Beth's nerves practically buzzed as she melted into the country side of King's County. Before long, she heard the familiar crunch of the farm's extended gravel driveway. Gripping the steering wheel she came to a stop outside of the two-story white house. 'You've come this far, just get out of the car Beth!' She mentally coached herself.
As she walked up the steps, a flood of memories crashed down on her. She plopped down onto the steps and buried her face in her hands. Sobs wracked her body, as she thought of the night that she ran away with Zach.
~~~~Three years ago~~~~
"C'mon Bethy!" Zach coaxed, pushing blonde curls out of her face.
"Zach….I don't know if I can. I can't leave Momma and Daddy like this." Beth said trying to avoid eye contact.
"Beth, I love you. We can start a new life together in LA. If we leave tonight, we can make it there in two days tops." Zach spoke softly, wrapping his arm around her petit frame.
"We just graduated, Zach. Do we have to leave so…" Beth was cut off as Zach swiftly reached into his pocket and got down on one knee.
"I know this is cheesy, but will you marry me?" Zach asked hopefully, looking up into Beth's bewildered face. Her big doe eyes brimming with tears.
"Oh my God. Are you serious? Yes!" Beth squealed as she nearly knocked Zach backwards in a crushing hug.
"Loosen up a little, babe. I can't breathe." Zach choked as Beth quickly released him.
Zach slid the tiny diamond ring on her slender finger before pressing a kiss to her lips. Beth beamed at the ring on her left finger. Marveling at the silver band and touching the small diamond.
"I'll go." She said simply as she put a small hand to Zach's cheek.
"You'll come to LA with me?" Zach asked incredulously, Beth nodded furiously as he pulled her into a crushing hug.
Beth couldn't believe what was happening. A thousand things were running through her mind simultaneously. 'If we're gonna leave tonight, we'll have to leave in the next two hours.' She planned, pulling away from Zach's hold. Beth left Zach on the porch as she darted into the house. The petit blonde bounded up the stairs two at a time before skidding into her room. She stood on her tippy toes pulling the pastel purple suitcase from the top of her closet and throwing it onto her queen size bed. She piled clothes, shoes and necessities. Beth ripped down the oak stairs finding Zach at the bottom, accidentally crashing into him.
"Damn Beth!" Zach hollered as they sat tangled in a heap of limbs, both laughing uncontrollably.
"Sorry.." Beth apologized as a heat creeped up her neck a filling her cheeks.
"It's alright. We leaving now?" Zach asked as he helped Beth up onto her feet.
"Momma and Daddy will be home in about an hour." She informed him as she made for the note pad on the kitchen table, searching for a pen in the neighboring drawer.
Beth didn't even notice the tears streaming down her face until they formed small puddles on the lined paper she was leaning over. She quickly wiped her eyes and started scribbling on the paper avoiding the water droplets.
I'm sorry that I left before ya'll got home. I'm leaving for Cali with Zach. I contact you after a while. Don't send anyone after me, I'm almost 18 and I'll be safe with Zach.
XOXO, Beth
Beth stared at the note before deciding that it would be fine. She knew deep down that what she was doing was unforgivable, but that didn't stop her. 'I'll deal with Daddy later.' Beth thought. Beth grasped Zach's large hand and led him towards the door.
"I'll give ya a second." Zach said as he made his way down the steps.
The giddy-ness of running away with Zach was quickly faded and turned into guilt and sadness. Beth blankly stared at the memories with tears steadily flowing down her cheeks. With one last look at her childhood home, she turned on her heel and ran down the steps to Zach's waiting truck.
~~~~back to present~~~~
"Beth, honey? Is that you?" A soft voice spoke causing Beth to snap out of her daze and whirl around.
"Momma…." Beth sputtered, quickly nudging tears out of her swollen eyes.
"Beth." Annette whispered as she walked across the porch to cradle her youngest in her arms.
"Momma, I'm s-s-so s-s-sorry for l-leaving." Beth sobbed.
"Nettie, what's goin….." Hershel questioned as he made it to the door way. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the familiar mass of blonde hair.
"Daddy, I'm so sorry…." Beth started when she lifted her head up to see her Hershel's shocked face.
Beth quickly untangled herself from her mother's grasp and ran to Hershel. Hershel paused only a moment before he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He pulled back and led Beth into the house, Annette quickly following.
"Beth, honey." Annette said getting Beth's attention by laying a hand on her shoulder. "Go upstairs and clean up." She continued, nudging her towards the stairs. Beth climbed the stairs and made her way towards her room. As she walked passed her older sister Maggie's room, she couldn't help but peek in. From what Beth could tell, it looked as if Maggie still lived at home. 'Maybe Maggs doesn't hate me anymore for leaving.' Beth pondered. She could still remember the angry text messages she received as she a Zach were heading down the highway. It broke her heart when her own sister told her to never come back. Beth quickly brushed off the unpleasant memory and sprinted towards her room.
She hesitated as she entered her room, brushing away tears. 'They my room exactly as I left it.' Beth inwardly sobbed as she slipped off her Converse and sat on the end of her bed. The whole time she was in LA, she secretly missed home. The hustle and bustle couldn't compete with the quiet Georgia countryside. Where there were hazy, dewy mornings on the farm, there were hot, smoggy mornings in LA. 'I'll never miss LA or Zach.' Beth sneered inwardly. She stretched out as she was consumed by the familiar comfort of her bed.
"Nope." She said aloud, propping her head up. "Won't miss that hell hole at ALL."
She huffed as she stood up and padded towards the bathroom. She cringed as she glanced in the mirror, sticking her tongue out in disgust. 'Woah, I look like hell." She thought. She practically yanked the hair tie out of the mass of tangled, golden curls, gnawing on her lip in response to her hair ripping. When the hair tie freed her hair she massaged her tender scalp, staring into the mirror before she turned the shower on.
The warm water felt like heaven on her skin. She quickly scrubbed the grime off of her skin using her trademark vanilla body wash, and then averted all of her focus to her hair. She soaked the mass of curls and expertly lathered the honey scented shampoo and conditioner. Refreshed, she stepped out of the shower and dried off.
She eyed herself in the mirror before brushing her teeth and smoothing her wet hair up into a top knot. Satisfied, she strutted into her bedroom clad in her purple bathrobe. She searched through her closet finding exactly what she was looking for. She slipped on a tank top and jean shorts, pulling on her knit sweater and jamming her small feet into her Toms before exiting her room.
Not watching where she was going, she slammed into a hard chest falling flat on her ass with an 'OOMPH'.
"Ow. Watch where you're going!" She griped not looking up.
"How 'bout you watch where you're goin'." A gruff voice she didn't recognize retaliated.
A startled Beth looked up to two dark blue eyes piercing her big blue ones. 'Who the hell are you?' She inwardly questioned. The man was attractive in a grungy sort of way. His dark, shaggy hair hung in his eyes as he looked at her expectantly as she sat there dazed and confused.
"Well? Are ya gonna get up off yer ass or not?" He asked in a slightly annoyed tone.
Yaay! We just met Daryl! Ahhhh! REVIEW! I can't wait to post chapter 3! I don't have a routine yet so be patient with my wacky schedule!
-SFR