'Excuse me? Would you like a pillow?' I looked up at the flight attendant. 'No thanks' I smiled 'to excited to sleep.' She smiled back and moved on. I was excited. It had been 4 years since I'd been on United States soil. 4 years since I'd done iCarly and 4 years since I'd seen Carly, Freddie or Spencer. 4 very long years. I'd been living in Australia with my aunt ever since mum died. And although I'd come to love it there it was never really home. The friends I had never really filled the hole. So as soon as I finished high school I new I had to go back. I was only planning to be in Seattle for 2 months. Then I'd go back to Australia and head to uni. Contrary to Ridgeway belief I'd actually become quite the history whiz and would be a history teacher someday. I know that if I told anyone who new the old me that they wouldn't believe me. Sam Puckett. THE Sam Puckett, who used to make it her daily goal to annoy as many teachers and fellow students as possible, become a teacher. Quick, run, the apocalypse is coming. I stifled a giggle as I thought this and the little boy next to me stared nervously, he probably thinks I'm crazy. I turned my attention to the screen at the front of the cabin. It showed a map enlarged over the Pacific Ocean with a little dot that was slowly moving across the water. It was a g.p.s telling the passengers exactly where we were and right now the little dot was sailing over Hawaii. I was so close.
*****
I stepped out of the doors to the Sea-Tac. I could smell the cold Seattle air and smiled. I hailed a cab and gave the address of the hotel I had booked. The trip took about 15 minutes I tried to get a hotel as close to bushwell as possible but still with in my price range and ended up in the 5 blocks away called the Henry Lawson hotel. It was nice, not to fancy but not a shit hole either. It was comfortable, just what I needed. I put my suitcase down by the bed and turned to check out the small bathroom. I walked to the sink and splashed water on my face, it felt so good, I did my neck as well before finally giving in and taking a shower. When I got out I felt so tired, jet lag kicking in, I looked out the window and Seattle was alive it must be midday maybe 1 in the afternoon. I decided to get some dinner, or lunch, I should say. The longer I stayed awake the easier adjusting my sleep pattern will be. I walked down the street looking at everything as memories came flooding back. It was then that I saw it. Still there, open and filled with kids. The groovy smoothie looked just like I remembered it. I walked in and was hit with the smell of fresh fruit and berry's. I never realised how much I missed hanging out here with Carly and Freddie. I bought a mango berry blitz and sat down in the corner watching everyone. I was so emersed in my thoughts that I didn't even see him when he walked in. he had grown. His hair was slightly longer and he had lost all his baby fat, replaced with what I could tell from the concealing shirt he wore muscles, well built ones to. I didn't even recognise him until he had turned towards me and I saw his face. It was Freddie, I just knew it. He was in line waiting to be served. I slowly walked up to him, he hadn't noticed me so I reached up and tapped him on the shoulder, he was taller then me now.
'Uhm Freddie?' I asked
He turned to look at me, gave me a once over and asked 'Do I know you?'
I sighed, I hadn't changed that much, I mean my hair was a little shorter then I used to have it back then, and a lot tamer, mostly hanging straight unless its wet. My skin was a little darker from the Aussie sun and I'd lost my freckles but I hadn't changed THAT much. 'You don't recognise me do you?'
He stared at me, squinting his eyes, it didn't take him long, about 3 full seconds before his eyes widened 'Sam?'
I smiled and he took that as confirmation. 'Oh my god. Sam!' he hugged me so tight I thought I was going to pass out but I hugged him back, as much as I used to tease him I had really missed the dweeb. He pulled back and looked me up and down again, a new look in his eyes. 'Is it really you?'
'In the flesh' I smiled.
'What are you doing here? How long have you been back? You look…' he paused 'Amazing!'
'Aww shucks' I smiled ' I'm here because I wanted to see you and Carly again, I've missed you like crazy and well term doesn't start till February so here I am. I arrived this morning.' I paused to let him take it in. 'horrible jet lag' I added and smiled. He laughed too 'Do you want to get out of here? He asked.
'Don't you want a smoothie?' we were still standing in the line.
'Na, I only came here because I was bored.'
'Well ok then. Where we of to?'
'Park' he smiled grabbed my hand and walked me out.
'Can we go see Carly?' I asked, 'Where is she?'
He didn't answer this and asked me about life in Australia. I ignored his question and tried again 'Where's Carly, Freddie?' he stopped we were at a red light waiting to cross the road to the park. 'She's... Ah… busy, yeah busy.' The walk sign flashed and he tried to cross but I stood my ground and pulled him back. He swung round from the force of my pull so he was facing me.
'I see you haven't lost your touch' he smirked.
'Just because I've been gone for 4 years doesn't mean I'm stupid and it shore as hell doesn't mean I cant still read you like a book Benson' I glared at him and he sighed 'Where's Carly?'