・ Notes ・
The events of this chapter take place during the episode iSpeed Date. In this fanfic, there will be many modified details, so I recommend watching the episode again to catch all the differences. And don't worry, the whole chapter will be 100% Seddie!
Songs I listened to while writing / Spotify playlist:
playlist/0o8M8uCzkZf3P7hB55glam?si=6b77a85ff1d440f0
Note: If you're reading this outside of Wattpad, you can search for the story on that app or on the web and find the link in the comments. Another option is to listen to this instrumental music I usually play on YouTube, especially when I'm writing or reading Seddie fanfics:
2 Hour Beautiful Piano Music for Studying and Sleeping 【BGM】
Channel: Sound of the Wind.
watch?v=HSOtku1j600&t=1222s
By the way! In this chapter, there's a reference to an anime character. The first people to comment with their name and the anime they're from will receive a special dedication in the next chapter. In my opinion, it won't be too hard, so I'm looking forward to your answers.
Note: I will only choose one user from each platform where I publish the fanfic. And the dedications in the English version will be different from the Spanish one. :)
For now, I want to dedicate this chapter to jennettepuckett, my dear friend from Brazil, who always leaves comments on Wattpad and encourages me with messages when writer's block hits me hard. Thanks, girl!
Blessings, and I hope you enjoy your reading. ૮₍ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ₎ა
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[ - iSpeed Date - ]
.
The next day, Sam arrived at school in the same good mood as the day before. Although her wrist still bothered her a bit, the medicine and the nurse's instructions—along with Freddie's occasional reminders—had been very helpful, as had the wrist brace she was wearing. She had also worked out some details about the dance with Freddie over text, specifically about what they'd say if anyone asked. Luckily for both of them (in Sam's opinion), two rather odd girls had asked him to the dance, so it wouldn't seem too out of place that he preferred to invite her after being "rejected" by his mysterious girl. It even made sense, given that his other options weren't very promising.
On the other hand, Carly had texted her the night before, telling her she had finally gathered the courage to ask the guy she liked to the dance. So, when Sam saw her approaching, she closed her locker, ready to hear the good news.
"Did you ask him?"
"Yeah," Carly answered, not sounding too thrilled as she opened her locker.
Sam frowned, confused. That wasn't the reaction she was expecting.
"And?"
"No."
"Why'd he say no?"
Indignation began bubbling up inside Sam. How dare that guy reject her best friend? Carly had plenty of admirers! He should feel lucky that she even wanted to go with him to the dance.
"Well, he claims it's 'cause he already had a date, but it might 'cause I hocked a loogie right in his eye."
"You what?" Sam asked, now amused. That was the last thing she expected to hear from someone like Carly. "Why would you even...?"
"I don't know; it just flew off my lip. It was an accident."
"Well, who are you gonna ask now?"
"No one. There's no other guy in this school I wanna go to the dance with. At least, not as more than a friend."
Just then Freddie showed up and greeted them. Carly said hey back, but Sam couldn't resist taking the chance to tease him a little.
"And speaking of guys Carly doesn't wanna go out with: ladies and gentlemen, Fredamame Benson!" Sam announced, raising her healthy hand in a dramatic flourish.
Sam half-expected Freddie to be a little annoyed since she hadn't joked about his old crush on Carly in a while. To her surprise, he just pulled out a bag of bacon from his coat, looking completely unfazed. In fact, he was grinning like an idiot (a cute one).
"Girls who are rude to me don't get a bag of bacon," Freddie retorted cheekily, shaking the bag of bacon like he had done on their first date.
Eager to get that bacon, Sam decided to play along... just this once.
"Whoa, Freddie, I never realized what a hot, handsome hunk of a boy you really are," Sam praised in a soft tone before grabbing the bacon and quickly stepping away to avoid anyone taking it from her.
"Better."
Freddie had a triumphant smile that she wanted to wipe off his face, preferably with kisses. However, since they were in public, she simply rolled her eyes and situated herself back next to Carly.
"So..." Freddie spoke again, "What were you guys talking about? The dance?"
"Even better: about how Carly spit in Nate's eye, so he doesn't wanna go to the dance with her," Sam revealed with amusement, sharing the gossip before Carly could intervene, earning herself a playful (annoyed) look from her best friend.
"Huh?"
"That's not how it was." Carly shot Sam another reproachful look before continuing. "He turned me down 'cause he already has a date," she explained, trying to smooth over the situation. However, the three of them knew it was an excuse to comfort herself.
"So, you didn't spit in his eye?"
"No, I did. He's probably washing my DNA out of his cornea right now," Carly admitted, embarrassed. "And why are we all focused on me? Sam doesn't have anyone either. Well, if you decided to go after all," she added, looking at her doubtfully.
Sam and Freddie exchanged glances. The moment they'd both been waiting for had arrived, and neither knew how to take the first step. But it wasn't necessary; Sam's silence seemed to speak for her because Carly immediately stared at her in surprise.
"So you do have someone," Carly said, more as a statement than a question. Although Sam already knew that, she couldn't help but nod, feeling a bit lost about what to say. "And who did you invite?"
"I wouldn't say I invited someone exactly, but I accepted a proposal I couldn't refuse."
Upon hearing this, Carly's expression shifted from curious to worried. Sam mentally kicked herself; she should've chosen her words more carefully.
"It's just about food, nothing serious. You don't have to worry."
"You better not. You know I don't like when you make weird deals for food," Carly warned her. "Anyway, who is he? He's not a guy who's been in juvie, is he?"
Sam didn't answer immediately. Instead, she gave Freddie a meaningful look, indicating it was his turn to speak.
"No, because that guy... actually, is me," Freddie confessed shyly.
Carly sighed in relief, and Sam looked at her strangely. Was she truly indifferent to the fact that it was Freddie, or was she just relieved that Sam wasn't going out with a "juvenile delinquent"?
"It's a relief to hear that. I really don't want you to... Wait a minute." Carly stopped abruptly and looked at both of them, clearly puzzled. "Did I mishear, or did you say that boy is you?"
"You heard right. I'm the one who proposed... I mean, who convinced her to ask me to the dance," Freddie corrected himself, blushing slightly. Sam almost smiled at his little slip-up; her boyfriend was really adorable when he got nervous.
"But why? No offense, Sam, you're amazing," Carly clarified, looking at her. Sam shrugged and unconsciously moved closer to Freddie. Maybe to give him silent support, who knows. Seeing that she wasn't saying anything, Carly turned her attention to him, probably expecting a more concrete answer. "I thought you wanted to be invited by your mysterious girl."
"I did. It's just that…"
"He found out she'd already asked another guy to the dance and out," Sam lied, hoping to wrap up the conversation so she could enjoy her bacon in peace. "And since he was so desperate, he offered me free bacon for a week so he wouldn't end up as a lonely loser that day."
"I remind you, Samantha, that I wasn't so desperate, because other girls did ask me," Freddie argued, pretending to be offended.
"And why don't you go with one of them?" Carly inquired.
"Because they're a bit, how to put it politely..."
"Weird? Stupid?" suggested Sam, without sarcasm.
"Not at all; they're just not my type. I mean, I see them more as friends," Freddie explained. "And I think it'll be a lot more fun if..."
Before Freddie could finish, a girl with a cape and a "mysterious" aura snuck up behind him. Her sugary greeting made all three of them uncomfortable: Carly, because the girl gave off a not-so-sane vibe; Freddie, because it was weird to be flirted with when he already had a girlfriend; and Sam, for both reasons. Also because she couldn't stand people she didn't know well getting too close. Irritated, she decided to step back next to Carly while the girl kept talking about things she didn't even bother to listen to. She just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.
Freddie mentally cursed when he heard that feminine voice that didn't belong to any of his friends. It was Malika, the girl from their school, who fancied herself a magician. Not that Freddie cared much; she could believe whatever she wanted as long as she didn't hurt anyone. The problem was how close she had gotten to him and her clear intentions toward him. He understood that it was normal for girls to approach him that way, considering he hadn't made his relationship public, but that didn't make the situation any less awkward.
"Hi, Malika. You guys know Malika?" He asked his friends, trying to discreetly put some distance between them.
Carly greeted her with little enthusiasm, and Sam barely bothered to nod before returning to Carly's side, opening her bag of bacon with her teeth to pull one out.
"Who wants to see a magic trick?" Malika asked excitedly. Without much thought, both girls quickly excused themselves, leaving Freddie alone with her. Well, as alone as they could be in a hallway with some people.
Freddie tried to decline the offer, but Malika had already begun her trick. She made a piece of paper disappear in the air and then asked him to check his pocket. When he did, he found the same paper inside. He was about to congratulate her on the well-executed trick when she interrupted him.
"Un-wad," she requested.
At that moment, Freddie confirmed the girl's intentions. Despite his inner discomfort, he unfolded the paper and read aloud, "Will you go to the dance with me?" He felt a weight in his heart as he saw the hopeful look on Malika's face.
Is this how Carly felt with me? He thought, feeling three times worse than before. He definitely owed Carly an apology for all the times he made her feel like this instead of respecting her feelings and accepting her first 'no' without insisting.
"So? What's your answer?"
"I'm flattered, but I can't accept. I already have a date."
"With Sam Puckett, right?"
Freddie tensed. How did she know? Had she discovered their secret relationship? Or maybe…?
"Were you spying on us earlier?"
If the answer was yes, he couldn't be entirely mad at her. They had been talking in the school hallways, and it wouldn't be unusual for someone to overhear them. What bothered him was that, despite knowing he already had a date with Sam, Malika was still trying to ask him out. Did their relationship, even if it was just a friendship, seem so fake and flimsy to others? Did people really think he would ditch Sam if he saw 'better options'?
He didn't have much time to ponder this, as Malika began to give a rather strange explanation. She claimed that her crystal ball—which looked like it came from a prop store—had revealed who he would go to the dance with. To preserve his sanity, Freddie decided it was best to cut the conversation short.
"If you already know I'm going with her, why do you insist on inviting me?"
"Because I want us to have a magical date together. We could do magic tricks, see the future in my crystal ball, and much more," she explained, as if it were an irresistible offer. She pulled out a bag full of glitter, ready to throw it, but he stopped her in time by taking her hand. Instead of getting annoyed, she blushed, and her smile grew wider. "Besides, the spirits from beyond told me that your date with Sam is just a backup plan. With me, it would be different. You could have a real date with someone who's genuinely interested in you. Wouldn't you like to have a chance like that?"
As Malika continued speaking, Freddie felt worse and worse. He really hated rejecting people because he knew well what it felt like to be rejected. Maybe Malika was a bit weird, but her feelings seemed genuine. However, the feelings he had for Sam were genuine too, and vice versa. And even if they weren't dating, he wouldn't ditch Sam after making an agreement. First, because he would betray her trust, and second, because she'd hit him in places that should never be hit.
"I really appreciate your invitation, but I don't regret agreeing to go with Sam. I have a great time with her, and I don't think I'd enjoy the dance more if I were with you or anyone else," he added, just in case.
Malika's expression shifted from affectionate to one of surprise and disappointment. She stepped closer to Freddie, staring at him for ten long seconds while he took a few steps back to maintain a safe distance. Her intense gaze seemed to read every corner of his soul. Just as he was about to say something, she broke the silence.
"The reflection in your eyes doesn't lie at all, though I didn't expect your feelings to be so genuine. I guess I'll have to admit defeat. I will look for another partner for that mystical night, and don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
Okay. Now Freddie was truly confused.
"Reflection in my eyes? Secret? What are you talking about?"
Malika didn't answer. Instead, she spread her cape, and suddenly, a dense smoke surrounded them. When the smoke cleared, Freddie found himself facing Gibby, who was holding a banana with a look as muddled as his own.
Freddie sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as his mind filled with unanswered questions. What did Malika mean by all that? Genuine feelings? Secret? Had she magically discovered his feelings for Sam, or was she just talking nonsense? Why couldn't she just tell him without all the mystery? And above all, why couldn't he have normal mornings like any other normal person!?
Definitely, something was up with Freddie. Sam wasn't exactly sure what it was because it wasn't anything that could be noticed just by his behavior. It was as if he were distracted, lost in thought, and unable to focus completely. Either that or maybe she was so bored in class that she was starting to make up dramas in her head just to keep herself entertained.
Either way, Sam began to subtly kick Freddie's seat to get his attention. He straightened up in his seat but continued working on the assignment the teacher had given them. Sam smiled, knowing that this gesture meant he was now paying attention to her and her next move.
Silently, Sam tore a sheet from her notebook and wrote briefly at the top: "I'm bored." Without much care, she folded it and, using her pencil, tapped three times on the back of her boyfriend. Freddie glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, and she showed him the note. He turned his gaze back to his book as if he were ignoring her, but after a few seconds, he discreetly lowered his other hand to take the note. Since Freddie was always cautious not to get in trouble, Sam knew she would have to wait a bit before getting the paper back. So, to kill time, she filled in the blanks on her assignment with the first things that came to her mind. At least this way, she wouldn't get scolded by the teacher for leaving it blank.
A few minutes passed when a teacher came to inform the current teacher about a brief meeting with other teachers or something like that, according to what Sam overheard. The teacher nodded at what she said and instructed them to continue working with their books until they completed certain pages. If class time ended before he returned, he'll check their work next time, and blah, blah, blah. Sam didn't care much about what was said; all she cared about was that she now had more free time.
Before leaving, the teacher mentioned they could work in pairs if they wanted, but to keep the noise level down. As soon as he left, many took the opportunity to move around and change seats. Sam did the same, and when the person sitting next to Freddie moved, she took that spot with her things.
That's when Freddie finally decided to give her a response. He handed back the same paper, leaving it on Sam's desk before going back to work on his book. Sam rolled her eyes. Of course, the nerd she had for a boyfriend would keep doing his homework even when the teacher wasn't present. (Looking very cute, responsible, and respectable in the process.)
Sam unfolded the paper and smiled when she read the response.
Freddie: And what does that have to do with me?
She wrote a reply and, with the sole purpose of annoying him, placed the paper right where he was going to write. She succeeded in her aim, as Freddie gave her a bored look before reading it. Then he tried to hide a smile when he read what she had written, but Sam had already seen it.
Sam: You're supposed to be my ̶b̶f̶ personal clown, so entertain me.
Freddie wrote on the paper but stopped and erased everything before writing again and passing the sheet back to her.
Freddie: First of all, I am NOT a clown. So you can't ask me to entertain you just because you want to avoid your responsibilities.
Freddie: And second, since I know that if I say no, you'll keep insisting, I'll keep responding. But ONLY until the teacher comes back. I don't want to waste time in detention ̶b̶e̶c̶a̶u̶s̶e̶ again.
Sam figured that with the "because," Freddie meant to write "because of you," but then thought better of it and erased it. She couldn't help but smile at that. He really was making an effort not to make her feel uncomfortable. (How could he always be so considerate of her feelings?) If she had any money left, she'd invite him to get a milkshake after class. Not at Groovie Smoothies, of course. They needed to keep a low profile, and it would be too suspicious if they both went for milkshake alone without arguing at all .
Sam: I'll do whatever I want, clown . And I know you secretly think homework is boring too, so save your "responsible" card for later.
Sam: I just understood that you'll keep answering because ̶y̶o̶u̶l̶o̶v̶e̶m̶e̶ , you're as bored as I am.
Sam: Anyway, entertain me!
Freddie: I'm going to ignore the first thing you said (or write?). As for the second, there's a tiny-big chance you're right.
Freddie: On the other hand, how does Your Highness want me to entertain her? Should I tell a joke, or would you prefer a discussion on technology?
Sam: No, your jokes are probably awful and from a book for dummies, just like your pickup lines.
Sam: And I don't even need to explain why the other reason isn't valid.
Sam thought about adding another sarcastic comment but decided it might be a good opportunity to ask what was bothering him. So she did.
Sam: You could talk about, I don't know, the weather, what your mom did that upset you today, or why you've been distracted in class. Preferably the last option.
Freddie raised an eyebrow at this. He thought for a moment before writing his response and passing the paper.
Freddie: Am I that obvious, or are you just really smart?
Sam: Both.
Sam: Now spill the tea. What happened?
Freddie: It's kind of complicated. If I tell you, you won't get mad, right?
Sam: Nope. You have my word. Mental pinky promise, if you want.
That definitely amused her boyfriend, as he relaxed and continued writing in a more relaxed manner. By this point, Sam had moved her chair closer to his desk, allowing her to see what he was writing and respond directly. If the classroom hadn't been so full, she probably would have leaned on his shoulder to be more comfortable.
Freddie: I like how that sounds.
Freddie: Okay… So, when you and Carly left, Malika did this weird magic trick and asked me to the dance. And yeah, I know you're thinking that's what's bothering me, but it's not. What really bothers me is that she asked me even though she heard our conversation with Carly this morning...
There was no more space on the paper.
"Should we continue on another sheet or over text?" Freddie quietly asked. It was the first time either of them had spoken aloud the entire time.
"Text," Sam replied, taking the paper they had been writing on. She tore it into pieces and tossed them into her backpack. At another time, she might have stuffed them into Freddie's bag as a joke, but she knew this wasn't the moment.
Soon, they resumed the conversation.
Sam: So, basically, you're telling me she knew we planned to go together and still asked you out.
Freddie: Yes.
Freddie: That's what bothered me a little. I'm not sure if I'm explaining it right, but... It doesn't feel good knowing people might think I'd ditch you for a 'better option.' That's something I'd never do, even if we were just friends. Because I wouldn't want to betray your trust, and I really do have a lot of fun with you.
Freddie: Sure, sometimes I suffer—or used to suffer—a bit of physical pain, but if I hadn't considered you a friend first, I wouldn't be by your side. Not even for Carly.
Sam: I get what you mean, but I think you're taking it too seriously. (No offense, really.)
Sam: You have to keep in mind that, from a distance, it almost always looks like we're fighting or not getting along. It's normal for others to think we'd rather be with someone else.
Sam: So stop overthinking it and just relax.
After sending the message, Sam felt Freddie scoot his chair a bit closer until their shoulders touched. Without thinking too much, she leaned her head on his shoulder, and he rested his head against hers as he continued typing on his phone. In the background, some of their classmates noticed their closeness and started whispering, but neither of them noticed.
Freddie: Thanks, princess, but that's not everything.
Freddie: See, the thing is, after I turned Malika down, she said some weird things. First, she stared at me for, I don't know, eight or ten seconds, then she started talking about the reflection in my eyes and the sincerity of my feelings and secrets.
Freddie: I'm not sure if she was hinting that she knows I like you, if she discovered, you know what, or if she was just rambling about her magical stuff.
Freddie: I couldn't even ask her because she did some weird trick and disappeared. I don't think it's a good idea to ask her if I see her again, since it might give off the wrong impression. So, I'm not sure what to think.
Sam: Me neither.
Freddie: Sammy :(
Sam: Seriously. I don't know what you could do.
Sam: Just ignore her and try not to give her any reason to think... whatever it is she's thinking. Better yet, do nothing. I don't think anyone will take her seriously, unless they're as crazy as she is.
And that was something Sam truly believed. After all, almost no one at school took Malika seriously. They certainly wouldn't if she started claiming that the two of them were in a relationship or that he was in love with her, or whatever. Honestly, Sam couldn't think clearly at that moment. Although the conversation had dispelled her boredom for a while, she was so comfortable on Freddie's shoulder (maybe because of the coat he was wearing) that sleep was starting to overtake her. Still, she made an effort to keep responding to his messages, yawning a bit in the process.
Freddie: Okay, I'll try.
Freddie: I'll get back to finishing the assignment. The sooner, the better.
Freddie: That way, there'll be more time for us to, you know, maybe hang out for a bit...
Sam: I hate you.
Freddie: Huh?
Sam: Why do you always get ahead of me? Not fair :(
Sam: I was going to invite you for milkshakes today, but never mind. What do you have in mind?
Freddie: Oh, I had no idea.
Freddie: Sorry, just pretend you didn't see that message.
Freddie: And I didn't have any plans; it was just a spontaneous suggestion.
Sam: Don't lie to me, Freddo.
Freddie: I'm not.
Sam: :(
Sam: Mental promise?
Freddie: Mental promise :)
Sam knew that once she was fully awake, she'd probably feel a bit embarrassed about the messages she was sending. But expecting her to be coherent right now was asking too much, given how sleepy she was. Before replying, she scooted her chair even closer to Freddie's to get more comfortable. She rested her head on his shoulder again, stifling another yawn.
Sam: Good. We'll go somewhere other than Groovie Smoothies. I'll tell you which one later.
Sam: By the way, you can give your wallet a break today.
Freddie: Both sound good.
Sam: Mooooocher.
Freddie: Says the one using my shoulder as a pillow right now. Are you planning to nap there or what?
Sam: I was thinking of the desk, but now your shoulder sounds like a better option. So say something boring so I can fall asleep.
Without typing anything else, Sam placed her phone on Freddie's desk, closed her eyes, and settled in more comfortably. While others might have found the position uncomfortable, she had the ability to sleep in any imaginable spot and position, so it didn't affect her.
Freddie didn't ask her any more questions and started telling her various facts about the assignment and related technology topics. Within minutes, Sam fell asleep, forgetting everything around her.
Freddie thought Sam was joking about falling asleep on his shoulder, but he soon realized he was wrong. After sending that message, she leaned in and became still, breathing softly and calmly as she drifted off to sleep. Though it wasn't the first time Sam had fallen asleep in odd positions, Freddie found it amusing to see her so peaceful and relaxed on his shoulder. Not that he minded at all.
Following Sam's request, Freddie continued talking to her about their homework and technology as if it were a lullaby, until she was completely asleep. At one point, he considered moving her to the desk to make her more comfortable, but she was too close to him and a bit heavy. In the end, he gave up and decided to continue his work with her like that. He'd only wake her when the teacher returned.
As he focused on his homework and tried to keep Sam from falling forward, he didn't notice that some of their classmates were watching and whispering about them.
Time passed, and when the school day ended, they said goodbye to Carly and left, saying they had a group project for another class (which was true, as another teacher had assigned it to them). But they decided to put that on hold and enjoy their spontaneous date instead. They went to a different place that sold milkshakes and spent time chatting about trivial things. They debated whether the donuts at that place were as good as those from the other shop. Both agreed they weren't and that they should visit that bakery another time.
When they arrived at the Bushwell building, they headed to Freddie and Carly's apartments. Luckily, Lewbert wasn't around, so they got into the elevator without any issues. Taking advantage of being alone, they shared a few kisses between laughs before continuing their conversation. When they reached Freddie's apartment door, they said goodbye with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, promising to see each other soon for the next iCarly.
After saying goodbye to Freddie, Sam walked into Carly's house, more out of habit than necessity. She was genuinely happy; every day, it seemed like things were flowing more smoothly between them. Although she sometimes wanted to wipe that goofy grin off his face, she preferred to do it with kisses rather than punches. Plus, while they were enjoying their shakes, she came up with an idea to help Carly get a date for the dance. Isn't she the best girlfriend and friend?
With boundless enthusiasm, she swung the door of the Shay apartment open wide.
"It's me! Don't shoot!" she exclaimed, collapsing onto the couch. She immediately regretted it when her wrist began to throb. Fortunately, the pain quickly faded, so there was nothing to worry about.
At that moment, Carly shouted something as she approached with an annoyed expression. Sam frowned, not quite understanding what her friend had said.
"Who has urine trouble?" she asked. Carly didn't respond right away; instead, she started pacing back and forth.
"I didn't say that, but that's not the point. The problem is you tweeted that I spat in Nate's eye. Wendy told me she saw it on iCarly. "
Ah, that's why she was upset.
She hadn't done it with bad intentions... not entirely, but she thought it was too funny not to share. She posted it while Freddie was busy ordering the shakes. And if you're wondering why she wasn't scolded, the answer is simple: Sam made sure he didn't pay attention to his phone. It was that easy.
"And?" Sam said, "It was a totally tweet-worthy event."
"Maybe, but I'd appreciate it if you didn't tweet about my personal spit."
"Aw, please," Sam said, knowing it wasn't just about that. "Don't kid yourself; you're just crotchety 'cause you don't have a date for Girl's choice."
"Both things give me the right to be crotchety," Carly retorted, poking her shoulder and then crossing her arms.
"Well, back up, 'cause I got a way to find an awesome guy for you to ask."
"Oh, really?"
"We do a contest on iCarly. We say you're looking for a cute guy in the Seattle area to ask to the dance. All you have to say is, 'Interested guys, please apply,' like a TV ad."
"No, that'd make me sound desperate."
"Aren't ya?"
"Yes. But I don't wanna sound it."
"Come on, you know how many guys will wanna take you to the dance and..."
"I'm not using iCarly to beg for boys. I'd rather be alone and crotchety."
Sam chuckled lightly, repeating the word "crotchety," which she found really odd. Carly looked at her amused, then changed the subject.
"Since we're on the topic, why didn't you tell me you were going with Freddie?"
"It was something we agreed on last night. I was going to tell you today, but you know how things go."
"And are you sure you want to go with him?"
"Yes. It's not a big deal."
"Don't you wanna go with someone else?"
"No, all the guys at school make me sick," Sam replied bluntly. "Including Freddie. The difference is that at least I'll have bacon for a week to tolerate him."
"If you say so."
There was a comfortable silence for a while until Sam spoke again.
"Do you really not have anyone else to go to the dance with?"
"No. And I don't know what to do."
"Well, if you don't find someone, you can join me and Freddie," Sam offered with a shrug. "That way, the three of us can go as friends."
"Thanks, but I don't wanna be the third wheel on your romantic date."
Sam was going to say that she wouldn't be, but then remembered that Carly wasn't supposed to know anything, so she pretended to look disgusted.
"Ugh. Don't put it like that."
"Oh, come on, Sam. Technically, you have a romantic date with Freddie."
"It's a convenience date, not a romantic one."
"But it's still a date," Carly argued with a victorious smile.
Out of arguments, Sam grabbed the remote and settled onto the couch, ignoring her friend.
"Aren't you bored? Let's see what's on TV."
"You have a date with Freddie! You'll be going out with him for a night!" Carly shouted, snatching the remote and raising her voice more and more, clearly enjoying the situation.
"Gross, no!" Sam refused, grabbing a cushion from the sofa with her good hand and covering her ear. "It's a convenience date, okay!"
But Carly kept insisting, shouting even louder. The situation escalated quickly, and before Carly could react, Sam was chasing her around the apartment to give her a piece of her mind. Finally, they stopped, exhausted, and ended up in the kitchen looking for something to eat.
Half an hour before the show, Carly was in the studio, watching Freddie adjust the sound and make other technical preparations. As usual, he had arrived early to make sure everything was in perfect order. Carly had already finished her preparations, so she wasn't worried about the show. In fact, she wasn't worried about anything in particular, but her mind kept drifting back to a topic she thought she had closed with Sam: the dance and why her friends had agreed to be each other's date. At least, 'for convenience,' quoting her friend.
On one hand, she understood perfectly why Sam accepted the invitation—or rather, the proposal—but why did Freddie make the proposal in the first place? He could have waited for another invitation or accepted one of the girls who had already asked him to the dance. But no, he chose Sam, which seemed a bit strange considering how easily they could get into arguments.
Also, wasn't that cheating? The girls are supposed to invite at this dance, not the guys, so what's the point if Freddie invites Sam? Not that it really matters, but would he gain any benefit from it? Maybe they had made another one of their many bets, and Carly wasn't even aware of it.
Well, she wasn't going to get answers just by thinking, so she quietly approached Freddie, trying to figure out how to ask her question subtly.
"Is everything ready?"
"Yep," Freddie replied without looking up from the screen. "I just need to make a couple more adjustments, but we'll be set fifteen minutes early."
"Good, because Sam still hasn't arrived," Carly said, thinking about checking her phone. Perhaps it would be better to text her to see if she'd be on time. "I'll text her to see if she's running late."
"No need. I already asked her, and she said she's on her way. She just got distracted at a store with a fried chicken sale." Freddie smiled slightly. "Nothing unusual coming from her."
"Yeah, that's typical of Sam."
Carly didn't say anything more, but she kept watching Freddie. There was something different about him: a change in attitude. Normally, Freddie would get annoyed when Sam was late, but today he seemed more relaxed and happy. And while Carly liked seeing her friends happy, she couldn't help but wonder: why?
She was about to ask when Freddie looked up from the keyboard, catching Carly staring at him with a serious expression. His own expression shifted from focused to confused.
"Do I have something on my face? Or did my costume get stained?" He asked, glancing at the silly costume he was wearing for the pathetic play of that day.
"It's not that. You look... good, sort of. It's just that…" She paused, unsure how to frame her question. "I was wondering about a few things."
"What things?"
Freddie put aside what he was doing on the computer and looked at her with seriousness and a hint of nervousness. Somehow, that made Carly a little nervous, too.
"Well, I don't know… Things like why you're in such a good mood today. Is there a reason for it? I thought you'd be a little sad because, you know, your mystery girl is going with someone else."
"Oh, that…" Carly noticed the tension easing in his shoulders. "Yeah, it bummed me out a bit yesterday, but I guess I haven't thought much about it."
"It's strange you say that with how much you said you liked her. I thought you wouldn't give up so soon and would fight a bit more for her."
Like you did with me , Carly thought but didn't say aloud. Freddie seemed to catch the hint, as he straightened up, looking at her with what seemed like regret in his eyes.
"I was disappointed, yeah, but I realized it was better to let it go and move on. And now that we're on the topic, I wanted to tell you that I'm really sorry for not doing the same with you from the start."
Carly had to admit that response took her completely by surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I should've accepted your 'no' from the beginning. I shouldn't have pushed or pressured you. You were a good friend to me all that time, and I did nothing but make you uncomfortable. That was wrong, and I'm sorry."
"You didn't make me uncomfortable," she tried to defend him, but he shook his head, remaining firm.
"Don't try to make me feel better. I know I did. And even though I've moved on from what I felt for you, I never wanted to admit I was wrong. Gosh, I had to turn someone down to realize it."
"What? Who?"
"Malika and some other girls who tried to ask me out. When I saw how excited they were to go with me, I felt really uncomfortable because I didn't share their feelings. That's when I realized I made you feel that way all that time, and I'm really sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," Carly said softly, feeling a knot in her stomach. "Maybe I could've been a little clearer…"
Freddie raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Okay, you're right. It was pretty awkward, but I want you to know that I've forgiven you for that. I just hope you can forgive me too."
"For what?"
"For taking advantage of your feelings more than once. That wasn't right on my part either," she explained, extending his hand towards her. "Friends?"
Freddie smiled.
"Friends," he agreed, shaking her hand respectfully before returning to his computer.
Carly, now relieved, remembered she still had a question left to ask.
"Hey, since we're being honest, I have one more thing to ask you."
"Go ahead," he replied without looking away from the screen.
"Why did you make the proposal to Sam?" Carly asked, noticing how he paused typing for a moment to glance at her. "You could've accepted invitations from other girls. Not that I mind you two going together. It's just… Why her?"
Freddie, far from getting nervous, gave a relaxed smile as he shrugged.
"Because it would be fun to go with her," he admitted, surprising her. "Sometimes she can be a bit annoying with her heavy games, but she's also fun. I'd rather do crazy stuff with Sam than have a boring date that I'd regret all weekend."
Yeah, that made sense.
Carly couldn't help but smile at her friend's response. It was sweet that both Freddie and Sam were willing to get along and spend time together, but she was partly surprised that he admitted it so easily.
"So, you're openly admitting you enjoy spending time with Sam."
"Yep. After all, she's my friend, and I care about her a lot. I care about you too, of course, but you know, not in that way…"
"I know, I care about you too. Now go finish what you were doing," she said, laughing softly. Freddie nodded and went back to working quietly, still smiling.
Carly wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but it seemed like Freddie's smile was now sweeter and his gaze more affectionate. But then again, maybe she was reading too much into it.
.
.
.
Five minutes later, Sam finally arrived, already dressed in her costume for the day. Two minutes after that, Gibby showed up, and together they reviewed the script one last time. Soon, it was time for the webshow to begin. Everything went well until it didn't. Because Sam had the brilliant idea (read: terrible) of tying Carly to a chair, putting tape over her mouth, and then featuring her on iCarly, inviting guys from who knows where to come forward, so Carly could choose one to take to the dance.
.
.
.
Officially, Carly was going to kill her best friend.
.
.
.
"SAM, COME HERE! You're gonna get it!" Carly yelled as she raced down the stairs.
"Oh, am I?" Sam asked, smiling from the kitchen and trying to dodge her. Which wasn't too hard given the athletic difference between them.
"Yes! I can't believe you did that!"
"I was trying to help you," Sam excused herself, not really apologizing. The two continued to argue and spin around the kitchen table until Carly managed to 'catch' Sam. "Okay, you caught me. Now what?"
Sam looked at her with amusement, waiting for her next move. Carly hesitated for a moment, looked at her hand, and gave a light pat.
"Feel better?"
"No," Carly replied. "I can't believe you embarrassed me like that in front of the whole web."
"Well, if you didn't want me to do it, why didn't you say something?"
"You duct-taped my mouth shut!"
"Come on, you might meet a really cool, cute guy," Sam insisted, doing a ridiculous dance.
"Or a psychopath with a chainsaw," Carly shot back, trying to knock some sense into her.
Before Sam could reply, the door opened, revealing Spencer. He was using crutches to walk—and still had his other arm in a cast—while trying to carry shopping bags without losing his balance. Carly sighed, remembering she had offered to do the shopping, but clearly, Spencer had ignored her after his doctor's appointment.
"You need a hand with the bags?" Carly asked, moving toward her brother, with Sam close behind.
"Nah, I go'em. The doctor said moving around and doing things on my own is good for..."
He hadn't even finished his sentence when he stumbled. Sam and Carly helped him, guiding him to sit on the couch. Sam took the grocery bags and carried them to the kitchen.
"Oh, you brought some fat cakes. I'm gonna go throw 'em at joggers," Sam said, taking the bag of snacks as she headed for the door.
"No, you're not," Carly said firmly, grabbing Sam's wrist.
"They're low-fat; it won't hurt them."
"It's not about that, it's about the contest."
"What contest?" Spencer asked, now curious.
"Some silly iCarly contest Sam came up with to get me a date for the dance."
"I thought you already invited someone."
"I tried, but..."
"She spat in his eye, and now he wants nothing to do with her," Sam added with a smirk.
"No way!" Spencer chuckled, but then his expression turned serious. "You didn't do that because he did something bad, right?"
"NO! It was an accident! I was nervous, and... it doesn't matter now!" Carly exhaled, trying to stay calm as she organized her thoughts. "The point is that without my permission, Sam announced a contest on iCarly where the winner will be my date for the dance."
"Which could be a great opportunity for you to meet your ideal guy," Sam encouraged.
"Or a psychopath," Carly replied, thinking about how to fix this mess. Maybe she could ask Freddie to post that Sam was just pulling a prank or something like that.
"Is there no one else you'd want to invite? Not even as a friend?" Spencer inquired. "Maybe you could go with Freddie. I know he's moved on, but I don't think he'd mind accompanying you."
"The thing is, he's already going with..."
"Another girl who invited him," Sam cut in quickly.
Carly looked at her, confused. Why didn't she want Spencer to know? Sam noticed her confusion but said nothing.
"And what about Gibby? Does he have a date too?"
"No. I was thinking of inviting him till Sam went and committed me to going with some random iCarly fan-dude. Well, that, and he told Freddie he wouldn't go. So I don't know if I can consider him as an option."
"And you shouldn't," Sam said.
"Why not?" Spencer questioned. "He can be very... Gibby, but he's not a bad guy."
"No, but he's too dumb for her. Besides, Carly can have any guy she wants if she puts her mind to it. She doesn't need to settle for that."
"You say that as if you didn't create a silly contest just to get me a date," Carly reminded her, crossing her arms.
"Hey, it's a shortcut, so you don't have to work so hard," Sam debated, shrugging. "Look, if you don't want to, just announce it on iCarly, and it's over. But I think you'd be wasting a great chance to meet someone you could actually like."
Carly wanted to keep coming up with excuses, but deep down, she knew Sam had convinced her.
"Do you really think it could work?"
"I wouldn't have suggested it if I didn't."
She glanced at her brother, hoping for a second opinion, but he had already lost track of the conversation and was fiddling with something on one of his crutches.
Carly sighed.
She'd definitely regret this decision later.
"Okay, I'll do it," she agreed. Seeing Sam's satisfied smile, she came up with a way to balance things out. "But only if you promise to do something I ask."
"Sure, anything."
"If I do the contest thing, you have to promise me that you'll wear a dress and make yourself look nice for the dance."
Sam's smile faded and was replaced with an annoyed expression.
"Why?"
"Because if I'm going to go through that humiliation, then you'll have to do something that makes you uncomfortable to balance things out."
"Better just kill me with this," Sam said, offering her a bag of Fat Cakes. Carly took it and threw it onto the couch.
"Come on, Sam. Do it for me, okay? If you want, you can borrow one of my dresses or ask Spencer for money to buy one," she suggested. However, Spencer was so focused on his own thing that he didn't even hear them.
Sam huffed but nodded.
"All right."
"Ankle swear?" Carly asked.
"Ankle swear."
They both went to a corner to make the ankle swear. When they were done, Carly saw Freddie coming down the stairs, still in his costume. He looked like he was about to say something, but just then, Spencer exclaimed, "Aha!" and accidentally hit Freddie with one of his crutches. Carly was going to bend down to check if he was okay, but to her surprise, Sam stepped forward and positioned herself next to him.
Carly had to blink twice to make sure she was seeing correctly. How…? Since when did Sam show her concern for Freddie? Normally, she'd make a joke or tease him, but now she was helping him up. Carly set aside her confusion to help. It wouldn't be wise to point out Sam's behavior, as she might react badly.
Together, they managed to get Freddie seated on the couch. Carly rushed to the kitchen for ice while Sam sat down next to him.
"I'm sorry, Freddie. I didn't mean to," Spencer apologized.
"Uh-huh..." was all Freddie responded, taking the ice Carly offered and pressing it gently against his head. "Ouch…"
Carly was about to ask if it hurt a lot, thinking of getting him some painkillers, but someone else spoke up first. Correction: Sam spoke up first. Again.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
"Kinda. I just hope it doesn't bruise. My mom would go crazy." Freddie sighed, keeping his gaze fixed on Sam as if she were the only person in the room. "Do you think it will?"
"Lemme see…" Sam cradled Freddie's face with a gentleness Carly had NEVER seen in all the time she'd known both of them. Sam examined his forehead carefully. "I think you might get one, but probably it'll be between your forehead and the top of your head. Nothing you can't cover up with some makeup or a hat."
When Sam finished checking him, Freddie put the ice pack back on, moving with an uncomfortable expression.
"Do you want me to move so you can lie down better?"
"No need."
"I didn't ask if it was necessary; I asked if you wanted to lie down."
"Well, you didn't say it that way…"
"Do you prefer I push you off the couch?"
"Some space would be nice, thanks."
"Good. I'll get something to drink," Sam announced, standing up from the couch. "Do you want a painkiller or can you handle it?"
"Better bring one," Freddie replied, closing his eyes as he settled on the couch, making sure his legs didn't bother Spencer.
"Fine. I'll get the drink, and you get the pill," Sam instructed.
Carly took two seconds to realize she was being spoken to and not someone else. She awkwardly nodded and went to get the pill from Spencer's room while Sam headed to the kitchen. As she passed behind the couch, she glanced at Spencer and felt relieved to see he looked just as confused as she was. Maybe she'd talk to him about it when they both got home.
After giving Freddie the pill (and applying some ointment she found), things became a bit more 'normal.' The four of them ended up watching a funny TV show. However, what was strange was that they both continued to act oddly. Sam was more careful with the volume of her voice so as not to disturb Freddie, and he didn't make any biting remarks to provoke her. They almost seemed like ordinary friends.
These actions sparked a multitude of questions in Carly, which she could sum up as: since when did they get along so well? Were they starting to get along? Or did they have some sort of 'no fighting' agreement for this week because they were going to the dance together? She was eager to ask them but decided it was best to wait. She didn't want to put them in a bad mood or start an argument by asking why they weren't arguing. It might not make sense to others, but it made sense to Carly, so whatever.
.
.
.
Carly carefully watched the hallway to make sure her friends had left. When she felt sure, she locked the door and turned to Spencer, who was looking at her with a mix of surprise and disbelief.
"Tell me you saw that too, please," Carly pleaded.
"If by 'that' you mean Sam and Freddie getting along for more than thirty minutes without fighting, then yes. I saw that too."
Carly sat down next to her brother.
"Good, because I was starting to think I was going crazy," she said, relieved. "I wonder why they're acting like this."
"Do you really have no idea?"
"The only thing I can think of is that they're acting this way because they're going to the dance together."
Spencer froze for a moment; his eyes widened.
"They're going to the dance together!?" Spencer exclaimed, leaning forward, incredulous. "No way, gimme the deets!"
"Shh! Lower your voice; I don't want the whole building to hear, especially not the mom of you-know-who," she reprimanded, glancing at the door and then at Spencer. Carly continued in a quieter tone. "And no, I don't have many deets... or at least not the ones you're expecting. All I know is they made a deal: Freddie will give Sam bacon for a week if she goes to the dance with him."
"But Sam and you told me he was going with another girl."
"Well, that's what I thought too at first. There was someone he liked, but in the end, that girl ended up inviting someone else. And then there were those two other girls he wasn't interested in... So he rejected them to make the 'proposal' to Sam."
"He turned down two girls to ask Sam?" Spencer repeated it, unable to believe it. "Why?"
"He told me he did it because he thinks it would be more fun to go with Sam than to have a boring date with a girl he barely knows. I have to admit, even though it surprised me, I thought it was sweet. It's rare for either of them to openly admit they enjoy spending time together, let alone being each other's 'convenience date' for a dance. But I didn't expect to see them so... harmonious."
"Maybe it's part of their deal," Spencer suggested, though his tone indicated he wasn't convinced by his own theory.
"I don't think so. This morning, when we met at school, they were acting normal. Also during the classes we shared and lunch," Carly commented, her gaze wandering as she tried to recall all the details. "Although, now that I think about it, the other day Freddie was unusually nice to Sam, but also to other people, so I don't know if that counts. What do you think?"
"I think you're overthinking it, little sis."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Maybe neither of them wanted to go to the dance alone, and that's it. Who knows, maybe the bacon thing was just an excuse for both of them."
"Maybe…" Carly fiddled distractedly with the hem of her shirt, her thoughts drifting elsewhere. "I wonder if I should've done the same and invited Gibby as a friend."
Spencer looked at her with an understanding smile and patted her shoulder.
"Well, you made an ankle swear. Now you have to keep it," he reminded her.
"I know," Carly admitted with a slight smile "By the way, does the contest thing really not bother you?"
"Of course it bothers me a little. You're my little sister, and I'm worried about you being around unknown guys. But I also want you to have a date and be happy. So I try not to make too big a deal out of it," he explained. Then he pointed to his crutch with a conspiratorial smile. "Plus, I'll be there to scare off the bad guys with this so you feel safe."
"Thanks."
"That's what siblings are for, right?"
Carly nodded, and for a moment, they sat in silence, comfortably settled on the couch.
"Hey, do you want to go blow some bubbles for a while?" Spencer suddenly proposed.
Carly looked at him in surprise, but her smile soon matched his.
"Sure," she said, getting up to fetch the bubble jar.
Soon, they were both blowing bubbles in the living room, complaining when a bubble accidentally popped in their faces or got in their eyes. After cleaning up, they decided to put the bubbles aside for a while and sat together on the couch to watch a show. The topic of Sam and Freddie was now forgotten.
Carly is her best friend, but sometimes Sam just couldn't understand her. For instance, why did she have to wear a dress if Carly agreed to the contest? What did one thing have to do with the other? She would've understood if Carly had asked her to help interview the guys or to accompany her if she felt insecure, but... a dress? Really?
Anyway, an ankle swear is an ankle swear, and Sam respected it too much to break it. So, yes, she would wear a dress. The big question was, which one? She was familiar with what was in Carly's closet, but she didn't want to wear anything from there. Everything was too "Carly" and not "Sam" enough, if that makes sense. So, before leaving, she accepted Spencer's money. The question now was when and where she was going to buy that dress. Asking Carly seemed like the obvious option, but Sam also knew she'd be busy with the contest and schoolwork. Sam slammed her locker harder than usual. Ugh. This is why she hated worrying about her appearance; it was too much wasted time on useless things that only stressed her out.
Speaking of stress, Freddie was walking by with a bored expression. Well, he always had that look, but Sam knew he had wanted to get her attention when he said, "I'm so bummed," as he passed by. As expected, Sam turned to confront him.
"What's wrong?" And since she couldn't go a day without teasing him about his face or touching him, Sam lightly patted both his cheeks, saying, "Besides this."
Freddie closed his eyes, as if trying to muster patience, then looked back at her.
"I'd make a joke about how much you love kissing 'this,' but I'm not in the mood, Puckett," Freddie murmured quietly as he got closer to her.
Sam nodded. She wanted to take his hand to give him support, but she knew that wouldn't be the most reasonable move.
"Do you want to go somewhere else to talk, or..."
"Here is fine. It's not that bad, and I don't have much time," he replied, anticipating what Sam was going to say. She fell silent, giving him space to continue. "You see, my mom noticed the bruise and threw a fit wanting to know how I 'hurt myself.' To avoid another lecture about safety and health, I tried to distract her by mentioning other things. By accident, I mentioned the word 'dance,' and she exploded. Complaining about why she heard about the dance from the parents' group and not from me, and blah, blah, blah. She also asked if I already had a date."
"And what did you tell her?"
"Yes; I had no other choice. Although, of course, I didn't tell her it was you, but a foreign exchange girl I made up. The problem is, now she wants me to wear a ridiculous suit from that girl's 'traditional country.' A suit that, in my opinion, should be locked away and isolated from humanity."
With a mother like Freddie's, Sam already had an idea of what kind of suit it was and why he was stressed.
"So what will you do then?"
"I was thinking of using some of my savings to buy a decent shirt. I have pants and shoes suitable for the occasion, but if you don't want to be seen with a clown, I'll have to make stops to change before picking you up. Or, do you want to meet somewhere else? I don't know; all this is giving me a headache. And on top of that, with the dance, the contest, and the clubs, I don't have time to..."
"Hey, calm down," Sam interrupted him, gently stroking his cheek with her good hand. When Freddie looked at her, she lowered her hand to his shoulder and asked him to breathe with her. He did, closing his eyes slowly as he calmed down. "Feeling better?"
"Yes. Sorry, I think I was drowning in a glass of water."
"It's okay. You're right about the timing; they should've announced the dance earlier. And maybe I should've thought twice before suggesting the contest. But don't stress out and try to let things flow, okay?"
Freddie sighed, still somewhat stressed.
"I know, cuteness, but I want everything to go well. We still haven't agreed if we'll match outfits, where we'll meet, or what we'll do if my mom insists on taking pictures with my date…"
"Then let's meet later to clear up those doubts."
"As I said, I don't have much time. It would've to be after the contest or via text today, because tomorrow I need to sort something out at the club quickly before going to buy the shirt and everything else."
Sam looked at him for a moment, thoughtful, before responding.
"In that case, how about I go with you to buy what you need? That way we can sort everything out on the go."
Freddie looked at her in surprise, as if he couldn't believe Sam really wanted to accompany him just to buy clothes.
"I promised Carly I'd wear a dress if she did the contest," Sam clarified.
"Oh, I see. Ankle swear?"
"Yeah," Sam nodded glumly. "She even gave me money to buy it. So... let's go together."
"Sounds good."
"Good?" Sam asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, good," Freddie repeated, unsure of what else to say.
Since neither of them knew how to continue the conversation, Sam did what seemed most logical: she punched Freddie on the shoulder. Immediately, Freddie winced and clutched his arm.
"That hurt! Why'd you do that?"
"I don't know, the atmosphere got weird for a moment."
"And that's why you had to hit me?!"
"Relax. I won't do it again."
"You shouldn't have done it in the first place!"
Knowing that he was going to keep complaining, Sam decided to stop him. She gently held his face and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Freddie froze, his cheeks reddening, while he still had a frown on his face. Sam suppressed a laugh. It seemed like he was a computer, and she had just rebooted his system. And if that wasn't the joke of the century, Sam didn't know what was.
"And what was that for?" he questioned, this time more calmly.
Sam didn't answer. Instead, she shrugged just as the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.
"Well, it's time to go home. Bye!" she said quickly, walking faster down the hall. Freddie followed her without thinking.
"Sam, wait! We haven't agreed on the time or place where we'll meet. And you can't leave; we have to help Carly with the contest! SAM!"
Sam smiled to herself and quickened her pace, enjoying seeing Freddie so confused and blushing. Maybe she had been a bit impulsive in kissing him, but it had definitely been worth it just to see him like that.
And, as expected, several students were left gaping at the scene, fueling the rumors that had been circulating in recent days. Among them was Gibby, who had his eyes wide open, clearly shocked by the interaction between his friends.
Freddie caught up with Sam, and they had a brief tickle fight in front of the Groovie Smoothie. They only stopped when Carly arrived with Spencer, who was using crutches. The four of them entered the venue they had reserved the day before with T-Bo's permission. T-Bo had allowed them to hold the contest with the expectation of attracting more customers. Outside, a few guys were already waiting, but there were no more than twenty, which was normal, given that there was still an hour until the contest started.
Inside the local, they finished arranging the final details with T-Bo. At first, the plan was simple: Carly would've a mini-date with each guy for two minutes while the others managed the crowd. Additionally, Freddie had conducted a survey on iCarly to confirm how many guys would attend. Initially, between 30 and 40 guys were expected, which was a large but manageable number. However, as the start time approached, the number of guys began to increase alarmingly. By the time they realized it, T-Bo's place was packed with people, not counting those still outside.
"There are more guys than I expected," Spencer commented, sitting in a chair in front of the counter. Next to him was Sam, standing and looking equally confused.
Freddie understood both of them. They all knew Carly had many admirers due to her looks and personality, but none of them thought that so many guys would show up for the contest.
"How many confirmed in the survey?" Freddie asked Carly. Fortunately, he had set a deadline for confirmations, so no more guys should arrive once the time had started. Additionally, it would be good to know the exact number they would be dealing with.
"Let me check." Carly unlocked the tablet, and Freddie peered over to see the screen. His eyes widened at the same time she exclaimed, "Seven hundred and fifty-two guys!?"
Freddie crossed his arms. This was definitely going to be complicated.
.
.
.
Minutes passed, and the murmurs in the place grew louder and louder. They managed to organize the guys so that there was a space between the counter and an area where they could walk. However, even with those waiting outside the store, space was still limited.
The good news was that while they were organizing everyone, Freddie had an idea that might help. He was about to mention it to Carly, who had taken refuge behind the counter, when Sam appeared from the sea of people. (When had she left?)
"Hey! So you see one you like?" Sam asked Carly, leaning on the counter to avoid falling and almost bumping into Spencer, who was still sitting and sipping a milkshake.
"And how am I supposed to do that with so many people? It's like there's a big giant sea of boys," Carly responded, anxious.
"Okay, hear me out. I got a plan," he interjected.
"What?" Carly asked.
"Speed-dating."
The three of them looked at him in confusion.
"Speed-what?" Carly questioned.
"Speed-dating," he repeated. "We set up one long line that leads to you, and then each guy gets fifteen seconds to impress you."
"How can I get to know someone in fifteen seconds?"
"Come on, six of my mom's best relationships started in fifteen seconds," Sam commented, which only worried and confused Carly more. After all, Sam's mom constantly changed partners.
"Uh, even at fifteen seconds apiece," Spencer, who was still sitting with his crutches beside him, intervened, "it's still gonna take Carly hours to meet this many guys."
"Okay, so we set up four tables," Sam suggested. "Me, you, Carly, and Fredlumps. The three of us will pass the decent ones on to Carly, and we eliminate the freaks. What do you think?"
"It could work," Freddie said.
"I agree," added Spencer.
"I do too, but we'd better set up the tables quickly or we'll never finish the interviews," Carly pointed out. The four of them—well, rather, three of them—got to work while Spencer gave orders through a megaphone they found to calm the murmurs of the crowd.
In no time, the plan was in motion. Freddie watched as Sam gave Carly words of encouragement before she blew a whistle, signaling the start of the 'Speed Dating' event with an enthusiastic, "Let's begin!" Immediately, the first four candidates approached the tables, and the interviews started.
Freddie asked a few questions and took notes on the first guy, who shared various details while he nodded and checked off items on his list. He didn't seem like a bad guy, but Freddie wasn't sure if Carly would be interested in him. When the time was up, he interviewed another guy. One of them especially caught his attention due to his peculiar nature from the moment he sat down. He talked about fishing, his early bedtime routine, and his distinctive fishy smell. Although he seemed a bit older for Carly, the guy was brave for admitting his flaws, but Freddie knew he wouldn't be chosen. He gave him some encouraging words not to be discouraged.
More guys came through, and another one who caught Freddie's eye claimed to be a clothing model, which surprised Freddie. Were there really models who watched iCarly? Who would have thought their show had such a diverse audience?
"So you're a male model?" Freddie asked to be sure.
"Well, I was, but I quit modeling," the guy clarified. "Now I'm a lead singer in this really cool band that's slowly gaining popularity."
Freddie nodded, taking notes. He knew Carly might be attracted to this type of guy, but he was also aware that such individuals often got involved in scandals. If the band became really popular, it could affect Carly's image on iCarly. So, instead of adding him to the 'Possible Choices' list, he underlined his name and number. Even if he didn't win the contest, it could be a good opportunity to collaborate with him and his band on iCarly, benefiting both the show and the band. He did the same with other guys whom he didn't consider future dates for Carly but thought could be contacted for another occasion.
Although it didn't make sense since it was practically her idea, by the time the tenth guy arrived, Sam had grown bored with the interviews. They all seemed to come from the same mold: "My name is so-and-so; I do this and that; I want to date Carly because she's pretty and funny; blah, blah, blah." Nothing new. Nothing interesting. Maybe there was the occasional guy who caught her attention for being odd or cute, but then they'd say things like, "I'm not interested in a long-term relationship" or "I'm so charming that Carly has to choose me," among other nonsense that made her want to throw a chair at them. It seemed she wasn't the only one feeling this way, as at one point Spencer raised one of his crutches to scare away the guy he was dealing with. Sam figured the guy must have said something ridiculous about making out with Carly, which only added to her irritation. It was precisely for these reasons that there were many guys she found disgusting and vomit-inducing.
When the twelfth guy arrived, instead of letting him talk, she began to complain about everything. She said it had all been a mistake, that Carly should've invited Gibby instead of going through this, etc. However, there was one guy who did catch her attention because he mentioned working part-time at a clothing store in a mall. Sam took the opportunity to ask if they had nice party clothes for both guys and girls. The guy said they did, and they exchanged contact information. Sam gave him thirty more seconds—and false hopes—asking if he knew of other affordable and good-quality places. After a minute and a half, with Sam having written down all the information in her notebook, she said goodbye, noting his name and number in a separate section to consider him for an iCarly episode if he wasn't chosen.
Time flew by, and gradually the place began to clear out until only a few remained who had stayed to buy milkshakes. The four of them thanked T-Bo and bought milkshakes to enjoy together at a table.
"So, did you find any interesting candidates who weren't idiots?" Spencer asked, less annoyed than before.
"As a date, I'm not sure," Freddie said, "but there are a few who might be good for some segment of the Webshow later on."
"Same here. Most were idiots, though there are some exceptions," Sam agreed, taking a sip of her milkshake before looking at her friend. "What about you, Carls? Did you have any luck?"
"Not just luck; I think I found the one."
Spencer made a victorious sound, fist-bumping her, and Freddie commented "excellent" while nodding, but Sam wanted to know more.
"And who is he? Is he cute? Interesting?"
"Both. Well, he's not the cutest guy ever, but he's interesting and has some really funny stories," Carly said. "I think we could've a good time together, although I feel bad for the others who spent time and money coming here."
"Well, you shouldn't," Sam told her. "They entered the contest knowing they might lose against all the competition."
"I know, but…"
"Sam's right, Carly," Spencer said. "You don't need to feel bad about anything."
"But if you feel like you're not being fair," Freddie chimed in, "we can give you the notes on the best ones so you can review them and then post the winner on the page."
"Thanks for the suggestion, Freddie. I'll probably do that," Carly replied, her smile widening a bit. "Though, deep down, there's already a winner."
Immediately, the three of them chorused an "ooh," poking her in the stomach or arm, and laughed softly. It might have been a hectic afternoon, but at least they were enjoying themselves as friends.
.
.
.
They were discussing the profiles of the other candidates among the four of them until a sound interrupted them.
"I think it's my alarm," Freddie murmured, pulling out his phone. When he checked the screen, his eyes widened in surprise. He immediately started gathering his things.
"Why the rush, Freddo?" Spencer asked.
"I have something pending that I'm late for, so I'd better go. See you guys later," Freddie explained, quickly packing up his stuff. As he turned to leave, he stopped and turned back to say something else. "Carly, if you need help posting the final result, lemme know at the time we agreed on. And, Sam, we'll talk later about what we had pending."
"What thing?" Sam asked. Honestly, she had forgotten.
"The clothing issue," he reminded her.
"Oh, that. Okay. If you want, take this so you can review it later." Sam searched her notebook for the sheet where she had noted the places the guy mentioned. Without much care, she ripped it out and offered it to Freddie. "It has different stores and suggestions for nearby places. Maybe it'll help."
"Lemme see." Freddie gave it a quick glance and smiled before carefully placing it with other papers in his folder. "It's perfect, thanks. We'll clear up the rest later. Bye, guys."
And as soon as he said goodbye, he left.
Sam had to admit it: it was a bit strange to say goodbye in such a... dry way. Even though she didn't say it out loud, she was starting to get used to his spontaneous displays of affection and quick kisses on the cheek. But there would be time for that later.
The three continued chatting, though with less enthusiasm and more fatigue than before. It had been exhausting talking to so many people. When Spencer went to pay the bill with T-Bo, Sam was thinking about saying goodbye to go rest at home and mentally prepare for the next day when Carly called her.
"Is something wrong, Sam?"
"No. Why?"
"You looked a little distracted a moment ago."
"I'm just tired," and as if life wanted to prove it, she yawned. "I was thinking about heading home soon."
"That's fine, but before you go, if I'm not being nosy..."
"Just say it, Shay."
"What was Freddie referring to with the clothing?"
Sam yawned again.
"His mom wanted to force him to wear ugly clothes, so he's going to buy a shirt and other things he needs. And since I'm obligated to go in a dress for you, I joined him. That way we can talk about other things and stuff."
"I see. Do you want me to come along? You know, to give you a hand."
Sam thought about it. It would be nice, but she didn't want to overload Carly any further and also wanted to spend a bit of time alone with Freddie. So she shook her head.
"Nah, we're good. Besides, it's better if we try to spend some time alone together every now and then. You know, to practice not killing each other."
"I hope so. Just try not to argue too much so you don't get banned from the place."
Sam was about to answer when a guy burst through the door, all sweaty and out of breath, approaching their table with a triumphant smile.
To say that both of them were confused was the understatement of the year.
"Is there something you need?" Carly asked politely, while Sam looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I came for the contest for the date with Carly. I made it on time, right? It hasn't started yet? I left as soon as I heard about it to make sure I got here on time."
Sam exchanged a look with Carly and then turned her gaze away, holding back laughter. Oh, heavens. Did he just say he left as soon as he heard about the contest? Where on earth did he live to arrive so late? Also, the foreign guy (possibly Chinese or Japanese) was dressed oddly. He has dark hair and was wearing yellow Japanese attire—something like a samurai or martial arts outfit—with a headband and a strange red parasol.
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid the contest is already over and we have a winner," Carly explained, looking at the boy sadly.
The guy nodded in disappointment and was about to turn to leave, but Carly offered him a milkshake as compensation. The guy told them about his long journey on foot just to get there. For some reason, Sam was reminded of a character, though she couldn't quite place which one. Still, she had to admit that his presence had been entertaining. Enough to shake off her sleepiness, at least.
Maybe the contest idea hadn't been so bad after all. Her friend had a date for the dance, and all that was left was to make sure everything was set for a great night.
✧[- End of Chapter -]✧
Seddie: We need to be discreet when we're in public.
Also, Seddie: Forget to be discreet and show concern for each other; sit too close in class and act suspiciously affectionate in the school hallways...
✧[- Fun fact -]✧
The next chapter will feature a special appearance by an iCarly character. Who do you think it will be? I'm looking forward to your guesses!
✧[- Note -]✧
Blessings! I hope everyone is doing well. I'm very sorry for the delay. I had planned this chapter in advance, so I thought it would be quick to write, but it wasn't. I ended up removing and adding ideas to avoid redundancies (as you noticed, there are scenes from the episode that I didn't include, although they did happen, and there were also some changes). Additionally, I've been working on other drafts for different fandoms... What a mess!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. It turned out longer than I expected, but I'm very happy with the result. I can't promise that the next chapter will be out soon, as I'm starting a new semester at university, but I'll keep writing and editing the drafts I already have. The next chapter will be fantastic and will wrap up the second arc of this fanfic. Yay!
Random question: Do you ever read or write a fanfic, and when you go back to the series, you get déjà vu or a Mandela effect because you remember it differently?
Well, it's happened to me!
After writing additional scenes, I rewatched "iSpeed Date" to refresh my memory. I was surprised by what happens in the episode because, to me, in that episode, Sam and Freddie end up going to the dance together, just like I wrote here. Also, when I rewatched "I Think They Kissed," I found Carly and Spencer's dialogue about the secret Seddie kiss amusing because I had forgotten that's what happened. It happens to me with other fanfics and then going back to canon...
But anyway, I won't keep you any longer. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments. Have a lovely day, afternoon, or evening. Read you soon!
(づ๑•ᴗ•๑)づ
