Chapter 13: Surprise!

The Shay's apartment was decorated poorly, in Carly's opinion. Streamers and party favors were on the coffee table as well as the regular table, little cups with candy in them. Decorations, poorly hung, were all around the apartment, hanging, twirled around and tied together at the center. Ribbons of red, blue, yellow, green, they surrounded the place, and all the sculptures in the living room. Balloons of all different shapes and sizes looked as if they were tossed inside and left them wherever they landed. Even confetti was sprayed all around the couch. The Banner that hung right on top of the couch read the headline "We'll Miss You Carly" thanks to Freddie and his computer skills. That was the only thing Carly actually admired out of all the decorations. To have done everything in two days time, and also to come in contact with just a few people like Freddie and Carly agreed to would prove to be no simple task for either of them. People were caught a little off guard when they were invited (none of them have heard that Carly was moving in the first place), and even told them it might be possible that they would possibly go, but made no promises. The only ones that agreed to coming were Wendy and her two best friends, Gibby and Tasha, Freddie's mother, and with Socko's convincing, even Spencer was going to attend.

Carly woke up the day of the party early to prepare any last minute errands, and asked Freddie to go buy the cake, who was also awake to help her with anything that she needed. She fixed her empty bedroom, placing all the packed up boxes inside so not to clutter up the living room, which would soon be filled with at least five to ten people. At least that's what she hoped.

She showered thoroughly for an hour, washing her hair with strawberry shampoo, her favorite smelling shampoo in the world. After she dried her hair she fixed her it in a way that yelled chic but at the same time modern, and picked a clingy purple dress that was open from the back. It reached all the way to her knees, and had short sleeves, because of the heat. She put on some makeup, but lightly to show that she was wearing some, but not a lot like many people do sometimes when they go to a party. She picked closed heels that made her look at least two inches taller, and sprayed on a body spray that reminded her of a strawberry field. Everything that smelled like strawberries to her was like a heaven; it was both calming and delicious. She hoped that would calm her nerves from anything that would happen today.

Freddie too was feeling nervous as he brought the cake over to the Shay's apartment; chocolate inside and out with white frosting that read "Good luck in New York Carly." Neither of them said a word as he dropped off the cake and went to shower and get ready. When he put on his pressed shirt, washed out jeans, and his new sneakers that he bought for the occasion just yesterday, he waited for his mom to get ready in the living room. He wasn't paying attention to the channels as he flicked through them, too much was going on his mind. Will the party go okay, or will Jesse make want to start something? Will Jesse even show?

When her mother came out the room in a dress that hugged her figure, he went with her over next door to see that Gibby, Guppy and Tasha were already there, and so was Socko and Spencer. He couldn't hide his smile as he walked across to meet Gibby; it had been forever since he saw him. The last time he saw him was when they were planning that road trip back in their junior year of college. He was pretty tall, taller than Tasha and himself as well. He stayed in Seattle, going to the state college and graduated, and started his own clinic for sports injuries. It was hard to believe that he was actually giving advice on such things, but he was the best in the city at the moment. Tasha graduated and went straight into merchandizing, which was weird; he always took her for a writer/blogger, never merchandizing. They were engaged and soon to be married in the fall. Freddie was glad to know that life was going well for the both of them. Plus, the habit he would have of taking off his shirt was also a nice change. He was doing that less and less now.

Spencer was looking more or less tolerable. He did look thinner; anyone with eyes could see that. And although he was still not ecstatic that Carly was leaving, he was happy that she was doing something that she loves. He brought Carly three different sculptures, one made of chewed bubble gum that looked like a person sitting down and blowing a bubble, another carved out of wood that looked like a penguin pee wee baby, and a third one that reminded both Freddie and Carly of the time when he made the three of them a ten foot tall iCarly award. It was his way of coping, he told them. Carly said that she would take the penguin, knowing that Griffin would like that one the most.

While Carly and Freddie were catching up with their old friends, Sam walked in. Freddie caught his breath, not knowing that for one, she looked stunning, and for two she walked in with her mother right beside her, looking actually just as radiant as her daughter. Of course the fact that she was sober gave her that natural glow. They both were wearing short dresses that showed off their legs, and both of their hairstyles looked alike, curly and bouncy dirty blonde tresses that went past their shoulders. He was excited to see her, but his happiness was cut short when the one that closed the door was Jesse, whose hair was actually short and neat for once, and his raggedy style was actually clean looking. Now he could see why it was Sam would say he reminded him of Freddie. If it wasn't for his different colored eyes or his jet-black hair, he could look just like Freddie, which was a creepy thought. He noticed though that his hazel green eyes never left Sam's figure for a second, as she went around the room introducing her mother and finally going up to Carly and giving her the biggest hug she could give her. It was not surprise, if he had no decency, Freddie himself would've thrown her in the nearest unoccupied room and had his way with her by now. She just looked that good.

The party was going great, people were holding conversations, laughing, joking around. It was intimate enough for all to be happy and not feel out of the loop. Even Jesse was throwing his smile to the people he didn't know until Sam introduced him. Guppy was explaining how Mr. Howard was retiring due to the intense pranks that have been happening to all the teachers (water buckets, tacks on the seats, etc), and also how Mrs. Briggs was going to have her shot to be on American Idol even if it was just to see Randy. Sam recollected the numerous amounts of pranks that she would pull on her and laughter was heard throughout the apartment. The more adult type conversations were towards the kitchen, in which Mrs. Benson, Joanne, Spencer, and even Socko were trying out the wine Jesse bought.

Now came the time when it was time to give out their farewells and good wishes to Carly, much like they did to Sam when it was her birthday. Freddie cleared his throat and as Sam sat her down he began recollecting memories on which he would dive into to express how much he would miss her. He thought about how he saved her life, how he always wanted her to be his girlfriend, but thought better of it, and just focus on the task at hand. Just saying goodbye should be good enough.

"Carly." He began, "I don't know any other way to say I'll miss you so much, because you have always lived across the hall from me. It's hard seeing you leave and at the same it's great to see you make something of yourself when so many out there are stuck, kinda like me." He chuckled, and the rest of the group laughed as well. "You are my best friend in the world, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that we all will miss you, and hope you visit us real soon. With or without Griffin." He raised his cup of Peppy Cola up to her and then brought Sam up. Just by the simple gesture he could feel two sets of eyes burning a hole in the back of his head. Sam, however, seemed oblivious to that, and tried focusing on what she wanted to say.

"Carls," she said, calling her by her favorite nickname. "I don't think I can compete with Fredbag's speech. But you know I was never one for fancy words. All I can say is that I really hate to see you go, probably more than any dork here" She waved her hand around, "but I do know that I will write to you, text you, do everything I can to still have you as my best friend. I promise you that. And I also promise you that no secrets will be between us because I know how much you hate that. So," she raised her glass to signal that she too was reaching her conclusion, "Carly, I hope you have fun out there and get bored so you can come back." Everyone laughed at Sam's joke and drank.

One by one they came, said their speeches and went back down. Gibby expressed his admiration. Tasha praised her sense of style. Guppy called her pretty. Even Mrs. Benson said a few words, and Socko too. To many it was just a highlight to see him there, and for everyone except Spencer, it was the first time they ever heard him speak. After he was done, it was Carly's brother's turn. Spencer got up, only to get back down and just pushed the sculpture that looked like her, only ten feet higher, closer to her and hugged his little sister. She tried fighting back tears as she planted a sweet kiss on his cheek, and he returned by messing up her hair, earning a hard-earned death glare. She worked hard to look pretty and he was messing it up in minutes.

"I'll miss you kiddo." He said softly, making her death glare turn back into a saddened stare. After their little speeches they resumed the party, talking and playing some music to keep the festivities alive. By the time it was seven Wendy appeared and walked around like she was there since the beginning.

"Is there anymore drinks? Momma can't have down her ham without Peppy Cola!" Sam said. She didn't see behind her that Freddie was already walking up to the studio to go get some more drinks for Wendy and the rest of the party.

"There's some in the studio. Go bring a case down would you?" Carly asked her. Sam nodded and before she walked up to the studio she fell back and tugged on Carly's arm.

"Thanks Carly. I was gonna literally shit bricks if you didn't do this." Carly swatted her away, as if to say what were friends for? "No, I mean it. You really saved my ass here."

"It's fine Sam. Just go do what I asked you to please?" Sam didn't need another telling and was soon walking up the stairs.

After a while, Carly noticed that neither Sam nor Freddie was enjoying the festivities because they were nowhere to be found. The last time she saw Freddie was just before the speeches, and Sam still hadn't come back from the Studio with the sodas. It had to have been at least ten minutes if not more since she asked her to go and get some. She saw that Jesse too was starting to look around and see that neither Sam nor Freddie were nowhere to be seen, and when he saw the look on Carly's face he knew something was going on. He made a beeline toward her and stared straight at her.

"Where is she?" he demanded, but in a playful way, to keep his persona up. Carly knew it was just a lie though, and was quick on her feet.

"Bathroom." She quickly lied for her friend. Or maybe it was the truth, she had no way of knowing. Maybe she really needed to pee before getting the drinks down. Jesse began moving toward the bathroom, but Carly pulled him back, "I'll go get her." Jesse just stayed looking at her as she quickly walked up the stairs and proceeded to look for her in the studio.

"Sam-" she stopped right at the door, in a state of shock at what she saw.

Freddie had Sam pressed against the wall, kissing her passionately, as her hands were trailing all over his body. One hand was against the wall, and the other Carly could not see, but she didn't need to be a scientist to know where it might be. The moan that escaped her lips told Carly that what they were doing was more than just a kiss. She had one leg up lifted, for better access no doubt. And her eyes were closed in pure pleasure as he moved slowly inside her. When they heard the door open, she saw Sam open her eyes quickly and watched as Freddie pulled away from her without turning around to see who it was that was staring in disbelief. They didn't know how much their best friend saw but Sam's heavily lidded eyes told her everything. They were both guilty at the events that were taking place. Finally Freddie turned around, breathing a bit unsteadily. He didn't even know how to begin. Sam too, was at a loss for words. She always expected to have Carly find out about them, but not in the moment of their lovemaking. Carly didn't say anything either, but she looked at Sam and held a look on her face that simply said Jesse was looking for her. She saw her straighten up, like if she wasn't having sex right at the moment, like if she was just coming for a drink. She played it off so well even Carly had to think back if what she saw was just a dream or if it was real. Freddie too straightened out (not as good as Sam) and wanted to keep her from leaving but saw her pull away slowly and flew right past Carly, not even bothering to look at her as she went in search of Jesse.

When they were both alone, Carly walked straight up to Freddie and slapped him right across the face. She wanted to do so much more, but for now that was sufficient.

"You lied." She finally spoke, her anger slowly rising.

"I didn't want you to worry. Much like what we're doing for Sam in not telling her about what Jesse told you. Not yet. I was looking for a good time to tell you the truth about-"

"There is a difference!" she cried. "I wasn't having sex with Jesse! Don't you know that he already suspects that something is going on? What's going to happen when he finds out his suspicions are true! That he was right all along to be suspicious over something like this?" she motioned to him with her arms. "You don't think he would take her away from you? From us?"

"She doesn't love him Carly. She told me she loves me." Freddie said defensively. Carly's jaw went slack as his eyes were bright and animated, like if he heard the best news in the world. She gave him another slap. He was in a fantasy that he needed to be awakened from. This was serious chizz.

"And you think that matters to him?" she yelled again. "It doesn't matter one bit to Jesse whether she loves you or not, especially if he still thinks that she still loves HIM. You have to think about this Freddie! He doesn't care, because he is still in love with HER. He's crazy remember? He is going to propose to her, he wants to marry her." She finally blurted out. Freddie froze, she never told him that, and now she wishes from the very beginning she did. "He wants to marry her. That's why her mother is here, that's why he wanted to come to the party. He wanted to show everyone that she was his and his alone. By proposing to her in front of everyone."

"Well she'll just have to say no. It's not that hard Carly to say no. We say it all the time."

"You think Sam can say no to him? Just like you said she's gilded by love or whatever it was that you said-"

"That's before I thought she was in love with him, but she's not. She told me so herself-"

From down below they heard a commotion and the party guests clamoring. Carly turned pale white and so did Freddie. What could have happened that made their guests scream the way they were? Their conversation had to be put on hold as they ran down the stairs to see Jesse standing on the stairs, Spencer coming from his room with the fire extinguisher, Gibby shirtless alongside Guppy who was also shirtless, and the ten foot iCarly figure up in smoke.

Carly screamed as she went for the fire extinguisher in the kitchen and helped her brother put out the fireball that was spreading all over the mannequin. It was extinguished within minutes. She looked at Sam and then to Spencer.

"What happened?"

"It caught on fire." Spencer guiltily admitted, his head lowered. Carly slapped her forehead, and thanked God that nobody was hurt. Everyone looked a bit scared and thankful at the same time. Scared because the whole building could have caught on fire. Thankful that it didn't. By now she was exhausted, and felt that the whole spectacle of an unintended "fire show" was enough fun for one party, so she handed out cake to any that wanted some and called the party officially over. Jesse looked at her and wanted to concur, but Carly brought her hand up to his face, declaring she was tired. Everyone understood, and took their cake, thanked Carly, wished her well and began to depart. Sam escorted all the guests out as Freddie began to clean around and take off the decorations. Spencer retreated to his long awaited room, falling asleep as soon as his head touched his pillow. Jesse was the last one to go, asking Sam if she was coming along. Sam shook her head, grabbing a trash bag and placing it next to the burnt mannequin.

"I'm gonna help Carly clean up. You know, with the fire and stuff." She said as she was getting the broom to sweep up the debris.

"Then I'll help too." He took the broom away from her and began cleaning. Freddie looked peeved that he was helping. Carly didn't say anything but she gave her a look that told her they needed to talk and Jesse needed to leave. Sam took the hint and took the broom back from Jesse.

"You don't have to help Jesse. Take my mom home, and I'll be going in a little bit."

"No, I want to-"

"Jesse!" Sam yelled. She was getting a little bit annoyed by now. "Take my mom home. She got drunk off your wine, which is weird because she only had to glasses but just do that and I'll get home in a little bit." She repeated. Jesse looked shocked that Sam was raising her voice, but more so that she was acting defiant. Nonetheless he took the hint that he was not welcome with the trio and went out the door, slamming it in the process. She didn't feel bad that she hurt his feelings, because she knew what they were about to talk about was more important than him right now. The question was, how does one start a talk about what they were doing, and one witnessing it?

When the coast was clear, Carly put the trash bag against the wall, and took a deep sigh. There wasn't that big of a mess, it could wait until tomorrow. This, on the other hand couldn't. Sam kept sweeping as Freddie kept cleaning up the ribbons, like there was nothing to talk about. Carly was growing impatient. "Oh Come on!" she grabbed Sam by her hand and plopped her down on the confetti couch and reached for Freddie by the collar and shoved him down on it as well. Little pieces of tissue paper flew everywhere as they fell on the couch, making a little bit more of a mess. She suddenly felt like a parent that was about to scold her children. With the way they were acting, they needed it badly.

"I thought you guys were best friends again, not sleeping with each other again." She turned to face Sam "Since when?"

"Since you left to New York." Sam admitted. Carly looked over to Freddie's face and saw that she was telling the truth because he wasn't denying it.

"Almost three weeks? Three weeks that you guys haven't been telling me about this?" She turned to face Sam who seemed fixated on the confetti on the floor. "And what about Jesse? What happens when he finds out?" She asked Sam. Sam didn't hold that same look that she always had at the mere mention of Jesse's name, Carly could see that instead of admiration it was something else. Something subtler.

"I'm breaking it off with Jesse." She explained to Carly. Freddie reached for her hand and Sam shook it off gently. She felt that being intimate with Freddie at the moment would be a bad idea, no matter how much she wanted to just hold him. Carly for one was probably not used to the idea of them being so close on the couch, and touching each other, even a simple hand to hand touch, would be awkward for them all.

"And then what? Go with Freddie here? When Sam? You still are playing him on a string. If you love someone else you don't do that."

"I'm only going to see him one more time, to break it off okay Carls? I'm gonna tell him that I've been seeing Freddie, no matter what anyone says or does." She told her best friend, who still looked deceived that her friends were still after all this time keeping secrets from her. She looked at them with tearful eyes and sat on the coffee table. "I'm sorry we never told you Carly. We should've but I didn't want you to worry about it. With you moving, I didn't want anymore stress than what you needed-"

"We just felt that it wouldn't matter to you." Freddie interrupted as he looked at Sam. She nodded, expecting him to continue. As he was about to, a tiny sob escaped Carly's mouth.

"Why couldn't you guys just tell me?" she said through watered eyes. "I don't get why you just… didn't…" Freddie got up and hugged her tightly while Sam brushed the strands of hair from her face. How could they begin to tell her that the only reason they didn't tell her was to keep her happy? They have to admit they were selfish with their relationship, but in the end it didn't make any difference whether or not they were together or not, because it was nobody's business but their own. And nobody's happiness but their own.

A/N: Get ready for a LONG p.o.v from Sam. That's all I can say for the moment. And maybe a small one from Freddie. Or big if you want I'm not picky. I just really need to get the story through and Sam's the perfect specimen (yup I said specimen). Anyways I love you guys, really I do. All your reviews are such a comfort for me that you guys are loving the drama, the angst, and the story so far. I hope you keep reading because I will still be writing. Until next time! :)