iPay
Not long after the initial sign-up, everyone who had managed to get their name put down on the list was called to the main office after school and given all the information on the class: which room it was in, which days it was, the cost, and who to make the check out to. Once everyone had been informed, the students were dismissed to go home. Carly and Sam headed back to Bushwell Plaza, but Freddie stayed behind at the school as he had a Junior Bow-and-Arrow meeting that day.
"Y'know, I'm sure Spencer could pay for your's, too," Carly said to Sam. They were walking down the street hand-in-hand, enjoying a very rare sunny Seattle spring day.
"Pay for my what?" Sam asked, as a moment ago they'd just been discussing stopping at The Groovy Smoothie before going back to Carly's. She thought her girlfriend meant pay for her drink.
"Pay for your driver's ed! It's not cheap, Sam; you heard how much that check needs to be."
Sam shrugged. "Yeah, I know, but it doesn't matter. I love you and Spencer, but you guys can't keep paying for me all the time. Since I've got the money for it, I'll just cover it myself. No biggie."
Carly sighed a little. Sometimes Sam was so stubborn. Still, it was really admirable that she wanted to pay for her own course. It was also kinda refreshing, considering Sam's "borrowing" habits in the past. She'd never minded giving her best friend money, though. Not one bit.
The girls made a detour on their way home, stopping at The Groovy Smoothie for some delicious beverages. After they paid, got their drinks, and sat down together at a table, (so close their thighs were touching) their friend Gibby came in with his arm around Tasha, his girlfriend. She didn't go to Ridgeway with the gang, but they knew her from the fact that she and Gibby had been together for a while now.
"Gibby! Tasha!" Carly called out to them. The couple stopped and turned to look at her, pleasantly surprised smiles on their faces.
"Oh hey, Carly. Sam," he greeted.
"Hi," Tasha said.
"After you get your smoothies, did you guys wanna sit with us?"
Gibby looked at Tasha, who just shrugged in response. He turned back to the girls, nodding.
"Yeah, sure. Just let us order and we'll be right back." With that, the pair turned around and walked up to the counter.
Normally, Sam would be annoyed at this. If she was hanging out with Carly, she preferred it to be just them. Even Freddie she could barely stand. But today had been a good day, so she didn't say anything. Anytime the cafeteria served tater tots made it a good day in her book. She wished she had some right then, too. Sighing, she day dreamed about the future when she had her driver's license. Then she could just hop in a car and go to the Seismic drive-thru and order all the tater tots she wanted. Well, that she could afford. Of course, Carly would be right there with her. She'd even share the tots with her.
Soon Gibby and Tasha returned, smoothies in hand, sitting down across from Carly and Sam. Gibby had been friends with the group for a while now, but they'd grown a lot closer recently as his involvement on their web show iCarly increased. He was kind of…ditzy, but a nice guy all the same. When he found out Carly and Sam had started going out, he'd said something along the lines of "it's about time" and praised them on their new relationship. Tasha had been very accepting of the couple, too.
They talked for a bit about what was going on in their lives, school, iCarly, and drama at Tasha's school that they knew nothing about, before Carly brought up the subject of driver's ed.
"Hey, Gibby, a few weeks ago when the school announced they were offering driver's ed courses, did you sign up?" she asked, taking a drink of her smoothie.
Gibby shook his head. "Nah. Not me."
"Well why not?" Sam asked, eyebrows furrowed. Who wouldn't want to get their license?
"Cause Tasha's already got her license, so she can take me anywhere I need to be. I don't see a reason for it," he replied, taking a sip of his own drink.
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense," Carly conceded with a nod. Sam shrugged.
"Plus, if I can drive, my mom would just make me take Guppy everywhere," he complained, rolling his eyes. Carly and Sam couldn't really relate, being a youngest child and a twin, respectively, but at least sympathized.
"Maybe one day I'll get my license, but for now I'm good," he concluded. The group nodded in response, and continued talking, laughing, and hanging out with each other. Soon, Carly and Sam had finished their smoothies, and they said their farewells to Gibby and Tasha, waving goodbye to them as they walked out the door and walked back to Bushwell Plaza.
"Spencer, Sam and I are home!" Carly called out upon entering the apartment.
"In here!" he yelled back from the kitchen. Wonderful aromas were emanating from that area as well. Sam followed her nose over, and Carly followed Sam.
Spencer was at the kitchen island, preparing that night's dinner of…
"Philly cheesesteaks?!" Sam exclaimed, eyes wide and jaw dropped, practically drooling as she laid her eyes upon what Spencer was cooking.
"Mhm," Spencer replied proudly, cutting up some onions. "I thought we could have something different tonight. Well, you guys could have something different. I've got…I got…I have…" he couldn't complete that sentence, as the onions he was chopping were causing him to tear up and start crying.
"Uh, are you alright?" Carly asked.
"Yeah, I'm just…these onions…whew," he replied, stepping away from the counter and going over to the stove where the meat for the sandwiches was cooking. He grabbed a spatula and began pushing it around, allowing it to cook evenly. It smelled amazing to Sam; she couldn't wait to eat dinner that night.
"Anyway, like I was saying, I won't be here tonight because I have a date with-OH MY GOD!"
His sentence was again interrupted as the food he was cooking burst into flames, nearly singeing off his eyebrows as he lept back in fright. Immediately, Carly shrieked and grabbed Sam, clinging to her girlfriend for comfort. Sam instinctively put her arm around Carly, holding her close as she stood there in stunned silence, her only reaction being her eyes watering. She sniffled a few times, blaming her tears on the onions and not the fact the delicious dinner she'd been looking forward to was now up in flames.
After Spencer had put out the fire, ruining their meal in the process, (and breaking Sam's heart) he exasperatedly threw the pan in the sink and turned to face the girls, a tight smile on his face.
"I have a date tonight, so…here's some money to order dinner," he said, taking out his wallet and putting a few twenties on the island. "Now I gotta go get ready-"
"Wait!" Carly interrupted, walking over to her brother. "I need to talk to you about something."
Spencer stopped and sighed. "What's up?" he asked.
"Remember how I told you I signed up for driver's ed at school?"
"Yeah."
"Well, the course is starting next week, and if I want to attend the first class, I need a check by Friday."
"Sure, how much?" Spencer asked.
"Four hundred and fifty dollars. Make it out to Ridgeway Junior/Senior High School."
"Not the driving instructor?"
Carly shrugged. "That's what they told us to do at school."
Spencer nodded. "My checkbook is in my room. I'm gonna go finish getting ready for my date, then I'll write it out for you."
"Thanks, Spencer," Carly smiled at her brother.
"No problem, kiddo," he replied, reaching out to mess up her hair before running back to his room to resume preparing for his date. Carly shook her head and smiled as she ran her fingers through her hair, trying to fix it. While she did, she turned back to look at Sam, who still stood unmoving in the kitchen, staring at the ruined mess of a dinner in the sink and on the island counter, a subdued distraught look on her face. Carly sighed and walked around behind Sam, snaking her arms around the other girl's waist as she leaned in close to her.
"You're sad about dinner?" she murmured into her ear. She felt Sam nod. Carly tightened her hold on her girlfriend and pressed kisses into her neck, cheek, and temple. Sam seemed to melt into her touch.
"It's alright, Sam. I'll clean this up, and you can order whatever you want for us to eat tonight, okay?"
"Okay," Sam sighed, leaning her head back to look Carly in the eyes. She smiled up at her girlfriend and closed her eyes for a kiss, which Carly gladly provided before letting go and busying herself with tidying up. Sam took out her cellphone and placed a delivery order from B.F. Wangs.
Spencer came out of his room not too long after, fully dressed and ready for his date, check in hand for Carly.
"Thank-you," she said, taking it from him.
"No problem. Sam, didn't you say you signed up, too?"
"Yep," Sam replied proudly.
"Uh, was your mom gonna pay for it? 'Cause I have no problem writing another-"
"Thanks for the offer, Spence," Sam cut in, putting her hand up to stop him. "But I got this. I still have my check saved from when I worked at Chili My Bowl last year."
"Yeah, but you didn't work there all that long. Your paycheck is enough to cover the whole course?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Listen, I really appreciate you trying to help me out, but seriously. I got it, okay?" Sam said, in a tone of voice that really said "don't push it."
Spencer nodded, raising his hands up and backing off. "Alright, that's cool. I'm just looking out for you, like always. You're like another little sister to me, so I always want what's best for you."
"I know, Spencer, and thank-you," Sam nodded. "Y'know, you're like an older brother to me, too."
Spencer smiled, feeling flattered.
"Yeah, like the goofy, scatterbrained older brother I never had," she teased, a playful grin on her face.
Spencer made a fake-hurt face and put his hand to his chest in mock outrage, but then grabbed Sam in a quick hug, also messing up her hair as well, showing their sibling-like bond.
Carly looked between her brother and her girlfriend, smiling widely at them. Spencer had been thrilled when they told him about their relationship, saying he'd noticed for years and was surprised it had taken them this long to figure it out. Nothing had changed at all, though. The three of them still got along great, making a really nice little family unit together.
"Dude, quit messing with my hair!" Sam said, shoving Spencer away from her. She wasn't angry at all though, evidenced by the laughter in her voice and the grin on her face as she combed her fingers through her hair, trying to smooth it out.
Spencer was unbothered by this, as he simply walked across the room to the coat rack, grabbing his jacket off and putting it on.
"Alright turkey legs, I'm off," he said, straightening out his collar.
"Who's the date with?" Carly asked. Spencer hadn't mentioned anything about the girl.
"I dunno. A friend of a friend of Socko's. He set me up on a blind date," he replied, patting his pockets to check for his phone, wallet, and keys.
"Well, good luck," she said back.
"Thanks. Also, I'm not sure how long I'll be out for, so don't wait up for me and make sure to get in bed at a decent time. Er, you know what I mean." On that awkward note, placed his hand on the door handle. "So, be good you two!" he said, squinting at Sam and raising two fingers to his eyes in the "I'm watching you," gesturing, pointing them back at Sam.
In response, she glared back at him and made the same gesture, jabbing at the air when she pointed her fingers back at him. Spencer's eyes widened in fright and he almost jumped back a bit, despite being across the apartment from her.
"Well, uh, bye!" he cried out, hastily opening the door and slamming it behind him.
"See ya!"
"Later!"
As soon as the door closed, Carly turned to Sam with her arms crossed, a slightly annoyed look on her face.
"What?" Sam asked.
"Didjya have to scare him like that?" she demanded.
"It's not my fault your brother's a sissy," Sam replied with a shrug, going over to the fridge and taking out a root beer. She opened it the usual way by forcefully bringing the cap down against the counter, popping it off effortlessly and taking a swig.
Carly just rolled her eyes and looked around the kitchen. She'd cleaned it pretty well, as there was nothing left to put away. Her and Sam's dinner would be there soon. Thinking of something to do, she walked to one of the cupboards and opened it, shuffling things around as she searched for something.
"What's that?" Sam asked, taking another drink of root beer as Carly pulled a package out, closing the door behind her and setting it down on the island.
"Cake mix," she replied, rifling around a bottom cupboard for a bowl. She grabbed a big yellow one and set it down next to the package.
Sam's eyes widened in surprise and a small happy smile appeared on her face.
"What kind?" she asked in excitement.
"Chocolate," Carly replied, taking their containers of flour and sugar and putting them on the island. She knew that was Sam's favorite flavor because she picked it every time they played Cupcake Slam, which was the reason why she chose that flavor for them to eat.
"Do you, uh, need any help?" Sam asked, distracted by the thought of eating a delicious dessert after dinner that night. She had a strong affinity for foods of all kind.
"No, I'm good. You can just watch TV or whatever," Carly said, walking over to the fridge to take out milk and eggs.
"Good call, Cupcake. I probably would've just gotten in the way, anyway," Sam replied with a grin. Carly smiled back and began reading the instructions on the back of the box. She felt bad that the dinner Sam was excited about got ruined, and hoped that making this for dessert would make it up to her. By the look on her face, though, it seemed to already have done the trick.
Instead of sitting down on the couch, Sam plopped down on a barstool and turned on the computer that was on the counter, pulling up SplashFace. She wasn't really that interested in watching videos, but wanted to be close to Carly and watch her in the kitchen. She considered her girlfriend making food for her the ultimate act of love. Well, one of them anyway. Not that they'd done that yet, but…hopefully soon.
She peeked over the monitor and saw Carly leaning over the oven, back turned to her, setting it to the right temperature to preheat. Yeah, hopefully real soon she thought, checking out her girlfriend.
Sam watched a few dumb videos and Carly continued preparing the cake. Just as she put it in the oven, the doorbell rang. Sam got up and grabbed the money Spencer left them off the counter, then went to answer the door. After paying and receiving the food, she set down their spread on the coffee table.
"Come eat, Carls!" she called into the kitchen.
"One sec, I'm cleaning up!" she yelled back. Sam sat down and turned on the TV, putting on their favorite show Girly Cow and grabbing a take-out container and opening it up. Ooo, cashew chicken! She picked up the chopsticks that were always included in deliveries and began digging in. Sam had no problem using them, but Carly always needed to eat with a fork.
Right on cue, she walked into the living room, fork in hand, and sat down right to Sam, picking up her own take-out container. Opening it up, she discovered it was fried rice. Pleased, she sat back and began to eat out of it with her fork.
"Girly Cow's on?" she asked, taking a bite of rice.
"Mhm," Sam replied, mouth full of chicken. Carly nodded, and they watched the show together for a while in silence, the only noises made being them chewing or laughing at the jokes in the show.
Once Carly had eaten her fill, and Sam had eaten about twice that, (while still leaving room for dessert) they took all the containers to the kitchen and threw them in the trash can, then put the leftovers in the fridge. Just as Sam closed the fridge door, the times on the oven beeped, meaning that the cake was done. Carly walked across the kitchen to take it out, while Sam opened a cupboard to grab a plate.
"Are you having any cake?" Sam asked.
"No, I'm still full from dinner," Carly replied, grabbing a hot pad and opening the oven. Sam shrugged and grabbed a plate for herself, closing the door and turning around. As she did, the amazing smell of freshly-baked chocolate cake entered her nose. Inhaling deeply, she sighed and walked over to the table, where Carly had set the cake down at.
"So, can I have some?" she asked eagerly, setting her plate down.
"Wait, I gotta make sure it's done," she said, grabbing a toothpick out of one of the cabinets. Carefully, she stuck it into the center of the cake, then slowly pulled it out. No trace of any cake on it.
"Now can I have a piece?" Sam begged. Carly gave her a look.
"It's still hot. Do you wanna burn yourself?"
"It'll be worth it," Sam insisted, walking across the kitchen to grab a knife and a fork. Coming back over, she stopped in front of the cake, knife pointed down, and looked at Carly imploringly.
She sighed heavily but nodded, knowing it was cruel to deny Sam food. Her girlfriend smiled gleefully and cut into the cake, almost drooling all over it. Carly just pulled out one of the chairs at the kitchen table and sat down, putting her hand on her fist to watch Sam eat. She actually didn't mind Sam's messy table manners; she actually thought it was adorable.
Sam cut smoothly into the cake, then placed it carefully on to her plate before sitting down and digging into it with her fork, taking a big chunk off it. She let the air cool it for a moment before putting the cake into her mouth, closing her eyes and savoring the sweet flavor.
"How is it?" Carly asked, curious to know how the cake turned out. Usually whenever she made food or her special lemonade everyone complained. She hoped this time it was different.
"It's amazing, Cupcake!" Sam replied, mouth full. She stood up from her seat momentarily to press a quick kiss into Carly's cheek before sitting back down and picking up her fork again. "Thank you for making it!" she said before taking another bite.
"You're welcome," Carly replied quietly, a blush on her face as she smiled at Sam. She loved all affection from her girlfriend.
In truth, the cake wasn't all that special. Well, box cake wasn't that great to begin with, but Carly wasn't the most…gifted cook in the world. All the food she made seemed to turn out bland. So it wasn't that the cake was bad, just kinda flavorless. It didn't seem to be as bad in the past, though, actually. Probably because of the new context of their relationship. Of course, anytime Carly did something nice for Sam when they were friends, she appreciated it, but it took on a whole new meaning since they were dating. Sam figured the cake tasted better knowing it was the love of her life, Carly Shay, making it.
"So, what'd you think of what Gibby said earlier, at The Smoothie?" Carly asked after a few quiet moments spent watching Sam eat.
"About Tasha driving him everywhere?" Sam asked.
"Yeah," Carly nodded. "Would you do that? For the person you were dating."
Sam paused and seemed to consider it, licking the chocolate crumbs off her fork.
"Well, yeah. It wouldn't be super convenient, but…this girl I've been seeing, she's kinda special to me, so for her, yeah" Sam replied jokingly, meeting Carly's eyes for just a moment before looking away. She noticed her girlfriend smiling at that. Sam sure wouldn't give anyone else rides all over town, that's for certain.
"What about you?" she asked, turning the question around to Carly.
"Yeah, I'd do it. For sure," she answered quickly. Almost too quickly. Sam regarded her suspiciously.
"You, uh, came up with that answer kinda fast," she pointed out, setting her fork down on her now-empty plate.
"What?" Carly said, sitting up. "No, I didn't!"
"Yes, you did!" Sam insisted. "I had to think about mine for a bit. What, are you expecting to have to drive me around everywhere? Do you think I won't pass my road test or something?"
"No, no, I just…"
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, fine, yes," Carly sighed, slouching over.
"I knew it!" Sam cried, standing up. "You're just like Benson, you'll think I'll run my car over the side of a bridge or something!"
"Well, first of all, please don't mention you driving off a bridge ever again," Carly said back, standing up along with Sam. She hated that thought. Sam just crossed her arms and looked at her with both eyebrows up.
"And, second of all…I dunno, Sam, you're kinda reckless sometimes! Not that that's a bad thing, I actually think it's really hot, but…"
"But you think I'll break a bunch of traffic laws and won't be able to get my license, right?"
"Ah, c'mon, Sam! Let's just forget this and move on, huh?" Carly asked, walking over to Sam and putting her hands on the other girl's shoulders. "I'm sorry that offended you, but-"
"I'm not actually all that mad," Sam interrupted with a shrug. Carly looked down at her confused.
"What? Then what was with all the outrage?" she asked.
"I was just super surprised is all. But you watch; out of the three of us, I'll be the only one to get my license," she replied coolly, looking up into her girlfriend's eyes.
"You think me and Freddie will fail?!"
"Well, yeah."
"What?! Why?!" Carly demanded.
"I just don't think you guys'll be that great of drivers," Sam replied casually.
"And you will?"
"Hey, I didn't get mad when you thought I'd fail, so why are you so upset?"
"I'm not, I'm just…surprised," Carly tried. Sam just looked at her.
"Yeah. Alright. It's okay, Carly. You don't think I'll get my license, and I don't think you'll get yours. Why don't we just move on? Or, if you'd prefer, we could bet on it…"
"Oh, no," Carly replied, thinking she should leave the betting to Sam and Freddie. "You want me to wash your car, too, if I lose?"
"Nah," Sam replied, shaking her head. Although, the thought of seeing Carly washing a car was pretty exciting…for other reasons than seeing Freddie do it, though. "I was just kidding. No bets. You hate them," she pointed out.
"Well, yeah."
"Let's just see, okay?" Sam said, toning down her arrogance.
"Okay…" Carly replied. "ButI might just be taxiing you around everywhere."
"Alright, Cupcake," Sam grinned. "Say that to me again when I'm bringing you to Build-A-Bra or Glitter Gloss."
Carly smiled and rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "C'mon, let's do the dishes."
Sam groaned in response and sank back into her chair. "Do I have to?" she whined.
"If you help me without any more complaints, I'll let you feel me up after we're done," Carly said, crossing her arms and raising both eyebrows up at the proposition.
Without a moment's hesitation, Sam leapt up, grabbed her plate with one hand and Carly's wrist with the other, and dragged them across the floor over to the sink.
"Well, c'mon, we better get started then!" she said, turning on the faucet. Carly laughed and rolled up her sleeves to start washing. With a little bit of the right kind of motivation, it was pretty easy to get Sam to do anything she wanted.