Lonely

It was Beth Greene's first day at school and she was more than excited. She was walking in with her siblings; Maggie who was in the last year of Middle school and Shawn who was in High School. Beth eagerly watched all the kids run around the playground screaming and yelling. Maggie crouched down in front of her sister and kissed her on the cheek. "Have a great first day, Bethy, Love ya!" She spoke as she walked up to her large group of friends, smoking outside of school. Maggie had always rebelled against their father and Beth was not surprised when she saw her hanging around the girls that were smoking. She gave her sister a large toothy smile before heading towards the school building.

When Beth eventually made her way to her classroom, she saw that all the kids were sat on the floor in a circle. She also noticed that one of boys was sat quite far away from everyone else. He appeared lonely but at the same time, he didn't seem to mind too much. He was wearing a plaid shirt that was far too big for him and had mud on it and some dark jeans with rips in them. His hair was a shaggy brown colour, with wispy ends and it hung in his eyes. He was staring blankly at the ground, playing with the frayed carpet. Getting her attention; the teacher was smiling warmly at her and had her hand extended towards Beth.

"Hello there honey, I'm Mrs Grimes. I'll be your teacher for the year. What's your name?"

"I'm Beth. Beth Greene." She replied, smiling as she took Mrs Grimes' hand.

"Well Hello Beth. Take a seat and we'll continue introducing ourselves." Mrs Grimes said.

Beth sat down in the circle and couldn't help but be intrigued by the boy in the corner. Mrs Grimes would ask each person what hobbies they liked do. This continued for a while until she eventually came to the mysterious boy who was sat away from everyone else.

"Daryl, what do you like to do?" She asked softly.

Oh so his name was Daryl. Beth thought to herself.

At the mention of his name, his head snapped up. Beth got a glimpse of his features more clearly. He had defined cheekbones and a set jaw. He had thin lips that were drawn tightly into his mouth. But mostly she couldn't believe his eyes. He had piercing, stormy blue eyes that Beth thought were the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. She realised she must have been gazing at him for too long when he looked over at her. They locked eyed for a split second before he dropped his head back down towards the ground and gave the slightest shrug.

"Isn't there anything you enjoy doing?" Mrs Grimes asked.

He shrugged again, this time more forcefully. "I- I dunno.." He stuttered. He appeared very shy and Beth felt for the boy.

"Okay… What about hunting? Don't you go hunting with your brother?"

Before she knew it, class was over and it was time for lunch. Beth walked outside of the school building with her lunch box and headed towards a picnic bench. She sat down, started to eat and she started looking around the playground. There was girls skipping and braiding each other's hair, boys playing soccer and chasing each other around. She turned slightly and looked behind her when she saw no other than Daryl sat under a large shady tree along the side of the school by the fence. He was fiddling with a twig, watching her until he realised that he was staring and quickly bowed his head. Beth's eyebrows furrowed in concern when she noticed he didn't have any food and that once again he was sat by himself. She was contemplating on whether to go and sit with him.

After a few minutes she got up off of the bench and delicately walked over towards him. He lifted his head as soon as he heard her quiet footsteps and Beth couldn't help but wonder why he was so wary of his surroundings. When she approached him, she smiled brightly.

"Hi Daryl."

There was a pause; he looked at her curiously because he had never seen anyone so happy before. He then briefly glanced at her eyes and noticed the bright baby blue colour they were: they almost sparkled. She had long, golden blonde hair tied back in a braid that looked like it was made of silk. Embarrassed for looking at the girl for too long, he managed a quick "Hi" and looked down at the grass as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

He didn't want to look at her expression when she was talking to him; he was worried he would see pity and sympathy because girls like her talking to someone as low as him? That couldn't possibly happen. Everyone who looked at him would just turn their noses up at him. They knew who he and his father was, where he came from. They wouldn't take a step in his direction. They would call him trailer trash because that's all he was. He was nobody, nothing. Well at least that's what is father would remind him regularly.

He knew people like Beth Greene. The innocent farm girl type who's been sheltered her whole life, her daddy buying her ponies and getting things from Santa Claus. He scoffed audibly and she looked at him anxiously before lowering herself to the ground next to him.

He cleared his throat "What d'you want? Feel sorry er me or somethin'?" He asked, gruffly, his Southern drawl coming through.

She looked surprised. "No- Nothing.. Just thought you could use some company.. and I don't really know anyone." She said giving him a shy smile and then bringing her knees to her chest.

"No one sits wit' me.. tha's how it's always bin… 'specially cause they thought ah was lonely. You don' know me anyway." He said defensively. He would never admit thst he felt the slightest bit guilty for snapping at her.

"No but I want to get to know you, we could be friends." She said cheerfully.

He scoffed as he watched her intently; pulling out a bag of sandwiches from her box. He would be lucky to get the scraps from the trash form lunch. That's why he had to fend for himself. Never relying on anyone for anything.

"Want one?" she gestured to her sandwich. "They're peanut butter".

Daryl seemed genuinely shocked. "Naw… Don' like peanut butter" he said, scrunching up his face.

She smiled at him. "Well have one of these then." Beth got an apple from her box and handed it to him. He looked like a caged animal that was afraid to touch her. He cautiously reached for the apple and as he took it he gave her a nod in appreciation.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. My daddy always taught me to share." She announced. He seemed to enjoy the apple, he ate it within two minutes as if he had been starving.

"I ain't got nothin' ta share."

"You have now. We can be friends, I'l, share with you."

"Why would ya want that?" He asked, genuine confusion etched onto his features.

Beth shrugged. She stood up and brushed off her yellow dress. "I'll see ya around, Daryl." She said grinning at him. The bell rang ad she headed towards the school building.