Chapter 34:
It was all going well for both Sam and Freddie. After they had their talk, it settled almost all their problems and somewhat improved their relationship. Although the two of them still bicker a lot, it was back at normal again.
"Okay, munchkins, let's wrap this class up for you guys to go home already," Sam announced to her students. "Pack your things, kiddos!"
The kids happily followed their teacher's orders and chattered with their seatmates as they pack their things. Sam didn't even tell her students to stay quiet while cleaning up. She likes her room to be full of happy children, not with behave kids that's really quiet. Now, that's not the way her mother raised her and Melanie up.
"Momma, we're done!" Fallon told her with an excited smile on her face.
"Munchkins, you are free to go now," Sam smiled over the enthusiastic little faces she can see in front of her.
"Bye, Momma! See you tomorrow!" The kids replied in their individual paces. Sam opened the door for them and they came rushing out, reaching out for their parents. Sam's lips cracked in a smile again. This is why she loves her job. As she said good-bye to her last pupil, a big shadow covered her and she instantly knew who this was.
"Hi, Finn!" Sam greeted. "You here to pick up Caleb?"
"Yeah, and I just want to talk about… something." Finn invited himself to go in her classroom and plopped down into one of the bean chairs.
Sam sighed. Did she just clear things out with Finn the last time he tried to hit on her?
"Finn, you know we talked about this already. Look, I know that you want me to be Caleb's stepmother but I can't. I love someone else." Sam explained.
Instead of showing his usual rejected expression, Finn looked at Sam puzzled, "Ooookay. I know."
A ball of silence bounce through them until Sam decided to speak again.
"I guess you're not here to persuade me like you always do?" She said sheepishly, embarrassed by her sudden actions.
"Actually, yeah. I saw how your guy confess to you last Meatball Day, and I think he caught everyone else's attention. If I were a girl, I would say it was pretty romantic when he apologized to you. It was a real entertainment for us." Finn admitted referring to him and the other parents.
Sam frowned. Well, she didn't expect to their little actress that day, "I'm glad you did enjoy that little act of ours, now could you please get into the point?"
Finn realizing that he said something wrong apologize immediately, "I'm sorry if I was being a tactless jerk again. But it was really a sight to see."
"Okay, Finn. Just get to the point." Sam just disregarded Finn's last comment; any time by now Freddie will arrive at the school.
"I don't know if I'm going to sound desperate but I promise, I really need your help!"
"Finn, I don't do that anymore!" Sam apologetically said.
"Sam, stop assuming anything. I don't even know what you're talking about." Finn said in annoyance. "I need you to help me be close with your friend who's handling the classroom across yours."
Sam's jaw dropped. Oh my chiz. Really? "Finn, do you think that Cat will be the perfect stepmother for Caleb now?"
"No. That's not what I was trying to imply, Sam. She just… Well, she caught my attention last Meatball Day."
"Well, she is unusual." Sam agreed.
"Who's unusual?" A different voice intrude their conversation and Sam whipped her head to the door to see who it is. Uh-oh. Why does he have to pick the wrong timing every time?
"Hi, Sam. Finn." Freddie greeted curtly.
"Hey, dude. Don't misunderstand this. I was just asking Sam for help." Finn explained fast.
"Help?" Freddie repeated. "I think you're too old to ask Sam for help."
Freddie then looked at Sam meaningfully, and Sam, in defense shook her head and mouthed no at Freddie.
"Freddie, c'mon. He was asking me if by any chance I could help him get close to Cat."
"Cat? Cat Valentine?" Freddie asked to confirm what he was thinking was correct.
"Yeah, that's her." Finn nodded. "I don't now dude, she just caught my interest. I can't say I like her, I barely even know her."
"Oh, right." Freddie's features lightened and smiled at Finn.
"Tough luck, dude. She already has a boyfriend." Freddie said. "Besides, Cat is really eccentric. I guess she just caught your attention because she was all bubbly last Meatball Day, but dude, not her. You'll be really annoyed at her before you know it."
Finn smiled and shook his head. "Thanks for the suggestion, dude. But I just want to know her personally." He insisted.
"Well, if that's what you want." Freddie turned at Sam. "Sam, why don't we give it a try?"
"Yeah, sure." Sam smiled at Freddie. "I'll try my best, Finn. But right now I think I have to leave."
"Oh, yeah. Sure. Enjoy your date with him." Finn half-smiled and went outside to call Caleb. When it was just the two of them, Sam smirked at Freddie and clucked her tongue.
"What?"
"You were acting jealous earlier." Sam stated.
"Well, you can't blame me. I just arrived at a wrong timing."
"That's what I said." Sam murmured to herself. "So, we're going to have lunch?"
"Yeah, but I think I can't becau-"Freddie was stopped by Sam in midsentence since she abruptly kissed him full on the lips. Freddie smiled and was about to return Sam's kiss when she pulled back.
"There, now you won't have any chiz to babble about. Now, can you pay my lunch?"
Freddie chuckled and stole a peck from Sam which caught the latter one unguarded. "Yeah, let's go."
Carly giggled while styling her hair. She had a fun night yesterday with Gibby while they ditched Sam and Freddie at the school. Cat was feeling tired so they dropped her at her apartment and went to dinner at some Chinese restaurant. They enjoyed each other's company and when it was time for them to part, they almost shared a kiss. Almost. Carly sighed. She likes Gibby, and an urge always gets to her to kiss him. Damn. The event yesterday is still playing in her head and if she can't kiss Gibby tonight. Oh, God knows! The next thing her friends will know is that she'll be in jail because she attempted to rape Gibby.
"Carly? Are you done using the C.R. yet?" Cat rapped on the door several times and asked her again the same question.
"Nope, not yet, Cat. You'll use the C.R.?"
"No, I just want to tell you that Gibby's here already. I just let him in because you're still there."
Oh shit. He's here already? "I thought he's gonna arrive here later!" Carly murmured.
"What?" Apparently, Cat heard her murmuring too.
"Nothing! Just tell him I'll be there in a couple of minutes."
"Mmmkay. I'll tell him you'll be ready in a couple of hours." Cat giggled and hurriedly went to the lounge room to escape Carly's shrieking voice.
Realizing that Cat's already gone and shouting inside a bathroom would be a total turn-off, Carly settled with a grumble and finished fixing her hair. She took a deep breath and smoothen the new dress that she's wearing. Yep, she bought a new dress because she's going to have a 'date' with Gibby tonight. She wants to look good.
Carly faced her reflection at the mirror and smiled, "You'll be okay. Just be yourself." She told her image.
After encouraging herself, Carly gathered her make-up and stuffed the essential ones in a small black purse. She took a deep breath once more and opened the door. She slowly walked towards the lounge room where she can hear people happily conversing and obviously, waiting for her arrival. Carly prepared a smile as she went inside the room to found Gibby looking good in his usual plain white shirt and faded jeans.
"You look gorgeous," Gibby complimented her as he looked at her outfit. "That dress suits you."
"Oh, thank you. You look good too." Carly smiled while trying to hide her blush.
"Sorry, I didn't really think of dressing up," Gibby smiled awkwardly.
"No it's okay. Besides, I really like what you're wearing."
Gibby looked at her incredulously, "I'm wearing my casual outfit. You don't have to compliment me back."
"No, I didn't mean it like that. I really like your casual outfit." Carly sweetly smiled at him.
"Okay, if you keep up with this cheesy thing, I'm going to throw the two of you out of my apartment!" Cat interfered with them, obviously annoyed with what they're doing.
Gibby chuckled and patted Cat's red velvet hair, "Okay, we'll be going now, Cat."
"Bye, Catherine!" Carly waved at Cat while the other one is more annoyed now that Carly just said her full name.
"Okay, that's it! Go no before I use my emergency buttersock!"
The duo left hurriedly Cat's apartment and went to hide at the other side of Gibby's car. When Cat slammed the door, they both laughed and entered Gibby's car.
When their laughter finally died down, Gibby asked Carly since when did Cat learn how to use a buttersock.
"Oh that? I think Sam taught her how to use her infamous weapon because Sam transferred into her sister's former apartment." Carly informed Gibby.
"So, where do you want to eat? Or maybe just hang out. I heard that you girls don't eat anymore when it's past 7 in the evening." Gibby started the ignition of the car and sped off to the road.
"Oh, that's so sweet of you. But I think we'll have to eat dinner tonight."
"Okay, sure." Gibby looked at Carly and smiled before focusing on the road again. He was pretty damn nervous about taking Carly to dinner. Especially when she looks really pretty, he really can't control his actions tonight. Well, last night he was able to have a little self-control because Sam and Freddie's problem was still going on in his mind and he used that as his distraction on kissing Carly. Damn, they were on the verge of kissing each other last night! He can't let that happen, Carly is probably just interested in him because not only did he change physically; he also changed his financial status. Combine the two of them and girls will be hovering over a guy with good physique and not to mention has loads of money in his pocket, and he's sure that Carly is just infatuated with him, after Carly will realize what she's really been feeling all the time, he'll be left heartbroken again. Oh would you look at that? Just like the old times!
"We're here!" Gibby announced as he looked for a parking space and when he eventually found one and parked his car, he took a deep breath and smiled.
"Shall we go?"
"No, wait. I know something is bothering you, Gibs. Is this not a perfect timing to have a dinner?" Carly asked him sincerely.
"No! What are you thinking about? Let's go and have fun." They moved out of the car and Carly can still feel a bad aura surrounding Gibby. Was this not a right time?
"Gibby, you know, if you're tired from work let's just go back to our own places and have a good night's sleep. Especially you, it looks like you're tired."
"Carly, I'm not tired," Gibby softly argued.
"Well, something is probably bugging you right now," Carly insisted.
In a swift moment, Gibby swooped down and kissed Carly, tired from arguing with her. Plus, he's been meaning to do this all the while; it was just that he had doubts on doing this because of his little insecurity.
"There, is that enough proof for you that I'm not tired and I really want to be with you tonight?" Gibby asked Carly as he broke off their kiss.
"Yeah, let's go." Carly said softly, still amazed by what just happened.
Gibby smiled, Gibbaayy for the win!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter full of fluffiness
Criticisms and reviews are much appreciated
I highly express my gratitude to all those people who reviewed the last chapter.