iAm A Bulldog

"Girls! Girls! Come on, let's go!"

Carly Puckett was growing impatient. Such was life with teenagers. At thirty-five, Carly didn't look a day over her early twenties. She was blessed that way. She was thankful that Sam and the girls kept her on her toes. It was her lot in life, but, truly, she wouldn't have it any other way.

MEANWHILE, IN THE TWINS' SHARED BEDROOM…

Ashley Puckett sat in front of the mirror, teasing her hair until it was just perfect. She fussed and readjusted herself in front of the mirror, making absolutely sure she'd turn some heads.

Melanie stood behind her, completely aghast.

"Oh… my… God… It's high school… and you're my sister… What are you trying to do? Make people think you're … ya know… Easy?"

Ashley gasped. She knew her sister's heart was in the right place, but, being the bookish little nerd that she was, Mel missed the point, as usual. She'd blossomed over the summer and felt rather proud of the curves she'd inherited.

"Go back to your books, Sweetheart… I feel pretty, Okay?"

Melanie rolled her eyes. It didn't matter. She knew that her sister loved her – in her own way.

"Whatever…"

LATER, IN THE CAR…

Carly got emotional. She couldn't help it. Her babies were starting high school.

"Mom, Seriously…." Ashley protested.

Melanie didn't mind.

"We love you, Mommy… It'll be okay…"

Carly sniffled, dabbed her eyes, and spoke again.

"Girls, I… You're just… growing up… and I… I love you so much. Remember, we have dinner plans tonight…"

The girls each took turns craning their heads over the seat, into the driver's side, and gave their mother a quick kiss. It was Ashley who spoke first, strong and self-assured. She reminded Carly somuch of Sam. She sounded nearly adult, but she would always be Carly's little girl.

"I love you, Mommy. We'll be alright… I'll make sure nobody picks on Mel…"

Carly let it drop. She knew that, despite their differences, Ashley loved her sister deeply and would protect her with everything that she had. Carly kissed her eldest daughter on the forehead, reiterated her love for them, and unlocked the car door.

MOMENTS LATER…

The twins walked through the main door, just as their parents had years ago. The banner over the door read:

WELCOME TO RIDGEWAY HIGH SCHOOL , WELCOME FRESHMEN!

By virtue of their birthdays, the twins were among the oldest in the freshman class. Walking past the trophy case, something strange caught Melanie's eye. She immediately grabbed Ashley by the wrist.

"Ow! What is it, you dork?"

Melanie ignored it. She had come to expect nothing less from her sister. She pulled Ashley by the wrist until she saw what Melanie had noticed first.

"Look…"

Staring back at the twins from inside the trophy case was a framed photo of their much younger parents and Uncle Freddie, along with a man they knew quite well. A plaque at the bottom of the frame read:

iCarly,2009.

Ashley smiled. It was weird to think that their parents were ever teenagers, although she knew they had to have been, at one time or another. That was just too weird.

The twins took it in for a long moment before continuing on and turning the corner. They still had to find lockers and get settled.

Melanie felt uneasy. She wasn't nervous, but it was that weird déjàvu feeling, like she wasn't in control of her own actions. She set her book bag down in front of a locker and began unpacking.

Ashley followed her.

"What the heck's with you? You look all weird and… I dunno… twitchy…"

"I dunno, it's just… this feels like the right place for us, don't you think?"

Ashley's public persona would immediately disavow any knowledge of her. They wouldn't travel in the same social circles in school, but they were sisters. Ashley loved her just the same. She took her sister's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"It's… like with Mama and Auntie Mel…"

Ashley understood. There were times that she and her sister simply knew things, for no particular reason whatsoever.

They had no way of knowing that they had just subconsciously selected their parents' old school lockers.

HOURS LATER, AROUND LUNCH TIME…

Ashley was thankful for those first awkward few days of school, since they were only scheduled to go a half-day. She sat on the number 62 bus, winding her way through the city, her best friend at her side.

Melanie sat at the back of the bus, as far from her sister as she otherwise could get. This was usually her way. She loved her sister dearly, but it was just… that Marx girl was strangely possessive.

Melanie had secrets of her own, things she hadn't even discussed with her sister, though she was sure she already knew. She loved Ashley, but being put down constantly, even though she knew Ashley didn't truly mean it, had caused Mel to build up a wall, protecting herself at all times. She inhaled deeply and shut her eyes, resting her head against the rainy window. Bridget Xi, her dearest friend in the world, scooted even closer, resting her head on the blonde's shoulder.

A SHORT TIME LATER…

The four teenagers walked the remaining blocks from the bus stop to Il Terrazzo Carmine. The girls knew that this was where they wanted to be. Ashley walked right up to Sam, throwing her into a hug, the other three falling in line behind her.

"Love you, Mama…"

Sam beamed. She kissed both of her girls.

"Love you too, both of you… How was school?"

Melanie spoke up.

"It was okay, but that Briggs woman is just awful! She's just a mean, vindictive, old woman…"

Sam laughed, although her face told a different story.

"She's still there?"

"She gave a boy detention because his shoes were untied…"

Sam couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah, that sounds like Francine…"

The twins and their friends looked between each other, somewhat in shock. Sam corralled the foursome and led them toward the near-empty bar.

"Okay, y'all, lunch on the house… come on in and take a load off…"

The four teenagers made their way into the bar. Ashley felt weird as her sister and the pretty Korean girl brushed past her. That was odd. She could have sworn that the pair were holding hands.