"Well, thanks, Freddie. I needed a cheer-er upper."

I looked to my right, startled. Crap. I should've walked farther before deciding to feel bad for myself.

Carly and Freddie were headed toward me on the way back to Bushwell Plaza. It was too late to just get up and try to make a break for it; they'd see me. So, I turned to my left and tried to hide my face with my hair. I heard their laughter and chipper voices approaching closer, and played with my fingers trying to look like any random "subtly"-hiding-behind-her-hair girl in Seattle.

"Sam?!" I heard Carly's concerned voice screech.

Ugh. I heard heeled feet running toward me and felt an arm on my shoulder. I picked up my head, looking down, still trying to hide my eyes.

"Sam, what's wrong?" Carly asked at the same time Freddie said, "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm totally fine." I said, wiping my eyes.

"Then why are you crying? Sam, what happened at the dance? Should I call your mom?"

Ugh, please, Carly, stop caring for once in your little happy life.

"Really, Carls, I'm fine. Thanks. You should get home, Spencer's probably waiting."

"No, Sam, he'll understand-,"

"Carly, it's cool. I'll talk to her. You get home." Freddie stepped up. No, Fredward, I don't want your sympathy either. You're the cause of this, nub.

"You sure?" Carly asked.

"Yeah. Go ahead."

"Umm, okay. Feel better, Sam?" She left after putting her hand on my shoulder consolingly. I shook it off a little.

Freddie watched her go, and waited until she was out of sight before turning to me and crouching down, his hand on the armrest of my chair.

"Hey. You okay?" He asked.

"Yes, nub. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"Yeah, well, what do you care anyway? You just finally got your perfect little moment with Carly Dear. You probably feel amazing, so you can just forget about stupid Sam."

"I thought I would."

I looked at him questioningly. Oh, no he didn't.

"Feel amazing, I mean." He added quickly. "But…I don't. It didn't live up to my expectations. And, by the way, you're not stupid, Sam."

"Yeah, sure. Compared to you and Carly, I'm as dumb as a post."

"You know that's not true. Carly is too perfect sometimes, but you're always perfect in your own way."

I refused to look at him.

"And no amount of Freddie tech magic can change that." He smiled and tickled my stomach trying to get a smile out of me.

Honestly, I tried. I tried to be all grumpy. But the boy makes me smile, what can I say? I smiled a little and looked up at him.

"There ya go. And ya know what?" He whispered, leaning into me more. Ah, chills. Don't do this dork. Just don't. "I would much rather kiss you than dance with Carly any day." So he did like it. Good.

I looked up almost bashfully, and gave a tight-lipped smile. He leaned forward slowly and put his words to action.