It all started in the fifth grade, Merle was in and out of juvie, the only time kids played with him was when his scary older brother wasn't around…
That was when he met the only person he could ever call a real friend, she was small and quiet, he was the only one she would speak to willingly. The two were inseparable, even when Merle was around; she had spunk and he actually tolerated her.
He was always standoffish, even into their sophomore year of high school, after she had grown into a woman. It just made him that much more nervous, and Daryl Dixon would never admit that aloud. You'd never have known it by the way they acted, but the two knew each other on a level that most people would never reach. She was his escape, they would sneak out of their homes when Daryl's dad was being rough with him and Merle was, well, being Merle…
He always thought about that day, that haunting, horrible day that she walked up to him with bloodshot, swollen eyes. Panic overtook him as he grabbed her face, asking her what was wrong, "M- my dad…he got a job offer in North Carolina. He took it." Her words echoed in his mind, over and over, "What?" He felt his voice hit an octave it hadn't since seventh grade, his voice gave away the sheer pain that he'd become so good at hiding.
Without realizing what she was doing she dove into his arms and cried to him, not wanting to leave him. "We leave in a week, Daryl." Not accustomed to her being so bluntly touchy-feely he tensed, slowly wrapping his arms around her. He could feel himself beginning to shake, she knew him on a deeper level than even Merle did; tending to the wounds his father had given him, tracing the scars of a broken childhood and whispered soft words to him.
They had spent ever waking moment they were able together, even skipping classes and sitting back to back at the lake, "Are ya gonna forget me?" It wasn't normal for Aubrinelle "Nellie" to sound so void of emotion, "Ain't no way I'd ever forget ya Nellie, Merle even asks 'bout ya all the time when he calls." Daryl turned as he felt Nellie beginning to shake, "I don't wanna go. You're the only real friend I ever had, I don't wanna lose ya." Daryl could tell she was trying not to cry, he was never any good at soothing anyone; not even himself.
Today was the day, it was a bright Georgia Saturday just like any other; or so he wished. He quickly dressed and ran out the door down the block and through the alley to Nellie's house. Before he even came into view of her driveway she was already running toward him with tears in her eyes. It was in that moment that time almost froze for him, letting him see the woman in front of him, the woman he'd fell in love with; and it took her moving for him to realize it. She was crying for him, that she had to leave him, that she didn't want to leave him…
Her long burgundy hair flew around her messily and the tears made her whiskey eyes shine in the saddest of ways. She dove into his arms and buried her face in his neck as he squeezed her tiny waist tightly, "I promise ya I'll see ya again. I don't know when, but someday." He nodded his head frantically, not trusting his voice to stay steady.
She leaned back and looked up at him, letting her hand rest on his jaw, "I've got my address and new phone number written down for ya, promise me you'll write?" He stuffed the envelope in his back pocket without taking his eyes off her, when he heard Nellie's father yelling for her he panicked; pulling their lips together in a fit of heartache.
"Aubrinelle, it's time to go." Her fathers voice was distant, but he still pulled her closer to him, not wanting this to end. "Aubrinelle!" He was getting closer, Daryl could taste both their tears along with the soft hint of the cherry lip balm she always wore. It damn near killed him, when they both broke apart, looking at each other with wide eyes, "Don't forget me, Nellie." He whispered as her father approached them, pulling Nellie from his arms; complaining about the time schedule.
He stood and watched as Nellie fought against her dad's grip, screaming for him to let her go. She kicked, and screamed, begging for him to let go so she could be with him. Daryl watched with blank eyes as her father forced her into the car, glancing sympathetically at Daryl before getting in himself. His legs moved without his command, starting to run after her…
Her hands hitting the back glass with fury as she cried out his name.
That was the last time he ever saw her…