Octavia Blake [The 100] (okteiviakomskai) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2016-04-14 21:16:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !partner thread, caleb rivers, octavia blake |
Who: Caleb Rivers and Octavia Blake
What: Random Encounter
Where: UCI Campus
When: Random weekday
Warnings: N/A
Status: Closed, Complete, Partner thread
Caleb had gotten off work early. Or more accurately taken off early. He did that sometimes. Now that he had worked in an office for a good six months he was better about taking off, more used to the environment, but sometimes he just needed out. Today was one of those days. He was debating between going to a bar or surprising Hanna after one of her classes. He decided for go for the latter.
Laptop in hand Caleb sat on one of the many benches on the UCI campus typing away as he waited for Hanna’s class to be over. He still had some time so why not do some light hacking while he waited? Old habits die hard or however the saying went.
***
Octavia couldn’t find her keys, and she was starting to panic. Where had she lost them? Where could she have lost them? She tried retracing her steps from the apartment to campus, to her classes and everything she had done throughout the day, but she just couldn’t figure it out. Which was why the damn keys were lost in the first place.
She sighed and sat down on the bench next to Caleb. She needed to calm herself down and figure this out. “Sorry. I’ll try not to bother you,” she told him. She wasn’t hyperventilating, but she was close. And he was cute. That didn’t help.
***
Caleb could tell the person sitting next to him was distraught to say the least. He wasn’t cold, in fact he was usually at least somewhat friendly. Shutting his laptop he turned slightly to face her. “Don’t worry about it,” he said giving her a smile. “I’m just passing time anyway,” it wasn’t like he was doing anything serious. “Is everything okay?” stupid question considering it certainly didn’t seem like it was okay, but still there it was.
***
Octavia gave him a slight smile. Nothing was terribly wrong. Unless her keys really were lost. That would be a nightmare. Because she’d have to figure out how to get replacements for her apartment and her car and that was just a headache. But at least it wasn’t her wallet, with her credit card and everything.
She sighed. “No, I’m fine. I lost my keys and I’m panicking, but I’m really okay.”
***
Caleb could certainly tell she was panicking. Which he didn’t exactly blame her. Not only was there the whole issue of not being able to get into places but also the idea of someone else having your key and being able to break into where you lived. That was something A would do. Man, the dreams were making him paranoid. They probably weren’t stolen, the more likely scenario was the girl had misplaced them. “Have you tried retracing your steps?” Caleb offered. Seemed like the best place to start if you asked him
***
Octavia nodded. “I have. I mean, at least this far. I can’t get in my car, so there’s no point in going that far. Unless,” he said and she brightened up. “Maybe I left them in the car!” That was a possibility.
She could almost kiss him for making her think of that. She couldn’t, of course. She didn’t even know him. And he hadn’t even suggested it, but he’d prompted her to think of it. Same difference.
***
If they were in her car Caleb could assist with retrieving them, maybe. He had broken into a few cars back in the day, helped steal and sell them. That was a long time ago. Felt like another life almost. But he was sure he still knew how. He wasn’t sure he should offer though. He did just meet this girl. It wasn’t like he advertised the shady things he had done in the past. Still he felt bad.
“Seems logical,” Caleb commented sliding his laptop back into his bag. “Come on,” he stood up offering another smile. “I’ll go check with you. If they’re not there, we’ll figure something out.”
***
“That would be awesome,” Octavia said. She stood and led the way. She would reserve thanking him until she saw for sure if the keys were in the car. It made sense, though, and now that she thought about it, she didn’t actually remember taking them with her.
“I’m Octavia. I don’t think I thought to tell you that since I’ve been panicking this whole time.”
***
“Caleb,” he replied as he followed her lead. It wasn’t like he had any idea where her car was. “Don’t worry about it, you have a lot on your mind.”
***
“I guess I do, but it’s still kind of rude.” She flashed a smile. “It’s good to meet you, Caleb.” She meant that sincerely. He seemed like a nice guy.
There was small talk on the way to her car, but then she cut herself off midsentence with a squeal of relief. “They’re here!” She flung the door open, and scooped the keys off the seat. “I must have dropped them when I got out of the car.”
She turned and impulsively hugged him. “Thank you!”
***
Caleb was a bit taken aback by the hug but received that she had her keys and that he wouldn’t have to break into her car to get them for her. Although she really should keep her car locked in the future.
“No problem,” Caleb replied as he pulled away from the hug. “But you should probably make it a habit of locking your car,” he added with a half smile. “And taking your keys with you,” that was a joke, obviously. He was pretty sure Octavia had learned her lesson about the keys.
***
“Haha. You’re funny.” Octavia stepped back and smiled. “But yeah. I’ll be more careful. I really don’t want to have that particular panic attack again.” She felt a little foolish for it, now. But at least the car was still there, no one had gotten in or anything. That was probably a miracle.
“But I mean. Thanks for your help and everything.”
***