The rustling of the movers awoke the red haired beauty. She was only 16, but her parents always leaving her home alone left her with a more mature and independent persona for her age. The Pierce family had just moved into a cozy house within the mountains of North Georgia. Moaning, Ferret rolled out of bed. She shuffled to her mirror staring at herself with disappointment. With a hand on her face she studied her almond shaped green eyes, the black circles that outlined them showed more prominently on her pale white skin. Her out of the bottle bright red hair was stubborn and a mess, the uneven layers kept poking her eyes. Sighing quietly she made her way into the kitchen.
"Good morning dear I was just about to head out. The movers are almost finished setting up the rest of the house. If you could just pay them with this before they leave that would be great!" Her high energy mother was juggling a folder of papers, and a bagel as she dug through her purse.
"Dad already paid them in advance. Besides I have school today, I can't skip out on my first day." She brushed her bangs aside as she searched around for food.
"Oh that wonderful man! Well honey I'm off!"
Ferret nearly dropped the box of cheerios she pulled out.
"Wait how am I supposed to get to school? It's a thirty minute walk and it's already 7:30."
Her mother frowned, but continued out the door.
"Sorry honey, I'll write you a note to give the office later. I'm going to be late if I don't take off now. I love you have a good day!"
On that note the door slammed closed.
With a scowl the young girl shoved the box back in the pantry and dashed to her room. Her already organized room helped her be swift. Pulling a black summer dress over her skinny body and it reached her awkward knees. With a quick brush of her hair, and applied eyeliner she grabbed her messenger bag and headed out the door. There was a slight breeze, but overall it was beautiful outside. The sun shone on her sensitive skin, she started to think about how fast she would sun burn.
"Fuck off!"
Ferret jumped as she heard a male voice shouting from the mass of trees and bushes.
"You know what it's your life, see if I give a shit."
She heard footsteps moving the opposite direction. A moments' curiosity made the girl peer into the forest. Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest as her eyes met with a pair of blue eyes belonging to a rough looking teenager.
"Who the fuck are you!?"
His voice was hoarse with rage. Stunned, her voice wouldn't come out. She found herself mesmerized by his appearance. The boy had shaggy brown hair that she just wanted to run her fingers through. Blushing from the thought she finally had a reply.
"I'm Ferret Pierce, my family and I just moved here."
He chuckled and gave her a look of disgust.
"What kind of name is that? Look bitch what you just saw was none of your business so prance like a good little girl."
With that he started to walk past her. Ignoring his insulting demeanor she followed him close behind.
"My mom really likes animals; she almost named me Cat you know? What's your name?"
He stopped and faced her once again.
"Didn't I just say to move along? I have no interest in talking to you."
"But I have interest in talking to you."
He groaned and stayed silent for a moment.
"I'm Daryl, Daryl Dixon. Satisfied? Don't you have school or something?"
He crossed his arms.
"Nice to meet you! Well yes today will be my first day, wait don't you have school too?"
"Again none of your business."
She stared at him for a minute.
"Picture time!"
Not letting him react, the girl pulled out a camera and snapped a shot of them their faces barely touching side to side.
"What the hell! What do you think you're doing?!"
He grabbed for the camera, but she swung it out of reach.
"You're my first friend here! I have to document my memories."
"Friend?!How do-"
He seemed to realize that the girl was genuine and he opened himself to her.
"Well come on then."
Her face lit up with happiness and she ignored her responsible mind set to follow the boy.
Ferret scurried out of bed in the early morning that Saturday. It was her 18th birthday and she wanted to spend it with her crush. She giggled as she looked at all the pictures they had taken together. Daryl wore an unhappy look in every one of them, but she knew he was happy that he had company.
A tap at her window brought her attention back. Running over to pull the drapes open she saw someone she was unhappy to see. Merle, he was Daryl's older brother and he kept harassing the girl.
"What do you want?"
"Now that's no way to talk. I hear you're legal now."
A grin spread across his face.
"Look Merle I have somewhere to be so if you would-"
"Oh right going to meet my baby brother. Ferret's precious little boyfriend."
A blush of panic covered her face.
"He's not my boyfriend. I'm going now."
As she reached up to close her window, his hand grabbed her wrist.
"Well if he's not your boyfriend then maybe I can be."
She jerked herself away.
"Ugh no!"
She slammed the window shut and closed the drapes. Shaking her head she hurried over to get ready for her big day.
"Took you long enough."
Daryl sat by the stream downhill from the girl's house. She smiled and tackled him down into the grass.
"I'm so glad to see you!"
He placed his hand gently on the back of her head.
"Happy birthday Ferret."
As they pulled away from the hug he presented the young woman with a silver necklace, from it hung a ferret charm. Her eyes watered, she wanted so badly to kiss him. She controlled herself; she loved their friendship too much to risk losing him.
"Thank you, so much Daryl. This is the-"
Their perfect moment was ruined when she saw Daryl's father standing behind them.
"The fuck you doing boy?! You fucking this little girl?"
Daryl had a hint of fear that no one would have noticed had they not known him. His father walked forward to hit him. With a swift movement she blocked the path and took the full blow.
"Ferret!"
The girl's vision was slowly fading. The last thing she saw was true concern from her secret love.