Okay, so iOpen a Restaurant inspired me to write this. I don't really know where this is going- but it's going somewhere. I really wanted to write Sam as an independent character before Seddie occurs. Hope you like it! Oh and… Insert disclaimer here! Should be Seddie eventually but you have to stick with it!

MKAY here we go! Tell me what you think please!

"Sam- I think it's time we go bigger"

"Bigger. Bigger?"

"YEAH! Look I was thinking….My Uncle- Uncle Ray – He has an open space available for rent in downtown LA- And he'd let us have it for only a couple hundred a month. Says it's a graduation present- but anyway, he says he talked to his business colleagues and they thought it'd be a great idea! Think about it Sam…We could make it big!"

"LA? Gibby- I don't know? What about-"

"What about what Sam? iCarly? Carly? Freddie? Come on Sam, we both know that by the end of this summer, Carly and Freddie are going to university and iCarly will be over. Why kid yourself? They don't care about leaving or not so why should we! Let's face it! We don't have college awaiting us. What are we gonna do- stay here and be...be….bums! Think Sam! This could be our only chance. I can't do this without you.

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I never felt the need to knock on their door before. Their place was more a home to me than my actual home. But as the summer was nearing its end, things were becoming more…distant. The next few coming days were just like that moment before a rough storm. Everything around you feels still, yet a dark suspense lingers in the air, until finally thunder breaks the silence.

I plastered a fake smile on my face as my best friend opened the door. Her smile seemed more genuine than mine- it always has. Without any words I followed her into the apartment. I couldn't even manage a fake smile as I realized she was packing a rather large suitcase. It was nothing I didn't expect. She was packing for university- NYU- go figure. It wasn't anything we had even discussed. A full ride was more than enough to get her college-bug buzzing- and who was I to take that away from her? Neither Carly nor Freddie had even bothered to ask me what my plans were- and I didn't offer any ideas. They most likely assumed I was just going to stay in town and do "whatever." I wasn't mad at Carly or Freddie. I was even happy for them. They both deserved their dreams to come true. But that didn't make saying goodbye any easier.

I walked into the kitchen as Freddie walked through the door with a smile on his face as his kissed Carly on the cheek. I turned my head away- my heart breaking just a little bit. I couldn't help it, deep down I still had feelings for him and to see him in love with my best friend drove me crazy! In some ways he was the one keeping me in Seattle. But just like Carly, Freddie would be on the other side of the country in a matter of days. It was many months ago- when I asked Freddie if he had another "little" crush on Carly- that I knew anything I ever had with Freddie was over.

"So Sam," Carly interrupted my thoughts as she cuddled on the couch with Freddie- okay I had to admit, I see why my PDA with Freddie bothered her while I was dating him. "Promise to mend-the-fort while Freddie and I are in New York?"

Her genuine belief that I was going to "keep the seat warm" while they were living it up in New York was almost like a slap in the face.

"Yeah-We want everything to be the same when we come back for Thanksgiving!" Freddie added as he put his arm around Carly's shoulder. She buried her face into his soft-red shirt- as if she was sniffing in his musky scent- the scent that I used to love. Or-still love.

I smiled bitterly for only a second. "Actually- I'm moving to LA."

Carly and Freddie separated and exchanged confused glances. I crossed my arms in front of my chest and held my chin just a little higher- almost proud that I caught them off-guard.

"LA?" Carly asked. "What?...What? What about iCarly? What about all of this?" Carly gestured to the room as if it were life.

I sighed deeply. "Carly- iCarly is over the minute you guys get on that plane for New York- you guys know that. And this- this isn't the only part of my life. Why should I be the one to sacrifice my dreams so you guys can come back and have "everything be the same". That's not how it works!" I tried to stay calm.

Carly lowered her chin and I could tell she felt guilty, though Freddie still looked confused.

"Why are you going to LA anyway? When did you decide this?" I felt as if I was being accused of something as Freddie asked me this. He looked hurt- the "irony" in this situation.

"Well- I'm going with Gibby."

"Gibby?" Both Carly and Freddie said his name as if he were a dirty little bug on the wall.

"Yeah- We're taking our restaurant- you know, "Gibby's"- and we're opening it in downtown LA."

The look of shock on their faces told me everything. They were angry that I didn't tell them this sooner. They didn't think I was good enough for this. So many questions were churning in their eyes. I kept my poker face on as they try to fit the pieces together.

"How will you find a place?" Carly finally asked.

"Gibby's uncle already has a huge place for the restaurant- right downtown. There's probably a decorator in it right now- as we speak. The food orders have already been placed in. Everything is set up. We even have an apartment set up- great view." I added this last tidbit with a little bit of bitterness- I knew I shouldn't be surprised or angry with their shock but I was. Why shouldn't I do this? Why should I let them stop me?

"Wait- You're going to be living with Gibby?" Freddie's eyes narrowed. His expression was hard to read.

"Yeah…I guess I am. Look you guys don't have to support my decision because I'm doing this whether you want me to or not. But it would be a whole lot better if you guys just wished me luck and that could be it."

Silence filled the room for a minute. I waited patiently.

"Well- Good luck Sam." Carly was the first to speak. She sounded hesitant.

"Yeah- I'm sure you and Gibby will Rock LA with your meat."

"Thanks." I smiled- genuinely. "Good luck to you two in New York."

Carly and Freddie suddenly smiled and pulled each other closer- kissing each other gently. They looked so in love. My smiled faded.

I turned my back to return to the kitchen right as Freddie decided to speak up.

"Just one thing."

I turned to face them once more. "Yeah?"

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

I thought to myself. Why didn't you tell me you liked Freddie back Carly? Why didn't you tell me you had been hooking up for "awhile"? Why didn't you tell me you guys had lost your virginities to each other on your 3-month anniversary? Why didn't you tell all your "little secrets" when we promised no more. Why did you tell me you love me and then love Carly? Why didn't I know anything until so much time had passed?

"Because you didn't ask."