Long time reader/writer, first time uploader here. This is one of my fics that I put in storage for a while, so for my first upload, I'll try and develop it as much as I can, as frequently as I can.

If there's anything you should know beforehand, it's that this story will be absolutely terrible. Also, the story takes place before the iOMG arc, because... well, I just don't really like how it ended. But that's another matter. Enjoy!


Prologue/Chapter 0

It had been a rough week for the iCarly trio. Semester finals were just around the corner, and winter break was the only thing the gang could think about. Freddie was thinking about new Christmas-themed ideas for the show, Carly was thinking about special winter dates that would involve her current boyfriend Brad, and Sam was most likely thinking about fried chicken. Friday finally rolled around at Ridgeway and the hallways were abuzz with activity.

Freddie was deeply involved with his notebook, trying to get in as much study time as possible before the next week. He stood there a good five minutes before noticing Sam staring at him intently with an empty bowl in her hands.

"Uh, hey Sam."

She didn't break her gaze. "Hey Freddie. You know you got a big pimple on your forehead, right? It's huge."

"I know, I know," Freddie said. He sighed, "I noticed it this morning. My mom says it's a stress pimple."

"It's neat. You might want to frame it," Sam pitched.

Freddie rolled his eyes. He paused for a moment, noticing Sam's dish. "What up with the bowl?"

"Had chili. Ate it. Was good." Sam sounded content with herself. "So what's on the agenda for today?"

Freddie put his notebook back into his locker. "Well, I figure we could all go to the Groovy Smoothie and catch a movie. That is if Carly can separate herself from Brad for a few hours." Sam noticed the tone of his voice, silently agreeing with him. She had been all over him this past week while making absolutely no time for Freddie or Sam. Brad was a nice enough guy when alone, but when he was with Carly, he turned into a goopy love pun machine. Sam and Freddie weren't too happy about a few missed rehearsals, either.

Sam nodded in agreement. "I don't know why it's been so disgusting this last week, but it's starting to get on my nerves. Oh, speak of the devil." Freddie turned just in time to see Carly walking down the hallway towards her locker. Her head was lowered, her feet were shuffling- she was not her usual bounding bundle of blissful embodiment. When she had reached Freddie and Sam, they both noticed the running mascara and scarlet face.

Sam looked worried. "Carly, are you okay? What's wrong? Did something happen?" Freddie went to put an arm around Carly's shoulder, hopefully providing some form of comfort.

Carly sniffled, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. "Guys, I just talked to Brad." Freddie's worry was replaced by a look of territorial anger. "What happened, Carly?" said Freddie intensely.

Carly held back tears, shivering. "He's... he's going away. His father took a promotion within his company... and now he's being relocated to New York. He just found out today." She choked out the last few words, and fell into Sam's arms. Sam as well as Freddie felt a wave of guilt over what they had just said. Sam finally spoke, "Hey, look, it'll be alright. You'll be fine, everything's going to be fine." The bell rang, and the group went their separate ways.

Carly didn't know how to express herself to her friends anymore, much less to Brad. She was happy about his father and the opportunities that were opening up to him, but no matter how happy she tried to act, she would break down eventually. She hardly even spoke to Brad during the week of finals, instead burying her head in books or practice exams- anything to keep her mind busy. Once finals rolled over and goodbyes were said, she felt an anger she had never felt before. This of course, turned into sadness, and then eventual loneliness. Sam and Freddy tried to cheer her up, tried to take her out to get her out of her funk, but to no avail.

Carly had been curled up in her bed for hours now, only getting up to use the restroom or get a snack. She refused any invitations by anyone to go out, even opting to ignore some people outright. It had been a long time since she had been alone on a Saturday night.

Freddie, however, was awake doing some calibrations to his new camera mount, when his cellphone snapped him out of his concentration. He flipped his phone open to read the message-

"Carly 1:14AM-

r u awake? need to see you ASAP"


Wow, what a set-up, am I right? Right, guys? No? Oh well, I tried. Seriously though, there's more to be had, I promise.