Disclaimer: You know, if I was male, and in my fifties… Never mind… Dan Schneider owns all rights and privileges to iCarly. I'm just taking the characters for a little joy ride.

Author's Note: Thanks to reviewers, author/story alerters and favoriters. Don't worry. That's all I'm going to say for now.

'AND THAT IS THE QUESTION'

Chapter Eleven: Cone of Silence

Awkward.

For the next couple of days, which seems endless, Fredward Benson couldn't have been more awkward around his girlfriend, who apparently wanted to keep quiet and not talk to anyone. Not even her best friend.

Everything changed just because of one little kiss. Just when they thought they had it all figured out.

It went like this. Sam kissed Freddie. They went out on a first date, had a magical evening. Then about a day and a half later, they went back to fighting constantly, or at least teasing and bickering. It seemed like nothing was wrong. But deep down, Freddie knew, something was very wrong. He just couldn't figure out what it actually was. And Sam wasn't going to tell him. Although she seemed… even more bitter, despite her cone of silence.

"What's her problem?" Carly would keep questioning Freddie, over and over.

Freddie would reply with the same shrug and confused facial expression.

For about a week, Samantha Puckett refused to speak. To anyone.

It was harder than she thought it would be. But, being a stubborn and fiesty girl, she'd take it on as a challenge. A dare. She liked dares. Couldn't back down if she tried. Because she always won. No matter what.

Simple. She'd walk into school, bypass her "best friend" and "boyfriend" and remain in the shadows of betrayal and depression. No one noticed her before, so why should it be any different now?

If there was one simple thing she could wish for, it'd be to 'not be famous'. But alas, she was. The web show, iCarly was a lot more well-known than anticipated, which made her, Carly and Freddie, living celebrities. Even though they refused to treated differently.

However, today at Ridgeway, no one approached her. Much to her relief.

That is until Carly walked up to her, demanding she tell her what was wrong. And why she was being so darn stubborn and irresponsive all of a sudden. To Freddie, the brunette could understand. But her? Sam's best friend? What did she do to deserve all this shunning? And silent treatment?

"Sam. Please… Talk to me! Was it something I did?"

Yes, thought Sam. You STOLE my boyfriend!

The blonde didn't look at her "so called" friend, and turned away to walk to class, as quickly as possible.

"Any luck?" Freddie questioned, a small frown appearing on his face.

"No." Carly replied.

The two sighed and each went to their separate classrooms for the morning. Freddie had biology, Carly had math and Sam had English. It was the one time or the one class they were apart. The rest had them together.

By lunchtime, Freddie and Carly had had quite enough of Sam's strange silence. They had to confront her about it. But they weren't sure how to. This was another side of the blonde haired demon they hadn't experienced before. And whenever they'd come close to an answer, it'd slip away from them. Just like Sam.

"Okay Puckett, the jig is up!"

"Who says that?" Carly questions, amused. But after seeing Freddie's 'this is NOT the time to be joking around' look she stops smiling. "Sorry."

"Sam. Why are you acting so weird?" Freddie asks the girl.

Ask yourself, you jerk! Sam thought, bitterly.

To no avail, there is still no reply. There's a death glare directed at him and at Carly, then she stands up and walks away. Leaving the friends really confused. What could they have done, that was making their friend react this way?

Freddie marched up to Sam, ignoring Carly's protests. When he caught up to her, he grabbed her arm and turned her around, so she could look at him, square in the eye. There was nothing in her eyes except emptiness and perhaps a hint of sadness.

"Look. If you're angry at me for saying something I shouldn't have, you can tell me to my face."

I'm MORE than angry at you. Sam thought. I could KILL you!

The blonde does nothing. Stands and stares at him. That's it.

"Please. I need to know what I did, so I can fix it! If you don't tell me, how am I supposed to-"

Her face looked dead serious. Her eyes narrowed.

W H A C K ! Sam's hand slapped the side of his face, leaving her to storm off and leaving Freddie on the floor, holding his cheek. Carly rushed over to make sure he was okay. She noticed a head of blonde hair race through the crowded corridor. Turning back to Freddie, she helped him to his feet.

"Thanks."

"No prob. So, did you find out what her deal is?" Carly questions.

"No. But whatever I did… it was really bad." Freddie mutters, still patting his sore face.

"Come on. Let's go find her."

"And be slapped again? No thanks. I think I'll pass on that one."

"Fine."

With that, the brunette girl walked out of cafeteria and thinking that hopefully she could find where her best friend had gone. Probably in hiding by now.

Hiding she was.

In the music room, where she knew no one would ever find her. It was dark, full of musical instruments and hardly anyone came in here. It was the one place where she could actually think, and not be disturbed.

"Sam? I know you're in here."

Okay. So she didn't count on Carly Shay to come looking for her. However, she remained silent when the brunette took a seat next to her.

"Hey. Listen. If you're mad at Freddie, he doesn't know what he did wrong. Can't you tell him?"

Hmm. No. Sam thought.

"Why are you giving us the silent treatment?"

You both STABBED me in the back! How can I talk to either one of you after that?

"Please! Talk to me!"

No chance Shay. Not after what you did.

"Oh I give up. You're so…. So…. Stubborn!"

Carly Shay stands up, takes one look at her best friend and shakes her head slowly. There was nothing she or Freddie could do to make her talk. She knew that it was time to just leave Sam alone. In the dark.

In the dark was exactly where Sam wanted to stay. No one could find her in the dark. It was her safety zone.

But not everyone agreed to this. Her boyfriend, or supposed boyfriend, before he went crawling back to her best friend. Supposed best friend, that is. But Freddie walked into the music room. She could tell it was him. The voice gave it away.

"Carly said I'd find you in here."

Of course, thought Sam. Every time your "precious" favorite girl tells you something. You believe her.

"Did I say something to upset or offend you?"

Try, YES.

"Because I'm really, really sorry."

Sure you are. Now why don't you leave me in peace and go make out with my best friend. SUPPOSED best friend. I'm sure you two have had more than enough practice by now.

"Sam? Will you speak to me now?"

No.

"I miss you."

Liar.

"I love you."

Ha! Now your pants are on fire!

"Can I sit next to you?"

Can I give you a concussion?

"I'll take that as a yes."

Freddie sits down next to Sam, who immediately stands and glares at him, again, silently. Before he can ask 'why', she's running away from him yet again.