Songs for this chapter ~ FOOLS (Troye Sivan) // Don't Leave (Seven Lions Ft. Ellie Goulding)
Full Playlist ~ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVgTs4uANmlhlgHnM1SxMGeJ2nrIaqJj
*Caution ~ Minor Smut
///////////////////////////////////////////
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." ~ Albert Einstein
I stumble over my feet as Carl drags me into the woods. He pulls me behind him, my hand in his. I look around at my surroundings. The woods outside of Alexandria always seemed to put me in a better mood. I never knew why, though. Maybe it could lead to the fact that this could become my new home. Alexandria could the place that sticks around until the outbreak is over. There's nothing I wish more for than to grow up, get married, maybe have kids. With all this shit that's going on, it's a blessing to be brought to a place like this.
I'd like to think that we were typical teenagers running through the woods. The truth is that we would never actually be normal teenagers. That's just the way things were. We grew up during the breakout. We learned survival instead of algebra.
I laughed as we both tripped over the rocks laying on the path. If there even was a path. I don't understand what Carl expects us to do out here? There's nothing much more to do than to keep watch or kill the dead, which is what we're supposed to be doing.
I look up at the tree branches and leaves above us. It was quite a sunny day, all we've gotten around here has been rain. There was a faint sound of walkers, but they didn't seem too close. I had no doubt that we couldn't take them out, but you could never be sure how big the walker crowd may be. And I don't think right now is the time to prove that teenagers can be stupid and get away with it.
Plus, we wouldn't even get away with it. We never get away from anything. We were forced to act like adults. Scientifically, our brains haven't even been fully developed yet. So yeah, we'll fuck up sometimes, but you wouldn't believe how much shit we would get from it. The brain development thing wouldn't even budge as an excuse. Tough luck, kid.
This whole situation worried me, and I wasn't sure if Carl knew what he was getting us into. "Are you sure about this, Carl? The walkers could be anywhere near here,"
Without looking back at me, he continues to rush through the wooded area. "It's fine, I can barely even hear them," he replies breathlessly from running. He glances back at me and comes to a halt. I must have had a look of concern on my face. "Don't worry bout that, okay? This is the first time dad's letting us go outside Alexandria, so I'm trying to make the best out of it. Ya know? This might be the only time we're alone. Trust me. We're in no harm." he tried to convince me.
"What are you talking about no harm?" I mock him. My eyes look up at him in disgust then sorrily at my shoes, "Nowadays we're always in dangers way. The least we can do is be cautious, Carl." I suggest as I begin to kick around at the dirt.
Carl wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me closer, causing me to stop kicking my foot. "I will always be cautious. Especially around you, Aria. I'd never do anything to endanger you. You know that.."
I look up at his freckled face and into his dreamy eyes. I give him a sly smile to show that I understand. He returns a much bigger smile before kissing my forehead.
It occurred to me that we've only been dating for a couple of weeks now. It first started at that hellhole known as the Terminus. Carl and I were both seconds away from death. Everything must have been buzzing in our minds. We both said some things that we might not have said any other time, and we ended up not dying. Awkwardness overcame both of us once we realized coming out of that alive was a possibility. Days went by before Carl told me that he didn't lie about what he said, and I admitted the same. We decided to start dating on the down low. It's still pretty secretive, but I think some of the group is becoming suspicious. I would never have predicted dating Carl, I have always pictured him as my brother or best friend, never lover.
