Disclaimer: You know how it goes. I don't own iCarly.
Freddie jumped out of bed, nearly knocking his laptop over in the process. The pounding on the door was growing gradually louder as he made his way through the dark apartment. He nearly tripped on the sofa as he crossed the living room.
"OPEN UP FREDDORK!" Sam yelled from the other side of the door.
Freddie opened the door to find Sam standing in front of him, grinning widely. Her long blonde hair now reached near her waist and lay in an unruly fashion over her shoulders. She was wearing an old t-shirt and jeans, her checkered red and black book bag hung over her shoulder.
"Took you long enough," she laughed as she pushed past him and stepped into the apartment. "So, this is your place? Hmm…well at least it's a step up from that place Lewbert rented you years ago. That was a dump. This is a little better."
"Well, I'm glad it meets your standards Princess Puckett," Freddie joked. His mind was in a daze. One minute he'd been lamenting over their lack of communication and the next thing he knew she was standing in his apartment, as sarcastic and as beautiful as ever.
He loved this. He loved having her here. He loved her nicknames for him. He loved their banter. He loved her. Still.
"So, since I'm crashing he-," Sam began but was cut off by Freddie's roommate, Chad, as he stumbled groggily into the room.
"What's going on?" he mumbled. Chad was tall with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. There was a suaveness about him that Freddie couldn't help but envy. He vaguely reminded him of a boy Carly had once dated. Girls seemed to fall for him left, right, and center. Rarely was there a night where he wasn't out with one girl or another.
"Uhmm…This is my gir…my friend. This is my friend Sam." Freddie corrected himself. He couldn't help that he had almost called her his girlfriend. It was habit, not to mention he still wished it were true.
"Oh yeah, you're that hot blonde from iCarly," Chad's face lit up with realization. Chad had admitted to watching iCarly on occasion, but his knowledge of the show was still rather limited, which Freddie hadn't really minded. If anything, he kind of liked his roommate's lack of knowledge or interest in iCarly. He'd lost track of the number of times during his first week at school that he'd been greeted with, "Oh, hey! It's that iCarly kid."
At Chad's words, Freddie felt a strange feeling that started in the pit of his stomach and reached his chest.
"Yeah. That'd be mama," Sam said, a smirk playing across her lips as she pointed at herself.
There was a glint in Chad's eyes as he stared at Sam that made Freddie uncomfortable. He felt that strange feeling in his stomach intensify.
"Uhmm…you were going to say something, Sam?" Freddie stated, attempting to tear Chad's attention (and eyes) away from Sam.
"Oh yeah. Since I'm crashing here tonight, I need to borrow some stuff to sleep in. Do you mind?"
"I-"
"Of course you don't, Freddly. Of course you don't," Sam replied confidently.
Freddie couldn't help but laugh. "There's some old t-shirts in the top drawer of my dresser. Down the hall, first door on the right."
Sam made her way out of the room, Chad eyeing her closely as she did so.
Once Sam was out of earshot, Chad whispered quietly.
"So, you and Sam…just friends?"
Freddie wanted nothing more that to tell him that no, he and Sam were not just friends. He and Sam hadn't been just friends in ages, nor did he think they would ever be "just friends" again.
But instead he simply muttered, "Something like that…"
"So…you wanna hook me up? She's hot. I like her confidence," Chad said still eyeing the direction in which Sam had gone.
Freddie felt that strange feeling in his stomach and chest strengthen. He couldn't shake the irrational desire he now had to set Chad straight, to let him know that Sam was his, to let him know that Sam was in love with him and he shouldn't even bother. But he didn't.
"You're not really her type," Freddie said, attempting to hide the bite in his tone.
"Shoot man, what is her type? For a girl like that'd I'd be anything, ya know?" he said as he wiggled his eyebrows.
It took all of Freddie's strength not to wipe the mockingly smug look off of Chad's face.
Freddie was quiet for a minute before finally speaking up.
"She's difficult," Freddie said quietly, hoping that it'd be enough to deter Chad's interest. He purposely left out the part about how Sam's difficulty was part of what made him love her so much, that her difficulty was part of what made her so amazing. Chad didn't need to know that her difficulty was, in fact, a good thing.
"Good. I like a challenge," Chad smirked.
"I have to go check on Sam," Freddie said stonily as he left the room. He had no desire to continue the conversation.
"Don't forget man. Hook me up!" Freddie heard Chad say as he left the room.
Hook him up? Freddie laughed bitterly. Yeah, right.
"Hey Sam, can I come in?" Freddie asked somewhat apprehensively as he reached the door to his room.
"Oh no, Freddie. I'm not decent yet," Sam joked as she opened the door. "Duh. Of course you can come in, nub."
She was wearing one of Freddie's Penny-T's. It was maroon with the words "Parole Baby" emblazoned across the chest in yellow.
How appropriate, Freddie thought. Though the shirt fit snug on Freddie's large frame, it hung loosely over Sam's tiny one, which Freddie couldn't help but find cute. If he didn't think Sam would punch him in the arm for saying it, he'd have told her how cute she looked. She had on a pair of old shorts she must have brought with her, that caused Freddie to stare a second too long.
"Take a picture dork. It'll last longer," Sam laughed.
"I-uh…I wasn't…" Freddie stuttered.
"Let it go, Freddly. Just let it go. So, about this Galaxy Wars marathon? I'm willing to give it a go, but just tonight because I'm feeling rather generous."
"Well gee thanks, Puckett. You're too kind."
"I know," she smiled knowingly.
Sam made her way to Freddie's bed. She lay down on her stomach and propped herself up with her elbows, resting her head in her hands. Freddie couldn't help put notice that she looked vaguely like a little kid getting ready to watch Saturday morning cartoons. Again he wanted to tell her how cute she looked. He, of course, decided against it.
"So, are we doing this or not nub? Hurry up before I change my mind," she said impatiently.
And in an instant the innocence and naïveté was gone, replaced by her typically brash, though still endearing, Puckett exterior.
Freddie sat down at the foot of the bed next to Sam. He grabbed the remote and turned the volume up on the TV.
They were silent for a while as the movie played out on the screen. Occasionally, Sam would ask a question or crack some sort of joke, but other then that they said nothing. Admittedly, Freddie had a ton of questions he wanted to ask her. He wanted to know where she'd been, if she was doing okay, where she was going next, etc, but he figured he'd ask them tomorrow. Yeah, tomorrow, because he had time. For the first time in a long time, they had time.
Freddie found himself looking over at Sam every now and then. He told himself it was just to make sure she hadn't fallen asleep, but he knew that wasn't true. Here she was. Here was the girl he was in love with and had been for a while now. Here she was after he'd gone days, months without seeing her.
Suddenly, Freddie felt the weight of Sam's head on his shoulder. He looked to see if she'd fallen asleep. She hadn't. She'd simply rested her head on his shoulder. Freddie couldn't help but instantly be reminded of another time when that had happened. It felt like ages ago. They were in the Shay's apartment watching dance video submissions for iCarly. Freddie had felt Sam's head on his shoulder. For a second he'd thought it felt nice, having someone, a girl, resting on him like that. Then he'd realized it was Sam and awkwardness overtook him. She hated him and he hated her. Why was she laying on him like that? It was weird and awkward and Freddie quickly shook her off. He'd never have admitted it at the time, but deep down he'd wished it hadn't been weird. He'd wished they could have stayed like that.
Freddie smiled at the thought and stared back at Sam. She was here, next to him. He was overcome with the sudden rush to ask Sam if they could try again, if she'd be willing to be his girlfriend again.
"Sam, I was won-?
Bzzzzzz.
Freddie was cut off by the buzzing of his phone. He couldn't remember where he'd left it. It was probably on his bed somewhere.
Before he could look for it, he saw that Sam had found it and was now holding it rather curiously in her hands. There was a playful and malicious glint in her eyes.
"Well, well, well, what do we have hear?" she joked.
"I don't know. I'm sure it's nobody," Freddie brushed off.
"Well, let's see what this nobody has to say. Probably one of your new nerd friends wanting to do some nerd bonding," Sam laughed.
"Message from: Sarah," Sam read and Freddie could swear that for a second he saw her smile falter.
"Uh, Sam. It's nothing. Let's just watch the movie."
It was too late. Sam was now reading the message.
"Want to go to the Galaxy Wars fan convention in December with me? Nug-nug will be there. You know how much I've always wanted to get an autographed picture with him. :P,"
Sam made a point to stop and sigh dramatically. "Awww, nerdbonding. How cute," she joked.
She continued reading. "BTW Freddie, you still owe me for last night. Big time. Dessert was amazing, no? ;) Just make sure there's enough whipped cream next time. haha Is tomorrow night good for you? You know it's always good for me. ;) "
There was a flash, so quick that if Freddie hadn't been staring so intently at her he would have missed it, of upset and anger on Sam's face. Seconds later it was replaced with an unreadable expression.
"Should have figured even nubs like you could score here," she joked, but there was an unmistakable bitterness to her tone.
Freddie stared confusedly at Sam. Score? What? What was she talking about?
Oh…
"Sam, no. That's not what you think. I-We-Sarah's just a friend. We didn't-" Freddie sputtered.
"No thanks. Spare me the details, nub," Sam said, again in that familiar false tone of Puckett bravado.
"But—"
Sam cut Freddie off again with a loud and overdramatic yawn.
"I'm going to bed," she said as she stood up and made her way to the door.
"Where are you going?" Freddie asked confused.
"Seriously, I think you need to get your hearing checked kid. I said 'I'm going to bed.'"
"But, what about the movie and I mean you can sleep here if you want. I'll-" Freddie rambled.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'll take the couch."
Freddie got up from the bed and reached out to touch Sam's shoulder. He was greeted with an Indian burn to his arm.
"Going. To. Bed. Fredward," she said before letting go of his arm and leaving the room.
Freddie stood in the dark of his room, confusion and annoyance racing through him.
That stupid text message. It hadn't been what Sam had thought. Not at all. Freddie had gone with a group of friends and Sarah to get some dinner at a dining hall on campus. He'd forgotten his wallet. Sarah had paid. They'd had this really good coconut cream pie for dessert (which ironically enough had made him think of Sam) and he'd accidentally used the last of whipped cream, leaving none for Sarah. He said he'd pay her back by buying her dinner the next time they and their friends all grabbed some dinner.
That was it. That was all it was. A stupid text about dinner. Who in the world could make a text about dinner sound so...innuendo-y? Freddie sighed.
Why would Sam even think he'd…He and Sam hadn't even and he was in love with her. Did Sam really think that little of him? Ugh this was a mess. He just wanted things to be simple. He wanted to tell her he still loved her and that he wanted them to try and make things work between them, distance and misunderstood text messages be damned.
But he should have known, nothing with Sam Puckett would ever be easy.
Groggily he made his way back to his bed. He turned off the TV and threw the remote onto the nightstand next to him.
He decided, rather angrily, that he was never letting a girl by him dinner ever again.
Last night had been a disaster, Freddie thought as he lay in bed, the sun now peaking in through the blinds of the window. But Freddie had known Sam long enough to know exactly how to make things right.
He'd take her to breakfast. Food solved everything with her. Always.
Groggily he made his way out of his room and into the living room, expecting to see a tired Sam sprawled out on the couch. Instead, he was greeted by an empty living room. Her bag was gone, as were her shoes. There was no sign she'd ever even been there. Suddenly, Chad walked into the apartment.
"Hey man, thanks for hooking me up."
"What?" Freddie asked confused.
"Sam. Thanks for hooking me up man."
Freddie felt a sinking feeling in his stomach.
"Where's Sam?" Freddie asked nervously.
"Oh, she left."
"She left?"
"Yeah. I took her to breakfast and then dropped her off at the bus stop. Then she left. Man, did you know that girl can eat? I think she ate like, ten stacks of pancakes. Dude, I love a girl with an appetite. Oh and she said if she was ever in town again I'd have to take her to that Italian place with the giant, plate sized meatballs. I'll take that as her way of asking for a second date," Chad blathered on obliviously.
She'd left. She'd just up and left and let some random guy take her to breakfast. He was going to take her to breakfast. What was her problem? She didn't even let him explain. Besides, hadn't she been the one to break up with him. Technically, he was at liberty to date or "score" with anyone he wished. Granted, he didn't actually want to date or "score" with anyone but her, nor had the thought ever crossed his mind, but Sam had no right to be upset. This was especially true since the reason she was upset hadn't even happened.
"Did…did she say anything about where she was going or about me?" Freddie asked apprehensively.
"Not really. She asked about Sarah some though."
Freddie's heart stopped.
"What'd you say?" he asked, now holding his breath.
"Oh, just that everyone and their mom knows you two are mad into each other and will probably end up engaged by the time we graduate. You know that's what everyone says about you two behind your back, right? Anyways, she asked if you guys were together or whatever. I said I didn't know, but you might as well be. Ya know, I kind of envy ya man. Don't get me wrong, I like playing the field, but it's got to be pretty sweet to already have found one you're set on. Props to ya dude."
Freddie was speechless. Literally. He wasn't "mad into" Sarah. She was a friend. That was it. Yeah, they spent a lot of time together, but that was because she was a friend. A good friend. He spent a lot of time with his friends. Good friends. Could girls and guys not be just good friends? Engaged? What? No. This was all wrong. All wrong.
And why was Chad such a blithering idiot?
"Oh, and she wanted me to give you this."
Chad handed Freddie a plain envelope, much like the one Freddie had given Sam the day she'd left Seattle.
"What is it?" Freddie asked.
"Beats me. Girl is a mystery. I like it though," Chad laughed as he made his way out of the living room and down the hall.
Freddie stared at the folded letter in his hands. He noticed that it was covered in grease stains, various sauces, and a fresh coat of sticky syrupy fingerprints. Freddie couldn't help but smile inwardly at the reminder of Sam.
He then turned it over and saw 'Sam' written on the front in his own handwriting. Then it hit him. This was the letter he'd given to her. It was unopened. She hadn't read the letter.
Why hadn't she read it? Why was she giving it back without reading it?
Suddenly, he noticed there was writing on the bottom corner in Sam's own messy scrawl.
"Congrats on finding the female version of you. Hope she likes khaki and high-end beige mini-vans.
P.S. When you two get married, can I call you Mr. & Mrs. Nub?"
In tiny writing at the very bottom of the envelope, Sam had written something else and attempted to haphazardly cross it out with her pencil, though she hadn't been all that successful.
Freddie could just barely make it out.
"I told you this would happen."