A/N: So, I'm hoping you guys are liking this fic so far! I don't have many reviews, but I'm assuming you guys like it so I'm going to keep going.

CHAPTER 5

"A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down."

~Arnold H. Glascow

~*December*~

Carly shivered in the brisk December air, pulling her winter coat tightly around her. She trudged through the wet slush, trying to find her way around the unfamiliar city of Columbus, Ohio. She was looking for Sam's apartment, not really sure where to begin. She'd gotten the number and street name from Freddie, and the rest was up to her, as Sam still had yet to find out she was even in town. She groaned as the icy water from the snow on the ground seeped through her shoes, freezing her toes upon contact. She wondered what she was even going to say to her former best friend. She knew coming here was a terrible mistake; even if something was wrong with Sam, Carly wouldn't be able to fix it. She hadn't spoken to the girl in months. Just as she was about to give up all hope, she came across a sign reading E 18 Ave. She sighed, turning down the small street and scanning the small houses for number 182. The wind blew aggressively in her face, and she bent towards the ground, pushing her way through the icy blasts. Finally, she reached her destination and jogged up the stairs to the front door, knocking timidly. It seemed like hours waiting in the frigid winter air until someone finally opened the door. She was a small girl, her head only reaching up to Carly's chin. She had short, straight red hair and vivid emerald eyes.

"Hello?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at Carly.

"Um…hi," Carly responded, searching for the right words to say. "Does Samantha Puckett live here?" The girl nodded slowly.

"She's my room mate. Who wants to know?"

"I do. My name's Carly Shay," she responded nervously, sticking out her hand. The girl ignored it, scoffing.

"I should've known." She looked over her shoulder, and then leaned back in towards Carly, lowering her voice. "Look, Sam is going through enough right now, and she really doesn't need the drama of her ex-best friend so I suggest you leave, now." Carly stood on the top step in front of the girl, mouth gaping.

"What's wrong with her?" Carly managed to stutter. The girl rolled her eyes.

"Just leave," she said, starting to close the door.

"Stacy, who are you talking to?" a voice called from the stairs behind the red headed girl.

"Great," Stacy mumbled under her breath sourly. "Nobody," she called over her shoulder to Sam, "she was just leaving." She shot a glare at Carly who continued to stand in front of the door.

"Who?" Sam called. Carly heard footsteps coming down the stairs. She braced herself for impact when Sam revealed herself from behind the door. Sam stopped in her tracks, staring at the pale faced, hazel-eyed, brunette girl on the doorstep. They stood where they were, staring at each other for the longest time.

"Hi, Sam," Carly finally whispered.

"What do you want?"

"I can't just come to visit my best friend?" she asked, her voice soft and innocent.

"You're not my best friend," Sam seethed, her voice dripping with venom. "You haven't been for a while, and you know it."

"Look, Sam, I know I made some mistakes in the past.."

"The 'past' was a few months ago, and any girl who does what you did is not someone I'd consider a best friend."

"Sam…"

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have some homework to finish," Sam growled, beginning to shut the door.

"Freddie sent me!" Carly blurted, causing each of them to freeze.

"W-what?" Sam choked out. Carly sighed, wringing her hands together nervously.

"Freddie sent me. He told me what happened. He thinks something's wrong with you."

"Everything's fine," Sam said, a little too quickly. Carly took a step towards her.

"Sam," she said, her voice quiet and gentle, "I'm sorry about what happened this summer. I'm sorry about everything I've ever put you through. I'm sorry for completely ruining your life…almost twice. I'm sorry I haven't always been there for you. You've always been like a sister to me, and regardless of what you may think, I know you better than anyone, except maybe Freddie." Sam's glare on Carly began to soften slightly. Carly took that as encouragement to keep going. "I still care about you Sam, a lot. I know my past actions haven't exactly shown that, but I've grown up. If I could take it back, God knows I would. I never meant to hurt you as badly as I did." Sam sniffed, turning her head away from Carly. "Sam…" she said tentatively, afraid to bring up the subject of the tears beginning to pool in the blonde girl's eyes.

"It's cold out," she said simply. "Maybe you should come inside." Carly felt a smile begin to spread on her face as she stepped into the small house. The warm air from the heater felt like a blessing against her frozen face and fingers. Sam shut the door, turning towards Carly. The tears that had been forming in her eyes were gone.

"You really hurt me," Sam mumbled. "I'm sick of people I think I can trust hurting me."

"You can trust me, Sam," Carly assured, beginning to shrug out of her heavy winter coat. Sam held her hand out to take the coat from Carly.

"You'll have to prove that, Shay," she said, beginning to jog up the stairs with the brunette following closely behind. They finally reached the second floor, and Sam opened the small wooden door separating the apartment-type area from the stair case. "Welcome to chez Sam and Stacy," she said dully, tossing Carly's jacket onto a spare chair.

"It's nice," Carly commented, looking around the unfamiliar room. Sam nodded.

"It's alright." Carly followed Sam over to the couch, both of them sitting down. Stacy had retreated to a bedroom, leaving Carly and Sam to talk. Sam sighed, looking over at Carly.

"So, Freddie sent you, huh?" she asked. Carly nodded.

"He's really worried about you." Sam rolled her eyes, leaning her head back against the couch.

"I've noticed," she replied.

"Sam, you two were completely in love, and believe it or not he's still totally in love with you. I can't understand why you'd just up and break up with him like that."

"It's complicated," Sam mumbled, her eyes still closed.

"It can't possibly be that complicated," Carly responded. "After all you two have been through, what could possibly be so terrible as to separate you guys?"

"AIDS, a nuclear holocaust, World War III, a baby." Carly's eyes went wide.

"Sam, are you…" Sam abruptly stood up, making her way over to the kitchen.

"Want anything to drink?" she asked. Carly slowly got up, making her way over to the kitchen where Sam stood.

"Sam…why didn't you tell anyone."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Sam said, leaning into the open fridge to find a can of soda.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about Sam!" Carly nearly yelled. Sam stood up, a can of soda in her hand. "Why haven't you told him you're pregnant?" Sam shrugged, opening the can with a refreshing crack. She took a long sip, sighing as she gulped down the cool, caramel-colored liquid.

"I can take care of myself," she answered.

"But he's the father! Don't you think he deserves to know about his child?"

"The child is going up for adoption, so Freddie doesn't need to know a damn thing," Sam answered sternly.

"Sam, he's really worried about you," Carly said gently.

"I'm sure he'll still be extremely caring when he finds out there's a baby growing in his girlfriend's stomach!" Sam yelled, her voice oozing with sarcasm.

"Sam, he would be there for you from start to finish, and you know that."

"Funny," Sam scoffed, rapidly blinking back tears that threatened to spill down her heated cheeks, "my dad told my mom the same thing."

A/N: I tried to make this one a little longer. Hope it was a little better than the last. These few middle chapters aren't so great because I'm trying to figure out how to get to what I want to have happen if that makes sense. Anyway, reviews are VERY MUCH appreciated so keep them coming!

Xoxo~blondgurl

Ps. I'm going to be changing my screename to Liz-Beth531 just so you all know! It's still me, just a different name.