Chapter 12: Only Option
Author's Note: Okay, I have a big apology to make. I'M SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG TO UPDATE. Stuff happened in real life, but I promised I'll try to update more often. All of your reviews were so awesome, guys! :D
Okay, I need to respond to Fiddlegirl's view: Thanks for the review! :) The thing is that this is the first story I have that's had one solid point of view, (like usually I switch it between Sam and Freddie often), so I want to keep the whole story just on her point of view. Like, if I did Freddie's point of view, then you can't question if he likes her or not, because he'd say in the chapter. You know what I mean? :D
And I know this is a long author's note, but I just wanted to say sorry for having Sam always out of character. I realized that it's hard for me to keep her in character because I usually turn characters like her into me. Like, it's easier for me to keep Freddie in character because he's more like me. I'm not aggressive, or strong, or a tomboy, or any of those things. So I always, without meaning to, slowly turn Sam into me. But trust me, I'm going to try hard to keep Sam as Sam. She might change throughout the story, but she'll always be Sam. (: Okay, I'll shut up now. Review!
I saw the door to our apartment swing open. I quickly stood up and scratched my head awkwardly. I turned my head. It was Freddie.
"You heard that, didn't you?" he said softly, his voice sounding more deep and quiet than usual.
I sighed. "Maybe a little."
"Sam, I don't think she's really kicking you out."
"Yeah, she probably is. It's always the best for little Fredward," I said flatly while rolling my eyes.
"Just listen. If she is kicking you out, then you won't be alone." He slightly smiled. "You got me? I'm not just leaving you on your own, okay?"
I smiled. "Thanks, Freddork."
Marissa suddenly opened the door and saw us talking. She completely ignored me as she looked at Freddie. "You are not moving out again, Fredward Benson. Now get back into the house."
This reminded me a lot of the time he moved out because his mom kept embarrassing him. But that time was funny. This was serious.
Freddie folded his arms. "Why?"
"I don't want you talking to her," Marissa said, still not even giving me a glance.
"And why not?" Freddie asked, his arms still folded.
"Because she just puts you in danger. Sleeps in the same bed as you, makes fun of you, hurts you…"
"I haven't hurt him since before I moved in and you know it," I snapped at her.
"But that's what I mean," Marissa said. "The way you talk to me. I know that's how you are, but I've been noticing that you two have become close friends. Pretty soon, my Freddie is going to be rude."
"Mom, that's an excuse. You know that won't happen!" Freddie exclaimed.
"No, I don't know that. There's something called peer pressure, Freddie."
"We're sixteen!" I shouted. "Sixteen years old! And yeah, maybe I am 'rude', but Freddie knows that I wouldn't try to change him." I looked at her. She had wide, angry eyes. She didn't seem to care about anything I said. Sounding quieter but still very angry I said, "You know what? I don't want to live here anyway. I'll go on my own. See you never." I turned around and walked down the Bushwell Plaza hall. I got to the elevator and pressed the button, waiting to go down to the lobby.
"Wait," I heard the low voice of Freddie breathe. I saw him run over to me. "I told you, I'm not leaving you alone, Sam."
My heart beat fast. "Where's your mom?" I asked softly.
"She's gonna come and chase me any minute. She just went inside to get your stuff. I don't even know why." He stared at the elevator door, waiting for it to open. "My god, how long does it take to open?"
The elevator door finally opened, and I jumped in just as I heard Marissa's voice shouting for Freddie. I saw her face for half of a second as she tried to get into the elevator, but we pressed the "Close Door" button so much that it closed right before her.
While in the elevator, I tapped my foot because I was nervous. "Freddie, what are you doing? You know she's gonna find you somehow. She'll probably even be right there when we get out of the elevator. And even if we do run away, she'll call the police and you'll be on the news."
Freddie put his hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes. "Listen to me, Sam. I know. But I don't care. I'm not just gonna let one of my closest friends go off on your own. You're gonna be safe and not alone, somewhere and somehow. Okay?"
I just grinned. I didn't really know what to say, so I just nodded. I was going to hug him or something, but the elevator door opened.
"My mom's probably coming down the stairs now, hurry," Freddie whisper-shouted. I was still in a state of shock, so my legs wouldn't move. He grabbed my wrist and ran, pulling me along with him.
"Where are we going?" I asked, now finally running for myself.
"Anywhere, we just need to hide!"
We ran and found a small, dark space between two buildings. We both stood there, out of breath.
"Freddo," I breathed, "you need to go. It's not your fault that any of this is happening."
"It's not yours either!" Freddie exclaimed.
"Listen," I said firmly. "This is my battle. And thanks, Benson. But you could get in serious trouble for running away, and your mom's gonna call the police and stuff anyway… I'm used to being in trouble. There's no harm for me being in trouble again, but you shouldn't be. I promise I'll be fine, and I know I don't say this often, but please, Benson. Go."
Freddie looked at me seriously. I didn't know if he was agreeing with me or not when he wrapped me into a hug and rested his chin on my head. "You know if anything happened to you then I don't know what I'd do with myself," he whispered.
I smiled. "I'm a strong person. Now go."
"Sam? Freddie?" I heard a female voice from behind us. At first I was scared that it was Marissa, but it didn't sound like her. I turned around. It was Carly.
"What are you doing here?" all three of us whisper-shouted at the same time.
Freddie and I looked at Carly as Carly looked at us. All together, we whispered, "I'm running away."