I'm back! Sadly, I kind of forgot about this story. Well, not kind of. I completely forgot. I'm sorry :( But I am very excited to get back on track with it, and I promise my updates won't be as erratic as before. I finished up a personal novel I had been working on, so this can get more of my attention now.

As always, I own nothing.

This chapter takes place one day after the last ended.

Chapter 6: iDon't Care What They Think

CPOV

I was waiting for Freddie and Sam to show up to the apartment. Today was going to be the first time in almost three years that the three of us have hung out, and I was really excited. I really wanted things to go back to the way they were. But I was also kind of nervous, I knew Sam was kind of worried about Freddie, and I wanted it to all go well. Just then my cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey little sister." It was Spencer, he was supposed to be back this afternoon from his art exhibit.

"Hey Spencer! How'd the art show go?"

"Actually that's what I was calling about. It went great. Amazing. It couldn't have gone better." He sounded really excited.

"That's awesome."

"Yeah. But you haven't even heard the best part."

"What's the best part?"

"One of the art critics who was judging the exhibit said that I have real talent and he told me I should go to the exhibit at his art gallery dedicated completely to sculptures. He said he wants to feature me as Seattle's up-and-coming artist of the year!"

"Wow, Spencer, that's amazing! Congratulations!"

"Thanks. But here's the thing, the exhibit is tomorrow. Do you think you'll be okay by yourself a few more days?"

"Sure, I don't want you to miss this opportunity. Go and impress all those important artsy people."

"I will. Have you been up to anything the past couple days? Lots of dates with Andrew, I'm guessing."

"Actually, no. Andrew and I aren't together anymore."

"Aww, I'm sorry Carls."

"It's okay. But I do have some good news for you…"

"Shoot."

"Me, Sam and Freddie are hanging out tonight."

"Good. I was wondering how long it was going to take you all to realize you needed to work all that out."

"Yeah, I think it's going to go well. I'm hoping anyway."

"Well I hope it goes great, Carls, and I'm sorry but I have to get going. I'll see you in a few days, alright. Don't do anything against the law."

"I won't. Bye."

It was nice talking to Spencer, I really did miss him when he went out of town for awhile.

(A few hours later…)

I couldn't believe how great things were going with Sam and Freddie. At first it was a little awkward, they were both talking to me and not each other, but now it's like we never stopped being friends. I hope that it stays like this.

SPOV

Hanging out hasn't been awful. Freddie and I are talking and laughing, which is a good sign. But I still can't help but wonder if it's all an act so he can get Carly. Sure, I want to be friends with Freddie again, but Carly is my best friend, and I'm going to protect her, so I'm going to keep my guard up.

"Hey, Jake just texted me saying glow bowling is only $2 tonight. You guys want to go?" Freddie asked. Great, so we can feel excluded while he hangs out with his track friends, maybe nothing's changed after all.

"Are Jake and the guys going?" Carly asked. I smiled to myself, it's funny how she and I think so alike.

"No. He was just telling me. They're going to some party tonight."

"And you're not going?" I asked.

"Nah. I'd rather be here." He said. He seemed genuine, which gave me a little faith, but I still wasn't fully convinced.

"Well I'm up for it if you are Sam." Carly said.

"Sure, sounds like fun. But it's too far to walk, so can we borrow Spencer's car?" I asked.

"Yeah, Socko helped him take his sculptures to the art gallery, so it's still in the parking garage."

"I thought Socko had his car towed?" I asked her.

"He did. They borrowed his cousin Tuck's truck." Carly said, laughing. "Okay, well if we're going I want to go change. Glow bowling in a black shirt is no fun." She climbed up the stairs, and then it was just Freddie and I. I decided I was going to ask him about what was going on, it was the perfect chance.

"Hey Freddie?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you a question? A serious question?"

"Sure."

"And you better not lie. Why are you really here tonight?"

"To hang out with you and Carly." I rolled my eyes.

"You know what I mean Freddie. Why are you trying all of the sudden? Do you really want to fix this? Or are you just taking advantage of the situation just to get to Carly?" He looked hurt. I guess that was my answer right there. But I still wanted to hear what he had to say.

"I guess I deserved that. I have been a pretty shitty friend to the both of you these past few years. I'm sorry, Sam. And it probably does seem suspicious that I'm trying to fix everything now, when Carly just got out of a relationship, but it's not like that. Carly just looked so upset when she was in the hallway that night, I had to talk to her. I swear, I'm still the good guy I was two years ago. I would never do something like that to Carly. And I don't want to jeopardize our friendship again, Sam. Believe it or not, I missed your abuse." He said, laughing. I definitely believed he had good motives now.

"Jeez, Benson. You do know how to give a nice speech, don't you?" I said with a hint of sarcasm.

"Yeah, well… I meant it all."

"I believe you."

FPOV

After we finished glow bowling we got smoothies from Groovy Smoothie. Then we got Spencer's car back to the garage and headed outside. When we got to the sidewalk Sam said she needed to get home, so after we all said goodbye she went one direction and Carly and I went the other.

"That was so much fun." Carly said.

"Yeah, it really was." I reached for Carly's hand to hold it, but she pulled it away.

"Okay, not time yet. Sorry." I said.

"No, I'm sorry. You're being so patient. But you understand why I want to wait a little while, right?"

"Actually, not really. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm willing to wait however long you want, but I don't know why we have to."

"I just don't want people thinking I moved on too quick. I don't want to be known as 'that girl'. The girl that can't go without a boyfriend."

"Okay." I said, nodding my head. We walked in silence back to the apartment building. It seemed like there was something on her mind, I hoped she wasn't reconsidering giving us a shot. We got to the hallway between our apartments and I was about to say goodnight when Carly said,

"Freddie, can you come in for a few minutes? I want to talk to you about something." Crap. I knew this was too good to be true. She opened the door, but I didn't move. I didn't want this to end, especially when it hadn't even really started. She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.

"Okay, what do you want to talk about?" I was dreading her answer, until I noticed that she hadn't let go of my hand. She looked me in the eyes and took my other hand,

"Freddie. I was wrong before. I don't care what other people think of me. They don't know what's going on. You and I have something special, and I don't want to put it on hold just because of what people might think."

"So, you're saying…"

"I'm saying – Freddie Benson, will you be my boyfriend?"

"I thought you'd never ask." I put my arms around her waist and kissed her. It was the best kiss of my life, and I was sure it wouldn't be the last. We kissed for a few minutes until Carly pulled away and asked,

"So… that's a yes, right?"

"Of course." I gave her a quick kiss. I glanced at the clock and noticed it was getting pretty late.

"I hate to say this, but I should get going before my mom notices I'm not home again." I said. She frowned.

"I wish you didn't have to leave. I wish you could stay with me, like last night." I scanned my brain for an idea, because I didn't want to leave, either. Then I got a plan.

"I'll be right back." I said with a smile. I went into my apartment, changed into pajamas and left a note for my mom saying I ran into my friend Kyle while I was out and I was going to his place for the night. I also put on the note that my phone died and I couldn't find my charger. She didn't know Kyle's number, and without my cell phone she wouldn't be able to call and ruin my night with Carly. I went into my room and hid my charger, so she wouldn't know I had been lying. Then I snuck back out and went back to Carly's.

"So?" She asked.

"I can stay here tonight."

"No way, she actually said it was alright?"

"No. But if anyone asks, your name is Kyle."

"And if she tries to call?"

"Took care of that, too. She doesn't know Kyle's last name, so she can't find it in the phone book, and I told her my phone was dead."

"You know she'll ask why you didn't take your charger."

"Told her I couldn't find it."

"Did you hide it?"

"Yep."

"Wow. You, Freddie Benson, are a natural sneak."

"Impressed?"

"Definitely." I walked over to her and kissed her yet again, I really liked that I could kiss her whenever I wanted to now (unless she told me not to). She pulled away and yawned.

"Aww, come on. Kissing me isn't that boring, is it?" I teased.

"No, of course not. I'm just really exhausted, it's been a long day."

"Did you get that resume in today?"

"Yeah, this morning. I'm really nervous about it."

"I'm sure you'll get it."

"Probably not, they'll most likely choose someone with more experience, not a recent high school graduate. But it would be great." She yawned again, we were both dead tired.

"Want to go get some sleep?"

"Well that's a silly question. Let's go." She joked.

About five seconds after we crawled in bed Carly was passed out. She really was exhausted. I just laid there and watched her sleep for a few minutes, then I kissed her forehead and went to sleep myself.

Okay, I hope this lengthy chapter makes up for my forgetfulness. I should have the next chapter up in a couple days. Please review :)

Update: Hey guys. I just want to thank all of you who have been reading and the reviews you've left. I really liked writing this fanfic, but I think I'm going to end it here. I've been trying to write the next chapter for awhile, and nothing seems to be good enough. And I've been thinking about starting a new fanfic, but I'm still working on it. Thanks again :)