・ Notes ・
The events of this chapter occur during and after what happened in iCook. You don't need to watch the chapter to read this, but I wanted to mention it just in case.
Songs I listened to while writing the chapter: Better, So close (Jennette McCurdy), I got you (Twice), You're the one that I want (John Travolta & Olivia), Don't go breaking my heart (Elton John), I'm yours (Jason Mraz), Can't help falling in love with you (Elvis Presley), Inséparables (Zaz, Pablo Alborán). You can listen to them in any order you want :)
Another option is this instrumental music that I listen to on YouTube, almost always when I read or write Seddie fanfics:
watch?v=HSOtku1j600&t=1222s
2 Hour Beautiful Piano Music for Studying and Sleeping 【BGM】
YouTube Channel: The soul of Wind.
Additionally, I recommend searching for my profile on Wattpad, Tumblr or Instagram, as I will post some AI-generated images of Sam and Freddie that I liked at the end of the chapters. And yes, they are made by Bing Designer because I have zero talent for drawing :)
If you notice any errors, please let me know in the comments.
Blessings and I hope you enjoy your reading! ૮₍ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ₎ა
|・ ʚ 5 ɞ ・|
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[ - iCook -]
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Sam and Freddie had agreed to meet at least three times a week to avoid any kind of suspicion. Sam justified her absence with excuses like needing to help her mother, having to go shopping for ham, or simply leaving without explanation. On his part, Freddie justified his absences by mentioning school assignments, editing for iCarly, or attending meetings for some club he belonged to. Despite feeling uncomfortable lying to their friend, they had made a decision and had no choice but to keep going until the end of the month. However, they made an effort to spend as much time with her as possible.
Despite their efforts, Carly noticed the absence of her friends. It was something inevitable, as they usually spent a lot of time at her house. Not that she minded at all, because she enjoyed their company. She tried not to get too discouraged, knowing that both Sam and Freddie had their own lives and responsibilities to attend to (at least Freddie did). So, she simply made the most of the time they spent together when planning the next iCarly or sharing moments in the living room.
One of those days, Carly, Sam, and Freddie were invited to participate in a cooking show to compete against a famous Seattle chef named Ricky Flame. Although at first, all three were excited to participate, that excitement faded after they beat the chef, who began to throw tantrums like a toddler just for losing. Despite this, the three went on with their lives as usual.
At school, Freddie approached Sam to greet her. Since there were a lot of people around, he couldn't hug her or give her a quick kiss as he wanted, so he settled for saying hello. Or he would have, if he hadn't seen that Sam's locker was emitting a lot of smoke and she was standing too close to it.
"Hey, wow, I think your alarm system is on fire," Freddie warned Sam as grabbed her arm to pull her away from the hot surface.
"Nah, Franklin made me get rid of my alarm system because it kept blowing fuses and shorting out the whole school."
"Then why so much smoke?"
"The smoke is coming from my Gary Coleman Grill," Sam explained. Seeing the confusion on his face, she smiled and motioned for him to come closer to her locker. She opened the door and turned on a light so Freddie could see the meat grilling inside.
"One, you're cooking a steak in your locker?" he asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow at his girlfriend. "And two, why am I not even surprised?"
"One, because I'm not gonna eat raw meat after what happened last time. Stupid parasites," Sam said as she patted her stomach, then whispered to him, "And two, because you know me and you like me just the way I am."
"One, sounds reasonable. And two, I guess you're right."
"You guess?"
"Fine. You're right," Freddie conceded, smiling. "Hey, I have an idea."
"I'm not sharing my meat with you, you've got your own at home."
"What? I wasn't going to ask you for meat. I'm not crazy or reckless enough to do that," Freddie replied. "I was thinking that you and I could cook something together one of these days. You know, like a kind of date."
"I'm not sure. I like food, but cooking sounds like a lot of effort."
"You're grilling meat in your locker right now," he reminded her, pointing at the meat.
"Well, but the grill does all the work, not me. So it doesn't count."
"Whatever, what I mean is we can cook something simple. Anything you want"
"Are you serious?"
"Sure, as long as it's within our budget, it's fine."
"Mhm... And can I eat freely? You know, without you looking at me weird."
"It's not my fault you suddenly start eating like an animal."
Sam didn't say anything, she just gave him a warning look, and Freddie sighed. Alright. That hadn't been the best way to express himself.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have said it like that. It's just that sometimes it's a little uncomfortable for me," Freddie said softly, not taking his eyes off her. "I'm not asking you to change in front of others or at home, but could you moderate yourself a little when we're face to face? Please, princess."
Sam didn't respond at first, but then nodded. She couldn't resist much if Freddie looked at her like that, let alone if he used that nickname.
"Alright, I'll give it a try, but you'll have to reward my effort with a milkshake after class, Benson," she proposed, offering her hand, which Freddie gladly took.
"We have a deal, Puckett," Freddie smiled back, shaking her hand firmly and enjoying the warmth of her hand against his.
Then, in a quick move, Sam lifted her backpack towards his face, and for a moment Freddie thought she would hit him. However, she brought her face closer to his, confusing him. Was she going to kiss him? Here, right now, in the middle of the school, and with a backpack as a shield? What happened to the contract they signed?
"Sam, what are you...?"
"Sh, don't move," she whispered, and Freddie, though feeling confused, obeyed. Sam gently stroked his cheek, and for a moment, he thought he would get a kiss there. But instead, he felt a wet sensation on his ear and instinctively pulled away.
"Sam, gross! Why did you do that?" he complained, wiping his ear against his shoulder as best as he could. He really hates it when she does that.
Sam just smirked with satisfaction, enjoying Freddie's reaction, as she always did after one of her pranks was successful.
"'Cause it's fun to see you squirm, duh," Sam responded in a playful voice, as if the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. Freddie gave her an annoyed look before pulling a wet wipe out of his backpack to wipe his ear. "Aw, are you mad at me, Fredward? Come on, let Mama help you clean up."
"Don't touch me, I think 'Mama' has done enough for today," he grumbled, feeling a bit weird for using that nickname. He wiped his ear, trying to ignore the strange sensation. "But seriously, don't do that again, okay? Do you have any idea how many germs and bacteria could be in there?"
"With all the baths your mommy gives you, I doubt any bacteria would dare to come near. "
This time it was Freddie's turn to look at her silently. The annoyance was more than evident.
"I was just kidding. Geez, I won't do it again. At least not so often," Sam apologized softly. Then, she turned off her grill and pulled out a fork and knife from her backpack. Carefully, she cut a piece of meat, blew on it, and offered it to Freddie, who was still looking confused. "Here. I'll let you try a piece of my meat as compensation."
"I'm not going to eat grilled meat from your locker. Can you imagine how many germs could live there?"
"Come on, babe. I promise it'll be worth it," Sam tried to convince him, taking his hand again. "Just one bite and that's it, we'll do anything you want later. "
"Even if it's something nerdy?"
"Even if it's something nerdy."
"For just one bite?"
"Freddie, sweetheart, if you don't eat it in the next few seconds, I will, and you're gonna have to..."
"Okay, I got it," he cut her off, taking a bite of the meat. "Hey, it's not bad."
"It tastes amazing, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it's great," he admitted, finishing what was left on the fork. "Can I have more, please?"
"Of course not. We agreed it would only be one bite," Sam reminded him, putting away the fork. "You'll have more when we cook together. What you see there is my lunch."
"And couldn't you share a little more with your sweet, handsome and amazing boyfriend?" Freddie pleaded with a pout.
"No. And don't make that face, you look ridiculous."
"Just a little more, Sammy. Please," Freddie insisted, taking her hand. And yes. He and Sam had forgotten they were supposed to pretend. Again.
"Lemme think… The answer is still no."
They continued like this for a minute, not really arguing. They didn't realize Carly was approaching and watching them with confusion. At first glance, they seemed to be fighting, but at the same time, they looked friendly with each other. Plus, Freddie was holding Sam's hand while saying something to her. And although Carly's radar told her something was going on, she decided to ignore it this time, figuring Freddie was asking Sam for forgiveness or a favor. Maybe both.
"Hey listen, I called Ricky's office... Why is there a grill in Sam's locker?" Carly asked them. Sam and Freddie turned to her, letting go of each other's hands automatically.
"Freddie wanted to steal my meat. Can you believe it?"
"Steal your meat..? But you offered it to me first!"
"Guys," Carly called to get their attention, but neither listened.
"I offered you a bite so you'd stop whining like a baby. Not to share the rest with you," Sam argued.
"Guys," Carly tried again.
"You didn't offer me anything, you forced me. And now, do you mind that I liked it?"
"Guys!" Carly exclaimed, pinching both of them on the shoulder to make them listen. "You can argue later about who's stealing whose meat, but listen to this. I called Ricky's office, you know, to thank him for all the free steaks. And his assistant told me that he quit his TV show."
"He's not doing food fights anymore?" Sam questioned, surprised.
"He's not doing anything anymore," answered Carly.
"What? Why?" Sam and Freddie asked simultaneously.
Carly looked at them, confused by their synchronization. Freddie turned to Sam, and she gave him a gentle slap, which he returned. Not thinking deeply about it, they both turned to face Carly to continue the conversation.
Freddie had to admit that everything that happened next was extremely strange. They went to the house of a famous chef to cheer him up, only to discover that he only wanted to win at all costs. Which wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't because he tried to face children in fights, who obviously couldn't beat him. Fortunately, they were there to stop him, especially his charming girlfriend, who brought him down effortlessly. He had to admit, he was fascinated when Sam brought someone down or broke records in illegal activities, like opening doors with whatever she had on hand. She simply had an innate talent for it.
Just for that, all that mess had been worth it.
"No."
"But..."
"I said no, Sam."
"Why?"
"Because we agreed to buy only what's on the list so we wouldn't go over our budget."
After resolving the issue with the chef, they agreed to meet another day to go shopping together and then cook at Freddie's house when his mother was occupied. They had made a detailed list of what they needed to buy. However, when the agreed day arrived, things got complicated. Sam wanted to add more items to the list, which delayed both of them. Neither was willing to give in: Sam didn't want to give up her cravings, while Freddie wasn't willing to spend more than they had agreed.
"Do you really think a bag of bacon will affect the budget that much?"
"That's what you said about the meatballs and the chips two minutes ago," Freddie reminded her, pointing to the other two products in the cart. "So choose which of the three you'll take, because we can't take all of them."
"You're gonna make me choose between my babies?"
"Yes, and you have one minute to do it," stated Freddie, handing her the products. "I'm going to get the juice and then I'll go to the checkout to pay for the rest. Did you bring your share of the money?"
"Yes, it's in my pocket. Gimme a sec," she replied, placing the products in the shopping cart to take out the money and pass it to Freddie. Freddie watched her cautiously before taking the money and holding it up to the light.
"What are you doing?"
"Just verifying if it's authentic."
"Of course it is, Who do you take me for?"
"Sam Puckett," he answered, putting the money with the rest in his wallet.
"Ha, ha. Very funny," she responded sarcastically, giving him a shove on the shoulder. "I can't believe you don't trust me, even being your girlfriend."
"Precisely because you're my girlfriend and I know you, that's why I don't trust you. Not because I think you'd cheat me, but because I know you can sometimes forget things," Freddie retorted. "What if you accidentally had fake money stashed away for some prank, like the other day? It never hurts to double-check."
"Your face is what you'll need to check to see if it's okay for not trusting me," Sam replied brusquely.
"That doesn't make sense."
"Your face doesn't either, and here we are."
"Nyeh."
"Nyeh."
They both looked away in annoyance and ignored each other for a moment until Freddie broke the silence with a tired sigh.
"I'm going to get the juice and then head to the checkout, so decide what you're going to take."
"Okay."
Hearing her response, Freddie was about to say something more, but held back and headed to the other aisle with the basket, leaving Sam alone with her thoughts.
Fine. Maybe I'm being too selfish, Sam reflected as she put the products back in their place. She opted to take the potato chips to share with Freddie and maybe some candy to apologize. Once everything was sorted, she went to find Freddie, who was staring disinterestedly at some juice cartons. Sam approached him and told him she had decided on the chips. Freddie nodded and added them to the cart without saying anything; he seemed more thoughtful than angry.
Sam took advantage of the moment when Freddie was paying to head to another cashier and buy the sweets she had seen earlier: two heart-shaped lollipops with phrases and two chocolate bonbons. Once paid, she rejoined Freddie, who was holding two plastic bags with their purchases. Despite looking at her with curiosity, he made no comment or asked about what she had bought. This made Sam a little uncomfortable, as Freddie's silence could mean many things: that he was thoughtful, disappointed, sad, or angry with her or himself. Sam found it tedious to try to guess his mood at that moment. She preferred that he directly communicated his thoughts, even if they could be somewhat hurtful.
As they left the store, Sam began to work out a little speech in her head to apologize. Walking, she gathered the necessary courage and decided to break the silence, unaware that Freddie was thinking exactly the same thing.
"Hey, I just wanted to say that… "They said in unison, surprised by the coincidence. "You go first, "both said at the same time, smiling a little. "No, seriously, you go ahead."
They looked at each other and chuckled softly.
"I still haven't gotten used to all this synchronizing stuff," Sam commented.
"Me neither, but I don't mind, it's fun. It's like we have..."
"Something else in common?"
"Exactly."
They continued walking, this time in a more lively silence and without the tension from before.
"So," they said simultaneously, grinning at the coincidence.
"Rock, paper, scissors, or ladies first?" Freddie suggested.
"The first option is fine."
They played rock, paper, scissors, and on the second try, Freddie lost.
"The stage is yours, Benson. What were you going to tell me?"
"I wanted to apologize for my attitude earlier. I was a complete idiot when I mentioned the fake money and doubted you," he confessed, feeling a weight lift off his chest. "I know you're making an effort to do your part and it wasn't fair to say that to you. Not in that rude way, at least." Right in front of the building, Freddie stopped, looking down apologetically. "I'm really sorry, Sam."
"It's okay."
"No, Sam. It's not okay. I really was an idiot and..."
"It's not like you were entirely wrong," she interrupted him, stroking his cheek to make him look into her eyes. "I mean, yeah, it hurt how you said it, but it hurt more because it's true. I just hope to be careful enough so you can trust me from now on."
"You don't need to do anything. I already trust you, really."
Sam smiled and gave his cheek a squeeze.
"I know, and I want to someday feel like I deserve that trust," she told him. Before Freddie could say anything else, she pulled out a lollipop she had bought him earlier and showed it to him. "I bought this for you, it's an apology lollipop for being so picky earlier."
"Thank you. I really appreciate it." Freddie took the lollipop and smiled when he saw it had a message written on it. "It says 'I'm sorry'."
"And what's your answer? Do you forgive me?"
"I would kiss you to say 'yes', but I can't kiss you out here, so I'll just say it," he made a brief bow to Sam. "I accept your apologies, Princess Puckett."
"And I accept yours, Sir Benson," Sam smiled, bowing as well. "Would you accompany me inside the building to avoid Lewbert and then...?"
"Seal our apologies with a kiss in the elevator?" he completed. Sam nodded amidst giggles "Of course, my dear, it will be a pleasure."
"Come in, gentleman," Sam said, opening the door for him, but Freddie held it for her.
"After you, beautiful lady."
As soon as they set foot in the building, Lewbert started yelling at them: "No flirting in my hallway!" Sam responded with a shout of her own, and when Lewbert tried to stand up, they were already inside the elevator, laughing.
When the elevator door closed, they found themselves enveloped in a tender kiss. Kiss after kiss, they lost track of time and space until they felt the door opening for someone else on another floor. They stood together, holding back laughter until they reached Freddie's floor.
They tried to stay quiet the rest of the way until Freddie opened the door to his apartment. He checked that his mother wasn't around and gestured for Sam to come in. Sam dropped the shopping bag she was holding onto the first wooden surface she found and then collapsed onto the couch with a tired sigh. After tidying up things in the kitchen, Freddie tried to sit next to her, but Sam occupied the whole couch.
"Could you make some space for your boyfriend?"
"It depends on what you'll give me in return."
"Do I have to offer you something to be on my own couch?"
"I don't see your name written anywhere, so you better hurry up with the offer."
"Fair enough. Lemme think... I'll give you free bacon for three days."
"Make it four, and we have a deal," Sam replied, to which Freddie nodded in agreement.
Sam adjusted herself on the couch, and Freddie sat down next to her, finally taking her hand, a gesture he had wanted to do all the way. Unable to contain himself, he kissed her knuckles, making Sam blush. She still wasn't used to such spontaneous displays of affection.
"I bet your inner gentleman was eager to do that," Sam joked, trying to embarrass him a bit, but Freddie just smiled gallantly.
"I suppose I can't hold back my self in the presence of such a charming lady like you," he whispered sweetly, taking her other hand to give it another kiss on the knuckle. They gazed at each other in silence for a few seconds before they both started laughing. "My goodness, what nonsense I'm spouting."
"That's what I'm wondering. Do you get them out of a romance magazine for fools or what?"
"Well..."
"You do have a magazine," Sam affirmed enthusiastically, sitting up on the couch with a playful smile.
"Not exactly with that name, but..."
"Bring it, I need to read that," Sam requested, feeling satisfied when she saw the blush on her boyfriend's cheeks. Alright, now they were on the same page. Freddie was babbling for a while until he felt the soft touch of Sam's hand on his cheek, with an expression too sweet not to be suspicious. "Okay, if you don't want to get the magazine, I'll understand."
"Thank you, princess," Freddie sighed, relieved. "Well, I guess we should go to the kitchen to start and..."
"I'll get it myself."
Sam's response left Freddie so surprised that he stood speechless in the same spot. When he finally tried to react, she had already dashed off towards his room.
"Wait, Sam! You're going to mess everything up! Sam!" he shouted, but she entered his room and slammed the door shut without paying him any attention.
When Freddie opened the door, he expected to find her rummaging through everything, but instead, he found her examining something on his desk. Her blonde hair fell over her concentrated face, and her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. Despite his initial anger, Freddie couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked, as always. Still, he decided to scold her with his typical sarcasm.
"You know, normal people consider it rude to snoop in others' rooms without permission," Freddie reminded her as he approached her.
"Why do you have these movies arranged on your desk and not next to the others?" she questioned, overlooking his last comment.
"I left them there before we left. I thought we could watch one later while we eat."
"Here in your room?" Sam asked, curious. Freddie nodded, seeing no problem at all. "Won't your mom mind if we eat in here? Because of all those evil bacteria that could attack you."
Freddie shrugged.
"She doesn't have to know."
"Aww, you're so cute when you try to be rebellious," Sam commented affectionately, pinching his cheek before turning her attention back to the movies.
"Thanks, I guess," Freddie muttered, deciding to change the subject. "Do you want to watch any of these? I have more saved if those don't interest you."
"I was actually wondering why you have 'Ratatouille' among the movies. Isn't that one of the movies from those idea thieves on the Dingo Channel?"
"Well, just because some of their writers steal ideas doesn't mean the whole company is like that," Freddie argued. "Besides, I like it, and thought you might be interested because it's about food."
"But the cover has a rat on it, what does a rat have to do with cooking?"
"That's precisely what the movie is about. Haven't you seen it then?"
"No. I didn't see it in theaters and never bothered to buy the DVD."
"Then we could watch it if you're up for it."
"Sure, why not?" she replied, stretching. "Well, we'd better head to the kitchen before your mother comes in and starts disinfecting you from head to toe."
"Don't you mean, 'before she catches us bread-handed'?" Freddie jokes. Sam raised an eyebrow at him. "Yeah, bad joke. I know."
"I'm glad you're aware of that," she pointed out as she exited the room. When Freddie followed her, she stopped him and made him turn back. "I'm sorry, but you can't leave without that magazine."
"It's actually a book."
"A book?" Sam repeated, holding back laughter. "Oh, this is going to be good."
"What? Laughing at me for having it?"
"No, silly. At the things it says."
"Which is pretty much the same thing," Freddie insisted. Sam shook her head and sighed, taking her boyfriend's hands.
"Yes, and no at the same time," she responded. "I want you to bring the book, not to laugh at you, but so we can read together the things it says and discuss if it can really work while we cook. That way, we won't get bored during all that time and we'll have something to talk about."
"That's... actually a good idea," Freddie conceded, considering the situation. "Alright, I'll find the book, but promise me you won't make fun of me, okay?" he asked, extending his pinky towards her.
"I, Samantha Puckett, promise to mock the content of the book, not you," she promised, intertwining her pinky with Freddie's. "Is that enough to put your mind at ease, Fredward?"
"More than enough," he replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Sam smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the lips before heading to the kitchen. Freddie stood in the doorway of his room, enjoying the flutter in his stomach every time she kissed him. He remained in that trance until he heard Sam's voice calling him. Quickly, he went to his room, searched for the book hidden in a drawer, and made his way to the kitchen.
Once he got there, Freddie set the mood with music as they prepared the meal, and soon both upbeat and mellow tunes filled the air. While Sam tended to the steak, Freddie chopped fruits for a salad. At one point, a particularly lively song started playing, catching Sam's attention.
"What's that song?" she asked, moving to the rhythm.
"It's from an old movie called Grease. It's called 'You're the One That I Want'."
"I like it. It's catchy."
Freddie nodded along to the music as he finished preparing the salad. Remembering that the song was sung by a dark-haired guy and a blonde girl made him smile at the coincidence. Then, an idea struck him, and he looked at Sam with bright, hopeful eyes.
"Princess, shall we dance?"
"I'm not sure," she replied, focusing on the steak she was preparing. "We have to attend to the food, if we get distracted now something may burn."
"Come on, don't worry too much, it will only take a moment."
"Excuse me? We're talking about my beloved food here, of course I'm going to worry," Sam complained. "So leave the dancing for later and go finish the salad."
Freddie then played his final card.
"Why? Are you embarrassed to dance alone with me?"
That question caught Sam's attention, causing her to leave the steak on the grill to look at Freddie, with an annoyed expression she used to have when she was challenged or when something was bothering her.
"No, I just don't want to. "
"So, is it because you don't know how to dance?" Freddie assumed, ignoring her. "If so, don't worry about it. I don't know much either and..."
"It's not that, dummy. I can dance pretty well and in different styles."
"Really?" he asked, intrigued. Sam nodded, shifting her gaze to the steak she was cooking. "Since when? Because honestly, I've never seen you dance seriously, I think."
"I don't know. My mother used to enroll me in many contests and activities, so I ended up taking dance classes as a kid."
"And do you like it?"
"A little, I guess."
"Then you could teach me some steps," he suggested with a playful sparkle in his eyes, but Sam just sighed exhausted.
"I'm not sure, Freddie."
Freddie approached her, taking her hands gently and looking at her with pleading eyes.
"Please, Sammy. Do it for me, okay?"
Sam hesitated for a moment, but finally gave in to Freddie's bright, hopeful eyes.
"Fine, but just for five minutes."
Smiling victoriously, Freddie kissed her on the cheek and then started doing a silly dance in the kitchen, which Sam eventually joined in on. It looked a lot like the random dancing they did on iCarly, only with a different song.
Before moving on, Freddie covered the salad, and Sam set a timer for the meat. Then, they both moved to the living room area. Sam asked Freddie what steps he wanted to dance, and he replied that anything was fine, so she decided to focus on the steps from that song. Freddie found the music video for that scene, and although some parts made them blush, they found a move they both enjoyed: the belt move when the song said "You're the one that I want."
They improvised a two-person choreography, and before they knew it, both were singing the chorus together. Freddie felt happy and surprised because Sam was not only a good dancer as she claimed but also had a beautiful singing voice. So beautiful that he wished that moment would never end just to hear her sing.
At some point, the song ended, and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" started playing, a song they both felt very connected to, though neither said it out loud. The couple continued dancing until the timer in the kitchen went off. They both headed back there, humming the song's chorus while attending to the food, even though the music had stopped.
Freddie watched Sam with admiration as she prepared the meat, wondering how long it would be before he heard her sing again. Sam noticed his gaze and looked at him quizzically.
"Do I have something on my face or what?"
"Nothing but talent and beauty. I didn't know you had such a beautiful voice."
"Thanks, Romeo, but I don't think I sing that well. Carly has a sweeter voice for that."
"You both have unique voices in different ways, it wouldn't be fair to compare," Freddie said, stepping closer to play with the curls of her hair. "But if I had to say which one I like more, I'd say I prefer yours."
Sam shook her head but smiled, clearly pleased with the compliment.
"Are you saying that to get a kiss or to make me happy?"
"Depends on what you want the answer to be."
"You're an idiot," Sam grinned, giving him a quick kiss on the lips before playfully pushing him to the other side of the kitchen. "You better go take care of your business, sir. Mama won't accept anything mediocre for dessert."
"Yes, m'lady."
After finishing cooking, Sam and Freddie began to carefully serve the food. Then, they carried the plates and utensils to Freddie's room, settling on his bed. Once everything was ready, Freddie put on the movie and adjusted the volume to an appropriate level. Satisfied, he sat beside Sam, and they started eating as the movie began.
As the movie progressed, they exchanged comments and jokes, laughing at the funniest scenes and making remarks about the cheesy dialogues or serious themes the movie addressed.
At one point, Freddie observed Sam as she enjoyed her last bite of steak. She looked happy and serene, an uncommon sight for her. The idea of contributing to her happiness made him feel happy too. With this comforting thought, he silently moved closer to her until their shoulders touched, feeling a tingling sensation in his stomach when Sam rested her head on his right shoulder. In response, Freddie wrapped his arm around her, enveloping her in a loving embrace, and kissed her forehead, wishing time would stand still so he could enjoy her company for longer.
Meanwhile, Sam felt serene and peaceful in Freddie's arms. Despite the ups and downs of the day, she had enjoyed a pleasant afternoon with him and felt that her affection for him was gradually growing more and more. Although she still felt surprised at receiving spontaneous displays of affection and endearing nicknames, she was accepting them more naturally over time.
During a key scene in the movie, Sam sensed Freddie glancing at her before moving closer to her, just as the protagonist enjoyed a romantic date with his girlfriend on the screen. Sam considered making a sarcastic comment about it, but instead, she chose to simply rest her head on Freddie's shoulder. As she hoped, he wrapped her in a warm hug and surprised her with a kiss on the forehead that almost made her sigh.
How could this seemingly simple guy be so sweet? How could he make her heart beat fast in one moment and then feel completely calm the next? She wondered if this was what it meant to truly fall in love, or if it was just chemical reactions in her body.
She decided to quiet the doubts in her mind and snuggled closer into Freddie's embrace, seeking more comfort. Did it really matter to understand all of that? She enjoyed Freddie's company, and he seemed equally happy by her side. Moreover, they both complemented what the other lacked, both in personality and attitudes. They were compatible in a rare way, so why worry about the rest?
To silence her thoughts, Sam made a comment about the movie, trying to contain a silly smile when Freddie looked at her with his beautiful brown eyes. She was definitely falling more and more in love with that gaze every day. And, of course, with him.
"Hey, do you think what Remy cooked actually tastes as good as it looks?" Sam asked as the credits of the movie began to roll on the screen.
"I don't know. I've never tried anything like that, but we could try to make it someday."
"I don't think so, it looks too complicated."
"If you want, we can ask my mom for help. I'm sure she wouldn't mind since the ingredients seem healthy."
"But wouldn't it be weird if we just ask her for ourselves? Or three, if you count her."
"I could tell her it's also for Spencer and Carly, or for something for iCarly. I don't think she'll find it strange."
"Alright. Just thinking about it makes me hungry."
"After all we've eaten, you're still hungry?" Freddie inquired, genuinely surprised.
Sam shrugged and lay back on Freddie's bed, gazing up at the ceiling. Seeing that she had no intentions of replying, he settled in beside her, sharing the same silence as they stared the ceiling together.
Then, Freddie smiled as an idea came to him.
"The stars are shining so brightly tonight," he remarked with a smile, keeping his gaze on the ceiling.
Upon hearing that, Sam glanced at him with confusion. Obviously, Freddie had pulled that line from many romantic movies, whether they were good or silly. Knowing he was just playing along, she smiled and continued looking at the ceiling.
"That's right. Plus, the night is really cool. It's nice to feel the natural breeze on my face," she replied, referring to the fan.
Freddie nodded in agreement, holding back a laugh for a few seconds before continuing to speak.
"There, right in that direction, you can see the 'Little Dipper' constellation, and just below it, its mother, the 'Big Dipper,'" he pointed out, indicating the imaginary constellations on the ceiling. "Can you see them?"
"Yes, although they have strange shapes."
"I think the same. More than bears, they look like kitchen utensils. But someone with drawing talent saw that they could represent those animals, and that's how they stayed."
"The same thing happened with the fried chicken one," Sam added, pointing to another imaginary spot on the ceiling. "Since they didn't want to put it in a scientific journal, they just said it resembled a bell."
"A complete injustice."
They both looked at each other with faked seriousness before bursting into laughter.
"What kind of nonsense are we talking about?" Freddie asked amidst chuckles.
"I don't know, you started it and I just went along with it. So, you're the one who needs to check yourself."
"Sounds fair."
"But I have to admit, it was a good idea."
"Well, I just remembered some romantic movies and thought it would be fun to try. It's not a big deal."
"I'm not talking about your bad jokes, dork, but the idea of cooking together and spending the afternoon here at your place," Sam clarified with a soft voice, surprising Freddie with her words. It was rare to hear Sam offer praise or admit that Freddie was right about something, let alone do so spontaneously. That's why Freddie knew her words were genuine. Just thinking about it made a pleasant sensation spread through his chest. Was he feeling more affection for her? He would think about it when he was alone again; for now, he just wanted to hear her out. "Even though we got off to a rough start, I really had a lot of fun this afternoon, and I wouldn't mind doing it again another day. It was kind of... amazing."
Freddie, with his mind filled with references from romantic novels and movies, knew that perhaps he should respond with something equally serious or sincere, but upon hearing her say the word "amazing," his flirtatious side couldn't help but intervene.
"Like you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. Sam rolled her eyes and pinched his nose, earning a laugh and a complaint from Freddie, who quickly pulled away her hand.
"I can't believe I'm opening up my heart and you're pulling out your tricks from that little book of yours," Sam protested, although the smile adorning her face betrayed her lack of annoyance.
"Sorry, it just seems like there's a switch in my mind that turns on only to remind you how beautiful and amazing you are at every opportunity."
"Maybe you should control yourself a little. I mean, I know I'm irresistible, but you're starting to sound like a broken record."
"Okay, I'll give it a try, but I can't guarantee anything," Freddie conceded before sitting back down on the bed and taking Sam's hand. "But tell me, what do you think of me?"
"What?"
"Do you think I'm amazing, handsome? Or that I'm cute?"
Sam experienced déjà vu hearing his words, but still nodded gently.
"Yes."
"And... that's it? Just 'yes' for everything?"
"Well, yeah," she smiled, also sitting closer to him. Freddie nodded, satisfied.
"That's progress. Last time, you only said 'a little,'" Freddie reminisced, recalling their conversation in the nurse's office. Although he wasn't sure if it had been exactly like that, he decided it didn't matter.
"You know, maybe you should use your brain to remember more important things."
"Don't worry, I only keep what really matters to me, and your words are valuable," Freddie affirmed sincerely, causing Sam to blush. Realizing the weight of his own words, he blushed too, feeling somewhat shy. "Was that too cheesy?"
"Just a little," Sam teased, making Freddie feel even more embarrassed by her comment. To ease the boy's shyness, she decided to change the subject. "So, when does your mom get home?"
Freddie checked the time on his phone and was surprised to see how quickly time had passed.
"In half an hour, so we better start organizing everything."
Sam slumped back onto the bed, displaying her reluctance.
"Oh, come on, Sam. It won't take us that long."
"Can't you do it by yourself?"
"No. Because it would take twice as long, and every second we argue is a second wasted," he replied, but she only let out a dramatic sigh. "Listen, if you leave and my mom sees this mess, she'll punish me and we won't be able to hang out after school."
"I can survive without you for the rest of my life if I want to."
"I'm well aware of that, but still come help me."
Sam hid under the sheets and pillow to avoid it, but Freddie, in a playful gesture, assaulted her with a tickle attack. In a spontaneous counterattack, Sam hit him with a pillow and unleashed a brief pillow fight that lasted five minutes. Finally, Freddie admitted defeat to Sam, and together they started tidying up. Luckily, he had left the kitchen spotless while she finished cooking, so only the dishes in the room and the bed needed attention.
When they finished, Freddie walked Sam to the door, not quite sure what to say to say goodbye, something she noticed right away.
"You don't know what to say, do you?"
"No, not really," Freddie admitted, scratching the back of his head with his right hand.
"Does this help?"
Before Freddie could ask her what she meant, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, instantly making Freddie smile.
"Yes, a little," he grinned, feeling his cheeks flush. He decided to stop overthinking and simply hugged her. They embraced for a few seconds, until Freddie mustered the courage to give her a kiss, which Sam gladly returned. When they parted, they continued holding hands. "Will I see you later at school?"
"Of course, try not to miss me until then, Sir Fredward."
"I'll do my best, Princess Puckett."
After one last kiss, Sam left, leaving Freddie alone at the door of his apartment, watching in the direction she had gone.
Freddie felt like, somehow, that afternoon he had gotten to know Sam more than he already did. He discovered that she liked to sing, that she genuinely felt bad if she made him feel uncomfortable, and that she enjoyed animated movies. He also realized that she thought he was cute and appreciated his company as much as he appreciated hers. Despite her lazy nature, she surprisingly excelled in the kitchen, a skill she probably developed due to her mother's lack of attention. However, instead of feeling sad about it, Freddie decided to see it as an opportunity to spend more time together and make sure she enjoyed every moment with him.
Thinking about that, Freddie was about to go back inside his apartment when the Shay's door opened, revealing Carly, who stepped out and looked at him with curiosity and surprise.
"Hi, Freddie," Carly greeted upon noticing his presence. "What are you doing standing there? Waiting for someone?" she asked, glancing down the hallway, but Freddie shook his head. Carly looked at him with complicity and asked, "Is it the girl you told us about the other day?"
Freddie knew the answer was yes, but instead he said:
"No, it's not that. I just thought I heard my mom coming home, but I was mistaken."
"If so, why are you so happy?"
Because of Sam, Freddie thought, trying to hide his smile.
"Nothing in particular, I just saw a new movie that I really liked."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Carly looked at him skeptically, but then nodded.
"Okay. I'll pretend I believe you this once."
"Thanks for your consideration."
"Anyway, I was going to buy some candy from the store for Spencer and me. Do you want to come?"
"No, I have some things I need to take care of, but thanks for the invitation," he replied. Then he added, "Speaking of Spencer, how is he doing?"
"He's getting better little by little, but it'll still be another two or three weeks before they take off his casts. Although in my opinion, he's taking it too well."
"Let me guess, did he decide to make plaster sculptures?"
"Yes! Everything he can think of. And when I say everything, I mean everything," Carly grumbled. "The other day he made a miniature bike out of plaster, and yesterday he finished a fruit basket with plaster fruits inside. I don't even know how he manages to do that with only one hand, but he does."
"Look on the bright side, at least he's being productive."
"The problem isn't that he's being productive, it's that I have to clean up the mess afterward since he can't," Carly sighed. "Whatever, I better get going. I don't trust what kind of craziness he'll get into when I leave him alone for too long."
"Understandable. See you later, then."
"Bye."
Freddie entered his apartment and closed the door behind him. He leaned against the door for a moment, reflecting on the conversation he had with Carly. Were his feelings really that obvious, or was his friend just very observant? Possibly both, he concluded. Maybe it would be a good idea to try to be less obvious about it when he was with Sam in front of others. Although, if he had to be honest, he didn't really care much if others noticed.
Hey! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'm not sure if I'm being too cheesy, but I really like it. I hope you do too. Again, the images of the chapter are on my instagram, wattpad and soon on my tumblr, I hope you like them.
Blessings and have a lovely day :)"