This car is so boring! Why can't there be a TV? I mean, come on, what do they expect of me these days?
"Are we there yet?"
"No, Sam. For the billionth time, we still have five more hours till' we're there."
"But I'm bored!"
"Then go to sleep."
"But I don't want too!" There is no way, whatsoever that I'm sleeping. I'll fall asleep on Freddie again. And that would not be good.
Freddie's warm. His arm is so comfortable. And strong. He's so soft...
Are you kidding me? I fell asleep again! On Freddie! But he's asleep on me too!
And now I feel all tingly again.
Maybe I've just got butterfly's. But I'm not supposed to get Butterfly's. You only get them when you're nervous and chiz.
No, there is no way that I, Sam Puckett, get Butterfly's.
These are Flubaflys.
Yeah. I get Flubaflys. See? That doesn't sound cheesy or romantic...
It sounds… weird. But at least no-one will know what I'm on about!
But why would you discuss this anyway? You only seem to talk to yourself these days!
But don't most people? Like have conversations in their head when they are bored?
No!
See? I'm doing it again!
Wait, the car isn't moving! How have I only just noticed that? Crazy's not in the front. Our luggage is all gone. Which can only mean one thing...
"California!"
Hah! That woke him up!
Then his eyes light up. I think he's excited to be here. Then again, I am too! He opens the door and jumps out the car. I guess I should too.
California, here I come!
We're parked right outside the lodge thing we're staying in. Looks cool! Freddie's walking beside me as we explore the place. Hey! There's an upstairs! I guess that's where Crazy is.
The bedrooms are up here, too.
"This one is mine." Marissa says as we come across the first bedroom. "And this one is Freddibears..." She says, pointing to the one at the end of the hall. "And then, the one opposite is Samantha's!"
The name is Sam. Why do I have to have a room opposite his?
"Do you guys want to unpack in your rooms? I'll make us some lunch!" Says Crazy.
Food!
She walks back down the stairs. I turn to my room.
Looks like an average door. Looks like an average door handle. Looks like an average room.
There is a Bed at the side of the room, with red bedding on it. There is a bedside table next to it, a widow next to that... Ohhhhh, view of the beach!
There's a wardrobe, and a desk. And that's about it.
It's better than my room at home. I wonder what Freddie's is like!
No. I'm going to unpack before I see him. I need time away. I bet he's unpacking like a good little boy. Folding his trousers and hanging up his shirts.
I can't be bothered. But the bed looks comfortable...
And I'm missing my PearPod...
This is a lot more fun than unpacking.
This is the life. First day of California, near the beach, on a much more comfortable bed than at mine, and listening to Cuttle Fish.
The only thing that would ruin this is...
"Hey!"
Freddison walking in. Time to take the headphones out.
"What do you want?"
"Haven't you unpacked yet?"
"I can't be bothered."
"You want me to help?" NO! I've only just got away from you.
"Sure!" Sam! What are you saying?
I swear my mouth moves by itself.
Should I help him? No! But...
Freddie's cute.
NO.
I did not just think that. Is there a way to erase your thoughts? Because I really need to do that. There is no way, on earth, that I just thought that. It's wrong! False! Untrue! Unsound! Faulty! Inaccurate!
There is no way, whatsoever, that Freddie is cute.
It's all the Flubadubs fault.
I knew this would happen if I came on this trip.
I think I need to go to a doctor.
No.
I am Sam. I can get rid of these Flubadubs without the help of a doctor.
They won't last forever, right?
I don't want to, but I think I should help Freddie. My clothes!
I don't want him going through them! Well, he's fine going through the actual clothes; it's more the… undergarments.
That'd be awkward.
"You actually decided to help?"
"I'm just doing my clothes."
"Good idea." He says.
This is awkward. The silence. Should I say something?
"Hey." Are you kidding me, Sam? 'Hey'? You're just made yourself look insanely stupid now. You could have said anything! But no. You choose 'Hey'.
"Hey?" Freddie sounds confused. No wonder! I've embarrassed myself now!
What do I say now? Wait, are my cheeks getting… warm?
I'm not blushing.
It's the return of the Flubadub rash!
Say something, Puckett.
Anything.
"It's Christmas soon." Is that the best you can come up with?
I give up.
"Sam, it's like half a year until Christmas."
"And?"
"That's a long time away."
"Eh. It's sooner than it was yesterday."
"I guess it is…" He says. I'm not going to look at him. Hiding my face in the wardrobe is a good idea. It hides the rash. I can tell he's chucking slightly.
At least I amuse him.
"Lunch!" Just the voice I've been waiting to hear!
I'm running down these stairs at quite a speed. I hope I don't fall…
I made it to the table safely.
Mmmmmmmmm….
Ham sandwich.
There are times in life where I love Mrs Benson.
A ham sandwich is just what I need to clear my mind and fill it with nice thoughts.
Like meat…
"Do you two want to look around after?" Says Crazy. "I hear there's a swimming pool here. And there is obviously the beach, but you're not going there without me. Don't go on any roads."
"Sure." Says Freddie. His sandwich looks nice…
No Sam! You do not steal Freddie's sandwich.
It's mean.
But you are mean!
But…
Ok. Let's leave the table.
See? I'm controlling the Flubadubs!
Has Freddie finished yet?
No.
No.
No.
Finally!