WHEW. It feels good to be back on. This is KL21 saying hello to you all once again. I'm back from my Hiatus and I'm glad to report that my GPA is still in tact.

As promised, here is the next chapter to my story. Sorry that it is a lil shorter than the others.

Not much else to say except… Enjoy the show.

Deadly Ground

Freddie's POV

As screwed up as this day has been I still have work to do. I can't completely lose focus of that. On the slight, and now severely, reduced chance that this debacle ends up how I want it to end; I have to work so that I can have money. I want to be able to buy her things even if she really doesn't require that much maintenance. Is my phone vibrating? I wonder who that could be, I'm not late. Ok, I can check it at this red light.

Dork

I don't b-leev u
I suppose ur serious
If that's how u want it
then thats how ull get it
from now on were total
strngrs

*princessofpain*

I suppose I should have expected this but looking at it made it all real. Not that I was wavering or anything… Ok, maybe I was starting to, but now I can't back out. If I were to back out now she would never respect me. At least she is taking me seriously and I know that I should be grateful for that but, right now it is the absolute smallest of victories. Maybe later it will prove to be the greatest of victories… whether or not that's a good or bad thing remains to be seen. Finally made it to Gibby's. Who is it this time?

Freddie

Ur gonna find out how
wat its lik w/o me
the hard way
njoy the party
idiot

*princessofpain*

I'm not sure what that is supposed to mean but I'm sure that it isn't good. I can tell by the last word of that message. Idiot. I couldn't hear her say it but I could feel the hatred and malice dripping off of the word. I can picture her spitting the word out at me as if it were a poison meant for me… that could only kill me.

I can tell by the first word of the message. Freddie. I have never really liked it when she called me by her silly nicknames. But I grew to see it as a sign that she was always thinking of me. Perhaps that's just what I wanted to believe. Those names are creative. But now it's just Freddie. I'm not sure how to respond to that… or even if I should respond, for that matter.

Another thing I don't get is what she meant by 'the hard way'. To be perfectly honest, life with her wasn't a walk in the park. How did she find out about the party? Well, I suppose I have to press forward. Something feels quite ominous about this party. Maybe I should sit this one out. No, that wouldn't be professional. I set up the deal so I should be there to see it through and close it.

Now to find Shane and Jeremy. Ah, there they are.

"What's up Shane?" why is he so jumpy?

"What's up man?" he seems kind of nervous.

"You ok? You seem a little out of it."

"I ran into Sam before I left school." This can't be good.

"What did she do to you?" I can't keep the fear out of my voice.

"Nothin' but I saw the look in her eyes." He stared blankly off into space, much like Carly does when she is traumatized. "It was a look of raw, unbridled, pure anger and hatred." I think my heart just stopped. "So…" On my God, there's more. "… I decided to try to talk to her." No, Shane, you're smarter than that. "I saw her talkin to some of the jocks and she turned and I saw her eyes again… it was like staring into death's eyes. It was like staring into a pair of eyes that would make death piss his pants." That sounds like Sam.

"Did she do anything?"

"She said that I should tell you that 'your game starts now'. I'm not sure what she meant but I was too afraid to ask."

"Hey Freddie – Achoo – did you hear – achoo – Sam's upset – achoo – achoo – achoo. I'm gonna get back to work – achoo – I'm a mess." He went back to setting up lights, sneezing all the way.

"Freddie I'm not sure what's goin on but maybe it's not such a good idea for you to be here right now." He's right. He knows that he's right. I know that he's right. But I also know that I can't show weakness. I can't second guess anything. I see his face once he sees mine and he knows that I'm not backing down… not this time.

"No, this is my deal right? So I have to stay." He looks at his watch. I must break this tension, "So according to the guidelines: Since I signed off on this deal I'm in charge." He smiles and nods his head. He must grateful for the change in subject. "So give me an update. How's setup goin?"

"Well I've got my camera in the car. Jeremy is setting up the lights and pretty soon, Wesley will be getting out of school." I forgot about Wesley. How am I gonna pick him up.

"Don't worry about it. I told him that you would pick him up at the back of the school." I let out a breath so huge I'm pretty sure I started a hurricane on the east coast.

-- fast forward --

In the waning daylight the party had started. Most of the senior class was here as well as a few of the underclassmen. Wesley was the DJ, while Jeremy, Shane, and I worked the cameras at different areas. Jeremy was assigned to the dance floor. Shane was roaming the party, interviewing the different party goers. I was also roaming; however my main focus was Gibby. The lights were controlled through mine and Shane's laptops and we were wearing controls on our hips that could control the laptops. It's 9:00 and the party is in full swing.

"Hey Fred-lame!" the name is familiar but the voice is that of a male. I turn around to see James Wheeler the captain of the football team. "We here you and Puckett are no longer associating."

How does he know about me and Sam? "How do you…"

"Well that's too bad for you." What's he talkin about? "We'll see you later… you can count on it." I could feel the venom of his words and an all too familiar feeling of dread came over me. What were they planning? Maybe I should've sat this one out. What is that I'm stepping on? Huh? Ahhhhh!! Who put that rake there?

The pain in my head is loud, but it doesn't drown out the sound of the people laughing. I knew who was responsible. Hopefully it would stop there.

"Hey Ben-turd!" Not again. "Rumor has it: you're fresh on the bully market. I just wanted to get a head start before everyone else decides to take a piece." Lance Randall is the most notorious male bully at Ridgeway being the only one who targets seniors. The evil in his eyes is something I've never seen before. He signals one person to come over and nods at two others. They run off, and the pit in my stomach just got ten times deeper. What's about to happen? "You know… I've been wantin to do this for a long time. You know how much extra work I've gotten because you just had to show off?" that's why he's been held after class? I thought it was some sort of personal issue. But I never showed off… it's only Miss Briggs that holds him. I barely even participate in that class. We share a computer class also and I do more work in that class than any other. This jus doesn't make any… what was that noise?

"Hey let go of me." I struggle in futility as two of his cronies raise me higher in the air. They turn me upside down and I look up to see a trash can. I know the rest and I close my eyes and wait for the plunge. I felt the short rush of wind and then my head going through napkins paper plates and various food items. I can hear the faint sounds of people laughing. Were it not for the smell I would stay in here for the rest of the night. As it is, however, I can't take this smell much longer. I don't wait for anyone to help me. I wiggle from side to side until the trash can tilts over. I wriggle my way out and then I stand up and see all of the laughing faces. It's everyone save for a few people.

I have to do something if this party stops none of us gets paid. I talk into the head set.

"Wesley, put the music back on. Shane did you get a tripod?"

"Yeah."

"Ok you're gonna roam the party and follow Gibby. I'm gonna set up a stationary spot at the DJ station and film the dance floor. Jeremy you're gonna take over the party interviews. Everybody got it?"

"Sure thing."

"Yep."

"I – Achoo – Got it – Achoo."

I stalk off to the van and get set up. The party goes more or less smoothly for the next couple of hours. Here was a fight but nothing too big. I can't help but notice that I haven't seen Sam all night. For some reason I thought that she would be here. I thought I heard her laughing earlier when the rake hit me but I guess my mind was playing tricks on me. Gibby had a band coming and they had already set up. The more I think about it… I just think that Gibby wanted an excuse to throw a party and have a mud pit in his back yard. I know he saves a lot of money but, seriously. To be able to afford all this it's unreal. Whatever it's not my place to ask, just to film, and film I shall. From the DJ's table you can see basically the entire party. I see pretty much the regular party activity: Various cliques talking, random people hooking up, not so random people splitting, and suspicious group of jocks talking in a relatively secluded area. Given the events of the night I should be wary of them. "Wesley, the band's coming up. Gibby's gonna introduce them and then they'll play a couple of songs."

"I got it but it might be a lil choppy because I didn't get a chance to do a sound check."

"Wes I have faith in you."

Gibby moved to the center stage and signaled Wesley to kill the music. "Yo Yo Yo! You havin a good time tonight!?!" His question was met with roars from the crowd and raised drinks. "Good good… that's good to hear. I wanna take this time to thank you all for coming out tonight. As promised… I've got the newest band here to sing a few songs from they're upcoming album, 'Burn It to the Ground,'" the crowd roared at this. This band had one song out on the radio but it is quickly rising on the charts. "Make sure you buy their album when it comes out in two weeks on March 9th, I give you Sonic Sha-Boom! (Sorry, I had to do it XD)" I had moved my tripod to the platform across form the DJ's platform. This way I can get the crowd and the band. They opened with they're title track, 'Burn It to the Ground,' the crowd was jumping and waving their hands. Down in the mud pit, which was right below me I caught some shots of the students slamming into each other and doing some random crowd surfing. They are starting to pick it up a little.

This isn't so bad. Aside from the events that took place an hour ago, this has been an ok night. What was that? Looking down, I can see the remains of a water balloon. Now fearing for the safety of my camera, I look around for the source. Then I see them; the jocks, led by James Wheeler, all have water balloons. Simultaneously they let them fly. I shield my camera with my body and take the brunt of their attack. I turn and see them again. It looks as if one of them is missing but I don't have time to wonder where he went because they send another volley towards me. I shield again, this time taking a balloon to the face. While trying to keep the water from my eyes I feel a nudge. Out of instinct I reach out and grab the nearest object hoping to at least take whoever pushed me down with me. As my luck would have it I grabbed my camera and down we fell. Into the mud. Luckily the commotion was heard and they cleared out a landing area. I sit up I take out the tape and save it before the mud and water can get to it and ruin what I've already shot. My camera isn't so lucky as I watch it spark and sizzle. I hear the laughter again. It's become all to familiar and I just get up and leave. Retaliation is out of the question, at the moment because if the party is shut down on my account then we get nothing. Now I actually need that money to replace my camera.

I look around for a quick exit. I see none. It's as if everyone has surrounded me to laugh at me. I search for a familiar face that would let me through. All I see is laughing. I close my eyes trying to fight off my desperation. Trying to fight all urges to run to the nearest person and hit them, fight them, hurt them. I must look ridiculous while I'm crouching down to shield my ears from their scathing laughter. I see a small opening to the left. I head towards it and I see her. Sam, standing there; she isn't helping but at least she isn't laughing along with everyone else. I can't tell if it's because she doesn't think it's funny or if it's because Carly is along with her. But I can't go over there and face her. Not covered in mud and defeated. I just stand there and stare at her. She crosses her arms, rolls her eyes and walks away. "Sam!!" I hear Carly scream in exasperation. "Sam, come back, we have to…" her voice fades into the distance and I know that help won't be coming from them.

I can't take it any more. I collapse my tripod and leave the camera in the mud. I throw it back up to the platform. I still hear the music playing. I climb to the top of the platform and see the assailant. He's standing there laughing in my face. "Well well well, Fred-wuss, are you getting mad." He says through his laughter, "what're you gonna do about it? Nothin… you won't do anything." I bend down and pick up my tripod by the handle. I turn around and plan to walk away. "You won't do anything because you're weak. Once Puckett left you, you had nothing left." His laughing dies down but I can hear that he is still amused. "you're too weak to make it on your own and now you'll find that out the hard way." I now knew who told them about me and Sam. It was her. She did it. I wipe the mud off of my brow, he must've have mistook it for crying. "Hey look everybody at the crybaby Benson." The laughs return and I have reached my limit. I tried to get out but it all surrounded me: The laughs, the torment, the pain, the humiliation, all of it started to close in. There is nothing left for me to do but fight back. "Hey Benson when you're done crying, maybe you can…" he didn't have a chance to finish before I turned and swung my tripod. It connected with his shoulder. The laughter turns to gasps.

Hopefully I hit him with the handle of the thing that part hurts the worst. I know from personal experience. As I watch him fall all I can think is that I hope he breaks his arm. I look around for the other jocks. I know I don't stand a chance against all of them but I plan on taking one or two down before I go. They are no where to be found so I just walk off to my car.

Should I look for Sam? Maybe we can come to some sort of resolution. No I doubt that she has somehow become less stubborn. Could she really have done this to me? How could she sell me down the river like that? I suppose this is what she meant. She knew that this was going to happen. She had somehow spread the word that I was on the open market for bullies. I look back at the scene of damage I caused. I hear static coming out of my headset.

"Freddie?" It's Shane, "Freddie, are you there?"

"Yeah, I'm here."

"You sound terrible, what happened?" I was kind of hoping he wouldn't notice anything. I was hoping that I could try to sort this out before telling anybody anything about what happened tonight. Now I have to go around looking suspicious.

"It's nothing that I can't fix myself." And the lies begin, "I'm gonna need you to take over. You know what to do right? It's already getting to be around twelve so the party can't go for more than a couple of hours. If it does, tell Gibby to call me."

"You got it… but… what about you? Are you sure you're gonna be ok?"

"I'll be fine." The lies keep coming.

Ok now that that's taken care of, I've got to get home. Now to take a look at my situation: When I get to school nest week I will be pursued by an entirely new host of bullies and jocks, Something is telling me that teachers are gonna be particularly difficult to deal with, I've got to do iCarly tomorrow (normally it would be on Fridays but since the party was tonight we moved the broadcast to Saturday), and I'm not sure how Sam will act around me, or how I'll react to her presence. The only thing that is certain is that the walls are closing in and I'm running out of ways to avoid them. I might have to start fighting back.

I was hoping to just sit back and try and let Sam figure out her role in this situation. Now the rules have changed a little. Now she has put me on a defensive. She wants a war… no… she wants a surrender. She wants my surrender. However, her actions have made surrender impossible.

Well that's fine Puckett, you wanted a fight so bad then I'll give you one last fight. Nobody puts Freddie in a corner.

It'll be the fight of your life. Hope you're ready.

So there u have it. A revised chapter 6. I think this closed out the chapter a little better. I also think that it gives you a little more to be excited about (depending on how you feel about the story). If anyone has any ideas for the story I would happily fit them in the plot of the story.

I wanna take the time to thank everyone who's favorited my story and put it on their alerts. I also think that there were one or two of you who put me on your author alerts as well

I also want to take the time to give a special thanks to all of the readers that have reviewed my story. Reviews are the writers driving force. If you don't leave reviews the writer tends to feel as if the story isn't all that important. So to the few that have reviewed once again I give a special thanks to you guys for giving me a reason to continue this story (as well as not settle for giving you guys crap to read). I hope that this version is better. If you liked the older version beterthen just let me know.

Thank you all for reading my story. I hope u enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Review if you like (I hope you do ). If not thanks again for taking the time to read my story.
Until next update
KL21
Deuces.