Chapter 1: Forbidden Love

Carl's POV

Carl woke up as the sun shone through his window, it happened every morning so there was never any use of an alarm clock, although on some occasions he had slept through when it had been raining outside.

He lived in Georgia, Atlanta with his dad Rick who was a Sheriff. He was very close with his dad and when he got older planned to be a sheriff just like him. Carl was unlike any other sixteen year old, although it was dangerous Carl would often go out to work with his dad to help him out, obviously not the really dangerous jobs, but since his dads partner and best friend Shane had been killed in an accident Carl felt that his dad needed back up.

Carl had been learning to use a gun since he was twelve years old, it was mostly a matter of safety and precaution after their family home was raided, Carl had only been eleven at the time and one of the robbers killed his mother Lori and his little sister Judith. Afterwards Rick thought it was right that Carl knew how to defend himself and taught him how to handle a gun. Now at sixteen he had advanced skills and could shoot targets from a far distance.

Carl flung the covers off him and sat up, his bedside light was still on with a comic still open on the floor, he had fallen asleep again while reading which was something he did every night but he would spend longer downstairs with his dad killing Zombie's on their PlayStation console. He padded over to his wardrobe pulling out a pair of black jeans and a grey top. He quickly got ready and made his way over to his board to check his schedule for today, it was pinned in the middle of Zombie posters and pictures of his favourite bands, his Green Day American Idiot poster fell off his bedroom door as his dad opened it, "morning Carl, breakfast is ready for you, I have to go to work early today but I will be back around tea-time, I will bring a Pizza in" Rick said as he picked up the poster and tacked it back onto the door, "thanks dad and sure Pizza sounds good" Carl smiled, he walked back to his bedside and picked up his Sheriff hat, Rick had given it to him when he began helping him out and ever since Carl never took it off. It covered his hair that was beginning to grow below his ears.

He made his way downstairs to the TV blaring with morning shows, he grabbed his bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice and sat on the Sofa with his feet up at the table, he was watching some talk show and how a girl was in love with her best friends boyfriend but she couldn't do anything about it because she didn't want to hurt her best friend. He knew exactly how that felt, he knew very well considering he had exactly the same problem. He was in love with Beth Greene, tomorrow she turned sixteen and Carl had brought a big gift for her, bigger than he should have and if Zach found out he would realise straight away. Zach was his best friend; they had been friends since first grade but during the start of High School he had met Beth in an after School music group, something Carl refused to join but wished he had, he immediately called Carl up and mentioned that he had met this amazing girl but wasn't sure how to go about asking her out, Carl helped him and of course they went on a date. It wasn't until the next day Carl got formally introduced to Beth and to him it was love at first sight, she was perfect in every way, she had longish blonde hair that was tied up into a pony tail with small braids, amazing sparking eyes and dressed so cute. Zach was smitten with her, he never stopped talking about her ever, it did upset Carl a bit but he didn't envy him or anything, after all Zach was his best friend and he had to be happy for him or at least try.

Carl had never really talked to Beth properly, they had exchanged HI's and byes but that was about it, it was obvious that they did not share the same feelings towards one another and that was the way it was always probably going to be. Carl sighed as he stood up switching the TV off, he took his bowl and glass out and placed them in the dishwasher. He heard the familiar sound of Zach's car horn telling him he had arrived; he grabbed his School bag and made his way out, Zach's silver Corsa sat by the side of the road, he had a big smile plastered on his face as per usual these days, since he had started dating Beth they had cruised to school singing along to 'We built this city' by Star ship. Carl opened the passenger door and slid into the car, "good morning Carl, beautiful morning isn't it" Zach said happily with a permanent smile, "very beautiful, it's warm like it is everyday" Carl replied putting his bag down behind the seat.

"How's the love life going?" Carl asked with his arms crossed, he knew it was a bad idea to ask but he knew Zach would start talking about it anyway, "it's going great, I got her a birthday present, sweet sixteen and all, she is having a party you should come too" Zach replied, "she hardly speaks to me, the most she has said to me is hi and bye, think it's better if you go on your own" Carl replied, "well it's up to you, but I think you should, she might have some nice girl friends that you could have a chance with" Zach replied, "I don't really want a girlfriend to be honest, I am happy being single" Carl replied as he messed around with the radio station on the stereo.

They arrived at School, they went to Terminus High School, Carl grabbed his bag and got out, and Zach followed going to open the boot of his car to get his bag out.

"so, what have you bought Beth for her birthday then?" Carl asked, "Well I got her chocolates, every girl likes chocolates right?" Zach replied, the smile still on his face, Carl thought to himself that he couldn't possibly give Beth what he had got her, it would in no way make up for what Zach had brought her.

"I guess so yes, not unless she is one of them girls who are obsessed with calories and carbs and all that crap" Carl replied, "I don't think she is like that, you have seen her, she is perfect in every way" Zach replied. Carl wanted to agree, tell him that she was perfect in every way, and that he was madly in love with her, sure Zach would probably never speak to him again or warn him off her but yeah he couldn't since he was his oldest friend.

Speaking of Beth she came walking up towards them, today she had faded blue jeans on and a halter neck top that hung off her body, she looked perfect, "hello sweetheart" Zach said as he took her in his arms and kissed her and pulled her into a hug, "I missed you…. So much" Zach replied, "I missed you too" Beth replied with a smile. Carl looked on, they were both happy together and as much as it killed him he had to try and be happy for them both, she looked at him and he looked at her, he gave her a small smile, "I am going to go on ahead, catch you later" Carl replied as he walked off, he couldn't stand it, he tried but he loved her too much, it was something he could not help but he had to distance himself from being around them both because he did not want to resent his best friend.