As time progressed, Daryl came over for dinner almost every night and always managed to somehow make his way into her room later in the evening.

"We're gonna get caught one day," she would mumble as he grabbed pillows and blankets.

"We won't," he'd whisper, while making a pallet on the floor.

"If you say so, Dixon."

Brianna would curl up in her blanket and instantly began to drift to sleep.

Yet, tonight, things went a little differently.

"Aye, you sleepin' yet?" He whispered from below.

"What is it, Daryl?"

"Merle...he came home again last night," he revealed. "He's leavin' tomorrow mornin'...."

Brianna listened as his voice drifted away, until she heard the following words.

"He wants me to come with him..."

Brianna sat up in her bed, her heart thumping in her chest. "What?"

Brianna peered over at him, as he sat up. His hands remained folded in his lap.

"You heard me."

"Don't," was all she could manage to muster.

"Brianna," he sighed. "Any place is better than here."

"Being with Merle isn't any better. You're so much better than him—"

"Aye! That's still my brother."

"I know," she retorted. "But you got other options, Dixon. College, trade school, and plenty of other thangs."

Daryl rolled his eyes flopping back on his pillow. "You know I can't do college. Hell, I can't even afford college."

"Schlorships..."

"Ain't got the grades."

"Work study programs," she suggested.

"If I'm working, I'm keeping my money, not giving it away," he huffed.

Brianna moved to lay beside Daryl on the floor, who stared at the ceiling. "Hey," she cooed, turning his head towards her. "I can help you figure it out. We can study for the ACTs together, look for scholarships and the whole lot. The world has so much to offer Daryl, I just want you to be able to see it."

"Why do you care so much," his raspy voice asked.

"Why does it matter?" she whispered as she caressed his cheeks before slowly pulling away. Turning on her side, she got comfy next to him. "Goodnight, Dixon."

It didn't take long for the young beau to drift to dreamland at his side.

Daryl stared at her figure, watching as her body would rise and fall in the darkness.

🏹🏹🏹

The following morning, Daryl followed his usual routine by making sure he was ready and out of the house before Brianna's parents wondered to her room. Daryl rounded the back of the house, trucking it towards his yard.

"Aye, little brother is a nigger lover."

Daryl took a couple of steps back, catching his older brother smoking a cigarette as he walked down the side of the house.

"What was that?"

"You heard me, boy," Merle hissed. "I saw you coming outta that gal's winda."

"It's not like that..."

"Then what's it's like? C'mon, baby brother I'm curious 'cause I sure as hell never had no black pussy before."

"Stop, Merle," Daryl growled, as he attempted to walk away.

Merle, pushed Daryl back. "Not so fast, baby brother. Gimme some details," he taunted with a chuckled.

"Merle stop, I gotta get ma things for school."

"School," he huffed. "Waste of goddamn time." Merle watched as Daryl brushed passed him heading for the door.

As if on cue, Brianna exited her home. Merle watched as she headed to her truck, placing her things in the back, then settling in the drivers seat.

Soon after, Daryl came out the front door, heading right to her.

Merle sucked his teeth before pursuing his brother. "Where you goin'?"

"I told ya," he replied. "School," Daryl answered, still walking towards the car.

Merle jogged to catch up with him before yanking him around. "With her? That ain't right."

"It's just a ride. Leave it be," Daryl hissed.

Merle balled his face up in angry, "Guess you riding that nigger night and day. Ain't that right?"

Brianna's mother stepped out on the porch. "Bri, ya gotta get going to school. Can't be late."

"I know, ma. Just waiting on Daryl then I'll cut out."

Her mother glanced over towards Daryl's home, noticing the rough looking older man staring him down. "Daryl, c'mon before y'all are late," she intervened, as she stepped back inside.

"I gotta go," Daryl spoke, before heading towards Brianna.

The ride was silent. An oddity, since their growth in friendship. Daryl racked his brain of something to say since they left home. The single tear on her cheek signified that she heard Merle's unpleasant remarks.

"He's an asshole. Your brother's a bigoted asshole," she mumbled. "That's why I don't want you to leave with him, because I know you're better than that. You know it too."

He hadn't even noticed they made it to the school until she hopped out of the car.

"See you later," she mumbled before walking away from the vehicle.

🏹🏹🏹

Daryl found himself waiting patiently at her truck after school. He watched as others filed out, heading home. Yet, he didn't see her. "Any minute now," he mumbled.

Ten minutes past, she still was nowhere to be seen.

Roaming the school grounds, he'd found her in the library with a young fellow.

"If you have anymore questions or need help, just let me know. I know Mr. Simmons can be a little overboard with his curriculum. Tons of work, very little explanation of how to do it," she chuckled.

"You're right about that," he agreed, scratching his bleach blonde hair. "I'm literally in class everyday, like whaaaat."

"Well, I'll be around to clarify."

"Appreciate it, Bri," he smiled as he packed his things. "See ya tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow," she confirmed.

The young man, passed Daryl on the way out, earning a deathly glare. Daryl came closer to Bri, who's back was turned towards him. He cleared his throat grabbing her attention.

Glancing in his direction, she sighed, "You're still here..."

"Well, I couldn't just leave without actually talking about what happened this mornin'."

"We don't have to talk about it. I said my piece."

Daryl was hot on her heels, hopping in the truck right after her. "Well I haven't said mine," he argued.

"It doesn't even matter, Dixon."

"Well, it matters to me," he barked. "Merle is an asshole. I know that, but you have to ignore him. He don't know no better."

"Know any better? He's a grown man filled with hate. Hate he wants to instill in you," Brianna shook, her head to rid the thoughts she had. "Just forget it, Dixon."

"No, I won't forget it. I'm sorry for what he said about you okay? He was outta line."

"Mhm, okay, sure," she sighed, "Let's just hope you don't turn out like him."