Chapter Eight: Four times the Flashback!

"There's no way this will happen." Freddie said, pacing the room of the apartment. Sam and Carly were upstairs rehearsing, and I had come out of my room (where I was working on a 'special' project) to grab some more snackage. I slowed up as I saw Freddie nervously walking back and forth, wringing his hands and mumbling to himself.

"Uh, Freddie" I interjected. Huh, that thesaurus I bought is really paying off. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, uh…hey Spence.." Freddie stumbled out, coming to a stop. "No, I just…" He scratched the back of his head, choosing his next words carefully. I took the opportunity to move over next to him.

"Do you remember when you said I could ask you about anything?" he asked.

"Of course. Is there something you need to talk about?"

"Well, yeah, it's…" He glanced to the stairwell and then dragged me into the kitchen. "It's about this girl…" he continued in a whisper.

"Oooo, a lady!" I said

"Shh! Not so loud!" Freddie said, covering my mouth with his hand and taking another nervous look at the stairs and elevator.

"So who is she?" I said, as soon as Freddie uncovered my mouth. "Is it Carly?"

"That's the thing. For once, it's someone else." I tried to contain the smile I could feel trying to force its way onto my face.

"But I've liked her for a while now. I just don't know if she likes me back." Freddie admitted.

"Have you asked her?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Why not? Because she would…" Freddie said a little loud, but caught himself. Then in a lower voice, he went on. "Because I'm too afraid. Too afraid she'll say no."

I turned away a moment, pretending to be lost in thought but really just using this time to let my smile finally be free. I had the overwhelming feeling he was talking about Sam. Just something about the look in his eye reminded me of how he looked at her when he thought no one was paying attention. I decided now was the time to provide a little push.

"Well, I think the best thing you can do is just go for it." I said, walking over to the couch and turning back to face him.

"Really?" he asked, following with a prominent gulp.

"Yeah. I mean, you'll never know for sure until you try. And girls respect guys with the courage to ask them." Well, I wasn't making it up, but this applied double in this case.

Freddie pondered on it a moment. He stared at his feet, his hands in his pockets, wrestling with the idea in his mind. He finally looked up and walked over to me.

"You're sure this will work?" he said.

"There's only one way to find out."

Freddie nodded and slapped my shoulder in thanks, and then bounded up the stairs. I smiled again and headed for the fridge. I was bent over and searching for the leftover ribs that had seemingly disappeared, when I heard Carly's voice behind me.

"Spencer!" she yelled, causing me to bang my head on the inside of the fridge. I groaned and slowly stood up.

"Yeah?"

"Freddie just asked Sam out!" she said, her eyes full of disbelief and the slightest hint of fear.

"Okay." I said. Seeing Carly's confused look, I quickly threw my arms up. "I mean, WHAAAT?"

"Freddie just ran into the studio and asked Sam out!"

"Wow! What did she say?"

"I don't know! I left as soon as he asked because I thought there would be blood! You've gotta go help Freddie!" she said, practically irate. I was about to respond when the elevator opened and out stepped Freddie and Sam - holding hands. Carly's jaw dropped.

"Oh my god!" is all she could say. I just smiled. Okay, so it was a big push. But my plan worked!