Three Months after Ridgeway High School's 2012 Graduation…
CHAPTER 1: iSTART A NEW LIFE
"I can't believe all three of us actually made it to college, much less the same college!" Carly exclaimed as the trio pulled up into the Student Parking Lot of Seattle University, packed into the new 2012 Kia Soul that Spencer and Freddie's mom collectively bought for the three of them, whose paint color was appropriately custom-designed, with the iCarly logo professionally painted onto the hood and rear of its attractive Royal Blue stock the amount of luggage the three of them brought along, it was unanimously decided that they should use a trailer attached to the rear in order to tote their belongings. The storage space behind the backseat was reserved for food, drinks, and fragile items.
"I know we didn't really drive all that far to get here, but the liberation feels amazing!" said Freddie, sitting in the back behind the lovely ladies Sam and Carly, who was driving the trio towards their future. He rolled down his window, pointing his Pear Phone outward to snap a few photos of their new campus, ergo, their new lives. The campus grounds were almost regal in appearance, with bright green turf grass, an abundance of apple trees blooming in time for autumn, a large, Big Ben-esque clock in the center of the campus that read 2:50 PM, and nearly a dozen campus buildings, each adorned in a different color, whose communal stature sat overlooking the water at the city's edge. It really was a gorgeous campus. Albeit, it was only about 60 miles from their quaint home back at Bushwell Plaza, but the feelings of freedom were already setting in.
"Gotta say, Fredward…now that all three of us are at a safe distance from that insane thing you call a mom, you suddenly seem much more tolerable!" chirped Sam, as she unbuckled her seatbelt to get out of the car and stretch her legs. Freddie knew that Sam, as well as he and Carly, have matured a great deal in the last 5 months alone than ever before, but Sam was still, well, Sam. She may be a crazy blonde, but she's their crazy blonde, and they'd have it no other way.
"Sam, Freddie's always been tolerable. It's his mom that's hard to stomach." Carly said playfully as she walked around the car to begin unloading their belongings. Freddie quickly jumped out and joined her, eager to lessen her load by carrying what he could. While Carly grabbed her rolling flower-print suitcase, Freddie captured the keys from her hand to open the back of the car and unload the box of dishes and food, something he was surprised that Sam didn't attempt to do before either of them. Sam chose to carry light for the time being, and snatched up her bookbag from the backseat. Freddie gave Sam something of an annoyed, split-second glare, as Sam quickly ignored it. As they walked into the Student Commons to finish registration, Carly posed a question – "So, what did the two of you finally decide to Major in?"
Carly had already chosen her Major before she emailed her application and college transcripts – Digital Art. Being that Spencer, her older brother, was an artist with unwavering resolve, she chose to follow in his footsteps. "Mine was an easy choice, Carls – Computer Engineering." Freddie replied.
"Sam?" the two said in unison, as they stared back at their friend.
"What? My Major? It's a surprise!" Sam replied.
"…which basically translates to 'I've been too lazy to pick one'." Carly said, sarcastically.
"No surprise there…I knew Sam would take her time choosing, if she chooses at all." Freddie stated.
"I'll choose my Major when I'm good and damn ready to, just as I dated you when I was 'good and damn ready to', Fredward." Sam retorted. The trio continued their ascent into the Student Commons building, and discovered a map that directed them to the 3rd Floor for Registration. Pressing the elevator button on the wall nearby, the three of them awaited its steady arrival. As they filed into the elevator, they all exhaled nervously, as if eager, yet apprehensive, about the inevitable – that they were finally college students. Finally adults, no longer kids. Finally free, no longer anchored by siblings and parents. Finally…oh god, they were college students!"
When the elevator opened, they saw the Registration desk. It was brightly dressed with multi-colored balloons and a banner that read: WELCOME TO SEATTLE UNIVERSITY! Carly approached the woman sitting at the desk, whom immediately asked her: "Name, please."
"Carly Shay."
"Shay, Shay….let's see here…" she replied as she typed Carly's name into her nearby laptop. "Ah, here we go – Carly Shay. Let me print out your room assignment, and give you your room key. Just to let you know ahead of time, Seattle University has co-ed dormitories, meaning that both men and women are allowed to share a room." She stated, as the document printed.
"Okay, that's fine." Carly replied.
"Here is your room assignment and your room key. Your roommates' names and phone numbers are listed at the bottom."
As Carly read it briefly, she immediately noticed something very strange at the bottom – it read:
DORM ASSIGNMENT: FRESHMAN DORM - DRESDEN HALL, ROOM #213
ROOMMATES: TWO
1. PUCKETT, SAM. Contact Info: 535-9348
2. BENSON, FREDDIE. Contact Info: 573-1250
