iWhat Happened?
Chapter One: iWake Up
Carly Shay walked downstairs yawning. She was wearing a ragged t-shirt that said "CHEESE BUBBLES" on it and a red pair of pyjama shorts. There was no sign of her older brother, Spencer Shay. The apartment was silent and seemed empty.
"Spencer? Spencer where are you?" she called. Spencer shuffled out of his bedroom; he was eating a turkey sandwich. "Oh hey kiddo." "You're having a turkey sandwich for breakfast?" "Yup." "Ok then." she replied. "Have you seen Sam?"
"No why?" He asked following her into the kitchen. "Well she said she'd text me." Just then her phone lit up and buzzed on the table. Spencer smirked at her "Well better read it." Rolling her eyes, she picked it up. Suddenly her expression changed "Oh my god!" "What is it?" Spencer asked, looking concerned. "Sam's coming over here; she says something is really wrong."
Just then the door swung open and Sam walked in. She was carrying a heavy sports bag slung over one shoulder and was carrying her pet cat Frothy. She looked worried, Frothy was struggling and hissing. Sam placed him on the table and he bolted upstairs. "No! Not up there!" Spencer shouted and sprinted after the animal. Sam slumped down on the couch.
Carly walked over "Are you ok? What happened?" "My mom left forever." "WHAT?" Carly cried "No way!" "It's true. I woke up this morning and she was just gone." Sam replied "Whenever she goes anywhere she always leaves a note and some money but not this time. She's gone for good." Then she began to cry. "Oh my god Sam, I'm so sorry ""Yeah me too" "Oh come here."
Feeling helpless Carly sat down and placed her arms around the blonde girl. She felt terrible. She looked sad and defeated. She had never seen Sam looking so sad. She was her best friend. Many thoughts ran through her mind; she had to help Sam but how? Maybe she could live here, if she was acted less, disgusting. Oh who was she kidding! Sam needed her now and as her closest friend she had to help her
Just then Spencer trudged downstairs hanging onto a struggling cat. He let it go and Frothy jumped onto the worktop. He glared at him. Man! Those scratches hurt. He wondered why all cats hated him. Then he noticed Sam crying. Immediately his protective instincts kicked in, he'd always thought of Sam as a second sister.
"Hey, hey what happened?" He asked gently "Sam's mom left her. "What! Are you sure?" "Yeah pretty much." Ok, ok let's not panic." "Sam can stay here with us for a few days. She can sleep in the spare room and obviously eat with us there's enough food and enough living space plus she hangs out with you and Freddie all the time anyway and you go to the same school so why not?"
"What about Frothy?" Sam mumbled as her crying ceased "He's all I have left." "He can stay too, I guess." Spencer replied. Sam sat up. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were red but she threw her arms around Spencer in a huge hug.
He was surprised yet hugged her back. Carly was surprised; Sam rarely gave hugs unless she was really emotional. Sensing her friend's surprise, she pulled back and hit him hard on the shoulder. "Thanks Spence. A lot." "It's fine." Spencer cringed, rubbing his shoulder.
"Cool thanks again "No problem!" Spencer replied "Carly, carry my stuff?" Sam asked her friend. She rolled her eyes "Fine." Sam smiled "Thanks Carls you're the best. "Come on Frothy!" Sam called, clicking her fingers. He jumped off the worktop and followed like an obedient dog.
Spencer watched the two walk upstairs with a smile. Then it dawned on him. His life was about to get really hectic. He sighed and began rubbing the worktop clean with a towel because the cat peed on it.
"This is your room" Carly said as the two walked in. There was a single bed against the wall, a desk, a huge cupboard and two shelves positioned directly above the bed. Sam nodded and sat on the bed. Carly dumped her bag on the floor. Sam still looked dazed and Carly tapped her shoulder
"Hey. Don't worry it's gonna be ok. Spencer will look after you plus me and Freddie will help you as much as you can." Sam nodded and smiled "Thanks Carlotta." Carly nodded and walked out. Sam began pulling things her out of her bag.
She'd packed all her clothes, several snacks, six drinks, her PearPhone and its charger, her hairbrush and Frothy's old ball and blanket. She looked down at the cat curled up on the floor "Our life's about to change a lot isn't it?" He mewed and Sam smiled. Then her pet closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Sam sighed. She felt frustration and sadness at her abandonment. Why mom?! Why now and why me! Why couldn't you have been a better mom? How come you left me suddenly/! We were just beginning to get along properly like a real family; just you and me. Mother and daughter. I miss you, please come back. Yet deep down Sam knew her mom was never coming back and that hurt, but she was Sam Puckett; tough, brilliant, meat-loving and resourceful. She had to just carry on.
Hopefully Carly and Freddie would help her. What was that nub doing? Did he even know? Should she tell him? Nah he'd find out eventually or Carly would tell him. He was a smart boy and really handsome too, all those muscles…No! She and Freddie were over. OVER. She had to remember that.
Having finished packing she walked downstairs. Spencer was boiling eggs and Carly sat at the kitchen table eating a bowl of cereal. "Hey Sam how do you like your room?" "It's awesome! Thanks Spencer and you too Carly Shay." They both smiled and Sam sat down to eat.
Freddie Benson sat slouched on his sofa. The TV was on and he idly flipped through channels but there were no interesting shows on. He was bored and somewhat confused. He'd woken up this morning and the house was empty there was no sign of his mom. Whenever his mom went anywhere other than to work she always left a long note explaining where she'd gone, why, and exactly how long she'd be gone for.
He used to find it pointless but the fact that it wasn't here worried him but he tried to brush off his concern. Maybe it was a positive sign, maybe she was finally letting him grow up but raw anxiety still gnawed at him and he kept glancing at the door
Trying to relax, he flipped to another channel he stumbled upon a Disney film that he'd seen as a little kid called "The Lion King". He'd seen the film at least twice and loved it so he turned up the sound and leaned back to watch.
On screen, the sun rose over the land and the animals looked up as the opening chant began. Suddenly there was a knocking at the door. His mom was back! He jumped up and pulled the door open grinning but then his race fell. Carly was standing there "Oh it's you." He said unenthusiastically.
"Well thanks!" She snapped, glaring at him. He turned to face and crossed his arms "Wow are you ok?" He asked, suddenly concerned. Carly didn't normally get annoyed. He took a closer look she looked concerned and annoyed. Then she sighed "Sam, Sam's mom…left." She whispered but Freddie heard clearly and he was outraged.
"What! She left, as in forever!" "Yes!" "Why?" He cried "How should I know? I'm not !" Carly yelled. "Wait are you sure? Did Sam tell you and how do you know she left for good? ""Go ask her." Carly replied "Alright!" Freddie shot back. He switched off the TV and followed Carly across the hall into her house.
As he walked in, he spotted Spencer building a new sculpture. He realized it was a model of a Pleistocene woolly mammoth made from fake hair dyed brown. He was using long plastic tubes for the tusks. "Hey Freddie" He greeted the boy "Hi Spencer. Where's Sam?"
"She's upstairs." The two turned to walk upstairs "Wait! Aren't you going to ask me about my sculpture?" Carly sighed "We get it, it's a dinosaur." Spencer and Freddie gave her strange looks "What?" "A mammoth is not a dinosaur Carly," "Well then what is it?" She cried
"It's a mammal from the ice age. It was a giant elephant covered in a thick coat of long, shaggy hair and long, curved tusks; it had small ears and a long trunk for tearing up grass. They died out when the ice age ended which was like 10, 000 years ago; a very, very long time after the last dinosaur was dead."
"Oh shouldn't we be worrying about Sam?" Spencer nodded "She's right. Go check up on her." The two nodded and walked upstairs. Sam was sat on her bed, scrolling through her texts "Hey Sam."
She looked up and her eyes narrowed "Hey Carly, hey Fredwardo." Freddie rolled his eyes then Carly spoke "How you doing?" Sam shrugged "Ok I guess I mean my mom just left me behind so I'm guess I'm not in top form."
"I'm sorry." Freddie said quietly "What did you say Fredward?" "I said I'm sorry!" He repeated loudly "Don't be I don't need your pity." She muttered. "Sam, be nice Freddie's just trying to be a good friend. "I know, I know." Just then a loud yell came from downstairs. "Spencer!" Carly shouted and ran downstairs; Sam and Freddie hurried after her.
Spencer was stood on the table, jabbing at Sam's cat with a broom as he tried jumping on the table "Back! Stay back!" "Spencer, what are you doing?" "Sam, please get your cat." Sam sighed, walked over and picked up the struggling cat. Frothy instantly relaxed and she carried him upstairs to her room. Freddie followed at a safe distance.
Just then there was a knock at the door "It's Gibby." "It's open." Carly called back. The door opened and Gibby walked in, Guppy was walking behind him. His dog, Sir LicksALot stood by his side and he was carrying his cat. His duck, Quackers perched on his head. Spencer groaned "Don't tell me your parents are gone too?" "Too?" Gibby repeated, looking confused." What's going on?"
"Sam's mom left her for good and how she's living here. "My mom's gone too but she's just gone out she'll be back soon." Freddie said. "Yeah my mom's gone too and I can't find my grandfather. I need to find him but I can't leave Guppy on his own he's too young so is it ok if he and the pets stay here for a while?"
Spencer sighed "I guess." "Thanks." "Be careful!" Carly cried "Gibby wait!" Spencer said, and he turned "Let me drive you!" He nodded "Thanks Spence." Spencer nodded and grabbed his car keys then walked out "GIBBEH!" Gibby shouted triumphantly and ran out.
"Happy birthday!" Guppy cheered and sat down on the couch. Carly smiled and ruffled his hair affectionately then went to the kitchen and poured him some Wahoo Punch. He took it, smiled and gulped it down then sat back to watch TV.
Carly sat next to him and patted Gibby's dog that she had helped raise. Quackers flew onto the table and flapped its wings. Sir LicksALot barked then lay down on the floor and Gibby's cat stretched out to sleep on the sofa.
"Go away Fredward!" "No you need support right now, I'm not leaving." "Get out!" She slammed the door. Freddie knocked on the door "Sam! Sam let me in? I won't move till you do!" At last the door opened "What do you want Fredhead?" She demanded "I want to talk to you. Please." He said, his voice softening. At last her expression changed.
"Alright, fine." "Thank you." The two walked in. Sam sat down on her bed and Freddie stood in front of her "Well, talk?" "Ok firstly I know you must be feeling many things right now but mainly sadness and anger. Anger because you're annoyed at your situation and feel betrayal and thus bitterness that your own mother has abandoned you without a good reason. "You got that right." Sam interrupted, looking bored.
"But," He continued "You're also really upset and scared. Why? I'll tell you why; because your mother, the only person who may have cared about you has suddenly left. You have no permanent place to live, and nowhere to go. You have no one you think who can help you. You're alone, you feel, and you're scared and I know that because I know you Sam Puckett."
After his speech, Sam's eyes filled with tears and ran down her face. She buried her face in her hands. Freddie walked over, sat beside her and placed his arms around her. She threw her arms around him and held him tight. Her head leaned against his chest as she sobbed. Her held her and vowed never to let go, with one hand he stroked her long hair to calm her down. At last, her sobs finally subsided and Freddie continued to hold her.
"What am I gonna do Freddie? I'm scared and nobody cares about me like you said. I'm just mean, violent and nasty." "And that's where you're wrong, people do care. I care." "But you said-""I was speaking from your point of view but you're wrong, people do care. Carly cares about you, Spencer does, Gibby does too and I care about you a lot. We're all gonna help you through this, you'll never be alone I promise."
There was a long silence then Sam mumbled a quick "Thanks." But he heard it and at last she pulled away, wiping her eyes. "Help me arrange all this?" She asked and he smiled "Anything for you Princess Puckett." She rolled her eyes but she was smiling "Whatever Fredhead." She smiled at him then and Freddie smiled back.
