Sebastian looks at me with wide eyes as everyone else processes what I just said.

"Pretty Girl, did I hear you correctly?  Did you just say that you wrote that song for Blaine?"

I give him a small smile and nod.

Yes Bastian, I did.

Somewhere across the room I can hear Puck's voice calling out loud and clear.  "Anderson-babe, why couldn't you have been here last year too?  We'd be on our second National Championship by now.  No offense Rach, but Shannon's a much better songwriter than you.  Just going off that one alone!"

I'm blushing now. Blaine comes to my side, pulling me away from Sebastian. Although Seb doesn't let go of my hand without a fight.

A pout on his face.

And a whisper of I'm so proud of you Princess, you're so talented leaving his lips.

I blow him a kiss as Blaine finally pulls me away.  Sebastian leaves to go chat with Thad and oddly enough that younger Warbler, the one who said he looks up to him.  I think he said his name was Skylar.

"Shann, you made that song seem completely effortless.  Meant for Blaine.  How did you do that?  I tried so hard last year and it took me forever to come up with something even halfway decent."

Someone laughs and throws back in response.  "Please don't bring up 'My Headband' again!  That was truly awful."

Finally I tear my eyes away from where Sebastian is to focus fully on the small group that is now surrounding me.  Rachel, Kurt, Quinn and Britney are looking at me expectantly.  Gnawing on my lower lip some I glance quickly at Blaine.  He has a satisfied smirk on his face as he ruffles my hair.

"My little Belle has been writing things for as long as I can remember. Making up little songs for us.  I was just appreciative that she let me use it for my audition piece.  Carmen Tibideaux ate it up."

I sigh as I desperately try to fix my hair again. "Aladdin it was nothing. You said you wanted something special and I had 'Going Nowhere' just sitting there. So....."

Someone turned back on the music and my friends drag me off to the makeshift dance floor.  I'm not there long before I am practically bowled over by a giggling ball of sunshine.

"Shannnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!"

See I knew wearing my sneakers with this outfit would be beneficial. I catch the giddy body, only teetering slightly on my feet. In my arms is a very smiley, seemingly quite inebriated Trent.

"Shaaaaannnnnnn....... dance with me!!!!! We're gonna find so many hot California boys. Prettier ones than Seb and Hunter combined!!"

He's slurring slightly and clinging to my arm. Kurt is giggling softly behind his hands as I glance around my circle of friends. "Okay, who gave my unicorn son so much alcohol??"

A heavy hand comes down to rest on my shoulder as the others point behind me.  "Sorry bout that Babe.  I thought Sunshine could hold his booze better.  Turns out he's a giant lightweight."

Really Puck?!

I roll my eyes as Trent lets me go and starts playing with Britney's ponytail.  "Your hair is like silk gold..... can you make me a vest out of it??  Soooooo soft......."  Brittney is giggling uncontrollably as Trent playfully tugs on her hair.  She whispers in her cute little girl voice just as Santana wanders over to our little circle.  "Shanny, I love your new Dolphin!"

"Water Sprite, why is Sunshine Warbler pawing at my girl like this??"

Trent turns to look at her with wide eyes, fingers waving a hello.  Then his hand juts out to grab at her hair too.  "Ooooooohhhhhh..... Your hair is so shiny!!!!!!  Letme touch!!!!"  She backs up and grabs his wrist before he can touch her.  And then he looks at me with a pout on his face.  "Shanny, your friend isn't being very nice."

I sigh and step in.  Santana lets go of his wrist with a huff and a shake of her head, pulling Brittney away with her.

Weirdo.

Trent is still pouting at me, eyes tearing up some as the two girls disappear back into the crowd.  "Shannnnnnnn........  That girl was mean to me.  Why??  I just wanted to touch her hair..."

I move forward slowly and place a gentle hand on his arm before he can dance and shimmy out of my reach.  He blinks at my slowly, "Your hair is fluffy Shann...."  I giggle slightly as I steer him through the crowd, motioning for Blaine to follow me as well.  "I know Trent.  And it smells like coconut too."  Trent must like that idea cause he bounces along with me as I lead him to the refreshments table.

Coconut is a funny word.

Our little threesome finally weaves through the crowd, only almost losing Trent once when he gets distracted by Tina's knee high lace up Doc Martens. Sebastian notices me as I pass by where he is with Thad and Skylar.

Quickly he is by my side as Blaine takes hold of Trent in front of the table, keeping him from grabbing at all the food. "Princess, everything okay?" I look up at him and sigh, running my hand through my hair. "Bas, Puck got Trent completely wasted..."

He shakes his head and breathes out a deep sigh. "Okay Love, I got this. Experienced drinker and I've had to sober up some of the other guys before." He runs his fingers gently down my cheek and then reaches out to grab a bottle of water. "Killer, give this to him. And try to get him to nibble on a cookie or something. Just make sure he takes it slow." Blaine nods as he accepts the bottle.

"Shann, we'll be over there if you need us."

I follow Sebastian's arm as he motions to one of the small tables with chairs surrounding it that have been set up near the windows. I nod silently and he drops a soft kiss on my forehead before leaving with the two boys. Carefully helping Blaine guide Trent to go sit down and try to sober up.

I shake my head and look away. What a way to end the year, ya know.

Grabbing my own drink, non alcoholic of course, I wander off in the opposite direction. Towards the very plush couches they usually have in this room.

And when I get close enough I realize that I am not the only one who had the idea to just sit back and observe the party from the outside.  A solitary figure is sitting in the corner of one of the couches, glancing around the room.  I approach slow as to not spook them or get noticed too soon.  And only when I am directly in front of them, and they're looking away so I make my presence known.

"Fancy meeting you here, Handsome."

Moss green eyes are on me instantly as his hands reach out, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me down to straddle his lap.  Facing him.  "Angel!!" I giggle as I place my drink on the table beside us and he settles his hands on the bare patch of skin at the small of my back just below the hem of my tank top. Unnoticeable to the crowds around us because of my long crocheted coverup.

My own hands come to rest on his chest, fingering the collar of his blue polo shirt.  His hands run tenderly up and down my spine and our eyes meet.

"Shay-baby, are you ready to talk everything out now?"

I solemnly nod, glancing back down at my hands as I toy with the collar of his shirt again.  Smoothing it down beneath my fingers.

"And???"

Slowly I look back up at him as his hands move more firmly to sit on my hips.  Pulling me closer.  Settling me closer to his body.

As the warmth from his hands filters through my body, my soul.

And I begin to speak, almost without thinking about the words coming out of my mouth.

"Oh Hunt...  I want you so badly.  More so than I ever should.  I really shouldn't need you as much as I do, want to be around you all the time like this.  Especially when I have Sebastian. You shouldn't be able to make me feel so comfortable, so complete.  You know?

Hunter nods at me, calmly. Even though his eyes are sparkling with joy at my words. Voice soft, sincere. "I love you Angel. No matter what. You were my first kiss, that perfect dancing doll. Whatever the future holds for us, always know that I'm yours."

I know.

Of course I know.

One of my hands moves from his shoulder, raising to cup his cheek. Hunter's eyes flutter closed momentarily. Before he opens them again he moves a hand from my hips to snatch my hand off his face, pressing a kiss to my palm as he opens back up his eyes. I whisper back to him softly, barely noticeable over the music.

But we are close enough to each other right now that he can hear me anyway.

I'm yours too, always.....

Hunter's smile is so big as both of his hands move to my face, pulling me even closer to him.  Pressing frantic and happy kisses to my lips.  I giggling as I kiss him back.  Both of us completely forgetting where we are.

That is until people make us remember.

"Water Sprite!!!!!!!"

Reluctantly Hunter stops as I look over my shoulder, Santana is smirking at me from not too far away.

She looks dangerous.

I'm scared now.

Worried about what she wants from me.

"So Water Sprite, a few of us were talking and we've got a bet going on."

She motions to Thad and some other people I don't recognize.  That devilish grin still on her face.

Yea, I'm terrified now.

Hunter moves one of his hands to run soothingly up and down my spine again as he addresses her this time. Moving me to the side so he can see her better, although still leaving me situated on his lap.

"What do you want now?  Why are you hassling me and my girl?"

Santana just stalks closer to us, voice growing louder. Gathering attention.

"I'd watch it New Kid, no body hit your buzzer. And does Fivel know that you're calling that Hobbit your girl now?"

I'm aghast. She's just being terribly mean and people are staring now.

"Back off Satan. Leave Shann and Clarington be. Whatever this is you're trying to do, it doesn't matter anymore. So just get over it."

She huffs. Crossing her arms in front of her chest as she glares at Puck. He is standing with some very shocked, very angry looking boys. Jeff. Nick. Blaine.

And most importantly, Sebastian.

"Oh shove it Puckerman. Everyone knows that you would be all up in her pants if it wasn't for the two boys she's been juggling. Sort of like you would be all up in Berry's moldy granny panties."

Santana?!  I thought we were friends!

She just waves her hand dismissively at Rachel.  "Sorry, not sorry Berry.  I'm sick of sugar coating things for people."  Britney comes to her side and touches her arm.  "Sanny, please don't do this.  Shanny, Sebby and Jamie as just too cute."

Santana shakes Britney off her as the blonde girl's blue eyes go wide.  "No Britt.  I wants my money, so Water Sprite needs to answer my question.  Unless you're scared Shannon."

Internally I'm shaking as I narrow my eyes at her, sliding off Hunter's lap to sit on the couch next to him. He whines softly at the loss but grips my hand tightly in his own.  Big sigh.  "What do you want Satan?"

The malicious grin is back as she opens her mouth to speak again.  Examining her nails nonchalantly instead of meeting anyone's eyes.

"So do you actually dance with Soldier Boy at that studio or was all of this a clever ploy to bang him? Like in a room full of mirrors and stuff."

My jaw drops.  Really?!

The room goes deathly quiet.  Enough so that I can hear Hunter mumbling beside me.

Wow, she's a giant bitch!

Blaine fires back first.  "Santana?!  That's uncalled for.  Shannon would never compromise her professionalism like that.  She's been dancing for years."

Her brown eyes narrow as she puts her hands on her hips.  "Whatever.  Have any of you actually SEEN them dance together?  Like that ballroom shit?"

I glance at Hunter quickly to see his eyes fall as he scans the room.  Everyone is shaking heir heads.

Sebastian's voice filters through.  "Her old partner sat in on their rehearsal after prom.  I know my girl.  She wouldn't do something like that."

Santana's laugh sounds so mean.  "Fivel, you don't know your girl.  You didn't know she was with him for a while.  She made up a fake name for him so we wouldn't be mad she was hanging out with him."

I just about break when I see Sebastian's face fall at that.  This needs to end.  I stand and pull Hunter to his feet as well.

"You want proof?!  Fine!!  We'll show you."

I pull Hunter towards the front of the room, people clearing a space for us as we pass.  Blaine catches up with me whispering softly.

You don't need to prove anything to her, Belle.

I just shake my head and hand him my phone.  "Blainey, I queued up the song.  Just hit play when I nod."

He take my phone from my hands with a nod.

Ready Romeo.

As I'll ever be Angel.

I nod at Blaine once we are in position and we begin to dance.

(See below for dance)

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Unlike when we showed Gabe, as Hunter eases me to the ground my arms wrap around his neck and I do kiss him softly.  When I open my eyes again he is smiling at me.

Sebastian reaches down to help me off the floor as Hunter stands on his own.

"Are you satisfied now?!"

I yell loud enough for the crowd to recoil and then stomp out of the room.  Followed by both boys.