summer daze
a tale in four parts
(P) (O) (T) (R)
1
They're climbing the stairs, hurrying, rushing, laughing, racing. Her sides are hurting, his face is sore; her hair is all over the place. Her foot snags and she goes down, grabbing his hand as he passes. He goes down on top of her and they both giggle like crazy even though it's painful. She stares up at him and he stares down at her when they finally quiet and someone mutters something about staring on the stairs and they both erupt into mirth again.
It's only when Sam yells down at them to hurry that they pick themselves up, painfully and with reluctance. Their fingers are still twined together as he hauls her up behind him.
2
Spencer instructs them not to let go of one another, even as he drops Sam's hand to scratch at his nose and push the turban further forward on his head. She sends a look at the camera that Freddie set on the tripod before she grabs his hand again. Carly tries to hide a giggle, but the look in Freddie's eyes makes it so she can't contain herself. Spencer shushes her and they all stare at the crystal ball in the center of the table.
She tries to remember who suggested a séance and can't, but she grins happily anyway and sends another look at Freddie. He smiles at her and squeezes her hand. Her eyes fall on their joined hands and she wonders when his got so big. It curls around hers in a warm, protective cocoon. She tells herself it's too warm and she doesn't really like it, but she knows that it's a lie.
3
Summer comes too soon and they all find themselves gathered around the Norwegian air conditioner after the people leave, relishing the cold metal at their backs and the cold air at their fronts. She and he are sharing a tube, faces next to each other and wearing identical expressions of bliss. While he is totally absorbed in the air on his face, she feels the heat of his pinky finger, just barely brushing hers. She doesn't move her hand away, but doesn't take the initiative, either. For now, she'll settle. It's what she does best.
She's disappointed when he moves his hand, but delighted when his cheek presses against hers as he angles toward the tube.
4
They are walking down the sidewalk, the three of them, in search of entertainment on their way to the Groovy Smoothie. Sam points out an old guy picking his nose and Freddie just laughs, happy for once to not be her target. They pass a couple canoodling at a bus stop and Sam mimes hurling on them, to which Carly laughs and admonishes her in a way that lets her know she was entertained nonetheless.
Sam doesn't notice when Freddie takes his hands out of his pockets, but Carly is acutely aware of the way their hands swing next to each other. She's been thinking a lot lately, for longer than she would ever let on, and she thinks she may be ready. He's out of his cast, after all. It's time she made a decision, and she thinks that he'll agree.
She slips her hand into his and waits for his reaction. When he turns to look at her, she merely offers up a hopeful smile. He laces their fingers in response and her heart sighs with relief. This, she thinks, as she draws closer and gives his arm a gentle squeeze, is right.
a/n: I dunna, it was inspired when I was done watching iBeatTheHeat. I kind of like it. :) It's the first time I've ever finished something for the iCarly fandom, so lemme know what you think, yeah? :D Cool beans.
Love!
Beth.