Title: Gonna Get There Eventually - (1/2)
Author: slacker_d
Crossover: iCarly/Wizards of Waverly Place
Pairing/Characters: Sam/Harper, Freddie/OFC, past Sam/Carly
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Sam might have followed Carly (and Freddie) to New York, but her reasons for staying are definitely her own.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Word Count: ~6,530
Spoilers: general show spoilers for both
A/N: Could take place in the same universe as Do You Like, though not intentionally. Also, I started this last summer (before the iCarly finale) and then forgot about it for months (obviously).
2nd A/N: For IDF 2013
Sam's surprised how much she's enjoying the anonymity of New York City. She's used to being recognized because of iCarly, but here everyone and their brother is internet famous, so no one really seems to care.
She followed Carly here. Sort of. Carly and Freddie decided that they should all try and end up in the same place. Sam didn't disagree, but she also knew that college wasn't for her. So they picked New York because it has plenty of universities as well as tons of employment potential for someone with Sam's skill set. Those were Carly's exact words. If anyone else had said that Sam had a skill set, they would have gotten a Royal Fizz Bang.
And honestly, Sam doesn't mind. She's been just going with Carly's flow for years. Why should life after high school be any different?
Freddie ends up at The New School while Carly gets into Columbia. Sam, meanwhile spends the time running scams and saving as much as she can.
Months later, Sam's staying with six of Spencer's art buddies in a three bedroom apartment. Her room is technically a closet, but there's enough room for a single mattress, a mini fridge and her various crap. There's shelves at shoulder height and higher, but Sam's not much for that sort of thing. There's enough room to shove everything off her bed so she can sleep and that's all that matters; especially since it's only fifty bucks a month, plus ten for utilities. She totally owes Spencer for hooking her up. Because except for her cell phone bill, she doesn't have any other expenses besides food.
She sees Freddie more than Carly. Columbia is one hundred blocks north of them and it seems like a whole other planet. The New School is in the West Village, which is also where Freddie's dorm is. Sam lives in the East Village, next to the East River. It's easy enough for her to head over there than it is to head up and see Carly. Besides the fact that Carly always seems to be far too busy to hang out.
Sam always knew her ex would flourish in college and even though she misses her as both a girlfriend and a best friend, it makes Sam happy that Carly is.
Though it probably helps that Carly's not dating anyone at the moment.
Maybe it's the lack of Carly, or that despite still being a noob, Freddie is familiar in a city full of strangers and new experiences, but she ends up hanging out a lot with Freddie. She watches TV in his dorm room (one word, cable), eating beef jerky while Freddie does his homework. And since he's majoring in film and TV, his homework seems more project oriented.
Sam's pretty sure that Freddie is surprised by the comradely too. Nothing really changes between them. Freddie's only stipulation is that Sam stop with the physical abuse, but verbal is fine. So they're both still verbally cruel to each other, but Sam has stopped throwing objects at Freddie's head.
It's all this hanging out that leads Sam to follow Freddie to a Halloween party. Besides the New School students seem to have much better parties than any of the Columbia ones she's been to.
Freddie argues that he hangs out with film and theater students who have a different mindset than the psychology students that Carly hangs out with.
Sam dressed up as a cowboy because for some reason, she still has her costume from iCarly. Freddie, wanting to be clever (and that seems to be true of most the kids he hangs out with), dresses up as a crosswalk sign. He's dressed all in black with a large yellow diamond attached to his back. He looks odder than normal, which Sam gleefully tells him until he strikes the familiar walking pose.
"It's not the dumbest costume I've ever seen."
"Thanks Sam," Freddie says. "Yours is the laziest one I've ever seen."
"Whatever, Fredifer," Sam snaps. "I could have dressed normal and just said I was a serial killer."
"Yeah, but that's not really a costume, is it?" Freddie retorts.
He's so lucky that Sam promised no more violence because it takes every ounce of self control that she's recently acquired to not smack him.
At the party, they split up immediately. There's this girl that Freddie's trying to impress and having Sam around doesn't help.
"Because you got no game, Fredwina," Sam teases.
Besides, just because she's okay hanging out in Freddie's dorm, doesn't mean she wants to be seen with him in public.
She's enjoying what has been dubbed spooktacular punch, leaning against the wall, not quite ready to join in when she gets company.
It's a brunette about her height dressed as a wedding cake.
"Nice costume," she says. "I like the mustache."
"Thanks," Sam replies. "You too. Very…elaborate."
"Well, it's Halloween," she replies. "I'm Harper."
"Sam."
"You don't go here, do you?"
"What makes you say that?" Sam asks.
"You don't seem the type," Harper shrugs. "Not that that's a bad thing. I just meant you're not, uh… quirky enough. Um, you're more… cool?"
"Thanks, I guess," Sam replies. "You're right. Just came with a friend. He's wandering around somewhere."
"Boyfriend?"
"Hell no!" Sam says. "Fredweenie and I are not dating."
"Oh. Okay."
Harper lapses into silence. Sam sighs to herself; she knows she should try and keep the conversation flowing. Without Carly around as her anchor, Sam's been trying to find someone else to hang with.
"So what's your major?"
She cringes at the pathetic question, but Sam has no practice making small talk and even less experience talking to brainiacs in college, despite how much time she's spent around Freddie.
But apparently it's the right question to ask because Harper's eyes light up and her smile becomes a shit eating grin.
"I'm doubling in design, actually," Harper says. "Clothing and interior. Because I couldn't decide."
"I guess that works," Sam says. "But isn't that like twice as much work?"
"More like one and a half," Harper replies. "I worked it out with my advisor."
"Oh. Cool."
"So if you don't go here, where do you go?"
"I don't," Sam replies, trying not to feel pathetic. "School and I don't see eye to eye."
"Oh. So what do you do instead?"
Sam's already had a number of jobs these past couple months; her laziness and bad attitude have gotten her in trouble. (No surprise there, though.)
She's currently a window washer because while it's actual work, it pays well and handing hundreds of feet in the air above the city seems to be satisfying her reckless side. There are tons of safety precautions, but still enough possible danger to appeal to her.
(Sam's surprised she's able to do it some days. She still has flashbacks of pulling Carly up onto the platform, as well as dangling head first and having to be dragged up. And yet, it's never an issue when she's actually up there. It's weird.)
"I wash sky scrapper windows," Sam says.
"That sounds dangerous."
Sam grins. "Yep."
Sam can feel Harper's eyes on her and tries not to get annoyed.
"You got into a lot of trouble in high school. Didn't you?"
Sam keeps grinning. "Yep."
They lapse into silence again.
"So what's your friend dressed up as?" Harper asks.
Having spotted Freddie dragging his dream girl onto the dance floor months ago, Sam points him out to Harper. She seems impressed with his costume.
"He'll be glad you approve," Sam says. "Fredica was worried."
"Well, as art students, we take Halloween very seriously."
…
Sam isn't sure how it happens, but she spends the entire night hanging out with Harper. The girl's weird. And she talks a lot, but she's also the first person Sam's met in New York that actually seems to find Sam interesting.
Sam's apartment mates don't bother with her because they're so serious about their art. And the fact that she doesn't bother to care about it, means they just ignore her. Most of the Columbian students she's met with Carly look down at her for not being school and though they're friendly, the New School kids really don't know what to think of her.
But for whatever reason, Harper seems intrigued by Sam. So after exchanging numbers, Sam walks Harper back to her dorm; can't be too careful.
It takes a lot of effort to convince Harper that she'll be fine walking back alone. Harper finally relents when Sam promises to text when she gets home.
Freddie apparently got lucky because he disappeared and when she called him, it went straight to voicemail. Moments later, she received a text.
:) !
She's going to take that as a good sign.
Sam texts Carly as she walks home. She'd declined going to the party with Sam and Freddie. It makes Sam wonder if Carly is dating someone and is afraid to tell her. Which is ridiculous since it was Sam's idea to break up. And it was also Sam who followed her ex girlfriend across the country to maintain their friendship that had morphed into dating.
But that's Carly, always concerned about Sam more than anyone has ever been, including her family.
Except it doesn't feel like that now. If Carly is dating someone and trying to spare Sam's feelings, it's having the opposite effect because Sam's never felt more abandoned.
She even briefly considered heading up to Boston and visiting Melanie at Harvard, but that absurd idea was quickly dismissed. She and Melanie don't have that kind of relationship. Spencer's more of a brother than Melanie is a sister; even with the twin thing.
The apartment is quiet and mostly empty when Sam enters. Everyone has odd hours, so it's not unusual. After using the bathroom, Sam heads to her closet, unlocks the pad lock she put on the door (because with so many people coming in and out of this place, there's no guarantee that her shit won't disappear. And yeah, it's not like the greatest stuff ever, but it's hers.), and shuts it behind her. She then uses the same pad lock on the inside because she doesn't want to be bothered.
She texts Harper that she's fine and receives a smiley face in return.
Sam then plugs in her phone and stripes, tossing her clothes on top of the fridge. She collapses on the mattress in her underwear and contemplates if she wants a snack before bed. All the alcohol has made her tired, so she just rolls over and pulls the blanket over herself.
…
When she wakes up, rubbing her face reveals that she slept with the mustache on. She's impressed that it stayed attached all night.
Checking her cell phone explains why she's starving, since it's almost two. She opens the mini fridge and pulls out some left over meatballs. They're gone in an instant.
She stands and stretches before unlocking the pad lock and heading towards the bathroom. She showers because she smells like a college frat party and contemplates her evening.
Talking with Harper had been surprisingly fun. She hasn't found too many people she wants to spend time with. Even now, she mostly hangs out with Freddie because it's comfortable and familiar.
Drying off, Sam decides to not delete Harper's number like she normally would. After all, she's in a new city and she really needs someone else to hang out with besides Freddie.
…
She still ends up meeting Freddie for dinner later. He's super excited since he actually scored the night before. He's practically buzzing; Sam finds it almost cute, which is how she knows for certain that they're spend too much time together.
Sam wonders if Freddie's history of hanging out with mostly only girls in high school makes it more difficult for him to make guy friends. Or maybe he, like her, appreciates the familiarity of their friendship in this new environment.
And so she listens to the story of his evening, throwing in the appropriate Sam snark when required. She must be growing as a person because she actually finds herself smiling and meaning it.
It seems to weird Freddie out a bit too (though he did call her, so Sam's not sure what exactly he was looking for), and so he asks how last night was for her.
"Yeah, it was all right."
"I saw you talking to a wedding cake for a long time," Freddie says.
"Yeah," Sam replies. "Harper… something. She seemed cool."
"She must have been," Freddie says. "Every time I saw you, you were talking to her."
"What? Were you checking up on me?"
"Course not," Freddie scoffs. "I know better than that."
Which is Freddie code for yes.
"Whatever."
"You should call her," Freddie says after a few moments of silence.
"Who?"
"Harper."
"Maybe I don't have her number."
"Sam."
"She doesn't seem like my type," Sam says.
"What are you talking about?" Freddie asks. "She totally seems like your type."
"How the hell do you know what my type is?" Sam questions.
"I just meant that no one would have guessed that you and Carly would work, but you did. So maybe you should give this Harper girl a chance."
"She's not even gay, Fredachini," Sam replies.
"How do you know?"
"Because she told me all about how she broke up with her high school boyfriend and how awkward it was because he was best friends with her best friend's brother."
"So?" Freddie says. "Maybe she's bi. Or maybe she just hasn't found the girl that's going to wake up her girl liking feelings."
"And you really think that's me?"
Freddie shrugs. "Can't hurt to find out."
"Seriously?"
"Why else are you here, Sam?" Freddie asks. "I know we all wanted to be together, but I didn't really expect it. And I definitely didn't expect that of all the pairings to survive, it'd be you and me."
Sam can concede that point, since she agrees. She always figured it be Freddie and Carly, in college, leaving Sam to fend for herself. This thing with Freddie is probably the weirdest part of being in New York.
"Fine," Sam huffs. "I'll call her. But to hang. I'm not asking her out. That's too weird."
"Have you ever asked a girl out?" Freddie asks.
"Technically no," Sam replies. "I mean, hook ups don't count, right?"
Freddie shakes his head.
"Then no."
"Well if you ever need any tips-"
"Shut it, Fredwad."
…
Sam doesn't call Harper right away. For one thing, it's weird. For another, she has no idea what to say. It's not like she can ask Harper to just hang out at her place. She lives in a damn closet. If she had a TV or something, maybe, but it still seems like a highly suggestive move.
…
Almost as if he knows, Freddie gives Sam an excuse. One of his films is being featured in a showcase with four others. He then too casually adds that Sam could maybe bring someone with.
Sam pulls out a five dollar bill and hands it to Freddie. He accepts it, looking bemused until Sam slugs him in the shoulder.
"Holy crap, Sam!" He backs away. "What the hell?"
"Sorry." Sam shrugs. "I had to."
"And this?" Freddie asks, waving the five.
"I figured it's like a swear jar. Instead of putting a dollar in a jar, I gave you five bucks. So we're even."
"Or I could hit you back, instead," Freddie retorts.
"If you want to," Sam replies. "But if you think you punching me is going to be worse than me losing my hard earned cash, then you're either delusional or have been working out a lot."
Freddie sighs. "I hate you."
"I'm sorry I hit you so hard," Sam replies. "I just kinda, slipped."
"You make it sound like you dropped a plate." Freddie rubs his shoulder. "So you're going to invite her, right?"
"Yes, Fredarella," Sam retorts. "But mostly because you're weirding me out in match making mode."
"You could have just said so," Freddie grumbles.
…
When Sam calls Harper, she sounds surprised; like she didn't expect Sam to call. Sam wonders if she's overestimating the situation. After all, Sam had been drinking a lot and her people skills are almost non existent.
Sam figures she'll just get the rejection over with. "Listen, I was wondering if you'd want to come with me to see my, uh, friend's (it still took a lot of effort to refer to Freddie as a friend) first student film?"
"Um…"
"I know it won't be the most exciting thing ever, but there might be some good mocking opportunities."
"Sounds like fun. Count me in."
…
Sam's nervous; which hardly makes any sense. It's not a date. Despite what Freddie's hoping, all Sam is looking for is someone else to hang out with. Period.
Tonight's also the night Sam's meeting Freddie's girlfriend. It's because of this Ana chick that he hasn't been around much. Though, oddly, he said Sam could still hang out in his room and watch TV, as long as she didn't break anything. Some things never change, because Sam has had to fight the urge to destroy something; just to prove she hasn't changed.
Except she has.
The fact that she's nervous, proves that. It's such an odd feeling to get used to; wanting to hang out with someone other than Carly. She wonders if that means she's growing as a person.
God, she hopes not.
…
Ana, though brunette, is nothing like Carly; for which Sam is thankful. She's not ready to spend the evening with Freddie's version of Carly 2.0.
Instead, Ana is a music major, hoping to one day work in the industry.
"And I've heard a lot about you," Ana says.
"And you're still standing next to me?" Sam asks. "Frederico must have lied his ass off about me."
Ana laughs. "I hope not, because he didn't paint the nicest picture of you."
Sam finds herself letting out a sigh of relief. "Did he tell you about the day I got him to show up to school in a clown costume? Because that was one of my better pranks."
"He mentioned a few things," Ana replies. "But he also said, that to his amazement, you seem to actually be trying, even without Carly around to push you."
Sam suddenly feels bashful. "Yeah, well, new chapter and all."
"Sorry," Ana says. "I didn't mean to bring up painful memories."
"It's fine."
"And Freddie said you're moving on, that you have a date tonight," Ana continues.
"It's not a date," Sam hisses. "It's just me, hanging out with someone new, which is like a big step for me. Just because I like her, doesn't mean it's a date."
Ana just smiles. "Of course not."
"So did Frederick tell you what his film's about?" Sam asks. "Because he refused to tell me."
Ana shakes her head.
"Figures."
"You sound annoyed," Ana says.
A tap on the shoulder stops Sam from answering. She turns to find a smiling Harper behind her.
"Hi," Harper waves.
"Hey Harper." Sam finds herself feeling a bit nervous, which is stupid. Just because she and Harper have been talking (flirting) over the phone daily since Sam issued the invitation a week ago, doesn't mean anything's changed between them. "Uh, this is Ana. She's the Fredster's girl."
"Harper Finkle," Harper says, offering her hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Ana smiles.
"Um."
"We should go find some seats," Sam interrupts.
"All right," Ana says. "I'll see you guys after."
"We're not sitting with them?"
"All the directors have special seats in the back," Sam explains to Harper.
"That makes sense."
They find seats near an aisle and settle in.
"Thanks for inviting me," Harper says.
"Well thanks for suffering through this with me," Sam replies. "Fredward's film could be just awful."
"Your friendship with Freddie is very strange," Harper says.
Sam can only shrug.
"But I guess if it works for you guys," Harper continues. "Who am I to judge?"
A hush falls over the room as the lights dim.
Freddie's film is fourth and isn't as bad as Sam was expecting. Just because he's good at all that tech stuff, doesn't mean he'd be a good film maker.
Freddie's film is a mockumentary of how to handle a zombie home invasion. The script is clever and funny, while Freddie's style of filming really adds to the piece. Sam grudgingly admits that Freddie has some talent.
…
When the lights rise after the final film, Sam glances over at Harper. "What'd you think?" she asks.
"Very interesting," Harper replies. "I liked Freddie's."
Sam nods. "Me too. It's surprising."
Harper laughs. "I'm sure he'll be glad to hear that."
…
Once Freddie's done smoozing, he, Ana, Sam and Harper head down the street to a coffee shop. Harper and Ana find a table while Sam and Freddie get the coffee.
As they're carrying the drinks back to the table, Freddie whispers, "Totally a date."
The old Sam would have poured her coffee on him. This Sam just says, "Shove it, Freddork."
"So Satan," Freddie says once everyone has their drink and is situated. "What'd you think?"
"Not horrible, Frederico," Sam replies, smiling. "I've definitely seen worse."
"High praise indeed," Freddie chuckles.
"I thought it was pretty cool," Harper adds.
"Yeah," Ana says. "Great framing and I liked the precision of your style. It made the camera seem less intrusive."
"And it was pretty funny."
"Thanks," Freddie smiles.
"Christ, it's your first student film, Fredsicle," Sam scoffs. "Don't let it go to your head."
"No one asked you, Puckett," Freddie replies. "Why don't you go soak your head?"
"Make me, Winifred," Sam retorts. "Besides, been there, done that."
"You'll probably melt like the wicked witch of the west," Freddie says. "I was surprised you didn't last time."
"At least I'm not a spineless momma's boy," Sam replies.
"I haven't talked to my mom in over a week, Sammy," Freddie returns. "Does your mom even know where you are?"
"Basically," Sam says. "But unlike you I don't need to hold my mommy's hand every time I cross the street."
"Maybe because you're too lazy to actually do anything," Freddie retorts.
"Um, should we leave the two of you alone?" Ana interrupts.
"Yeah, you guys fight like an old married couple," Harper adds.
"Take that back!" Sam exclaims.
"No hacemos!" Feddie adds.
"Yes," Harper says. "You do."
"Yeah," Ana adds, grinning. "Is there something we should know?"
"He wishes," Sam scoffs.
"Not even if she was the last creature on earth."
"Okay then," Harper says.
"It's kinda cute actually," Ana says.
"Fredzilla, I like your girl, but if she keeps talking smack, I will have to resort to violence."
"Give it a rest, devil woman," Freddie retorts. "You know damn well she didn't mean it like that."
"Whatever."
"Maybe even an apology?"
"Don't push it, Fredosaurus," Sam growls.
"It's find, Freddie."
"Would it be that hard to apologize?" Harper asks.
Sam stares at the hopeful expression on Harper's face and finds herself caving. "Sorry Ana."
"It's no problem, Sam."
"See that wasn't so bad." Harper's grin is huge.
"As long as I don't have to apologize to Frederino," Sam grumbles.
"Heaven forbid," Freddie scoffs.
…
When they part company with Freddie and Ana a few hours later, Freddie's grin is obnoxious enough for Sam to punch him in the arm. However, before she can, Harper has slipped her hand into Sam's. Seeing this makes Freddie's grin even larger. Sam flicks him off, before waving nicely to Ana, who just laughs.
Still hand in hand, they start an almost leisurely stroll back to Harper's dorm. They walk together in silence, both content to just be in the other's presence. It's not too far from the theater and so they reach the building in about fifteen minutes. Sam finds herself a bit disappointed.
Harper's building has a lobby with mailboxes and a bored looking security guard behind a cheap desk.
Not quite ready to say goodnight, Sam pulls Harper into the one semi private corner of the lobby. This action causes Harper to grin.
"So have you and Freddie ever, you know?"
They're standing shoulder to shoulder now, hands still intertwined, pressed together as much as possible.
"What? No way," Sam replies. "Well we kissed once, but that was it."
"You kissed?"
"It was this whole thing about first kisses," Sam answers, waving the topic away. "All it did was made me realize I like girls."
Harper laughs. "I bet that helped his ego."
Sam shrugs. "Like I care about Fredworth's feelings."
"So all the hostility isn't unresolved sexual tension?" Harper asks, smiling.
"Ewww, no," Sam retorts. "He's the little brother I like to kick around. That's all."
"Good." Harper turns to face Sam. "Then it's okay if I do this." Harper then leans forward and kisses Sam.
It's so unexpected that Sam is almost too shocked to respond. Her brain kicks in a half second later and she begins to kiss back.
When Harper finally pull away, she's wearing the cutest little smile and Sam has the urge to tug her back for another kiss.
"You had me worried for a moment," Harper says quietly, smiling.
Sam half shrugs. "Sorry. I don't always respond well to surprises." And since Harper made the first move, Sam is feeling a bit brave. "Plus my brain tends to shut off whenever I get a kiss from a pretty girl."
Harper chuckles as a light blush spreads across her cheeks. "You're saying pretty girls kiss you a lot?"
Sam is finding Harper's pout a little too adorable for her liking. "Hardly. That's why my brain shuts off. Because it happens so rarely."
"Good. I'd hate to think I'm just one of a dozen girls you've been wooing."
"A dozen?" Sam raises an eyebrow. "That seems like too many to me." She blinks. "Did you just say wooing?"
Harper nods, almost shyly.
"Uh, well, I'm not much of a…uh, wooer," Sam replies, sheepishly.
"Well walking me back to my dorm is pretty chivalrous, certainly."
Sam stuffs her hands in her pockets. "It's too dangerous for you to be out walking alone."
"And it's not for you?"
Sam shakes her head. "But that's a conversation for another day."
"Why?" Harper asks, smirking. "Afraid you'll scare me away?"
Sam shrugs again. It's a real concern, though she'd never voice it. "Nah," Sam replies. "I just know you're going to ask a lot of question and it's getting kinda late."
"You'll let me know that you got home safe?"
Sam nods, bashful as she digs her toe into the floor.
"Good."
Sam looks up to find Harper smiling shyly at her. She can't help but smile back.
"No kiss goodnight?"
The request for a kiss spurs Sam's confidence and she grins as she leans in for another kiss.
It's longer this time, filled with sweetness and hope and Sam finds herself getting lost in the sensation of Harper's hot, wet kisses, causing her to press Harper firmly against the wall.
When they finally break apart, it takes every bit of restraint Sam has to not shove the other girl against the wall and kiss her senseless.
The look on Harper's face says she's feeling the same way, so before either of them do something they're both regret, Sam gives Harper one more chaste kiss on the lips before backing away with a slight bow.
"I'll call you tomorrow?"
Harper nods.
Sam saunters out of the lobby, feeling Harper's eyes on her until it's impossible that the other girl could still see her.
…
Sam is woken up the next morning at an ungodly hour by her cell phone.
"What?!" she growls into it.
"Morning sunshine," Freddie's overly cheerful voice greets. "Is that anyway to answer the phone? What if it had been your girl?"
"Why are you aggravating me?" Sam counters. "Don't you have a girl of your own to annoy?"
"She's in class," Freddie replies. "Why aren't you at work?"
"It's my day off."
"So… You and Harper?" Freddie prods.
"What about me and Harper?" Sam snaps.
"Please tell me you made a move," Freddie says.
Sam's starting to think that maybe Freddie spent too much time with her and Carly in high school. And then later when he started hanging out with Gibby… well, enough said.
"God Fredacorn," Sam groans. "Maybe you want to come over and we can gossip while we paint our nails."
"Mock me all you want, Sam, but you can't pretend you don't like Harper."
Sam grumbles.
"And you especially can't pretend that we're not friends," Freddie continues.
"Whatever," Sam mutters. "That doesn't mean we're going to sit here and giggle like little girls over Harper."
"So something did happen," Freddie grins.
Sam's quiet for over a minute as she thinks about the points Freddie just made. Finally, she sighs and says, "She kissed me."
The whoop that Freddie lets out is so loud that Sam pulls the phone away from her ear with a growl.
"I told you," he crows.
"Whoopee, it's one of the five times in your life you've been right," Sam mutters.
"You're welcome."
"For what?"
"If I hadn't pushed you-"
"Yeah, yeah," Sam interrupts. "You're a great friend, blah, blah, blah."
"Nice of you to finally admit it."
"Whatever, I'm going back to bed, it's too early to be up."
"It's ten thirty," Freddie points out.
This gives Sam pause. "Seriously?"
"Uh huh."
"Well, I'm still gonna hang up on you," Sam replies.
"Why?"
"Besides the obvious? Harper."
"Isn't she in class?"
"She eats lunch between eleven fifteen and twelve," Sam replies. "So if I grab a quick shower, I can be down there to meet her."
"Awww, sweet little Sammy already knows her schedule," Freddie coos. "All it takes is one kiss and you're whipped."
"You're so lucky I can't hurt you right now," Sam growls.
Freddie laughs. "You don't scare me anymore, Sam. Tell Harper I say hi." And then he ends the call before Sam can retort.
"Smart move, Benson," Sam mumbles to herself.
…
The smile that lights up Harper's face when she spots Sam waiting for her after class is worth any teasing from Freddie. She shyly offers to take Harper's books, which earns her a kiss of gratitude.
Though it's November, the weather is almost nice out and so Sam suggests they walk to down to Thompkins Square and eat lunch.
"There's a pretty decent hot dog cart at the west entrance," Sam says. "I know it's not exactly-"
"It's just fine," Harper replies.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Harper says. "This is so much better than the phone call I was expecting this afternoon."
"This afternoon?"
"Well, it's your day off," Harper replies. "I figured you'd be sleeping for another couple hours."
Sam shrugs sheepishly. (She can't believe Harper knows her so well, already.) If Freddie hadn't woken her up, she'd probably still be sleeping. "Yeah, well, for once, I don't mind being up this early."
Harper grins and grabs Sam's hand as they stroll down the busy street.
Sam tries not to feel like a total noob. The only girlfriend Sam's had is Carly and their lives were so intertwined that when they started dating, nothing really changed. This having to do things, make an effort doesn't really feel like her. But she likes Harper and making her smile is causing Sam's heart to flutter in her chest, so she's trying to not over think it. After all, analysis really isn't her strong suit; she's more of a doer.
And it's totally worth it. Harper doesn't have another class until three and so they spend a couple hours huddled together in the park. There aren't too many people out because of the cold, cloudy day, but there are still enough weirdos to mock and Sam can't help herself. The fact that Harper just laughs and occasionally joins in makes Sam think she could fall in love with this girl.
The thought comes out of nowhere and stuns Sam so much that she falls off the ledge they're sitting on, hitting the ground with a groan.
"Oh my god, Sam," Harper exclaims as she hops to the ground. "What happened? Are you okay?"
Feeling like a complete nub, Sam stands awkwardly. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."
"What happened?"
There's no way in hell Sam's going to tell Harper what she'd been thinking. Instead, she just shrugs and blames it on lack of sleep.
"But if you want to kiss my owie you can," Sam smirks.
Harper lets her gaze fall to Sam's ass. "I think that's more of a fifth date activity."
"Really?" Sam smirks. "I'll keep that in mind."
This earns her a smack on the arm.
"Walk me to my next class?"
Sam nods, taking Harper's hand and they head back towards campus.
…
The moment Freddie steps out of his afternoon class, Sam grabs him.
"Hey."
"I need to talk to you," Sam tells him as she drags him towards a nearby coffee shop.
"We've been over this Sam," Freddie says. "Use your words."
"I'll buy you a coffee."
This causes Freddie to stop in the middle of the street. Sam, who is still holding onto his jacket sleeve, is jerked back. They stare at each other for a moment before Freddie nods.
"Well since you offering to pay is such a rarity, I guess I better take you up on that offer. Lead on, Puckett."
…
Sam sets an Americano in front of Freddie while takes a sip of her mocha.
"Do you really need that caffeine?" Freddie asks.
"To deal with you, I do," Sam retorts.
"It's just you haven't been that physically demanding with me in…" Freddie trails off, realizing how his words sound.
Sam grins. "Good thing Ana's not here to hear that, eh, Fredwich?"
"So what did you want to talk about Sam?"
Sam doesn't look at Freddie, instead keeps her eyes on her coffee cup as she slides it about the table.
"Sam."
"I have a problem."
"I figured that out," Freddie scoffs.
"I like Harper."
"I know," Freddie says. "How is that a problem?"
"I mean I really like her," Sam continues.
"Again," Freddie says. "What's the problem? I mean, I assumed as much because you usually need a lot of motivation to do anything."
Sam growls at him, but doesn't protest.
"Did lunch not go well?"
Sam leans across the table and drops her voice. "Look Fredwardo, I've loved five people in my life; and two of those were out of familial obligation. And even though Carls and I… It took a long time for me to admit that I liked her-loved her like that."
"I know that, Sam."
"But I was at the park with Harper and I… It just hit me, you know? I could fall in love with her."
A grins spreads across Freddie's face. "That's great, Sam." He examines her for a moment. "Isn't it?"
"I don't know."
Freddie studies her for a minute before asking, "Are you scared?"
"What? Hell no," Sam retorts. "I'm a Puckett. We're not afraid of anything."
"Except feelings."
Sam sighs. "It's just… What about Carly?"
"What about Carly?" Freddie questions. "You broke up with her."
"She doesn't need the burden of an underachieving girlfriend here," Sam answers. "Carls is going to do amazing things-"
"You could too, Sam."
"I didn't want to get the point where we resent each other," Sam continues. "Either her towards me for holding her back or me towards her for going somewhere I can't follow. This way, even though we've drifted apart, there aren't any hard feelings. Just… what ifs."
"I'm lost," Freddie says. "What does this have to do with Harper?"
"How can I be feeling this for Harper already?"
"You and Carly did break up five month ago," Freddie points out. "And we've barely seen her since we got to New York. When's the last time you talked to her?"
"Halloween," Sam answers, quietly.
"And that was only a two minute conversation, right?"
Sam nods.
"You're not rushing into anything Sam," Freddie says. "You're moving on. I'm sure Carly is too."
"You think so?"
"I do," Freddie nods.
"Do you think that's why she doesn't want to hang with us anymore?" Sam questions. "She's got a new… person and doesn't want to rub it in either of our faces?"
Freddie blinks at Sam before replying quietly, "Huh, I guess it's possible." He contemplates this as he sips his drink. After a moment, he looks up at Sam, smirking. "I told you so."
"About what?"
"Harper."
Sam growls. "Just drink your damn coffee and shut up."
…
A few hours later Sam is stretched out in bed trying to read Adulthood for Dummies that Spencer had given her as a graduation present. For some reason, this whole Harper thing has caused Sam to start considering her future. She tries not to think about the implications as she reads.
She answers her cell phone without looking, pleasantly surprised to hear Harper's voice.
"I just wanted to make sure we're still on for tonight."
Feeling confused, Sam asks, "Why wouldn't we be?"
"Oh, well, because we already hung out today?"
"Is this your way of implying that we spend too much time together?"
"Why? Is that how you feel?"
Sam sighs. Now she remembers why she prefers one night stands. Feelings and caring about people really isn't her forte. She tries to recall what Carly always told her about dating, specifically dating girls.
"I like hanging out with you," Sam says. "So I'd really like to, uh see you tonight."
Harper's reply is silence and Sam quickly begins to panic; maybe she said too much. She's just about to take everything back when Harper speaks.
"Really?"
"Uh, yeah," Sam replies. "I don't really say things I don't mean." Sam shrugs even if Harper can't see her. "Don't see the point of doing anything else."
Harper laughs, making Sam smile. "I just thought you didn't have a filter."
"Well maybe that too," Sam agrees. "So I'll see you in a bit?"
"Can't wait."
Sam ends the call still wearing a smile. She'd never admit it out loud, but her conversation with Freddie earlier really did help. That and the uncertainty that Harper had when she asked about hanging out is enough for Sam to feel better about staring something with Harper.
Though looking around her "room", Sam realizes that she's not the best catch. She's only eighteen, how the hell is she supposed to know what she wants to do with her life. She figures she has some time, but Sam doesn't want to end up like her mom. Which means she has to figure her shit out.
Sam sighs. Maybe if she opened a checking account instead of keeping all her money in a sock in the freezer of her mini fridge. That seems like a good first step.
Translation
No hacemos = We do not