AN: This is dedicated to Seventh Theory. Why? ‘Cause she’s totally awesome.

Freddie watched as Carly stormed down the stairs and into the kitchen. She was angry. That was understatement of the year. She ripped open the refrigerator and grabbed out two fruit kabobs. She handed one to him silently.

If this was a cartoon, Freddie though to himself, than smoke would be coming out of her ears. Carly looked over at him, as if she could read his thoughts. Her beautiful brown eyes narrowed.

“I’m so upset!” The brunette all but screamed.

Freddie jumped but tried not to show it. “About what? The fact that Sam has a new annoying boyfriend or that he criticized you or what about-”

“Freddie, stop!” Carly moved in closer to him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, generally concerned.

“It’s Jonah, that’s what’s wrong! He comes in here all strutting around. ‘Oh, I’m Sam’s boyfriend.’ ‘Oh, I’m so funny.’” She slammed her hand on the counter.

Freddie’s eyes widened. He had never seen his gir- Carly so upset before. She was acting like it was the end of the world. It was even worse then when Sam and her had been fighting, constantly screaming at each other.

“Calm down. I don’t like him any more than you do,” Freddie said soothingly. “But we have to just put up with him until they breakup, then he’ll leave.”

“I want him to leave now!” Carly said childishly. “Make him go away for me.”

Freddie grinned lightly. “As much as I would love to do that, I don’t really want to go to jail. Just imagine what my mom would do to me once I got out.” He shuddered.

That got Carly to smile. “There’s that smile I missed,” Freddie said as he took a bite of pineapple. “You act as if you’re jealous or something.”

The smile was instantly gone. Carly’s eyes darkened. “I’m not jealous!”

Freddie was about to laugh but the look on his crush’s face made him stop. “I was just joking. Wait…”

“I. Am. Not. Jealous,” Carly said, punctuating each word. She narrowed her eyes to slits.

Freddie grinned teasingly. “You’re jealous.” He smiled as Carly crossed her arms and turned away. “Oh come on Carls. You’re jealous of Sam. Do you want Jonah or something?”
Carly spun back around. “I’m not jealous of Sam.”

Freddie smiled. “You’re not jealous of Sam. You’re jealous of Jonah.” Realization dawned on him. “You’re jealous of Jonah for taking Sam.”

Carly was silent. She hung her head. “Does that sound selfish?”

Freddie thought for a quick second about speaking the truth. But he enjoyed living so he responded, “No.” He paused. “Is it because Sam’s spending more time with him or do you… You know.”

Carly cocked her head to the side. “Huh?”

Freddie took a deep breath. Here he went. “Do you… love Sam?” He quickly whispered the last two words.

Carly frowned. Apparently she had heard him. “She’s my best friend. Of course I love her.”

The tech took another deep breath. If he was right, then both girls owed him big time. If he was wrong, then… He opted to not think about that. He inhaled quickly and spoke. “Do you love Sam like just a friend? Or like-like her?”
Carly’s brow furrowed. “I don’t get your question.”

Freddie smacked his forehead with his palm. “How do you not understand? I’m asking you if you are in love with Sam. If you want to kiss her and be her girlfriend.”

Carly made a sound in the back of her throat, something like anger or disgust, and turned her back to him.

Freddie sighed and closed his eyes. He had a feeling that he royally screwed up. The loud breath and slam of the door confirmed that.

When Sam came down from the stairs, she looked around confused. “Where’d Carly go?”

He shrugged his shoulders simply and tried to harden his face so he wouldn’t give anything away. “I don’t know.”

Sam shrugged and grabbed the fruit kabob from Freddie’s hand and went back up the stairs. “I’m going to look for her.”

“Good luck with that,” Freddie muttered quietly. He fought the urge to hit his head on the wall. He royally screwed up alright. He might of just ruined one great friendship. “Sorry.”