stay with me tonight (just remember)

The emotions flowing through her blood, she could not comprehend. Years ago she had sworn to leave her past behind, so the ghosts of her not so pleasant youth would fade away, buried along with the memories she fought so hard to neglect. And still there she was, standing in the same auditorium where she cried so many times, where she laughed so many times.

The circumstances were so divergent and yet there was something, perhaps hidden inside the reflectors that used to lit her up while performing, or the melodies she could still recall with blended melancholy and heartfelt affection, that made her feel safe. At home.

All was quiet now, peaceful. The sound of ancient laughter had faded.

She had lost the track of time, for nightfall had come and the old friends with whom she had shared so much joy were long gone.

It was hurting her, not being able to let go. They say it takes a minute to say hello and forever to say goodbye. A tear slid down her fair skin, in the exact same moment she heard a well-known voice calling out her name. "Quinn."

She turned around and noticed his picturesque silhouette nearby on the stage. Pale blue eyes stared back at her with confusion as big lips pronounced a question for which even the great Quinn Fabray did not have an answer. "What are you doing here?"

Her gaze went from his' to the ground. What was she doing there? "I am certainly not sure. I suppose I just needed to come home again." Her whispers hit him like a meteorite. Was that pain beneath her angelical tone? Hazel eyes in the direction of the floor he could not stand. He wanted to see them again, to feel the deep connection once existing between them.

As he walked her way and sat by her side, he discovered the marks of her tears. "You have been crying."

She let go a small sigh as she looked up. "It's been a long year." She was never the one to let her feelings, let alone her weakness' show, so she ignored the burning questions inside the boy's sparkling eyes and began talking back at him. "What are you still doing here though? Everyone else left hours ago."

He knew he had an option here. He could pretend he had gone home only to realize his keys were missing and had to come back for them -which would also save him from the blonde's future enquiries-, or he could tell the truth. He did not intend to lie that night.

"Well... as you probably know, I teach here and I have plenary access to the building." She could sense a bit of stuttering in his voice; he could feel himself getting lost at her sight.

"Some nights I am fond of coming here. I like to visit old rooms, drown in nostalgy. Seeing everyone back brought to surface memories I had locked away."

As she smiled, he felt the urge to look away. It was for the best; if not, who knows what kind of insanity he could have committed to the clash of their eyes. Damn those eyes.

"I completely understand you, Sam." She took his hand and her voice cracked. "What room were you hiding at? I made a whole walk-through and did not catch a glimpse of you."

His palm was sweaty. It reminded her of when they used to date; she used to complain about it, she loved to mock him. But, just for that night, it was alright.

Nervousness took control of him. "I was in the astronomy room," his answer took her by surprise. Two hung up heads slowly made their ways back up. Before even noticing it, they were once again locked into each other's gaze.

"Sam..." she softly mentioned his name.

He could not allow this to happen; he had to break the intensity of the moment. It was the dumb thing to do, and according to everyone, Sam Evans was a master of dumbness.