When I finally got home, I laid awake all night, wondering what Benson was talking about. Was he bluffing? Or did he really know it was me in that closet? And how could he anyway? The implications cared me more than his threat. And I wasn't even sure if that was a threat. Maybe he was saying we were friends.

Why would I be friends with him of all people? Being friends with the popular Carly Shay was no big deal, and then it hit me. She was my only friend besides Fredweird so I better get over this hang-up of mine and deal with it.

And the first thing I needed to deal with was how he knew about my little secret.

Next morning when I woke up—after sleeping a little under three hours—I dressed in blue jeans and a red t-shirt that said 'Clown Milk'. Then I set off for Carly's apartment in hopes of running into the little loser. Oh, and I realized I needed to stop calling him that if I were going to weasel out of him what I needed to know, because I had a feeling that intimidation wasn't going to work so well anymore.

When he told me that the knew, he was free of any fear he might have had for me. Why? Because he had a bargaining chip—something under his belt he could use against me. And he made it clear that he would use it. So either I sucked up and got what I wanted, or I slammed him against the wall but had Carly notified. And who would she believe more? Her lying, stealing best friend? Or honest, goody-two-shoes Benson?

I paused outside her door, right in front of both her's and Benson's. What if he did tell her and she hated me for it? Could Carly ever hate me? Maybe this would be the last straw. Maybe all the terrible things I've done were counting down to this one event, and once Carly found out, she would be fed up of it all. I suddenly regretted all the years that I spent bullying Freddie but not just because of his blackmail.

Knock. Knock.

I decided it would seem suspicious if I went to his apartment, so I went to Carly's. After a few minutes, she let me in with a quiet smile. She was still in her pajamas and her hair was still pulled back. How she slept in a ponytail, I would never know. For me it hurt. "You're here early."

"Uh… yeah. I had trouble sleeping." I told her. She gave me a sideways glance. I never had trouble sleeping. I could sleep on a bed of hot coals, or even dangling upside down by my ankles. I gave her an apologetic smile, placed a hand over my stomach and told her, "My mom threw out all our food—don't ask—and well, I couldn't have my midnight snack."

Carly nodded. She was so gullible. "Please make yourself some breakfast then. I'll be in the shower." She started walking up the stairs then paused. "Don't burn down the house."

"That's Spencer's job." I told and she gave me a genuine smile before disappearing. I turned to the fridge and opened it, looking at the three pounds of bacon and two packages of sausage. Pitiful. I shook my head as I took out the food and retrieved a frying pan.

About the time the first pack of bacon was cooling on a plate, I heard the front door open. It wasn't Spencer, I knew that much. He was supposed to be at Socko's all day since it was his best friend's birthday. And also, I noticed his shoes were missing when I came in. There were Carly's four pairs but his were missing. So I knew this was who I'd been waiting for.

"Hey, Freddork." I said loudly, turning and looking at him.

He stood at the far end of the room, fumbling with his camera and not even paying attention. At the sound of my voice, his head shot up. "Uh… hey."

"What do you sound nervous for?" I asked, sauntering over to him. "Friends don't hurt friends so no need to worry so much." I draped my arm around his shoulder, and I felt him tense up. Maybe I was laying it on a bit too much, and stepped back.

"Friends?" He laughed. "Yesterday you told me that you weren't my friend." He said with a small, knowing smirk. If I didn't think he'd run straight upstairs to Carly, I would have nailed him in the crouch with my foot. Instead I took a breath.

"Yes, I changed my mind." I told him and his smirk grew.

"Smart." He told me, touching the tip of my nose. Since when did Benson have so much confidence? Since he knew the one thing that I wanted to take to my grave. Yet, I figured that if he did tell, I would take him to the grave. He'd better watch himself, I decided.

I had to decide soon whether I wanted to let the secret get out now and be free of the blackmail hanging over my head, or wait. If I waited, he might move away or something and I would be free. Then again, we may all be friends forever—which I doubted—and I would be at his mercy forever. I gritted my teeth and decided to play it safe for now.

"Now, you're going to let me have some ham." He said it like a question but it clearly wasn't I opened my mouth to protest but opened and closed it a few times like a fish before giving up. Arguing wouldn't help my chance. Freddie saw my hesitation. "Or I can go talk to Carly."

"She's in the shower… good luck." I stuck my tongue out at him. He'd probably enjoy seeing Carly naked even more if he could ruin me at the same time. The hatred he must have for me settled on my chest in that moment.

"I can yell through the door." He said, looking up the stairs as if really considering it. Then he looked at me. "And I can always wait for her to come downstairs."

His threats fell like sandbags onto my chest. I gave him a cold, unforgiving smile and walked into the kitchen. "How many pieces of bacon do you want?"

"Hmmm…how about seven?" He said, moving to the table and waiting.

Smug Bastard.

"Would you like some orange juice?" I offered, sardonically, allowing the sarcasm to drip in my voice. I held out the jug as if I were going to dump it on him. He scooted back, almost falling. "Oops." I said softly with a sneer.

"Carly!" He shouted loudly. I jumped forward and clamped my hand over his mouth.

"Okay…okay. Would you like some orange juice for real?" I asked, moving away and grabbing a glass.

"No." He said, raising his eyebrows at me.

I snorted at him and shook my head.

"But you can get me a pepi cola." He said snidely, leaning back in his chair.

"You know you wouldn't be so smug if you didn't have something on me." I told him sharply, placing a hand on his forehead. We both knew that if pushed, he would be sent flying backwards. He scowled at me

"I have something on you?" He said as if it were a surprise.

"Don't be an ass, Freddie. Why else would I want to consider you my friend?" I told him sharply. He flinched as if I slapped him. I didn't feel guilt though. He deserved this... every bit of it.

"Why don't you just tell Carly?" He asked after I moved my hand, allowing him to right the chair. "She probably thinks your whore as it is."

"What?" I said flabbergasted. If he were getting me back for all the years I tortured him, he was doing a good job. "Why would she think that?"

Carly would never think that, and even if she did, she'd never say it. Carly wasn't that kind of person. Once again, the boy was bluffing. What was his problem? Oh yeah… me.

"Let's see, you've dated Jonah, Pete, Tyler, Angus, Marcus, Billie, and Joey. How many of them have you slept with?" He asked, ticking off names on his fingers.

"NONE!" I yelped. I haven't really. I got close with Billie but he was the one who wanted it, not me. Carly told me not to do what made me uncomfortable, and so I told him to buzz off. So Freddie was lying through his stupid, nerdy teeth. "What the hell is your problem, Benson?"

"Nothing, Samantha." He said smoothly. Now he was pushing it. If I killed him, he couldn't tell Carly anything. "I just love seeing you riled up, and there is no other time I can do so without threat of death."

If this was a battle, I was losing. So much for my careful planning. I had wanted to evaluate what Freddie knew and how but he was just being difficult. I guess it didn't matter what he knew or how, but how he used it.

"Rile up, Fredbag?" I snarled. If that's what he wanted, that's what he'd get.

"Calm down, Sam." He said softly. "I don't like you to be mad, but that's when you're the most beautiful."

What did he just say? Did he just call me beautiful? My ears must be full of wax or something.

Suddenly, Freddie was standing right in front of me. "You're even prettier when you look confused." He said, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. Then he leaned in. His lips brushed mine but only for a second because we heard a shout.

"What are you two doing?" Carly yelped, rushing into the kitchen area. There was a towel covering her head, and she looked worried. "Sam don't hurt, Freddie."

Hurt Freddie? He was the one who was just kissing me! But Carly didn't know that. Not only did our angle make it look like I was just holding Freddie menacingly, but Freddie also jumped back as soon as he heard Carly's footsteps. It all looked like it was my fault, and I knew somehow the boy planned it that way.

"I won't." I grumbled, stepping away from him even more. But I wanted to...so badly.

"Uh… Carly… hey, I actually came over because I have to tell you something." Freddie said stepping up to the brunette. She looked nervous as if she expected him to ask her out once more. Of course her answer would be no. She would never have feelings for him like that. No girl ever would. Especially if he blackmailed him. He could be an ass.

"Yeah, what?" Carly said with a small smile as Freddie walked up to her. She was gritting her teeth but it was hard to tell unless her knew her as well as I did.

"Sam—"

He wouldn't…