Chapter 2

***I don't own TWD or its stuff. Suing me would be very cruel.***

Me: I may just be too silly for words. You decide. I really hope y'all enjoy...and I love knowing what works for you...and what doesn't!

Michonne was comfortably laid out on the floor in the family room with Judith, helping her color. This particular coloring book was based on a children's book series about two sisters named Lizzie and Mika who liked looking at flowers and playing with mice and rabbits in the woods. (Personally, Michonne thought the expression that was usually on Lizzie's face was creepy as hell...but Judith seemed to really like the series, so Michonne read the books to her but tried not to look too closely at Lizzie)

"What color should we make Mika's dress, Juju?" Michonne asked the little girl, examining the picture they were coloring. She may not like Lizzie, but she found Mika's character charming.

"Purple!" Judith exclaimed, reaching for the crayon box. Michonne chuckled, not surprised. It was Judith's favorite color.

They both were startled out of their reverie by Carl stalking into the family room and depositing his backpack on the floor with a heavy thump. Michonne raised her gaze to inspect the boy, frankly more than a little shocked. Carl was usually even-keeled and not subject to fits of temper.

She made note of his tense posture and the stormy expression in his eye. (The other eye was obscured by his sheaf of hair which he would not cut, no matter how hard a time his father gave him) Carl flopped down on the couch and crossed his arms, mouth set in a hard line.

"Juju, why don't you color with Shane for a bit while I talk to your brother, okay?" Michonne got to her feet, scooped Shane up from the ottoman and settled him next to Judith. The big, burly brown tomcat started to purr. There was no one in the household he loved more than Judith...and no one he hated more than Rick.

Michonne flopped down on the couch next to Carl and set her own face in a grumpy expression, hoping to make him laugh. He cut a quick glance her way but remained stone-faced.

"Hmmmmmm, let me guess, you went into the kitchen and discovered I ate the last Big Kat, huh?" she teased him gently. He stared straight ahead, no sign of a smile to be seen.

She sighed deeply. Whatever it was, it must be serious. "Okay, Carl...out with it. What happened?"

He didn't say anything for a minute, then finally mumbled, "I'm just upset because Sophia forgot to bring my comics with her today and I really wanted to read them."

Michonne raised an eyebrow at the boy. Even of that were true, Carl would no sooner lose his temper with shy, sweet Sophia then he would disobey his father. "Try again, champ," she said quietly, slinging her arm around his shoulder.

"I-I have this new science teacher, Mr. Porter who's a real jerk. He never shuts up and he's this big know-it-all douch-I, mean, dork. He gave me extra homework because he caught me making fun of his dumb mullet," Carl said in a low voice, not meeting her eyes.

"It's official: You're the worst liar in the world. And watch the language, kiddo. I'd hate to have to tell your dad. Why not make it easy on both of us and tell me what's REALLY wrong? If you do, I can help," she wheedled in her most persuasive voice.

Carl examined his Chuck Taylor's for a few seconds before responding grudgingly, "Enid likes this new guy at our school, Ron Anderson. He wears this dumb beanie and has a pool table at his house and his dad's a doctor."

Bingo, Michonne thought. "Did she tell you she likes him?" she queried, keeping her voice light.

"Not, like, with words or anything. But her friends were talking about how cute he is...and she agreed. Plus when I asked her if she wanted to come over to play Xbox she said she couldn't because she was going to Ron's," he said gloomily.

Michonne suppressed a smile. Ah, to be fifteen and in love. "Maybe she just wants to be his friend because he's new, and doesn't have any," she suggested reasonably.

"Yeah, but then why did she say he's cute?" Carl muttered.

"Well, he can't POSSIBLY be cuter than you!" she cooed, pinching his cheek.

"C'mon Mich...cut it out!" Carl protested, squirming away from her.

"I mean it, handsome. You're as good looking as your daddy. When Enid comes over on Thanksgiving, she's gonna forget all about Ron when she sees you."

"Yeah? Why's that?" Carl asked suspiciously, looking at her with narrowed eyes.

"Because we're gonna grab you some snazzy new threads this weekend after I finish up the plans for the Kaufman building and maybe see about getting you a cool haircut."

"I'm NOT cutting my hair!"

"Whatever you say, champ. Just the threads, then. But she won't be able to resist you." Michonne winked at him. "Now let's head to the kitchen and split that Big Kat. Planning makes me hungry."

"I thought you said you ate it."

"Nope. We always share. Now c'mon."

To Be Continued