{{Dedicated to @_Donald__Duck_ because she is an amazing person and her love for Caleb makes me smile}}

It was Friday morning, which meant there was less than ten hours left for the party. Even though she'd spent quite a lot of time with Floyd since she'd invited him to it, Rhea still couldn't help but feel excited at the prospect of getting to spend time with him somewhere that wasn't the school.

The annual back to school party took place at the beach, which was a plus because there were no houses nearby. That meant no complaining neighbors, and therefore no cops breaking the party up as everyone was barely starting to have fun.

Also, there would be a beautiful bonfire and some people would even sit around it and make s'mores. S'mores made everything better, right?

All in all, the party wasn't that bad, yet neither Rhea nor Willa had been to one since freshman year. Why? Simply because they both went through a phase during sophomore year where they both despised everything that was enjoyed by the majority of people, and it included high school parties, prom and Billboard's Top 100 Hits. They did grow out of it at some point and learned to shake it to Nicki Minaj's Superbass, but for some reason or another, they never picked partying back up.

So this party was a big deal besides the whole thing with Floyd, and Rhea's anticipation grew by the minute.

However, she still had to get through today's classes and right now she was sitting next to Caleb for the third Chemistry lesson of the week. And she'd gotten the window seat, finally. Caleb had arrived not two minutes after she'd set her stuff down, looking exhausted with dark circles under his eyes. She'd smugly looked up at him and said, "I am Rhea of House Targaryen and I have claimed what's rightfully mine."

"Calm down there, khaleesi," he'd chuckled lightly, "If you wanted the window seat, all you had to do was ask for it."

"A queen doesn't ask," Rhea had responded, jutting her chin out defiantly, "She commands."

Now, they were sitting side by side, scribbling down notes about organic chemistry as Mr. Martin spoke without even taking a pause to breathe. Seriously, that guy had an impressive set of lungs.

When he finally took a break from trying to speak their heads off to pass out some handouts, she turned to Caleb, poking him in the ribs with the back of the pen she had in her hand. He looked up at her with a sharp motion of his head, rubbing at the spot she'd jabbed at.

"I am on the verge of reconsidering this being friends thing," he said, his eyes glimmering with amusement.

Rhea mock-gasped at his words and said, "You wouldn't."

"Well, yeah, I wouldn't," he said, and after waiting for dramatic effect he added, "If you'd stop assaulting me."

"Yeah, whatever," Rhea said, grinning at him, "Are you coming to the party tonight?"

"Nah," he said, shaking his head once.

"Why," Rhea poked at his ribs once again, "Because you are above such teenage silliness?"

"No," he chuckled, shoving her pen away with his own, "Because I have a prior engagement."

"Oh," Rhea said, feeling a surge of disappointment course through her. She was enjoying being Caleb's friend. Underneath the initial cocky, asshole-y side of him there was actually a decent person with a sense of humor matching Rhea's and that was pretty much everything she needed to find a friend in someone.

Their conversation came to an end when Mr. Martin placed handouts in front of them both, and not without giving them a meaningful look. A look that dared them to keep talking and face the consequences.

They didn't dare, of course, and turned their attention back to the lesson just as Mr. Martin launched into another one of his lengthy monologues about Carbons and Hydrogens.

Soon, the lesson was over and Rhea had gathered all of her stuff. Before she left, she turned to Caleb and said, "Have a nice weekend."

"You too," he said, giving her a smile, "Have fun at the party."

"Will do," she responded with a mock salute, and then she slung her backpack over her shoulder and left.

***

Rhea was at her locker, gathering her stuff while chatting with Willa when Floyd approached her. She didn't notice him at first, what with being in the middle of a sentence and all, but when Willa nudged her repeatedly, she got the message and turned around to face him.

"Hey," he said in greeting.

"Hey."

"I was wondering," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "What time should I pick you up?"

"Pick me up?" she asked, feeling confused.

"Yeah," he said, not understanding the cause behind her confusion, "What kind of a date would I be if I let you drive yourself?"

A date? When she'd told him he should come to the party, she hadn't even hoped for a date, she was merely looking for an excuse to spend more time with him. But well, if he was willing to be her date, then she wouldn't object.

"How about seven?" she said, smiling at him, "I'll text you the address."

"Great," he answered, beaming at her. And then, he left after bidding his goodbye to both girls.

As soon as Floyd was out of earshot, Willa turned to her, and latching onto her arm with an iron-like grip, excitedly gushed.

"He so has the hots for you!" At that, Rhea couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Roll your eyes all you want," Willa said in a sing-song voice, "You two are happening."

"Yeah, whatever," she countered, having a pretty hard time concealing the smile that curled up her lips, "Are you going to help me get ready or not?"

***

Three hours later, Rhea was staring at her reflection in the mirror in amazement. She wouldn't get all dramatic and say the girl that looked back at her looked nothing like her, however she'd also have to admit it was such a better version of the everyday Rhea.

To get to that point, she'd gotten her very own cheesy romantic comedy getting-ready montage, coming out of her closet in a dozen different outfits just for it to be vetoed by Willa every single time.

In the end, she'd put on the burgundy form-fitting dress that she'd bought with a surge of courage and hid at the back of her closet because she never dared to wear it. Willa's face lighted up the moment she saw Rhea, and they both knew they'd found the dress. It wasn't anything too chic, it was a simple cotton dress that hugged her body and ended at mid-thigh. It could totally be paired with converses and a denim jacket, which is what Rhea did.

Then followed hair and makeup. Willa spent almost an hour, curling Rhea's hair to perfection and then applying just the right amount of eyeliner on her eyelids.

The result was pretty impressive, which earned Willa a massive hug from her best friend.

After fifteen minutes of idle chit chat about "How Floyd would lose his shit at the sight of Rhea," –Willa's words, of course–, there was a knock on the door.

Rhea quickly hugged her friend goodbye and went to answer the door.

Floyd stood at the other side of it, clad in a flannel shirt worn over a black t-shirt and black jeans. He looked dumbstruck at the sight of Rhea, which in turn made her do a victory dance. Internally, of course.

"You look amazing," was the first words that came out of Floyd's mouth.

"You don't look so bad yourself," Rhea answered coyly, "Shall we?"

"Sure," he said smiling. When they neared the car, he rushed to open Rhea's door for her, earning himself an extra point in her eyes.

***

When they got to the beach, the bonfire was already roaring, the music was loud and the people were dancing to it.

They went towards the beer keg and Floyd got them both a cup. Beer wasn't usually her best friend, but tonight was her first party so she thought she deserved to throw caution to the wind a little.

In theory it was a perfectly fine idea.

It helped her loosen up a little and have fun with Floyd, the usual nervousness that followed the knowledge of him being her soulmate dissipating with the help of alcohol.

It helped not to care her when Willa got there with Wade by her side and started to toss around all sorts of suggestive looks and words.

It helped her not to panic when Willa took Wade with him to do God knows what and she was once again left alone with Floyd.

However, after her third cup, she started getting all sorts of crazy ideas.

They were sitting by the bonfire, sipping at their beers and conversing when the best one yet came to her.

"I am going to go for a swim!" she declared.

"Don't be crazy," Floyd said, chuckling, "The water is probably two degrees right now."

"If I am not crazy at eighteen, when will I ever be?" Rhea said, and a moment later she was on her feet.

As she made her way away from the bonfire and towards the shore, she first discarded her denim jacket and then her shoes. She could hear Floyd following her and calling her name, telling her to be logical. She turned around to face him, opening her arms in a you-can't-stop-me motion. And just like that, with her dress and all, she dove into the water.

And fuck, was it cold.

Within two minutes, she'd lost all sense in her limbs, which was fortunately briefly after she'd managed to return to the shore. Her dress clung to her body in a wet, heavy heap and her hair was slapped against her forehead and her back.

Floyd regarded her wet state with an amused look. That is until he realized the way she was shivering violently, her teeth clattering.

He took off the flannel shirt he was wearing over his shirt and wrapped it around Rhea's shoulders. It wasn't made of a very thick material, but it still served as a barrier against the chill of the wind caressing her wet skin.

"That was the worst idea I've ever had," she mumbled. When her shivering didn't cease, Floyd draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to himself to share his body heat with her.

"Hope this is okay," he said, turning to her and gesturing towards his arm.

"Okay?" she echoed, "It's perfect. You're my portable human-sized heater."

"Is that all I am to you?" Floyd asked teasingly, "A radiator?"

"No," Rhea mumbled quietly. Than her eyes lighted up with mischief, "You're also the guy who is going to drive me home, because there is no way I am going to sit around one more second, looking like this."

"Very well," Floyd chuckled, "Let's get you home."

He guided her towards where they had parked the car. As soon as they got in, he turned on the heater, and in turn earned a grateful look from Rhea.

It was nearing half past twelve, and Rhea suddenly felt the intense need for a bar of Hershey's. That was always how it had been; drunkenness was always followed by a craving for sweets with her. She also realized they were out of Hershey's, she remembered it pretty clearly, seeing she'd devoured the last pack last night while binge-watching How to Get Away with Murder.

"Um," she said, turning towards Floyd, whose eyes were carefully trained on the road, "Can you drop me off at the supermarket instead?"

"Is there something you needed?" he said, "We can make a pit stop."

"No, that's fine," she said quickly, "It's a five minute walk from there. I'll be fine."

"Okay," Floyd said, "Supermarket it is."

When they pulled to a stop in front of the supermarket, she turned towards Floyd, who was already looking at her.

"I had a great time," she said, "Thank you for the ride."

"Me too," he said truthfully, "And don't even mention it."

Smiling, she leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek, resting her hand on his shoulder as she did so. Then, she stepped out of the car, feeling the chilly night breeze nip at her skin once more.

She rushed inside the supermarket with quick steps. There was no one in sight; neither a stray customer, nor anyone from the staff. She knew the order of the place pretty well, so she navigated quickly to the snacks section. She picked up three bars of Hershey's – she believed that no amount of Hershey's was too much Hershey's.–

When she neared the cash register, something familiar caught her eye. Upon further inspection, she realized that it wasn't something, rather someone familiar.

Caleb was sitting behind the cash register, wearing a long sleeved shirt with the supermarket's logo on it and resting his chin on his hand, his eyes closed.

She approached him with feline-like steps and spoke up when she was right in front of him, making him jump in surprise.

"Is this what your prior engagement was?" she asked, looking at him curiously.

Caleb's face contorted when he recognized who was speaking to him. Clearly, he hadn't expected his lab partner from school to stroll in to the place he worked at one in the morning, asking questions.

Without uttering a single word, he took her by the elbow and guided her into a room that had "Staff Only" written on the door.

Once inside, he turned on the lights and faced Rhea. She could tell he was agitated, though she had no idea why; working a job after school was nothing to be ashamed of.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and heaved a deep sigh before he began talking.

"My father left two years ago," he said, "and Mom works herself to the brink of exhaustion, but sometimes it just isn't enough. So I take on night shifts here whenever I can to help out."

"Can't you take an afternoon shift instead?"

"I have..." He paused for a moment, looking around the room as he worded his response, "Other things to take care of in the afternoon."

"What time do you get off?" she asked this time, starting to put two and two together.

"Three am. Sometimes later."

"Is that why you sometimes fall asleep in class?" she asked quietly, though she knew the answer. She knew the answer and she felt like the biggest ass in the entire world for the way she'd thrown it in his face on Monday.

When he nodded once, she closed her eyes, not being able to find it in herself to look Caleb in the eye.

"Oh God," she said, her eyes still squeezed shut, "Caleb I am so sorry, I feel like the biggest dick in the world."

"It's okay," he said softly, "You couldn't have known."

Upon the softness of his voice, Rhea felt that she was forgiven, so she slowed opened her eyes just in time to see his expression turn into a smirk.

"And if we're talking about the biggest dick in the world, I know for a fact that it can't be you."

When the meaning behind his innuendo registered, Rhea couldn't help but burst into laughter and Caleb followed shortly after. They just stood there in a dimly lit storage room at one in the morning and laughed until their sides hurt. She was still slightly buzzed from the beers she'd drunk, he was exhausted from the day's work and Rhea could swear it was the best time she'd had all night.

***