The next morning, at school, Carly met Sam at their lockers. She was greeted with a bright smile and a "Hey Cupcake!"
It didn't happen often, but once in a while Sam would break out that nickname for her. Carly didn't know why, but whenever her best friend would call her that, her insides would melt like warm jello. She had been looking forward to Sam teaching her to dance after school, and now, knowing that Sam was in a playful mood, she was even more excited. In a chipper voice, she answered, "Good morning, Sam!" She opened her locker and put her backpack in, then started to get out books for first period. As she was doing so, she looked over at Sam, "Hey, thanks for teaching me to dance later."
The blonde had also been strangely excited at the prospect of dancing with Carly, but she was Sam Puckett, and she couldn't let it become common knowledge at Ridgeway that she was a softie. She glanced around nervously and shushed the brunette, "Not so loud! I got a reputation to protect." Her smile told Carly, however, that it was all an act, even if the other girl didn't realize it herself.
The day passed quickly and without incident. Carly had seen a few times when Sam had an opportunity for mischief, but she actually let them pass. Sam didn't want to disappoint her friend, so she had made it a point not to get detention today. It had been tough, especially when Gibby dropped his fork in the lunch line and bent over to pick it up – a perfect wedgie opportunity – but seeing the happy look on Carly's face as they walked to Bushwell Plaza made it all worthwhile.
While Sam raided the Shay's refrigerator, Carly went upstairs to the studio and moved some stuff around to clear a makeshift dance floor. Sam came up and put the CD she had brought into Freddie's iCarly laptop, which was connected to the studio's sound system. This was a CD that Pam Puckett, consummate stage mom, had bought for her twin daughters to practice with when they were taking dance classes, back when they were 7 years old. It was perfect music to teach Carly to dance, particularly since Sam had heard it so often that she knew every note on the album.
"Okay, Cupcake, let's start with a waltz. Put your arm around my neck like this, and your other hand in mine, like that. Okay, now 1, 2, 3…" Carly let Sam lead as her mind wandered. The music reminded her of a more elegant time, and she felt kind of surprised that it was even on CD. It felt like it should be on an old vinyl record being played on a victrola with the big sound horn on top. It was kind of romantic in its own way, though, and she wished she had someone better than Josh to share it with at the prom. She tried to imagine the perfect boy in her head, but the face of her blonde best friend kept intruding into the fantasy. It's just because I'm dancing with her right now, the brunette thought.
Carly had some rhythm, even if she didn't think so, and it wasn't long before she had the basic moves down. Sam found the whole thing very unnerving, for reasons she couldn't understand. It wasn't that she didn't like dancing with Carly, or holding her close. In fact, it almost felt like she was enjoying it too much. She broke away from the younger girl. "Argh, I can't do this," she groaned.
"What do you mean, Sam?" Carly was confused.
"It was easier teaching Freddie," Sam continued, and Carly felt a pang of jealousy as she pictured Sam dancing with their techie friend. It was almost painful for her to remember Sam and Freddie together.
"I know I'm bad, but come on…" Carly countered.
"No, it's not that at all. You're actually pretty good. It's just that it's you, and you're…" Sam hesitated, unsure of what she meant.
"What are you trying to say, Sam?" Carly demanded, sounding hurt. She had been having more fun than she'd expected to, but apparently her dance partner didn't feel the same way.
"I don't know," Sam answered, honestly. "Look, forget I said anything. Let's move on to something more advanced." The blonde smiled. "This time, I'm going to dip you," she grinned.
This made Carly feel much better. Then Sam realized what the next song was and it made her heart crash. It was a particularly romantic ballad, and the butterflies in her stomach were joined by several thousands of their friends. If she said anything, though, the lanky brunette would certainly take it the wrong way, and she didn't want to hurt Carly. Suck it up, Puckett, she thought to herself and kept dancing.
Sam ran Carly through the basics of the move, and then they were ready to try it for real. At the appropriate time in the music, Sam spun the two of them around, and brought Carly down to waist level. Her face was mere inches from Carly's and the two girls found themselves staring into each other's eyes. Carly marveled at the twin azure orbs that seemed to be windows to Sam's very soul. Sam was drawn to Carly's dark eyes that held all of the brunette's secrets. Neither teen would remember initiating it, but suddenly their lips were crashing together with a burning passion.
Carly felt as though a fire was ignited in her heart. Suddenly things she had wondered about for years were clear, and fantasies she hadn't dared dream were now her fondest wish. This wasn't at all what she had planned, but her heart wanted what it wanted, and there was only one course it would let her choose right now. As they pulled apart, she looked deeply into her friend's beautiful blue eyes and spoke, "Samantha, will you be my date for the prom?"
Sam looked bewildered. Gesturing towards herself, she questioned, "You want…" Faltering, she tried again, "Are you…"
Carly's heart was crushed. She would have sworn Sam kissed her, but she had clearly misread the blonde's feelings. Upon hearing Sam's next words, though, her heart began beating again. "Carlotta, I would be honored if you would allow me to take you to the prom."
A twinkle of mischief appeared in chocolate eyes, "Sam, I think we should practice some more."
Sam's mind was still clouded by recent events. "But if I'm taking you, you can just follow my lead."
Carly realized she'd need to spell it out, "No, I think we need to practice that last move again."
"The dip?"
"You are so cute when you're confused," Carly responded, winking. "No, after the dip."
"Ohh…" realization dawned in bright blue eyes. Sam dipped Carly into another kiss, more expected but no less passionate than the first.