Union Chapter 7
Neutral POV
As Sam lay on the couch in the iCarly studio, she couldn't help but reflect on the last month. So much had changed for the young web star.
For what seemed like her entire life, Sam had been one third of the dynamic iCarly trio. She didn't have anyone else but she was okay with that because of the stability among the 3 teenagers.
First there was Carly, the intelligent, sweet, pretty host. Carly had a tendency to be girly and naïve but she was a good person and was someone Sam was happy and proud to call a friend.
Then, there was Freddie, the tech-savvy producer of iCarly. Once known solely for his nerdy ways, Freddie had become an integral part of the iCarly team and it's dynamic.
Then, there was Sam. The sarcastic and aggressive, yet loyal and lovable co-host. Although the group had grown up considerably since the show's beginning 4 years ago, the dynamic generally remained the same.
But as of late, a tangible shift had occurred, at least in the mind of Sam Puckett. Feelings she never wanted in the first place were overpowering her. Sam couldn't go to Carly about them for a multitude of reasons.
For one, Carly sucked at keeping a secret. Sam loved Carly and trusted her with her life but the girl had a big mouth.
Second, Carly was the object of Freddie's desires. That so much wasn't the problem as much as the fact that Freddie was occasionally the object of Carly's desires.
Freddie would probably dance in the streets if he found out but Carly had mentioned him in what may have been a romantic light several times over the last few years. Carly was fickle when it came to boys to say the least.
Sam didn't believe that Carly actually had significant feelings for Freddie but she had to admit there was a possibility of it. Thus, Sam had no choice but to tread lightly when it came to her own feelings for Freddie.
Feeling trapped, Sam sought the comfort of an unlikely source in Brad. When Sam first met Brad 4 months ago, he seemed like a nice, ordinary guy. But there was one tiny detail that Sam happened to notice during Brad's intern interview that was missed by her two co-stars: Brad was wearing a long sleeve t shirt.
This would mean nothing to most people but to Sam it was an indicator. Ordinary people didn't wear long sleeve t shirts in 85 degree weather. But Sam Puckett was not an ordinary person. Her perceptiveness far exceeded that of those around her.
Sam wore a long sleeve t shirt to cover a secret she had been hiding for several years now. The blade Sam carried around with her 24/7 had nothing to do with trying to protect herself, at least in the physical sense. She had her fists and an unusual amount of upper body strength for that.
The blade Sam carried with her was about protecting herself in the emotional sense. Her blade is what kept her from having a nervous breakdown on a daily basis.
Sam could see why the idea might be unfathomable to some. Hurting yourself in order to protect yourself? Sam could see why one might think her methods didn't make sense. But for Sam, her blade provided an escape that food and good television simply couldn't match.
And as it turns out, the same applied for the newest member of the iCarly team.
Sam watched Brad for several weeks after his interview. Although he was not given the job initially, Sam took an interest in him. Every day, without fail, Brad would show up to school in a long sleeve t shirt. If he felt like mixing it up, it would be a sweatshirt.
As Sam watched from afar, she couldn't help but be curious. The weather this time of year meant that it was implausible for someone to continuously wear long sleeve clothing and not overheat. She knew that from personal experience. Sam couldn't help but be curious about Brad.
During a time where her feelings about Freddie were constantly in flux, thinking about Brad was a way for her to distract herself. That's why when Cort was fired from the team, Sam suggested they bring Brad back for another interview.
Several days later, the iCarly trio became the iCarly foursome. Brad hung out with the group on a regular basis, and individually with Freddie.
Unsure if she was paranoid, crazy, or correct with her suspicions, Sam made an effort to join Freddie and Brad in their activities. This gave her a perfect opportunity to gauge if Freddie held any interest in her as well as get closer to Brad to see if her suspicions were right.
Whole lot of good that did me Sam thought to herself.
In an effort to better her friendship with her two co-stars, she only aroused suspicion, both from them and Carly. Before she knew it, it was time for the lock-in, the day where everything changed for the iCarly stars.
Not only did it change the complexion of the relationship between her and Freddie, but also the relationship between her and Brad, unbeknownst to Carly and Freddie.
At the time, Carly was convinced that Sam was in love with Brad and thus decided to give them some "alone time" by locking them in a room together. Sam remembered it like it was just yesterday
Flashback- School Lock-in. 3 days before beginning of Chapter I
As Sam pushed against the door for the 4th time, she had no choice but to admit defeat. Her and Brad weren't getting out of this classroom, at least not until Carly came to let them out.
Sam shook her head in anger. She should've worked harder to show Carly that she was not in love with Brad. Hindsight is hindsight but at least she wouldn't be stuck in here. Sam turned around to look at her friend who stood awkwardly in the middle of the room.
"Listen, Brad. I'm sorry to get you all caught up in the middle of this." Sam apologized. Apologizing was not something Sam did often but she felt it was warranted here.
Brad managed a half smile. "No worries. I suppose there are worse people to be stuck in a room with" Brad laughed.
Sam cringed a little, remembering how they ended up here. "Listen, Brad. I think you're a really nice guy but...I'm not in love with you." Sam stated awkwardly. She was realizing far too late that her snooping may have given Brad a certain impression.
To her immense relief, Brad laughed it off. "Don't worry about it, Sam. I wasn't trying to make a move on you. I know this is about Freddie." Brad boldly remarked.
Sam's eyebrows raised involuntarily. "What are you talking about?" Sam said with a nervous laugh.
Brad gave her a knowing look. "Sam, I haven't known you very long but I think a blind bat could see that you have feelings for the guy." Brad commented.
"Brad, you don't know what you're..." Sam begun but trailed off when she saw the unimpressed look on Brad's face at her weak lie. Sam wasn't sure if it was the uncertainty of the situation, or the emotions that had been clouding her judgment but Sam suddenly found herself admitting something that she had previously only admitted to herself.
"Alright, you got me." a tired Sam admitted. "I have...feelings for Freddie." Sam managed to get out before covering her mouth in shock.
Brad couldn't help but smile. "Don't look so concerned, Sam. Your secret is safe with me. Besides, I'm pretty sure your feelings are mutual." Brad added which made Sam's eyes light up.
"At the risk of sounding like too much of a girly girl, why do you say that?" Sam asked.
"Well, I think it's suspected by many because your interactions just scream true love." Brad began with a slightly sarcastic but truthful tone. "But in all seriousness, the reason I see that is because of his eyes." Brad continued.
"His eyes?" Sam asked in confusion. "What does his eyes have to do with Freddie's feelings?"
"Sam, whenever Freddie talks about you, there's a certain look in his eyes. I'd say it was a mixture of admiration, love, and respect if I had to describe it. I've known Freddie for awhile now and he doesn't get that look in his eyes just talking about anyone. It's you, Sam. You're the one. Even if Freddie himself doesn't know it." Brad finished.
"You're pretty perceptive, Brad." Sam complimented him. Brad's words were convincing but Sam was still far from sure. It seemed like an unrealistic possibility that Freddie felt the same way about her.
"I try." Brad said with an overly dramatic bow which drew a smile from Sam. "So what should we do until we're let out of here?" he continued.
Sam shrugged her shoulders. "Well you already know one of my deepest, darkest secrets so I guess it's time for me to learn more about you. 20 questions?" Sam asked.
Brad nodded his head in affirmation. "Sure, why the hell not?" he remarked with a smile.
And so, Sam and Brad spent the next hour learning various facts about one another. Sam, for example, learned that Brad was a black belt in karate, and started coding his own software when he was 11.
Brad learned that Sam had a surprisingly extensive collection of meat flavored items, and that she had a fantastic recipe for coconut cream pie. But eventually, asking about one's favorites grew tiring and Sam decided to kick it up a notch.
"When was the last time you cried?" Sam asked, catching Brad off guard.
"Going into the serious stuff I see." Brad remarked.
"Now, remember you have to tell the truth." Sam reminded him.
"Alright then, it was October 29th of last year." Brad replied.
"First of all, you remember the date? Second of all, why?" Sam asked.
Brad shook his finger. "Nope. That wasn't the question. Now it's my turn." he said.
"What is your worst fear? I mean a real fear, not the dark or bees or shit like that." Brad continued.
Sam knew the answer but hesitated. She didn't want to be the first to reveal anything that would make her look bad but she didn't want to lie either.
"Fine, I guess I'd have to say that my biggest fear is that one day I'll be all alone and no one will care about me or my life." Sam admitted.
She stood Brad down as she said it to gauge his reaction. She didn't want his pity and was pleasantly surprised that she didn't see pity in his eyes. In fact, Sam had trouble reading Brad at all. But her thought process would have to resume later; it was her turn to ask a question.
"Why did you cry last October 29th? Sam asked.
Brad had a quick response. "Because I was sad. Now it's my turn." he added.
"Oh no, no way." Sam interrupted. "I am not accepting that as an answer. It's against the rules." she declared.
"What do you mean it's against the rules? I answered your question!" Brad replied with a chuckle.
"Fine but I'm not answering any other questions until you answer yours." Sam crossed her arms.
It wasn't long before she got an eye roll out of Brad. "Fine, I'll answer your damn question." he conceded.
"The truth is that it was the anniversary of my sister's suicide." Brad disclosed.
Sam eyes softened immediately. That was not what she was expecting. "Jesus Brad...I'm sorry I even brought it up. I didn't know..." Sam explained.
Brad waved her apology off. "It's alright. Damn, I'm sorry, I didn't intend on getting emotional right now." Brad let out a nervous laugh as he wiped a small tear that had managed to escape his eyelid.
"Never apologize for your feelings." Sam replied. Sam reached out and touched her hand to Brad's. It wouldn't take the pain away but it was a small measure of comfort to the two web stars.
It was at that moment where they heard a knock at the door and seconds later a voice.
"Is is safe to come in?" Carly asked from outside.
Sam rolled her eyes. "Yes, Carly."
"Sam, how are we going to hide the stripper and the dead body?" Brad whispered in a very loud voice.
"HIDE THE WHAT?" yelled Carly from the outside.
Sam and Brad couldn't help but share a smile. Neither of them were particularly emotionally composed at the moment but for right now, that was just fine with them.
A/N: Apologizing seems to be in order. I am very very late with this chapter. Life gets in the way and I think I rewrote this chapter 7,000 times. It's not my best work but let me know what you think.
