Life was simple
Chapter 1
Hi there! Vmk-xx here, author of the surviving hearts franchise following Daryl and his OC love interest through the zombie apocalypse episode by episode but that story is on slow progress as I hadn't written a chapter for it for nearly 3 years until last week, but I will continue it as I love the characters together. This new story is something I've been pondering on doing for a while, which is having Daryl having a love interest before the zombie apocalypse and going into his life before it. I hope you enjoy. I just wanted to do something a little different to what I'm used too.
12 years before the outbreak…
Two in the afternoon was upon her again, sometimes Isabelle Costello wished she had done life the harder way, got herself out of Madison, Georgia, gone to college, got herself into so much debt, but would have a degree and good job to support that dept. But she hadn't instead she worked in a bar most afternoons till the early hours of the morning earning her way of life. The 24-year-old knew she couldn't do this forever but it would do for now. She pulls her long light brown hair into a messy bun and lets her bangs hang down, puts on her usual makeup of eyeshadow, winged eyeliner and her foundation. Puts on her work uniform of a white blouse, a mini skirt and thin black tights and slides on her ankle boots. She was ready for the sleazes that would definitely be coming into the bar, it was Friday after all. She grabs her handbag and jacket taking one last look in the mirror, yep her eyes were still brown.
''Come on Izzy you've been doing this for 6 years another Friday night ain't gonna make a difference.'' She tells herself as she leaves her small one bed home, placing her sunglasses on as she does.
''Hey sweet cheeks good to see we'll have a piece of ass behind the bar tonight.'' She hears Merle Dixon drawl from the back of the house next door to hers.
Isabelle smiles at the older redneck. ''Still not getting a hold of this ass old man.'' She smirks.
Merle rolls his eyes. ''Ain't that old.'' He scoffs.
Isabelle then watches as the back door opens and her breath hitches, Merles younger sibling Daryl exited the house with a smoke already between his lips. ''Merle quit it will ya! Da ya want us ta get served tonight or not?'' He says harshly.
Merle shrugs. ''Just havin a bit a fun.'' He mumbles.
''See ya boys later then.'' Isabelle says before beginning to walk away from the Dixon brother.
She hears footsteps following her. ''Hey want a smoke for the road?'' She hears Daryl say from behind her.
Isabelle gladly accepts the cigarette letting Daryl light it when it's between her lips. ''Jus like old times ah.'' She says with a wink before walking away, the bar was only 20 minutes away an easy walk.
Daryl walks back to Merle who has the biggest grin on his face. ''You've been wanting to bang that piece of tail since high school, why ain't cha made ya move yet?'' He taunts.
Daryl shrugs hiding the blush forming on his cheeks. ''She's been through a lot don't need a messed up piece of shit like me makin it worse.'' He says.
Merle sighs. ''Baby brother, you and her used be to be tight before she got clean.'' He says.
Daryl glares at him. ''We are both clean now, 'cept for you, you're still a drug smoking pot head.'' He says.
''Her parents disowned her man, threw her out now she lives next door, both of ya clean and you still can't make a move? Man ain't like other stuff dint happen before.'' Merle says wiggling his eyebrows.
Daryl chucks his pack of cigarettes as his older brother. ''We both know none of that meant shit, we were both high dint know what we were fuckin doing.'' He says.
Merle rolls his eyes. ''So kissing a girl and nearly takin her to bed with ya don't mean shit? And ya dint know what cha were doing… I call Bullshit.'' He scoffs.
Daryl begins to become agitated where he was standing puffing on his cigarette a lot harder than. ''We decided to forget about that alright man? Been six years we're still friends that's gotta count for summet right?'' He says.
Merle laughs. ''Oh baby brother, I tell ya what if you don't make a move on her at the bar tonight. I fuckin will.'' He says.
Daryl scowls at Merle. ''That meant to be some kind of threat?'' He challenges.
Merle shakes his head. ''Nah just a bet. I'll give ya till last orders, that should give you enough time.'' He says.
''Fine.'' Daryl mumbles.
Truth be told Daryl had always liked Isabelle, even when they were both into smoking pot every day and throwing their education down the toilet. Daryl had never been able to hold down a steady job he'd help around the neighbourhood doing odd jobs like pluming or fixing rooves, nothing to make a living out of though really. Whereas Isabelle when she'd got herself clean got her life together, got herself a steady job at the bar, rented the house next to Merles and Daryl's, which they would not be able to maintain without Merle drug dealing from time to time. They were both messed up teenagers, Daryl lost his dad to alcohol abuse, drawing him and Merle a lucky hand really since he was gone that meant to beatings stopped. Isabelle had a similar story, her dad was a high end business associate, always had to be in control and her mother was the same. Therefore, whenever Isabelle did anything that her father didn't like she come into the school with a fresh bruise that she'd try to hide with makeup or clothes but Daryl always noticed.
In high school the two of them ran in the same circle with a few other girls and boys, once school was out every day they'd go to the local park and smoke whatever any of them could get their hands on, whether it was weed or anything stronger. But Isabelle took it that one step further and Daryl had joined her, they'd always stay that little bit longer to smoke another joint or meet up in the morning with what Daryl had snuck from Merles stash. They both had a drug addiction to hide the pain of the emotional and physical beatings they got from their fathers.
Then one day Isabelle took it too far, she came into school her eyes red rimmed and her pupils dilated with a needle in her pocket. Before coming into school she injected herself with heroine, no one in their circle would ever inject themselves only smoke, Isabelle had taken it that one step further. The principle had noticed and had brought her parents in, she was disowned, kicked out until she got herself clean and that's when she moved into Daryl and Merles place.
6 years earlier. 18 years before the outbreak…
''That's right you little druggy pack up your shit and get out of this house!'' Isabelle's father screamed at her.
Isabelle stud tall. ''I'm glad I'm leaving means I won't get a beatin off ya every day. Show up ta school with a fresh black eye each week.'' She screams back.
Isabelle's father's eyes fill with rage he grabs her arm harder than he needed too, digging his finger nails into her skin until he draws blood. ''Somethin to remember me by… Get out of my house you messed up girl.'' He sneers.
Isabelle pulls all her belongings outside where Daryl is waiting with his pickup truck. ''Don't even think about comin back until ya clean young lady.'' Her mother shouts after her.
Isabelle shows them both the middle finger as Daryl pulls her into the car. ''You got a hit anywhere?'' She asks.
Daryl sighs. ''You really think that's wise Izzy?''
Isabelle meets his sigh. ''Right now I don't give a shit bout getting clean, I need a hit have you seen my arm?'' She challenges showing him where the finger marks are clear to see. ''Thanks fa taking me in by the way, really appreciate it.'' She says with a smile.
Daryl smiles. ''It's nothing, you gonna be ok? I mean Merle has a pretty big stash.'' He says.
Isabelle smiles coyly. ''Even better, one last giant bender before going clean, wean ourselves off the stuff from tomorrow. I know heroin is dangerous I just needed a bigger buzz. Dad really messed me up last night I got the bruises on my back to prove it.'' She says fidgeting in her seat.
Night had fallen and Isabelle and Daryl were sat in his and Merles small living room smoking on a joint each. ''You know what this is fucking messed up, the only way we can forget bout our dipshit dads is doing this?'' She laughs.
Daryl shrugs. ''Takes the pain away, if we're quitin may as well go out hard.'' He says taking a long drag.
Isabelle moves a bit closer to him. ''Could use cigarettes as a replacement? Ya know so we still get that sensation.'' She says wiggling her eyebrows.
''Cheaper too.'' Daryl grumbles.
Isabelle laughs. ''When was the last time ya paid for a hit?'' She says.
Daryl smirks. ''True.'' Then his look becomes serious. ''Can't go injectin yourself with that shit again ya hear me? The buzz you get from that ya can't get it again, why ja think people get so addicted to that stuff?'' He says.
Isabelle nods. ''I know ain't gonna do it again, all Scotty had on 'im needed a hit so I took it.'' She says.
Daryl smiles. ''K, I believe ya won't do it again.'' He says.
Isabelle lifts out her pinkie finger. ''Promise'' She says linking her pinkie with his.
The mood then suddenly changes and Daryl strokes his hand down her face. ''Don't destroy yourself Izzy, ya too smart and beautiful for that.'' He says.
''So you're allowed to destroy yourself but I can't?'' She questions.
Daryl ducks his head. ''Ain't smart like you, I ain't going nowhere.'' He says.
''Who says I wanna do that college shit? I'd rather hold down a steady job bring in money from the start. Don't need all that college dept. holding me back.'' She says.
Daryl smiles. ''Ya can stay ere for as long as ya need.'' He says.
Isabelle smiles. ''Good because I wanna try something.'' She says leaning forward and connecting their lips. Daryl pulls back quickly
''The fuck ya doin?'' He asks surprised.
''Just go with it.'' Isabelle breathes connecting their again.
They make out for a while, it becoming quite heated with Daryl's hands wandering up Isabelle's shirt and her hands wandering to his crotch. Isabelle climbs on top of Daryl and begins to straddle him before he grabs a hold of her wrists the heated moment coming to an end. ''Ok I don't know whether that was a drugs or what.'' He says.
Isabelle nods. ''I'm gonna go with drugs, let's get clean and be friends ok?'' She states firmly.
''Agreed.'' He muffles.
But what either of them didn't know was that both of them wanted more just denied themselves it because both of them both didn't feel they deserved happiness. Their friendship carried on as normal from then, Isabelle got her job at the bar a couple of months after that she moved out and she was getting pleasure out of her job rather than the drugs so the hits became less and less. Daryl joined her on this having less and less hits with her which meant their friendship drifted. They still smoked with one another, ditching one dirty habit for another as they called it. Then Isabelle picked up more shifts at the bar, Daryl found himself going to the bar just to see her, it didn't help matters that her blouse was tight around her breasts or the fact she wore a mini skirt, he'd relieved himself over her more times than he could count in the privacy of his own bedroom after a drinking session with Merle.
Back to 12 years before the outbreak.
Merle and Daryl entered the bar and placed themselves on stools at the front of the bar, it was 6pm and it was already filling up fast.
''What can I get cha boys?'' Roxy one of the barmaids asks them.
''Jus two beers pretty lady.'' Merle drawls handing her over a five-dollar bill.
Daryl sighs. ''Ya would make us sit at the section Izzy isn't working wouldn't cha!'' He says anger clear in his voice.
''Relax baby brother the night is still young.'' Merle says clasping a hand on Daryl's shoulder and rubbing it.
Daryl just glares at him as Roxy places two beers in front of men. ''Dollar change, enjoy boys.'' She says winking at them before going to serve someone else.
Isabelle works her section of the bar with ease, pouring single whiskeys, double vodka shots and any other alcoholic drink you can think of, this had been her job for 6 years and she loved it, the rush watching everyone around her having a good time, she had caused that. Yes of course sometimes people got moody and aggressive but nothing the bouncers couldn't handle.
''He's here.'' Roxy says to her with a smirk.
Isabella blushes. ''Will ya stop.'' She says.
''We can swap sections if you like.'' She says.
Isabella brushes her off. ''No I'm good.''
Roxy laughs. ''Come on Izzy all the girls here know you wanna pull your fingers through his light brown hair whilst you scream his name.'' She says.
Isabelle is bright red. ''Will ya stop me and Daryl ain't like that.'' She says.
''Not yet anyway.'' Roxy says returning to her section where the two redneck brothers were sat.
Isabelle shakes her friends comments off as she serves her next customer. The hours pass and it's just before Ten when Daryl appears in front of her looking uncomfortable.
''Whatcha after Daryl, southern comfort? A beer?'' She asks knowing Daryl's regular drinks.
Daryl shrugs. ''Double southern comfort, bit a coke in there too.'' He says gruffly.
Isabelle nods. ''Everything alright?'' She asks as she makes him is drink.
Daryl rubs the back of his neck. ''Actually there was summin I wanted to ask ya.'' He says.
Isabelle hands him his drink which he downs for Dutch courage and asks Izzy for another handing over another money for both drinks. ''Go ahead.'' She says.
Daryl takes a deep breath. ''Well we've been friends forever right? Been through a lot of shit.'' He says.
Isabelle nods. ''Quite literally a lot of shit.'' She says.
Daryl smirks. ''Well I was err wonderin if you err wanted to a go for a drink some time?'' He asks inwardly slapping himself the girl worker in a bar for fuck sake.
Isabelle looks at him with shock. ''Wait right there let me just serve Billy over here and I'll be right back.'' She says. ''Billy darlin' what can I get cha?'' She asks the man leaning over the bar a foot away from Daryl.
Daryl's fingers begin to bang against the bar becoming more and more anxious, had he seriously just asked her to go out for a drink? Had he seriously just done that? Yeah sure he had wanted to do stuff to her of the explicit nature since high school but what were these butterflies in his stomach? Did he have feelings for her? He didn't know what fucking love was or what being all romantic and shit meant. Him and Izzy had lived through so much shit together why couldn't they be happy? And be happy together? Before Daryl can let his mind wander anymore Izzy is back in front of him.
''I'd love ta.'' She says with a smile.
Daryl looks at her with shock. ''Really even if I am a stupid piece of shit for asking a girl to go for a drink when she works in a fucking bar?'' He quires.
Isabella laughs. ''Jacks ain't the only bar in Madison Daryl.'' She says. ''How bowt Sunday? I ain't working.'' She asks.
Daryl shrugs. ''Aren't I meant to ask that?'' He questions. ''But Sunday sounds good only fixin the Edwards roof that day so ain't got much else ta do.'' He says.
Isabella nods. ''Perfect, now can I get cha another drink?'' She asks.
''Vodka and make it a double.'' He says.
''On it.'' She says with a smile.
She places Daryl's drink in front of him, takes his money and walks away to serve more customers. The butterflies in her stomach going crazy. After all these years of pushing her feelings aside for Daryl since he was the one who said for them to be friends, he must have felt the same way also. She smiles all the way through the last hour of her shift and after her and Roxy, the two other girls on shift and the bouncers have cleared the bar they begin to clean up.
''So I got asked out on a date tonight.'' Isabelle starts with. ''By Daryl.'' She finishes waiting for Roxy's reaction.
Roxy looks at her dumfound. ''What seriously?'' She asks. ''How many had he had to finally pluck up the courage to do that?'' She adds.
Isabelle shrugs. ''Seemed pretty sober, could tell he meant it though.'' She says.
Roxy scoffs. ''Of course he fuckin meant it Izzy, come on everyone in this town knows that you too have had the hots for one another since you used to go on benders after school.'' Roxy says knowing all about Isabella's past since they had been friends since she had started working at Jack's four years ago.
Isabelle sighs. ''We've never acted on them, thought it was the drugs just taking over our minds. I've been clean for six years so I know it ain't them now.'' She says.
''Go on the date with him and you'll see what you've been missin for the past fuck knows how long.'' Roxy says. ''I got this ya get ya self away Izzy you're working tomorrow I ain't go get cha rest.'' Roxy says pushing Isabelle towards the door.
''See ya later.'' Isabelle shouts leaving the building.
Isabelle makes her way home, excited to what Sunday would bring for her. When she arrives back at her place she unlocks her door grabs her pack of cigarettes, steps back outside and lights one, finishing it before retiring for the night.
So what did you guys think? Please review and let me know.
All the best, Vmk-xx