Mushaboom • Daryl Dixon

4

Daryl

When I got to her house I walked to the side of it, to where her window was. The lights were on in the kitchen and her brother's room too, so I figured she'd be by herself in her room. I approached her window and looked through the blinds. I saw her sitting on her bed reading. Her hair was down and in her face, she was wearing an oversized 'The Who' T-shirt. She looked tired. Her door was shut so I went ahead and tapped twice on the glass.

She brought her head up to her window. I tapped another 3 times so she'd know it was me. She hesitated for a beat; she got out of bed and walked to open her window. I smiled weakly at her and she did so in return.

"Hey.." She said in a warm whisper.

"Hey.." I stared at her for a bit. She looked so soft, and I wanted nothing more than to hug her.

"C'mon.. Everyone's going to sleep. They already came in to say goodnight so we should be good.."

I nodded and pushed myself up through the window. It hurt like hell, she reached to help but stopped as I managed. I swung my legs over and sat at her window, she backed up and sat at her bed. We sat there just looking at one another for a couple minutes. She went to speak up but I stopped her, "Daryl-"

"I'm so sorry Rachel.." My voice was low, I looked down for a sec, but brought my eyes up to face her. She nodded so I could continue, "You know I- I really do appreciate everythin' ya do. I do, I.." I trailed off, trying to find the right wording.

She got up from her bed and walked towards me. I looked up and she took my hand. "I know you do. And I know sometimes you gotta do things for you, on your own. I get that. I'm sorry too." I shook my head, she shouldn't be apologizing. But she stopped me.

"Hey.." I looked up at her. "I know you genuinely feel shitty and sorry.. It's okay." She let out a soft laugh, "We're okay. We both know what we did wrong. We learn from it and move on.. Anyways if you could just manage to beat his ass once, this wouldn't even be an issue anymore.."

We both laughed. I dropped my head and I saw she still had my hand in hers. My ears begin to burn. She noticed too, but she didn't pull away. She rubbed my hand with her thumb and then lightly squeezed. I looked back up to her, her face was serious. She then brought herself closer to me and wrapped me in a hug.

I wasn't one for physical contact, but with her (and her grandma) I made an exception. Her arms could heal. And they were so warm. I wrapped my arms around her as she held me. She ran her hand through my hair and my eyes became heavy. The sound of her heart, the feel of her arms and body on mine. My eyes met hers. Her hair, her chin, her lips, her eyes.. I could really see Rachel's eyes in 1989.

She let go and sighed.

Rachel

Looking down at him, holding him- him holding me. Everything felt at peace. I wanted to feel this every day. With him, contentment seemed within a reaching distance. Daryl was everything; our future was everything. Our future..

He moved his head to face me. His stare was intense. I could see so much going on in his eyes. I held his gaze and begin to run my fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes for a sec, taking in the feel of it all, but quickly opened them as if not wanting to miss something.

The feel of his warmth and comfort was overwhelming. His eyes could really see me, I could see him. My eyes flickered down to his lips. The thought of our lips- what our kiss would feel like- he must have felt what I was feeling because his eyes lit up (just as mine must have). My ears began to burn, so I panicked and broke the hug. I let out a sigh and backed up towards my bed. His eyes were clouded with a million different emotions. Deflated.

I couldn't stand the tension any longer so I spoke up, "The school called.." I bit my lip. And looked away from him. "Said I ditched.. and that I had an 'altercation' with Matty and you." Daryl only listened, but I could tell his mind was still stuck elsewhere.

I continued, "They'll want to see us tomorrow probably.." He was completely out of it now, not even trying to pretend he was listening. So I asked, "Daryl, what did he say for you to fight back?"

Daryl flinched when he heard his name but quickly returned his attention. He stayed quiet and shrugged. I get my brows furrow. He'd usually tell me what was said, but only when it involved me or his mom he'd keep quiet.

"Your mom?" He shook his head. "Me?" I asked, hardly audible. He shifted his feet, looking down. After a moment he picked his head up. At first he hesitated to speak, but finally spoke up. "H'just was bein' foul an disrespectful. Said anythin' to get me to fight, but I couldn't let him say those things.."

I shook my head and didn't say anything. He got up, wincing while pushing up with his arm. "I should head home. S'getting late.."

I nodded. He turned to head out the window. I walked up to him and I took his hand. It caught him off guard but he held onto me. "You could stay longer.. you don't have to go back tonight." I whispered. He watched my face intently then shook his head, "Nah it's okay.."

I frowned but nodded. "Okay. Goodnight Daryl." His face frowned. "Goodnight." He squeezed my hand and let it linger for a moment. Then he was gone.