PIZZA
"Shay, you NEED to calm down." I say. I'm flipping through channels, lying in the couch; while Carly is trying on her third outfit in the past 10 minutes. Yeah, I know.
"Okay, what about this?" She asks motions to her new blue jeans that shape her perfectly and a cute new top. It actually wasn't bad, not too dressy like she could have done. It's just simple and cute.
"I like it." I say the same thing I said for the other two outfits. She rolls her eyes.
"Urrrgghh Sam, come on I need your opinion." She whines. Oh Carlotta…
"It looks great. Go with this one, it's the best." I say trying to act like I care. I mean I do care a bit because she is my best friend, but really? She asks me how her outfit looks. I don't even pay this much attention to my outfits.
"You sure? Cause I have this other one_"
"Carly! It's great. Now breathe and come sit and watch TV with me." I say with a smile. Carly laughs and takes an over exaggerated breath then joins me on the couch. I turn off the TV and face her.
"You think he will have fun? I mean making pizzas is cool, right?" She asks.
"Ha-ha, Carly, stop with the questions! He is a cool guy; it will be good for him to meet other people. I mean it's kinda weird that he doesn't really have any friends yet." I say.
"He is just shy and I know he will just fit right in here when he opens up." She says. For some reason I don't think it will be that easy thinking back to earlier at school when he never even answered a question straight forward. "Okay, I'm going to go finish getting ready and clean up a bit. You need anything?" I just give her a head shake for no and she heads up the stairs. I sit there for a few minutes just staring off into space. It's nice just having time to relax and think, just think about anything and everything… it's really nice. There is a quick knock on the door before it opens and Freddie walks through.
"Hey Sam." He says.
"Hey." I say. He sits on the other end of the couch, facing me.
"Where's Carly?"
"She is freaking out about Aaron coming over tonight." I say.
"Urgh, why?" Freddie says.
"Cause its Carly and she freaks at every little thing, especially with cute boys."
"Why is he even coming over?"
"Freddo you have to get over this whole 'not liking a guy you don't even know' thing. He just moved here, it will be good for him to have friends and Carly is really excited about this, so enough whining and don't ruin this." I say with my whole threatening Sam voice and give him a light punch in the shoulder. He lets out a small quiet laugh.
"Alright, alright. I'll try to get to know the guy, but you have to admit there is something that is just off with him, right? It can't just be me." He says. No, it's not just you….
"Aaron is really nice; there is nothing off with him. I think you are paranoid Benson." I say. Crap even when I say it, it doesn't sound right.
"Can you blame me for being a little paranoid?" He asks. Not at all…We stay silent for a minute, I look down at my feet. "Sorry." He says.
"Its fine, I get it. Of course I get it." I say and shift my gaze around the room.
"You know you can talk to me Sam." He says.
I take a deep breath, I don't even know why. "I just want things to go back to normal." He grabs my hand, I know shocking right? But what might shock you more is that I don't pull away. What, I can't be tough all the time, especially after everything.
"I know." He says. It's so simple just two words, but it helps more than anything.
"I'm sick of being afraid at night and walking around in pain and bruised up just reminding me of how weak I am, not even being able to _"
"Sam, I don't ever want to hear you say that again." He says. It's not a tough, commanding voice; it's sweet and caring, but he absolutely means it. "Your bruises aren't a sign of weakness; they are a reminder of your strength." There it is that stupid fluttery feeling. There has to be something wrong with me.
"Thank you." I say. I didn't mean to make it sound like it did, so soft and enduring, but I couldn't help it. I can see on Freddie's face he is a little shocked by the tone of my voice too. I mean it's not like I have ever opened up to him before or had a moment. Wait are we having a moment right now? No…. well maybe… I guess we kind of are.
"You're welcome." He says with a laugh.
"Hey guys have you_" Carly says coming down the stairs, "Oh am I interrupting?" Freddie and I give her confused looks. Why does she think she is interrupting anything? Carly reads our confused faces and points with a smile to my hand, which I just realized Freddie is still holding. Freddie and I glace at each other and quickly move our hands.
"Nope not interrupting at all." I say.
"Yeaahhh." She says and walks into the kitchen. I get up and walk to her.
"So all ready, hair perfectly in place?" I joke.
"Ha-ha, very funny…..Okay we have everything for pizzas" She says closing the refrigerator. "When did Aaron say he would be here?"
"I don't know… soon." I say.
"Does he even know where I live?" She asks worriedly. Oh gosh.
"Yes Carly. He will be here." I say.
"Maybe you should text him, just to be sure." She says. I really don't see the point, but Carly gives me that stupid sweet look, like she does when she wants something.
"Alright." I say, "Freddie toss me my phone." He grabs my phone and tosses it over the counter. He goes and starts messing around on the computer.
Hey u gonna b here soon? Ur taking forever. Hurry up :P – S Just a few minutes later there is a knock on the door.
"That's him!" Carly says gleefully, "I got it." Ha-ha and this is why I love Carly, always so giddy and happy. She opens the door and Aaron is there in jeans and a casual tee.
"Hey Aaron." Carly says.
"Hey" Aaron says smiling back at Carly.
"Come on in" Aaron walks in and Carly shuts the door behind him.
"Hey man" Freddie says from the computer.
"Hey" Aaron says walking towards me, I mean the kitchen. Duh, obviously walking into the kitchen, I just so happen to be there too.
"Fast enough for you?" He jokes and leans into hug me. I return the hug, but quickly scrunch up and let out a small gasp because the hug is a little too tough and pain shoots through my back. The hug ends and I don't think Aaron even noticed my reaction cause he just turns around and starts chatting with Carly, I'm not really listening.
"You okay?" I hear Freddie whisper in my ear. I nod in response.
"Okay, pizza time?" Carly says. She goes to the fridge and starts grabbing all the toppings out. Freddie goes to help her. I walk to the table and start clearing it off, Aaron joins me.
"Where should I put this?" He asks holding the napkin holder.
"Here." I say motioning him to give it to me. Carly and Freddie move all the ingredients to the table. This is going to be fun. Who doesn't like making their own pizza? Besides the pre-made crust, it is totally your own creation.
"Isn't Spencer joining us?" Freddie asks.
"He is out right now, he will be back when we eat, but he said just make one for him." Carly says.
"Well then, let's get started on this bad boy." I say reaching for a crust.
...
"Okay while the pizzas are baking, you want to check out the studio Aaron?" Carly asks.
"Sounds great." He says. They make for the stairs.
"I'll meet you guys there." I say. I walk into the bathroom and splash some water on my face. I have a headache and search for some aspirin. A few minutes later I walk out to go upstairs and I see Aaron still downstairs.
"Oh hey… I thought you went up to the studio." I say.
"Forgot my phone." He says. Ummm…. Okay. Still kind of weird.
"Well shall we go up?" I say.
"Course" He says with a smile. He makes for the stairs.
"Uh… elevator for me. I'm not too good with stairs yet." I say and push the button. We get in and head up to the studio.
"Thanks for inviting me Sam." He says.
"Hey, don't mention it." I say, "So Carly is nice right?" Trying to subtly mention her.
"Huh? Oh yeah she is nice." He says, not too interested. Well this is now officially awkward.
"Sooooo…. What does your dad do that you guys move around a lot?" I ask. Yeah I know, back to the family thing, but I can't help it. I'm curious.
"He is in business. So what about your mom?" He says changing the subject.
"Ummm…. She's cool." I say. I mean what I can I say; I'm kind of thrown off guard. The elevator door opens.
"I'm sorry she hasn't called you since." He says stepping out of the elevator. Wait… what? How in the world could he possibly know my mother hasn't called me? This is too much. Freddie was right, something is off with him.