Before

Sam's POV

"Carly stop it!" I yelled. She was putting too much make up on me, I was losing my patience. "Dude! That's enough!" I pulled her hands away.

"Okay!" she looked at me for a brief second and nodded "that will do" she closed her makeup drawer. "Dang it Sam! You look so beautiful!"

I looked at my reflection in Carly's mirror. For my lucky, I managed to look simple and still good. No way was I going to let the nub think I was getting all dolled up for him!

"Okay. I'm ready" I lied.

"Carly? Sam?" Spencer yelled from the other side of the door

"Yeah?" Carly yelled back.

"Are you guys dressed?" he asked.

Spencer was so dumb!

"Of course we are!" she opened the door.

"Okay then…" he entered the room "whoa Sam! You look pretty!"

"See… I told you! I'm too prissy!" I freaked out.

"No, you're not!" she gave her brother a death glare.

"Oh yeah… you're not!" Spencer tried to ignore Carly's look.

"Sure?" I needed to be assured I wasn't too "Carly".

"Yeah!" the Shay siblings said at the same time.

"Okay then…" I took a deep breath preparing myself for what would happen next. The nub must've been ready by now. Freddie never took too much time to get dress. He always managed to look good in the matter of five minutes the most. I had to at least admit that the king of the dorks were an attractive nerd… which was a rare thing in real life. Not every dork looked like Seth Cohen. Freddie was a rare exception. He managed to be smart and hot at the same time, I have to admit that, I wasn't that blind. That fact reminded me how much I've pictured Freddie naked… not in a pervert way… dang it! I wondered how he would look… at least shirtless… but that wasn't the point! That was their first date and that was out of question. I don't even should be thinking about it.

"So… Freddo is here" Spencer announced.

I could feel my nerves freaking out again, I was starting to panic. I knew this time would come, but that didn't meant I was ready for it.

"Sam calm down!" Carly grabbed my shoulders and shook me "now look at me" I did what she asked "you'll be fine"

"You don't know that!" I tried not to go crazy. I really tried hard… because I knew deep down inside I wanted this.

"Yes I do! Because I do!" Carly was the one who snapped. I knew she was a good friend and she wanted me to be happy, so I trusted her. She wouldn't throw me in the fire and let me there to burn.

"Relax Sam… I don't know if it helps… but he's nervous too" Spencer was trying to help out… but I wasn't sure he did.

"He is? How do you know?" I said without even blinking.

"He told me"

"Oh… and why is he nervous? It's because it's me he is taking out?" now I was definitely panicking.

"Nope. Actually he thinks he's going to mess it up. He's afraid to ruin your big date. He's afraid you'll never go out with him again"

"Awwwwww! That's so sweet" that high pitched sound was Carly squealing.

"Carly… my ear!" I warned her in pain.

"Oh sorry…" she fixed my hair "let's go!"

I wasn't ready to go downstairs, and maybe I'll never be. I knew I liked the nub, but I never pictured us dating. That was beyond impossible. Carly pushed me there anyway. I walked slowly, and when I spotted him my heart skip a beat, he looked adorable and hot at the same time. The combo of his shirt, jeans and tie made him look even more attractive to my eyes. I cursed him for that. He saw me and his jaw dropped. I never felt so flattered before, his look sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but blush. He eyed me until I was in front of him. That made me grin.

During

Freddie's POV

She looked like an angel… how was that even possible? She was in fact the blonde haired demon whose hobbies were, torture me, hurt me and make me feel bad. How it's possible that she looks more angelical now that Carly ever were? She was a demon! Maybe she was an angel in disguise. My mouth opened in the sight of her beauty. She came closer to me and punched my arm. That was the Sam I knew… the demon girl.

"Stop drooling nub!" she told me with a goofy smile.

"Sorry" I blushed a little bit.

We kept each other's gaze. I realized I could just stay like this for the rest of the night, and wanna know something? That didn't even scare me. I would stay like that longer, but the sound of Spencer cleaning his throat sent me back to reality.

"Time to go guys" he told us.

"Oh… right… okay" I stuttered a little bit, causing Sam to giggle "shall we?"

I offered her my arm, but she just walked pass me and towards the door. Carly and Spencer gave me an encouraging look before I left. We kept silent in the elevator. I had nothing to say anyways. Lewbert yelled something, that neither of us could understand, and we walked out of the building. I opened the door for her and she frowned. I don't think she's used to have any guys opening doors for her. I felt glad for being the first. When I was on the driver's seat I realized her grin had become a giggle. I knew what was coming next: she was going to mock me. Sam always mocked me when she saw my car, or someone mentioned my car or when she thought about my car.

"Oh come on! It's been five months already! Wont you tired to mock my car?" I knew the answer was no, but still…

"Sorry dork… but how do you expect me not to mock this car? When you drive a Volvo you're asking to be mocked for eternity!" she giggled.

"Not by choice! My mother thinks that Volvos are safe cars; she wouldn't let me get that truck I wanted. It was a Volvo or no car! I had a choice to make!" I explained myself but she kept giggling

I wasn't proud of having the same type of car as most of the old ladies in the building but my mother didn't give me any other options. And when you're sixteen and desperate, you take whatever you can get. Okay… that sentence was weird… let me clear this up… when you're sixteen, and desperate for a car, you take whatever you mother is willing to buy. Better.

"Does Crazy know you're out?" she had to bring my mother into the conversation… great.

"In fact… she does" I gave her my ironic smirk.

"What a miracle!" She lifted her hands to the sky .Sam tried to hide, but I knew she was surprised.

"Well I told her it was for something important" she looked at me for a second like she was trying too hard to process the information I just gave her, then she shook her head and looked outside the window.

"Thank God she doesn't know that it's for me" Sam seemed a little sad about it.

"Oh, she knows" I said while keeping my eyes on the road.

She looked at me the same way she did a second ago. I smiled; this was going to be good.

"So you told your mother? Your freakish mother… that you are taking me out? On a date?"

"Yeah"

"You're such a dweeb Benson!" she said playfully. I just chuckled "And she didn't freak out?" I guess she was trying to make sure my mother was okay with this.

"A little bit… but then she calmed down and started giving me dating advices. It's was a long hour… trust me" she actually laughed. Out loud "Gun Smoke helped a lot, but she always liked you anyway" I turned the corner.

"She likes me?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yeah… just so you know, you are her favorite" I said it like it was a random thing to say.

"Huh?" her expression amused me.

"Since the tacko truck incident" I chuckled. My mother was an odd woman.

"Oh"

Maybe it wasn't the best idea to mention it. After all, Carly and I dated back then. I figured Sam didn't need to remember that, and neither did I. I know that back then Carly was my dream girl and all I wanted was for her to like me, but when she finally did, it felt… weird and uncomfortable. Yeah… I don't even believe myself, but it's truth. I'm so glad I'd realize this before it was too late. I stopped at the red light and looked at her.

She was so beautiful, and when she wasn't torturing me she actually looked even more. She looked even prettier with that pony tail. Her golden bangs were brushed aside, and her hair was pulled back. I could see her neck. The pale and soft skin of her neck. I felt the urge to touch her there, but I controlled myself. I smiled trying to ease the tension and push these weird thoughts away. She smiled back, that gave me the confidence I needed to hold her hand. Surprisingly she didn't push me away. Her hand was soft, like a baby's hand, and I felt more and more attracted to her. Never knowing I could feel this way, I stroked her hand, figuring I should make the most of it, because it was probable that I'll never have the chance again.

Something about holding hands with Sam felt so right. However the light turned green and I had to let go of her, even if I didn't want to.

"So?" I was glad she was the first to talk "where are you taking me anyway?"

"It's a surprise"

"I told I hate surprises Benson!" I laughed of her annoyance.

"This one you're going to like" I assured her.

She nodded and decided to trust me. We talked about a lot of stuff we've never talked before. I've learned a lot about Sam, things I never imagined. We actually had a lot in common. I snapped back into reality and parked the car after I turned the corner.

"Close your eyes" I demanded.

"What? Why?" I wanted to laugh at her insecurity.

"Because I said so! Now do it!"

"Why on earth would I do that Benson?" she crossed her arms and faced me.

"Because it's part of the surprise. Come on! I promise you won't regret!" I pouted.

She groaned and closed her pretty eyes. Her blue eyes… okay Freddie… get a grip!

"Okay… if you peek I'll know! And it would kill the fun, so don't!" I warned her and she groaned in response.

I began to drive again and a few seconds later I stopped in front of the place we were headed. I felt pride and joy as I got off the car to open the door for her. She did as I asked and didn't peek. I knew she didn't because once she opened her eyes she would be shocked. That was the exact reaction I was hoping to get from her. I took her hand and helped her out of the car; it was time for my big surprise. "You can open now" I told her as soon as she was in front of the restaurant.

"Fine" she opened her eyes and stared around a little bit.

Once she found out where we were her mouth opened and her eyes went wide. I'm pretty sure that happened when the read the luminous sign that said "Pretosini's". I gave her my warmest smile, glad that she was surprised. I knew that Sam never expected a guy to take her to such a fine place, because this was indeed the finest place in Seattle. I knew she would be surprised, that was why I did it. Trying not to look too excited, I squeezed her hand.

"So?" I motioned to the door "shall we?"I grabbed her hand, but she didn't move, I looked at her just to find her still shocked and a bit petrified.

"Freddie?" she rarely called me Freddie.

"Yeah?" I asked carefully, maybe she was backing out…

"This place is like… very expensive" she whispered "do you have enough money for it?"

I couldn't help but chuckle. Sam concerned if I had money to spend on her? That was new!

"Yeah Sam, I do! Let's go… okay?" I squeezed her hand and she began to walk by my side.

"Do you have a reservation?" the receptionist asked me with big smile.

"Yes. Benson. Table for two" I announced trying to get Sam's attention.

It worked, for a while, she gave me a surprise look and turned her head to analyze the place .The receptionist checked my reservation and nodded. She was a girl in her mid-twenties, with red hair, golden freckles and median height. The girl gave me and Sam a sweet smile, like she just saw a cute puppy. I took that as a complement, maybe we were a cute couple. Sam was too busy being amazed with the place to notice when the receptionist whispered, first date? I nodded smiling back at her. She looked at Sam and back at me saying, she's beautiful! Good luck!

"Follow me" she said leading us to our table.

I followed her never letting go of a dumbfounded Sam. I'm pretty sure that if she wasn't so caught up to the fact that we were having dinner in the most expensive place in Seattle, she would probably push my hand away but she didn't, and when it comes to Sam, I take what I can get. Her expression did not change a bit since we walked in. Not even when the waiter handed us the menu. She kept looking around in complete disbelief. I chuckled; she actually looked cute and harmless right now.

"What are you ordering?" I asked her "and don't mind the price… I have cash" I didn't mean to sound too cocky, but I guess I did.

"Uh…" she read the menu for a couple of seconds "I don't know what to choose…"

"Okay… let me see" I looked around the menu trying to find something I knew she would like "okay, I got it!"

I called the waiter already knowing what to order. He was an old man, short, bald, with a sympathetic smile. He approached us with the same look the receptionist gave us earlier.

"Good evening" he took a notepad out of his pocket "what can I get you?"

"Uh… a grilled steak salad with pesto and crostini for me… and a griddled steak with horseradish sauce for the lady…" I looked at her for approval. Sam just nodded. "And two cokes with ice and lemon"

The waiter nodded and took our menus with him. I turned to look at my date, whose expression changed from shock to fascination. She was looking around analyzing the place; I even dare to say she was trying to memorize every detail. With a light smile, her features were peaceful, something rare and almost impossible for Samantha Puckett, when she was awake. I couldn't help but smile, glad that she was having fun.

I could not blame her for being so amazed. The place was huge. The people around us looked fancy; most of them were older couples on their mid-thirties, except for a few families with two or three kids each. The décor was a mix of classy and modern. Sam's eyes analyzed the place for the twentieth time before finally settle on me. I could see the hesitation and the fear burning in her eyes.

"Benson… do you really have money for it?" I was getting annoyed with that question already.

"Trust me Puckett… Benson's don't dine and dash!" I chuckled.

"Oh… are you sure?" man what was wrong with this girl?

"Yes… I'm" I reassured her.

"Okay then" Sam looked around a little bit more "because I don't think you know how to dine and dash properly" she chuckled.

It helped relieve the tension; I was trying not to show how nervous I really was. However the look that gave me when we walked into the restaurant was priceless. I'm sure she never expected a guy to take her to such a fine place. That is why I did it. I wanted her to see how far I'd go for her so she can feel special. I knew in heart it was true. So where does that leave us? I asked myself. Do I want to date this girl who constantly beats me? Who loves to hurt me? Whose favorite hobby is to torture me? Did I? I wasn't sure, but one thing I knew; I wished she would always look at me the way she was looking right now. That made me smile. Deep down inside I was trying not to be too eager about it… cause with Sam… you never know.