Sorry for the long update! Here is chapter 19.
Disclaimer : I do not own iCarly. Yep I don't.
Chapter 19
Sam? I blink my eyes from the blurry vision.
I see Sam staring at me from a distance. I see myself staring back at her. Just there standing, staring at each other.
Then Sam starts running, running toward me and then lunges forward.
I wake up from the dream, sweat dripping from my face. I check the clock, 5:00am.
I've been having dreams of Sam lately. With the same ending, Sam running toward me and then lunging forward.
I don't know what's going on but it isn't good.
I tried going back to sleep but to no avail I was up all morning.
Instead of moping around I got down and got some coffee, mom was still at the hospital working double shifts and I was alone in the apartment.
I sat down the couch and turned the stereo on, I played some soft music whilst I sip my hot coffee.
My eyes were still heavy from the lack of sleep, I spent last night planning for today.
Most likely Sam will be getting back at me for the incidents yesterday and I need to be prepared.
Pranks were the highest probability, public humiliation at second place and physical pain lastly.
I had prepared for the worst and my skills will be put to the test.
After finishing my cup, I got out of the apartment, did my morning routine except today was different. As I was running through the rooftops I saw Sam running through the alley. She was running wildly without direction, as if she was being chased by something or someone. Her hands covered her face and she was blindly running toward the end of the alley.
I followed shortly behind her, keeping her in check.
Why is she out this early in the morning? Why is she running? Did something happen?
A lot of question popped up in my head suddenly.
She suddenly turned at one corner and crashed into a group of thugs. She fell back from the impact, then I saw the one she bumped mouthing off. I couldn't make out what they were talking about but I could see that one of the guys were holding her by the face.
She'll kick their asses I thought.
Well she did try, but suddenly she was outnumbered. 2 more thugs appeared out of nowhere and held her by the wrists. Then one of them which looked like the leader got up behind her and put his arm behind her neck. He was whispering something.
Then she began struggling, kicking, pushing and pulling trying to get out of the hold she was in.
The leader began to lift her shirt, she struggled to get free. The leader howled in pain and took out a knife, he then held the knife against her throat. She stopped. She was in trouble. A stream of possibilities entered my mind, and none had a good ending. I don't know why but suddenly I went into a sudden fit of rage.
Without even thinking I launched myself from the rooftop into a forward dive and then a few meters from the ground tumbled into a somersault and rolled.
Immediately getting off my feet, I sprinted to where they were.
As I was running I counted each and every one of them. 6 to be exact but I don't know about backup. 3 were holding Sam and 3 were on watch.
I came from behind and the 2 who were holding Sam turned their heads.
(to take away confusion I will be labelling them
Leader - Alpha thug
Thug A & B - the one holding Sam
Thug C, D, and E - the remaining 3 thugs who are on watch.)
Since the alpha thug held a knife against Sam's neck he was my first target, as I got near I swiveled under Sam's right arm which was held by thug B, I caught the alpha thug's right hand and twisted it toward me, he dropped the knife.
I kicked it toward the dumpster, still holding the alpha thug's hand, I kicked him in the right knee dislocating it which made him fall backwards.
Thug A and B let Sam go, Thug A cocked a punch and let a right hook swinging for my face, I caught it and countered with the base of my palm to his nose. He knelt down and growled in pain. I held his head and drove a knee to his face.
As I was caught up with Thug A, thug B punched me in the face, it was a disorienting blow but I managed to shake it off. I turned around and saw Thug C, D, and E running toward me.
I have to finish this right now, I said to myself.
I prepped myself, Thug B charged in and then with the right timing I hit him with a furious roundhouse kick which caught him in the face, he lost conciousness.
I turned to face the remaining adversaries.
Thug D was running toward me and C and E were lagging behind.
I ran toward Thug D, he stopped but I kept on running. He swung his right arm, a right hook. I ducked to dodge and brought my arms around his waist. I quickly planted my right foot beside him by redirecting the force from the run, I swiveled to his back and pulled him back into a german suplex.
I released him and got up, Thug C and E has already caught up to me. Thug E threw a 45 degree kick which I blocked with my shin. Thug C managed to slip a kick and I fell on my back.
I got up quickly and got into a defensive stance.
I checked on Sam, she was on the ground lying still.
Is she okay?
My thoughts were interrupted with a punch a punch to my side. I flinched. It was a very hard hit. Thug C prepped for another kick and then let it rip.
Instead of backing off from the kick I stepped closer, it was a full swing but I suffered almost no damage since the force of a kick would be at the ankle.
The moment the kick hit my side I grabbed his leg with my left hand, and then my right hand instinctively going through to his back and grasping his left shoulder.
I lifted him off his feet and then forcefully swung him to the dumpster. He didn't get up.
Thug E was already panicking. I wiped my lip with the back of my hand. I looked at my hand and found some blood.
I lowered my head and stared straight into his eyes. I got down in an offensive stance, feet a little bit apart and knees bent, right hand up beside my face and my left arm almost resting at my thigh.
He turned and was ready to run, he was going to call for backup.
I instantly sprinted toward him and implanted my knee on his back. He dropped down and was now unconscious.
I looked around and checked if any of the thugs were starting to recover. I looked at them one by one and they were all out cold. John's training has been paying off, I gave myself a pat on the back.
I ran to Sam's side. I immediately checked her pulse. I held her wrist and focused on on the a little beating feeling at the tip of my fingers.
I let out a sigh of relief, she's alive but unconscious. I place my arms around her and cradled her limp body. I checked her for any scars, bruises or broken bones and to my relief she was fine. (Other than her being unconscious she was fine.)
Upon checking her for any injuries I found myself staring right at her face. I have no idea why but I got caught up in the moment.
Her head was hanging back so I had to adjust her head in my arms. She had long eyelashes, pink lips, and cheeks that puff up when she smiles.
Then I brushed a few stray locks that covered her face.
This was Sam, my instigator, aggravator and my complicator.
But now, she was just Sam. I never imagined that this day would come that I Fredward Benson will come to admire her beauty. Just to draw the line here. Admiration, nothing else, not crushing on her or anything, just methodical analysis.
Enough of that.
So I picked her up and slung her on my back in a piggy back. I held her up and walked out of the alley.
I can't just leave her here right?
Then I began to think about the times we had, sure she was rough all the time, but it wasn't hard to find times that we had fun too although very rarely.
Sometimes I just couldn't understand why behind that sweet smile was a very devious girl. Not just any girl, but a girl that can kick your ass and has an appetite of a voracious lioness.
I suddenly felt her squirming, she must be regaining conciousness. I ran for the park and set her down on one of the benches. I didn't want her to know that I saved her. She isn't really one of those damsel-in-distress types that would happily come up to you and thank you. I just saved her because I was there and I could do something. Because believe me if there was someone else that could, I would let them do it.
But nonetheless I did not regret it. She was still my friend even beyond her words and actions.
I set her down gently and then sprinted away immediately.
Good thing it was still early in the morning, because if it was broad daylight, carrying an unconscious girl around would attract a lot of attention and I wouldn't want that.
I got back home and then my phone rang.
"Freddie! Sam almost got raped!"
I tried to act astonished.
"What! What happened?"
"She bumped into a group of thugs but luckily was saved by a person who came from nowhere."
"The person who saved her was the one who was lucky. If she found out she was saved that guy would've been the one that got beaten up." I replied with a light chuckle.
"This is not something to joke about Benson!" Carly shouted.
"Sorry, she's safe now, that's all that matters right?"
She didn't reply for a few seconds.
"Yeah, you're right."
"See ya at school."
"Bye."
Then I clicked the PearPhone shut.
I dismissed all the thoughts from earlier this morning, I had to stay focused with the task at hand. Getting back at everyone.
Well until I complete my training with the twins I could not proceed with the jocks just yet. This morning was just a fluke, or maybe because of the adrenaline, luck or something. I was even lucky to get away with only a few bruises, who knows what might've happened if backup arrived?
I took a bath, a very long one to soften the bruises on my face. Though I hate to admit it, I had to use some foundation to cover some of them up. I didn't want mom to freak out, more importantly I didn't want Sam to remember what I did for her.
I put on a white shirt, plain jeans, sneakers and then pulled out my olive green fur-lined jacket sitting in the back. It had this detachable fur-lined hoodie. It also had straps on the sides so that when you remove the hoodie, you can somewhat turn it into a turtle-neck jacket. It also had fur on the edges of the sleeves.
The air is getting chilly and morning runs would involve jackets now.
I put on a necklace with a small steel axe on it, the chain was from a dog tag which kinda looked appropriate.
I didn't bother to put wax today so I just brushed my hair up and let it fall anyway it wants to. (It kinda helps hiding the bruises too.)
I called up Jed (only John) and asked John to get me to school because my body was already suffering from the aftershock from what happened this morning.
I told him to bring his stuff with him.
A few moments later I received a text message saying he was already at the lobby. I got down and rode of to school.
The driveway to Ridgeway was rowdy as usual. Students running around, crossing the streets without looking, the skateboard kids, the ghettos, the rockers, the cowboys? I saw couple of kids wearing cowboy hats bunched around trying to lasso a trash can.
I just grinned at the sight. I couldn't laugh because my stomach still hurts from the kick I received from one of the douchebags this morning.
We stopped and I got out of the car, I reached in for my backpack and walked to into Ridgeway with John walking behind me.
I opened the double doors and a flock of girls just swarmed me.
I looked at John, he didn't even bat an eyelash. I looked at him pleadingly but instead he looked back and did something John doesn't do.
He laughed.
Yes he laughed! He laughed at me! As if saying, "Fight your own battles Freddie."
A lot of screaming and squealing and amidst all the noise and boisterous girls, I saw a group of guys glaring at me.
This smells like trouble.
"We all saw what happened yesterday. You standing up to that demon, You were so cool." One of the girls said.
"And you taking all of that without flinching, I guess you've been working out." said one while she held on to my chest.
I simply raised my hands to avoid touching any of them.
"Ladies." I said in a loud tone.
"I do appreciate all the attention you are giving me, but I do believe we are blocking the hallway."
They all stopped and looked around and then continued shortly afterwards.
I groaned.
I looked at John, he nodded and shoved the ladies of to the side.
"I'm sorry ladies. I have to go." I said and flashed them a smile.
A little bit of this won't hurt right? or so I thought.
Anyway, I walked down the hallway to my locker. I spotted Sam talking to Carly at their lockers. It was unusual because by now Sam should be somewhere else. Like eating at the cafeteria, bullying some unfortunate kid or just lazing of somewhere. But there she was intently listening to Carly which I know is already boring her. Something's up, and I know it.
I walked cautiously up to my locker.
I turned the dial for my combination and then asked John to take a crack at it.
He took out a slim looking silver pipe that looked like it could be bent in places. He then took out a cable and connected it to his phone. The screen blipped open and it showed the hallway.
It was a miniature camera, the kind that you would only see in SWAT movies.
He slid the pole into one of the vents and it allowed him to see what's inside.
I didn't want to meddle with his equipment so I stayed away. He then left the probing camera inside and then took out a very thin pair of scissors. He shoved it into side of the locker. With a few movements I heard a faint snip inside. He then retracted the camera and scissors.
He looked at me and motioned me to open the door.
I opened the door and found a small bag dangling in my locker, and attached to it was a piece of string.
It had some kind of unknown liquid which I didn't bother checking out.
I took it out and chucked it into the garbage bin.
I looked at Sam which was now stomping her foot in rage, she pointed her finger at me and then used two fingers to point at her own eyes.
I just smiled at her, I smiled the sweetest smile I could muster.
She groaned, flipped her head up and raised her arms.
I then saw Carly frown at Sam, she turned her head and looked at me.
I looked away and feigned ignorance, I rummaged through my locker and took out what I needed and chucked else eveything inside.
I turned to John to thank him for his assistance. I told him that he could go home.
As John turned to leave, I saw Carly walking up to me.
"Good morning Carly." I said and turned to my side so that she wouldn't see my bruises.
"Good morning Freddie." She answered back with a troubled look.
"Are you two fighting again?" she asked bluntly.
"Nope. I'm not starting any fights." I answered squarely.
"Last night, I saw you flinging Sam to the sofa, and now Sam is acting all weird!"
She saw me do that! Oh cra-
"What's going on?" Carly asked in frustration.
"What I did last night was out of self-defense." I answered immediately.
"She tried to punch me again and I had to-"
"Fine, I get your point Freddie." Carly said and waved her hand at my face.
"Well I thought you were and I thought that everything will start getting back together y'know?"
I couldn't help it, my heart suddenly felt like it was pulled into a chasm.
I tried reassuring her.
"You still have the both of us Carly."
"I know that, but it isn't the same anymore. What if you guys suddenly leave me?" Carly said trying to fight back tears.
"Hey hey don't cry. I won't leave you okay?"
"Promise?" Carly asked with puppy dog eyes.
I just couldn't say no to that. She always uses that to get what she wanted.
"I promise, but not because you're doing that look again."
"Thanks Freddie." Carly said and skipped off to class as if nothing happened.
I groaned. She got me again. Seriously, if she wasn't nice I would've ditched her a long time ago. But what I said was true, I won't leave her, I'm her bestfriend after all.
I readjusted my backpack and went off into first period.
I got into class and found my seat, shortly Sam came in and was headed for my desk.
I took out my notebook and spread it neatly across with my assignment paper in between the pages. I knew what was coming.
"I need your homework Fredifer."
I motioned my left hand toward the notebook with my right hand still holding the spine of the notebook.
I looked around and no one was was inside, just the two of us.
Sam reached for my notebook but I snapped it shut.
"What gives dork?" Sam said.
"I never said you could have it." I said with a smile.
I kinda liked seeing Sam so ruffled up, it means that my plan is working.
"Just give it to me you dumbfu-"
"Hey, if you want it try taking it."
Then Sam launched herself after the notebook. I took the notebook in my right and raised it high up. Sam scrambled for the notebook. She even tried climbing me! But I didn't let her. I used my free hand to nudge her back everytime she got too close.
She stopped and then lunged again.
She used both hands to hold me by the neck and then launched a knee straight into my gut.
I dropped the notebook and then held my sore stomach.
"Ha!" said Sam who was now jumping for the notebook.
I removed my right hand from my stomach and reached out for the notebook.
I barely caught it and then tossed it back up which I caught again.
Sam glared at me with eyes full of determination.
I then swung the notebook back and forth on her face and gave out a sarcastic look with my eyebrows up and my head tilted a bit to the side.
She then desperately reached for the notebook, I on the other hand dodged all of her attempts. While pushing her away with my free hand.
She was getting frustrated I could tell because she grabbed my arm and tried to flip me. I countered it by lowering myself thus lowering my center of gravity making it harder for her to throw or flip me.
Then the punches flew, all the punches were aimed for my stomach (since that is the most exposed part right now). I tried dodging the punches but since I only have one free hand it wasn't much of a battle. With a lightning quick Puckett at the helm it was a nightmare.
I couldn't think of anything, my martial knowledge was still incomplete so I had to improvise.
I had to restrain her and hold the notebook at the same time.
I had no other choice... It's better than suffering those punches. I'd rather choose a match with the thugs in the alleys than with a couple of minutes exchanging blows with a Puckett.
I stepped forward and bearhugged her with the notebook safely at her back.
My arms restrained her and stopped their movement. But we were close, uncomfortably close which I chose to make the most of.
"Lemme go you douche!" Sam yelled at my face.
We were practically nose to nose and her shouting at me wasn't really a good experience, especially at this proximity.
She even tried to bite my nose off!
Pushing my chances I cocked my head forward inching closer to her nose and then smiled the most sarcastic smile I could ever muster.
She stared into my eyes, her eyes suddenly went from "determined to destroy and annihilate" to something I couldn't read. I found myself staring into her eyes as well and then her cheeks suddenly turned into a heavy shade of red.
SHE BLUSHED!
She hung her head down and let her curls hide her face. She went from explosive to butter in just seconds.
I was confused but I didn't want it to show, so I let her go and then handed her the notebook.
"Here." I said and unconciously I was already rubbing my neck.
"You should've just given it to me in the first place... Dork." Sam replied with her head still down and then sat down.
"Better make sure you don't copy my name princess."
She didn't reply but instead she lifted her fist.
After a while the students suddenly came pouring in.
The bell rang wildly and then Sam handed the notebook back.
The rest of the day was pretty much the same like yesterday.
Boring classes and their boring teachers, lectures that would go on for eternity and homework that would leave average students begging for mercy because of the outrageous quantity.
Then there was lunch.
The hour in which students would take respite in the countless hours of torture.
It was the same old cafeteria, I scanned the area quickly for anything unusual.
Students were all bunched up in groups, the populars, the jocks, the football team, the AV club, the cheerleaders, and of course the misfits.
Then as I looked around I saw a familiar group of girls standing on the other end of the cafeteria.
I focused my eyes on the group and found out that they were the ones from this morning.
I didn't want trouble anymore so I moved through the crowd and got myself on the line for lunch.
Then suddenly there was a sudden jerk on the line and a few of us were suddenly pushed back. I quickly glanced toward the end of the line and I saw Sam pulling a student of the line.
I just smiled, typical Sam.
"Maybe its the last piece of Ham." I said to myself.
Not long after it was my turn to get lunch. I noticed that the Ham was already all out.
Curiousity got me so I asked the lunch lady.
"Who got the last piece?" I said as I pointed toward the empty tray.
"It was a crazy blonde." She said while taking some mac & cheese and then puttingit on my plate.
"She pulled one of the students out of the line to get it."
I laughed to myself.
"Hey don't hold the line laddie." said the lunch lady and shoo'ed me away.
I got mac&cheese and a soda. I quickly looked around for any sign of the group of crazy girls and luckily the coast was clear.
I saw Sam and Carly not too far away and right across them was the AV club table.
Hmmmm... What to do?
Then I started walking toward their table, Carly was facing me and Sam had her back facing me.
Carly noticed me immediately and waved her hand, Sam suddenly jerked her head up from her plate and faced me. Apparently she was nibbling on a piece of ham and wasn't really quite through with it because the other half of the ham was sticking out of her mouth.
"Mmmjbrflth." Sam tried to speak.
I snagged the piece of ham that was sticking out of her mouth.
"What did you say?" I asked.
"Give me back my ham!" Sam yelped.
"Oh this?" I said while playing with the meaty piece.
"You know how momma is with her meat Benson." Sam said in a threatening tone.
I popped the piece of meat into my mouth.
Sam's eyes grew and then suddenly burst into flames.
Even Carly was suprised at what I did, because one of things in this world that would surely provide you with a death wish is stealing meat from a Puckett.
Sam stood up and faced me, but I stood my ground and faced her as well.
She backed up into her battle stance.
I inched closer and stood still.
"Go ahead Sam." I said.
She looked around her and instantly dropped her guard.
Then she immediately held me by the collar.
"You are dead meat Freddoof." she whispered and then released me.
I smiled at her.
Her expression was undescribable, she turned to her tray and took her orange, she faced me and then squished the orange while holding it in front of my face.
I just smiled again.
She groaned in defeat and sat back down.
Carly on the other hand was watching us the whole time and her mouth was wide open.
I waved them off and walked to the AV club table where I was welcomed with high-fives.
The rest of the day was the same, except for Sam giving me the death glare on almost all of the remaining classes.
The bell rang and school was over.
As soon as the bell started ringing, Sam got up from her seat and dashed out of the room.
I kinda wondered why she did so but it was none of my concern at the moment so I gathered my stuff and got out.
As I went back to my locker I saw Carly standing alone by her locker.
I took out the stuff I needed and closed it shut.
I walked over to Carly, "Where's the Puckett?" I asked.
"I don't know, I've been waiting here for 5 minutes already. Carly replied while looking around for her best friend.
"Maybe she got hungry or something." I replied and then turned back to my locker.
I knew where she was, she was waiting for me outside, waiting for a chance to get me alone so that she could get back at me.
I have already predicted this might happen so I had a countermeasure. It's a sure fire way to mess her brain up.
I opened my locker and took out a king sized piece of special ham. (If THIS doesn't scramble her wits, I don't know what will.)
I placed it carefully inside the bag and pulled the zipper only halfway then slinged it over my right shoulder.
Most of the students have already gone for the day, (on the exception of the ones in detention of course.) and I found myself walking out of Ridgeway alone.
Carly went home immediately, she said that she might see Sam at their apartment which I highly doubt.
I got out and shouted.
"Come out Sam! I know you're here."
The double doors creaked open.
I heard footsteps, walking and then slowly building up into a sprint. Here we go again.
I opened my backpack and then reached for the ham, I turned on my heel and saw a ravaging Sam running towards me. I took out the ham and stuck it in front of me.
She immediately stopped as if she had handbrakes.
She smiled at the sight she loved the most but she immediately replaced it with a look of anger.
"What's the deal Benson?" It was clear that she was confused.
"Nothing really, I took your ham right?"
She nodded but she still kept that face full of skepticism.
"No tricks?" She asked again.
"I do believe that you are the only one capable of doing so."
She didn't speak, but instead she crossed her arms and placed all her weight on one leg.
I tore a little piece off the ham and ate it in front of her, swallowed it and paused for effect.
Not taking her eyes off me, she reached for the ham which I reluctantly gave.
The ham wasn't rigged, I just wanted to confuse her and mess with her head.
I didn't wait for a thank you, so instead I went on my way home.
But I did glance back though and saw Sam still staring at the huge piece of meat in her hands.
What do you think? Too much?
Like I said before, you're reviews really help me shape the story. Also for motivation! :D
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Loki : thanks for pointing that out. I was supposed to add a supporting sentence to that to relieve the confusion, but I only stated what was his routine, not what he actually did that day. But thanks nonetheless. It helped :D
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