Standing in front of her full length mirror, Quinn spun around on her heels carefully as she inspected her dress. Her hands pushed gently across the soft fabric she found on her dress, smoothing it and her lips curled into a satisfied smile at her reflection.

As she leaned in closer for the final touch of her make-up, she found herself rewinding back to the conversation she had with Sam.

When he stopped replying to her messages that night, she had assumed that he regretted asking for her invitation in the first place.

Like what he had said - who in their right mind would attend a house-warming party thrown by his ex and her current boyfriend, in the house they were residing in at the moment no less?

But as the clock ticked closer to the party, she could not help the trembles that were sending throughout her body at the prospect at meeting those green orbs once more.

She contemplated sending Sam a text, inquiring if the other blonde was holding true to his words about attending. She decided against it at the last second, however, giving in to the benefit of doubt he either went back on his decision or forgotten about it entirely.

"Quinn, are you ready?" Biff's voice came from outside the door.

Snapping herself out of her thoughts, she quickly applied her lipstick and smoothed her dress for another time, before replying. "Yes! Give me another second or two."

Just at that moment, the doorbell rang out, marking their first guest's arrival.

"Alright, hurry up," Biff returned and she heard him greeting his friends cheerfully, loud voices beginning to fill up their house.

Giving her phone a final glance, still situated silently next to her, she allowed a small sigh to escape from her throat.

Guess he won't be coming after all.

Despite her relief, she saw the eyes of her reflection stare confusingly back at her.

Aren't you glad? So why aren't you smiling?

She tried mustering a smile onto her lips, lasting a few moments, before reverting back to her melancholy expression.

"Babe?" Biff's voice drove away her puzzled reflection, bringing her back to her senses again. "Are you done?"

"Coming!"

She pushed herself off her dressing table quickly and unable to stop herself, her eyes drifted to her phone for the final time.

Still silent.

Loud laughter begin to infiltrate their apartment and she smiled pleasantly in return when Biff introduced her to his friends one after another.

The doorbell rang again and she glanced at the clock. It was nine thirty-five, about two hours later than the start of their party.

She saw a flash of annoyance in Biff's eyebrows as he approached the door and she chewed on her bottom lip nervously, knowing how much he hated latecomers. Whoever that person was, she sure hoped he had a plausible excuse for his tardiness.

Quinn walked towards the door as well, in effort to remind Biff of his appearance before he blew up in front of his guests.

Biff already had the door open by the time she managed to reach his side and as he was about to open his mouth to reprimand the guest, his anger melted away to find his high school friend standing sheepishly at his doorway.

Her breath caught at her throat when her eyes locked with the familiar green orbs hiding behind the bulkier sized man instead of the hazel ones Biff started to grin at.

The night concealed the blonde perfectly but Quinn could still make out the outlines of his frame, from the top of his head to the curves of his face he tried covering with the man standing in front of him.

"Puckerman! Always the latest..." Biff's anger gave way to affectionate chuckling as he took in the sight of his best friend, dressed in a relaxed fashion with empty hands, a contrast from the abundant gifts Biff's friends had brought in.

"You know how I am..." Puck shrugged unapologetically, pushing his hands deeply into his pockets.

Quinn had barely registered their conversation, for her eyes remained on the lean physique of the blonde, still hiding out of sight behind Puck.

His stray eyes finally landed on Quinn's petite frame, adsorbing the full length of the elegant dress she picked out especially for the night.

As the blonde started to come out of the shadows he had blended in, she managed to catch a glimpse of his attire as well.

With a head of slightly tousled locks, a tie hanging off loosely around his neck and a casual jacket draped across his shoulders, her breathing paused momentarily as the sight of Sam Evans drew her in.

"C'mon in," Biff said after exchanging some more harmless barbs with Puck, before stepping aside for him to enter.

She heard him clearing his throat awkwardly, taking a hesitant step inside as he exposed his best friend for Biff to see. Biff's eyebrows raised questioningly, recognising the blonde from last week.

"Isn't this...?" Biff asked.

"Uh-huh," Puck glanced away, finding his eyes on the smaller blonde as he found the direction of her stares. "You don't mind if Sam comes, right?"

Quinn felt his eyes burn into her flesh and tore her gaze away from Sam's to meet his, seeing those hazel orbs widen slightly, as if the question was directed more at her.

"Of course not," her boyfriend answered instead, closing the gap between the blonde man and him for a warm handshake. "Welcome."

Her hands started to quiver at their contact, almost having to restraint herself from darting forward to push them apart.

Sam's tongue grazed by his bottom lip, moistening it before flashing a polite smile. "Thanks. Puck dragged me here, just so you know."

She could almost laugh at the excuse he used, recalling it from the other night, but under what circumstance could she bring herself to laughter? She was practically a train wreck, watching the two men exchange greetings - one unaware of his real identity and the other fully aware.

Puck played along, grabbing Sam in a playful headlock as the blonde's lips emitted soft laughter. "See what I mean? Boy can't live without me around him."

That caused Biff to erupt into a fit of chuckles and he shook his head briefly. Upon glancing sideways, he found his girlfriend still rooted to the ground and raised his eyebrows at the dumbfounded expression evident on her features.

"Babe?" He called out, gesturing her over. The note of endearment in his voice sparked a recoil in Sam, her eyes catching a brief flinch as the word sank into his ears.

Biff had to call her one more time before she responded, unable to tear her gaze away from Sam's frame. "Yeah?"

Seeing how Quinn had not moved from her spot, Biff walked over instead, snaking an arm around her small waist as he pulled her next to him.

The sudden contact caused her head to snap upwards, seeing her boyfriend wrapped around her as his unwavering smile continued its full display for his guests.

"You remember Quinn, right?"

She felt a slight nudge from Biff and she quickly tugged the loose strands of her hair behind her ear, mimicking an equally dazzling smile like he did. "It's so nice to see you again."

Her hand extended in Puck's direction, ignoring the blonde that was causing the warm pitch of heat in her stomach. If she even spared him a glance, her composure would completely fade away.

The man furrowed his eyebrows and looked towards his blonde friend, aware of his rigid state of confusion as the other blonde refused to return his silent messages.

With a scratch at the back of his neck, Puck nodded awkwardly to agree and started to take the extended hand she had offered.

However, there was a brief flash of flesh towards her pale skin that completely stopped Puck in his tracks.

Quinn's eyes widened in alarm as the caroused hand that took her hand was the one belonging to Sam instead.

"Likewise," Sam squeezed her skin firmly, twitching his eyebrows in a way only Quinn understood. They need to talk. Now.

Biff could see the exchange the man had with his girlfriend, however silent. This night had been full of confusion for him and he narrowed his eyes at the skinship in front of his eyes.

She almost breathed out a rejection when she heard Biff clear his throat beside her, reminded of the fact another man was gripping her hand tightly in front of her boyfriend. She quickly withdrew her hand and pretended to smooth her dress, her eyes falling to the ground to avoid the tension in the air.

"Now, if you'd excuse us..." Biff murmured lowly, bowing his head for indication of his apology as he started to pull Quinn away from the two men.

She threw a hasty glance over her shoulders and Sam looked right back into her eyes, mouthing 'now?' and pointing downwards for clearer indication.

Pursing her lips and giving a fast shake of her head in order to avoid Biff from catching her, she slowly mouthed the words 'not now, later' to make sure Sam understood.

With his eyes rolling to the back of his head, Quinn was positive he got her message. He nodded before turning around, making his way to the refreshment with Puck in tow.

"So...?" Puck inquired the moment Sam stopped by the table, picking up the refreshment that was laid across.

"What do you mean, so? We're gonna talk."

"Huh? You guys didn't even talk at all just now. How did you even...?"

Sam shoved a piece of food inside his mouth to prevent him from continuing, laughing as the annoyed man began to chew.

His shoulders shrugged, not willing to show how much this talk mattered to him, and began to pick again. "I just know. I didn't date her for fun, y'know. I know what she means with a slight wiggle of her brows."

Puck's eyebrows relaxed at his statement, a smirk playing off his lips as the blonde's words started to make sense for him.

"You still love her, don't you?" He stated, as if the truth was that apparent to see.

"No... No, I don't," Sam protested meekly, looking away to avoid Puck's questioning eyes.

"You so do," the man chuckled heartedly at the realization, punching the blonde lightly in his stiff shoulders.

His chuckles faded away quickly as the truth of the confession sank in for him. She was dating his best friend, for crying out loud.

"Oh right. Shit."

The blonde managed to muster a husky breath of laughter at Puck's dilemma - his best friend cum co-worker or his best friend from high school?

"Doesn't matter anyway," Sam shrugged his shoulders yet again. "I just need to know the truth, that's all. I'm not gonna snatch her away."

Puck sighed in relief, throwing his arms around Sam and an instantaneous smile broke out on his lips.

"I'm glad, dude. As much as I like seeing you and Quinn play Ken and Barbie again, it's my best bud we're talking about here." His voice trailed off wistfully. "I don't want his heart broken."

Sam patted his shoulders lightly. "Don't worry, man. Like I said, I'm not here to get her back. I'm here because..."

His words cut off when he felt his pockets vibrate with a new message. He glanced at Puck, who nodded for him to check, before he found an empty corner free of Biff's guests.

He pulled out his phone and scanned the screen.

Meet me at the balcony to the left of the living room. -Q

Tearing his glaze away from the message, he found the direction she mentioned and caught sight of a dark figure that struck him as familiar disappearing into the curtains leading to the balcony.

He found Puck staring at him and returned a curt nod, letting him know where he was heading before following the figure.

Her heart thumped nervously against her chest as the hot August air blew mercilessly against her comparatively colder skin. She pulled the light cardigan she had thrown around her shoulders before making her way out closer, her fingers tapping at the railings as she stared mindlessly at the clear yet dark sky.

Hearing footsteps behind her, she quickly pulled her hair behind her ears and licked tentatively at her dry lips before she turned around to face the green orbs that had haunted her for years.

"Quinn," his hoarse voice croaked softly.

She offered a brief smile at her name, clutching tighter to the phone she held in her hand, and she opened her mouth to speak.

"You look absolutely gorgeous tonight."

The sentence cut her off and her breathing hitched. The cold cheeks she experienced just moments earlier felt a warmth crossing her entire features, slowly flushing her cheeks pink.

"Why, thank you," Quinn murmured under her breath, lifting her free hand to the heat in attempt to hide from Sam's eyes. "You don't look half bad yourself."

It was now Sam's turn for his cheeks to turn bright red. A giggle almost erupted from her throat at the familiarity of Sam Evans blushing in the wake of her compliments, before catching herself. Things were different now, so were they.

She turned her back to him again, finding the moon that stared her down. "What is it you want to talk about?"

Sam stepped next to her, his arms resting carelessly over the railings that she once tapped her fingers on. Her heart started to pace again and she took a step further from him silently, thankfully out of his notice.

"Us."

Us? What is there left to talk about? Didn't we say everything six years ago?

"You think I know the reason we broke up, don't you?" He asked quietly, as if sensing her thoughts.

When she did not reply to him, he continued. "The truth is... I don't. And I still don't."

His piercing eyes turned themselves towards her and she looked out in the opposite direction, avoiding them.

"Didn't you promise a talk, Q? What's talking when I'm still speaking to a wall?"

She gave in to a sigh of resignation, still refusing to meet his gaze, no matter how much they were willing for her to return the look.

"I told you before, Sam. What's between us is too much for any of us to mend."

"We could have tried..."

"It's no point in trying, Sam.. Both of us..."

"You never gave me a chance to try, Q!" Sam's voice raised accusingly, breaking her train of thoughts.

Her pupils dilated at the loudness of his voice, breaking the silence of the balcony has provided them with.

"Dammit, Q. I told you back then and let me repeat those words again. Stop thinking about the impossible that might not even occur and think about us only. Give me a shot, give us a shot. Why give up before you even try?"

"Because I tried!" She interrupted back, finally mustering enough courage to face him but not without tears that threatened at the brim of her eyes.

"But what's there left to try if we don't even have the basic requirement of a relationship?"

Seeing his confused eyes in return, she knew he did not understand.

Right. Her lips curled into a sad smile. How could he understand now when he never understood it back then?

A tear ultimately broke through her defences and fell from her damp eyelashes. She wiped uselessly at the wet trail it left behind, her arms folding across her chest to uphold the strong image she maintained in front of him.

"I don't get it... What is it..."

"Gosh, Samuel," her anger, especially at his lack of comprehension, rose to her chest as his birth name slipped from her tongue. "Trust."

"You never got it, do you?" By now, tears began falling rapidly from her eyes, bound to make her eyes swollen when she wake up the next day.

This time, however, she let them fall.

"I did not stop loving you. That's why I held onto you for so long, despite the lack of trust you had in me. You knew how much I regard this aspect of a relationship..."

She sniffled back her tears, continuing in the softest murmur she ever spoke in. "Yet you never gave it to me. Of all people, you..." She managed to hold her tongue, unwilling to go on further.

"Now that I've told you, will you leave me alone?"

"Quinn..."

Her shoulders felt his firm hands gripping them, digging his fingers into her covered skin as he forced her eyes to meet with his.

He ignored her feeble protests to push his arms away and slipped his thumb under her chin, watching the glistening tears escape from her pupils.

"When did I not trust you? Of course I know how much trust means to you after that incident..." He heard her flinch at the subject and he quickly turned courses.

"The point is... I love you, Q. And with that, I trust you too."

The confession caught her attention and the anger within her started to crumble.

She looked up into his equally despondent eyes, her vision blurred due to her many tears, yet Sam Evans still manage to struck her as the beautiful man she fell in love with six years ago.

"You do...?"

"Yes, I do. I don't know what made you think that way... but... Yes... I do."

About to open her mouth to speak, to tell him, he cut her off again for the umpteen time in the night.

"I don't care about the reason anyway. All that matters is just you and I."

With those heartfelt words, she found herself losing her focus in the eyes that lifted her from her nightmares, sending both to her dreams.

Her legs trembled in his firm grasp and she almost fell, but Sam caught her at the last moment, pulling her against his chest where she felt his wildly beating heart.

"I love you, Quinn. With all my heart."

His eyes landed on her lips, taking it in before he tilted his head, moving closer to their destination.