A/N: Back with an update! Hope you enjoy.


Nathan's Big Question

During Ms. Lippman's class, Carly could not help but think about the empty desk that was in front of her. Sam was seated behind her, burying herself in her American Literature book. In actuality, Sam was dreaming of a hot pastrami sandwich on rye. Carly was so preoccupied that she forgot that Ms. Lippman was even talking.

"…your reports on To Kill a Mocking Bird are due at the end of the month. It may seem like a long time from now but I suggest you start soon," Ms. Lippman addressed her less than enthusiastic class. The school bell rang signifying the end of the class hour.

"We'll continue our discussion tomorrow with some of the themes Harper Lee addresses tomorrow," the teacher told her student as they rushed out of the classroom. As she began to get her things together, Carly saw the boy that she bumped into earlier.

"Hey, you're the girl I ran into this morning. I'm sorry about that. I just didn't want to be late on my first day."

"Oh, it's not a big deal," Carly said as she put her notebook into her bag, "So it's your first day here at Ridgeway, uh….?"

"….Nathan." the boy said as he shook Carly's hand.

"I'm Carly and this is my friend Sam," she said as she pointed out the blonde who was just waking up from her nap.

"Likewise…" she said yawning as she was still feeling rather sleepy.

"Say… you two look familiar. I think I've seen you guys before somewhere but I can't put my finger on it," Nathan said. "Now, I know. You're the girls from iCarly!"

"Yeah, that's us," Carly admitted.

"I love your guys' show. You're really funny. Well, I got to get going to my next class," Nathan said as exiting towards the hallways.

"He's seems nice," Carly commented on the new student.

"Uh-huh, right," Sam teased. Gibby was approaching the two as they got up from their desks.

"Hey, the new guy seems alright," he added as his seat was right next to Nathan's. "Where was Freddie today? Isn't he usually with you?"

"Freddie…" Carly said softly at the mention of his name as she looked towards Sam.

"Where is Freddie? It's not like him to miss class," Sam asked noticing his absence. Carly, Sam, and Gibby left the classroom wondering what had happen to the iCarly producer.


At lunch, the cafeteria was filled with students chattering away as they ate. Carly and Sam sat down at their usual table, with a third of their trio missing. Sam reached into her brown paper bag and took out a peanut butter and bologna sandwich.

"Are you really going to eat that?" Carly asked with puzzled look while munching on her tuna sandwich.

"With my mom, this is as good as it gets," Sam said. Both of the girls were caught off guard when Freddie approached their table. He looked exhausted. His eye lids looked baggy.

"Freddie, where have you been? You look so tired. You weren't in class all morning?" Carly asked with a concerned look on her face.

"Yeah Fredward, what up? You been M.I.A.," Sam said taking a bite out of her sandwich.

"Sorry I've been caught up with a lot of things that I completely forgot that my paper for Biology on homeostasis is due today. I spent all night finishing it just so I can turn it in this afternoon."

"Well, at least you made to school," Carly said. She tried not to make eye contact with Freddie, out of fear that she'd feel more anxious. She wanted to tell him right then and there but the timing wasn't right as she felt Freddie had enough on his mind.

"Man, I'm glad I'm not taking Bio. I wouldn't even bother writing a paper on that homeostasis mumbo jumbo," Sam added, as she downed an entire can of Moca-Cola.

"Did I miss anything this morning?" Fred asked.

"Nothing much, but I can't really tell you much. I was asleep through most class. There is the new kid in class, though"

"New kid?" Freddie sounded curious.

"Yeah, new kid…his name's Nathan, I think," Carly commented trying to keep her cool around Freddie. Just then the bell rang as the lunch hour ended.

"Saved by the bell. I guess I'll tell him some other time," Carly had thought to herself.

The students of Ridgeway began to clear out of the cafeteria as the custodian started mopping the floor.

"I better get to Biology. I'll see you guys later," Freddie told his friends as he departed.

"We better get to class too," Carly said to her best friend. Sam took two more bites of her sandwich, crumpled her paper bag into a ball and shot it like a basketball into the recycling

bin. She ran to catch up with her friend who was waiting for her by the cafeteria door.


Another school day ended, Carly was at her locker to put away a few books while she waited for Sam. She sensed someone by her locker as she got her American Literature book she needed for her homework.

"Hey Sam, have you started Ms Lippman's report on…" she closed her locker with a bewildered expression to discover that it was not her best friend. "Nathan?"

"Hey Carly, how's it going?" he asked with a faint smile.

"I'm doing alright. How was your first day?" Carly asked still feeling surprised to be approached by the new student.

"It was okay. Nothing out of the ordinary. I came by because I was wondering if, I don't know, you'd want grab a burger," Nathan shyly asked. Carly did not know what to think.

"Well, uh, sure. I think that'd be nice," she smiled as she accepted Nathan's friendly gesture.

"That's great. I'm kinda of glad now. I haven't chance to know a lot of people since I've arrived. How does tomorrow after school sound?" a more reassured Nathan asked.

"Tomorrow works for me," she answered.

"Ok I'll see you tomorrow then," he smiled as left. Carly let a sigh of relief until she was startled.

"Carly, did I hear what I thought I heard?" Sam asked with a stunned look.

"Well, he's new in town and he hasn't really met anyone yet and…" Carly was now feeling conflicted about her decision.

"…But I thought you liked Freddie? Does this mean you're over him?"

"No, I mean, I'm just be friendly. I still like Freddie but I don't know, I just feel so anxious whenever I try to tell him"

"Just look at it this way," Sam consoled her as tried to help her friend, "this will give you a chance to step away and clear your head. And on the plus side, Nathan is pretty cute."

"So you think I should go out with Nathan?" Carly asked.

"It wouldn't hurt to go out for meal with the boy," Sam said, "you not getting married."

"Who's getting married?" Freddie unexpectedly said as he met with his friends at their locker.

"Uh…" Carly and Sam said in unison.

"My uh, my Aunt Ethel, yeah Aunt Ethel. She's getting hitched tomorrow in Reno," Sam said covering up for Carly.

"….Okay?" Freddie responded looking perplexed.

"Spencer is going to give us a ride home. Need a ride?"

"Thanks, but my mom's giving me a ride," Freddie said.

"Coming over later then?" Carly asked.

"Maybe later, I'm think I'm going to take it easy and get some sleep. I'm so beat from writing that paper all night that I began drooling on my Biology book."

"Hehe, that's what I usually do everyday in class," Sam joked.

"I guess we'll just catch you later then," Carly said

"I'll text you later tonight".

"Okay bye. Go get some sleep" she said as she watched him walk out the door.

"Later," Sam said nonchalantly, leaning against the lockers.

Carly turned to her friend, "Come on let's wait for Spencer outside."


At the apartment loft, Carly and Sam arrived with Spencer not far behind. Sam helped herself to some bottled iced tea in the refrigerator. Carly sat on the couch contemplating the decision to go out with Nathan. She kept reminded herself that it would just a friendly outing. Her brother had taken notice of her anxious look on her face.

"What's up Carly? You seem kinda down in the dumps lately?"

"Spencer, I kind of have a problem. I like this guy, but I don't know how to tell me how I feel. And there's this new guy in school who asked me for a burger. I said yes since he really doesn't know anyone yet."

"Do you say burgers?" Spencer asked.

"Spencer!" Carly shouted in frustration, "What should do?"

"Oh, sorry… well whoever you like more you should be straight with and tell him how you feel. Break it down easy for the other guy saying how flattered you are but you just want to be friends."

"…So if I don't really like this guy I'm going out with tomorrow…"

"…Go out with him but just let him down gently," Spencer suggested, "Trust me, coming from a guy who's gone through tons of rejections, he'll be glad you were at least straight with him."

"Yeah… you seem like a guy that gets turned down a lot," Sam poked fun at Spencer.

"Haha," Spencer sarcastically laughed and then sighed, "…I'm so sad."

Sam then noticed a dusty worn out bag of golf clubs leaning against couch, "You golf, Spencer?"

"Since when did you golf?" Carly asked.

"I was at the junkyard earlier today, picking up some stuff for my sculptures, and I saw these golf clubs. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Uh, sure Spencer," Carly tried not laugh at the thought of Spencer in golf shoes and a golf shirt, "Well, me and Sam will be upstairs in the studio. Try not to break anything okay?"

"I'll try," Spencer answered as he took out a nine iron and began practicing his swing.

Freddie was worn out after spending the entire night writing his biology paper. He missed half of the school day just so he could finish his report and turn it in. After his Biology class, Freddie felt the burden of anxiety lifted from his shoulders. As he and his mother arrived home, Mrs. Benson asked her son if he wanted an after-school snack.

"Freddie, would you like cucumber slices with some non-fat cottage cheese?"

"I'll eat later, Mom. I'm gonna go nap in my room," Freddie said, dragging his feet towards his room.

"Alright, but I'll leave a plate for you on the table in case you get hungry"

"Thanks, Mom."

Freddie entered his room, tossing his backpack aside. This was the moment he had been waiting all day. He could not wait until his head hit the pillow. His eyelids felt heavier every time he blinked. As Freddie plopped himself onto his bed for a well deserved nap, thoughts of a certain dark-haired girl lingered in the back of his mind but all he really wanted to do was get some sleep.