I arrived just in time to Bushwell Plaza. I could tell... there's a giant clock on the top of it!
Lucky for me the doorman was sleeping so I kinda sneaked in to the elevator. I had no problem finding apartment C on the eighth floor.
Soon as I knocked I heard some yelling out of the apartment behind me.
"Freddie!" a lady yelled.
"But Mom!" some guy replied. I had to laugh but then Spencer opened his door.
"Hello Sarah, come in!" he said politely.
"Thanks" I said and went in.
After that I couldn't say anything for minutes.
Spencer's apartment was huge! And it was so bright and colorful, full with lots and lots of stuff. And seemed like it had more floors than one!
"Is that an elevator?" I asked when I saw a same construction as the main elevator I just came up with.
"That's right." he answered "You know this house wasn't originally an apartment building."
"I guessed by now. You live here alone?"
"Well, I used to live here with my sister but yeah, I live alone now." he said with some sadness in his voice. "Listen, dinner needs a few more minutes to be ready. So just sit here okay?" he hold my hand and led me to the counter which kinda separated the kitchen and the living room.
He had to escort me there, otherwise I would have been still at the front door looking around.
"I see you brought some wine! Let's taste it!" he said and took the bottle out of my hand while I was still mesmerized by the place.
He got some glasses and poured for us. "Are you alright?" he smiled because I kept turning my head around and wondering.
"Yes..." I said "But come on! There are lot's of things here for my eyes to accept! Is that a robot out of soda bottles?"
"Sure is!" he said proudly. I had no doubt he made it.
"Is that a bicycle on the ceiling?" I asked again.
"Yep!"
"Is this a giant gummy bear?"
"Everything is what it seems." he laughed.
"This whole place is like one big museum!"
"Thank you." Spencer laughed and clinked his glass to mine and we drank. "Not bad!" he said after he tasted some wine. "But actually I'm not an expert..."
He turned around and went to that cute little green stove. "Okay, it's about done..." he said and took a strainer out of one of those cabinets in the kitchen. Seemed like he's making spaghetti.
"Come on! Have a seat!" he said while he put the pasta on the table and pulled out one of the chairs for me.
I sat down and he went back to the stove.
"That's what's gonna make it 'Special'!" he said as he came back with a saucepan.
"How come?" I asked.
"Oh, my sister used to call it 'Special Spaghetti'. That's her super-secret sauce recipe."
Spencer mixed the sauce and meatballs with the spaghetti, then filled some taco shells with it. I couldn't wipe the silly grin off my face. "Spaghetti tacos... interesting" I thought. I was pretty hungry and wanted to try this Mexican-Italian combo.
Spencer put a little bowl of parmesan cheese on the table. "Bon appetit!" he said and sat down.
I took my first bite and it tasted great! "I like it!" I said with my mouth full.
"Good stuff right?" he asked "It's just so simple to make, and you can not ruin it. And also I bet you've never had spaghetti tacos before."
"You bet right." I admitted. Secretly I was wondering how many ladies had the pleasure to try it out... but I asked something else. "How did you come up with this stuff?"
"There's no specific story behind it. Once I just wanted to surprise Carly and I thought it would be fun."
I finished my second taco when I finally built up the courage to ask...
"Sooo... where is she now?"
"Carly? She's in Italy with our Dad." Spencer answered simply.
"Oh thank God!" I felt so relieved.
"Why is that?" he asked.
"I really started to believe she died or something..."
"Hahh!" Spencer burst into laughter but immediately got worried "What made you think that?"
"Because all I hear about her that she WAS here, she HAD a webshow... past tenses all around!"
"You're right... that's so creepy!" he thought about it. "But everything is alright, you don't have to worry." He said and sounded like he wanted to end this topic.
Long awkward silence after that.
Only our taco shells were breaking loudly while eating.
Spencer seemed lost in his thoughts for a while. He took some big sips of his wine. He kinda drank it like it was fruit juice.
It was quite strange that he was so silent.
I had to end this quiet. "I'm sorry I brought it up! It's just... I've heard so much about her..."
"It's okay! She's very popular around here." he said proudly.
Some awkward silence again. This time I was drinking too.
"So you're a painter?" he asked.
"Well I'm not sure but I have a university degree that says so."
"You went to art school?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I bet it didn't worth it." he said and I had to smile. Can he read my thoughts?
"It definitely didn't. But that seemed like the best choice in my life that time. And once I was there I didn't want to quit. I don't regret it, it's just..."
"...not helping you out there in the 'Real World' right?"
"Amazing! Do you have the same experience?"
"I've never went to college or university."
"You haven't?"
"Well I went to law school out of pure pressure from my granddad and three days were enough for me. But I have plenty of experience about education to know that nobody can teach you or me art." he said so wisely as he finished his last taco. And deep inside I knew he's right.
"Why don't you go and teach it instead?"
Spencer laughed as he wiped his mouth and hands. "I tried once but it didn't work out at all." I pulled an interested face so he continued. "Carly wanted to learn how to draw but I started teaching her aggressively about everything else..." he still laughed. It seemed this story is a lovely memory for him. "I don't have the patience and self control for teaching. That's why are most of the art teachers boring and unprofessional. They think they know art but you have to feel it... and not teach it." he said and finished his glass of wine.
He was turning into wise-ass again which was impressive but I wanted to make him talk more about Carly. The topic it seemed he wanted to avoid.
"So did Carly learn how to draw?" I asked as I finished my dinner too.
"Yeah... she learned some basic stuff but she's not that artist type. She's more like Dad... but I don't wanna bore you with them..." he said while standing up and put our plates into the sink.
"What makes you think it's boring?"
"I talk about them a lot. Almost every conversation of mine comes to Carly or my dad eventually."
"I have no problem with that!"
"Maybe I have... it makes me miss them more."
"Oh crap" I thought.
He went to the oven and set it up. Seemed like we're gonna have dessert. He also took out two smaller plates and a couple of little forks. So I was right.
Spencer grabbed the wine bottle from the countertop and filled our glasses full again. He seemed sad.
I didn't want to end this conversation about his family in such a bitter mood. So I had an idea.
"Can you show me a picture of her?"
"Of Carly? Sure, okay!" he said loudly with enthusiasm. He went to the front door's direction and disappeared in a room at left. I stood up and went closer. I've never thought there could be another room there. "How big this apartment really is?" I wondered.
He came back with a whole album. I was at the couch so I sat down. He put the album down on the little table and brought our drinks after us.
He sat next to me closer than I expected. I really tried not to get too excited (well... it was quite a while ago having a guy next to me... so close...)
He put the album in my hand.
Seemed like it was a collection of Carly. It started with her baby-pictures, continued with her childhood, and ended up with her teenage years. Spencer told me the background story for every single pic.
Like in 70% of the photos Spencer was there with her (he was so cute as a little boy). On some of them there was their father too.
It took me some time to realize that I haven't seen any mother-like figure on any picture... I really wanted to ask about her but I just thought: "I shouldn't force it... he's already missing his sister and his dad... Maybe later I'll ask him about this... or maybe later he's gonna tell me if he continues to drink so fast."
On the childhood pictures often appeared a blond girl too. "That's Sam, her best friend." Spencer told me. Later on she was on almost every photo with Carly.
I've turned some pages and seemed like Carly's circle expanded later on. "That's Sam, Freddie and Gibby. The iCarly gang."
I recognized the boys from the Groovy Smoothie.
"His name is Freddie?" I pointed at the shorter guy. "Does he live in that apartment next to you?"
"That's right!" Spencer said with enthusiasm. "How do you know?"
"I heard him arguing with his mom when I arrived."
Spencer just laughed and nodded "Yeah, that's not unusual. But don't worry about them. They love each other very much."
Later in the album there were a lot of pictures about making iCarly. On some of them there was T-Bo too. I knew they are good friends!
"You know it's funny... I've never seen any shows of iCarly and yet they seem so familiar to me..." I was thinking loudly.
"You haven't seen any episode of it?" Spencer asked like he couldn't believe it. "They had like millions of viewers!" he started to sound like he's scolding me. "Even the First Lady appeared in it!"
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry!" I laughed.
Spencer took a big gulp of his wine and finished his glass. "See? You're making me drink! I can't believe this! When you arrive home first thing you do is looking it up!"
"Yes sir!" I said respectfully but got the wine out of his hand as he poured the third glass of it for himself. "Okay, you're not drinking anymore! You're getting louder again!"
We laughed.
"So what's up with the iCarly gang these days?" I asked.
"They're all just fine. I see Freddie almost every day. I used to give him rides when his mom was busy but now he got his drivers license. But he still comes over sometimes escaping his mom and we talk about geeky stuff and do things she'll never allow, like using scissors or other extremely dangerous things. And she sends me awful healthy food sometimes... I don't know why she thinks I can't cook for myself."
Than he pointed on Gibby on the group picture.
"Gibby shows up sometimes too. He seems always so busy but actually I have no idea what he's doing these days. Occasionally he drops his little brother here to babysit because (as he says) he has things to take care of. So I have no idea. But he's been always weird and interesting."
"Sam's in L.A. right now. My buddy Socko gave me a motorcycle and I gave it to her. She's so unstoppable you know. I think she would have left before if Carly haven't been in her life... But she can always be found on the internet anytime. He sends me creepy, disgusting and funny texts and posts like five times a day. And sometimes she calls me when she needs some serious advice so despite the distance we keep in touch."
Spencer seemed emotional enough for me to ask more about his family. But as I turned the last page of the album he quickly just closed it and brought it back to that secret room. So I realized it's not gonna happen this time.
"Is there an album like that of you too? I'd really like to see that!" I asked as he came back.
"No. Actually there is but Carly took it away with her." he answered as he sat back next to me.
I decided not to torture him anymore with family issues. I became slightly drunk enough to lead our conversations into another direction.
"So do you have all your dates in your apartment?" I asked.
"Usually."
"Why?"
He pointed in that room's direction. "Because my bedroom is close." he said along with a naughty smile and wink.
"Oh my God!" I laughed "You must be a big womanizer!"
"No, not at all!" he laughed too "And I'm sorry! I was just joking! Actually I just love to cook and it's so much more convenient! And you can spare a lot of money."
He looked at his third glass of wine on the little table. "I think I drank too much! You're right, I should stop it for tonight. I'm not much of a drinker... I didn't really drink at all in my teenage years... or in my twenties either." he confessed. "I've just started to loosen up in the past few years..."
"Since your sister left?" I asked.
He nodded quietly.
"She means a lot to you right?" I asked but it was obvious.
"Yes. We lived together for a long time. Just the two of us. I was her legal guardian since our father's in the military. So I also had to be a responsible father figure and a cool brother. For me there were absolutely no drinking, or swearing or parties..." he smiled. "But I don't mind, it's okay. She always wanted to spend some time with Dad who she really missed and now they are together!" he smiled. "... And now I'm the one who miss them..."
He was so cute. I really wanted to cuddle and comfort him... Or maybe I also drank too much.
I acted instinctively again as I grabbed his hand. As he looked at me I leaned over and kissed him.
And he responded.
It started as a very polite, first-date-kind-of kiss.
But then I felt his hand on my neck and his tongue in my mouth.
I burst into laughter like a total idiot.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Fortunately he wasn't offended.
"I'm sorry! It was just so long... since the last time... you know... someone kissed me like that..." I tried to come up with my excuse.
"Well... You started it!" he smiled.
He was right. I just wanted to melt into the ground... but at that moment the oven made a buzzing sound.
"Thank God!" I thought. I couldn't bear this tension anymore.
Spencer went back to the kitchen and a bit later I followed him.
He put a small sized chocolate cake on the table.
"Wow!" I said.
"If I made it perfectly there's chocolate melting in the middle..." he said as he cut a slice of it.
"It's just perfect!" I said when Spencer's prediction came true and I had the pleasure tasting it.
He got a can of whipped cream and sprayed his slice all over with it. Then he offered it to me. "Put some on it!"
"I don't really like whipped cream."
Spencer looked at me like I was a weirdo. "Okay, now see, that's the second problem we're gonna have!" he said so seriously and strictly, I had to laugh. "I'm not kidding!" he said louder but it didn't help... it was still funny.
He raised his eyebrows incredibly high and stared at me like a lunatic. I looked back and tried to hold it, as it turned out to be a staring contest. It was hard to stand his crazy look as I was trembling of giggling.
Spencer slowly and incredulously shook his head. "I can't believe you!" he said and finally smiled.
I became so nervous I had to look away, and again, laughed like an idiot. (That's what I do when I get embarrassed.) Was that a compliment?
Spencer kept looking at me like that and I got familiar with the term: 'butterflies in my stomach'.
"So I haven't seen any iCarly and I don't like whipped cream. Now what? Are you gonna throw me out?" I tried to be sassy.
"Well... I'm thinking about it..."
"Do what you want. But I'm gonna finish this cake without whipped cream!" I flirted... kinda...
Spencer finally looked away and started eating too.
"Okay, tell me something!" I started "How many dates took place in this apartment before?"
Spencer stopped eating and seemed seriously lost in his thoughts.
"Oh my God? That many?" I laughed but actually didn't feel so happy.
"Don't judge me!" he said loudly "I give a chance to everyone who wants to know me better!" he said and gestured like a wise man. "What's wrong with looking for the right girl?"
"Nothing... The question is maybe: what's wrong with you?" I became a jerk so quickly. I was sure, Spencer's gonna throw me out after this.
"What do YOU think what's wrong with me?" he asked "Of course I wanted all of them to work out but it's always up to two people, not just me. Do you need a lecture about relationships?"
"No thanks... And I'm sorry... I guess I'm just thinking differently about this 'giving a chance to everyone' thing."
"Lucky for me." he said.
I seriously had to grab the edge of the table not to fall immediately in the infinite depths of love.
The alarm sound of my phone woke me up. I set it to a certain time when I have to leave to catch the last bus back home.
"Oh crap!" I yelled.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I have to go. It's kinda late."
"Alright." Spencer said so lightly, didn't seem sad... that made me kinda blue. "Bring home the rest of the cake okay? I'm gonna wrap it up for you."
"Thanks." I said with empty politeness.
A few minutes later we were at the front door as he opened it for me.
"Thanks for the wonderful dinner!" I said.
"You're welcome!" he said. "Have a nice weekend!"
"Yeah, you too." I said but my feet couldn't move. I didn't wanted to leave without...
"Would you let me kiss you this time?" Spencer was reading my mind again.
I just stepped closer and he hold me by my hips.
Politely enough he didn't tried anything this time. Only our lips did the wonderful job.
"Can I call you again?" he whispered seconds later.
"Do you really need my permission?"
"Let's say I do."
"Alright, call me!" I said, stole a last quick little kiss, turned around and left fast as I could... to regain my common sense...
As I promised, when I arrived home first thing I did was typing in iCarly dot com.
A whole universe of crazy random humor appeared to me when I started to watch the webshow episodes.
I've never thought that I'm gonna see Spencer in them... oh, how wrong I was!
I laughed my ass off when he messed up the big sign and it said "Pee on Carl".
I felt so sorry for all of them when he shut the power down with his giant sculpture and ruined the world record.
I was terrified when that hammer almost got Carly's head off.
And I just couldn't believe he didn't show me his socks that light up.
I was happy to see all of his crazy sculptures he made when the girls showed some of them in the show.
I felt so bad when that psycho teacher hurt Spencer.
And I was kinda scared when Jackson Colt literally threw him away.
I was so moved when Carly gave an award for Spencer for being the best big brother of all time.
And I loved the one where he filled in for Sam and could cooperate with Carly very well hosting the show.
I was so amazed by his gigantic birthday pie he made for Carly's birthday and Gibby almost got drowned.
I almost died laughing when he found that tortilla chips in the bag of potato chips.
Or when that stupid Nevel kid apologized to that little girl and he walked in the picture because of boredom.
I loved how many crazy characters he played later. Baby Spencer kinda freaked me out but I can't say it's not funny.
Even when Sam and Freddie got together in that mental hospital, he seemed kinda freaky... why was he wearing women's clothing? And was that make-up on his face?
I wondered when the First Lady and One Direction appeared!
Oh and by the way, they crushed it, sat on it, acted it out, licked it, answered it, debated, gave clues to guess, celebrated the months, drove thru and Spencer was constantly woken up or tickled with random items when he wasn't in a pathetic play, or reading some fake news.
And I burst into tears when Carly and Sam said goodbye in their last show.
When I finished watching them it was already Saturday daytime... I just realized how tired I am.
I took a shower. My mind was full with Spencer... and his crazy awesome life...
...I wish I could be a part of it...
...I wish he would call me soon...
