・ Notes ・

I apologize for the delay, but I've been very busy with university. So I hope you enjoy the chapter, even though it's short. I'll upload the next one soon once I finish editing it.

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[ - iDate -]

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"Carly, I'm here!" announced Sam as she entered the apartment, heading towards the kitchen where her friend was. "What are you doing? Mama can help by eating it."

"Good afternoon to you too," Carly replied as she continued decorating cookies. "I'm decorating some cookies for snack. Yours are on the red plate over there. You can get juice from the refrigerator."

"That's why you're my best friend," Sam thanked, looking for juice in the refrigerator. Then she sat at the kitchen table to start eating. "And you, my babies, come with mama."

""What a good mother you are, eating your babies," Carly teased, but Sam ignored her and continued eating.

When Carly finished adding the final details to her cookies, she put them on a plate and sat next to Sam to eat.

"Done. Now let's eat," Carly sang before starting to eat her snack.

"What about Spencer?" asked Sam, hoping to find more cookies.

"I already gave him his, and the ones left are for Freddie," Carly answered, guessing her friend's intentions. "By the way, how is he? Do you know if he got home okay or if they finally called his mom?"

Sam swallowed with the help of the juice before responding, "Nah. The nurse just checked on him when he woke up and gave him some recommendations and stuff," she explained before taking another cookie. "And then we came back together," she added with her mouth full.

"I didn't catch a single word of what you said. "

"I said we came back together," she explained after swallowing. "He's at home now, probably eating his veggies like the good mommy's boy he is."

"Don't say it like that, you know it's not his fault to have such an overprotective mother," Carly replied. Sam shrugged. "Anyway, I'm glad he's okay. I got quite worried when you told me he fainted, and you had to take him to the nurse's office."

"I would say he 'fell asleep 'rather than 'fainted'. If he had passed out, he would've woken up after a few minutes, but he ended up sleeping all day at school. Geez, I'm almost jealous."

"Well, fainted or asleep, it must have been weird for him. Can you imagine sleeping all day at school?" Carly wondered. "I'm not saying it wasn't okay for him to sleep, but I really find it strange that they didn't call his mom."

"Maybe it's because of how intense she is, but I don't know and honestly I don't care." Sam remarked, already bored with the topic after finishing her cookies. "Setting aside Freddie's mother hen, wanna watch 'Girly Cow' for a while?"

"Sure. I still have some homework to do, but I think I can watch an episode or two."

"Three episodes. It's settled," said Sam, leaving her empty dishes on the table to go and throw herself on the couch.

Carly smiled at her friend's carefree attitude and finished off the last cookie on her plate before joining her on the sofa.

When they were already on the fourth episode of "Girly Cow" (yes, they ended up watching four), Spencer called Carly from his room. Carly paused the TV and told Sam she'd be back shortly. Sam nodded and reached for her phone to check if she had any messages, finding two from Freddie from ten minutes ago.

Freddie: One, good afternoon, Princess Puckett.

Freddie: Two, what do you prefer: should I buy the smoothies and we drink them somewhere more private (like the Fire Scape, which I can arrange for both of us) or go to the Groovie Smoothie together as "friends"?

Sam: the second one.

Sam: the first one sounds like a lot of effort for a first date :p

Freddie replied a minute later.

Freddie: A lot of effort? But you wouldn't have to do almost anything. I'm even offering to bring the smoothies.

Sam: I'm talking about you, you idiot.

Sam: You were walking like Bambi on our way back.

Sam: But as fun as it was to see you making a fool of yourself, I don't want you to actually pass out, you know.

Freddie: Awww. Are you worried about me?

Sam: Duh. Who's going to be my personal clown if you die, silly?

Freddie: I just understood that you care about me.

Sam: I don't.

Freddie: You do.

Sam: Nope.

Freddie: Yes, you do because deep down you appreciate me.

Freddie: And you know it.

Sam: You bored me already.

Sam: I'm going back to watching Girly Cow.

Freddie: Fine, I won't insist anymore.

Freddie: But going back to the date topic, do you want us to meet outside the lobby today (to avoid Lewbert) or should we go together from here?

Sam: Why do you write all that as if they were "what do you prefer?" questions? Did you get it from a magazine or what?

Freddie: :\

Freddie: That doesn't answer my question.

Sam: I was kidding, Mr. Grump. Let me know when you bring the smoothies to the fire escape.

Sam: But are you sure you're feeling okay?

Sam: If you pass out, your mother will have to carry you First and last warning.

Freddie: Yep, I'm fine. I feel much better after eating.

Freddie: But thanks for your concern, Your Highness.

Sam: Whatever. See you in half an hour, Sir Fredward.

Freddie: Yes, ma'am :)

"Who are you talking to?"

Sam almost jumped in surprise, but upon seeing that it was just Carly, she relaxed and tucked her phone into her backpack.

"Don't do that again! You almost scared me to death," complained Sam, grabbing a glass of juice from the table.

"I won't, but tell me, who were you talking to?" Carly asked again, giving her a slight nudge on the shoulder. Sam swallowed her juice, trying to come up with a quick excuse.

"My mom," she lied quickly. "She said she wouldn't be home today and told me to stay with you."

"Oh, really? And after that, did she promise to buy you lots of ham? Because you looked very happy while you were looking at your phone."

"Exactly! You're pretty smart, girl," Sam praised, putting her juice glass back on the table to grab the remote control again. "Let's finish watching this episode so you can go do your homework."

"Since when do you care if I do my homework?" Carly pointed out, taking the remote control from her to put it on the table. "Come on, Sam. Don't be like that. We're friends, right? You can tell me everything. So, tell me, were you talking to a guy?"

"No."

"You're lying."

"I'm not lying."

"Please tell me the truth, were you talking to a guy?" her friend insisted, shaking her.

"If I tell you, will you give me ham?"

"Affirmative."

"Okay," Sam sighed, pondering for a moment what to say. "Yes, I was talking to a guy."

"I knew it!" Carly exclaimed happily. "Who is he? Is he from our school? Is he cute?"

"It's private, yes, and kinda, but I can't give you many details."

"Why not? Is he a bad boy?" Carly asked with a smile.

The mere idea of associating Freddie with a "bad boy" made Sam laugh, shaking her head.

"Nope. The worst thing he can do is not eat his vegetables when his mommy tells him to."

Carly was a little surprised by that response, but she was glad that Sam was interested in someone who might have a positive influence on her.

"If he's not a bad boy, then why all the mystery?"

"Well…" Sam murmured, reflecting before answering. "The thing is, we don't know each other well," she lied, "and we just started to be 'something' more than friends," she said, making quotation marks with her fingers. "So, we agreed not to make our 'relationship' public until we're more comfortable."

"So not even I, your best friend, can know?" Carly asked. Sam shook her head. "Not even for some meatballs?"

"No, not even for… Wait, meatballs? How many are we talking about?"

"Just a few... I don't know, I think there were six or seven in the fridge," Carly said. "So, will you tell me who it is in exchange for meatballs?"

Upon the offer of meatballs, Sam thought for a few seconds, but decided not to say anything. She was the one who made the decision to keep it a secret and also made a pinky promise, so she had to keep her word. Besides, she just had to find out where they were and those meatballs would be all hers.

"I just can't. We promised not to say anything."

"Was it a pinky promise?"

"Yep."

"Okay, I give up. Pinky promises can't be broken for anything."

"Now we're on the same page," Sam smiled.

"Okay. Since you can't tell me who he is, will you at least tell me what he's like?" Carly asked. "You know, if he's nice, patient, proud..."

"He's a bit of everything. Especially patient, so I like to tease him alwa…, I mean, sometimes, when we see each other outside of school," Sam corrected herself, thinking of what other characteristics of Freddie she could say without being too obvious. "He's kind of smart. He likes to read and practice sports," shesaid, lying about the last thing. "Also, I think he enjoys watching fights from different leagues and stuff."

She shrugged, unsure of what else to say. When she looked back at Carly, her friend was watching her with a strange smile.

"Do I have something on my face or what?" Sam asked.

"No. It's just nice to see you talk about someone normal. Seems like you really like him," Carly explained. Sam felt a little embarrassed hearing that.

"You're exaggerating. I don't like him that much. Remember we barely know each other."

"That's what I'm talking about. If you talk about him like this now, I can't imagine what it'll be like when you really get to know him."

"Carly! Don't say such cheesy things," Sam complained, hiding her face in a sofa cushion.

"Come on. There's nothing wrong with admitting you really like someone. And if you get this worked up, he must be really cute, right?" Carly teased, trying to tickle her. Sam leaned back and got up from the sofa, trying to salvage some of her dignity.

"Oops. Look at the time. I gotta go. Mind if I use your bathroom? No? Thanks," Sam quickly excused herself, grabbing her backpack and standing up. She was heading to Carly's bathroom when her friend stopped her.

"Wait a minute. Where are you going?"

"Where else? Home," Sam clarified as if it were obvious. Carly already knew she had lied when she mentioned her mom, so there was no point pretending she was staying over.

"So, you're not off to see your mysterious guy?" Carly asked, looking at her suspiciously.

"Nope. Probably just at home doing some homework like the responsible kid he is."

It seemed like that explanation was enough to convince her friend, as she nodded and sat back down on the sofa.

"I see. Although, if you did have a date, I would've liked to help you get ready, but I guess that'll be for another time," Carly conceded. "Anyway, take care and say hi to your mom for me. And don't take all the meatballs!"

"Bye and no promises!"

A few minutes past the agreed-upon time, Sam arrived at the emergency staircase. She felt a bit out of place there, because this was the place where she and Freddie had shared their first kiss. A kiss that had caused a series of unexpected events.. However, she also felt excited and nervous. It had been a while since she had dated anyone, and she was still unsure of how things would go with Freddie. But, as they say, no risk, no reward, right?

She took a deep breath and encouraged herself, reminding herself that she was just going to have a smoothie with Freddie and chat for a while; not to plan their wedding. When she felt more confident, she approached the window, unconsciously smiling when she saw him sitting in the same spot as last time, with his laptop and all. Only this time, he had set up a chair for her and some other things.

Sam decided not to waste any more time and greeted him in the most Sam-like way possible.

"Hey Benson, where's my smoothie?" Sam asked as she slid through the window and sat in the empty chair next to him.

Freddie looked up from his laptop with amusement.

"Good afternoon to you too," he responded, closing his laptop and putting it in his backpack. "And here I was, thinking that maybe because I was your boyfriend I'd get special treatment," he joked.

Sam was about to reply with a "We've been dating for three hours, don't push your luck," but then she thought that would be a bit predictable. So, she leaned in towards Freddie and looked at him with a loving expression.

"You're right, darling. Sorry for my rudeness, is this enough to make it up to you?" she asked, taking Freddie by the cheeks and giving him a kiss on the lips, which he gladly reciprocated. "Are you feeling better?" she asked when they pulled apart.

Freddie pretended to think about it, but his flushed cheeks spoke for him.

"Depends. I might need another one to be sure," he said, leaning towards her.

"Don't push your luck," Sam warned, gently pushing his face to the side at the suggestion.

"Yes, m'lady," Freddie smiled, taking her hand to kiss her knuckles, causing Sam to blush.

Sam pulled her hand away and cleared her throat, trying to ignore the adorable look Freddie was giving her.

"So, now that we've greeted each other and all, will you give me my smoothie?"

"Yes and no. Because the truth is, I didn't bring you one," Freddie confessed, reaching for something beside him.

Sam's smile faded.

"What? But you said..."

"I brought you two smoothies," Freddie continued, surprising Sam.

"Um, thanks," Sam said, feeling strange about the gesture. Freddie used to be careful with money, and this sudden change both flattered and puzzled her, "but you didn't have to buy me two, you know."

"I do. I just wanted to do something nice for you, that's all."

"And thank you for that, but you don't have to buy me extra stuff because we're a "thing" now. I know how picky you get about your money and that."

"I'm aware of that. It's just that I wanted to make that gesture to you today because it's our first date. But don't worry, from tomorrow onwards, it'll be harder for you to make me pay for things," Freddie assured her with a smile, taking a sip of his own smoothie.

"You'd better. But don't be too stingy either, eh?"

"As you wish, Your Highness," Freddie grinned. "So, I still have one question."

"Go ahead."

"Since you don't want me to buy you anything without you asking, I was wondering... What should I do with this?" he questioned, sighing as he pulled out a bag of bacon from his backpack, making Sam's mouth water at the sight of it. "I guess I'll have to give it to my mom since you don't want it."

"In your dreams. It's my present now," Sam said, taking the bacon bag into her own hands. She savored its aroma for a moment before kissing the bag. "You have no idea how much I love you."

"Are you saying that to me or to the bacon?" Freddie asked, smiling.

"To the bacon, obviously."

"Ouch. I think you just dimmed my pride a couple notches."

"Did you have any?"

"Girls who are rude to me won't get any more bacon," Freddie sang, pulling out another bag of bacon from his backpack before taking another sip of his smoothie.

Sam set the smoothies aside and then leaned towards Freddie with a sly smile.

"And the ones that give you a kiss in return?" she asked, without looking away from him.

"That's an offer I can't refuse," he responded before closing the distance between them once again. When they parted, Freddie smiled and handed her the bag of bacon. "Here, it's all yours."

"I take back what I said, you can buy me all the bacon you want," Sam commented, giving him one last kiss on the cheek before starting to eat the bacon.

Freddie smiled as he watched her happily and continued drinking his own smoothie. Honestly, he also agreed with Sam that maybe he had been too impulsive in buying her so many things. However, as he watched her enjoy the bacon and the smoothie, he couldn't help but feel like he had made the right decision.

(He also felt a little grossed out because who eats bacon and drinks a smoothie at the same time? But considering he was the one who bought her both things at the same time, he had no reason to complain to her. Plus, he had received three kisses from Sam, his girlfriend. He had no reason to complain).

"Hey, Fredward. What's on your mind now?" Sam said with her mouth full of bacon.

"First, swallow before you speak, I can't understand anything," Freddie said, searching for wet wipes in his backpack to offer her some. Sam swallowed with the help of her smoothie and then wiped her mouth with one of the wipes.

""I was asking what's on your mind. Are you okay? "

"Yeah. I just was thinking about how beautiful you are," Freddie responded without thinking, surprising himself more than Sam. He didn't know he could be so flirtatious, but whenever he was with her, he discovered new things about himself.

Sam gave him a light shove on the shoulder, not seeming surprised by his compliment.

"Very funny, Romeo, but seriously. What are you thinking about?" she asked before returning to eating.

"Nothing important, really. "

"Really?" she asked with her mouth full.

"Yep," Freddie answered, passing her another napkin which she took. "Oh, I almost forgot, but I have a board game and some playing cards in my backpack. In case you want to play after you're done with the bacon."

He really thought of everything, Sam reflected, feeling a bit special. Even though he was tired, Freddie was making an effort to ensure she had a good time. She briefly wondered if she should do something special to show her appreciation, maybe surprise him with a memory or some headphones he liked.

"Sure. What did you bring?"

"Well, I brought a classic deck of cards and also a Parcheesi game. I'm fine with either, so you choose," Freddie responded, taking the games out of his backpack and placing them on the table.

"The cards are fine."

"Perfect. So..." he took the cards from the deck and began shuffling them. "Do you want to play three and two or are you ready to lose in a game of poker?"

"Poker. And I'll make you eat your words, Benson," Sam challenged, putting the rest of the bacon in her own backpack. "Because Mama plays to win."

"We'll see about that, Puckett."

Their first date turned out to be simpler than they had planned, but both preferred it that way.

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In the next chapter, we will see how Sam and Freddie try to carry out a secret relationship. Soon, they will discover that it's not as easy as it seems, especially when everyone thinks you hate that person.