Okay so just a warning…this chapter contains a lot of Sibby. But I promise I'm going somewhere with this. It might just take a while to get to Seddie. Hope you like this. It was interesting writing Sibby. It was also interesting writing a more mature Sam. Well…you'll see.

I walked into the closet, picking through the neatly folded piles of fresh sheets, taking out 2 crisp pairs of white sheets with white pillow-cases. I brought them to my nose and inhaled the cotton-fresh scent. Walking out of the closet I set one pair of sheets on the foot of my bed. Walking to the guest room, I started to make the guest bed, carefully tucking the corners of the sheet underneath the mattress. Finally, I took the fluffy white comforter out of the nearby dry-cleaner bag. I flicked my wrists up, floating the comforter onto the bed with grace.

I looked around with my hands on my hips-subconsciously patting myself on the back. For a high-school failure and juvy-ridden teen, I was doing pretty well. I admired the clutter-free, perfect decorations around the room. I could still smell the "new paint" scent lingering around the room. I smiled inwardly as I admired the light green on the walls and the white furniture. It was a blessing- Gibby's aunt happened to be an interior decorator- an in exchange for a lifetime supply of free food at our restaurant- she did the apartment for free. Luck would have it that something in my life actually turned out right, for once.

A year had passed since Carly and Freddie had moved to New York and Gibby and I had brought our restaurant to LA. Things had definitely changed. Let's just leave it at that.

I walked back into my room and finished making my bed. I never thought I'd be living in such a nice apartment, and I was so young. I never thought I'd actually be making money and being happy. But here I was…I have an amazing apartment, amazing investments, and an amazing-

"Hey Sammy!"

I turned and smiled as I saw Gibby approaching. He walked over to me, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and kissing my neck. I giggled playfully-something I never thought I would do with anyone- especially with Gibby. But that was before LA. That was before I found this amazing adventure in this amazing place. That was before I found out that Carly and Freddie were engaged.

"Hey Sexy!"…..I told you….things have changed.

Things have really changed. I never thought I'd ever be with Gibby. But, for the moment, I was really happy. And, for the moment, that was all that really mattered. I mean, deep down I know I'm not completely over Freddie- I think even Gibby knows this. But I also know it's time to move on. Carly and Freddie are engaged- that's it. Any hope gone. And Gibby is good to me. I actually do love Gibby. And that's all there is to it.

"So, you ready to tell Carly and Freddie about "us" when they come?" Gibby smiled at me with hopeful eyes. We've been together for more than 6 months and haven't told anyone from Seattle- though the people we work with and our LA friends know.

"I'd say it's a good time to tell them. But let's be really casual about it, kay? We'll just be like… "Oh, by the way- we're dating." I don't want it to be some huge announcement- kay?"

Gibby put on his fake thinking face as if he had to think this through. I smiled at his playfulness. "Deal!" He kissed me with a smile and for a moment I felt what I had felt with Freddie all those years ago. Was it years? I guess it was? Time has a way of being funny like that. But anyway, I have been starting to feel the same spark with Gibby that I felt with Freddie. But it was still different. It's complicated.

In some ways, Gibby had become the love of my life. He makes me happy. He had even been my first- if you know what I mean. But Freddie was my first love. Nothing can take that away- if you know what I mean.

Gibby and I were kissing when the doorbell rang. We separated and headed for the door-excitement and reunions just one piece of wood away. We raced to the door and opened it with smiles- revealing two equally happy familiar faces.

"SAM!" Carly extended her arms and I immediately noticed the flashy diamond on her finger.

"CARLZ!" I embraced her tightly and noticed Freddie looking at me with an unreadable expression. He still looked the same as he had one year ago. I raised my eyebrow at him- wondering what he was thinking. We hadn't seen each other in a while.

Letting go of Carly, I nodded at Freddie- he nodded back. I smiled as I lead Carly through the apartment and into the guest bedroom, Gibby and Freddie following close behind.

"And this is where you two will be sleeping." I gestured to the room, I knew that smugness must be dripping off my face, but I didn't care.

Carly entered the room, struggling to fit her suitcase through the door. Finally getting it through the door- she flipped her hair back and wiped a bead of sweat of her face. She smiled- "Thanks for the help SAM! Same old Sam huh?" Carly joked.

"Well you know- some things never change!" I smiled back- it was nice to see that some things were still the same.

"By the way- you're apartment is amazing! So much better than the tiny dorms at NYU! I'm so proud of you!"

"Well yah know, I got swag…and Gibby's got connections. Now let me see that rock on your hand!" I let Carly show off her gorgeous engagement ring. Freddie smiled but again his expression was unreadable.

"Wow- that's a big one!" Gibby said, patting Freddie on the back.

"Biggest one in the store!" Freddie smirked, smug.

"Oh come on now Freddie, I said you could have gotten me a ring pop and it would have been fine." Carly added.

"Yeah right." Freddie teased- poking Carly playfully in the stomach.

Gibby and I left the room, letting them get settled in some privacy. I turned on the T.V., not really watching anything in particular. I felt Gibby's hands suddenly on my shoulders. I tilted my head back and closed my eyes – grateful for the back rub- after all, I had spent all day cleaning the apartment to impress Carly and Freddie. After a few minutes of a good backrub, I felt Gibby's lips peck my own. I smiled at his sweetness- God I had turned into such a girl. I blame LA. I sat up and twisted my body around, so I was now facing Gibby. I placed my arms around his broad shoulders and kissed him deeply- forgetting about our nearby company.

A few minutes and an unbuttoned shirt on Gibby later….

"UH…..What the fudge!"

I felt my eyes pop wide. Oops. Gibby and I quickly separated. Gibby fixed his shirt as I looked down in guilt- I felt like a little kid getting caught sneaking a cookie from the cookie jar.

"Hiiiiiii Carly! Freddie! How long have you been standing there?" I said coyly as I scratched the back of my head. This wasn't exactly how we planned on telling them.

"Long enough to see you guys making out and de-clothing each other….Is this a joke or…?" Carly was going crazy and Freddie just stood there looking shocked…he doesn't seem to talk that much anymore.

Gibby and I exchanged readied glances. I nodded to him- he nodded back. "Well….you see Carly….Gibby and I are together….We have been together for a little over 6 months actually. We just didn't know the right time to tell anyone and well, we didn't want to take any attention off your engagement and well…yeah."

Carly stood there blankly for a few seconds. Then…fireworks. "OMG I'm so HAPPY FOR YOU! You guys…OMG…YOU guys! You guys are surprisingly... I mean not offense but….well you guys are just TOO CUTE!"

Gibby and I laughed along with Carly's excitement. "Well, thanks Carly! Glad you think so!" Gibby put his arm around my shoulder and I put my arm around his waist- and I felt like a couple- a beautiful, happy, young couple. I smiled while looking at Carly doing a little happy dance. I looked at Freddie. He had his arms crossed in front of his chest and I could tell he had a fake smile on- one of those smiles that you only use when you have to be polite. Suddenly I felt like I was in world that I didn't belong in. Was I even myself anymore! I mean holy crap I'm with GIBBY and I act like a girl with clean sheets and giggles!

I pushed away the sudden, unfamiliar feeling. I was happy, and for the moment, that's all that mattered.

"Now….Someone make me bacon before I feel the need to punch something." I said this with complete seriousness. Gibby rolled his eyes but headed to the kitchen with a smile and turned on the stove.

"You really haven't changed that much, have you?" Carly smiled as she intertwined her hand with Freddie. My eyes caught the gesture and my heart fell only for a moment.

Some things just don't change.