Chapter 8: The New Beginning
Thank you to all who have been reading this story! It's because of you guys that I keep this story going. Just a reminder: I update this story at least once a week so until you hear otherwise, you can expect regular weekly content to come until the pilot for Sam & Cat airs later this year!
Longest chapter so far! Sit back and enjoy.
Disclaimer: Dan Schneider owns all.
January 2, 2013. Hollywood Arts Main Hall, 9:00 AM
'Yo, happy new year!'
Beck walks into the school hall and greets Andre with a high-five.
'Thanks! And you too bro. So, how was your holidays?'
'The usual stuff. I brought Jade to one of our family dinners.'
'And?'
'She still hates everyone in my family.'
'Sounds like good old Jade to me!', Andre says with a smile.
A female voice suddenly rings out, 'Hey guys!' Tori, Sam and Jade walk into the school and gives their respective hugs to Beck and Andre.
Andre replies, 'Hello, females! What's cracking?'
Tori replies, 'Nothing much. Just pumped up for the new semester. So how are y…'
Jade interrupts Tori, 'No one cares! Let's just get this day over with.'
Surprised, Tori stares at Jade then whispers to Beck, 'What's wrong with her?'
Beck replies, 'Post-holiday blues. Happens with every major holiday. You should have seen her after Thanksgiving last year.'
'C'mon Beck,' Jade commands. 'let's go.' Jade takes Beck's hand and walks to the inner hallway.
Andre turns back to Sam and Tori. 'So Sam, you ready for the big showcase on Friday?'
Tori adds, 'Yeah, isn't that your final audition too?'
Sam meekly replies, 'Yeah, it should be fine. I'm just not used to performing in front of crowds though.'
Tori exclaims, 'What? You're one of the stars of iCarly and you're getting stage fright?'
'And didn't you do a lot of pageants when you were younger too? Just think of this as another talent portion.', Andre adds.
'It's different though. iCarly was a web show with just me, Freddie and Carly actually in the studio. For my pageant stuff, that was a long time ago.' Sam paces to the side and kicks some dirt off the ground. 'I'm not used to performing live anymore.'
Andre thinks for a moment, then his eyes suddenly light up with excitement. 'Tell you what Sam, I'll help you with your audition!'
'What?'
'Yeah. Let me know what track you want to play and I can play it live for you, so you can just concentrate on your performance.'
'That's a great idea!', Tori replies. 'I can also sing as backup to you if you want.'
Confused, Sam replies, 'Wait, I can do that? Get help for my audition?'
'Of course! I helped Tori with hers.'
Tori replies, 'More like coerced…' (see A/N #2)
Andre replies, 'Not the point. The point is that we want you to rock this audition out, and we'll be glad to help you do just that.'
Sam, content, replies, 'Great! So, let's meet at my dorm this afternoon?'
'Yeah, sounds like a plan.', Andre replies. 'Now c'mon, let's get to class.'
…
January 4, 2013, 8:13 AM, Los Angeles Airport.
'Did you get your bags yet Freddie?'
'I got them Spence. So you have our hotel reservations right?'
Spencer pulls out two sheets of paper from his bag, 'Yup, got them right here. Let's go!'
'Wait a sec. Let me call her and tell her that we just landed.' Freddie dials a number on her phone.
'I'm not sure about this. How did she know Sam is going to be at this school anyway?'
'She said an old friend told her.'
'So? She didn't have to tell us that. She could've just gone and seen Sam herself. I don't like it.'
'I know, but she said it wouldn't be as awkward if we were with her…. okay, wait a sec, it's ringing! Let me put it on speaker.'
A female voice answers on the other line, 'Hello?'
'Hey, it's Freddie and Spencer. We just landed at the airport. We're heading for the hotel right now.'
'Great. I'm driving there too right now. I should be there in around 30 minutes.'
'Cool, so what's the plan once we meet up?'
'I'll drive you guys to Hollywood Arts and we can stay there until the show opens at 2pm. I looked it up on their website and Sam is going to be performing last. You guys can talk to her then.'
'And you, what are you planning to do?'
'I told you. I have some things I need to talk to Sam about.'
Spencer interrupts, 'Like what?'
'None of your beeswax! … sorry, old habit. It'll take too long to talk over the phone. Just trust me on this, okay Spencer? You can be there when I talk to Sam.'
'Okay, but just because you're you.'
'Thanks. So, hotel in 30 minutes?'
Freddie replies, 'Yup. See you soon.' and hangs up the phone. 'This is going to be freaky.'
…
January 4th, 2013, Hollywood Arts Main Theater, 1:55 PM.
Sam, Tori and Andre are sitting around a table in the backstage area. Andre is playing with his mobile keyboard while Sam is strumming a guitar.
Tori, pacing back and forth, exclaims, 'How can you guys not be nervous?'
Andre replies, 'What?'
'I mean, there's like a million people out there and here you guys are playing nonchalantly with your instruments!'
Sam stares oddly back at Tori, '... nonchalantly?'
Tori shrugs, 'I use old timey words when I'm nervous, okay?!'
Andre replies, 'What's the deal Tori? It's not like this is your first time playing in front of a crowd before.'
'Yeah, but this is different, this is for Sam. This could determine Sam's future!'
Sam glares at Tori. Tori meekly replies back, '… no pressure?'
Sam finally shrugs and says, 'Just relax guys. If it works out, it works out. If not, I can just probably sell food at the Mexican stand out back or something.'
Andre replies, 'Wait, if you don't get in to Hollywood Arts, you're not going back home?'
Sam simply replies, 'Nothing to go back to.'
Andre and Tori sadly look at Sam. Just before either of them can say anything, Cat and Robbie enter into the backstage area.
Cat greets the trio. 'Hey guys!'
Sam stands up and gives Cat a hug after Tori. 'Hey! What are you guys doing here?'
Robbie replies, 'We just wanted to wish you good luck before the show opens.'
'Thanks Robbie. Hey Cat, can I talk to you for a sec…?
Cat replies, 'Sure Sam.' Sam pulls Cat away while Tori and Andre chat with Robbie.
Sam says in a soft voice, 'So, what happened?'
'What happened with what?', Cat replies.
'You know with what! With Robbie.'
'Oh, that. Nothing. His grandma is okay. We just came from her house you know? She said she needed help with her computer again… she's weird.'
'That's not what I meant! Did you talk to Robbie about… you know, the Cow-Wow?'
Cat stares blankly at Sam for a couple of seconds. '…ohhhh. Yeah, we did.'
'And?'
'And, nothing. Really. I just told him how I felt and he's fine with it. For now.'
'… and, that's it?' This guy really is a nerdy pushover.
'Yup! So yay!' But, I guess it's fine. She's happy for now.
The backstage speakers turn on. 'Yo Hollywood Arts! Are you guys ready for the start of the 2013 showcase?!'
A deafening applause from the crowd roars in approval.
Robbie says, 'Looks like we better get going. Break a leg guys!'
Sam replies, 'Thanks again, Robbie, Cat.' And they head out the door.
…
January 4th, 2013. Hollywood Arts Main Theater. 3:27 PM
'Thank you again Deanna, for that lovely re-enactment of a scene from that timeless classical play, Elementary School Musical.
Sikowitz, the master of ceremonies, steps onto center stage. 'Now, it's been a great afternoon filled with frivolity and animation…'
The crowd stares blankly back to Sikowitz.
'… ehem, yes, but that afternoon is almost at an end. To close out our final audition of the night, we have a very special treat for you. You know her as the web sensation from iCarly. But she's now come here, transforming herself from the blonde feisty demon to the southern belle of LA. Please put your hands together for Sama….err, Sam Puckett!'
The curtains open to the loudest applause yet. Sam, Tori and Andre are sitting on three stools with microphones. Andre picks up the guitar while Sam speaks into the mic. The applause dies down almost immediately.
'Thank you all for coming. Just a couple of things before I get going here.'
'First of all', Sam glares towards Sikowitz, 'I'm not a southern belle. Never was, and never will be.'
'Second, and more importantly, it's been a while since I've done this.' Sam lowers her voice to a level almost like a whisper. 'It's been a life-changing past couple of months. iCarly ending. Meeting new people.' Sam spots Cat's eyes in the crowd and smiles. 'New friends.'
Sam continues, 'And I know that you all know me from iCarly and that's why I got this audition, but I'm here right now to speak just for me, Sam Puckett. All this has helped me figure out, if just a little bit, of where my life could go from here. So, I hope this song helps all of us to figure it out some more.'
Sam nods to Andre, who begins to play. Tori begins to hum a soft melody. (see A/N #3)
I found a picture of my mother
In her bell-bottom jeans
Flowers in her hair
Two fingers up for peace
In that Polaroid she smiled, a grown up baby boomer
Maybe mama walked down the wild side
Walking on the moon
What will they say about us?
Sam continues to sing with the same Southern tone she used during her first audition. Several audience members started waving their hands back and forth, while others started tearing up.
Jade, sitting on the far back side of the auditorium with Beck, started crying. (A/N #4)
Surprised, Beck said, 'Babe, are you crying?'
Jade, repulsed, replied, 'No! She's just… too boring, that's all. I'm getting sleepy eyed.'
Beck shrugs and hugs Jade. Jade fits her head into Beck's neck. 'Tell anyone this and I'll kill you.'
Beck smiles, 'I know babe.'
Not generation lost
Or generation greed
Or the connected generation to a plasma screen
Or a generation why
Enough is not enough
Or maybe they'll call us
Generation love, oh generation love
Andre plucks in the last couple of chords. The crowd falls silent for a moment.
Worried, Sam said, '… was it that bad?''
The answer came in a thunderous roar of shouts and applause-the loudest yet. Sam smiles broadly, bows, and hugs Tori and Andre.
Sikowitz steps onto the stage and says 'Well, audience, I think I speak for all of us in that I'd like to welcome Hollywood Art's newest student…'
'…Sam Puckett!' Another roar of approval comes from the crowd.
Tori, excited by the news, shrieks, 'SAM! Oh my god! You made it! Congratulations!'
Sam replies, 'Thanks! And thank you guys, really, I couldn't have passed without you.'
Tori shrugs off the compliment. 'What are you talking about? That was all you!'
'No, without your singing and Andre's guitar, I wouldn't have sounded nearly as good. Maybe I don't deserve it…'
'Nonsense!' Andre takes the microphone and talks to the crowd, 'Yo people! Sam here thinks that Tori and I carried her audition. What do you think?'
'Noooo!'
'Is Sam good enough for this school?'
'Yes!' 'Yes!' 'Sam!' 'Woo-hoo!' The screams progressively get louder.
Andre turns back to Sam. 'See that? Your fans can't wait.'
Sam blushes, takes the microphone and talks to the crowd.
'Okay okay okay guys.' The applause dies down. 'Thank you. I'll go to Hollywood Arts.'
Several cheers come from the crowd.
'And I'm looking forward to a great semester with….. YOU?!' Sam suddenly looks to a specific direction in the crowd.
The crowd turns their heads to where Sam was looking at-Freddie and Spencer.
Sam throws down the microphone and walks off the stage towards Freddie and Spencer. Tori, Andre, Jade, Beck, Cat and Robbie rush to the spot as the crowd clears the way for all of them. All six huddle around Sam, face-to-face with Spencer and Freddie.
Sam, oblivious to the crowd staring, angrily says, 'What are you guys doing here?'
Freddie fidgets uncomfortably and looks to Spencer. Spencer replies, 'uh, we came to see you.'
'Oh really? Was the 'do not try to follow me' texts and emails not enough of a direction for you?
Spencer replies with a little bit more confidence. 'Sam, we still care about you, that's all. We were getting worried because we didn't hear from you during the holidays. Even your mom was worried.'
Mom. I told her I was going to LA… is she here with them? 'Well, whooptie-do. You found me. But in case you just found out, I'm staying right here.'
'We know that Sam. You sung beautifully up there. We're not here to take you back. We're just here…'
'… to apologize.' Freddie completed Spencer's sentence for him.
Sam, slightly taken aback, retorts, 'A little bit too late for that, isn't it Freddie? Or did you not hear what I said to you back then? I said…'
'I know what you said!', Freddie interrupted. 'And I don't care if you still do. I just wanted you to hear me say this in person.' Freddie takes a deep breath and stares straight into Sam's eyes. 'I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry.'
Sam looks back directly at Freddie, completely poker-faced for a couple of seconds. Realizing this, Sam shrugs it off, looks down and asks, 'So, who told you I was here anyway? My mom?'
A familiar voice answers the question for Freddie, 'I did.'
That voice. It couldn't be.
Walking up from behind Freddie and Spencer was a brunette girl wearing a dark colored blouse and jeans.
No way. Sam could barely hold herself back. '… Carly?'
Sam doesn't even give a chance for her to reply. Sam grabbed her blouse, pulled on it and screams, 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? HOW COULD YOU?'
Beck and Andre jump in to pull Sam away. Sam curls her hand to a fist and tries to throw a punch, but Spencer catches it with his hand.
Spencer, trying to hold down the struggling Sam, 'Hold on Sam, this isn't what it looks like!'
'Don't try to stop me Spencer! Do you know what she did to me? My so-called best friend, did behind my back?'
'No Sam, you don't understand!'
'I understand perfectly fine! When I get my hands on that backstabber…'
Spencer shouted back, 'SHE'S NOT CARLY!'
This alone stopped Sam. '… what?'
Freddie helps the brunette girl up and dusts her off. The girl, while shaken by Sam's sudden attack, didn't seem surprised at all.
Finally calming down, Andre and Beck let Sam go. Sam dusts herself off as well and asks Spencer again. 'What do you mean she's not Carly?'
The brunette girl steps forward and answers Sam's question for Spencer. 'Hi Sam. I'm Megan. Megan Parker.'
A/N #1: Wow. This is the longest chapter I've written and probably will ever write for this story. But, I didn't feel good about splitting it up. All of this needed to happen in the same time span.
If you got the hints I've dropped in my previous A/N's that led to this plot point, kudos and cookies for you! This is probably one of the very few plot points that I had in my head since the beginning of the story.
For those of you who don't know, Megan Parker is a character from Dan's older series, Drake and Josh. Megan was played by none other than Miranda Cosgrove-the same actress who plays Carly. She will be a MAIN plot device for this story, and her introduction to this has been meticulously thought out (so don't worry).
As the elephant in the room, I'll give you what she's not right now. She is not going to be Carly's twin/Spencer's other sister. I already thought about that and it could conceivably fit, given that Carly's mom and Megan's dad were never mentioned in their respective series. But, one of this story's goals is to preserve as much of the iCarly/Victorious universe's as possible and will NOT touch any D&J plot points-I respect Dan's creative authority.
The Victorious and D&J universes have actually crossed over in a Victorious episode: Helen Back Again.
A/N #2: Throwback to the first episode of Victorious, in particular, Tori's audition. A lot of this chapter actually references that.
A/N #3: See Jennette's performance of this at youtube/watch?v=Iy-OigqT-Xw. It is a fantastic song and probably the strongest one Jennette's ever sung so far. And yes, Sam's a little sappier than usual in this chapter. But, if iGoodbye taught me anything, it's that Sam is more than able to handle that range of emotion.
A/N #4: Yes, I do think that Jade has that side of her, with enough evidence coming from the series itself.
I hope you enjoyed this and please R&R! Look forward to what's coming next. ;)
