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Freddie struts into Carly’s house Friday morning.
“What’s cookin’, good lookin’?” he says. Carly laughs and rolls her eyes.
“Pancakes,” she replies.
“Ooh, are they blueberry?”
“Are there any other kind?”
“Not if your name is Carly Shay.” She laughs.
“So what’s up?”
“Just enjoying life as a free man whose women are out of town.” Freddie says nonchalantly.
“So you’re missing your mom and Millicent?”
“Very much so.”
“They’ve only been gone a few days and will be back in two.”
“I know, it’s just boring in the house without them.”
“So that’s why you’ve been bouncing back and forth between mine and Spenser’s houses.”
“Hey, you love it when we watch Law and Order together.”
“True. I don’t get why Harper won’t watch it with me. There’s mystery, murder, and hot people. What’s not to like?” She finishes making the pancakes and plates them for her and Freddie. They walk over to the couch and sit down. “Oh that reminds me. Harper told me last night that’s she’s having a party tonight at 8.”
“That’s weird. She usually invites people like 2 weeks in advance.”
“I know right? When I asked her about it, all I got were grumbles about still being young and in her prime.”
“Damn. Wonder who pissed her off.”
“No idea, but at least there’s a party. Although, I think she’s a bit out of it because she said it’s a pajama party sleepover, and I saw her drink an entire bottle of wine last night and then preceded to write ‘for spinning’ on it with a sharpie.”
“Spin the bottle is like the most middle school game to exist.”
“Right?”
“Then again, I didn’t get that middle school experience because I didn’t go to parties.”
“The only parties you ever went to were mine, and Spencer never really let me kiss anyone until I was like 15, much less play a game that centered on it. So what are you gonna wear? Galaxy Wars pajamas?” She teases.
“Maybe,”
“Well, people are gonna have to kiss you regardless,”
“Joke all you want. We’ll see who’s smug tonight.”
“Probably the people who others are actually hoping to kiss.”
That night before the party, Carly is having trouble picking an outfit.
“Harper, what about this one?” Carly asks as she looks in the mirror at her pajama pants and matching shirt with cartoon characters on them.
“Well, do you want to look like you’re old enough to make a kid or be one?” Carly rolls her eyes.
“I don’t have one of those sexy gown things,” She says gesturing to Harper’s outfit. Harper goes through Carly’s drawers and pulls out soft fluffy pink shorts and a matching fluffy long-sleeve crop top.
“How was this not your first option?It’s cute. It’s sexy, but it doesn’t say ‘sleep with me on the first date’ like mine does.”
“They’re just shorter than I usually wear in public.”
“Carly, I’m inviting hot people.” Carly rips her kid pajamas off and puts the pink ones on. “That’s what I thought. And hurry up, said hot people are gonna be here soon.” About 10 minutes later people start to show up, enjoying snacks, music, conversation, and alcohol. Another doorbell rings, and Carly goes to answer it. She opens up the door to see Freddie in Galaxy Wars pajama pants and an open button down Galaxy Wars sleep shirt. Her eyes widen a bit as she blushes. I always forget he has abs now. Freddie smirks noticing her reaction.
“Do you like my Galaxy Wars pajamas?” She clears her throat.
“They’re ok. I suppose it’s a step-up from the ones you had in 7th grade.” She says feigning nonchalance.
“Uh huh.” Harper walks over to them.
“Oooh, Freddie, showing off those abs! I always forget you have those.”
“Same,” Carly says quietly to Harper so Freddie doesn’t hear.
“Well, ladies, I’m gonna go mingle before the kissing starts.”
“Our little boy has grown up…into a hot son of a bitch!” Harper says.
“Mrs.Benson isn’t that bad,” Carly says staring at 2 girls fawning all over Freddie.
“It’s an expression, and you’re staring.”
“Am not,” Carly says looking for about 5 more seconds before turning back to Harper.
“Listen, I’m no relationship expert, but remind me again why y’all aren’t going out, or at least making out.”
“We tried that. It didn’t work out. It’s better that we’re best friends anyway. He’s always been there for me and I’m not gonna let him be tainted by my bad dating track record.”
“Wasn’t that in high school like 10 years ago, before your brains were even fully developed?”
“Well yeah, but if we haven’t revisited it in 10 years, it’s probably not meant to be.”
“This may be the alcohol talking, but maybe him still being so close to you 10 years later means it is.”
“Now I need a drink.” Harper hands her a glass of wine off the counter. About 30 minutes later, Harper calls everyone to sit on the rug in a big circle. She and Carly had previously moved the couch out of the way so they could fit 20 people in said circle. Granted, it looked more like a weird oval, but it’ll do.
“Now, to show you how young I am, we’re going to throwback to the classic game we all know and love, spin the bottle, except now we all know how to kiss.” Harper went first and it landed on a hot brunette guy whom Carly couldn’t even appreciate because she was too focused on those girls who keep touching Freddie’s arm or hair or bARE CHEST?! She takes a deep breath. Everything is fine she thinks. it’s not like I’m jealous. They’re just trashy . Eventually, someone lands on Carly finally bringing her out of her thoughts. It’s a black haired guy who’s cute enough. He’s not a bad kisser, she’s just been so preoccupied with Freddie and what that means for her, for them. She finds herself hoping to land on him, and being disappointed when it lands on Harper. Freddie quirks his eye up like he’s intrigued to see this play out.
“Aye! Bestie!” Harper calls out, but seeing a lack of enthusiasm she is reminded of the situation, “oh right, wrong bestie,” she says quietly to Carly.
“You think?” She whispers angrily, “sorry, I’m frustrated.”
“It’s ok, boo. Imma make it feel all better,” she lowers her tone to where only Carly can hear. “Or at least make him wish you were one of those girls he’s got all over him.”
“Wha-“ Harper cuts her off by dipping her gracefully with a deep kiss. Freddie’s eyes widen. After a bit, she brings her back up.
“Not gonna lie, I’ve always wanted to do that.”
“Not gonna lie, you have skill.”
“Awww, thanks, Bestie.” They hug. They play for another hour or so, but not once did Carly get to kiss Freddie. She did, however, witness him kiss multiple good-looking women. She debates on getting another drink. She doesn’t really want to drown her sorrows in alcohol at Harper’s party, but she didn’t feel like being here anymore either. Just then, Freddie comes up to her without his entourage of beautiful women.
“I know that look. You only stare longingly at alcohol when you don’t wanna be somewhere anymore. What’s up?”
“It’s dumb.”
“No, it’s not, not if it’s making you upset.”
“It’s just…have you ever thought about doing something, tell yourself it’s too scary or a bad idea, so you drop it and then forget about it, then repeat the cycle?”
“Carly, if you wanna drink, drink. You are an adult.” Carly laughs.
“It’s not drinking. And you haven’t even answered the question.”
“Fair enough. Maybe, but I’m usually either an all in or burry the idea kind of guy.”
“Yeah, that tracks.”
“Why do you ask? And what does it have to do with you wanting to drown in alcohol?”
“There’s just this thing I’ve thought about doing on and off for like 10 years and something Harper said made me fall back into the cycle.”
“So try it.”
“What?”
“Do the thing.”
“I-I can’t.”
“If it’s been on your mind or bucket list or whatever for 10 years, then it’s obviously something you want to do. So just do it. What’s the worst that could happen?” Carly looks down.
“Losing my best friend.”
“Hey,” Freddie says tilting her chin up to look at him, “There’s nothing in the world you could do that’ll make you lose me, Sam, or Harper. Nothing. We love you too much. You’re kinda stuck with us.” Carly smiles a bit. “You can tell me anything. You know that.”
“Can you tell me anything?”
“Yes.” Carly sighs and then bursts like a dam.
“Then how come you never did! Like multiple times!”
“What?”
“First you love me, then you dump me, then you date Sam, then you ask me if it’s too late to love you and never speak of it again, then we kissed before I went to Italy and then never talked about it, then I came back and you were dating someone, I didn’t trust her, then you married her, then I picked up the pieces when it fell apart, then I swear we danced around the idea of a relationship like we did in high school, then you married Gwen and damn did I like her so I was super happy for you, and then that fell apart and we got closer than ever which is saying a lot, we almost had a threesome with Brooke, then you dated Pearl and she broke it off because she thought we were in love but in true us fashion, we laughed it off and DIDNT TALK ABOUT IT! And I’m not yelling at you like it’s your fault. It’s my fault too, every time there was an opening, I convinced myself that I either wasn’t interested or that it wouldn’t work out and I would lose you and that usually did the trick because I’m terrified of losing you a-“
She’s cut off by Freddie kissing her. After a few moments of shock, she relaxes into the kiss and kisses him back with the passion she’s been holding back for years. They break apart and stare into each other’s eyes still in each other’s arms. “We better talk bout that and what it means, or I am jumping out the window.” Freddie laughs.
“Can we do it somewhere a little less public?” Freddie asks looking at almost everyone staring at them. Carly nods.
“Yeah,” she says bringing him into her room. They sit on the bed.
“We’re pretty bad at communicating aren’t we?”
“Only when it comes to us.” Carly says with a humorless laugh.
“I’m sorry for the times I didn’t tell you. I figured you weren’t interested, that the kiss was simply a goodbye kiss, that the flirting was just flirting, etc. I guess I was terrified too.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything either. I thought about it at the girls choice dance, the second you got the cast taken off, right before you and Sam got together, before I went to Italy, a couple weeks when I was in Italy, when I got back from Italy, after both your failed marriages after the grieving period that is, during your relationship with Pearl. And every time I convinced myself it wasn’t the right time, that I wasn’t really interested in that way, or that I would lose you.”
“Well, you won’t. Ever. These feelings have been buried and dug up more times that I can count, but they’re real. Carly Shay, I love you. Would you do us both a favor and actually date me? For real this time?”
“I love you too, Freddie. And I would love that.”