Chapter 6: iCook For You

I stood by the edge of the pool, staring at the necklace in my hand. I didn't know what to do. I was surprised. I kept telling myself it was a dream and I'd wake up in my bed at home. Freddie had sent me home.

God, I hated this. Freddie and I hated each other! Why did it feel right to stay? Why did it feel right when he hugged me? I blame the asparagus we had for dinner. Yeah, that was it.

I should be celebrating with the others. But I couldn't look at Freddie right now. Another week of being called Mumble? I wasn't really in the mood to party. I felt a hand on my shoulder and stepped away from Freddie. God, how did he always find me?

"Freddie." I whispered, dropping the necklace into the pool by "accident". I watched it fall but Freddie grabbed it before it could sink to the bottom. He handed it to me and I mumbled, "Thanks." I wish Freddie had fallen instead of the necklace.

"You're welcome, Mumble." He smirked at me. "All by yourself again? Amber was looking for you."

"Oh." I shrugged and fiddled with the necklace. "I just wanted to be somewhere quiet. Amber is looking for me? I'd better go…"

I started to leave but Freddie grabbed my wrist, pulling me back to him. "Please don't go yet." He whispered. "We need to talk."

I rolled my eyes. "No thanks." I wanted to step back but then I'd fall in the pool. Mumble was bad enough. I'd kill myself if he started calling me Graceful.

Freddie sighed. "Sam…do you hate me? I couldn't tell when I gave you the necklace. I'm not sorry I kept you here…but are you angry?"

"I don't know." I thought I hated him. But when he called my name, I wasn't angry. Just shocked. "I'm still surprised. I was sure you'd send me home after…the fight."

"Well, I was." Freddie sighed and stared into my eyes. "I was going to send you home…"

"Why didn't you?" I asked, not sure I wanted to know the answer.

Freddie ran a hand through his hair. "I can't let you go yet. I kept you because I felt a connection. Maybe it's just the hate…but there's a different side of you."

"Fre-"

"Sam, you keep saying you want to go home…but do you really? I just want to get to know you." He took the necklace from me suddenly. "Will you accept this necklace?"

"We just did this!"

"Well, we're doing it again." He put the necklace around my neck and frowned. "Do you still want to leave?"

I frowned at him. "I hate the idea of finding love on a freaking TV show. There's no reality!" Freddie stepped closer to me.

"You don't want to fall in love?"

I glared at him. "It's embarrassing." I confessed. "Not for you. All the girls are drooling over you. And I don't want to compete for you. That isn't love."

"I d-"

"Do you know how many girls will be heartbroken? Vanessa already loved you and she's gone. I think I'll pass."

"So you're scared."

"I am not scared!" I hissed, crossing my arms. "It's just a show."

I couldn't see his face as Freddie whispered "But you're scared of going home if you do like me. You're scared because this is a show and millions watch it. Everyone will know you love me and you can't deny it. Right?"

"I'm not scared." I repeated slowly. God, he didn't believe me. Who would? I sounded so stupid and girly

"I guess you don't get scared often. When you let your defense down, let me know."

"Stop doing that!" I yelled angrily. "God, you are so annoying!"

Freddie frowned. "Are you gonna push me in the pool now?"

"Hope you understand." He landed in the water with a splash.

X

"Welcome to your second challenge." Nevel smiled at the girls. "You will be put in groups and each make Freddie a home-cooked meal."

Everyone groaned. Sam wasn't even listening. She kept thinking about what Freddie had said. Why did she care? Why did his eyes have to be so freaking cute? Was he right? Was she scared of getting hurt? No. Sam Puckett didn't get scared and everyone knew it. Except Freddie Benson.

"Each group will get a piece of paper with a recipe on it. Freddie will taste every meal, and the winning group will win a group date with him tonight. Good luck."

Sam sighed and reached into a bowl. She pulled out a piece of paper, praying it would be something easy like burgers and fries from America.

Italy:

Chicken Alfredo

Sam sighed. "Why couldn't we have gotten spaghetti tacos?"

Jade, Natasha and Megan stared at me. "What is a spaghetti taco?" Megan asked. They all looked disgusted.

"Never mind." Sam told them. She'd never made chicken alfredo but it was the reason she existed. Yeah, she was alive because of Italian food. Her dad (before he left them) had met her mom at Hasta La Pasta. She was his waitress. Mom had always really liked Italian dudes…

How hard can this be? "Uh…does anyone know how to make chicken alfredo?" Everyone shook their heads.

Well, if Freddie didn't like it…she would shove it in his face. God, that would be hilarious.

X

"I can't believe we lost again!" Natasha hissed in the girl's bedroom. "How could Madison and Katie win? I bet they used salt. I told you guys we should've used more salt!"

"We worked so hard!" Jade complained. She jumped onto her bed. "And Amber always wins…do you think she's cheating?"

Megan frowned. "Katie will probably try to sleep with Freddie tonight." She sighed angrily. "It's so like her. They don't deserve him!"

"And you do?" Jade hissed. "You were staring at Freddie while we did all the work!"

Megan glared at her. "Liar."

"Oh, I'm the liar? You should look in a mirror…wait you do that all the time…"

Sam just rolled her eyes while her team argued. Five minutes later Megan and Jade were wrestling on the floor. The viewers were probably loving this. Sam couldn't stop laughing. She loved watching prissy girls fight.

After an hour the screaming and crying gave Sam a headache. She went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face.

"Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me!" Someone shouted from the bedroom. Sam smiled and leaned against the counter, closing her eyes.

"Is it me…" Sam's eyes flew open and saw Freddie grinning through the mirror. "Or are you always alone when I find you?"

"Well, this is the girl's bathroom, Fredward."

"I just-" He was interrupted by Megan screaming "Shut up!" They heard a loud snap. "I said shut up!"

"What is going on?" Amber asked, coming into the bathroom. She didn't even notice Freddie. God, did boys come into the girl's bathroom all the time?

"Megan and Jade are fighting about…stuff." Sam explained, looking bored. "I got a headache and left."

Amber laughed and ran out again. "I've got to see this!" She winked at Sam as she left. Oh God, Amber was leaving her with him!

Sam stared down at the floor. "So…was the group date…fun?"

"Oh." Freddie looked surprised. He hadn't come to talk about his date. "Uh…it was good, I guess. I felt like the rope in a Tug Of War game.

"That's what happens when Madison and Katie are together." Sam tried to ignore the awkward feeling in the air. "Trust me, I grew up with a twin sister who's nothing like me."

"Interesting…" Freddie whispered. More awkward silence. Freddie had finally got Sam alone…and he didn't know what to say. "I think I'll go to bed now. Wake me if they kill each other." He caught her eye as he left. "Goodnight, Mumble."

Sam rolled her eyes. "Night, Mr. Reality." She whispered when he was gone. He always made me feel something. I hated it and Freddie made it happen.

When you let your defense down, let me know.

Sam sighed as she remembered their fights. How close his body had been. How she had shivered when he touched her. She felt angry he had left so quickly. What had he been going to say? Sam had to know.

She found herself running after him. He was right…she was scared. But mostly hungry.

A/N: Well…what did ya think? I promise you Seddie fans will all LOVE the next chapter! I'll update soon.

Reviews are like hot sauce…except completely different. Review anyway! ;)