A little late, I apologize. Splitting the birthday into two chapters. Good things come to those who wait. ;]

Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be...

Being the center of attention was never really her thing. Anyone making a fuss over her made her all...itchy.

Though trying to convince Carls that she didn't need (or want) some big shindig was a lost a cause.

Sam would have been very happy to have it just be her, Carly, and Freddie (and maybe Gib, if he behaved) watching movies all night and sharing a cake...or two.

She smiled, looking around the room, about to pour herself some Wahoo punch. Obviously, her best friend had another idea in mind.

There were dozens of balloons and decorations all over, an obscene amount of food (not that she was complaining) – including cupcakes on a stick, thanks to T-bo – and about half of their senior class.

Go big or go home, right?

...

She always had a way of captivating a room without even trying.

Freddie shook his head, an amused smile growing as he looked towards the birthday girl across the studio accepting 'happy birthdays' with an almost shy smile and adjusting the silver tiara on her head.

D.J switched up the music as people continued pouring in, including Amy who approached him with a hug and a quick kiss.

"Hey you." She smiled, lacing an arm around him. "Sam looks like she's enjoying herself."

He nodded, returning her smile, looking back over at Sam again. "She does. Though I think she'd be enjoying herself more if she were out of dress and crown."

Amy turned her head to him squinting in thought. "Yeah, not a huge fan of dressing up, is she?"

"Uh, bit of understatement." He laughed and shook his head. "Definitely something that hasn't changed much in her eighteen years."

"You guys have known each other a really long time." It was more of a statement than a question, and although she was never the insecure type, he knew that at times his relationship with the girls (of course Sam in particular) was a little unsettling for her.

Tightening his grip ever-so-slightly around her, he met her eyes with a half smile. "Pretty much forever, really."

She blinked up at him before leaning into chest. "It's sweet, I think, that you guys are still so close."

"Sugar coma inducingly so?"

He laughed slightly at the confused stare she gave him, and he shook his head. "Yeah, you had to be there."

...

The music slowed, and Sam stood fidgeting with her dress, her head turned away from the couples making their way to the middle of the room to dance.

She smiled suddenly at the presence behind her. "One word about the tiara and I swear you'll regret it."

Freddie leaned against the snack table, arms crossed, as she took another sip of her drink. "How'd you know it was me?"

She smirked. "Your aftershave. The one you use for 'special occasions,'" she answered, rolling her eyes, though not able to hide her smile.

"Right." He nodded, laughing silently, and then looked towards the dance floor. "So, do I get a dance?"

She laughed. "Yeah, uh, don't you have an Amy you should be dancing with?"

"I do," he conceded. "But," he paused, lightly taking her drink from her hand and setting it down, "right now I'd rather dance with the birthday girl."

"Freddie, I really-"

And before she could protest any further, he'd taken her hand, leading to the center of the room.

...

"So, how are you?"

Sam, took a breath, looking up at him. "I told you, I'm fine."

He half smiled before pulling her closer, his fingers intertwined in the fabric of the dress. "Liar," he whispered.

She hated when he did that.

She glared, though it really didn't do any good because now they were basically cheek to cheek as the music kept on playing, and he couldn't exactly see her face.

"Don't give me that look," he chastised, jokingly and her eyes widened.

"How did you-"

"I know you, Sam." He leaned his head back to look at her, and it was a little unnerving how transparent he managed to make her feel. "So, out with it, Puckett."

It was beyond weird how after all this time, he could still get in her head better than anyone else.

She looked down and bit her lip. "It wasn't enough," she voiced, softly. Taking another breath she finally met his eyes again. "I liked him, but it wasn't enough. Alright?"

He nodded, and she prayed he'd leave it at that. The whole thing with Parker had just left her head a mess, and honestly, she couldn't even explain herself why they didn't fit.

He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. "Alright."

She managed a smile and his hands moved to her lower back, though unlike earlier it wasn't just to tie the dress, and without warning her breath hitched at the contact.

"I actually like the aftershave," she coughed out, quietly, feeling her cheeks flush before the words even left her mouth.

He smirked, naturally, and leaned in towards her. "And the tiara suits you."

Sam smiled, with a roll of her eyes as they continued dancing, it dawning on her how long it'd been since they'd been this close, physically close.

"Hey," he whispered at her, moving his right hand to take hers.

"Hmm?"

The way he was looking at her, completely focused on her and only her at the moment, should have been making her itchy to the point of hives.

Instead it kind of just made her smile.

"Come with me for a minute?"

"Are we running away to Mexico?" She tucked a curl behind her ear, looking right to left, as if making sure no one could hear them. "'Cause I'd be okay with that."

He laughed and turned her around gently, towards the studio door.

"Maybe later if there's time."

She sighed, resigned, finding herself leaning in slightly to his touch as he guided her towards the stairs.

But you're on to me, and all over me.

Birthday surprise for Sam? :) The night may have more than one surprise in store for her...

-Insert evil laugh here.-

Feedback would be oh-so-lovely. Get at me, kids.