Disclaimer: I don't own iCarly!
Thank you Miss-Frenchie-chan and ExtremeWriter for beta-ing this!
Seven Hundred Fifty Hours
Chapter Five:
Save Me
Samantha Puckett
Before you could even say 'with a side of ham', I was on the ground like
a hit and run before Rodney had even opened the door.
My breathing came out in short, labored pants as I raced towards Carly's
apartments, my home away from home. 'Heh,' I wondered, 'it seems I've been
escaping to Carly's for the longest time, and it's only been two days.'
A car zoomed past me and I threw myself in the path of the bus that was about to take its leave.
"Wait, hold on," I huffed, slamming my nickel into the
coin slot like a maniac.
"Drive, man, drive." I ordered, plopping into a hard, metal seat.
"Rough day, eh?" A gruff voice said from behind me.
"Huh?" Was my intelligent input.
"I see your CD player is empty," He gestured to my rickety old player fro03.
"Uhh...yeah. Why?"
"I have a very calming CD here. That is, if you want it?"
I rose an eyebrow but took the CD and popped it into the compartment.
"Yeah, thanks man."
He smiled and nodded, getting up from his seat and walking off
the bus.
I eyed the player, "Hopefully it's not boring. Or stolen." I rolled my eyes,
"Or both."
My eyes closed as the CD played calming music from Woodstock '69.
(A/N: Look it up xD)
I drifted off, humming 'Jefferson Airplane.'
"And if you go chasing rabbits, you are going to fall..."
--
I blinked slowly, dark clouds fogging my vision. 'Where am I?'
Realization flashed through my mind. 'Oh, the bus.'
I panicked, 'The BUS? How long have I been asleep?'
My wrist flew to my face and I searched my watch for answers. It read;
8:25pm. I had missed iCarly.
The city lights flew by and I grimaced, looking around the bus, only to have
the frightened gaze of the other passengers boring their pity into me.
My eyes widened and I looked up. A boy maybe two or three years older than
me with scruffy blonde hair in a black trench coat was staring straight at me.
I rose and eyebrow but regretted it as I heard the sound of a hammer being
pulled back.
A gun was pointed between my eyes.
Breathing became difficult. I might have even forgotten how to. The innards of my chest felt heavy and dry.
I coughed, and the hand holding the gun came forward and brushed harshly against my
forehead.
A boy with poofy brown hair stood up, hands in front of him.
"Ricky," He said calmly, "Don't do this, man. I taught you everything you know
and you and I both understand that this isn't the right bus to hold up. Let
her go, Ricky."
The boy I now knew as Ricky, who looked frightfully similar to Richard Vloski
from the Senior classes at school, began to collect himself.
I narrowed my hazy eyes to look at him clearly. Sandy blonde hair with a jagged cut,
beautifully sunkissed skin, and violet eyes that would make Elizabeth Taylor seethe with jealousy. He was certainly a looker.
Realization hit like a ton of bricks. This was Richard Vloski.
"Richard Vloski?" I asked attentively, sitting up.
His roar was so unexpected that it jarred me back into the real world with
gasping pants. He flung his gun upwards and rang out twelve shots.
"MY NAME IS NOT RICHARD!"
It was twenty minutes later when Rodney had successfully subdued Ricky,
subtly giving me hints that I shouldn't ever call him Richard again.
Believe me, I got the hint after the seventh bullet had hit
the ceiling.
Eventually Ricky had dropped the gun, much to my buoyancy.
"Good work, Ricky." Rodney consoled, patting his old 'colleague' on the
back.
I rose an eyebrow but kept silent, eyeing the solid black pistol on the
ground. I gulped.
"Now let's get you out of this bus," Silent police cars surrounded the bus as
soon as Ricky took the first step off.
The sirens turned on.
"WE HAVE YOU SURROUNDED, DROP THE GUN," I paused to glance at the gun on the
floor, "AND EXIT THE BUS WITH YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR!"
Ricky's violet eyes widened, he looked at Rodney.
"You set me up!"
His eyes hardened. "You put all of these people into harm, Ricky, that's not
what I taught you."
His gaze faltered to flashback for a moment. I rolled my eyes at his childish
antics, at when back when he was in ninth grade he would get arrested
constantly. My stomach growled at the thought of the burritos he
had smuggled into detention for the iCarly fiftieth webshow spectacular.
"Rodney! Rodney! Did you find her? Did you find Sam?" I heard Freddie call,
running up to us with Harper close behind.
I rose an eyebrow. "Harper?"
Said boy grinned, his white teeth glittering in the night. "The one and
only!"
I smiled.
"What are you doing here, Harper?" I asked, looking from him to Freddie's
red, panting face, and back to him.
He stared at me as though it was obvious,
unfortunately, it wasn't. He caught on that I didn't understand.
"I'm here looking for you. Freddie rounded all of us up just to look for
you. He and Carly even post-poned iCarly just to send out the search parties."
I frowned and Rodney looked apologetic, he looked to me and then Freddie
and Harper.
Rodney frowned, "Sorry guys, it's my fault."
Freddie opened his mouth to reply, "You're damn right it is."
I threw my hand over his mouth and looked into his eyes to stop him. "No,
Freddie. Rodney saved me from that psychopath Ricky. You should be thanking him."
I turned to Rodney, "And so should I."
I hugged Rodney and he returned the favor.
"Thank you for saving my life, Rodney."
I turned back and Freddie's eyes had turned accusatory. He was mad, really
mad. More mad than ever before. Like anarsonist off his medication mad!
I put my hand on his shoulder, and smiled at the three boys.
"Thanks to all of you for looking for me."
I looked around. "Wait, where's Carly?"
Freddie lowered his eyes, mulling through his thoughts. Probably upset that
he didn't get to go with Carly.
This saddened me slightly, but I knew he cared enough for me to at
least join the search party.
"She's with Spencer and Gibby, looking for you."
I blinked, "Gibby?"
He nodded.
"Alright," I began, drawling, "so Gibby's probably got his shirt off and will be
screaming 'RAWR!' as he turns the corner in five, four,"
"RAWR!" Was the resounding shout.
"Three, two, one." I finished quickly, grinning ear to ear.
Gibby charged towards us in all his shirtless glory. He stopped short next to
Freddie, Rodney and Harper.
Despite how tall the boys were already, Gibby
towered over them and half of the male population in Seattle, standing at
6'6 and being the biggest guy on the Varsity football team.
But no matter how big he got or how athletic, he would always be the funny
chubby kid that loved to rip his shirt off and dance.
I decided I had a few moments of peace while the boys sorted things out with
Gibby and with the police, so I flashbacked to when Gibby and I
became friends.
It all started back at the beginning of Freshman year, when everyone began
to chill out from all the Middle School drama.
"Hey, did you hear? That kid we used to give Texas wedgies to had a
growthspurt!"
"Yeah, yeah, big deal. I grew over the summer, too, man!"
"No way, dude. I mean this guy grew alot. He's like a beast!"
"Whatever, we could still take him."
"I don't know, man, I don't think it would be worth it.
"Fine. Hey, let's hit on that cute chick over there with the blondie, maybe
that'll take your mind off the kid who grew, ya chicken."
"I resent that, man!"
It was in that instance that I knew something bad would happen. Carly and I
were conversing about the new shoes at Shoe Rack and then those guys had
come up to us.
"Hey pretty ladies, wanna join us for a skippingschool field trip?"
I glared at them and Carly shied away, "No, thanks." She said boldly.
"Aw, come on, baby. You'll have fun! Hey! What's going on?" The two boys had
been picked up around the waist by Gibby.
He looked at us, "Go!"
Carly took the chance and scurried off, but I stayed. "Sam! Come on,
let's go!"
"No, Carls. You go, you know I can handle it." She hesitated, staring me
dead
in the eye but I gave her the thumbs up, and she was off. No big deal.
Gibby shoved the boys in a broom closet and locked the door. I smiled at the
idea that he did so just to even the score from when they did it to him. He
led me away to stand by some lockers."So?" "So?" He mimicked.
"Why'd you save us?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"What? The guy you picked on isn't allowed to do something nice once in
awhile?"
I scoffed, "You were just showing off your brand new tallness."
He grinned at me and I couldn't help but shed my courageous cover. "Yeah,
I know."
"So..." He said again. "Friends?" He lifted his hand.
I shook it, smiling. "For now."
Ah, yes. The joy of memories.Uh, oh.
"Freddie! You freaking jerk! I saved Sam!"
"No, I did!"
"No, me!"
I rolled my eyes as they argued with each other over who saved me.
"HEY!" I shouted, interrupting Rodney who was about to bash in Gibby's
teeth, Gibby who was gnawing on Freddie's shoulder, Freddie trying to force himself
into Rodney's mouth, and Harper who was trying to stop all of the commotion.
They turned to look at me. "You all helped save me."
My stomach growled.
"Now it's time to eat. Follow me or I'll make an indent in your skull." I
announced, flouncing off towards a nearby diner.
'I'LL GET YOU, SAM PUCKETT. JUST YOU WAIT!'
Ricky's voice rang in my ears.
"So you just cancelled iCarly?"
"No! Carly was already ten minutes in to the usual twenty minute show, so
when I went over there and you weren't..." He trailed off and I glared athim.
"You just cancelled iCarly. Freddie!" I shouted suddenly, startling our usual waitress Mary. "We've never cancelled iCarly! Ever!" I added. He flinched at my harsh tone, but gave me those sad puppy dog eyes he always gives Carly when he's done something wrong.
"Carly and I just wanted to make sure you were safe!" He shouted back at me,
his robot brain going into automatic friend protection mode.
I sighed, "I know," and gave up. I looked at the waitress, who was shaking
from nervousness. Instead of making a complicated order like I usually do with shy servers (especially this one), I decided to give her a break.
"Double cheese burger and a root beer."
She jotted it down quickly and gave me a small smile. I returned the favor.
"Steak burger with an extra side of fries, no cheese, extra onions and a
pickle on the side with a diet coke," Harper said quickly.
I eyed him, "Diet?"
He grinned, "Gotta watch my weight, you know."
I rolled my eyes.
"Make that three!" Gibby shouted, and I gave him the same look.
"What?" He shrugged innocently, "I get hungry."
"Make that four," Freddie chimed in.
I looked at Rodney. "I'll have what the lady's having." He said cheekily.
Mary's cheeks lit up bright red when Rodney looked at her and she scribbled
down the orders furiously.
She gave him a fleeting look that he didn't catch, and I smiled at her. She turned and walked away, her cheeks flushed.
Freddie Benson
I watched, squished into the red vinyl booth between Gibby, who sat in the middle, and Harper, who was on the outside, as Sam looked from the stuttering Mary (who is also in my advanced French class) and over to Rodney.
She laughed with him and asked him if he would ever consider taking Mary tothe fall dance. He shook his head, looking a bit dejected, albeit smiling, "Sorry, toots. Have you forgotton your end of the deal?"
Sam shrugged and grinned, laughing with him, conversing with him.
I turned my head and looked out the dark window, staring at the moon that had
just begun to shine about ten minutes ago. I tried to picture Carly in my mind.
I searched deep into my subconscious for the love that I felt for her
the everlasting feeling that maybe one day, she would love me too. I found a
sadness that twinged as I shuffled through memories, and a hope that
flickered
like a faulty light bulb, a hope that she would love me as more than a
friend
one day.
I heard Sam giggle and my heart thumped in my ears. She looked so
comfortable, so at peace with the world, despite having a gun held to her
face
by some lunatic not minutes before. Sam was my friend, and I would do
anything for her.
"Hey, nerdboy? What's up with you?" Sam whispered to me, her normally
aggressive eyes looking soft and comforting, and I shrugged.
"Upset that your little Carlykins isn't around for you to drool over?" She
joked, and I gave
her an exasperated look. She frowned, glaring at me.
"Freddie, you know that you are my friend, but you will always be a nerd."
I caught her double meaning: I would always be in love with Carly to her, no
matter how little my feelings really were for Carly.
"No matter how cute any girl thinks you are,"
No matter how much I fall in love with her,
"And no matter how much we argue and bet,"
No matter how many times I kiss her,
"You will always be my nerdy friend. Nothing more."
Her pale blue eyes darkened as she glared at me, and I rolled my eyes.
"Don't go getting a big head about what's in the past Sam. I thought you had
more selfcontrol than this? Is that giant butt of yours interrupting the
signals that are supposed to be going to your head?" Her features softened,
though her eyes stayed defensive, and she smiled.
"At least my pants didn't get blown up on a live webcast," She shot
back,"Geekwad."
And then she turned away.
After our meals were finished and paid for, Gibby and Harper had taken off to
tell Carly about our findings.
I walked home with Sam and Rodney, with Sam in the middle as we traveled down
the sidewalk. She
talked with Rodney about their past adventures, sneaking through windows,
knocking down trash cans, teepeeing houses. They got along so well.
"Aha, yeah, and remember when we"
"In the neighbor's yard?"
"With the rotwieler?"
"Yeah!" They said in unison.
I sighed quietly and crossed my arms, following along, step by step.
"Hold on, Freddie, I'll catch you at the front door," Sam said pleasantly,
giving me a small, carefree smile.
I shrugged and nodded, walking over to the front lawn of her house. She
stayed with Rodney at his front door, smiling and chatting animatedly.
I grew bored watching them 'connect' and before I knew it, Rodney was
leaning
into her.
My back was ridged as he pressed his lips against hers, and I
watched her run from the scene before returning the kiss.
Outwardly, I smirked at the fact that she hadn't pulled away from me the
first time we kissed, but
had when Rodney did. It made me feel proud, but inwardly, I was upset. Upset
that the stupid jailbird would even think of touching my Sam.
My eyes widened as I realized how possessive I had gotten over Sam in the
past few days. I shook my head and nonchalantly shoved my hands in my
pockets.
Her eyes were large and the pupils shrunken. I wrapped my arms around her
and
kissed the top of her head.
"What's wrong? What happened?" I cooed, running my fingers through her hair.
I felt her tears soak my shirt but I ignored it.
"Rodney kissed me!" She whispered, "He was one of my best friends and I
trusted him and he just kissed me! He said he's always wanted me to be
his..."
She clutched me tighter, mumbling some things under her breath that I
couldn't
comprehend. "Freddie, I'm scared. What if this ruins our friendship
completely?" She began to sob, "Why did dhat!?"
I hugged her tighter. "It's alright. I'll stay with you here tonight."
Her head lifted and she wiped at the tears.
"Thank you, Freddie." And she hugged me again, "You're my best friend." She
said, rocking us side to side.
Her best friend.
And only that, I fear.
Samantha Puckett
"Sam, I know we're friends, but I've liked you for a long time..." He began
to move closer towards me.
I was shocked. I had just been making plans to set him up with Mary, now he
was talking about wanting to be with me? What is going on with the world?
"You know that I'm extremely grateful to you for saving my life, Rodney, but
we can only ever just be friends. I mean, I let you in my room because I
trusted you. I didn't expect you to fall for me."
And ironically, I didn't expect Freddie to fall for me either, but that's not
the point.
"But, Sam...I've always wanted you. Why can't you give me a chance?"
I shook my head. "No, Rodney, I-"
He cut me off my slamming is mouth against mine. He tried to pull me closer
but I was too disgusted and betrayed to think of anything but getting away.
I pushed him away so that he crumpled to the floor, and I ran like a maniac
towards Freddie. I slammed into him.
"What's wrong? What happened?" He asked me, running his fingers through my
hair. It almost made me feel bad for crying and getting tears all over his
shirt. Almost.
"Rodney kissed me!" I whispered, sqeezing his collared shirt tightly. "He
was
one of my best friends and I trusted him and he just kissed me! He said he's
always wanted me to be his..."
I lowered my voice so he couldn't hear me. "I don't want him, he's not
supposed to like me. Everyone's supposed to like Carly. I'm not ready for
this!"
I murmured to myself, and I could feel that I was going to start sobbing.
"Freddie, I'm scared. What if he ruins our friendship completely?"
What if he takes me away from you?
"Why did dhat?" I felt him hold me closer.
"It's alright. I'll stay with you here tonight."
I looked up at him and I scraped at the tears around my eyes. I've always
been a good liar, but this
time...I began to feel a new feeling. Something I haven't felt in a long
time.
Something akin to guilt...
"Thank you, Freddie." I lunged at him and held him close to me.
I began to rock us side to side. I had to lie, or else I'd start to like
him. I can't like him. He's Freddie. The nerd, the dork, the one whose pants I
blew up, whose eyebrows I shaved off, the guy I've verbally abused since the
very day I met him.
"You're my best friend."
I love you.
--
(A/N: Hey everybody, sorry this chapter was so off the babysitting thing, but worry not!I have it all planned out.
...sort of. Enjoy! D)