Sam went pacing around Carly's room, contemplating what she should wear on the double date. She wanted to look gorgeous. She wanted to look hot. She wanted to look any way she had to look to get Freddie to notice her…really notice her.

She looked over at her best friend who was just finishing blow drying her hair after taking a shower. She didn't even have her make up on, yet she still looked date-ready. Sam shook her head. If only she was that naturally beautiful, then she'd have Freddie's heart.

"Carly?"

"That's what they call me…"

Sam shifted nervously, "Would you mind, um, do that thing again where you make me look, you know, more like a, what's the word...girl?"

Carly rolled her eyes playfully and nodded, "Gotta look perfect for Griffin?" She teased.

"Yeah…for Griffin."

Take a couple hours, a tube of lip gloss, a jumble of hair appliances, and a pair of tweezers, and pretty soon, they were ready.

Sam climbed off Griffin's bike with confidence while fluffing her pin straight hair. Carly jumped happily off Freddie's bike pegs.

"I didn't even wear a helmet!" Freddie whispered to Carly, smiling proudly, "I'm so bad!" Carly faked a laugh before he added, "You know, you look amazing tonight."

"Aww, Freddie!" Carly kissed him again

Sam gagged and mumbled to Griffin, "God…do they ever stop that??"

Griffin shrugged and before going inside, nudged Sam, "Oh, by the way…"

Sam bit her lip eagerly, bracing herself for whatever clever, heart-melting compliments he had in store, "Cute outfit."

Her shoulders drooped as she stared down at her shoes disappointedly. Had she chosen the high heeled, velvet boots as opposed to simply flip flops, maybe she'd look at least kinda close to 'amazing' too.

But the night went on and Sam strived to act as completely into Griffin as she could.

He hit over just 5 pins in his whole turn but Sam went jumping around like there was a fire in her pants, "Oh my god, hot stuff!!! You are so naturally gifted at this!! It's just unbelievable, ain't it, Carly?!? Can I pick 'em or what?!"

Next, Freddie walked up and effortlessly bowled a strike. He looked back at Sam, who on the outside, sat back unimpressed but on the inside, was melting into 1 big puddle of mush, "He's looking at me! He's looking at me!!"

Then, something caught Carly's eye, "Oh. My God…Pak rat."

"What?" Asked Freddie.

But Carly skipped off, squealing "Pak rat. Pak rat."

Griffin watched as she left, then turned back to the bowling lane, "Oh, my turn." He announced.

"Wait!" called Sam, "A kiss for good luck! Not that you need it but…I like kissing you!" She said louder than she needed to. She pressed her lips onto his hard and then, pulled away, "You know, you're my first kiss!!" She practically yelled while sneaking a glance back at Freddie but he was just fixing his shoe laces. She shook her head, frustrated, "Okay, now, go…" She shoved Griffin aside.

After knocking over a record 7 pins, Griffin reminded them that the fries they'd ordered a short while back were probably ready by now. He kindly offered to go get them.

Sam and Freddie made brief eye contact. It was awkward finally being alone together. They were surrounded by a crowd of others, but it still felt like just them.

"So, um," Sam broke the silence, "You and Carly aren't gonna be like me and Jonah were, are you?"

"Why?" Freddie tilted his head, "Would that bother you?"

"No! …M-maybe, but just because you guys are like my only best friends and I don't wanna be the third wheel…"

"No worries, Sam," He told her, then smirked, "So, I'm your best friend?" He was trying to rub it in her face that she'd actually said something nice to him.

"Shut up, you already knew you were…" She pushed him lightly, "Oh, and you're pretty good at bowling too…for a loser, at least."

"Losers can be good at bowling!" Stated Freddie, defensively, "Although, that rep so doesn't fit me anymore. Did you hear about my helmetless bike ride?? Mann, I'm so bad!"

"Whatever, Fred-weirdo, just get over here and show me how to knock 'em all down," She demanded.

"Okay, okay!" He rushed over to keep her temper under control, "See, for me: It's all in the release. Just hold the ball like this," His hand covered hers to put it in the right position. His other hand was gently placed on her waist, "See?"

"Mmm, heh, mph," Was all Sam could manage to say.

"And make sure you're standing like…" He pushed his leg against hers. She went weak at the knees.

"Don't move…" She mumbled, then prayed he hadn't heard.

Then, he pulled her arm back and brought it forward as she promptly let the ball go and of course, every pin went tumbling down.

Sam gasped. Not only had she just bowled a strike but this was the perfect excuse to hug him. She quickly slipped her arms under his and around his body, holding him tightly, breathing in his Polo Black cologne…

For those 5 short seconds, he was all hers.