Sam's POV

I'm sitting in Carly's bedroom while we talk about boys and how jank school is and chiz. It's like every one of her sleepovers except we're in the spare bedroom. But then Carly says we should hurry and get to sleep so, of course, I ask why. And she says because something might happen if we don't. As I ask what, a giant hand crashes through the window and we both scream. It grabs me and yanks me outside as I move and yell. Carly disappears and I find myself in the hands of King Kong. He growls and thumps his chest with his free hand and I scream for him to put me down but he doesn't listen. Instead he climbs higher up the building until airplanes whizz above and bombs drop from them. All the buildings explode into a massive fire and Kong falls as our one explodes. He drops me, and I fall screaming until I hit the pavement hard. After standing, I'm surrounded by a bunch of cobras and they all try to bite me. I'm in my PJs, which means I'm barefoot, so as I try to run away one gets my toe and venom goes through my bloodstream. I shout in pain but there are no hospitals or people—just a dead oversized gorilla and a lot of hungry snakes. Then it all goes black as the fire and smoke invades my eyes and the snakes slither over my lifeless body…

As you can imagine, I woke up horrified and sweaty. The nightmare gave me chills and I was scared when I woke up. I kept imagining a big, hairy arm coming in through the window or a bunch of cobras slithering on the floor. Usually I'm the fears-nothing one in our trio, so it was weird being afraid. Yet I was. After a good long minute I couldn't stand the creepy things my imagination conjured up and I ran out of the spare bedroom.

Freddie was sound asleep on the sofa, snuggled up with a fuzzy blanket. It looked uncomfortable for him to be lying there like that. A part of me felt bad for making him sleep on it, but that immediately left me. Oh, gosh, I hated not being in control of my emotions. I was starting to care more about Fredpimple and maybe even love him more. I just wish I knew for sure.

I moved over until I was over his sleeping body. The darkness of the living room sent shivers up my spine; I became so afraid that I found myself shaking the nerd awake. He muttered something incoherent and turned over, his face looking upwards at mine. His eyes weren't fully opened—he was most likely half-asleep.

"Wha…?" he murmured groggily, reaching one bare arm up to me. I realized he was in a tight blue T-shirt and gym shorts. It made me feel even more unselfconfident to see his muscular build through those pajamas.

"I had a nightmare, Freddork." I whispered, "I couldn't stay in that guest bed. Is it alright if I…lay here with you?" Darn, I thought, I sound so vulnerable. This is embarrassing. However, he didn't look surprised or like he was about to burst out laughing—instead he gave a little yawn and said "'K, c'mere."

I walked around the couch to the front and yanked the blanket off him. Then I crawled next to him and pulled the blanket back on us. His body heat was so warm as I moved close to him. It was strangely comfortable lying there with him. And when he moved his arm to wrap around my waist so I wouldn't fall off, I got a feeling of security and solace. He didn't seem like he knew just what was happening—he fell right back asleep after I laid down—but the instinct to wrap his arm round me and rest his head above mine made me happy, safe, and secure. Lying there in his arms so comfortably helped me fall asleep much faster…

I'm in a dark room, lying on the floor. I move around and try to see but it's much too dark in here. Out of the blue comes a light from above; for the first time I see the room: it's nothing but four brown walls and a wooden floor. There are no windows or doors at all, and I start to get nervous, worrying that something's lying in wait for me and I won't be able to escape. When I hear steps, my heart speeds up and I gulp down a scream as I spin around. Standing before me is a gorgeous male specimen. He's not wearing anything special—only some tattered denim jeans and a polo with another shirt underneath. I could swear I've seen him elsewhere…oh yeah! That's Freddie! Man, does he look good...

"Morning, Sam." he says. His tone is quiet but melodic. He gives me a loving grin and moves closer. I grin back and also take a step near him.

"Where are we?" I ask, for this place is one I've never been in before. He doesn't answer—I don't think he even knows I said anything. Instead he closes the space between us by wrapping his arms around me and places his mouth on mine. I don't pull back but just stand there as he kisses me. When he moves away, we're still very close.

"I love you, Sam." he whispers. I put my head under his chin, feeling like nothing could hurt me ever again. It takes me a long time to reply to him. I feel his patience starting to thin. I need to tell him I love him too or that I don't. It takes me an eternity to decide. Soon, I decide I love him. So, so, so much.

"Freddie, I love—" I start to say finally, but then I realize he's not there. I'm hugging the empty air, and he's walking away. I try to run to him but I find I'm trapped by an invisible barrier. I push harder against the unseen wall but I can't get away. So I yell his name over and over but he doesn't turn around or anything. Out of the shadows I see Carly appear. Then Melanie, my sister. And Shannon Mitchell, Valerie, Nora…all the girls that have ever dated or liked Freddie in some way are suddenly surrounding him and he looks so joyous.

"No!" I scream, "You love me! Don't you love me, Freddie? You said you loved me! Freddie!" But he's not listening to me (if he can hear me at all). Instead he puts his arm around the girls and says "Any of you ladies wanna come with me?" All raise their hand, so he nods and they all walk away, and I'm still pounding on the invisible wall. I'm losing him…I held my feelings in for too long and now I've lost him. He's off having a party with millions of single girls because I didn't say anything sooner. I start to cry and my voice continues to say "Freddie" until it becomes so weak, I can't say anything more.

Scared and breathing heavily, I awoke. It was worse than my first nightmare with King Kong and his merry band of serpents—much worse. I lost Freddie because I hesitated in telling him I loved him. Was it a sign? Would…would I really lose Freddie if I didn't tell him I loved him? It horrified me to think that'd be true.

"Sam…" muttered a voice much like the harmonious one in my dream realm. I'd know that voice anywhere.

"What do you want?" I snapped, because I knew I had to stay Sam-like even though I was at my most helpless right then. Something shifted next to me and the soft grip around me tightened a bit.

"You were whispering in your sleep." he said calmly, despite my annoyed tone, "I couldn't understand it but you sounded really uncomfortable and…afraid. Are you okay?" I softened with the care his words held. The dream disappeared into the air with him there—it became fiction. With the way he talked to me and held me made that nightmare seem impossible. He wouldn't leave me if I didn't tell him I loved him. But the worry was still there; did I really know what he'd do? What he'd say? Who am I kidding, I didn't even know if he loved me.

"Fine, dude." I said, absently moving closer into him. "Just another nightmare. It hasn't been a good night. Don't let it get you down, just sleep." He didn't respond; when his breathing became slow, I knew he'd fallen back asleep. I moved my face to his and he was indeed asleep. I bit my lip as I patted the arm around me.

"I think I love you." I whispered. He didn't move a muscle so I knew he hadn't heard me. Thank gosh. With that said to no one, I closed my eyelids to prepare for another nightmare.