Chapter 59
Amy and I stepped into the school's theater room, the doors creaking slightly as we pushed them open. The space was dimly lit.
They were about to head toward the front row when they noticed Carly pacing off to the side, holding her phone to her ear.
"I told you the front door would be locked! You gotta go round to the blue door at the back of the—OH MY GOD!" Carly suddenly shouted, eyes wide in surprise.
"What do you think of my equipment?" Freddie said proudly, standing nearby with a setup that looked more suited for a film set than a school event.
Carly blinked. "I just asked to borrow your video camera. What is all this?"
"Well, that's a free-ship high-DF camcorder with a hyper cardio and condenser microphone, mounted on a carbon-fiber tripod with a low-drive fluid-head," Freddie said, beaming. "I also brought you juice and a bagel!"
"Hey man, you really went all in," I said, giving the camera a curious once-over. "Where the hell did you get all this? That's some expensive gear."
"It is," Freddie said quickly, holding his hands up in a gesture of caution. "Please be extra careful."
Meanwhile, Amy greeted Carly and Freddie with a warm smile. "Hey guys," she said casually, giving them both a small wave after watching the camera talk unfold.
She moved over to check out the equipment as well, earning the same careful instructions from Freddie, who acted like he was guarding national treasure.
While Amy was busy, I walked up to Carly.
"You really turned this into a date, huh?" she said, half in disbelief, half playfully.
"Nothing compared to showing up with your number one admirer," I replied, glancing at Freddie. "Who brought a whole Hollywood set... and a bagel."
Carly chuckled, shaking her head.
Just then, Sam walked in holding a cup of coffee.
She spotted Freddie first.
"Hey! You invited the doof!" she said, pointing dramatically.
Then her eyes landed on Amy beside me.
"And you really brought a girl?!" she added, now glaring at me.
"OH, man! I didn't know THAT was gonna be here!" Freddie blurted out.
"SHE! I'm a she, Freddie. As in GIRL!" Sam snapped.
"Man, she's the reason we're here," I said to Freddie, gesturing toward Sam. "And Sam, obviously Freddie would be here—someone needs to record, and that someone is definitely not me."
Freddie and Sam just stared at me for a moment, both of them completely silent.
Then, after a beat, Freddie turned right back to Sam and repeated, "Just keep your hands off my AV equipment!"
"You mean I can't play with the white-balance on your superdy, duperdy camcorder?" Sam asked with a mocking grin.
"Oh sure! Everybody jokes about the white-balance until their skin tones go magenta!" Freddie shot back, clearly offended.
"Carly will never love you!" Sam declared.
"That's it! I'm taking my stuff and I'm going home!" Freddie huffed.
"Please stay!" Carly said gently.
"Ok," Freddie replied without hesitation.
I facepalmed, letting out a long sigh. It's like watching a younger version of my dad, I thought. At least Carly is a gentle girl...
Amy came closer and whispered to me, "This is a little painful to watch."
"Yeah... you tell me..." I replied with a sigh, then added with a smirk, "Come on, let's take those seats in the back."
She gave me the same smirk back
—
Carly clapped her hands. "Alright! Let's get this started. Jeb, are you ready to audition?"
A nervous-looking boy stepped up onto the stage. "Yeah, I will be performing a scene from the French play called La Au Em Fem."
Sam squinted. "Okay..."
Carly blinked. "We don't know what that means, but knock us out! Rolling?"
"Rolling!" Freddie confirmed from behind the camera.
Jeb took a dramatic breath and launched into his monologue. "But, but, where did she go? I don't know! But when will she be back? I don't know! But where can I find her? I tell you, I do not know!"
"Verlaz!" he finished with a flourish.
"Nice job!" Sam said.
"Whoa, wow!" Carly added.
—
Eventually, the auditions wrapped up, and Carly stood to stretch while Sam slumped dramatically in her seat.
I walked over to the front where they were sitting. "Great auditions!" I said with a grin.
Carly and Sam both looked at me like they wanted to throw something.
"You didn't watch any, did you?" Carly asked, narrowing her eyes.
"They were horrible," Sam added, flopping sideways in her chair like she was physically wounded by the performances.
"No, I watched the one with the trumpet and the pogo stick," I said.
—
After that Saturday, a few days passed. Unfortunately, since the internet wasn't well developed yet, the idea of iCarly never took off (for now).
But at least, Carly and Sam ended up winning the talent show. Thanks to Freddie's recording of their hilarious commentary during the auditions, the school voted them the most entertaining act—even though they never technically performed on stage. The moment the school projected their reactions on the big screen during the final assembly, the auditorium erupted with laughter. Sam's deadpan sarcasm and Carly's earnest attempts to keep it professional made for an unexpected comedy duo.
Even Freddie, though initially sulky about not getting proper camera credit, basked in the praise for his recording skills.
From then on, people started greeting the trio with grins in the hallways.
—
A few more weeks passed. Sam and Freddie continued their usual bickering, with Carly constantly playing the role of peacemaker... and me? I was usually the one egging them on
Thanksgiving was just around the corner
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