Chapter 13

October was quickly going by. The leaves from the trees were pretty much off of the trees now, and the weather continued to cool.

Spencer completed his pumpkin sculpture. This project was a little different, and more complex than the one he was supposed to do last year. This pumpkin took about a few days to get the work done on it. But it seemed to take a week to get it out of the apartment, and through the building. This pumpkin had to be dealt with delicately. He caused Lewbert to have a fit when he had to bring it through the front lobby. It took several people to lift it on a truck and have it delivered to Lubby's pumpkin plant. The CEO loved the work Spencer put in and paid Spencer very well for his creation.

Carly and Danny's relationship continued to do well, and they continued to be very much into each other. They really never fought with one another, and actually it seemed at times that they were too polite with one another.

Even though Sam and David only saw each other on the weekends, their relationship was blossoming as well. They talked nightly on the phone, and tried to spend at least a few hours on Saturdays and Sundays with each other.

Freddie had never felt so utterly alone. He didn't hang around the girls on the weekends anymore, and now, he even had a hard time hanging out with his guy friends. Now that Jeremy wasn't always sick anymore, he began to build up some self confidence. He cleaned up his appearance, and lost some weight. He really began to become a babe magnet, and now he was always going on dates on the weekends. So the only person Freddie could really hang out with was Gibby, and even that wasn't very often.

He and Sam continued to study together, but their chemistry wasn't the same. It was getting kind of boring. Sam would get phone calls from David at times while they were studying, and the time the two of them took talking would drive Freddie crazy. Freddie would never show Sam how frustrated he was, but it made it increasingly difficult to study with her.

Sam's grades were continuing to improve though, because of the study sessions. Her overall average had moved to a "B", and she was approaching the top 25% of her class.

Freddie, though, was constantly distracted by his feelings for her, and it made it difficult to be around her. Now that she had a boyfriend, he wanted to protect her from possibly being hurt by this guy, and this made Freddie think about Sam even more. In addition, he was second guessing himself on the decision he had made to wait and tell Sam how he felt about her. He kind of wished he would have told her right away now. But he remembered the reason why he didn't tell her, and all he could hope for was something to happen that might turn things around. So he decided to just be content with being just her friend for now.

Freddie had used the last of his money from Daka (the shoe company they signed a contract with this past spring to sponsor their shoes) to get a gym membership at Bold's Gym earlier in October. He signed up for four passes so that he and his friends could use them to work out. Freddie gave one to Jeremy, and one to Gibby. He had saved the other for Sam, and he had invited her to go with them sometime. She just kinda laughed the invitation off, and said she would embarrass them if she went with them. But Freddie held on to her pass anyway. He and his friends always went after school on Friday; then sometimes would go on the weekends as well.

One Saturday early in November, Freddie was walking home from Bold's Gym, where he had met Gibby to work out. The gym was located about a half mile just past the school, and his path would take him by Sam's apartment on the way to his house. He was about four blocks from her apartment, when he noticed her and David going for a walk. He really wanted to try to avoid them, but Sam saw him and cried out, "Yo, Freddo."

He unenthusiastically caught up with them, "Oh, hey," he said slightly out of breath.

"So, where you going?" She asked as the three of them continued on their way.

"Home," Freddie replied, "I just came from the gym." He looked at Sam nod and giggle. Freddie gave her a look.

"Okay Sam," David butted in, "you lost that last round, because you called out to your friend, and now we're tied. Are you ready to go again?" He asked.

"Just a sec, sweetie," she smiled; then she turned to Freddie, "David and I are playing the silent game, and neither of us is suppose to speak." She turned back to David, "Ok, go!"

These guys and their silly games, Freddie thought, but at least I won't have to listen to them.

The three of them walked down the sidewalk in silence. Sam and David were holding hands while they walked. It was really a nice day for the second weekend of November; a lot of people were out and about today.

They were approaching a couple of good looking girls walking towards them, the three of them walked on the grass to let them pass. Freddie couldn't help to notice their beauty, and they smiled and seemed to be looking back at him. Then Freddie realized that the girls were looking at David, and he was gazing at them.

Freddie got a weird look on his face. Was David just eyeing those girls right in Sam's presence? He thought to himself. He looked over at Sam and David. They were continuing to walk as if nothing had happened. Did I just imagine that? He wondered.

They were less than a block from Sam's, when another good looking female approached them. This time, Freddie looked at David as the girl walked by them and she continued in the opposite direction. Sure enough, David was gazing at the girl the entire way, and it almost appeared that he mouthed something to her as she passed. The girl had even turned around to look at David for a second after they had passed her before she continued on her way. Sam hadn't noticed a thing.

This angered Freddie; He has the nerve to flirt with other girls while walking holding hands with his girlfriend. Who does he think he is, some sort of a player or something? Freddie thought as they finally came to Sam's front door.

Since Sam and David were still playing their silent game, they both only waved to Freddie as they went inside the house. Freddie just grinned and nodded to them before continuing on his way. He was bothered by what he observed about David. He was more worried about what would happen if Sam witnessed David's actions. Freddie didn't want to see Sam hurt, but he was unsure of what he should do about this. He spent the rest of his walk home deciding whether or not to tell her about David.

XxXxXxXxXx

"So why do they call this treaty 'The Compromise of 1820'?" Sam was asking trying to hold back a smile. She and Freddie were sitting in her dining room area doing history homework the following Monday.

Freddie frowned at her for a second, "Well, mostly because the North and the South were trying to bring in both a free state and a slave state into the Union at the same time. And it happened in 1820." He glared at her when she saw that she was laughing at him.

"Oh Freddie, you're such a blast to tease…and study with," she giggled.

Freddie perked up a bit, "I ought to give you a reason to laugh," he smirked, as he held up his fingers to make it look like he was going to tickle her.

This made Sam laugh even harder, "Oh what? You're gonna use your strong muscles you're developing by going to a gym to hold me down while you tickle me?" She laughed again. Sam talking about the gym made Freddie remember what happened on his walk home Saturday. He calmed down and turned back to his studies.

Sam finally stopped laughing, and tried to calm down. Freddie didn't answer her question, and she didn't like his expression when she asked him. She looked at him. It looked like he had something on his mind. "All right nerd, something's on your mind, tell me what it is?" She asked plainly.

Freddie raised his head from his studies, and turned to Sam, "You really like David, don't you?"

Sam gave him a weird look, "Of course I do, you dork. Why would you ask me such a silly question?" She asked blandly.

"I mean, you think he's a good guy, right?" He asked, afraid of what he might start if he told her what he saw the other day.

"Okay, spill it, what is it you want to say about my boyfriend?" Sam narrowed her gaze.

Freddie took a breath, then answered, "When we were walking home Saturday, I noticed David…eyeing other girls."

Sam's expression continued to darken, "Um, say that again?"

"I'm saying that he's ogling or flirting with other girls without you noticing." He sputtered out.

Sam's face was turning red from anger, "Are you saying that my David is…a player or something?" She growled.

Freddie nodded; then closed his eyes as a glass of water was thrown in his face.

"Freddie Benson! I can't believe that you of all people would have the nerve to make me unhappy!" She shouted. "Why would tell a bold-face lie right to my face?"

"I wish I was lying, Sam," he replied shaking the water from his hair, "but I know what I saw."

Sam slammed her textbook shut. "Get out Freddie." she said firmly, "Oh, and I think I'm finally doing well enough in school now to where I don't need your assistance; so we're done with these study sessions."

Freddie gathered his things together, "Sam, don't do this," he said sadly.

"I don't know if you're just jealous because you're the only one without somebody, or if you're just trying to get back at me for the pranks I pull on you, but right now I don't care. I just want you gone." Sam said firmly as she began to walk to the front door.

Freddie walked up to the door, "Sam, I'm trying to prevent you from getting hurt." He said.

Sam shook her head sadly, "I thought you were like one of my best friends. Real friends don't do this to each other."

Freddie stepped out the door, "Real friends tell the truth." He finished as Sam slammed the door in his face.

He walked sadly home, hoping that time would heal these emotional wounds.

Author's Note: I hurt in my heart from this chapter as well. This is the darkest hour of their relationship; so things can only get better, right? This marks the halfway point in the story. Thanks again to all who've reviewed and commented! – kwags74