I threw myself into my school work, finals and plans for graduation. iCarly hadn't lasted much longer. Brad took over as tech producer but it wasn't the same without my effects, without my cameras – dare I say it, without me? I did offer Brad use of my kit but he told me that the girls had said that under no circumstances would it be accepted.

It was difficult living across the hall from Carly. While Sam was treating me as if I was see-through (which in many ways was an improvement), the look of pain and hurt in Carly's eyes every time I saw her, anywhere, was difficult to take. She quickly got the "look hurt then walk off" routine down to perfection but this time I was refusing to make the first move, reminding myself that she was the one who treated me badly, that she was the one who stood by while a psycho girl jumped me, and that she was the one who had rejected me time and time again.

Finally Graduation Day came and tomorrow I was going to LA to start my new life. Apart from my mom there was nothing left for me in Seattle and Tori had told me that one of her friends had said I could stay with him for the summer before I got access to my campus accommodation. We stood in line to receive our certificates. It felt awkward, all day I'd been so close to the girls who'd been my best friends for so long, and we stood not looking at each other, not speaking to each other. I hated it.

After the ceremony I was stood with my mom while Sam and Carly were laughing and joking with Spencer and Brad. Brad, who had nothing against me, came over and we talked and wished each other well. I looked over to Carly's group again and saw her looking at me. For a moment I didn't see hurt or anger, she looked… wistful. I gave her a small wave and she returned it, smiling slightly at me – the first time I had seen her smile in months. Sam and Spencer looked to see who she was waving at and I saw her say something to them before she began walking towards me. I met her half-way and she just said,

"Do you want a photograph? For old times' sake?"

"I'd like that" I replied and called my mom over. I stood next to Carly, looked towards her and smiled. She smiled back and I slipped my arm around her waist, she did the same and we posed for a photo for my mom. Then Spencer walked next to my mom and took a picture of us as well. Sam appeared on my other side and said,

"My turn, dork," before putting her own arm around my middle. Carly smiled and let go of me and mom took a photo of me with Sam before Carly came back and the three of us posed together. Suddenly it felt almost as if the last few months hadn't happened. Brad joined the group photo, as did my mom and Spencer (a random parent taking that picture).

People were starting to leave and Carly glanced at Spencer, and at Sam. They both gave a small nod and she turned to mom and me and invited us to a little party they were having at theirs. We accepted and spent a great evening in the company of old friends, talking about nothing and just enjoying the outbreak of civility.

Finally it was time to leave – mom and I had a long drive ahead of us the next day (thankfully she was letting me drive down there – I shudder to think how long it will take her to do the return journey with the empty van). I said goodbye to Spencer and Brad before turning to Carly, who was stood in the kitchen – I think she wanted to speak to me privately.

"Thank you," I began. "After everything that's happened it was a wonderful gesture from you – the photos, the invite."

"I didn't want us to part on such awful terms" she said. "We've been through so much, we were best friends for so long. It was awful to be so distant from you. Freddie…" and she took a step closer, looking me straight in the eye and taking a deep breath, "I'm sorry. Sorry for how I treated you… at Nora's, sorry for what's happened since then, for blaming you for everything, for not talking to you. I was angry and hurt, and it was easier to blame you for all of it than to blame myself for any of it. And," her voice softened to a whisper, "I'm sorry that I could never return your love. You're such a great guy Freddie Benson, a great, caring guy who'd do anything for anyone. I really wish I could have loved you the way you loved me all those years – but I just couldn't. You deserve someone worthy of your love, and she's out there somewhere. Go get her!" and we hugged tight for a few seconds before stepping apart.

I turned to see Sam stood nearby.

"You got anything to say to Mama?" she asked, her voice full of bravado as usual, but the hint of a nervous smile on her lips.

"Not here" I said, grabbing her wrist and leading her out of Carly's. I didn't take her to my apartment, but down the hall to the fire escape – 'our' fire escape.

"I really wanted it to work between us" I began. "I told you I loved you and I meant it, but after that… things were great between us for a while, then suddenly you went back to the way you were before – and that hurt, because I really thought we'd moved on from there."

"It's who I am Freddie" she said simply. "You knew that and you dated me regardless. And you didn't make it easy for me either. 'At least Carly cares about me'? Meaning I don't? Damn it Fredward, I told you I LOVED you! Do you know what that took? How long it took me to say that to my own MOTHER? You are the only guy I've ever said that to, you were my first kiss, my first serious boyfriend – and you tell me to my face that you think I don't care? Do you have any idea how much that hurt? And our conversation by the elevator? That we'd maybe try again some day? I knew I couldn't BE your definition of normal – and then to find out you were leaving, well I knew then that it was over for good between us. And I began to hurt all over again."

Wow, who knew Sam Puckett could make a speech like that? Or even THINK that?

"I'm sorry, Sam. I guess I never realised you were carrying that around with you. I just figured when you reverted to type that it meant 'those feelings' had gone for you – which caused me as much pain as your behaviour did."

"It's ok" she shrugged. "I keep this things buried deeper than most people look. Anyways, I'm gonna say goodnight. We'll be there in the morning to see you off."

"You're staying over at Carly's?"

"You even need to ask that question?" she laughed before leaning in and giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Night, dork. I'll see you in the morning" and went inside.

That was Sam. Unpredictable to the last.

The next morning we loaded up the van. As we were preparing to leave I saw Carly, Sam and Spencer stood by the entrance to the building. I walked over for a final goodbye, giving Spencer a quick man-hug before pulling Carly close and giving her a peck on the cheek while I said goodbye. I did the same to Sam before releasing her, smiling at the two girls and saying goodbye. There was a lot unsaid, I didn't have my two best friends back, but things were better – I was leaving on far better terms than I thought possible a few days ago. I walked to the van, waved to my friends, started the engine and drove off to begin my new life.