Hey! So…here's chapter two.

I hope you like it!

Chapter Two

"Carly, hey!"

"Sam, oh my gosh, I miss you so much!"

I smile at the sound of Carly's voice. For the first time ever, I don't have anything to say. I'm just too happy.

"How's London? How's your apartment? Was your journey okay? How's your mom?" she babbles down the line, a little too hyperactive for my liking. I just smile and bear it.

"Good, amazing, okay, ugh." I reply, holding back a chuckle. It's so unlike Carly to babble on like a cheerleader. "Are those answers good enough for you?"

"I suppose," Carly replies, probably smiling. I don't know how I know; just instinct. "Did you get Freddie's text?"

"Yeah, and tell him I got lectured by the flight attendant people because I had my cell on. I almost died of boredom, tell him that."

"Okay, I will." Carly says. An awkward silence, then, "You know, it's not even been a week and he's going crazy."

I pause, cheeks going red. Freddie…going crazy…for me? "Really?"

"I mean, I'm going crazy too…you're my best friend, after all." Carly corrects herself, covering Freddie. "But Freddie hasn't spoken to anyone except me since you left. It's kinda of sad…"

On the other end of the line, there's a bang and a quiet voice.

"Oh, hold on, Sam, one sec." Carly says.

"Sure." I say, as Carly pulls the phone away from her ear. About ten seconds later, Carly returns.

"Um, Sam, you have someone here…who wants to talk to you." she whispers in a low voice, and leaves the phone. Another familiar voice fills my ear.

"Hey, Sam."

I gasp. Freddie.

"Sup, Fredward." I spit back, trying to act as cocky and cool as I usually do. But not now; hot tears blur my vision and I realise. I'm already homesick. "What do you want?"

"I, uh, just wanted to…check up. Make sure you're okay…make sure…you didn't end up in Canada."

If I was in Canada, I'd be on the bus back to Seattle by now, Freddie.

"Nah, I'm fine. Fought with my mom a little…met a nice old lady who makes awesome tea. The usual." I say, my voice a little thick. "Carly says you're - "

"What Carly said was I lie, I'm not going crazy." Pause. "I miss you. That's all."

"Freddie, I've been gone, what, two, three days? Just…" I bite my lip. "Pretend I'm on vacation. A really, really long vacation."

"Except you're not coming back, are you?"

"No, I'm not. Ever." Then, Carly's voice.

"Um." She says. "Freddie passed out."

-x-

I loll back on the sofa, sighing. I need a tennis racket. And a balloon. And a Carly.

And a dork to walk in the door.

I raise my arm and clench my fist, then I stretch my hand so my palm hurts. Close, open, close, open, close –

"Sa-am!"

I roll my eyes as my mom barges in the room, clutching x amount of shopping bags. She seems to forget that money runs out.

"Look it! I got you these!" she rummages around in one bag and produces a pair of pink flip-flops with purple straps, my two least favourite colours. "Like them?"

I roll over onto my stomach, and shoot her a glare.

"One, you know I don't like pink and purple. Two, it's winter. Three, it's winter and we're in England." I say; she blinks at me.

"So?"

"Ugh, for crying out loud!" I shout, standing up to my full height. "Do you know how cold it is outside?" I eye her up and down, observing her shorts, ballet flats and tee shirt. "Obviously not."

I tug at the hem of my sweater, looking down. My red slippers twist slightly, pulling at my feet. I lift each leg in turn, straightening the slippers. Comfy.

"Sometimes I think the fame, and living in Seattle, and the money…" I whisper. "I think it's all that you think about. Never me, or my life, or… or Dad."

Mom's eyes widen, as do mine. I can't believe I just said that. I can't believe I mentioned him.

"Now, honey," mom replies softly. "We promised we wouldn't talk about that."

"That? You think Dad is a that?" I yell, stepping forward. "He's a human being, mom! And he's out there, somewhere! I know it!"

"No, he's not, Sam, live with it!"

"I can't live with it, and neither should you, he's out there - "

"Your father – is – dead!" mom screams, and it feels like I've been slapped.

-x-

"D-dead?" I whisper, sitting down. "No, no, he can't be, he's lost at sea, you told me - "

"I lied." Mom says. "Your dad died several weeks after he left."

"You mean…dad's been dead…for seven years…and you didn't tell me?" I repeat, running her words through my head and hoping it's a misinterpretation. It's not.

"Yes. He's – dead." Mom replies, her shoulders sagging. "I'm so sorry, Sam. I couldn't tell you, you were so young."

"That's why you cried so much." I say in a flat tone. "That week…I was in so much pain, watching you fade away like that. I was scared."

"I know, honey." Mom reaches out and strokes my hair. I pull away.

"Don't touch me!" I yell, shaking. "I can't believe you. Seven years you hid it from me. Why, mom?"

"I had to protect you. If you knew, God knows what you'd do."

"Mom, I was nine. What could I do that was so bad?"

Mom looks at me from under her eyelashes, which are dotted with silver tears. "You were more than eccentric when you were little. You would stop at nothing to get what you wanted…you were almost indestructible. And so violent. I couldn't tell you."

"Why don't I remember?" I spit back.

"I don't know." Mom shrugs lazily, and gives a wan smile. "I guess you grew out of it, and it just slipped your mind. The bottom line? You would've gone crazy."

I nod a little. I can't get her words through my head. And I only need one person to make it better.

-x-

"Freddie?" I swallow. "It's me, Sam."

"Oh, uh, uh, hi Sam." He stutters back. "What's up? Are you crying?"

I blink and wipe the lingering tears with my free arm. "Yeah, you could say that."

"Why? What's wrong?" I can hear concern in his voice. Concern. For me. The girl who hid his corndog.

"My dad. He's dead." I whisper.

"Sam…I'm so sorry." He replies. "But I thought he was lost at sea?"

"For seven years? I can't believe I didn't figure it out before." I smirk slightly, holding back a fresh round of tears.

"Oh, right. Sorry."

"It's okay. And…I'm sorry."

"No problem. But…why me?"

"I need you."

I can't believe I just said that. I hear him catch his breath, and he probably blushes. I know I do.

"It's okay. I mean, what are…friends…for?" he murmurs. I smile.

"Right." There's an awkward silence, and I sigh.

"You know what, Sam? I'm gonna make it better, I promise." Pause. "Man, that sounded cheesy."

"How are you gonna do that? We're in different continents." I sniff. "And it's not like you can bring dad back."

"I know."

Sorry it's so short. Hope you liked it though :D