" Carly asked.
"It told us not to be afraid," Freddie said. "Because things don't seem what they really are."
Carly sighed. "So what, do you just want me to punch the Minotaur in the face in my dreams?"
Freddie laughed. "Actually, that's how Sam got rid of the Minotaur, a punch in the face."
Carly chuckled. "There's Sam for ya, always brave."
"Actually, Sam was terrified," Freddie said.
The smile on Carly's face disappeared. "You mean Sam was actually afraid?"
"Yeah," Freddie said. "Don't tell her that I told you." Carly smiled. "But she learned to be brave. And I think you can do it too."
Carly smiled. "Thanks Freddie."
"No problem."
"Freddie!" Sam exclaimed, entering the room. "Let's go, we're gonna miss the movie!"
"Sorry," Freddie said, standing up. Sam and Freddie peck each other on the lips.
Sam looked at Freddie. "You know, you seem to spend a lot of time with Carly. Should I be worried?"
"Yes, Carly and I were just making out," Freddie said, smiling.
"That's not funny," Sam said, pointing.
"Relax, he was just helping me with my nightmare problem," Carly said.
"Alright, but I'm watching you Shay," Sam said.
Freddie smiled and waved. "Bye Carly!"
"Have fun on your date!" Carly exclaimed. Freddie shut the door behind him. Carly smiled and went back on the piano and started playing.
A/N: Thanks for reading guys! A pretty big chapter and two more chapters left! Please don't forget to review and please tell others how awesome my story is. :P
Keep on readin'!
