I know it's July. Who's thinking about Christmas? Well, I've had this one sitting around since the holidays, so it was time to get it posted. Think if it as Christmas in July.
Freddie's POV
"I'm sorry, Mom. I really was counting on coming home for Christmas, but I'm just going to stay in Boston and come home for spring break instead." My mom's been really down since I missed coming home for Thanksgiving, but the trip from MIT back to Seattle is kind of expensive and I hate to fly over the holidays anyway. Then there's the jet lag from changing time zones.
"But, Freddikins, what about Samantha? She told me she's coming back to Seattle for Christmas, too. She'll be so disappointed that you're not here." Mom pleaded. Sam and I have been a long distance couple ever since I went to see her in L.A., right after high school graduation. What I really can't believe is that my mother is actually OK with the idea of me and Sam being together. Sam told me my mom called her a couple of times and was nice to her, she even told Sam if she needed a place to stay when she visits Seattle, she was welcome to stay in my old room. Maybe I should be worried that the tick sprays and disinfectants have started to get to her brain.
"Well, when I talked to her last night she said she doesn't have enough money to get a ticket right now. Something about her room mate getting behind with her car payment and Sam having to chip in for her part of the rent, too. So we just decided that it's best to save our money and just wait until spring."
"Aww, that's too bad, dear. I was really looking forward to a nice, family Christmas this year. Since this is your first Christmas together with her. I even talked to Pamela, you know, Sam's mom and we were both counting on this. Do you know that poor woman doesn't have anyone to spend the holiday with? It's so unfortunate the way she says the police always harass her family."
Man this is unbelievable, she thinks of Sam as family. "I know, mom. But I promise we can video chat as much as you want. And Sam and I Skype almost every day, so we'll be alright. It'll just make spring break all the more special. We can all do something together then, if you'd like."
"I suppose Pam and I will just have to miss our children together. Maybe I should just invite her over anyway."
Meanwhile in L.A.
Sam's POV
I'm so completely wazzed off at Cat. She just had to get that stupid little hybrid car. I told her it would cost a small fortune to get it repaired and sure enough, she had to take it in for service last month and it cost her almost five hundred bucks. So now she had to take her half of the rent to make her car payment, leaving good old Sam to pay the rent on the apartment all by herself. Which means not only less fried chicken money for Mama, but I can't afford to go home for Christmas. And it'll be, like three more months before I see Freddie again. Sure, we video chat all the time, but I cant kiss a computer screen and it run hands where I'd like them.
"CAAA-AAATT!" Where the chiz is that kid? I swear sometimes I need to put a bell on her or something. "CAATT!"
"Hey, Sam. You need something?" She comes out of the bedroom, brushing her hair - again!. God, but I could rip that stupid pony tail off her head and strangle her with it sometimes. Geesh, where did that come from? Maybe I should take some anger management sessions again. Or maybe I could go down to the gym and spar with some of the MMA guys. Oh, that's right, they're all afraid of me after I pulled that one guy's elbow out of joint. That's what he gets for thinking he can trash talk on Mama.
"Yeah. I need you to make sure you're here at six when Mrs. Kinney is dropping off her kids. I have somewhere to be."
"Unnhhh, Sam!" She grumbled. "I have a date with Robbie. He's taking me to see a movie."
"Yeah, well I'm going over to Jade's. She offered me fifty bucks to help her clean her apartment. And since you've actually seen your boyfriend in the last four months and I spent the money I was going to use to buy a plane ticket to see mine on your half of the rent, I think you and geek boy can put off the movie for a day or two. You can just have him come over and you guys can play checkers or something while you watch the Kinney's."
"I guess." She sighs. "I know I've said it before but I'm reeeeeeally sorry you won't get to go home for Christmas, Sam." I know she feels guilty, but I'm still pissed at her. "Reeeealy!"
Later that evening, I came home and made dinner for Cat and I. I guess I was kinda hard on her earlier so I decided to cook for once. I feel better because I got to hang out with Jade and I talked to Freddie for a while on video chat from Jade's place. Plus tonight's my chat night with Carly. I can't wait to hear about her date the other night with Allejandro. Now that's a sexy name, not like Fredward. I love the dude, but God, what was his mom thinking. Couldn't se make up her mind between Fredrick and Edward. Gheesh!
"Sam. I have some money from keeping Chip and Anna a while ago. Mrs. Kinney even gave me a ten dollar tip. Maybe we can get you to Seattle after all, if I borrow some money from Nona." Cat hands me a handful of cash. "I was thinking maybe I can even call my parents and ask them . . . "
"It's alright, Cat. Freddie and I decided we'll just wait to see each other until spring break. I'm gonna go back to the bedroom and sign on to chat with Carly. Enjoy your dinner. I already ate at Jade's. She made chili."
"OK, Sam. After I eat I'm going to take a bubble bath so you can have some time with Carly. Tell her I said hi."
Twenty minutes later my BFF logs on and we have a nice chat. Sounds like her date was a flop. Too bad, that guy was a hunk from the pics she showed me. Not that Freddie isn't hot, but I could never tell him that, I don't want him getting a swollen head. I really feel bad for Carly sometimes, she's never had much luck with boys. I'm so lucky to have had all my firsts with the one guy I love almost as much as I love ham. God, but I miss my dork so much.
"Sooo, I have news. I was checking out flights from Italy to Seattle and most of them go right through Boston, so I thought I'd check to see when Freddie's flying out, maybe we can get on the same plane and come out together." She sounds so chipper, I hate to break her bubble, but she'll find out sooner or later.
"Um, yeah. 'Bout that, Carls." Man, she's gonna be so disappointed. Freddie's mom was even supposed to make Christmas dinner for us all. Mainly because Spencer might burn the building down if he tries to roast a turkey. I wasn't really looking forward to Marissa's cooking, but anyway.
"Oh, no. Don't tell me you and Freddie had a fight or something." What would make her say that, Freddie and I argue all the time, but it never makes us not want to see each other. Especially after four months apart. When we get together, we'll be joined at the hip, literally.
"Nah, nothing like that. But, I sorta can't afford to fly to Seattle right now." I cringed at the words.
"Awww, Sam. What about spending Christmas with Freddie? You've been planning this for months."
"Well, Freddie and I decided that we'll just both put off our trips until he's on spring break. He said he'd rather not fly over Christmas anyway. You know how he hates crowded airports."
"I'll bet his mom's having a hissy." Carly snickered. "He missed Thanksgiving and now Christmas. She'll flip."
"Yeah, you should have heard her. She called me a bit ago, she was practically in tears. I couldn't talk to her for long because I was making dinner but I know she was really upset. It actually made me feel bad."
"Wait. You mean Mrs. Benson actually called you and she talked civil to you. And you felt bad because she as sad. Seriously?"
"Yeah. She's been kinda, well, how can I put this? Not crazy lately."
"I don't believe it. She must have hit her head or something. But are you sure you can't make it, Sam. We haven't had a holiday together in a long time. We were all counting on this."
"Afraid not, Carls. I'm sorry. But I'm sure you and Spencer can have a good time without us."
"Maybe if he breaks up with his girlfriend." Carly sounded really down. "He's so wrapped up in her, I doubt he'll even notice I'm there. Every time we talk it's Sherry this and Sherry that." If I didn't know better it almost seems like Carly's jealous that everyone else is in a relationship but her.
"Well, maybe you can talk your dad into a rain check on the flight until March." Hey, it's the only option.
"I'm starting my six month internship at the art museum next month. I won't be able to come then. Hey, I know. Maybe I can just forget flying clear to Seattle and stay in New England to visit Freddie. It won't be the same without you, but I'm sure him and I can have a good time together." I know this idea shouldn't bother me, but I have a bad feeling about this. Not that Freddie isn't around tons of girls all the time at school, but this is different.
"Y-Yeah, um, I - I guess you could do that." Deep down I know Freddie would never cheat on me, but Carly can flirt like no tomorrow. Add the fact that she's still down in the dumps from her recent failure at dating Italian guys and this is a recipe for disaster. After all, Freddie's only human, and his years-long crush on her always made me a little uneasy when the two were alone together. Hanging out, watching TV or sharing a study session was bad enough when we were in high school, but the thoughts of them alone for two whole weeks, staying in the same apartment makes my heart hurt, literally. Of course, Freddie just had to go and get an apartment at MIT rather than stay in a dorm like a normal college student.
We talked for a little while longer, but soon, it was time to say goodbye. I came out the hall to find Cat staring at some stupid teen-angst-romance movie with tears in her eyes. Psh. Girls! I went to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of blue dog, chugged half of it and then plopped down on the sofa beside her, leaving out a huge sigh.
"What's up, Sam?" Cat asked innocently as always.
"Oh, nothing." I tried not to sound too upset. That didn't work.
"Sam. " Cat knew better. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, that's right. I damn near forgot. My high school BFF, who my boyfriend had a gigantic crush on for YEARS, has decided to visit him over Christmas break. And did I mention this is the chick who was just all depressed about a bad experience with dating Italian guys not ten minutes earlier. Can anyone say rebound-in-progress."
"Now, Sam. I hope you don't think that Freddie would cheat on you. Heck, I practically threw myself at him when he came to L.A. last summer, and you guys weren't even officially together then yet, an- and he hardly gave me the time of day." Cat tried to reason. "There's no more faithful boyfriend on the planet than Freddie Benson. An-and Carly's your best friend. Surely, she wouldn't try to come between you and Freddie."
"I guess you're right, Cat. But I know how flirty Carly can be and Freddie was so head over heels for her for almost as long as I've known him that this just makes my skin crawl. I swear I don't know what I'd do if he hooked up with her. Well, I know I'd beat his ass, but then what."
"Sam, you need to go to Boston." Cat said matter-of-factly. "If this is going to eat you up so bad, there's only one thing to do and that's go prove to yourself that nothing is going on between them. You need to see Freddie and spend the holiday with him."
"But Cat, I can't even afford a ticket to Seattle. And Boston is like, four hundred bucks more, I know I've checked. Remember, I was thinking of going to see him for Thanksgiving."
"There's got to be a way, Sam."
"Unless I hit the lottery, I Just can't see it happening. Man, I'll be a nervous wreck the whole week."
"What about Melanie? She flies all the time, she's gotta have a ton of airline miles to use. Maybe she could buy you a ticket with them."
"The airlines don't let you use mileage over holidays, plus she uses 'em all up herself. She's always jetting off to Paris or some stupid place. Plus she's so addicted to shopping, I doubt she's got any money saved I can borrow. I just hate to ask her anyway."
"Oooh, I know. Remember how you told me she's only a couple of hours away from Boston, couldn't she just happen to drop by and pretend to be you. Then she could report back on what's going on. It might not get your batteries charged, but at least you can rest easy that Freddie's being true to you."
"OK, um, that's gotta be either the most intelligent thing you've ever said or the dumbest. But it'll never work. First of all, she's in New York, no way is she gonna drop everything and hop a flight or train or whatever to Boston. Second, Freddie still might not believe she exists, but Carly knows better. And she'd be able to tell the difference in us in a heartbeat. But mainly, I don't want Mels around Freddie, either."
"Why not." Cat questioned, dim as ever. "She can just be a substitute Sam."
"Only because she's an even bigger flirt than Carly. But unlike Carly, who repeatedly denied Freddie's flirting when we were younger, Mels has admitted to me several times that she thinks Freddie is super hot and if I wasn't with him, she'd make a move. Plus she just broke up with a guy, so she's on the rebound, too. Not to mention the fact that Freddie hasn't seen me in months. The first thing he's gonna do when he see's me, or someone who he thinks is me, is stick his tongue in my mouth and his hand up my shirt."
Cat gasped and clasped her arms across her chest at the thought of getting felt up.
I continued. "Followed very closely by inserting other various other body parts into certain other places. I've never told you this, 'cause I'm not the kind of girl to go around talking about my love life, but since me and Freddie did it the first time on the day he got out of the hospital, we can't keep our hands off each other. I'm talking horny little rabbits on steroids, here."
"Oh. Hee-hee, horny." Cat giggled. "Really?"
I simply nodded.
So now we know what Sam & Freddie have been up to. The conclusion is coming up soon.