Hi there, happy friday the 13th!
I know it's been a while again. Oops. Life is busy and I'm sorry for the long wait. I hope there's still people reading and enjoying my story though!
Please write a review to let me know what you think!
Episode 5: iCheer Her Up
(3 minutes earlier)
Freddie's POV
Carly is singing beautifully on the screen in front of me but I suddenly hear another voice. It fits together really well. Is it the original singer? The camera zooms out slowly and I notice a very familiar head of curls. I look down from the tv to that same head of curls, I can't see her face but she looks tense from the back. I look back at the tv to be sure. The other voice is Sam?! My mouth drops to the floor. She looks and sounds amazing. Her curls are even shinier and bouncier than usual. And she's wearing a white leather jacket to match Carly. She doesn't look girly but she's beautiful in her own way. I can not believe I'm thinking this about the blonde demon sitting in front of me. Then when the song comes closer to the end Sam has a little part where she sings alone. It really makes me appreciate her voice even more. I might even say her voice is better than Carly's. Wow. I still can't believe this is Sam. Her singing voice is much softer and sweeter than when she's yelling at me or boredly talking. Then I realize. How? Why? Sam was extremely nervous for this. Why?! Didn't she want people to know she could sing? Does she not think she can sing as beautiful as she can? As my two best friends on screen are singing the last notes I realize I can't just tell Sam this. She may have opened up to me earlier but that has to be long gone by now. I don't want to make things weird. So I pull out my phone and send her a simple message to let her know I admire her singing. I just hope she takes it the right way. When I look up I hear everyone talking loudly. Most of them are telling Carly how amazing she sounded. Then a random guy speaks up and makes everyone silent.
"Wait a minute, hold up." He yells. "That was Sam Puckett? The same Sam who squeezed my apple into applesauce because I didn't tell her the time last week?" Some people laugh at this comment.
In response Sam rises from her beanbag in double speed and shoots the whole room a furious glare before walking, calmer than I expected, to the kitchen and searching the fridge. Everyone was dead silent when Sam made clear she didn't appreciate this comment.
"So what if she ruined your apple?" Before I really know it, I'm up on my feet and confronting this random guy from our school. This is so not like me but I can't believe that's the only thing someone had to say about Sam's part of the performance.
"Like, yeah she did that. That's Sam, in case you don't know. But haven't you heard her singing? We knew Carly could sing, but Sam sounded amazing as well. Maybe you could have something nice to say?" I conclude my little speech.
"Yeah."
"He's right."
"You were amazing, Sam." the murmurs continue and the big mouthed guy slumps down into his chair. I guess my speech worked. I turn around to the kitchen and see Carly standing with Sam. Sam is looking almost shy but also a bit annoyed in my direction and mouths 'thank you' to me. Which I respond to with a wink. I just hope the annoyed in her look was for the big mouthed guy.
It's about an hour later now. Most people are still at the party. Carly pulled out a karaoke machine so the singing theme of the party could be continued. A lot of people have been singing on it, some people in the competition actually trying to show off but most of them just having fun. Others who haven't got the best voice and didn't sing in the competition also sung on the machine, just having fun. Carly has sung on the machine a few times and Sam has been prodded to by a few people, also complimented on her singing voice to get her to sing on the karaoke machine but she just waved them and their compliments away. She's been a bit more down since the guy made the comment about her and hung in the kitchen for the most time. Not using her phone, not even eating. I want to go and join her but I'm scared I'll only make it worse. I look around for Carly and see she's sitting with a few girls on the couch. I see her glance at the kitchen real quick and know she's worried about Sam too.
"Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?" I walk up and ask her.
"Sure." She comes with me to a corner.
"I just saw you looking at the kitchen too. Is there anything we can do to make Sam feel better? She looks so down."
"I don't know to be honest." She responds. "She doesn't look like she's in the mood for singing. Loads of people have asked her to already."
"Why would you talk about her singing?" I question. "Did you know she could sing like that?"
"I found out a few nights ago, she wouldn't hear anything of my compliments so that's kinda what gave me the idea for the competition."
I raise my eyebrow.
"Well, it's Sam we're talking about here. She wouldn't just go a sing a song for you and Spencer so you could compliment her and believe she sounds amazing. And besides I thought maybe we can find some other diamonds in the rough." She concludes with a wink.
"You're right." I agree. "But what did you mean she doesn't look in the mood for singing…?"
Carly looks guilty.
"Is there a song that always gets Sam in a good mood no matter what?"
"Well…" Carly struggles. "Yeah, there's this song that we belt out and we always have a great time doing it. I don't know about all these people here though. We're usually alone in my room when we sing it. And we've never tried to sing good either, I never knew she had such an amazing voice." She ends with a giggle.
"Isn't it worth a try? And it doesn't have to be good does it? It's just karaoke, nothing to do with the contest."
"I guess I could try. Let me see if I can find someone to sing along in case she won't." And with that the brunette's gone and talks excitedly with some girls.
I go to the kitchen and patiently wait for Carly and prepare a FatShake shot for Sam. I just hope she'll do it. I can't believe it but I can't wait to hear her sing again.
Carly's POV
I can't believe it. Freddie's worried about Sam! This is amazing. He must have really seen another side to her tonight. And if he sees her having fun with this song it'll only improve.
I quickly send Sam a text message.
Freddie's worried about you and came with the idea to cheer you up
I've seen her sitting by herself in the kitchen but she has just been sipping a bottle of Peppy Cola. She's not been snacking and sadly also not been playing with her phone either. Well, she'll see the text eventually.
I've asked some girls if they know the song, and eventually found someone willing to sing along with me in case Sam ditches. I ask to be next on the karaoke machine and see Freddie in the kitchen, unnoticed by Sam. I'm absolutely sure that Sam will notice I'm singing this particular song, it's our favorite song to scream out. I just hope she'll take the mic from me and sing along.
A boy calls my name and hands me the mic and remote. I select my song and two players and grab the second mic and start the song.
One last anxious look into the kitchen and the first notes of the song can be heard. Sam's head shoots up immediately.
Sam's POV
I hear some very familiar notes coming from the speakers and can't help but look at who's singing this amazing song. Carly and I always sing it- well scream it when no one's around. It's just a great song to rock out on. I can't believe my eyes when I raise my head and see who's bringing the microphone up to start singing. Its Carly.
(AN Carly singing, Carly and Sam singing together, Sam singing – song is What the Hell by Avril Lavigne)
"You say that I'm messing with your head
All 'cause I was makin' out with your friend" She's actually singing really nicely. I wonder if it'll change when she gets to the chorus though. I smile while watching her. Suddenly she looks at me and starts walking over to me slowly. In time with the song.
"Love hurts, whether it's right or wrong
I can't stop 'cause I'm havin' too much fun" At this point she's standing in front of me and slowly shows her hand that has been behind her back the whole time. She's holding out a second microphone in front of me. I roll my eyes at her and try to stand up and walk away. But Freddie's in my way. Smirking in the way that makes me weak in the knees and handing me a little shot of FatShake like Carly did earlier.
"You're on your knees, beggin', "Please, stay with me"
But honestly, I just need to be a little crazy" On the line Carly gets on her knees and basically begs me to sing along. I roll my eyes, down the little shot and make a decision in a split second.
"What the hell" I mutter to them and take the mic. This gained me many cheers from everyone around which surprised me but I didn't have time to think because the chorus came up and I'm just gonna have fun with this now.
"All my life, I been good, but now
I'm thinkin', "What the hell?" We start to sing the chorus together and Carly beams brightly that her little plan worked.
"All I want is to mess around
And I don't really care about
If you love me, if you hate me" At this part we do our usual choreography that we basically came up with one day where we make a heart with one hand each for love and separate them when we sing hate.
"You can't save me, baby, baby
All my life, I been good, but now
Whoa, what the hell?"
"What? What?
What? What the hell?" I'm so much more calm right now in comparison with the competition. Also this solo part is so easy, it's more talking then real singing. Carly continues with the next verse.
"So what if I go out on a million dates?
You never call or listen to me anyway
I'd rather rage than sit around and wait all day
Don't get me wrong, I just need some time to play, yeah"
"You're on your knees, beggin', "Please, stay with me"
"But honestly, I just need to be a little crazy (Crazy)" At this point a lot of the teens around us have felt the rhythm of one of my favorite songs and started jumping around and dancing around us. I look around the room while singing and getting closer to the chorus again. I look around and spot Freddie in the crowd with three skanky girls getting very close to him while 'dancing'. He looks uncomfortable so I guess I'll help him out.
"All my life, I been good, but now
I'm thinkin', "What the hell?"
All I want is to mess around
And I don't really care about
If you love me, if you hate me" I jump-danced through the crowd to get closer to Freddie and 'accidentilly' bumped the three girls hard out of the way. Freddie immediately knows what I'm doing and has a thankful look in his eyes. To get away with it Freddie dances with me back to the center where the TV is so I can see my next lines.
"You can't save me, baby, baby
All my life, I been good, but now
Whoa, what the hell?"
At this point Carly switches her mic for mine. We always sing this song privately and without the game but the next part which Carly usually sings is meant for me so she switched.
"La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la, whoa, whoa
La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la, whoa, whoa" Carly looks amazing singing these simple lines and made the heads of a lot of boys turn when she walked past them slowly on the beat.
"You say that I'm messing with your head
Boy, I like messing in your bed
Yeah, I am messing with your head
When I'm messing with you in bed" I also do my take at walking on the beat. In the direction where Carly is coming from. She's smiling brightly and I must admit even with all these people who I can't stand I'm having fun singing this song with my best friend. At my third line I turn to Freddie who is now in the front of the crowd after he danced with me back. I smile and give him a slight tap to his head when singing the line 'messing with your head'.
"All my life, I been good, but now" I am prepared to sing the next chorus together with Carly but when I turn to the screen I see only Carly's mic has lines. Why don't we sing the chorus together again? Uh-oh that must mean I got the solo's. We usually skip the belts in this song which means I've never even sung them before. I get nervous but don't have a lot of time because my next line is coming up. Since I know the song so well I do know how to sing it luckily. Well, what the hell. Let's just go for it.
"I'm thinkin', "What the hell?" "(What the hell?)" My first solo bit went okay but I know the next one is the hardest. Carly stands next to me and gives me a reassuring squeeze on my hand.
"All I want is to mess around
And I don't really care about" "(I don't care about)" I take a deep breath as Carly sings the main chorus lines and I look at the screen where my line gets closer and closer. I don't look at anyone in the room but the screen. As my line approaches I lift my mic, close my eyes and sing "I don't care" then belt out "About" the way the artist usually does. As I open my eyes I see I sung it exactly long enough. When I look to my right I see Carly smiling at me brightly still and I know from her look she thinks I did good. I look more around the room and a lot of people have a shocked look on their faces.
"All my life, I been good, but now
I'm thinkin', "What the hell?"
All I want is to mess around
And I don't really care about (If you love me)
If you love me (No), if you hate me (No)
You can't save me, baby, baby (If you love me)
All my life, I been good, but now
Whoa, what the hell? "
"La, la, la-la-la-la-la-la
La, la-la-la-la-la-la" We end the song together. After the belt was over my body relaxes more and I sing the remaining few lines without really thinking about it. As we sing the final 'la' we both fall back into the couch and everyone erupts with cheers and claps around us.
I can't believe it. I was so down a few moments ago. But my friends managed to cheer me up within one little song. I turn my head towards Carly and smile at her.
"Thanks for singing with me." She says softly so only I hear it.
The evening passes fast after our song. I stay with Carly a while but head back to the kitchen when I'm tired of the gossiping girls and all the girls singing on the karaoke machine. I'm not doing it again. I'll admit it was fun, but Sam Puckett doesn't sing. Even though I just did. I won't become one of those sickly girls like these that just do it for the attention. I just liked singing with my best friend to one of our favorite songs. The guests drip out one by one until only us iCarly peeps are left.
All slouched on the couch, Freddie with his laptop on his lap suddenly speaks up.
"You wanna know the results so far?"
"Yes!" Carly chimes while I groan, I was just happy it was over. What if I'm really good enough and I'll have to do it all over again next week?
"Well, so far we got over 6.000 votes!" Freddie exclaims, making Carly squeal with delight.
"Guess who's first?"
"Carly" I say matter of factly while stretching on the couch. I'm getting tired.
"You don't know that Sam, you're so good too! And it could just be someone from our school." Carly reassures me but I roll my eyes at her.
"She's right though." Freddie says with innocent eyes. "Then there's Britney, Drew and Sam's in fourth place so far. I'm in eight place now."
There's a rapid knock on the door and Carly sits up straight immediately. I barely open my eyes further and Freddie looks panicked as he closes his laptop.
"Oh no, gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes, movie night, my pick." Carly says brightly.
"Goodnight, Carly, Sam." He says quickly as he leaves. Carly wishes him a good night back and I manage a wave.
I chuckle as we hear him argue with his mother until his own door closes as well.
"Sooooo…." Carly starts.
"What?" I sit up but throw my legs over her lap.
"What did you think about tonight?"
"Uhmmm…"
"Omg Sam. You must have had thoughts. What did you think about singing together? Did you see my text yet? And Freddie defended you! And what did you think about his song?" Ramble, ramble, ramble. This girl should get a remote so I could put her on pause.
"Well, to be quite honest I was pretty much a nervous wreck about tonight, my phone had died so no I haven't seen your text yet, yes Freddie did defend me but someone else offended me, also I don't need him to defend me and I don't really wanna think about his song…" I start of strong but get softer near the end of my ramble answer, the way she asked, she'll get het answer.
"What's with his song, that you don't wanna think about it?"
I walk upstairs and Carly follows me into her room. My phone is charging on her nightstand so I grab it. While we walk I try to get Carly to see my point of view.
"Carly, you like Mars right?"
"Yes…"
"And Freddie's been crazy about you for years."
"I don't know."
"Yes, he has. And he sang 'When I was your man'. A song about regretting walking away from a relationship"
Carly looks at me with innocent eyes, she still doesn't get it.
"Carly I think he sang that song for you, about you two being together after the incident. And now regretting that he lost you." I finish.
I see the lightbulb pop on in Carly's head.
"No way!" She exclaims. "No I really don't think that's true."
"Whatever, we're not gonna ask him." I say while I open my phone.
I have some messages. I click on Carly's name first.
Carly: Freddie's worried about you and came with the idea to cheer you up
Carly's POV
"Maybe I'll have to" I mutter softly so Sam doesn't hear my true answer. Freddie just can't have the meaning behind the song that Sam thinks. He just can't. I'll have to ask him. But I won't let Sam know.
"What do you mean?" I hear suddenly. I look over to see Sam sitting on my bed and looking at her phone.
"Freddie's worried about you?" She reads from her phone to help me understand.
"He was!" I say cheerfully while walking to sit on the bed across from her. "He came to me and asked me privately if I knew how to cheer you up. And it worked!"
"Ow..."
"Ow? Aren't you happy?" I exclaim. "He noticed you weren't yourself and wanted to make you feel better!"
"No, I'm not particulary happy about this." She says slowly while thinking hard.
"What's wrong?"
"He's seeing through me too much. Before iCarly…" her words fade out.
"Where were you? I was looking for both of you and suddenly you were standing right behind me."
"We were upstairs. In the studio." She says, she knows this information would freak me out. That's why she didn't wanna tell me.
"You were all alone? What happened? How did you get there together, alone…" I say the last part suggestively. Probably nothing really happened. What if Sam hurt him? Freddie did look okay though.
"He… kinda… grabbed me. And pulled me to the studio." She struggles out. Her face looks uncomfortable saying it out loud.
"Eeeek" I squeal, I just can't help it. "He wanted to be alone with you! What for? What happened when you were upstairs?"
Sam sighs and lets her head fall down into a pillow. I give her a minute and after a short while she sits back up and starts talking.
"That's the problem Carly. He could see through me at the beginning of the evening as well. Apparently he could see I was nervous for everyone to hear me singing."
I nod to let her know she can continue without being interrupted.
"So he grabbed me to go in the studio to be alone and told me that he could see I was nervous for tonight and that I should admit it. In return he'd rub my neck to help me relax more." She finishes with red cheeks.
"O. M. G" I sound out the letters. "How did you manage that? Did you feel the burning again? I know you did when he tickled you the other day."
"Of course I felt it!" She sounds exasperated and falls back into my thousands of pillows. "And he was so good." She says it like it's a bad thing.
"Sam, you should be happy about these little moments you're having with Freddie. He was worried about you, he wanted to help you relax, to make you feel better, he made you another FatCake shot when we sung together. He's just being nice."
"Now I remember why I never fall for nice guys, I guess." She mutters stubbornly.
She picks up her phone and starts scrolling through her messages. I'm thinking about her situation and absentmindedly looking her way but suddenly I see a smile cross her face really quickly. It was a genuine bright smile but she covered it up immediately.
"Nice try, Puckett." I say with a sly look. "What's got you smiling like that?"
Her cheeks flush immediately and she looks caught.
"I'm not entirely sure. At what time was our song on the stream?"
"Uhm… we were last so probably around 9?" I think out loud.
Her smile returns but she's keeping it in so it's not that bright and just silently hands her phone.
I look at the text message I see in front of me.
Wow – sent at 9.02. Then I see what I must have seen coming in the first place. It was from Freddie. He didn't know to tell Sam she had an amazing voice so just sent her the little word 'wow'.
I squeal and she hides her smiling face in her hands.
"Oh, Carly. How am I gonna live with this." She laughs.
"Just be happy with these little things. At least until we know more about his feelings."
"That text did make me kinda happy." She admits shyly. And I'm proud of her.
"Just help me to not make him notice any other feelings besides nervousness and being down." She adds quickly.
"Of course, Sam." I respond. "Do you wanna watch some Girly Cow before we go to bed?"
She nods eagerly and grabs a snack from behind her back.
Freddie's POV
I'm laying in bed with my laptop. Looking back at the songs of tonight. Skipping my own for obvious reasons and of course ending with Carly and Sams.
Even though everyone was quiet when we were all watching together. I appreciate their voices even more now. And I'm still amazed at how good both of them are. They could both easily win America Sings. I was thinking of sending Sam another text after Carly and Sam did the other song. It was so much more Sam but both sounded amazing. And her belts at the end of the song. She didn't rehearse or nothing and she was so good. I decided against another text as I already don't know how and if she'll respond to this one. Their song ends and still my only reaction is: wow. I close my laptop and put it away. I wonder if I'll dream of a certain singing blonde tonight.
I'm trying to put in a lot of tiny sweet moments between Sam and Freddie so even though the story is not far yet, there are some cute moments about between them :)
Did you like it? Please write a review to let me know!
Love, SamLufsHam