Chapter Nine: Carly's POV

"You called the cops?" Sam shouted, sounding like she had committed the crime and not Adam.

"I had to! The jerk left me no choice!" Freddie yelled back defensively.

"What if he comes back? What then, huh?" Sam asked, pushing Freddie a few inches backwards.

"Guys," I tried quietly, but to no avail.

"What, so we were just going to let him do the same thing to a bunch of other girls, too?" Freddie growled.

"What if he comes back for Carly? What if he thinks she called the cops? What if she comes back and we're not here?" At the last word, her voice cracked, but her face remained just as strong.

"Sam…" I tried again.

"We will be here!" Freddie tried to assure her.

"How do you know? You don't! You don't know what could happen!"

"Sam, would you just be happy Carly's safe?"

"Carly isn't safe! Neither are you!"

"And what about you, Sam?" Freddie said, his tone getting softer, his eyes filling with concern to replace the anger.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine, alright?" she shouted.

"Uh, guys?" I attempted, but they didn't hear me. They continued arguing, just like old times. "Guys? GUYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" Finally, they turned to look at me. "It's fine. Really. He's all talk."

"Oh, really? And the cuts and bruises are sure proof of that," Sam hissed sarcastically.

"Exactly. If we don't do something about this guy, he's not going to stop!" Freddie insisted.

"Freddie, I can't believe you would put you and Carly in danger like that!"

"What about YOU?" Freddie practically screamed.

"I'LL BE FINE! I DON'T NEED ANYONE TO PROTECT ME!" Sam really did scream, "INCLUDING YOU! WE'RE OVER!" and ran out the door.

"Sam, please, wait!" Freddie called, running out the door to catch up with her.

"Well, didn't that go swimmingly."