At the café, Riley bought her desired mocha and immediately wrapped her hands around it to warm them. Zeke glanced over and a small smile crossed his features.

"Forgot mittens?" he asked.

She smiled, looked down and blew on her steaming hot drink. "Yep. Is this normal weather?"

"No, it's generally warmer."

"Good. I can never get used to cold weather," she replied.

"Lid?" he asked, offering one to her.

"No thanks," Riley said. She looked up at Zeke. He had opened up a lot since when she'd run up to him outside her house. Under the whole tough-guy layer, he was really smart, even kind. With each passing minute, she found it harder and harder to believe what others thought.

Zeke grabbed a lid for himself, some napkins and they sat at a table. Any other day, he would have done take-out and gone for the caffeine pills. He would have today, too, if he hadn't completely forgotten about them. Riley was nice and interesting. He sipped at his drink and watched her as she looked out the window.

Riley loved people-watching. For some reason, the odd little quirks of others had always been amusing to her. Turning back inside, she saw Zeke staring at her. She looked down and took a sip of her drink. A stinging sensation on her tongue let her know all was not well.

"Ow!" Riley put her cup down but not as gently as she'd meant to. Coffee came flying at her and landed on her shirt. "Oh, not cool," she said, looking down, hands raised.

"Let me help," said Zeke. He was already up, napkin in hand. He leaned down to wipe her shirt as she held it out.

Once he'd gotten as much as he could, Zeke looked up. His brown eyes met her blue ones and they both froze.

Riley felt a weird clenching feeling inside. She stared into his eyes and lost herself in the depths of them, breathless for a moment. They were soulful, penetrating, entrancing. She swallowed to both clear her throat and regain her composure.

"I'd better head home."

Zeke paused before standing upright again. "Good idea," he said as he broke eye contact by looking down. He sat down, hesitantly.

Riley got up, pulled her jacket around her and headed to the door. Zeke sat, frozen as he stared blankly at the table. The door closed with a small thud. After a brief pause, Zeke slammed the table with his fist and swore, ignoring the heads that turned towards him.

*

Casey, Delilah, Stan and Stokes had gathered again the next morning before school. Casey and Delilah looked like quite the odd couple, he had on jeans and a striped shirt plus, of course his camera. Delilah was fashionably dressed in a pink fitted shirt and vintage-looking skirt. Stan and Stokely, on the other hand, were more complimentary. He wore his usual wash-and-wear jeans, shirt and letter jacket while Stokes donned khakis and a sweater set.

When Zeke approached the group, they put aside all the small talk and got down to business, after Delilah was done scrunching up her delicate nose at his grungy jeans and mock gas station shirt.

"So, Zeke," said Casey "up for playing babysitter?"

"Just because-" Zeke started to argue but suddenly, the image of her at the café popped into his mind. He paused then started over. "Yeah, I guess I could keep an eye on her house."

"The rest of us can worry about her here at school," said Stokely.

"I still don't think it's right," Delilah responded.

"Oh, give it up. We've already been over this," said Stan.

"We have to," Casey said "Whether we like to or not. No chances, remember? Absolutely no chances."

*

Zeke pulled his car out of the parking lot. He'd had a pretty bad day. Ms. Burke had been sick and the substitute didn't know squat. He cringed. Busy work was the root of all evil.

Suddenly he spotted someone who he thought might be Riley. Part of him said to forget her but another reminded him of his promise to his friends, scratch that, the scooby gang. Plus, it said, remember the café? He steeled his nerve and pulled over to the curb.

"Hey," said Riley, walking over to him.

At least he didn't have to initiate conversation. Zeke was grateful for that.

"Hi," he replied "Want to head for some more coffee?"

"No thanks," she responded "I've had enough mocha for a while. But a ride home would save my sanity."

"Sure," said Zeke. She opened up the door and hopped in. Zeke liked her today's outfit, too; pants, blue shirt, faded hoodie and black beenie. She slung her black messanger bag off of her shoulder and hopped in.

"So, you know where I live?"

"Sort of," he replied as he pulled out into the street.

"If you don't mind," said Riley "can I ask why you around my house yesterday?"

"I live a few blocks away."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Now, if you don't mind, can I ask how exactly I'm saving your sanity."

Riley made a sour face. "There's these really stupid guys on my bus that think they're the funniest thing but they're really just-" she paused to think of the right word, "disgusting."

They drove in silence for the rest of the trip. When they reached her house, she finally spoke.

"Here."

Zeke pulled over to the curb.

"Thanks," she said.

"Welcome."

"You know," Riley continued "There's this dance coming up on Friday. I was wondering if you'd like to come with me. as a friend of course," she added hastily.

"Why are you asking me?"

"Well, Stan and Case are going with their girlfriends. So, other than them, you're the guy I know best. Wait, make that the person I know best."

"I don't know what I'd do there," Zeke responded.

Riley smiled. "It's called a dance. You. dance."

"Yeah, but I don't know how."

"You and half the school," said Riley.

"You really want me to come, don't you?"

"Well, you're a friend of mine and you really need to get out more."

"No I don't!"

"Zeke," said Riley very matter-of-fact, "I can see straight through your whole anti-social layer to the nice guy that you really are. You just need to open up."

"And you're saying this dance would help me?"

She shrugged. "It's a start. But, I'm not forcing you into anything."

"I guess," he said "But I'm leaving if they start playing a lot of slow songs."

"And me with you. They make me puke."

"Well, I'll see you Friday then."

"Yeah," she opened the car door and got out "bye."

"Bye."

Riley turned and waited until she could hear his car engine fading into the distance before she pumped her fist into the air.

"Score one for Riley!"

********************************************************* A/N: Sorry, forgot to mention before that all characters are property of their respective owners (Riley Ewing being mine) so please don't sue. I have no money anyway.