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The chirping just outside the window was louder than I expected, blaring almost. And then along came the quick chop, almost as repetitive as the bird. But with the light coming from right side allow me to see that I'm entangled in a mess of bedsheets. 

When I opened my eyes, the door before me seemed to sway back and forth in the pattern that I couldn't even follow, and as I rose. I fell straight back onto the pillow in the moments that followed of me rising, holding my hand straight to my eye was I trying to bring myself to do it once again.

And I finally got ahold of myself, and the given glass of water. Chugging it down until the drops streamed from my mouth and down my chin, but the second it touched my breast. Was I in the quick moment to cover myself up, stuffing the blankets up to hide myself.

What happened? 


What happened? 


What the fuck happened?


As I shuffled through the blankets, then turned to the mess on the floor. Was I quick to find both my underwear and bra thrown in the safe distance from one another. Grabbing them both and struggling to put them between my two legs or even my bra, evenly putting it on the correct way before trying to find the shirt.

But I couldn't find it, instead, I grabbed the green long sleeved shirt that I couldn't help but sniff over and over again....Was this Daryl's? Was I in Daryl's house? Taking my jeans, pulling them up to my waist and fastening them before I made my way through the narrow hallway.

Waiting for flashbacks to settle through...Yet nothing did.

Nothing but the ever waking pound in my head. It wasn't the normal hangover, and instead, was I just following the sound of chopping. I saw him, at the side of the house cutting wood. So back to the room I went, pulling up my boots before heading outside. Not caring what I look like or preparing to ask what happened, I just needed him to explain head first what happened.

And what we did.

Unlocking the front screen door and passing by the fire pit where I smoked more times than I cared to admit. But the entire time I kept my arms fastened over my body like I was still hiding. And I can't figure out why, all I wanted to know was the given few things. 

But seeing him just continue to go hard at this given wood, over and over again to the smallest log. Guess it makes sense since the back wall is stacked with it. Huffing and puffing like he was angry, only aiding what we could have done. 
"Daryl..." He turned, stopped mid swing before enacting again. Leaving the ax stuck in the log as he moved the chopped pieces down with the rest. 

"Finally awake...Wanna tell me what ya were doin' at that party anyhow?" Rubbing my eyes did I try to remember what happened, and how I even got here. I saw my bike on his truck, so that was one mishap. But he was heated, and surely had the night to think about my actions.
"Can't say I can..."
"Shit...Last night just gone? Outta ya head? Because this is gonna turn into a shit show real quick hun." He said, taking a load of wood into his arms and walked on off. He fucking walked off, so instead, did I take the given few logs into my arms and continued to follow him. "How bad was it?"
"Which part?" Letting go of the logs right beside his dump, did my arm just instantly go into the position of 'I don't fucking know' phase. And he chuckled. 

"Ya met Jules, actually hit it off with her...Just wish I knew ya two were talkin'...She gave ya soemthin' and before ya start I didn' know 'till after." My eyebrows scrunched together as his sigh let loose, he was so sarcastic in the beginning. Acting like I'd never wake up, and now here he is faced with a dilemma.

And in the pit of my stomach did I feel like I knew what he was going to say, my body knew. Especially with the tears setting into place creating my glossy eyes to go into effect.
Fuck. 

"I didn't..."
"She didn't tell ya what it was I don't think, babe it wasn't ya fault." My lip trembled up and down as I was tackled by his hug, the sweaty bearhug he offered as I cried within his hold. He hobbled back and forth as I tried to calm myself down...

"I'm a hypocrite, I'm such a fucking hypocrite—"
"Nah ya ain't, ya beatin' yaself over nothin' hun. I don't care...Scared as all hell in tellin' ya this mornin'...But ya alright, ya fine." Taking deep breaths did I begin to believe that, but how was he here, still by my side after everything that happened?

"A-and when we came here?"
"Shoulda told me ya felt threatened by her...Done all that naughty stuff to compete with her, Rory I told ya...Didn't have to worry 'bout her nomore, she's a lost cause." My breath hitched up as he used that term, just like my 'grandmother' said to me too. And I stepped the given ways back, I told him I felt threatened? Did I feel threatened?
"Jules touched me and ya got all defense, punched her right in the noise. Never had to stop two chicks from rippin' each other up...Always was the other way 'round."

My hand took a hold of my head as I laughed out a cry. How the fuck don't I remember.
"Ya wanted to, last night ya we're beggin' me to...I didn't, I promised ya I'd wait till we're both sober...And that's the one promise I plan on keepin', for however long ya want." My smile was hidden by the sheer factor of my head still pounding. That must have been hard for him, even seeing him this sarcastic as he is now.

But what does this mean for us? I want to forgive him, but I'm scared of being betrayed again. So digging deep into what my body craved, did I let my arms do whatever it was they wished to do. In the sense did they hold onto Daryl's shoulder until he turned around, letting his hands pat down onto his leg due to all the wood chips coming from his entire figure.

But my hand took hold of the collar of his shirt, pulling it in closer for me to just lay one single and drawn out his. He didn't control it, he allowed it to play through until I began to pull away. Letting the smallest peck originate right on after before moving away. "Thank you...For—"
"Rory, I'd do it in a heartbeat, ya gotta know that by now." Nodding against his given head, did he whisper the words 'comehere' as he brought me in for a longer hug. 

"Anything else happen?"
"Got into a fight with Jules. Took out ya knives, though I was seein' two guys fightin' the way the two of ya were headin'." As he continued to lead me back into the house, giving me another glass of water that he watched and forced me to drink down before continuing on the night's talk.

I remember the end of it, the one part where Daryl's dirty phrasing came into play. That I didn't know what I was asking for, and maybe that was it. Maybe I was really scared in that sense, how am I going to be able to be fully coherent when he...When we...

"We good?" He asked, holding my hands together and bringing them to the center. At first, I wasn't aware of the question he was asking, but then it came to me. How real of this was, and I still wasn't ready to say it back. "I wish I can say it back..."
"Hun, ya can't force that. Got ya all locked up, just gotta work it...Ya free tonight?" 

I was hesitant in responding, so I nodded. Allowing myself the benefit that he has something planned. "What do you have in mind Dixon?"
"Ya like golf?"


*


The idea still rang inside my head, even after the clock struck twelve. I called my mom, letting her know I'm alright. Even if I had to hold Daryl mouth shut with my hand as we laid naked in his bed. 

It was refreshing to know that he doesn't care if we smoke in the house, considering the fact that Merle was home and Daryl had to cover my body from his brother's already laughing gaze. His exact words were 'That's why the two of ya left last night? Alright? So we all good kids? Hate seein' the two of you fight!' Making Daryl just continue to leave the trail of kisses around my body as if his life depended on it. 

He wasn't as joking as he before, like he was stepping on glass this time around. And I get he wants to be careful, but him messing up isn't the biggest thing.
Just hope I won't see Julia ever again, can't say she poisoned me with her own shit but she should have told me what was in the 'welcome wagon' as she so cleverly called it.

"We're here." He stated, parking somewhat onto the side of the road as he turned off the car. 
Handing me the flashlight did I fasten my hold around it as it's my only light to guide me through, he claimed that if we get caught we get caught. I just bail him out and we're set.

But that's the part that worried me, and begged the question of why he asks like he's still walking on broken glass. Making my way through the wooded area was I surprised at how many times I caught him looking back, just creating the laughter to flow through the air. "What's gotcha laughin'?"
"You keep looking back." That had him huff out a chuckle as well, peering through the bushes to find the given area but instead. Was I just beside him looking as well, I didn't know he lived near a golf course...And why are we even here?

"That's cause ya walkin' so quietly, didn't think ya were gonna learn that quick hun."
"You still thinking about taking me hunting with you?" As he was about to make his walk over a bit did he stop, I guess that plan's been delayed with all the— "If ya wanna, need a nice long weekend to do it though."
"Spring breaks coming up, unless Mr.Dixon has anymore bucket list ideas like this." He chuckled, now revealing ourselves to the open courtyard of this well kept...Fuck I don't know the name, didn't know he liked golf either.

Guess I wasn't lying when I told Shawn I don't know him either.

"Ain't really a bucket list, more just somethin' to fuck around with these rich assholes...No offense hun." He saw my swatting hand come from a mile away as she shuttered from it, but in all honesty was I still trying to understand what all this was. But the fact that he told me to wait at the said post, did I become worried at what might happen. 

And how this will all fall apart.


Until the sweet smoothing sound from one of those golf carts came rolling on towards me, seeing Daryl just glowing with pride as he parked right beside me. His hands just drafting over the wheel as he said "Need a ride sweetheart?" And I was quick to hop on in, but not after I held on for dear life to the handle above. 
Driving as fast as this thing could take us, over the mountains of little grassy hills it had to offer was enough to make me scream and laugh as he pushed the limits.

"Aight, this looks good." He said, stopping the mini car before heading on off. And following him to the back do I just see the few baskets of golf balls just sitting calmly in back. Probably lost the given few because of his reckless driving. "How many times have you done this?"

"Once or twice, those fuckers fired me cause they thought I stole somethin'...I swear I didn't, but they got insurance and I lost the job." Shrugging along do I take one of the buckets and place them right beside the one he took out as well, taking the given gaze in which club to offer me was I still unsure of how he thought of this brilliant little plan of his.

"Ever done this before?"
"Can't say I have..." I mumbled, taking hold of the club by the grip at the top. But as he was situating himself, he saw that I was having trouble and came up behind me.
"...Didn't have that many field trips..." Was all I could say, and as he let his fall down to the floor. He leveled my arms down, holding the grip down onto the rubber part of the club once more. Bending down to motion the swing, his calm voice just walking me through it again and again before the ball soon began sorrowing through the air. Past the given hills and probably in the sand dune. But we aren't playing for points, we're playing revenge because they used Daryl as a scapegoat.

"When did you start doing this?" I asked, lining up another shot and leveling it out. He, however, stopped mid-swing to think about my question while I continued through, letting it sore far into the air. "Guess the first time we got into a fight..."
"Oh," I mumbled, the club just resting on my shoulder as he soon came over. How else was I suppose to respond to that? 

"Thought ya could do the same, get the anger out. Probably have enough stored in ya for the whole bucket." Scoffing instead of swearing at him, only because I knew he was right.
"Wish I remember my talk with Julia."
"Yeah, save me a lotta trouble." I don't recall talking about Daryl, but in that moment did I remember the smallest fraction of what might have happened. Was...Was Julia comparing sizes?
And why was that not unbelievable?

The hand just leveled slightest smaller than Daryl's— Letting my throat clear at how completely questionable my own thought process was at the moment, as I just met by the lingering eyes beside me. "I thought...I thought I'd remember something."
"Wanna share?" Taking another ball and just dropping it to the floor before automatically letting my body ready to swing, allowing the ball to find it's kind somewhere in the field. 
"Don't think I'm a liable source."
"Still, sorta funny to think she likes ya." I chuckle, shaking my head along with him as he took his practice swings to get another hit in. "Alright, Dixon."
"Hell happened to Pookie."
 My mind completely froze as he smirked as loud as can be before me. "I didn't."
"Ya did, and here, I've been called worse." Swatting my hand past him as I grabbed another ball right between the both of us, this was relaxing. No wonder he wanted me to come. "Asshole." I mutter, still relieved that I'm hitting the ball and not the dirt underneath it.

There's no little picket thing that will hold it above ground, won't make much of a difference. The white ball to the dark ground isn't much of a target to rely on. "And there's one of 'em. Ya tell me if ya remember somethin' though...Right?"
"Someones getting a little antsy, scared she said something bad?"

He grumbled out a 'no' but I guess no guy wants their dick compared to others, but why was she comparing...Where did I even get the idea she was comparing...Is she a whore? 
Again, all these theories screamed a yell, especially that last statement. Her being a whore...? Shawn! That's it! She had sex with Shawn and that's why I was laughing.
But forgetting where I was and who I was with, made him stop to look behind. "Think she was asking why Shawn was acting so weird."
"Yeah, he had a thing for her. Don't know how far he got with her—" My hand covered my mouth as I let the club slide to be held between my arched elbow as I did the same motion she did. 
"This far." However red my face was couldn't compare to what he was, even with no light what so ever. Was the largest bit of color illuminating off his. Even with his hand scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"I think she was giving me advice on who to go for...Little did she know..." The break up was me preparing for a swing and taking the leap of faith, wasn't my farthest. But my little comment after was obligated by the fact that he passed me a cigarette. "I'm good."

"Gonna be scared of everythin'?"
"N-No—"
"Good. Take it, told ya I won't have ya scared of nothin'." Itching my hand closer until I finally took it from him, placing it in my mouth as he offered the light.

And although it wasn't the air my body so desperately craved, it was all it was getting. I just couldn't tell Daryl that I've been wanting another taste, he wouldn't allow it, my morals wouldn't find it suiting either.

Hell, I can barely keep my eyes on him for a good long minute without thinking about Jules fucking around with anyone...Everyone else.

Even his brother.

Again, did I shake my head as I went for it again. Felt nice to hit something, something so meaningless, but to give a shitty job to someone in the morning will look better than that hefty fine they gave Daryl. 

"Didn't think ya'd still wear the necklace after...All the shit that went down."
"I haven't taken it off. And I don't plan on it Pookie." The rising grin on his face as his smoke was barely within the presents of his mouth. Almost threatening to fall out until he took it within his hand.
"How the hell did ya make that name sound so damn cute?" Shrugging, letting the hot air fumble out of my mouth as I take another shot.

"Pookie was the uh...Name of a teddy bear I had way back when, so I don't know how..." His laughter completely ruined my unveiling, how the hell did I take the toy my biological dad broke into Daryl's nickname? How did that even happen, and yet here he is. Laughing at the sheer of being named after a bear. 

"Oh hun, ya killin' me." Still trying to calm his everlasting laugh. Never told him the rest of the story, and I'm not going to make him seem like a dick after that. So it's best to leave it unsaid, like the whole long list of shit. "Yeah? We have that history test coming up soon."
"Fuck." He was in the loss, granted it was at the end of the month. After spring break and then before we both know it, summer is just around the corner.

Guess my counselor and I have to talk about the event if my credits don't all transfer over and I'm stuck not graduating, either summer school and finish up high school. Or go to a community college that doesn't give a shit about when you apply. 

Either or.

"Got somethin' in mind?"
"Yeah...And I promise I won't break an arrow this time." His eyes sparked up again but titled with his head as he tried to understand my reasoning behind it, might take the given moment to formulate a given strategy. And probably more work than I'm cut out to give, but I want him to pass this class. And as does the teacher, just a seventy. That's all I'm trying for for him. 

"Still can't get over the fuckin' deer tho, ya know—" His voice was cut short in the second there was the police siren. He was right, he was fucking right. "Blake run!" Was all I could hear at the looming sound, I couldn't even think to place down the club before darting through the woods with him just on my trail. 

The yelling of officers sounded about somewhere on the open golf field, and whether the sound of dogs barking was from them or the neighborhood. It didn't stop us from running the entire distance to the truck, and even then were we still in escape mode. 

Fumbling to get the keys into the ignition, did he take off by stepping on the break. Jolting the car forward and down the road back towards his house, and with a good few moments past us both. Did we begin laughing in pure enjoyment of what just happened. We escaped the cops, and it was like he planned it too.

Warning me beforehand only for it to actually happen. If I was arrested, fuck that'd be the last strike on my record. Can't go into law enforcement with so many, even then will it look bad for Step-dad over here.

"Ya want me to drop ya on off home?"

"Yeah, my mom's gonna freak out anyway." We were still in the cheery spirit of things, even after what just went down. Just wish I wasn't as tired as I was, then we could've done something more. Guess it was the added boost of cravings that rendered me weak.

Also didn't want to see my mom until tomorrow, until the shit is almost out of my system enough to not feel guilty to look her in the eyes. As his truck ever so gently came through to my driveway, after all the times I gave him shit. Or he'll pop a tire, seems he finally takes my words into consideration before parking the car right in his designated spot.

Even more so do he help me unload my bike off towards the ground and right into the barn, not even bothering to put the lights on or any sort of given the indication that I'm home for my family members to see. 

As I gave him the smallest peck, leaving him with the uninvited mystery and small little gratitude for tonight's enjoyments. Did he whisper my name, and I was tempted to continue walking. But I stopped myself in that very instant to look on back, already seeing him jog the given ways towards me as he prepared his opening question. "The other day, when ya said 'I did it because I thought you'd go back to her' what did ya mean...?"
"When did I say that?...Oh..." My own question was answered the moment it left my mouth, even fiddling with his fingers before peering up with those glossy blue eyes of his did I sigh in regards of putting myself in the position before him.

Just to get him back.

"Back then I thought...I thought you would get frustrated because I didn't...Do anything with you yet."
"Babe-" I cut him off with the simple motion of my hand. I knew what he was going to say, he'll say it a million times over because that we both know if that promise is broken it's the end...Us.

"I was out of it...Believe me I want to, I'm just..." I trailed off, not knowing where to go or what to say. The lump in my throat wasn't helping either, so instead Daryl suggested what it might be. "Ya scared?...Hun, I wouldn't dream of hurtin' ya."
"No, I...I don't know what it is. Maybe I'm nervous I don't know." 
I figured it out in that moment, when my eyes were locked on his. I was worried if I figure out if I love him or not, and it's too late to take it back. I like him a lot, hell maybe I already love him. I just need to sort through all the clouded thoughts and journey back before I can make a decision.
"Weren't nervous New Years." He joked, trying to lighten the tone. But before my thought was even translated to my brain before speaking out through my mouth did I say:
"How did you know...When you started to..."
"Love ya? To be honest, it might've been before New Years, I was just admittin' to myself then...Christmas, when ya got me the jacket...Guess it was all the little things that I started to love." 

I smiled at that response, leaning in to kiss him gently. But before I could even dare move away, he pulled me closer. Signifying it as a final goodnight. "Get some sleep, been keepin' ya up so late." Rolling my eyes did our hands connect until we were too far away to hold onto one another. 

That's when I walked straight into the front door of the house. And to my surprise, was Jarod the only one home...Again.

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Date Posted:  02-26-18// Time: 12:55
Word-Count: 4202
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R.I.P Carl <3