Authors' Note. This is a collaborative fic between me (StoryTeller125 on Twitter) and Dottynha (SaraDotta on Twitter). We have a nice, romantic story for all of you to enjoy. We can't promise there will be no angst, romance is inherently angsty and that just can't be helped. Please enjoy and feel free to leave reviews, comments, etc. here or on Twitter.
"And that's a wrap." Freddie carefully slid the camera off his left shoulder and carefully set it down next to his equipment cart. Rehearsal for the next evening's episode of iCarly had just finished and he was eager to start his Friday. His mother was going to be gone all night and his best friends were coming over. He was looking forward to an evening of video games, pizza and unfettered guy talk. It was not that he didn't enjoy spending time with Carly and even Sam, but sometimes time spent with the guys was called for.
Carly's cell phone began to vibrate. It was sitting on the equipment cart; Freddie picked up the phone, and seeing the name on the caller ID held it out to Carly as she approached. "It's Gibby."
Carly took the phone from Freddie and clicked the answer button, "Hey what's going on?" She walked towards the rear of the studio, her back to both Sam and Freddie. Neither of them was really interested in hearing what Carly was saying to Gibby, they both assumed it was related to the prom coming up in less than a month. Carly was the head of the planning committee and Gibby served on it as well. The endeavor had taken up a lot of Carly's and Gibby's time, in fact Gibby hadn't been on iCarly in over a month since he was so busy with the prom committee and being on the track and field team.
Carly's voice suddenly grew in volume and Freddie and Sam could hear her blurt out, "No! We are using the color we agreed on. I don't care what the company says now, they promised it to us and that's what we're getting."
Freddie and Sam glanced at each other and without realizing gave each other identical mini-shrugs. Planning the prom was a stressful undertaking for Carly and it had often brought out a side of her not usually seen; what Sam, Freddie and Spencer called (only amongst themselves) "Bitchy Carly." It was Carly's bitchy side that sometimes kept Spencer in line when he wanted to do something truly crazy. It also tended to show up when Carly thought someone was keeping a secret from her. Truthfully, Carly was rarely like that, and Freddie and Sam still loved her, but all the same they were both a little afraid of her when she was in one of those moods. Unfortunately they had come more frequently the last few months, usually in regards to prom-related business. It was one of the reasons Freddie was looking forward to hanging with his guy friends rather than watching a movie with Carly and Sam.
Freddie and Sam both fidgeted as they waited for Carly to finish talking to Gibby. They couldn't make out exact words, but from her tone of voice they could tell she wasn't happy. Even though they did not realize it, they were both thinking the exact same thing, "poor Gibby." Gibby, for his part, was taking Carly to the prom and was more than willing to put up with some minor phone abuse. Finally Carly ended the call and turned back to her friends.
"Sorry about that. The linen company is trying to give us tablecloths that are the wrong color." Carly gave a pleading smile, asking for forgiveness.
They had been too good of friends for too long for something like that to cause any lingering harm. Nothing had to be said, just the looks in Sam's and Freddie's eyes said that all was forgiven.
"Are you sure you don't want to hang out and watch movies tonight Freddie? Sam picked them out." Carly asked.
"Eww, if I'd known you'd invite Fred-dork here I would have picked something a little more girly." Sam rarely passed up a chance to jab at Freddie.
Freddie was used to Sam's verbal barbs and they just flowed over him like water over a duck's back. He wasn't offended at all. "Thanks, but the guys are coming over tonight. The two of you are stuck with a girl's night after all."
"Come on Fredwina, even if you were there it would still be a girl's night. Girlier even." Sam stuck her tongue out at him just to hammer home the point.
Freddie stuck his tongue back out at Sam, "All the same I think I'd prefer video games, pizza and the guys. Thanks for the invite though."
"Wait Freddie," Sam quickly interjected, "have I told you lately just how incredibly handsome you are?"
Freddie was taken aback for a moment, as was Carly. Then he realized what Sam was getting at and sighed. "What would you like on your pizza?"
Sam didn't skip a beat, "Any meat they can cram on it. Carly, any requests?"
Carly shook her head, "I'll pay you back Freddie if you can just order ours with yours. Is that ok?"
"No problem. I'll bring it over when it gets here. In fact, I should probably go and get ready, they'll get here soon. I'll see you later when the pizza gets here." Freddie turned and left the studio, leaving Carly and Sam alone.
"We're not going to talk about prom stuff all night are we?" Whereas Freddie had been blasé about the prom coming up, Sam had been annoyed with the subject most of the time.
Carly could tell the subject irked Sam and really did want to have a relaxing movie night with her best friend. "Nope, promise. I told Gibby we'll take care of it tomorrow. In fact, I'll even turn off my phone."
Sam was impressed, Carly's cell phone was almost an extension of her hand and it was never turned off. "Wow, Carls, I'm touched. Come on, I'll put the first movie in while you get the snacks and tea."
It was an hour since rehearsal for iCarly had ended and Freddie and his best friends were playing Xbox in his living room. Freddie's mother was out for the evening with friends but didn't mind him having people over. Reuben, Chris, Mike and Chad were in the AV and math clubs with Freddie and had been his best friends outside if Carly and Sam for a long time. Friday nights spent playing video games or watching movies were fine with Mrs. Benson since she knew Freddie wasn't likely to get hurt or get into any trouble.
Conversation among the five of them usually revolved around video games, computers or school; typical geek territory. This night, however, was different. Prom was only weeks away and dominated the talk. Reuben, Mike and Chad had finalized their dates earlier that day; Chris was taking his long time girlfriend Nicole. Freddie was the only one without a date as of yet; the guys were his friends but they were guys, they didn't pass up the chance to give Freddie a hard time about it.
Reuben threw the opening salvo, "You're not holding out for Carly, are you Freddie? Hasn't that ship sailed?"
Freddie really hadn't been holding out for Carly; he had accepted that, as Reuben put it, that ship had long sailed. He was still defensive about not having a date yet though. "No, I'm not waiting for Carly, I just haven't figured out who to ask yet."
Chad and Chris were engaged in a spirited battle of video warfare but Chad was able to add his two cents, "You better hurry, you'll run out of girls to ask. You don't want to go with your mom."
Mike didn't waste any time twisting the knife a little deeper, "Unless you do want to go with your mom, hell, she'd probably be willing to go with you."
Everyone, Freddie included, broke out laughing at Mike's joke; the game momentarily forgotten.
"Are you saying I couldn't get a date to the prom?" Freddie was jokingly indignant.
"Not if I ask your mother first," Mike replied.
Freddie laughed a little less than before and gave Mike the finger. "Seriously, do you think I can't get a date to the prom?"
"I'm sure you could," Reuben answered, "you could always ask one of the freshman."
Freddie was getting a little upset. It was normal for a certain amount of razzing to go on between them, but this was starting to go a little too far. "It's not that bad, I can get a date; a good date."
Mike wasn't finished, "What about Malika?"
Freddie groaned, along with everyone else. "Don't go there, Malika sent magic friendship cards to me every week for a year after that dance. I am not doing that again."
"Then who are you going to ask?" Reuben said.
"I'm betting on his mother, they will make a very cute couple." Mike chimed in between gulps of Mountain Dew.
"Come on, I'm not that bad. I bet I can get a date to the prom. A good date who is not a freshman, Malika or a direct blood relation." Freddie wasn't mad, but he wasn't joking like before either. He was now a little concerned about who he was going to take. Going alone was out of the question.
"You bet, do you?" Mike had a sly grin on his face. "Care to back that up?"
Chris and Chad paused their game. Reuben sat up a little straighter. All of them were looking intently at Freddie and Mike.
"What do you have in mind?" Freddie decided he wasn't going to back down.
"Just a friendly wager. Do you really think you could get a better date to the prom?" Mike looked questioningly at Freddie.
"You kidding? I'm not Brad Pitt but I think I can do better than Malika. What are we betting?"
"Simple. I pick a girl; one better than Malika or a skinny freshman currently without a date. If you take her to the prom, really take her as your date and not just show up with her, you win the bet. If you don't show up with her, or someone just as good or better, I win the bet."
Freddie started to nod, "Deal. So what are we betting?"
Mike thought for a second, "$500 and no offering to split it with her. I'll trust you."
"It's a bet." Freddie held out his hand and Mike took it. "Now who's the girl?"
Reuben, Chad and Chris all threw out names, rich girls and cheerleaders who were all way out of their league. Mike stared off into space, lost in deep thought. Finally he came up with the perfect girl. He couldn't help the wide grin that broke out on his face as he came up with the perfect name, "Sam Puckett."
All of the other guys started laughing, Sam was perfect. Freddie wasn't quite so sure, "Come on Mike, at least give me a shot and make it someone plausible. Why not Kate Upton?"
"Nope. As much as I'd love to see Kate Upton in person, the thought of you trying to get Sam Puckett to go to the prom with you more than makes up for it."
Freddie sighed. There was no way Sam would consent to being his date for the prom. He thought he might as well give Mike the $500 right now. "Sam, really?"
"Sam Puckett. And don't get sneaky and try and get her twin sister to take her place."
"Damn," Freddie thought to himself; that would have been a good idea. "Ok, but none of you can say anything at all to Sam. At least give me a fighting chance here and, just so we're clear, you'd all be pretty impressed if I brought Kate Upton as my date, right?"
Everyone agreed and the terms of the bet were finalized: Freddie had to take Sam to the prom as his date. If he did he got the $500, if he didn't Mike did. Nobody could warn Sam and Freddie couldn't offer to split the money with her or ask her sister instead.
Amongst any group of men wagers are sacred and with them it was no different. Nobody would break their word and neither Freddie nor Mike would dare skip out on the bet. The game was changed to a multi-person war game they all could play. Freddie's mind wasn't really into it though; $500 was pretty much all of his savings and he didn't relish the idea of losing it. Instead of planning how to kill the Germans in the WWII scenario of the game, he tried to figure out just how he was going to get Sam to be his date to the prom.
It was late that same night and Sam and Carly were in bed after their movie marathon. Carly was having difficulty sleeping; something was worrying her. Sam seemed unconcerned and just wanted to keep eating her bacon, just like every night.
"You know those black shoes we saw yesterday? I'm going to buy them for myself to wear to the prom." Carly looked over to Sam and saw that her eyes were closed. "Sam, wake up! I know you're not sleeping yet. I'm worried." Carly nudged Sam to rouse her, assuming she did not want to talk about the prom.
"Yes, Carls, I think you're going to look beautiful in those blue shoes," Sam replied without showing much self interest in the subject.
"They're black Sam! Pay attention! By chance, have you decided about your dress yet? I won't be able to help you at the last minute." Carly was a little worried about Sam and wanted to find out what the matter was with her and the prom.
"Ok, tomorrow we'll go buy your awesome black shoes, all right? Promise." Sam would only say that to Carly, she truly wanted to stay away from the store since it just reminded her that the prom was coming up.
Carly could see that Sam needed more prodding and playfully threw a pillow at her face, "and for you a dress!"
"Come on, I don't need a dress, I can wear that…" Sam was interrupted by Carly's finger in her mouth.
"Pshh, do not finish that sentence. I've told you many times that you must wear a beautiful dress and also pan…" Carly did not have a chance to finish since Sam threw Carly's pillow back at her face. A pillow fight almost broke out.
"Ok, you don't need to say it! I know." Sam bit into the bacon she had with her to hide her discomfort at hearing that word.
Carly put her hands in a sign of innocence, "I didn't say it!"
Sam remembered something she had wanted to ask Carly but had put off. "So you know that guy we met at the cafeteria a couple days ago? Have you seen him lately?"
"You mean that guy who asked Wendy out," Carly said innocently.
"Did he?" Sam could not hide her disappointment.
"Yes, it was yesterday. Me and Gibby were going to Principal Franklin's office to decide on which band we're going to ask to play the prom and we saw them talking," Carly replied while dragging out the blanket.
"Never mind," Sam interrupted Carly, saying it while eating a piece of bacon as if the question weren't a big deal.
Carly wasn't satisfied with Sam's answer, "What's wrong?"
Sam would not have lied if she wasn't feeling so insecure, "Nothing, I'm just sleepy and almost getting hungry again. We better go to sleep."
"Sam look at me, what about that guy? Wait..you thought he'd ask you out? Is that what this is all about?" Carly sat up in bed.
Putting her hands up this time in case Carly hit her with the pillow again, Sam replied, "I didn't say it!" Trying to change the subject she continued, "You know, if I had been born 100 years ago, I wouldn't be here today…"
"No you didn't, but I know you, stop hiding it Sam! I know nobody has asked you so far but it doesn't mean you…" Carly put it in such a way that when Sam looked at her she decided to finally open up.
"Look Carly, it's true, ok. No one will ask me out. No one! We are getting close to the prom and nobody is even interested in me." Sam dropped her pillow to the floor, she was getting mad.
"Sam, don't say that. I'm pretty sure you will have a date. Seriously, when you stop thinking less about it he will ask you out, you don't have to worry so much. Trust me."
"Aha! Where's my bacon, I don't remember if I finished it." Sam pretended to look for her bacon.
Carly was excited about Sam being asked to the prom. "It's true, you little silly. Remember last week when we were having lunch and Gibby came up to me holding that rose? It was such a weird surprise actually, but anyway, I mean you will have a date soon. Just like that one in middle school, remember?"
"He was arrested," Sam replied with one of those faces only show knows how to do.
"Uh oh, really? What happened? Wait, it's none of my business, forget it."
"It's ok Carls. I'm good." Sam showed so much indifference in her reply that Carly almost believed her.
"Ok sure. Actually yesterday I was going to introduce you to that baseball player, you know the guy?"
"No Carly, don't do that, ok? I don't believe you, I forbid you to do that. I don't want you setting up a date for me, you hear me?" Sam put aside her indifferent attitude and was very serious.
Carly replied, "Sam, why not? He is cool and I know that…he…doesn't…have…a date yet!"
Sam was feeling disappointed with herself. "No way Carly, that would hurt me more! I don't need it and who knows, he's probably already heard about me."
"Well, if you're sure," Carly finally concluded.
"I am, now let me sleep, Gibby-girl!"
"Sam?"
"What?"
"You know how awkward it would be if you had been born 100 years ago, you wouldn't be here now."
"Good night Carls." Sam sighed and closed her eyes.
Carly did not stop thinking about how upset Sam was. It was possible her best friend really wouldn't have a date to the prom. Seeing Sam so vulnerable in regards to the prom; she was afraid Sam would actually prefer loneliness to going alone. Carly resolved that something must be done.
It would have been surprising to people to hear that Carly Shay had a normal morning of shopping with Sam Puckett. Around noon the two girls arrived back at the Shay's apartment. Carly had bags stuffed with various purchases; she was satisfied with her shopping. Sam was drinking a smoothie.
Sam jumped onto the couch, her frown starting to hide. "Ah, finally home…I'm hungry!"
"Really? So why don't you take a bath?" Carly put her bags down on the floor.
"Come on Carls, you mustn't be mad at me," Sam took a drink of her smoothie, "I've told you that I'm not good at shopping."
"Not that good? Sam, I had to pay for those dresses you tore while trying them on! Why weren't you more careful?" Carly gave Sam a serious look as she sat on the couch, noticing that once again Sam had left her I Heart Vegas panties on the stairs again.
"Arrgh, it isn't my fault, those dresses were too small for my body!" Sam replied, defending herself, "At least I tried."
"And now? You don't have a dress, or shoes; you didn't even by earrings!"
"Yes? And look at you; you have bags full of enough clothes to go to proms the rest of your life." Sam got up to look for food in the fridge, laughing the whole way.
"Well, I just bought one or two little things I needed, you know…"
"One or two? Ha, come on Carly, you bought out almost the entire mall." Sam bit into a cupcake.
"I did not," Carly replied, looking indignantly at her bags, "Well, maybe I overdid it a little bit, but that's not the point. What am I going to do with you?"
"Bake me a pie?" Sam replied, repeating the answer she thought was the solution to all of her issues.
"Whatever," Carly said as she went to take her bags up to her room, a not-too-pleasant look on her face.
Sam sat back down on the couch again, smiling, a particularly naughty look on her face. She turned on the TV and found the Mexican food channel. Suddenly the door bell rang.
"Caaarly, the door!" Sam yelled for Carly.
Carly screamed from upstairs, "What? Can you help me out and get it?"
"What's wrong with people?" Sam wondered to herself, "Why can't I relax one bit lately?" She walked towards the door with a look on her face that, if the person on the other side could see, would cause them to run away.
It was Lewbert at the door; he was holding a box. "What do you want Lewbert?"
"A delivery man just brought this for you, see? Dear Sam Puckett, that's you isn't it?" Lewbert couldn't help but be amused by the irony.
"Dear? What? Who's calling me dear? Give it to me!" Sam felt pretty sure that someone was playing a prank on her.
"Wait, can I have one of those cupcakes you…" Lewbert tried to enter to get a cupcake but Sam slammed the door in his face.
"Bye Lewbert."
"Next time I'm going to open it…Dear!" Lewbert said as he walked away from the apartment, regretting not being able to get a cupcake.
For a moment the cupcake and Mexican food channel were forgotten. Sam opened the box with all the attention of a girl getting ready to defuse a bomb. "Dear. That's a word I've never seen used with my name before," Sam thought as she finally got the box open. She noticed that there was no note or indication of who actually sent the package.
"Wait, wait. What's this? Bolivian bacon!" Sam looked at the bacon, dumbfounded. "Ok, what kind of a prank is this?" It was then that Sam found a note hidden underneath the bacon. She picked it up and began to read:
I've been drawing all the possible routes which could perhaps lead me towards you. As soon as I find out all your secrets you will find out all of mine. On the Saturday night of the prom.
"Sam, who was at the door?" Carly called down from upstairs, not knowing anything about the package.
"Oh my god! I don't believe it, Carly come here right now." Sam called for Carly as excited as ever had, despite the slight doubts she was still feeling.
Carly came from her room wondering what could excite her best friend that much, "What happened? What's that box?"
Sam answered her with petulance. "Carly Shay, I need a dress!"
Carly was surprised, "what?"
"Lewbert told me that a delivery man delivered this for me in the lobby and…" Sam was interrupted by Carly.
"How about that food?" Carly still did not understand everything yet.
"Forget about the food, just read the note!" Sam was so excited she actually forgot about the food for a moment.
Carly began to read the note, her face scrunching up in puzzlement. "Sam, Sam…what is this?"
Sam had begun to open the delicious Bolivian bacon, "I don't know yet, but I guess there is someone who wants to ask me out to the prom and is maybe a little afraid so he's decided to bribe me with snacks."
"Wow, that's amazing. See, you do have a date!" Carly was becoming excited for her best friend.
"Well, not a date per se, but free snacks." Sam concentrated on the food, reflexively hiding her true feelings once again.
"Wait, how are we going to find out who this guy is? At least he knows how to make you happy anyway."
"I agree. Bolivian bacon changes you…and I need to buy myself a dress in case it means more free food for me." Sam began to laugh.
"You can go by yourself this time. "I'm not going back there again with you." Carly was thinking she didn't want to put herself through any more miser.
"No problem. I'll just go to prom wearing my…"
"Don't say it. Shut up! You're getting a new dress."
"Go with me?" Sam asked, her voice purposeful.
"Put the bacon on the counter and get your purse." Sam never could deny Sam anything.
Sam was disappointed about leaving the bacon, "but I want to eat…"
Carly wasn't in the mood, "Now!" She screamed acutely.
"Fine, let's go." Sam was actually feeling a little excited to buy a new prom dress; she'd never gone shopping for such a nice garment for herself before. Sam wondered if her newfound enthusiasm would last and she wondered if she would receive any more surprises in the following days and weeks.