He could feel his own heart beating wildly against his chest. Two distinctive, yet equally loud heartbeats started to fill the silent night around them.

When she almost tripped, it was his first instinct to move forth and grab her, keep her from falling all over herself.

But when his eyes landed on her lips, everything started to change.

Sam Evans had forgotten how it was like to look into her eyes every day and curl his lips into the widest grin, staring at those luscious lips before he met hers with his own.

Now, in that particular moment, the memories that he kept locked away in the corner of his mind came swarming into his brain. They flooded him all at once, hitting him like a tidal wave that it knocked his breath out of him.

A lump formed at his throat and he quickly took a second to swallow it thickly.

His head started to tilt, a gesture volunteered willingly and unconsciously by his neck, as he kept his eyes on her.

Just as they were about to touch, he paused, watching her response.

Quinn had her hold on the tie that hung around his neck, gripping onto it so tightly her knuckles were starting to pale.

The grip on the fabric tightened slightly, as if consenting to this inappropriateness.

He could see her lips quiver. With anticipation? Or nervousness? Or simply confusion?

She seemed to shut her mind off completely, as her eyes were screwed shut, waiting for the moment to come.

The hands on the other blonde's shoulders returned a squeeze. He was unsure if he did it to reassure her or keep her steady in his arms.

Sam could see her resolve start to waver, her lips trembling even more than before as her eyelids gave away signs of reopening those hazel orbs to him.

No. His mind startled him, snapping him out of his temporary blur.

Finally closing the gap between their lips, it was everything in him to make this kiss worth it.

It was raw when his dry lips met hers, slow and hesitant, unsure of the way she liked being kissed after so long apart. But with a shaky breath out of her throat when they parted momentarily, Sam Evans knew.

A faint gasp escaped her lips once he reattached their lips, this time harder, firmer and with all the vigour and passion that burned within his frame. A husky grunt emitted from him, against their hungry lips, just as Quinn surrendered her hold on his tie.

He wanted to protest about that, but it seemed like she had other plans. After loosening her grasp on the tie, her arms were thrown around his neck, pressing him impossibly closer to her.

That earned a surprised gasp from him, then an amused chuckle.

Her lips smiled against his lips in response, as her arms found the curves of the neck they fitted perfectly in, relishing in the warmth they missed from six years apart.

Sam had no clue how much time had passed in their kiss, for every coherent thought of his left when their lips touched and he could tell it was the same for her.

Drawing another raspy breath to inhale the intoxicating odour emitting from the man in her arms, Quinn's tongue grazed by the outlines of his lips experimentally.

His lips parted automatically for her intrusion, in perfect sync with her actions as they were a long time ago. It was as though they had never been apart in these six long years, that both their bodies could still move wondrously against each other.

The tip of her tongue was about to enter the heat radiating from Sam, only to be stopped by a short yet distinctive cough from just outside the curtains.

Their movements paused.

The girl in his arms pushed weakly against his chest, quickly separately their intertwined bodies before the stranger caught hold of their inappropriate embrace.

An involuntary groan left his lips, gaining a frown on his eyebrows at the loss.

He heard another cough coming from the unknown person again, as Quinn was busily tidying the messy state she had became in the heat of the kiss, before the curtains were shoved mercilessly apart.

The roughness elicited a surprised gasp from her, but when she saw it was only Puck, she let out a breath of relief through her nose and smoothed her dress.

Sam visibly relaxed his rigid posture seeing his best friend and clicked his tongue, moving even further from the other blonde.

A weak smile formed on his suddenly dry lips, before turning to face his friend.

"Hey, y'okay back here?" Puck asked uncertainly, eyeing the two blondes questioningly.

"Yeah, we are," Sam responded, pushing his hand in his equally messy hair. "What's up?"

Puck shoved his hands into the depths of his pockets, his face reflecting the guiltiest look Sam had ever seen on him, before squaring his shoulders.

"Biff's, uh, looking for blondie here."

Sure enough, without missing a beat after he had uttered those words, three of them could hear a faint voice calling from a distance.

"Anyone seen Quinn? Babe, where are you?"

A low curse came from beneath her breath unconsciously and mirroring the guilty look prevalent on the other two men, he saw her step closer to the curtains.

"I... I have to go now, Sam. We'll talk again. Soon."

"Y-Yeah, sure. Text me? Or call, whatever you want," Sam replied, almost positive she could sense his reluctance through the frown on her lips.

She started to gnaw on her lower lip, as the blonde could tell was regret sprawled all over her facial features. It seemed like six years ago, whenever their lips touch, both blondes would lose their abilities to think straight.

Now that they were apart, her mind had cleared. It was too clear that she regretted letting him kiss her. But he didn't and he wouldn't, not in a million years.

Almost a taunt, the tip of his tongue grazed his lips. He could still taste the rawness of her lipstick lingering on his large mouth.

The gesture caused her eyes to widen and surprisingly, the guilt from her face washed away to let her shake her head amusedly at his playful action.

And... that smile.

Instinctively, he copied that brilliant smile of Quinn's into his own, staring thoughtfully at the exact same smile she would flash him after an awesome make-out session.

Puck broke the moment with another cough, earning a light punch from the blonde.

The gaze she locked with him was broken and the smile instantly disappeared from her, as she bowed her head and quickly left the balcony.

"Please don't tell me I wrecked my bud's relationship."

Sam allowed a chuckle to spill from his throat, shaking his head like Quinn did before, but he never replied him.

"Where did you go? I was looking for you for some time now..."

"Sorry," she murmured under her breath, clutching closer to the brunette who held her in his arms.

Somehow, that made her long for the arms she had been in earlier. Biff's warmth could never compare to Sam's, like there was something between them that was still missing.

She shook her head, getting her mind out of the gutter. Focus, Quinn Fabray. Don't mess things up tonight.

"I just needed a breather."

When those words left her lips, she was certain she would come to regret it. Undoubtedly, that sentence served no purpose but worry Biff.

Almost hearing her thoughts, his hold tightened on her as well.

"Are you feeling unwell? I could call the party off..."

Even if she could barely stand a moment with him and Sam at the same place and time, she rejected his proposal with a firm shake of head.

"It's really fine," her throat caught before she could say babe out, making her smile fruitlessly in return. "I don't want to ruin our party. I just needed fresh air."

"If you say so, babe." She could tell he was not satisfied with her answer, but let it go.

His lips brushed the side of her head, seeking out her temple to plant a soft kiss.

Another cough. It was as if the mohawk seemed bent on haunting her with his damned coughing tonight.

Biff's touch on her skin lingered, as he tore his eyes lazily away from hers, brightening immediately upon seeing the man with the blonde in tow.

Quinn sought out Sam's eyes again, seeing his lips pressed together in an awfully straight line made her lips tremble at sight again.

His eyes were firmly on the brunette that held her and she hastily pushed at his arms, leaving his embrace.

That averted his gaze back on her and a swift smile curved at his lips, disappearing equally fast in case Biff caught it.

She tucked her hair behind her ears, keeping her head down to keep anyone from seeing how hard she was smiling.

"Puckerman."

"Hey, bud," the man greeted awkwardly. "I hate to be a bummer but I gotta go."

"So soon? It's not like you to leave a party so early."

"Sorry, man. I really have to go, but still. Congrats on your house."

"Thanks. I guess you finally found someone who mellowed the Puckzila, huh?"

"You caught me." A short, yet still awkward laughter. "She's the one for me."

"Congrats to you too, Puck. I'm glad you found someone."

"Aw, thanks. But uh, yeah I gotta run now. C'mon, Sammy..."

"Oh wait," Biff called out, his hand extending to grab Sam's.

Quinn's heart almost stopped on the spot. Why is he keeping Sam from leaving? Could he possibly...?

The blonde's confused eyes matched his and she saw Puck move in between them, his hand resting on Biff's hold in preparation of what was to come.

"What's the matter?" Biff switched looks between the two men. His hand on Sam dropped, so did Puck's and she finally took a breath of relief. "I had something to say..."

"Yeah?" Sam's hoarse voice answered and hearing the raspy tone, he cleared his throat again before repeating the query.

Biff's hands disappeared into the warmth of his pockets. "I was wondering... You're single... right?"

"Yeah?" She could see the confusion manifest on his eyebrows, unsure of the direction of his conversation.

"Great," Biff relaxed his shoulders and gave in to a hearty laugh. "I was afraid I was mistaken and embarrass myself..."

From the silence around him, he mimicked Sam by clearing his throat as well, dropping to a whisper Quinn had to squint to listen.

"I was thinking of you might be interested in knowing someone...? I have someone in mind I'd like to introduce to you.. You guys would make a perfect match..."

The colour drained from Quinn's face upon hearing his words. Someone...?

Biff continued his babble, though she could not fully absorb what he was saying with her mind spinning around her.

"Look," Sam's low voice broke her trance.

"I'm sorry but I'm not looking for a girlfriend at this moment. Thanks for your offer, though."

A relieved smile broke out on her lips and she saw him wink quickly in her direction, sending flutters down her stomach again.

"Oh..." Disappointment was obvious in Biff's voice. She would know; Biff hated rejections.

"That's really too bad... But the offer's still open, just so you know. Tell me if you change your mind."

"I don't think I would but sure."

With that, he offered a curt nod towards him before turning around and walking to the door.

Puck leaned in to exchange a few more words with Biff, before he also headed towards the door.

Her eyes remained on the wooden frame of the entrance, wanting to watch their departure but Biff's arms found their way around her.

A soft sigh escaped her throat as she tore her reluctant eyes away, giving her boyfriend a smile that never matched her orbs.

"Don't you think it was strange?"

"Excuse me?"

The party had ended and everyone left; the buzzing house had been swallowed up in the emptiness that filled it.

He had wanted to clear his mind and decided to clear his mind at the exact spot she 'took a breather at'.

Both of them were out on the balcony she had been with Sam just moments ago. With her heart thumping away, it was less to say the words that broke the silence between them scared her.

"Puck, I mean. Didn't you see how weird he acted around me? I'm positive he was fine before I saw that you were missing. He even volunteered to help me find you."

"Was he? I'm not sure... I don't really know him that well..." She responded, chewing on her bottom lip.

"Yeah, and when he left, he was awkward about his actions too. Plus, he never left a party early. He's always the last to leave, regardless of how boring the party could be..."

"Didn't he say he changed after meeting his girlfriend? What's her name, again?"

"Anna. Maybe you're right... I'm thinking too much into this, aren't I?"

Quinn pried her right hand from the railing she planted both hands on, resting it over his cheek as her fingers ghosted over his skin.

Before she could reply, Biff continued.

"That friend of his... Sam, I think. He's really weird tonight too."

"Yeah...?" The fingers on his cheek began to shake and she quickly pulled away from him.

"I thought he was nice and all, and to top off, he's Puck's best friend. I trust his judgement, that's why I wanted to introduce a nice girl for him too..."

"Maybe he doesn't want to settle down just yet? Or he has someone in mind, probably?" She shrugged as nonchalantly as she could manage.

She sensed a frown on him when he faced the side of her face, but she pretended otherwise and stared straight ahead.

"He didn't have to sound so rude, did he?" A huff of breath.

"He's sensitive, I guess...?"

"I was thinking of Marley... but now I'm not so sure."

Her mind flashed to Marley Rose, the sweet girl she met a couple of times from Biff's old neighbourhood. They had grown up together and was so close that fuelled jealousy within her when they just knew each other.

"Marley Rose?" She ticked a brow, seeing him nod in the darkness. "Isn't she with Ryder Lynn, the tall boy who had always crushed on her?"

"She was, until she decided his affection for her was too much for her to handle. So she broke things up."

"That's a shame. They were really cute together."

"I know... I tried talking her out of it but she's really firm about it." He shrugged.

"And now you're thinking of matching her with the friend of Puck?" She said, carefully omitting to say Sam's name outright.

He nodded again. "Actually, was thinking about it. I'm not really sure about it after that conversation with him."

"You should keep your eye out for someone else," she suggested, a little too eager for her tone. "I do have a few friends I can introduce to her. They're all very friendly, I'm sure she'll love them."

Biff raised an eyebrow and she realised too late how anxious she sounded.

"I mean... If you want to. Since Puck's friend is probably not in your consideration any more..."

"We'll see, babe." The corners of his lips raised into a small smile as he enveloped her in his arms again, his chin resting on her shoulders.

"I'm really glad you're so helpful about Marley. I had assumed you disliked her after seeing how close we were..."

Quinn shrugged her shoulders slightly, cautious about moving too much with his weight on her.

"I know what between you two is platonic. I'm not that type of overbearing girlfriends you see in chick flicks..."

"I know, I know. That's what I love about you." He finished with a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"I love you too." Even as she said it, her voice wavered enough for her to know how much Sam's kiss had affected her.

His arms cradled around her own, slipping his fingers between hers to intertwine them together.

"Though..." His voice had blended into the wind blowing against their skin.

"I still like that guy. He really seem like a nice match for Marls."

"Ryder?" She breathed out.

"No, not him." Biff chuckled affectionately, pressing light kisses along her jawline. "Sam."

"I thought..."

"Yeah, but she likes guys like him. Something about blondes that attract brunettes, I guess." A chuckle sounded against her skin as he said so, of what should have been a tease jabbed at her.

Somehow, she did not find it within herself to laugh along with him.

Sam's back had just hit the comforts of his bed when the clock struck midnight.

His thoughts raced back to the kiss he indulged in earlier, as he brought his index finger to touch the lips Quinn's lips had attached to with a silly grin.

A vibrate on his night-stand distracted him and he swiped the phone into his grasp, lighting up with the name of the person he been thinking all night about.

Are you asleep yet?

He typed quickly and hit send, smiling so widely he did not even care how much it hurt his mouth.

Don't you remember I'm an owl? I don't sleep like normal people.

Her reply was just as fast, almost as if she was holding onto her phone too.

Ha ha. Haven't you kicked the bad habit of sleeping past three in the morning?

No, I have not. How about you? Do you still fall asleep on people halfway through texting?

If you remember, I had a sleep curfew back then. I can't sleep past midnight.

He almost rolled over in laughter at her reply, recalling how her parents had forbid her from sleeping too late since she always woke up early.

He, on the other hand, had no restrictions and only went to bed in the early hours of the day. This had always ended up a problem between them, for he woke up only at noon and she always slept at midnight. That only left the afternoon for them to hang out.

You're no longer in school, Quinn Fabray. Do you still have to listen to your parents?

I do, however, need to wake up for work now instead of school.

It's Sunday tomorrow. What's work?

Do you think I don't know that, Samuel? What do you think I'm still up at 12:08AM?

Right.

We didn't talk much just now. Sorry.

It's okay. I knew how hard it was for us to talk given where we were.

Then why did you even want to come if you know that?

I had to see you.

She did not reply him for a few minutes, that he thought she had fallen asleep on him like the numerous times she did six years ago.

Besides... I'm glad we didn't do much of a talk. He sent again, thinking that she could reply him in the morning.

You've really changed in these years, haven't you?

The reply surprised him, also earned a playful smile on his lips.

A good change, I hope?

I can't say I don't like it.

Maybe you want to see exactly how much I've changed? Or how much you changed?

What do you mean?

Meet me tomorrow. I want to see you.

Sam... I don't know.

What do you not know? Why I kissed you? Why you kissed me back? I'm sure I can answer all those.

I don't know if what I'm doing is right, okay? I don't wanna hurt Biff.

The first time she brought up his name in her messages sent a hollowing sensation down his spine. Not that it daunted him, in fact it fuelled him.

We're not hurting him, okay? Okay, why don't I say I just want to meet you as a normal friend?

A completely normal, platonic lunch?

Yes.

Nothing more?

Yes. I promise.

Okay.

Really?

Yup, unless you don't want to.

No!

Great, then I'll call you again tomorrow with time and venue.

Okay!

And Sam? Please sleep early tonight so that you can wake up before noon.

I promise.

Something told him the promises he made with her were not exactly to be kept. Especially when the prospect of meeting her the next day kept him up to three in the morning.

Again.