Happy New Year my readers! Here is the Chapter 17.

Read on and let me know what you feel. As always comments and reviews are very much welcome.

Longest Chapter so far.

DISCLAIMER : For the past chapters and the chapters to come. I do not own iCarly.


Chapter 17

I ran back to my car, Jed was still standing there waiting.

"Back so soon?" Jed asked.

"How'd it go?"

"Bad Jed, really bad." I replied while trying to catch my breath.

"What happened?" Jed asked with a puzzled look.

"Sam knows I'm back..."

"What the f-" Jed said and I cut him off immediately before he could finish what he was gonna say.

"I didn't foresee this!" I flailed my arms to the air in frustration.

"We have to go Jed. I need to think this through."

Jed handed me the keys and signalled John to come around.

I grabbed Jed by the arm.

"I'll send you the plans later."

Jed nodded and hopped into the driver's seat of the black Mercedes-Benz.

I jumped into the car hurriedly and turned the ignition.

I looked up through the windshield and I saw Sam running outside Ridgeway.

I punched the gas pedal, the tires screeched and I drove all the way back to Bushwell.

I parked the car quickly and made my way up the fire escape. I did this to avoid Lewbert. Lewbert may be crazy but I know that showing myself to him would be bad news.

I got in my room.

"Freddie?" Mom shouted.

She knew instantly that I was there. Honestly, if there was anyone that could know my presence more than anyone else? It would be my mom.

Marissa opened the door.

"I thought you were going to school?" She asked. She was already out of her scrub suit and was now wearing her house clothes with an apron on.

"I already did mom, I don't have a schedule yet. Principal Franklin said I would have my schedule by tomorrow." I half lied, well not really I just left out the reason why I went home immediately.

"Oh, okay. I'm making lunch. Are you hungry?" Mom asked.

I looked at the clock, it was almost 12:00 pm.

"Uh, sure." I answered immediately.

"Get down when you have changed into something more comfortable." Mom said and left the room to tend to her cooking.

I changed my clothes and ran downstairs, I was kind of hungry anyway.

A mouth-watering smell filled the air. Mom was cooking burgers.

I ran downstairs and saw my plate with a couple of burgers, tomatoes and some lettuce.

Mom took out some freshly squeezed OJ and poured a glass.

"Have a seat and eat Freddiebear."

I sat down, thanked for the food and began digging in.

If you are wondering how I got my mom to cook meat? I told her it was part of my diet and beef was a very good source of protein, and well burgers are made of beef right?

The food was good, it was delicious.

I missed eating at my house and it made me forget about the dilemma I was gonna have to face sooner or later.

"So, how'd it go?" mom asked as I was eating the last piece of burger.

"What do you mean mom? How'd it go with class? my friends? teachers?"

"I mean generally." Mom restated.

I didn't want to lie, but it wasn't really a choice because if I did my mom would instantly see it through.

So I told her what happened but leaving out the part about Jeremy and Sam.

"Well that's good." mom said and started cleaning up.

"Oh honey, I think you should get your hair cut. Maybe trim it a bit? It kinda looks unruly now."

Then an idea popped into my head.

"Yeah, I think that would be a great idea." I replied.

"I'll get going mom, I'll get a haircut. But is it okay if it's a tad longer than the usual cut?"

"Just as long as you look clean in it I won't protest Freddiebear." mom quickly replied and went to the sink to wash the dishes.

"Okay mom, I'm going now. I love you mom." I turned for the main door.

"I'll be working the same shift again Fredward!" Mom half-shouted so I could hear her.

"I love you too! Go home right away alright?" mom added quickly.

"Yes mom! Bye!" I checked through the peephole. The hall was clear and I stepped out.

I quickly dialed Jed's number.

"What's the buzz?" Jed replied when he picked up the phone.

"I'm getting a haircut, can you pick me up at the lobby?"

"Sure thing man. By the way Theo sent you something. Get it from your doorman." Jed hung up.

I wore straight cut jeans, a pair of custom chucks, (changed the soles for parkour) a semi-body fit black tee with a print of the Pear logo in front, a wooden yin-yang necklace and a tribal looking wooden bracelet.

I got to the elevator and as I was about to push the down button the elevator dinged.

Instincts kicking in instantly I made way for the nearest window. I hanged on the ledge and listened intently to identify the person.

Long erratic steps.

It was Spencer. I pulled myself up partly to peek. Spencer was pushing a cart full of junk and went into the apartment.

I got up from the ledge and went into the empty elevator. This is getting tough, I thought. I have to come out of hiding sooner or later. I punched on the second floor button. I wasn't gonna take anymore chances.

I got down the second floor and took a peek at the lobby. no one was there.

I got down and heard Lewbert coming out of his small office. I immediately ran outside.

I took a quick glance of the surroundings, Technically I am now paranoid of everything since the encounter with the shrew (namely Sam). I was overly cautious of every sound and footstep I hear, thinking it might be Sam following my trail.

Then I saw Jed and John's Mercedes pulling up.

I hopped in the backseat and told Jed to go to a Salon to get my haircut.

We got into Sonia's Salon and I asked Jed and John to come with me.

I asked for a haircut that would suit me. I didn't really read into haircuts because basically I had the same one for years until I grew my hair this long.

"So what's the plan?" Jed asked.

"I need your help guys." I almost pleaded.

"You'll be coming with me to school."

We discussed about what we would be doing the next school day.

By the time we were done talking, so was my haircut.

It wasn't short like the old cut but it wasn't long either.

I had bangs just over my eyebrows, and slightly long hair on the back.

I brushed my hair up and let it fall naturally. It was clean looking and nice. Not the clean like a nub clean, it was the good looking clean.

It was kinda side swept quarterly, not in the middle and not at the corner. like a third across. My bangs are all swept on one side with a little hanging down on my left eyebrow. A little bit of dangling hair on my ears slightly covering them.

I looked at the mirror again. It was good. I felt confident about it.

I paid for my cut and I got out with Jed and John.

I checked the clock and it was almost 4:00pm.

4'o clock was dismissal and I only have a few minutes left to get home.

"Jed! I need to go home now!" I somewhat yelled.

"What's the rush?" Jed asked.

"Sam and Carly are coming home any minute!"

With this, John immediately jumped on his feet and ran across the street to get to the car. Within seconds, John was pulling up to where we were.

We zoomed across the streets to Bushwell. (Still adhering to the rules of the road mind you.)

We arrived at Bushwell 5 minutes before 4:00.

We were relieved.

"I'll meet you guys at your hotel at 8am."

"Gotcha, this is gonna be good." Jed chuckled.

John nodded and smiled.

I stepped out of the car and walked into the lobby.

I was relieved that I got home before they did, and with this I completely forgot that Lewbert was there at the lobby, I entered the lobby absent-mindedly and there he was the wart and all staring at me.

"Fredward Benson?" Lewbert said with a snarl.

I looked up, I didn't have a choice.

"Lewbert."

"GET OUT OF MY LOBBY!"

I ran to the elevator and made my way up to my floor.

I smiled. I kinda missed being yelled at by our freaky doorman.

I got out the elevator and went inside our apartment.

Mom had already left for work, I found a note on the counter top.

"Dinner is in the fridge, just heat it. Be back at 10. Love mom."

I crumpled the piece of paper and threw in the trash can.

I opened the fridge and found some mac and cheese in a microwavable container.

I took a water bottle out opened it and took a gulp.

I sat on the counter top and stared at the empty apartment.

Nostalgia suddenly sets in. Because at this moment I should be there at Carly's bantering with Sam while drinking some "special" lemonade.

I was alone. Everything is quiet, not even a peep, and the silence is slowly getting on my nerves.

I jumped off the counter and plugged my PearPod into the stereo.

I played some rock on the stereo to kill the silence.

I suddenly remembered that Theo sent something to me and left it with Lewbert.

I got to the door and looked into the peephole to check if the hallway was clear.

I gave it a few minutes just to make sure it was clear and then I saw Carly and Sam walking toward the Shay's apartment.

They looked like they were talking.

I held my ear to the door to listen.

"...saw him Shay! I really did!"

"I think you're hallucinating Sam, are you on the gas again?"

"No I am not high on wacky gas! I tell you, I saw the nub!"

"Whatever Sam. I'll be the judge of that when I do see him. Besides he said he'd be gone for 6 months. It's barely even 4 months!"

Sam groaned.

"Ugh, why won't you believe me?"

"Well for one Sam you are the greatest liar."

Sam hung her head.

This was getting awkward, so I tried to break the silence between them.

I turned the music up with the remote and effectively enough they turned to look at my door.

"I told you he was here!" Sam said.

I laughed to myself at how right she was but I do know that Carly would protest otherwise.

"No it's not, it's probably the two guys we saw with Freddie before we left. You know the two big white guys? I think they're relatives."

"Those..."

The guitar solo part of the song began playing making the rest of the conversation inaudible.

I didn't turn the volume down to prevent suspicion. But of course I wanted to know what they were talking about.

So I peered into the peephole again but to my suprise I saw Sam's blue eyes staring into the peephole as well.

To my shock I tripped and fell hard on my back.

Good thing the music was blaring loudly and the music masked the sound I made.

I bent down and peered under the door, I saw a pair of red chucks still facing the door. Sam was still staring into the peephole.

I waited for a while for them to leave and after a few minutes she turned and got inside Carly's apartment with Carly quickly following behind her.

I got up, brushed myself clean and silently opened the door. I went down the lobby and dinged for Lewbert.

The office door opened and Lewbert got out.

"Waddaya want Benson?"

"There is a package for me I believe." I replied quickly.

Lewbert put on a sour face and went inside his office.

He got out and handed me a little box.

"Here, ya happy now?... NOW GET OUT OF MY LOBBY!"

I turned for the elevator and got in.

I examined the box carefully, no names on it, there was a postal stamp but no address.

I checked for a any signs of tampering and found none.

I ripped the box open and I found a credit card with my name on it.

A credit card?

I also found a note underneath.

"Hey Freddie! Here's a little something to help you out."

I folded the note in half and placed it inside the box. I took out the statement and I read the credit limit.

Ten thousand dollars...

TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!

I was taken back by the large amount.

I just can't accept this. First a car and now this?

I took out my PearPhone and quickly dialled Theo's number.

First two tries were voicemails but luckily I got through on the 3rd one.

"Theo!"

"I'm sorry Freddie but master Theo is out right now, but I do know the reason for your call."

It was Wilson.

"I assume you are to inquire as to why Theo sent you a credit card?"

"Yeah." I replied.

"Just think of it as insurance for whatever you are planning. All of us know that you are more than capable of handling such an amount. And I for sure know that you won't be spending this on anything that is not deemed neccessary." Wilson lectured with a thick british accent.

"But its just too much!"

"Money is money, small or large its still money. Let me ask you something Freddie, When you were a kid did you take care of your toys?"

"Of course."

"Did you have big toys?"

"Yes I did." I quickly replied.

"And did you take care of them too as much as you did with the small toys?"

"uhuh."

"Just think of the card as a bigger toy. Theo knows that you'll be responsible with it."

"But I just can't."

"Man up Benson and take it."

and with that Wilson hung up.

I shook my head and placed the card inside my wallet.

I got out of the elevator and turned at the corner toward our apartment.

As I got out of the corner, I saw Sam tip-toed and peering into our peephole.

I retreated back to the corner, I crouched down and placed my back to the wall. I poked my head out from the corner, just enough so that I could see what she was doing.

Sam was still staring into the peephole and didn't even move.

I studied her every move and my eyes grew as I realized the music that was currently playing was Cuttlefish.

I forgot that the PearPod was on shuffle.

I scambled for the nearest window

I got out the window and found my way to our fire exit. I got in my room and ran downstairs to shut the thing off.

Fortunately with this Sam left and re-entered the Shay's apartment.

The apartment was quiet once more. I just sighed. I unplugged my PearPod and opened the fridge. It was already 6 and I was getting hungry.

I took the container and placed it in the microwave and set it for medium-low 4 minutes.

I stared into the contraption as the container kept on turning and dinged after a few minutes.

As I was eating I took a glance at the clock. 6:30pm.

It was still too early for bedtime.

So I got up from my seat and turned on the TV.

When was the last time I watched some TV?

I couldn't remember.

I flipped through a few channels and found myself watching Girly Cow.

After the episode ended it was still too early so I got up and went for the fire exit.

I gazed at the bustling streets of Seattle.

I recalled the last time I was here, I was contemplating on what I should do, what I should be and what it would take for it to work. And now I find myself doing it again.

After recreating the plan in my head over and over again I decided that it was a good plan.

I hopped inside again and got into the bed and hastily went to sleep.

I just hope nothing wrong happens.

Tomorrow, I will let my presence be known.


Thanks once again for the reviews, sorry for the long update. Holidays, you know holidays? XD

For the reviewers :

Anonymous Rex : Exactly. Spot on man :D

Loki : Thanks :D

Tora Dora Phew : Thanks mama bear. I love you too :D

wwtggd : sorry can't do that but I gave him a haircut, how bout that? :D

I would like to thank :

darryproducts

Seddielovah

LoveRmalfoy

Geekquality

Techygirl

SuperbSeddie

Abing6

Keep the reviews coming! More reviews keep me going! :D It also helps the plot alot.

So R&R till the next chapter!

Mikradios