Funny How Things Change…

Summary: "…because that's how it goes with you and Freddie; taunt and tease, bicker and banter and that formula's not about to change now." A three part series on the developing of the relationship of Sam and Freddie.

You meet him when you befriend Carly, and it's not fair because she's your new best friend, not his.

Still, you pretend to be friendly and exchange a dry "Hi."

(And when he's not watching, you tape a huge "Kick Me" sign on his back.)

You snicker at the way his nerdish ways and he glares at you. Carly stands up for him and you scowl. He beams brightly at her, and suddenly you're no longer in the mood to laugh.

(Stupid Carly.)

You start to notice the way his smile disappears whenever he sees you.

(Dose he really hate me that much?)

But what do you care? You're Sam Puckett, and you gave up caring about what people thought about you a long time ago.

(So you begin to get into the habit of grimacing when he approaches Carly―and indirectly you―just returning the favor.)

You begin iCarly with him, and Carly's already had her little talk with you.

("Try and behave, okay? I really want to continue iCarly, and for that, I need you two to be cooperative.")

It's hard not to insult him when he's being all geeky, but you're insult is cut short by her glare. So you decide to be a little less harsh―but then you see him smirk in exultance, and you decide―

(―Eh, he'll make it.)

You're in class and the teacher announces a two-person project. You look over hopefully to Carly, but you're hopeful smile slowly fades away as you see it's apparent she's already made plans with Freddie.

You look around the classroom but no one seems to meet your eye. No one's offering partnership and everyone already seems to have a partner, anyway.

So you do the work alone.

(It's okay though―you're used to being abandoned.)

You also start to notice the way he smiles brightly everytime he sees Carly, and you begin to realize just how real his infatuation is.

(You're not disappointed. Stupid girl, you're not disappointed. He loves Carly, so what?)

"Carly'll never love you."

(And so you laugh at the pain in his eyes whenever he's rejected by perfect Carly, because you're not really sure how to react―what does that painful twist in your stomach mean?)

"Ow—Sam—No!"

But you continue to hurt him and you roll your eyes because part of you believes he's faking at least some of the pain. After all, this is the eventual path your quirky friendship always takes and he should be used to be this kind of abuse by now.

(Nub.)

A/N: Had to update cuz the edits I previously made are not there now... -_-