Disclaimer: I don't own iCarly or the characters. Because if I did, I'd give Sam a love interest. :D

Previously:

Then, with his spiky brown hair, goofy polo shirt, and eyes staring right at me, he says one line. "I'm dating someone."

Okay, what?

Chapter Two

I repeat my thoughts out loud, except with maybe even more unbelieving terror. Freddie Benson has a girlfriend? You might as well tell me that T-Bo stopped selling random foods on a stick!

"I'm dating someone," he says again slowly, as if trying to explain to a kindergartner. Well, sorry if I'm in a little shock, Benson. "Her name's Alyssa... Abigail Bray's little sister... she's in our grade? And, I just wouldn't feel right, you know, kissing someone." He turns bright red, matching his red shirt quite nicely. Tomato on top of tomato, if you know what I mean. "I'm not really a cheater kind of person..."

My brain feels like it's just been dumped in cold water: frozen. Abigail, the blondie with the bright blue eyes who just agreed to pay me fifty dollars if I kissed her sister's boyfriend. Some serious chiz is going on. "Oh, her," I dumbly state. Why would she be dating Freddie? "You like her?" I ask as soon as the question pops in my head, because to be honest, I thought his heart was still devoted to Carly who was dedicated to rejecting him.

"Yeah, she's really nice. And pretty, of course," he replies. He's got a proud little hint-of-a-grin on his face. That annoys me to no end. She's probably using him anyways. My suddenly bitter thoughts aren't any help to cool my mood.

"Hm, shallow much?" I retort, anger flaring up. I don't know why, but that small statement made me want to punch an object. Hard. I'm guessing guys just irk me when all they care about is how a girl looks.

He looks surprised, immediately ready to defend himself. "No! I'm not liking her for her looks. She's just a really cool girl. Being pretty's just like a bonus! But not as if girl's get bonuses for having nice eyes and hair. But she does have nice eyes and hair! Which is kind of nice," he babbles, the words flowing out like a waterfall of stupidity.

Ah, what a lovely metaphor. "Whatever, Fredward. So guess I won't be needing you anymore." My words have intended coldness, and I turn away, ready to leave. He has a girlfriend? It's that same thought over and over. Who would have known?

Then I feel dumb for asking for a kiss. Freddie doesn't matter, Sam. Ignore him, move on. You'll get that money somehow.

"Wait, Sam?" he calls out just as I start walking. I turn around, eyes asking What do you want? "Sorry." And for a moment I think he's sincere and feel bad for using him. But the feelings vanish, because that just isn't what Sam Puckett thinks.

"Didn't matter anyways." I walk out the door without looking back. Who cares if he's dating and I'm going around like a desperate dope asking for a freaking kiss?

I find Zack, Abigail, Kevin, and Ashley waiting for me, looking expectant.

"Got that kiss?" Zack says with a knowing smile and it all clicks. After my downgrading experience with Freddie, this is all I need to be pushed off the edge.

"You knew he was dating her sister and wouldn't cheat! You little manipulative, bragging-" I am cut off before I can say anything inappropriate for children ears.

My cheeks are flaming and my urge to make someone experience hurt intensifies. I've been played. Totally, completely played.

"Should have known better, poor girl." Poor girl? So bland and unoriginal. Is this what the world of insult has come to? They begin to stroll away down the now empty hall, hair swaying ridiculously. Just as I'm about to slam the lockers to release some of the frustration, it comes to me.

With the sweetest voice I can muster, I call out, "Zack? I have a little negotiation." I smile widely as he takes a look from his shoulder.

"What now, Sam?" he says in a tired voice. The rest walk away without him, continuing their celebrity-impersonating strut. His black hair flies across his eyes, and he flips them out of the way comically. Dramatic, much?

"If I get Freddie to kiss me in a month, you double the money," I say simply. I look him square in the eye, and he chuckles instantly.

He shakes his head, ruining the point of the whole hair flip. "Sam. Sam. Sam. When will you ever learn not to mess with me." I continue my stare, trying to make him squirm. He doesn't. "What if you don't get him to kiss you? Huh? What's in it for me?"

I hadn't thought that far... "Choose." I shrug my shoulders, as if I could take anything. But inside, I hoped he wouldn't pick anything too mortifying. Who knows what that guy has up his sleeve? There was always a chance little Freddie here wouldn't have the guts to cheat.

"Actually, this is more like a spin on the deal. Kiss Freddie before you kiss me, and you get the money. Kiss me, you pay me. Fair enough?" he offers. I roll my eyes.

"Me? Kiss you?" I scoff at the idea, but the image flickers in my head of his lips. "Never going to happen. Deal."

We both look down to our hands, which have found their way to each others, now shaking. In unison, we look back up at each other, our eyes meeting.

I'm no cheeseball, but I'm still admitting it makes me want to melt. Almost like Freddie's. What? Okay, ignore that thought. My mind's been polluted with rage, I don't know what I'm thinking!

I found myself letting my eyes close and losing myself in the moment, slowly leaning... I pull back instantly when I realize what I almost did, eyes wide open in shock. He senses my repel, and he opens his own eyes.

"Thought you'd be easy," Zack says, a little smile playing on his lips at my reaction. How had he made his eyes so irresistible? I shake my head, humiliated from the tension in the moment. Why did I lean?

"Game on," is all I manage to say through clenched teeth, changing my behavior from mortified by myself to tough. "Our secret?" He nods, a finger coming to his lips. Shh.

"And remember, from now on, everything's us playing. Whatever seems real isn't... such as what happened a few seconds ago." He lifts his eyebrows, wondering if I'll be able to take it. As if he'd charm me into kissing him and I'd forget this small deal. No stinking way. "Sam, sorry." He acts like he's already won! With those last words he smiles charmingly and exits.

I watch him leave, striding carelessly through the empty hall. What have I done?

x

"Sam, what did Zack want?" Carly asks me as we head out of history class together. I had arrived late of course, thanks to a small distraction.

I, being a quick thinker, say, "Nothing. Just wondering about... homework. Yeah..." Now, avoiding any further questioning, I turn the tables around. "Why do you even hang out with those losers anyways?"

Carly sighs, obviously expecting the persistent question. "Promise you won't tell?" I nod. "I like Kevin. There, okay?" I wasn't very surprised. I'd notice her "cutesy" ogling, her brown eyes practically glued to him. "I know it's stupid, because he's a senior, but I do. And well, Ashley's nice too. Zack and Abigail, I can tolerate, so I get to spend a little time with Kevin." She smiles at the sound of his name.

"It's fine, Carls. No biggie, just a crush, right?" I eye her, making sure she wasn't obsessively stalking him or anything crazy.

"Sam! That was like one time! And I didn't even do anything bad," she huffs. I roll my eyes, because her crush had gone a little too far once she began figuring out his schedule. "When I like a guy, I fall a little too hard."

"Exactly. Anyways, can we go to your apartment today? I need to talk to Freddie," I explain. Plus, Mom hasn't cleaned up in forever. "I think he'll be a lot of help..." My excuse to Carly was absolutely perfect and I knew after I told her my idea, she'd agree right away.

Author's Note; Surprised? Even a little? And you'll definitely be seeing a lot of Zack Davis. ;) But no worries, Freddie will make his share of appearances too. Review please?