Chapter Three; Teenagers
They Said that teenager's scare the living shit out of me,
They could careless as long as someone'll bleed,
So darken your clothes, or strike a violent pose,
Maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me.
-My Chemical Romance
Shit, shit, shit, Sam mentally screamed at herself, she was late. After yesterday's talk with Principal Franklin she wasn't making a very good impression of her sorry excuse of a promise of trying to get to school, and on time. She had skipped out on taking a shower once she noticed it was 9, so she quickly dressed and ran a comb through her hair and applied whatever make-up she could on her way to school, not having any time to brush her teeth.
Leaning up against the brick wall of the school she shoved a couple of Advil into her mouth. She was recovering from a semi-hangover. She was having trouble sleeping that night due to the fact her mother and Dave where in the middle of some intimate activity and drank half a bottle of whisky to help put her to sleep. She ended up passing out at around 4 that morning.
Coming up to the front entrance of the school she quietly walked down the busy hallway, trying avoid the hallway that held her first period class, as she had missed first on her rush to get here. If her teacher was to see her he would force her into Ted's office, leading to her expulsion.
Ducking down into the next hallway she quickly ran up to her second period and managed to sit down just as her teacher came into the room and sighed in relief, laying her head down on the hard surface in front of her. She hoped that if she managed to attend all her classes and on time Principal Franklin would let her off for being late that morning and missing first.
"So where were you this morning?" Freddie asked, jerking Sam out of her thoughts.
Sam turned her head slightly revealing one eye to Freddie. As she opened her eyes she saw him looking down at her questionably, tapping his pencil against his open text book. Groaning she buried her face back into her folded hands.
Rolling his eyes Freddie leaned down close to her ear, about to whisper something about her wanting to sit up before the teacher noticed, but was stopped when a sharp scent. It was that same harsh sour and bitter scent, the same one as yesterday and the weeks before that, except this time it was more distinct then it ever had been before, more so that once it hit his nose he immediately retracted his face from her.
Sensing someone close to her Sam lifted her head just as Freddie was backing away, and was about to give him a Sam Puckett glare when she noticed the almost disgusted expression on his face, and in a flash her face exchanged her semi-glare into a confused look.
"What?" she whispered annoyed after several seconds.
Freddie scrunched up his face even more and turned away slightly from the smell admitting from her breath. "Jesus Sam, when was the last time you took a shower or brushed your teeth?"
And for the third time in the past few minutes Sam's expression changed, this time into one of surprise. She didn't think she smelled bad.
"What do you mean?" narrowing her eyes.
"You smell disgusting." he stated awkwardly, leaning back as Sam clenched her fist and swung at him, and admitting a small yelp from Freddie, which notified the teacher of her presence.
"Miss Puckett, please refrain from injuring any students in my classroom," she stated calmly turning around, "and where young lady, are your text book and writing utensils?"
Pursing her lips together and making a popping sound with her she looked at the teacher straight, "Not here?" she answered raising her eyebrows for added effect.
"Miss Puckett, I will generously excuse your attitude as you have managed to make it on time for my class, which I assume is only because of the meeting you had yesterday with Principal Franklin," She said smugly, which resulted in Freddie looking over to her with a confounded look, and noted that he in fact had been giving her that look a lot lately, "But I would appreciate if you would come to my class prepared." she continued.
"You should be happy I would even show up for your class." she explained in a bored tone, hearing Freddie whispering her name in a way that was stating that she should stop.
"Well Miss Puckett," she frowned, "If you feel that way then maybe you shouldn't continue to grace us with your presence and exit my classroom?"
The class had gone quite; all eyes were on her, all anxious to see what she would do. Sam just stared. She was surprisingly calm, which made Freddie slightly nervous. Her head was pounding and the silence was making her uncomfortable. Her legs were hurting under the heavy weight of her body, and all she wanted to do was get out of there. Containing her surprise and putting on a less than thrilled expression she stood up from her seat and made her way to front of the room, "Fine by me." and continued towards the door, slamming it shut.
She had been walking for what felt like hours when she finally made it to the park near Bushwell Plaza. After she had made her exit from Mrs. Costa's class room she ran out of school, she thought it was best if she was getting kicked out of class she should get off school property before Principal Franklin caught up with her.
Approaching the old swing set at the far end of the park she dropped her backpack at her feet and sat down on one of the swings. She remembered this swing set, her and Carly used to come here when they were little, it was their favourite place to play. Kids would line up waiting for their turn behind the two, yelling at them to hurry up and take turns, which in result made Sam get up and scare them away.
She remembered the last time she was here, the night her dad left. Carly had found here sitting here, staring out into the lake. Carly had tried to comfort her but she made no reaction to acknowledge her friend. She was heartbroken, and beaten down. That day was the last time she remembered feeling anything. She never returned to the swing set on the hill, far too scared of remembering that night. Every time she looked at the tall structure, the rusting chains and the broken seats she didn't want to remember how devastated she had felt, but the naïve days when it was just her and Carly.
Carly never returned there either, feeling it wasn't right without her friend beside her. She wondered if Carly would be mad if she told her about it, but shook the thought from her mind. Why would she want to return to the very place things went to shit? Though Carly was lucky, she didn't have to deal with the heartache, she just had to pick up the pieces Sam had dropped, and she couldn't help but feel jealous.
Jealous.
That was usually the emotion she experienced around Carly Shay, and it made her sick to think about it. It disgusted her that she was angry with her friend for being happy, for being surrounded by people who love her. It was just something she couldn't shake, and she hated herself for it, wishing for someone to be unhappy because you were was just despicable, unforgiveable and wrong, but yet she still felt it every day. Every day when she saw how Spencer would make sure she always had something to eat, that she did her homework and was warm in her bed before he even went to sleep, and how Freddie would fawn over her, just like every other guy.
Carly was sweet, nice and respected everyone, and it was only fair she got the praise she did. She was nothing like her, but there was never a day that she didn't wish she was.
Swallowing the lump in her throat she reached forward for her bag and pulled out the same glass bottle she had been staring at for months now. She turned it over in her hands, sliding her fingers over the sharp curves and dents in the crystal and let out a shaky breath.
This was all she knew now, and nothing else. After months of surviving solely on different types and percentages of alcohol everything was starting to blur together into one big mess. She couldn't remember why she had started this but all she knew was that this was all she had.
Holding back tears she unscrewed the bottle and took one small slip, and it was all she needed, she h=just needed to feel it slide down her tongue, warming her body, knowing that when she needed comfort it was and would always be there.
A buzzing from her pocket zapped her back to reality. Digging into her pocket and pulling out her phone she scrolled down until she came to a text message from Carly telling her to meet her back at her apartment during lunch. She had no doubt heard about her getting kicked out of class from Freddie and wanted to go all motherly on her. Looking the time she noticed that she had been there for almost two hours, Carly must have really wanted to talk to her right away if it wouldn't wait until after school.
Picking up her backpack and throwing the class container in her bag and shoving her cell back into her pocket she made her way to Bushwell Plaza. She would probably make it to Bushwell before either Freddie or Carly did, considering she was right around the block.
Passing the Groovy Smoothie she was tempted to go inside and grab something to drink, but walked right past it when she indeed knew that she had no money left. The money she stole from her mother's wallet the day before was spent at the local drug store on more foundation and Cherry Halls©.
Crossing the street she came up to the large apartment complex she fixed her ratted appearance, smoothing out her now frizzy hair as she entered the elevator. It was quite as the noise door man at the entrance was currently having a nap inside his cramped office.
Stepping out of the elevator and down the hall she opened the door to the Shay's apartment, almost tripping over the large bundle of wire's in front of it.
Wire's, Christmas lights and red paint bucket's littered he floor. She couldn't really say she was surprised, most of the time the Shay household was covered in different art material, and she could only assume that it was for Spencer's latest sculpture.
Her suspicions were confirmed when she looked up. There was a large mass of galvanized wireturned and twisted until it made the shape of a heart, half of it was painted red, an abandoned brush lay flat on the floor.
Dropping her bag she approached it, noticing one large end of the wire was sticking out dangerously. Grabbing at it and pulling it down she tried to shove it back into its rightful place.
"SAM!" shocked she let go of it, moving back slightly as to make sure it wouldn't hit her as it bobbed up and down, "I didn't see you come in."
"I let myself in," she smiled.
"Shouldn't you be at school?" he asked setting a pair of pliers down beside some wire cutters on the island.
"Lunch."
"Where are Carly and Freddie?" he questioned.
"They'll be here in a second, I left a little early."
"Got kicked out again?"
"You know it."
"Not surprised," he chuckled, "Well since you're here do you want to help me with this little problem I have, it won't seem to stay down." proving his point by bending it down like Sam had before only for it to spring back up again.
"Sure, might as well."
"Awesome," he smiled; "Now just hold this down, and slip it under that wire right there so I can twist the end of it." he explained pointing to the small opening below.
Grabbing the wire she bent it down, maneuvering it under the wire Spencer had pointed out. After getting the plier's he leaned down just under Sam, and began to twist the end together.
Sam's breath came out a little heavier then usual, as the wire was thick and strong. Noticing this he looked up and asked if she needed to let go for a minute, in which she replied with a rigged no, and that's when it hit him. The smell. He knew that smell; he had smelt it many times before on his own breath and that of his friends after a night of partying.
Stopping for a moment he looked into her eyes, she smelled of stale alcohol, why she did he hadn't a clue, but all he knew is that it was strong. It didn't mean that she had consumed a lot, alcohol always had a very strong bitter smell, and he wouldn't even think of Sam drinking if he had smelled it on her clothes, because of the circumstances with her mother, but he could smell it on her breath, and that worried him. He knew that Sam could take care of herself, she was strong, and it still made him feel concerned, she was still underage and it was the middle of the day.
"What?" she asked, giving him another whiff of her breath. Scrunching up his nose he muttered something and went back to curling the wire.
"All done." he exclaimed tapping the wire to confirm that it was secure.
"Looks nice, who's it for?"
"A guy down town, he owns a tattoo parlour," he explained, still tapping the wire, he was running things through his mind, and was a little distracted, "he wants to propose to his girlfriend."
"That's nice."
"Yeah," he paused; he wondered if he should even ask the question. He didn't know if he should be worried about her, but he couldn't help but feel that way. Sam was like a little sister to him, and things usually bothered him about Sam because even small things like alcohol, she could somehow turn it into something more dangerous. She was always taking things too far and this was no acceptation.
It was making her nervous how Spencer was staring at her, this was so out of character for him, and at the same time it wasn't, he always seemed to zone in and out of things, it was really just the look he was giving her. Looking around the room and giving Spencer a minute to maul over this thought's and ran her tongue over her teeth. She hadn't had time to brush her teeth this morning and her mouth felt disgusting. It tasted of soda crackers and stale alcohol, and that's when it dawned on her, could he smell it? She wanted to keep her drinking habits unknown, she didn't want the lecture's about the dangers of it or anyone's concern, so she couldn't help but feel nervous about thinking that Spencer could know, "Sam…." he continued, grabbing her attention, "Have you been dr-" but was cut off by Carly bursting through the door yelling Sam's name.
"SAM!" she screamed running up to her friend, "What is this I hear about you being kicked out of class?"
"I'm guessing Fredward over here told you." she sighed, Freddie rolling his eyes at his full name.
"That doesn't matter, Sam you have got to just stop getting into fight's with Mrs. Costa, you need to pass that class in order to graduate!" she exclaimed, waving her arms for emphasis. Sam smiled, she couldn't help like the motherly side of Carly that she showed, and it was only for her. All the care and stress and even screaming was all for her, and she couldn't help but feel warm inside, that someone cared that much about her.
"I'm sorry Carls, I'll try harder not to get kicked out," she said patting her friend on her shoulder, "or pissing the teacher off, okay?"
"You promise?" she asked, her brown eyes look straight down into hers, Carly had gotten quite tall over the past year she noted, and nodded her head in agreement, making her best friend smile wide.
"And as a treat, "she said skipping over to the fridge and pulling out a tray, "Cupcakes for all!"
"CUPCAKES!" Spencer screamed, both the Shay's had a bad addiction to cupcakes, which Sam herself was thankful for because bribing her best friend with them had gotten her out of a lot of trouble.
"By the way Sammie," Freddie said finally speaking up, laughing, using that aweful nickname she despised as much as her full name, "Mrs. Costa mentioned you having a meeting with Principal Franklin yesterday"
"Freddie." she warned in a low tone.
"What meeting?" Carly asked her mouth full of the delicious treat.
Turning to glare at Freddie before averting her attention to the cupcake in her hand, "I just had a little talk with Ted yesterday."
Sam took a bite of her cupcake, "Well?" she yelled impatient after several seconds.
"Jesus Carly, it was nothing."
"If it was nothing, then why don't you tell her." Freddie piped up.
Sam turned around, "Maybe you should keep your mouth shut, and if you need some help I'll gladly be of some assistance," she threatened pulling her fist up to his face.
"Sam just tell me." she groaned.
"He was just giving me some advice about maybe attending more of my class," she turned around "and on time."
"That's it?" she asked.
"Yes Carly, I swear, that's it, now can I finish eating." and she shoved the entire thing in her mouth.
"Okay," Carly began, picking up the tray and setting it on the island closet to Spencer, who at some point went back over to his sculpture and started painting, "Since we have a few minutes left before we have to go back to school, should we go over some iCarly idea's now, or just wait until Sunday's meeting to go over some new stuff?"
"I think we are good for this week, everything's filled, and we can just wait until Sunday to go over any new stuff."
"You know I'm still going to that party on Sunday," she said when Carly looked at her for some input.
"What?" Freddie asked shocked as Sam walked past him and into the living room.
"You heard me."
"I know what you said, I just can't believe you are actually going," he explained following her into the living room.
"I have to agree Sam, have you heard the rumours about him?" Carly said in a worried tone.
"Do I really have to explain to you two of all people how I can take care of myself," she yelled.
"We know that Sam," Freddie said, "we just want you to be careful."
"I've heard the rumours, I'm not uneducated Fredweird," she huffed rolling her eyes, "and I don't need someone like you worrying over me, no I'm going, I'll be here for iCarly brainstorming and I'll come perfectly intact, okay?"
Carly nodded, and she didn't even look to see Freddie's reaction, "Now come on Carls, you wouldn't wanna be late for class," picking up their bags the two girls walked out the door, leaving Freddie behind with Spencer.
Adjusting his backpack he began to make his way for the door but was stopped by a hand on his sholder, "Hey man, do me a favour okay," he asked
"Yeah sure."
"Keep an eye on Sam, I think something's going on," he said, eyes never leaving the door, "and I don't want to worry Carly if this ends up being nothing."
Freddie turned around, fully facing him, "What do you mean?"
"Just do it okay?" he said nothing more as he went back over to his sculpture, it was a little odd seeing Spencer like that.
"Yeah, okay." was all he said as he left to catch up to his two female friends.
And that's how the rest of the week went. Sam drinking late at night, coming to school late and trying to avoid Principal Franklin. She made good due on keeping her promise to Carly and didn't start any fight's with her science teacher. She was more careful to make sure that she took a shower and brushed her teeth before she left her house. She didn't know if Spencer smelt anything or even suspected anything but she wasn't going to take any more chances. She noticed lately that Freddie was also looking at her a lot, like he was watching her every move, waiting for her to do something out of line, and it annoyed her, it was harder to sneak off during class into the girls bathroom when you have someone breathing down your throat. They also did iCarly on Friday, and she even managed to show up on time to show Carly that she was committed to iCarly and her promise.
The week was a blur, and the next thing she knew, she was standing outside an unfamiliar home, ready to ring to doorbell.
Disclaimer; I do not own iCarly or any of the Characters.
This chapter is more of a filler, sorry, but oooh, Spencer is suspicious.
I'm not really entirely happy with this chapter, I kinda hate it, and have been debating on if I should even post it, but here it is anyway.
Also, I promise Freddie will have a bigger roll later on, I'm just trying to establish some things before then, but things will really be taking off after chapter six, so look forward to that.
If any of you have twitter tell me, I recently have gotten it and I love it. My link is in my profile, so if you have it and want to talk look me up and we can chat.
I want to thank everyone who is reading this and for all the comments, favourites and alerts, it makes me happy
Also a big thank you to jhuikmn08, she has been so nice to me since I started this story. You should check out her story iAm What? I really love it. :D
Enjoy
