A/N: This is the prologue to the songfic I wrote called Congratulations. It's a Cam story, set in probably about 2015. It's also written like Carly is telling Sam the whole story from her point of view, I know it probably gets kind of confusing at times whether it's past or present tense, but it's past. The whole thing was inspired by and is based on the song "Congratulations" by Blue October featuring Imogen Heap. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen, it's a pretty amazing song. One of my favorites. So read this first, then read the actual fic, and let me know what you think. (Btw, Vancouver is a city in Washington, not the town in Canada.)
Congratulations: Invitations
I didn't expect to get an invitation. After all, I hadn't talked to you in a while. But when I pulled the mail out of my mailbox and went through the stack, the lacy, bundled up card caught my attention pretty quickly. It was a pale yellow, the front of it decorated with a lace bow and Script letters reading, "You're Invited…"
I have to admit, my heart pounded a little faster. My curiosity peaked, and I quickly hurried back to my apartment, not even bothering to glance at the other envelopes I'd received – just bills, as usual. As soon as I shut the door behind me, I walked to the couch, tossing the other pieces of mail onto it carelessly, my eyes still glued to the lacy invitation. I knew what it was, I just didn't know who it was from. Perhaps a wrong address? I didn't know.
My fingers slipped under the lace and slowly pulled, being gentle so as to preserve the obviously expensive invitation, and I flipped open the card. There was more fancy Script and a few little decorations – wedding bells and a tiny bride and groom, as well as a few doves scattered around the edges – and I immediately noticed my name at the top. With curious eyes, I read:
Carly Shay,
You are cordially invited to celebrate
the wedding of
Samantha Puckett
and
Ryan L. Sloan
on
Saturday afternoon
May the twenty-third
at two o'clock
at Seattle First Baptist Church
Eleven-eleven Harvard Avenue
followed by a reception
Please R.S.V.P.
by
March the first
The rest of the invitation gave addresses and information to R.S.V.P. I stared in awe, almost unable to comprehend what I was reading. Was that the Samantha Puckett I knew…? And who was Ryan Sloan?
I turned the lacy card over and over in my shaking hands. The back had more fancy Script, reading, "We hope to see you!" I still didn't fully understand. I guess I was in shock.
First of all, I hadn't really talked to you since I'd left Seattle. I moved to Vancouver after we graduated to attend college, even though I had a scholarship to a school in New York, I wanted to stay close to my brother and my best friends. However, at the last minute, you got a scholarship – don't ask me how, because I was just as shocked – to go to a really good college in Texas, and then Freddie broke it to us that he was going to Harvard. It was just how things turned out, how they were meant to be. None of us liked it much, but we knew by then it was too late to change our plans. We had adults with high expectations pushing us and pressuring us to go to these colleges. Eventually, our friendship just got pushed to the bottom of our list of priorities.
I mean, we tried to stay in touch. Yeah, I remember the hours of phone conversations and text messages and IM's between all three of us. But I also remember how they slowly dwindled away, how those hours turned into just a couple of hours, then just about an hour a day, and then maybe not even an hour every few days, until it was just a text message or an awkward IM every couple of months saying, "hey, how are you?" Finally, we just sort of gave up. We got distracted with our own lives and our own futures, and we lost touch with each other.
It hurt. I'm not going to lie: I missed you terribly. I even missed Freddie. And on drunken nights, I went back and watched old videos on our long-forgotten iCarly website, crying at how you and I laughed together and joked, and listening to your voice to try to keep it close to me. Sometimes, though, I'd forget to remember you. I felt guilty. I called Spencer on numerous occasions for comfort, but for some reason, he tried to avoid the subject of you, and he tried to keep my mind off of you and Freddie altogether. I think he was just looking out for the best for me, knowing that I couldn't dwell on lost friendships, and that I had to move on with life and accept things and the way they changed.
But you were my best friend. You'll always be my best friend.
I called Spencer after I'd calmed myself down from reading the invitation. I told him about it, trying to hold back the tears.
"I-I didn't even know she had a boyfriend, let alone a guy that wanted to marry her!" I whined into the phone.
Spencer sighed. "I know, Carls. I mean, I guess she still cares about you and considers you a friend, even if you don't talk anymore. Maybe… maybe you should go to it. It is her wedding. That's a pretty big thing…"
I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. "I know, I know… It's a huge thing."
"Yeah. I bet you never imagined Sam would get married, huh?" Spencer joked, trying to lighten the mood.
I smiled. "I always knew she would… She's so beautiful. It was just that no one ever took the time to get to know her for who she really is; the way me and you and Freddie know her."
"I know," Spencer mumbled, not joking anymore. "That guy's really lucky to have her…"
I closed my eyes and imagined your face the last time I'd seen it – your blonde hair tied back in a messy ponytail, and a weak smile on your face. Before you turned and got into your car, you pulled me into a hug, and you held me so close and so tight. I held you just as tightly, never wanting to let go. I breathed in the smell of you, and tried to imagine life without you. I couldn't.
Yet here I was, living my life without you. And I didn't like it. I never found another best friend like Sam Puckett.
And that day, I watched your car drive away until I couldn't see it anymore. I cried, and I remember how the back of your car looked through tears. I didn't know you were leaving me for good.
There was a silence on the phone, with only Spencer's breathing there to calm me.
"I miss her so much, Spence…"
"I know, Carls… I know. So do I," he muttered back.
After much debate and many more tear-stained pillows, I decided to go. I had to go. How could I miss my best friend's wedding?
I wondered who your maid of honor would be…
By the end of February, I'd already called to R.S.V.P. and I even bought a dress. It wasn't anything flashy or expensive, but I thought it was me, and I hoped I would still look like the old Carly you knew when you saw me in it. I spent hours in front of the mirror trying it out, as well as trying out different makeup and different hairstyles. Doing all of this made me nostalgic, and I ended up going through boxes in the back of my closet, finding old pictures of us. There was one of all of us – me, you, Freddie, and Spencer – in the iCarly studio. Holding tears back, I brought it out and stuck it in the frame of my mirror, gazing at it for a few moments before wiping tears away. I smiled, realizing I was going to see you again in just a few months. I was so excited.
Slowly, the weeks rolled by. March was finally gone, then April, then those last few weeks of May. Finally, the weekend of the wedding was only days away. I took a week off of work (which I really couldn't afford, but I'd worry about that later), and headed back to Seattle, staying with Spencer for the days I'd be there. It was odd being back in the loft, seeing as I'd only visited on holidays and birthdays since I'd moved out. Spencer turned the iCarly studio into a showroom for all of his sculptures, and gave my room to his daughter. (Yes, that little baby, Sadie, that Spencer had become a single dad to when I was a senior was now grown into an adorable little girl, who I still loved to death.)
I was quiet for most of my time in the loft. I was more nervous than anything, anxiety setting in on me like a dark cloud. The dress felt tighter every time I tried it on, and I looked older each time I gazed in the mirror. I wondered if you'd recognize me.
But what I wondered more was whether you'd talk to me.
---------------
I arrived at the church an hour early. I found a parking spot about a block away. My hands shook with nervousness as I reached for my door handle, so I stopped. I sat back and took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment. I pictured you, and how you looked the last time I saw you. I wondered how different you'd look now.
I reached across and opened my glove box, reaching inside and grabbing the picture on top of the pile of papers and napkins. I pulled it out, shutting the glove box, and looked at it for about the millionth time that weekend. I held back the tears with force, not wanting to ruin my makeup. I'd spent two hours getting ready, which was not normal for me.
Finally, I stuffed the picture under my visor and opened my car door, getting out and pressing the 'lock' button. The alarm beeped at me, startling me. I was so shaky, and I didn't quite understand why. True, I hadn't seen you for about three years, but still…
Oh, who was I kidding? I was scared and excited and nervous all at the same time to see my best friend again… A thought came to my mind as I was walking down the street, my mind miles away from my body.
What if she has a new best friend? I asked myself. She probably replaced me ages ago…
It made my heart thump a little harder and a little lower, but I tried to push the thought from my head. I'd just have to get used to the way things were, even if they were terribly different. I reminded myself: things change, people change, life goes on, and everything turns out the way it was meant to be. Or at least that's what I liked to believe.
When I reached the crowd outside the church, I almost got lost. There were tons of people there, and I didn't know a single one of them. I recognized your mom up on the steps, smoking a cigarette and looking less than pleased. She'd aged even more since the last time I saw her, and I was a little surprised she'd even bothered to attend your wedding.
The large crowd was slowly filing in through the church doors, people often stopping to greet or talk to someone. I grew more and more impatient, feeling more and more nauseous as the minutes passed and I wasn't securely in a seat. I just wanted to get inside, sit down at the back, and try to calm myself down. Relaxing was impossible in this crowd.
After what seemed like an eternity amongst people I didn't know and too much perfume around me, I finally got inside and was allowed to the seating. I eyed the room carefully, searching for any clue as to where you were. I knew, though, that you wouldn't be out there yet. You were most likely still getting ready.
My eyes quickly scanned around me, wanting to find a good seat as soon as possible. The pews were already filling up, families sitting together and little kids squirming around. A baby cried from one of the front pews. I walked along the right edge of the aisle, staying close to the pews and keeping my eyes on the seats. I didn't want to be clear at the back, but I didn't want to be very close to the front. I chose the fourth pew from the back. It was fairly empty, so I walked a little past the middle of it, squeezing between it and the back of the pew in front of it, and sat down carefully, setting my purse down next to me. Now, as I looked around, I realized I should've brought someone with me – one of my guy friends, at least. I was sure I stuck out like a sore thumb, sitting there all alone.
As I sat there, the minutes seemed to move by quicker than I expected. The pews steadily filled up with what looked to be some of your family and a lot of your husband-to-be's family. It appeared he came from money. I also saw a lot of people I didn't know who were all about the same age as us. I assumed they were the friends you'd made after you left for college.
Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't notice any of the people who sat down in front of me. When the man sitting in front of me turned around, he caught the corner of my eye and I looked back at him. His eyes lit up.
"Freddie?"
"Carly!" he smiled, showing his bright white teeth. "I didn't know you'd be here."
I shrugged, smiling back at him. "Of course… Like I'd miss my best friend's wedding?"
It was like old times, and all of the memories came flooding back to me. It made me want to break down and cry right there.
The woman sitting next to Freddie turned around, and I saw it was an older Mrs. Benson. She smiled, her eyes lighting up like Freddie's did when she saw me. "Hi there, Carly! How are you?"
I smiled at her. "Hi, Mrs. Benson. I'm all right. I haven't seen either of you in ages!"
"I know," Freddie said. "It's pretty crazy. I haven't been back to Washington in a while. My mom always drives up to see me – "
"Well, Fredward, I don't want you driving that far all by yourself. You know it's not safe on those highways anymore – "
"Okay, Mother! Thank you. We know," Freddie cut his mom off, looking annoyed. She sighed and shook her head, turning back to face the front.
Freddie rolled his eyes at me, then jokingly smiled. "Yeah, so how's life been? You still in Vancouver?"
I nodded. "Yeah. It's been all right, I guess. I've just been so busy. How's Harvard?"
He shrugged nonchalantly, like Harvard was just any ordinary college. "Eh, it has its ups and downs. You know… Sam said it was perfect 'cause now I'm surrounded by nerds like me twenty-four/seven."
I giggled. "Yep, that sounds like Sam."
I was so glad to hear that at least that part of you hadn't changed.
"You still visit your brother in Seattle?" he asked me.
I nodded. "Yeah, but mostly just on holidays and birthdays. Sadie's getting really big, you should see her now. She's so different from when we left."
"I bet," Freddie commented. "So are you gonna be getting married next? Or are you still playing all the guys like you did in high school?"
I rolled my eyes as he smirked. "Please… I don't have time for that anymore. I'm always working and doing homework."
"You can't tell me you haven't met any guys yet that you're interested in," he said lowly.
What I wanted to say to that was, "None of them compare to the one person I do want…" But I didn't. Instead, I said, "I didn't say that. Just that I don't have time for anyone. I'm still young, Fredward. I've got all the time in the world to be doing this marriage thing."
He was about to say something else, but the wedding music started and cut him off. He glanced over, seeing everyone had taken their seats and the wedding was about to begin.
"I'll talk to you at the reception, okay?" he quickly said.
I nodded in agreement, and he turned back around, eyes on the aisle.
I glanced up to the front of the aisle and eyed the row of people, girls on one side and guys on the other. The groom stood patiently waiting, his eyes steady set on the doors at the other end of the aisle in front of him. He was handsome, and his perfect teeth were set in an anxious but calm smile. He had blonde hair and flawless skin, about the same shade as I remembered yours being. He was handsome; I'd give him that. But he didn't look like your type.
He looked nice, though, and caring, not like a jock or a pompous ass or some stuck-up rich boy, so that made me feel better. I trusted your judgement. I knew you would never marry a guy that didn't treat you right.
I turned my head to stare at the doors, waiting anxiously with everyone else for the bride to appear. My heart thumped in my chest, and my palms started sweating. I prayed you would be the same Sam I missed.
Finally, the doors slowly opened, and the flower girl appeared, doing her part and then joining the rest at the front. The best man and maid of honor came out, arms linked, and walked down the aisle to join the others at the front as well. I didn't recognize either of them, and I guessed they were your new friends. My heart dropped a little at the sight of the maid of honor.
Then, you slowly appeared. As you walked down the aisle, your dress trailed behind you, the white of it glimmering in the sunlight from the church windows. It was a grand dress, detailed and perfected to fit every curve of your body. It was obviously expensive, and I guessed that neither you nor your family had paid for it. Your arm was linked with an older man – your dad? Had he gotten out of prison already?
You looked so happy. Your face, still that soft, milky white, glowed, your smile lighting up your blue eyes. Your blonde hair was partly put up in a fancy bun, and partly let down to rest on your shoulders. Your veil wasn't the traditional kind to cover your face, but it rested on the back of your hair and down part of your back.
But your face was still the same. It was still Sam Puckett, and it made my heart ache with every slow step you took.
You turned your head to each side to smile at everyone, and when I saw you turn in my direction, our eyes caught each other's for just a moment. They locked, and I saw the surprise light up on your face, but your smile stayed plastered on. However, I thought I saw it grow just slightly. I smiled back at you weakly, and then, like that, you turned away and kept moving on, heading toward your future husband and your new life.
I don't know how, but I held back the tears through the entire ceremony. The knot in my throat, though, threatened to choke the very life out of me.
Hours later, the ceremony had ended and the church had emptied. Everyone was urged to join the reception at another location – a larger building I'd only been to a few times in my entire time in Seattle. I had hoped to get a chance to at least talk to you after the ceremony, but you'd disappeared with your new husband before the church was even half empty. So, I joined the rest of the crowd and filed out of the church, walking down the block to my car and getting in.
I still forced myself to hold back the tears, this time from nervousness. I prayed I'd get to see you at the reception and talk to you. My entire attendance would be wasted if I didn't at least get that much.
I made it to the building where the reception was held about a half hour after it had started. I had stopped at a convenience store and killed time trying to calm myself down. I didn't want to show up early or on time. I preferred to miss the toasts to the newlyweds…
However, when I slipped through the large doors quietly and into the big room, packed full of guests, it was right in the middle of Freddie's speech. I grimaced and tried to ignore it, not wanting to hear it. It was hard enough to keep from crying as it was. However, by the time I'd made it to an empty seat at a lone table near the back, a few of his sentences had snuck into my ears, and now I couldn't stop listening. He was talking about growing up with you and fighting with you all the time, but also loving you as a friend at the same time and knowing he'd never be able to forget you. Then, of course, he spoke of this new husband, who he apparently had known for a while now.
"…and Ryan…. Dude. I dunno what to say, except congratulations. You've got an amazing woman here, and I know you guys will last. I've had a good feeling about you since the day I met you. I know Sam will get everything she deserves," Freddie's voice echoed through the room, emitting from the speakers.
I saw him look at you and wink, then smile back at the crowd and hand the mic back to the best man, whoever he was, before sitting back down. I saw you smile back at him before turning to your husband and kissing him. I winced.
I missed my best friend…
The bride and groom's first dance seemed to last an eternity. The room was dimmed for it and "your song" was played. I tried to keep my eyes glued to the drink in front of me, spinning the cup on the table surface and getting lost in my own thoughts. I debated giving up and leaving early, but something kept me there, almost unable to walk out of that room before talking to you.
When everyone else started dancing and conversing, I remained at my empty table, trying to look like I was busy on my cell phone so no one would come over and try to be nice or something. Freddie, however, couldn't resist bothering me, and he was soon at the empty chair across the table, pulling it out and sitting down, breathless. He grinned.
"That was pretty fun. Everyone was dancing to 'Shout'… Gah, half of Sam's family is already drunk!" he laughed.
I gave a weak half-smile, glancing up at him for just a moment before looking back down at the table. I knew I seemed solemn, but I felt so out-of-place being there.
"What's wrong, Carls?" Freddie suddenly inquired, concern in his voice.
I looked up, surprised. "You haven't called me that in years," I commented, chuckling.
He smiled. "Yeah… but what's wrong? Why do you seem so down? Shouldn't you be happy? I mean, Sam's married! You should go talk to her at least."
I nodded, not looking up. "Yeah… I don't wanna bother her."
"C'mon, Carly… she invited you. She wanted you to be here really badly. She told me about it, and about how worried she was that she'd get your invitation back in the mail or something, or that you just wouldn't R.S.V.P. She wants to talk to you. She misses you."
I paused, raising my head. "She does?"
He nodded. "Of course! You're still her best friend… You always have been."
I frowned, about to look down at the table, when movement caught the corner of my eye: I saw you sneaking out the back door of the large room, holding up your over-sized, white wedding dress. You were sneaking outside. Now was my chance.
"You're right, Freddie," I said, my eyes glued to the door that had just fallen closed. "Thanks."
"Yeah…" he replied as I got up and left the table, fast-walking to the back door.
I glanced around with my hand on the door handle, making sure no one was looking. I didn't want some awkward relatives coming over and trying to make conversation. Everyone's attention seemed to be on the cake and the dancing, so I opened the door and slipped outside, shutting it behind me. When I turned around, I noticed it was a patio area, most likely used for dining outside, with empty tables scattered about. Clear to the left side of the patio, I spotted your white wedding dress, and the back of your silhouette against the sunset.
I took a few cautious steps toward you, then stopped. You didn't turn around or even seem to notice me. You seemed to be lost in your own world, staring off at the sunset and the darkening sky. I took a few more steps, and then quietly walked over to your table. I stopped at the edge, next to an empty seat that sat to the right of you.
"Sam?"
to be continued…
