iGrow Up

XII

"Freddie!" Carly screamed in horror, not sure whether to run up next to him or stay where she was. Freddie caught Griffin off guard and he actually did go to the ground, even if it was just on one knee.

"What the--," Griffin touched his nose with the back of his hand to see that he had a bloody nose. He stood up and spit to the side when he tasted blood. He stared down at the younger boy, wondering where he got up the courage to pull a stunt like that.

Griffin walked over to him, almost too calmly, and grabbed Freddie by the collar of his shirt. Freddie grabbed his fists in reaction, determined not to show fear in his eyes. He realized that he was the one that initiated their fight, and there was no way he could back down now. Especially with Carly watching them.

"I don't know what you're trying to prove, kid, but you're—."

"I'm trying to prove that you're no good for Carly!" Freddie yelled, his eyes narrowed furiously, "You may be the one that she was dating, but every time you mistreated her, who do you think she came to, to talk about it?! Obviously you're not someone that listens to her when she has a problem!"

Griffin raised an eyebrow with confusion, "Mistreated her? I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're pressuring her!" Freddie yelled, getting angrier when he thought that Griffin was just being stupid and acting like he didn't know what he was talking about, "Why couldn't you just accept what she wanted to do instead of thinking about yourself?"

It was at this comment that Griffin looked away from Freddie and put his gaze on Carly. She looked scared and worried, no doubt thinking that there was going to be a bad fight right in the middle of the street.

"Carly…really?" Griffin asked indifferently. He shoved Freddie away from him. By now, he had almost completely forgotten that he was punched in the face, having been in fights with bigger guys in his time. He walked around Freddie to step toward Carly, "Every time we got into a disagreement, you went running to this guy?"

Carly's eyes widened when she realized what Griffin had assumed, "Griffin, it wasn't like that! I never even told my friends anything…they just saw that I was upset and--."

"And then what, Carly? You went and did the things you wouldn't do with me?" Griffin accused.

"No! See, you're not listening again! I just said it wasn't like that!" Carly was getting mad now. She felt like she was running in circles and instead of getting dizzy and sick, she was becoming annoyed. "Ever since you wanted to take the next step, I've been feeling trapped and confused by you! Why can't you see that?! Are you completely incapable of thinking up something original to do with me!? I'm really not that hard to please, Griffin…take me out to ice cream, take me for a walk in the park, take me to see a movie…why couldn't you do that stuff? Why did it have to be all about…being in your room?"

Griffin laughed, "Can you not even say 'sex'?" He watched as Carly blushed. He crossed his arms when Freddie came up to stand next to her, becoming defensive again in case Griffin tried to grab her again.

"That was some speech," Griffin commented, "You always have those speeches of yours, don't you? Well, here's mine: Carly, you're still a little kid. There's plenty of girls your age that are way more mature and know how to handle a relationship. All that stuff you're talking about? That's middle school stuff. Why does it have to be all about that? Why didn't it have to be about 'being in my room'?" he mocked. When she didn't answer, he finished, "It has to happen sometime, Carly, might as well be with someone experienced." The glance he threw at Freddie didn't go unnoticed to any of them.

Freddie blushed this time, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to find a good comeback. Carly watched him suffer for a brief second before shaking her head, "You don't have any morals, do you, Griffin?" She paused, deciding whether to go into detail or not. Finally, she said wearily, "And if you really feel like I don't meet up to your standards…then I think it's time that you find another girlfriend."

All three of them got silent. Carly and Freddie waited for Griffin to respond, whereas Griffin waited for Carly to take back what she said. When he realized that she wasn't, he sighed and looked away from them.

"I have to give it to you, Carly…no girl ever broke up with me," he smiled despite this statement and slowly walked around his car to the driver side. Carly and Freddie looked at each other, not sure if they should still be worried.

"Oh, and Carly?" Griffin called, waiting until Carly looked at him again, "I still think you would have been awesome." He smirked before he got in his car and drove away.

Carly looked confused for a moment, "What did he--," she stopped abruptly when she finally got what he meant. Her face went red once again, making sure not to make eye contact with Freddie.

Freddie sighed, "Don't worry about him, Carly. You did the right thing," he held his fist in his hand, his knuckles feeling like they got smashed by rocks.

Carly saw this and thought it best to change the subject, "Are you okay?"

Freddie chuckled lightly, "Yeah…I always heard that punching someone hurt the puncher too, so I'm not surprise."

She smiled and grabbed his bruised fist to study it for herself. Freddie watched her in amazement, seeing that she was really hurt from what just happened but trying to hide it, "Carly…I know that you really liked him…and I'm sorry that it turned out this way."

Carly felt tears sting her eyes for a quick second before she swallowed roughly to regain control of herself. She shook her head and looked up from Freddie's hand, "Don't be sorry. I should have done it way before now anyway."

Freddie tried to smile; after all, Carly was finally free of that jerk. But he knew that it would take her a couple days before she finally let go of everything that happened. She had a big heart and couldn't just let something like this go in a seconds' time.

"Hey, let's just finish walking to school," Freddie offered, glad when he saw her nod. They began walking in the direction in which they were heading in the car earlier.

They walked in silence for a couple minutes before Carly finally spoke, "Thanks for being such a good friend, Freddie."

He flashed her a small smile, "I hope it wasn't this that finally made you realize that."

She laughed and tucked some of her hair behind her ear, "No…but you never punched anyone for me, so I figured you deserved to be told this time."

Freddie looked down at his bruised hand. He was suddenly too proud of it to worry about the pain, "I never knew it would be such a rush."

Carly shook her head but laughed again, "Just don't go around punching everyone you see."

"Aw…" Freddie acted disappointed for a moment before breaking into a smile, "Okay, I'll only punch people that bother you."

Carly got quiet after this and Freddie wished he didn't say that last part. He thought she would find it funny, but apparently it just reminded her of Griffin all over again. He looked down in shame, but quickly replaced it with a big smile as he stopped and faced her, waiting for her to do the same.

"Say…Carly?"

"Yeah?" She pulled her lips in, trying her best to hide what would have been a ridiculously large smile.

"Um…" he rubbed the back of his neck anxiously, "Well, I was wondering if you would like to get ice cream and catch a movie tonight? I-I mean since…since it's Friday and all, we won't have to worry about school tomorrow." Freddie realized that it sounded like he was asking too much and quickly corrected himself, "Not that I'll keep you out late! 'Cause you know I'll bring you back if you—."

Before he could continue his babble, Carly held up her hand and laughed, "Freddie, relax…it's just me."

Hearing this, Freddie allowed his shoulders to slump, signaling that he released a huge pressure. As he stared at her, he thought about telling her how he felt about her being "just her". Carly was his precious diamond that deserved nothing but the best. His list of analogies and hopeless romantic aphorisms could go on for days…

But now was not the time. He knew she knew how he felt, but wanted to tell her everything anyway. In a time and setting a lot more suiting then in the street on their way to school.

Finally, he grinned, "Carly, will you let me take you out tonight?"

She mimicked his smile, "You know I will."

"Awesome!" The word left his mouth before he could even think about stopping it. Freddie blushed, but did his best to keep his composure when his heart melted at the sound of her laughter. When her laugh died down, they silently gazed at each other, both somehow thinking that this was a moment for them to remember.

Carly rung her hands together, "You can make a move, Freddie…"

He paused for a long instant, but then took the two steps to close the distance between them. She closed her eyes, waiting for his lips to touch hers, but was surprised when she felt the back of his hand on her cheek. Her eyes snapped open to come face to face with the most beautiful expression she had ever seen.

"This is my move, Carly," two of his fingers ran down her cheek and brushed some of her hair back slightly before pulling his hand back to himself, "We have tons of time. Why rush it?"

Her eyes widened, that being the last thing she ever expected to hear. This boy…this man in front of her just basically told her that he would wait forever for her if that was what she wanted. That was what he had been doing ever since he met her.

"You're amazing," she breathed out. This time, she was the one blushing at the words that came out of her mouth before she could stop them.

Smirking, Freddie rubbed his knuckles on his chest before blowing on them, easing the mood, "Well, don't mean to brag…"

At this, Carly laughed again, glad he was able to pull off romantic and humorous in the same conversation. He dropped his hand and grinned, cocking his head in the direction of the school, "C'mon, let's get going so we're not late."

She nodded in agreement and they both began walking again. She kept glancing over at him, glad she no longer felt dread when thinking about dating, but instead, excited and positive. As it should be.

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You guys probably want to kill me, don't you? First I have you wait all this time for another chapter…and now I'm just ending it. I know…I'm sorry. I've had this chapter half way completed ever since July, but then got busy with a lot of other things and never got to finish it. I had planned on making this story a lot longer, but decided to finish it and cut it short for a few reasons.

One, I got news that iGrow Up won for best Creddie story. So, thank you all for your votes! I didn't know this story meant so much to you guys. Second, like I said, I got really busy and kind of fell out of touch with iCarly. I haven't watched it since July. Thirdly, on that note, I have been keeping a little track on the show and came to the realization that the writers definitely seem to be leaning towards Seddie. I don't really like it, but it kind of gave me lack of motivation. But because of all my wonderful reviewers, I just didn't feel right leaving the story unfinished. At least like this…I know that at least it's not just hanging in limbo.

Thank you for all that have read and reviewed.