A/N: So, I just randomly got inspiration for this fic. It's going to be at least a two-shot, but might be more depending on how much I add to the next chapter. So, here's part one!

iNever Knew

~*Present Day*~

SAM'S POV:

I was 18 years old when I realized that good things never really last. It had come as a surprise to me that I actually graduated high school, and I was so stoked on the pure joy of the moment that I hadn't even thought of what would come next. I'd enrolled in a small community college due to the fact that my grades had never been the best, and my family didn't exactly have the money to send me to a big named university. Carly was going to some big college in California, hoping to pursue her dream of acting and eventually make it to Hollywood. Freddie, of course, was trying to decide between Harvard and Yale, both of which had given him full-ride scholarships. They would be leaving for fun, exciting lives, and I was stuck in this stupid, boring state. I remember standing in the airport, feeling like my entire world was collapsing around me. It was slightly odd that both of my best friends were leaving me on the same day, but I eventually accepted it. I'd been around hurt and disappointment my entire life, and I'd always known that losing the two people I cared about most was inevitable. At this point, I was too numb to feel much of anything. I stood near security in a daze, vaguely hearing the static-laced sounds of the speakers calling out different gates and planes.

"Well," Carly said softly, turning towards the both of us. "I guess I'd better get going." Tears lined the bottoms of her eyes. She softly bit her lower lip. I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Good luck in California," I choked out, trying to force a smile. She returned it half-heartedly, tears beginning to slowly roll down her cheeks. She turned towards Freddie.

"I see you're taking this better than the time I almost moved to Yakima," she said. Freddie softly giggled, but I could tell it was pretty forced.

"Yeah, I'm not exactly that pathetic little boy anymore." Carly walked up to him, holding out her arms. He gratefully accepted, wrapping his arms tightly around her. Freddie had finally hit his growth spurt, and now towered above Carly. His chin rested comfortably on the top of her head.

"I'm gonna miss you, Carls," he whispered, closing his eyes tightly. He gently kissed the top of her head as she pulled away. She tried to wipe the tears away from her face, but they were quickly replaced with fresh ones. She turned to me.

"Try to stay out of trouble," she softly gasped between her tears. I felt my own eyes begin to water.

"I can't promise that," I said hoarsely. She walked over to me, taking me tightly in her arms.

"I'll call you every day," she promised. "I'll see you every day I'm home, too." I nodded.

"You'd better," I whispered back. She finally pulled away, sniffling and wiping her eyes. She looked toward security, seeing a long line begin to form.

"I'd better head out," she said. Freddie and I nodded solemnly. With a final wave, Carly disappeared into the mob of people. I turned to Freddie, the tears in my eyes finally gone.

"We've got time to kill," I said. "Wanna go get some coffee or something?" Freddie nodded, picking up his suitcase and following me around until we found a Starbucks. We sat at a small two-seater table by the window, slowly sipping our coffee.

"I can't believe you guys are leaving," I whispered, looking down at the table. Freddie nodded.

"It is strange," he answered. I heard him sigh, then felt the warmth of something on top of my hand. I looked over and realized it was his his own hand. I looked up at him, my eyes questioning. "I know we haven't been the best of friends before," he said, "but I'm really going to miss you."

"Really?" I asked softly. He nodded.

"Who else is going to make my life miserable?" he joked. I smiled half-heartedly. "But seriously," he continued, seeming to search for the right words. "You're…you're something else. As long as I live, I don't think I'll ever meet another girl like you."

When Freddie eventually had to leave, we said our goodbyes. There weren't any tears like there had been with Carly, mostly due to the fact that I didn't want to Benson to see me cry, especially over him. He parted with a final kiss on my cheek, his lips lingering by my ear for a second. He sighed, his warm breath tickling my ear.

"Sam," he whispered, "no matter what happens, no matter where we end up, as long as I live, I will never forget you." With that, he disappeared into the crowd of security people.

I was 18 years old when I watched the love of my life leave me for good.

~*4 Years Later*~

FREDDIE'S POV:

"Why are you even taking me here?" I groaned as my college room mate tugged on my arm.

"You graduated Harvard with honors, you're celebrating," Josh said, pulling me towards a local Seattle dance club. I had come back home for a bit after graduating college. It turned out that Josh had lived just oustide of Seattle, and we had made plans to hang out that day.

"I don't dance," I growled, trying to resist against his pulling with all my strength. Josh had wrestled in high school, so trying to fight against him was pointless.

"So drink," Josh answered.

"You know I don't drink, either."

"Well, maybe it's time you started." He finally pushed me through the door. The room was dark save for a few colored lights and strobe lights flashing about. The heavy bass in the background had already begun to give me a headache. I shot a glare towards Josh, hoping he could see it.

"You're a dick," I growled.

"At least I have one," he answered, giving me a friendly slap on the back. "Go mingle with some chicks or something."

"Because I'm a total chick-magnet," I fought back. Josh shrugged and began to shove his way through the crowd of people. I sighed, turning and heading for the bar. Maybe a drink would calm me down a little bit.

"What can I get ya?" the bartender asked. I shrugged.

"Just a beer, I guess," I answered, pulling out a crumpled twenty. The bartender waved it away.

"First one's on the house," he said, filling a glass with gold, foamy liquid. He slid it down the bar at me. I raised it up in thanks before taking a sip. It took all of my will power not to spit it out. I grimaced at the bubbly liquid slid down my throat. I'd never understood the joy of drinking beer; I'd always found it totally appalling. Despite all of my feelings, I found myself taking another sip, and another, until I felt a small, delightful buzz beginning to form in my mind. I turned back towards the bartender.

"Can I get another?" I asked. He grinned.

"I'll start a tab."

I lost track of how much I'd been drinking by my third or fourth beer. Most people wouldn' have been so affected by it, but considering I'd never had a drink before, I could feel my head beginning to swim in the blissful world of drunkeness. I looked around the dance floor, a lazy grin plastered to my face. That's when I saw her. The light seemed to relflect off of the curls of her golden blonde hair. Her face was brightened with a look of total ecstasy. She was surrounded by a group of people, but my eyes seemed to lock on only her. She was swaying to the beat of the music, her perfect hips moving flawlessly to the loud music. I swallowed hard, attempting to muster the courage to go talk to her. Normally, I would've kept my distance, but the alcohol in my system must have made me act differently. I stood up from the stool, leaving my crumpled twenty on the counter, and pushed through the crowd of people until I was right behind her. I tapped her on the shoulder and she turned to look at me, her baby blue eyes seeming to sparkle. I felt my breath catch in my throat. I recognized that face like I recognized the back of my hand. She looked at me, her brows furrowed.

"Yeah?" she asked. I gulped nervously.

"Would you…wanna dance?" I practically stuttered. She looked me up and down before finally nodding.

"Sure," she answered. She wrapped her arms around my neck, her body moving in perfect time to the music. I put my arms around her waist, sighing at the all-too-familiar curves of her body. Even the smell of her shampoo hadn't changed after all these years.

"So, where you from?" she asked.

"Around here, originally," I answered. I could feel that I was slightly slurring my words, but she didn't seem to care. I felt her giggle slightly.

"I thought I recognized you," she answered. "I've lived here my whole life. I must have seen you around school or something." I nodded.

"You saw me around school a few times," I said slyly, trying to keep my identity a mystery to her as long as I could.

"Well, it's always nice to reconnect with an old friend," she answered, pressing herself against me. I figured she must have realized who I was by that point. I was surprised she hadn't attacked me with questions about Harvard, or why I was back in Seattle, but then again, Sam was never one for pointless smalltalk. I felt myself being taken over by the music and the feel of her body pressed snuggly against mine. I wrapped my arms more tightly around her waist, dancing as closely as I could to her. She looked up at me, her eyes still the same electric blue I recognized from so many years ago. She bit the bottom of her lip lightly before lifting herself onto her toes and pressing her lips to mine. I stumbled backwards slightly, though whether it was from the kiss or the alcohol, I wasn't sure. She pulled away, looking at me questioningly. I smiled, leaning down and pressing my lips to her's with equal intensity. She wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling my closer to her as her tongue begged for entrance which I eagerly granted. Eventually, the need for air was extreme. I pulled away from her, gasping. I pressed my forehead to her's, noting the slight layer of sweat between our skin.

"Wanna get out of here?" I asked, loudly enough to be heard over the music, but quietly enough for only her to here. She nodded quickly, standing on her toes to whisper in my ear.

"Follow me." She grabbed my hand, leading me through the mob of people on the dance floor. We eventually reached the door, which she quickly burst through. I looked over my shoulder quickly to see Josh raise his glass and wink at me just before the door shut.

The second part is almost done, so it should be up soon. Lemme know what you think!! R&R!

xoxo~Liz-Beth