For the first time in years, I was behaving like a normal teenager, having real, normal teenage experiences with an actual friend.

Daryl's eyes locked on mine, and his face broke into a huge smile.

Laughing, I beamed back at him, feeling something warm and fuzzy settle inside of my chest.

When my iPod shuffled up songs and 50 Cent's Candy Shop came on next, I waggled my brows and grinned devilishly. "Oh, D, this is my jam!"

"Hell no!" Laughing, Daryl threw his hands up. "No taking me to any damn candy shop," he slurred, dragging himself to his feet. "Seriously, you gotta stop, or I'll never get the image of you licking a damn lollipop out of my head." Grabbing my iPod off the nightstand, he tapped on the screen until he had the song switched and the volume lowered to background music. "Thank Jesus!"

"You're a killjoy," I laughed, crashing onto my back and breathing hard from my theatrical exertion.

"And you're a never-ending ball of energy," he chuckled, flopping down beside me.

Our bodies aligned, shoulders touching, as we stared up at the ceiling and sighed in contented unison.

"I'm drunk," I hiccupped.

"Me too," Daryl replied.

"I love you," I blurted out and then snickered. "You big, dumb, doofus."

"I love you more," he chuckled right along with me. "You teeny, tiny dolly."

"You're so lame." Laughing softly, I sighed in contentment. "Hey, you never told me who your first time was with?"

"The fuck?" Daryl laughed.

"Your first time," I slurred, smirking at the ceiling. "Who'd you do it with? Hmm? Who'd you stick your peeny-weeny inside?"

He choked out a laugh. "You're a freak, you know that, right?"

"Quit dodging and start answering."

Groaning, Daryl flopped an arm over his face. "For the love of god, change the subject, Dolly."

"Okay, now I'm intrigued," I cackled. "You have to tell me."

"Nope."

"Daryl."

"I ain't telling."

"Let me guess." I wrinkled my nose as I said her name, "Ashley."

When he didn’t respond, my mouth fell open and I jabbed him in the ribs with my elbow. "Oh my god… you did!"

Laughing in amusement, he rested his hand next to mine. "I ain't never been that drunk, Dolly."

His words hit a nerve and my laughter quickly died off.

"Do you – I mean, was I…" Pausing, I tried to think up the right way to phrase my next question.

His thumb grazed the back of my knuckles. "Were you what, Molls?"

"Any good?" I managed to squeeze out.

"Any good?" I repeated, sounding confused.

"Yeah." Clenching my eyes shut, I held my breath to stop the world from spinning, and concentrated on the feel of his thumb gently grazing my skin. "At kissing."

The physical contact was minimal but it caused my heart to buck wildly in my chest. His touch felt so freaking good...

"You…" He exhaled heavily before saying, "Were the best I've ever had."

"Really?" Pulse spiking, I released the fist I had unintentionally made and let my hand fall open.