"Doesn't she annoy you?" Carly doesn't even bother looking up from her book.

"For the last time, Sam: no, she's not annoying. She's funny. She's nice. She's cool. Why do you have such a problem with her?" There's not a hint of suspicion in her voice, but Sam squirms in her seat nonetheless.

Sam has absolutely no reason not to like her. She's nice, but not the kind of sugary sweet that makes Sam want to puke. Unlike most girls at Ridgeway, she doesn't look like the make-up section of a department store exploded on her face. She thinks Sam's funny, and makes fun of Mrs. Briggs at any opportunity. There was even a time or two where she helped Sam with one of her pranks.

Sam chomps on the chicken wing as loudly as possible, hoping to distract Carly from the fact that she isn't answering.

She could say it's because she doesn't dress like some little flower, yet boys always notice her. It could be how she can pull off anything, from blue hair and cowboy boots to sparkly skirts and high-heels. Or maybe, just maybe, it's the way Freddie watches when she flips her hair, or how Freddie smiles at her a little like the way he used to smile at Carly, or the fact that when she's in trouble, he comes running.

Without looking at her, Carly casually says, "She never seemed to bother you before." And now there's the smallest trace of suspicion in her voice. Her eyes come up to meet Sam's for a moment, her eyebrows slightly raised. She doesn't say anything else. She doesn't have to.

. . . . .

You've got a smile that

could light up this whole town,

I haven't seen it in a while

since she brought you down.

. . . . .

"So then I'm like, 'No Gib, it's not,' and all of a sudden he's jumping all over and screaming and I can see it turning purple and-" Freddie snorts his smoothie at the mental image.

"Wait, so did it smell yet?" He interrupts.

"No, no, the smell didn't kick in until the kool-aid, but by then-" Sam couldn't remember the last time Freddie had laughed this hard.

"Sam, I can't believe you!"

"Yeah, I amaze myself too." Freddie rolls his eyes as she steals yet another fry from him.

"Sam, promise me you'll never do that to me."

"Dork, you know Mama never repeats a prank. I'll put something much worse in your shower." Freddie smiles as she raises her eyebrows suggestively.

That heat-stopping smile that's become all too rare since-

Freddie's phone buzzes with a text from Amber. Sam waits somewhat patiently while he replies, only stealing a few more fries and a sip from his smoothie.

"Freddie, Freddie, Freddie," Sam starts with exasperation. The boy raises an eyebrow. After giving him a disappointed look for a minute she continues, "She's only dating you for your vampire voice, Nub."

Freddie hesitates before saying, "That's not true," but his voice is weak and uncertain.

"Did she ever pay attention to you before those vampire videos? Hasn't she complimented those videos, and only those videos, countless times? How many times has she asked you to do the vampire voice? Does she know anything else about you?"

And then, looking at his downcast eyes, she sees she's broken him again. All she ever does is break him.

"Listen, Nub..." She bites her lip, "I'm going to say this once. I'm only doing this because you... you know, deserve better. Believe it or not, there are some girls out there who would like you, not just your voice, or because you saved their life, or for your tech skills, or whatever. You don't have to be bacon. There's a girl out there who will like you. So... stop dating the wrong ones, idiot!" She finishes, smacking his head lightly.

Freddie smiles and gently squeezes her hand before she can punch him.

"When are you going to stop ruining my relationships, Sam?" He teases.

When it's with me.

"When will you stop dating girls for the wrong reasons?" She counters.

"When I find a girl who's willing to date me for the right reasons."

Sam raises her eyebrows. How could anyone not realize by now?

They're staring at each other with raised eyebrows when his phone goes off again with a phone call from Amber.

He glances from her to the phone and back before pressing the ignore button.

Sam does her best not to smile.