The weather was the kind that felt like a kiss of summer without the fiery heat of noon, the grass a soft green the tiny blades flickered in the slight breeze. The ground was warm under her bare feet and she was glad to be free of the confines of her shoes... from the confines of many things. She sat cross legged on the lawn threading a string of daisies dexterously through her fingers, the air around her was hot and stifling but it didn't show - she was used to the strong heat of Georgia so much so that Florida's didn't compare. She chuckled to herself, apparently even the Floridians had trouble with the temperature.

She smiled inwardly, watching tourists snapping pictures, wiping their brows, shouting at their stubborn children who wouldn't keep their hats on or stay still for sun cream. She closed her eyes so she could focus just on sound; birds, children and the sizzle of a barbecue; how could anyone say that wasn't music? The young girl opened her eyes and let the daylight flood back in, bringing the day right back into focus

It felt good, almost serene being here, being away she thought, she was almost happy. It'd been almost a year since she felt this way. She relished in it, in this summer day, savoured the feeling of the warm wind of late August lashing on her face. This time of year had always been the best for her, the blissful days before school started again.

The buzzer of her cell went off like an annoyed rattlesnake in the grass beside her head, the sound muffled by the spread of her pale hair. She sighed knowing that it was probably Zach, apologising for stumbling into the apartment at 4am the night before stinking drunk - she chuckled at the memory of it. She'd watched him stagger around and fall over his shoes. She was angry then but right now, in the blissful relaxation she'd realised that her reaction in the moment was probably somewhat harsh. She was sure that he had a sore back from sleeping on the floor, but didn't pay it any mind and continued to lay staring up into the stretch of blue above her.

The girl in the grass let the rattlesnake sound carry on, hoping Zach would just leave a darn voicemail! An apology is better said in person anyway, she knew that.

After the fourth call she started to feel that scratch of annoyance and slight unease - Zach normally got the hint after the second call. It worried her and she knew how she got when she was worried about something.

"Worrying won't change anythin' dear..." She heard her mother's singsong in her head and it forced her to look at who was calling.

Maggie.

Right away she felt herself grow cold, the sweat on her skin chilled peppering her lightly tanned skin with goosebumps. At first she thought about not answering, but knew that'd be a mistake of epic proportions, so with a reluctant breath she answered instantly regretting it.

"Beth. It happened again." Her sister's voice was rough and scratchy on the other end, Beth didn't have to ask why.

"I'm taking the next flight out.."

"Bethy.."

"I'll see you soon Maggie.."

The sounds of the birds and children were gone and Beth was met with deafening silence.

Zach ran his hand through his close cropped hair three times in quick succession and fixed his girlfriend in a stare that could have frozen the Pacific. He snarled more than spoke;

"Beth, what? School starts in a month and you're going again?"

His stare was as uncomfortable as a chorus-girl corset and had the same effect on Beth's breathing, constricted and shallow. She didn't want to leave him. She didn't want to have to miss school but she knew it was inevitable - her family needed her, even though Maggie had tried to convince her to stay numerous times in the last few hours Beth couldn't rationalise staying here, worrying constantly. That didn't work out well last time.

Her facial expression sagged, lacking its usual liveliness completely, as if she had left her spirit outside the door. She was mad. Beth had expected his complete support he knew how much family meant to her.

"You're kidding, right?" Beth asked, voice shaking as she met Zach's eyes.

The boy didn't flinch, he was holding his ground. Usually he had swooped her up and held her while she cried but he just stood stock still, a slender hand gripping the red wood of their front door with white knuckles.

Beth bit on her lower lip and her eyes turned glossy with tears. She tried to blink them away and when she realized she couldn't, she pulled up the sleeves of her jacket and stared at the ground.

"I'm coming back. You're acting like we're breaking up..." Beth went silent, chewing her lip hoping that she didn't jinx them. She was finally happy, this couldn't be the thing that breaks them.

"Are we?" She didn't want to know the answer, not at all but she waited with bated breath standing in the open doorway staring at her boyfriend of two years.

Beth watched as Zach sighed loudly, wilting against the door like a flower in the heat. His eyes remained fixed on hers, anger changed to sympathy in a split second.

"Of course not, I love you. I'll be at the other end of the phone whenever you need me. I could come with you? If that's what you really want?" Zach hesitated before the last few words, knowing Beth would see right through his request.

He was right and Beth just shook her head briefly before returning her attention to her suitcase. In the brief moment, they both realized this was worse than before - she was taking a suitcase, the last time this happened it was only a bag. The pair both recognised that the situation was a little fish in a big ocean of trouble.

"I love you. I'll call you as soon as I land." Beth straightened up leaning into his warm embrace, as she expected he enveloped her in, breathing her fresh scent his lips finding hers momentarily, the pressure light. Tears threatened but were quickly blinked away.

This wasn't a goodbye kiss - just see you later.

The airport looked more like a shopping mall than anything Beth had experienced, not much had changed since her last visit mind you; the walls were still that drab off white, the smell of hundreds of people was still as off-putting as ever. Why did this have to happen now? She had a good life; college, friends, a boyfriend she loved with all her heart. She was happy. So why now?

Flight 206 from Miami to Atlanta is now boarding..

Her boarding call did nothing to curb the running thoughts of why she'd been thrusted into this situation again, nor did it stop the guilt from overwhelming her. It wasn't his fault, not really.

"God damn it.." She was exasperated and had the headache from hell coming on and definitely didn't need this flight - No matter how short or how salubrious the furnishings inside the airplane were, to Beth it would never be more than a flying metal tube. She crossed her heart as she stepped over the threshold and smiled stiffly at the stewardess.

It was gloomy and mid evening, the worst time to arrive. As she came out of the plane, Beth felt the heat reflecting off the tarmac. She'd not forgotten the Georgia heat entirely but the humid clutches of It made it hard to breathe. She was sweating even before she had reached the arrivals bay; her jean shorts clung uncomfortably tight to her thighs and the cold shoulder top she wore stuck to her. Not to mention the tangled mess of blonde that'd fallen out of the pony she wore - a rather large man who'd taken his place next to her on the flight had fallen asleep on her shoulder during, and she was sure there was drool somewhere in her tresses.

Over the squirming mass of heads Beth spotted one she recognised. He was mousy haired, though much darker than her own. His skin paled in comparison to her slightly, if at all tanned skin. She watched him make his way towards her - he didn't look that out of place but he got some stares from the disapproving elderly as he barged through to take her suitcase and handbag.

After departing from the masses and making the silent trip across the parking lot to his car he spun around, his large arms wrapped her up in a tight squeeze.

"Beth..You're a sight for sore eyes..C'mon, Maggie's waiting."

Beth felt her heart swell and stomach drop as he greeted her. Shawn, forever the comfort.

The drive was longer than expected, the evening traffic clogged up the highway making for some colourful language to burst from Shawn. It'd surprised Beth, hearing her brother curse as he did - must be that new job of his. She didn't know much about that, she wondered why he kept the details so vague when she'd asked. Naturally she got a half answer so she carried on biting the skin of her nails, an annoying habit but it was somewhat of a distraction from the next topic.

"So..what has Maggie said.." Shawn grumbled, fingers gripping the steering wheel tighter as he made down the final stretch of road that'd lead them home. Beth felt the car shift and pull them faster, causing her to grasp the seat - if Shawn noticed her fear he kept silent, waiting for her reply.

"Not much. I didn't really give her the chance. I got the first flight out I could.."

Family was what she lived for. Her parents supported her, cherished her and made sure she was alright. She used to be a homebody, a bird that would never fly south for the winter, but the events of last year had seen her wanting to escape it all. For Maggie it'd made her rebellious, disappearing off to the city in a cloud of smoke and Shawn, sweet, loving, Golden Shawn..it'd made him take root in the farm trying desperately to plaster over the cracks in the families foundations. Shawn the fixer-upper, that's what she called him...not to his face though, goodness knows she wasn't ready for more confrontation - it wasn't who she was.

"Home sweet home.." Shawn sighed, snapping Beth out of her brain haze. Everything was familiar, but so different; the slight crunch of the summer grass under her feet, the smell of animals and hay, the white gleam of her newly painted house blinded her. She squinted in her brothers direction.

"You painted just for me?" Beth smiled, genuine if not somewhat sombre.. half expecting Shawn to snap at her for being insensitive but he just laughed, shoving her shoulder with one large hand.

"Quit it short stack, when did you get so mouthy.."

"You're the one who cursed the wh-"

Her response was cut short by the view of their porch, everything surrounding it looked so new, but the door that was once a brilliant royal blue had become brittle as it had faded in the sunlight. The seasons had taken their toll, baking it in the summer, freezing it in the coldest months. It made Beth's stomach drop. It was the only thing Shawn had neglected to repair..

"Mama liked it, I just couldn't change it.." Shawn sighed heavily, she must have had some reaction to the sight as her elder brother stroked soothingly at her back, trying his best to be a comfort.

"Maggie's inside.."

In a rocking chair Maggie sat, her body still, facing away from Beth to stare out the window. She felt uneasy, she wasn't used to this kind of horrible silence - it was creepy the way the creak of the chair echoed around their home.

"Maggie?"

Her strong slim build came rushing over in a few swift motions; it'd been almost a year since Beth had seen her face on anything but a pixlated cell phone screen. When they pulled apart Beth saw how much this time had affected her elder sister - her shiny chestnut hair had been cut just below her chin and it was obvious it hadn't been washed in several days. The usual dimples that'd grace her smiling face were nowhere to be seen this evening and her beautiful green eyes were dim and dark rimmed.

Maggie was usually the strong one, standing tall while Beth wilted and cried. That's what usually happened, but it seemed the tables were turned today at least; Maggie was sniffing as she leaned against Beth's shoulder. Beth had wished the death of her mother didn't do this to their family. She wished Maggie would smile again and Shawn would stop being so neurotic. But most of all, she wished that this wasn't their reality, that the events that would likely take place tomorrow just wouldn't, but obviously she guessed that wasn't to be.

Beth settled with giving her sister one more hug, not saying much before retreating to her room, she was exhausted.

Her room was stifling, the dusky pink walls were peppered with photos of her family over the years and one embarrassing picture of Justin Bieber with a lipstick smear on. Beth blanched, cringing with a giggle. She remembered the day she'd left this room, one year prior -

" I'm okay, you don't have to leave.." He'd said, as she packed up the rest of her clothes. Zach bibbed impatiently from the front of the house, his truck engine revving loudly.

"Daddy...I do, I gotta go to college. Zach's waitin' for me, Daddy."

She remembered crying, not really wanting to go but knowing going to college would be good for her career. Just like her Mama had said.

"I love you Daddy. I'll call you when I land.."

"Oh darn.." Beth said, oddly breathless. She'd forgotten to call Zach and even check her phone. They'd parted on shaky terms as it was and ignoring her phone, however accidental that might have been, he was still going to be mad and Beth half expected a ranted text message.

Zach

Hope you had a good flight, figured you'd be asleep.

I love you Beth, give my love to Maggie. Make sure Shawn doesn't give you too much slack.

I love you,

She imagined the words in his voice, they'd met in high school. She'd had an embarrassing crush on him and was nearly knocked over the day he'd walked over from across the hallway to ask her to the dance. Cliché? Yes, but she'd been giddy in love ever since. Right now, laying in her childhood bed Beth felt guilty at her want to call him up and well, she didn't really know. She was exhausted and Zach had never been one for intimate phone calls anyway. There was more pressing issues at hand..

I love you.

For right now, she needed sleep and it came quickly.

Beth sat against the porch steps in the warm breeze of the August morning, yet she shook. If she stayed up all night it would have made no difference to her exhaustion. By the morning the bed sheets were in a knot and aside from a few fit-full half hours of vivid dreams she didn't sleep a wink.

Her stomach shifted uneasily and the slender hands she hugged herself with pinched into skin. When Maggie approached out of the door with a loud creak she released her hands but still couldn't figure out what to do with them, so instead they clasped and unclasped onto Maggie's as if in constant need of touch and reassurance.

"C'mon, we gotta go.." Maggie raised her groomed eyebrows, gripping Beth's hand to pull her upright. She looked different in the morning light, Beth noticed her hair had been freshly washed, make up had been carefully put under her eyes to hide the sleep deprived circles.

They'd slid silently into the truck, it was beat up and the blue outside had chipped off a bit but it still rumbled into life and pulled away off the grass outside their home. It had been hers before she left, a 18th Birthday present from Daddy... Beth sighed.

Maggie was slurping out of a travel mug, one hand gripped tight on the wheel. Beth had seen her boil the kettle five times that morning, she was already filled to the brim with tea and wired with caffeine. Her free hand changed from the cup to the radio a few times and another quick glance at the digital clock on the dash only seemed to confirm that time was slowing down, her stomach knotted up.

"I'm sorry Bethy.." Maggie paused, pulling in a deep shaky breath as she stopped the car on the gravel outside. "I'm sorry for draggin' you out of college.." Her southern twang sounded sad, but Beth wouldn't have just stayed home, they both knew that.

"Ready for this?" Maggie asked her younger sister, she noticed that Beth looked sadder than when she'd returned to their home the day before. She had been in Florida for a year and become much stronger in some ways but fragile in others. Maggie knew that behind that masked smile she wore on her face, there is a sadness and shock about all this. She saw Beth anxiously looking at her left and right repeatedly as sounds passed by; the sound of a metal gate rolling back on its wheels and a motorbike revving in the distance.

She looked almost like she was checking for signs of danger that might come. Maggie looked at Beth now, and didn't blame her for being afraid. It was as plain as day under that small smile how terrified she was, and the memory of last time came back to Maggie, playing on her mind and features over and over again like a broken record.

Beth took a deep breath in before looking up to her sister;

"I'm ready.."

Hello you lovely lot! This is my first venture into Bethyl AU and I really hope I do them justice and keep in character! I have a plan mapped out for this story and as I'm struggling with my other ZA Fic Paved With Gold, I thought I'd give this a post in the meantime! More will be revealed in time and I'm hoping to add some good drama to it! Please review, it always makes me smile & it's definitely a good motivator to write more! This will also be posted on AO3 if you prefer that format. Let me know what you thought & be sure to come over to Tumblr where I post previews and photos of my current story inspiration. Tumblr - Atermisxeros AO3 - MusicActorsBooksCharacters_xo