Several weeks passed as the girls began exploring this new side to their ever growing relationship. They still hadn't quite labeled themselves yet and though they hadn't moved beyond hand holding and cuddling, both girls had experienced a whole new level of contentment. They'd also both agreed that until they figured things, it would be best to keep everything to themselves. There had been some close calls, but as far as they knew, they were alone in their secret. And they were happy. Life was good. Sam's anxiety and anger had calmed down, her depression ebbed away slowly. Carly didn't feel so lonely anymore.
"Yes!" Freddie exclaimed as he barged into the Shay's loft. "She said yes! She can come!" He closed the door behind him as he was met with Carly, Sam, and Spencer, all hanging on the couch. Spencer paused the episode of Celebrities Underwater they'd been watching.
"That's awesome, Freddie!" Carly exclaimed. "She and Sam can get ready together and then we can all go!" The winter formal was fast approaching and the trio had agreed at the start of the term that they wouldn't miss it again this year.
"Sounds like a plan!" Freddie agreed. He thought for a moment before he continued. "Have either of you guys found dates yet?"
Spencer turned to look at the girls, he was curious about this as well.
"Well..." Started Carly. She wasn't really sure. "A few guys have asked, but I'm not really into any of them."
"Rodney asked me." Sam announced.
"What!" Carly exclaimed. This was news to her.
"Ripoff Rodney?" Freddie asked in disbelief.
"Are you gonna go with him?" Carly fidgeted with her necklace.
"Nah." Sam stretched in her seat and then stood to walk towards the kitchen. "But I am gonna let him squirm for a while before I shatter his dreams." She smirked as she turned to go to the fridge.
Carly laughed. "That's so mean Sam." She was immediately relaxed again. This hadn't gone unnoticed by Spencer.
Sam returned to the couch with two Peppy Colas - one for her, one for Carly. Spencer watched as she sat, it was closer to Carly than she'd been before. Their knees touched. Neither of the girls looked at each other but both had the same unplaceable expression. Kind of a smile. Freddie took no noticed as he pecked away on his PearPhone, undoubtedly making plans with Melanie.
"Well." Spencer sighed out as he rose from the couch. "I'm gonna let you crazy teenagers get with the plan making. Socko wants my help painting his garage." He looked down as he finished. "I owe him since I broke his welding kit..." The teens chuckled as he grabbed his keys and made his way out the door.
"Maybe we should just ditch the guys this time and go as friends." Carly suggested to Sam in the most 'friends and nothing else' voice she could possibly muster for Freddie's sake.
"Sounds good to me, kid." Sam agreed nonchalantly.
"Wait you guys don't want dates? Carly what about that guy you were telling me about a couple weeks ago?" Freddie looked up from his phone long enough to take a seat next to them.
Carly could feel Sam's eyes on her. She could also sense the blonde's quirked eyebrow. "Not worth the pressure. If Melanie's coming, I just want to enjoy us all. Close friends." Carly's answer was music to Freddie's ears. He agreed. He definitely hadn't been eager to possibly have Ripoff Rodney hanging around all night.
"Cool!" He went back to the texting.
Carly sneaked a glance at Sam. She flashed Carly that signature Sam Puckett smile. Winter Formal was going to be a blast.
It was the night before the dance and Carly couldn't figure out her outfit. It was to the point where she'd had to recruit Spencer for help.
"What about this?" Carly asked as she bound down the stairs and modeled the 8th outfit combination for her older brother.
"You look great!" His tone was off. He felt he wasn't all that good of an authority on teen girls fashion and was getting a little tired of her constant changing and nitpicking.
"I knew it wasn't as good as outfit 2! Ugh, if only I had these shoes in black... It'd be perfect. Oh why did I have to pick brown? Stupid brown."
"Listen, kiddo. Why don't you get Sam over here to help you? I know she'd be better at this than me." Spencer asked. Carly hesitated. Why didn't she ask Sam? Well, she wanted it to be a surprise. She wanted to see Sam see her for the first time, make up and hair all done. It was part of the fun.
"She's busy." Carly quickly lied. "With... Melanie. They're sister bonding!"
Spencer knew that couldn't be true, Sam and Melanie never willingly bonded. Plus, his little sister was always a terrible liar. Maybe he should address his suspicions now?
"Hey." He told her. "Come sit down real quick." He did his best to sound upbeat and friendly. He wanted her to know he wasn't being accusatory or unaccepting.
She took a seat next to him, slightly confused. She sensed the oddness in his voice. It was the kind of voice you get during a 'talk'.
"What's up?" She asked, tentatively.
"Well. Uh..." Spencer took a moment to find his words. "I've just noticed... First I want to say that you know I would never, ever judge you. Ever. Period. You remember the time you dressed up all goth for me and grandpa? Yeah. I love you and so no matter what you do or... how you feel... Well, it would never change that. You know that, right?"
Carly felt a sinking feeling low, low in her stomach. A jolt of adrenaline passed through her. Did he know? How could he know? There wasnothing to know... Right?
"Of course I know that, Spencer."
"Well good. Because I just wanted to ask you about something." He could see Carly physically tensing up. Oh man. She was scared. He felt terrible she would feel this afraid of him. "About Sam."
Carly looked at him, at a loss for words.
"I've just noticed some... things. Not bad things! Just... things. Things that make me wonder... about you guys."
Carly didn't know what to say. "About us?" She tried playing dumb. She was bad at it.
"Carly. You know you can tell me anything and I just want you to be honest. There's no reason to feel scared." He took a pause to breathe. "Are you and Sam involved in some way? Other than, ya know, being friends?" He knew if he didn't just come right out and say it it would only get harder.
"I, um..." Carly's eyes dashed around, searching for an answer somewhere in their living room. She looked to down at her brown shoes. The ones she so wished were black. So her outfit would be perfect. For Sam.
"I don't know what we are." She told her big brother honestly. "We don't know what we are. We're trying to figure that out..."
"Is Sam your date for the dance?"
"Sort of..." She looked up at him. He had that big ol' Spencer smile ready for her.
"Carls. Thank you for telling me. I don't think there is anything wrong with what's going on between you and Sam. I'll be honest and say I didn't expected it." He laughed. Carly smiled. "But that doesn't mean that I don't approve. I want you to know, whatever you decide, you're still my baby sister. And I will always love you for whoever you are." Carly could feel her throat tighten. Spencer had just said all of the right things. She could never remember a time her goofy big bro had been so eloquent with his words and sentiment. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I love you, Spencer." The Shay siblings hugged and Carly felt better than she had in weeks. Especially now that she didn't have to worry about Spencer.
"Love you too, kiddo. Now let's go to the mall!" Spencer announced as he jumped up from the couch.
"What? Why?"
"To get you those shoes in black! Come on, we're burning daylight here!"
Carly couldn't believe how lucky she was to have a guy like Spencer as her brother and guardian. She couldn't imagine life any other way.
