Chapter Text
Ugh, That Look Tho | Auric Veil | Funny & Relatable Song About Falling for a Glance
Chapter 1 - Dangerous Ground.
To no one’s surprise, they had been invited to Webicon once again. Although they were a bit hesitant at first, given their past experiences, they ended up accepting the invitation when they found out the event would take place at an exclusive tourist destination, with crystal-clear beaches and coastlines so beautiful that only someone with a lot of money could even dream of setting foot there.
Luckily, this time there were no issues with tickets or flights, and no out-of-control fans showed up. Even the audience was respectful when asking questions about the show. Sam attributed that calmness to the excellent security of the place, something she genuinely appreciated, since it had saved them from a lot of trouble and awkward situations. Thanks to that, they were able to visit incredible places, take part in various cultural activities, and even meet other personalities from television and the internet world.
Overall, everything was going pretty well.
Too well, if you asked her.
Look, it’s not like she wanted something bad to happen just when she was finally having fun, but she just couldn’t shake the feeling—more like a sense—that at some point everything would go downhill, like in previous years. Or at the very least, that something strange or awkward would happen that would affect all of them.
However, as the days passed, that suspicion slowly faded away, because everything was going smoothly.
Freddie was happily capturing hundreds of photos and videos, and even got his hands on a couple of gadgets with complicated names she couldn't be bothered to learn.
Carly met a foreign guy who barely spoke English, but somehow, they managed to understand each other, and it was obvious there was something between them.
Spencer kept drawing sketches nonstop inspired by the views, with the idea of turning them into sculptures later on.
Meanwhile, Gibby… was still being Gibby, doing weird things as always. He’d even signed Mrs. Benson up for some kind of contest along with him, which meant that, for a while, she stopped nagging Freddie over unimportant things… at least for a bit.
And her —Sam— made sure to turn the team upside down every now and then. Years ago, she would’ve said especially Freddie, but the truth was, she hadn’t been messing with him that much lately.
Don’t ask her why, because honestly, she didn’t know. Maybe it was the nice weather, or the fact that they were finally able to enjoy a pleasant experience at one of these events, or maybe it was because she had been spending more time alone with him, since Carly was busy. She wasn't sure, but she wasn't complaining either.
Freddie was good company when he wasn’t busy drooling over Carly (which, now that she thought about it, didn’t really happen anymore) or talking about nerdy stuff she didn’t understand. In fact, she dared to say he was a little—and just a little—funny when he wasn’t trying so hard.
And the more they walked together through different tourist spots, the more things she learned about him.
Like how he’d recently started enjoying long walks, even in silence, just to clear his head.
That, no matter how much he denied it, he did take care of his skin and health, and that when he insisted Carly and Sam should too, it was because he’d learned from his mother that it was a way of showing people he cared about them.
Also, he was pretty observant and attentive. She'd already suspected it, but she confirmed it when he showed up with the exact souvenir she'd seen days earlier: a shark-shaped pillow, made of good fabric and looking pretty comfortable.
She was surprised he gave her something at all, but since he also brought things for everyone else, she figured it wasn’t a big deal.
Anyway, everything was going so well that it felt like a shame they couldn’t stay longer. The trip would only last two weeks and they were barely on the sixth day, but she had already gotten used to the place: the delicious food with hints of sea and spices,the landscapes that looked like postcards, hearing Carly laugh with that Italian guy, subtly messing with tourists and hotel staff, and, surprisingly, taking long walks with Freddie without any arguments.
The first walk was the day Carly met her guy. She left them alone, and they took the chance to explore everything at their own pace.
The second one was at an old coastal lighthouse, where they could watch the sun slowly set over the sea. Later that same day, they walked along the beach together, barefoot, shoes in hand.
Without realizing it, Sam had turned those walks with him into a small routine, one they repeated at least two or three times a day. Sometimes, they even sat on some rocks to admire the view when they were too tired.
And that morning, the sixth day, didn’t seem to be an exception.
Around nine, after breakfast, they walked along the shore for at least… fifteen minutes? Half an hour? She wasn’t sure. She didn’t have a watch or her phone with her, but she preferred it that way, since it let her enjoy her surroundings more. Like the feeling of warm sand beneath her feet and how it slipped between her toes with every step, only to fall back into place. It was strange and calming at the same time. She liked it. There was also that faint chill she felt when the waves brushed against her ankles and then retreated into the blue sea, as if inviting her to take a dip and have a little fun. Everything felt more enjoyable than expected, and Sam didn’t know how she was supposed to go back to her boring home after having such a good time. She almost wished everything had gone wrong, just so the thought of returning wouldn’t weigh on her so much.
“Do you want to come back later?”
Sam turned her head to the left, slightly confused. She was so lost in the moment, so deep in her own thoughts, that for a second she forgot she wasn’t alone. Which was strange, considering how aware she had been of him lately.
And how could she not be? They spent so much time together. Even before this trip. It was impossible for his presence to go unnoticed. Not when those brown eyes—ones that used to look at her with annoyance, exhaustion, or resignation—were now on her, watching her with curiosity and… she dared to say, a bit of affection. The friendly kind, of course.
What else could be in that look, anyway?
There were plenty of answers to that question, but Sam ignored them in favor of looking at the horizon, where the sky and sea seemed to blend into one endless shade of blue.
Then she remembered Freddie had spoken, and replied with the first thing that came to mind.
“I don’t know. Didn’t we already come here yesterday?” she asked. Noticing his confused expression, she added, “Wouldn't you like to check out other places?”
“We still have a few days left here. I don’t think spending another hour at the beach will hurt, as long as it doesn’t interfere with Webicon,” he reasoned, turning his gaze back to the sea.
Sam watched him for a few seconds.
Freddie looked calm. Peaceful. Almost carefree. And for some reason she couldn’t quite understand… it made him look different. Interesting? Maybe even… attractive?
Whoa. Stop right there. That’s dangerous ground, Puckett, she told herself, locking that thought back into the chest she swore never to open again on the same day she saw Carly and Freddie dancing. And even if time had passed, and things between them felt different now, she wasn’t about to give in. Not after all these years.
“I guess we can stay here for a bit, then go somewhere else,” Freddie continued, watching as more people started gathering nearby. “But we should hurry if we don’t want to lose the best spot.”
“Fine.”
Without another word, they turned around and headed back to the hotel to grab their swimsuits, a beach umbrella, towels, and some other beach stuff.
Really, it was too nice a day to waste.