Chapter 2

School

Starting a new school is never easy. This would be the last high school Ryann ever planned to attend. When her parents moved overseas to work at their family's oil company, Ryann opted out of moving with them. She wanted to finish high school, go to college, and find a nice, down to earth guy she wanted to grow old with. Going overseas would not help any of her goals become a reality so staying behind was her only option.

Ryann walked into her first period class, checked in with her teacher and took her seat in the back of the classroom. The classroom was set up with tables and chairs instead of the standard student desks. When class began she was the only one sitting at her table so she spread out her American History and composition books and began taking notes. After twenty minutes, the classroom door opened and in walked the guy from the creek.

"Mr. Dixon, you are late, again. What's your excuse this time?" Mrs. Barbosa was a short, slightly overweight lady with salt and pepper hair and eyeglasses that were way too big for her face.

"My alarm clock didn't go off," Daryl blushed and ducked his head as he headed to his seat.

"I don't know why you are even trying to come to school anymore, Mr. Dixon. History always repeats itself and your family is proof of that. Your father is a failure, your brother is a failure, and you Mr. Dixon will end up just like them." Mrs. Barbosa turned around and began walking over to her desk when she was stopped.

"Mrs. Barbosa. I know I am new here but you, ma'am, are a disgrace to the teaching profession. You are a verbally abusive bitch who needs to retire because it is quite obvious you do not like children with the way you just treated Daryl." Ryann stood up from her seat in the back of the room. When she finished her speech, she looked at Daryl who was looking at her, shocked that someone took up for him.

The rest of the class was dead quiet. No one had ever spoken to a teacher the way Ryann had...especially Mrs. Barbosa.

Mrs. Barbosa turned red with anger. She peered over her glasses at Ryann. "You, young lady, have no idea about this boy. Maybe you should learn about who is who in this town before you start taking up for the trash."

"Oh, I believe I already know who the trash is in this classroom." She put her History book and composition notebook into her backpack, slung with strap over her shoulder, and walked out of the room.

Daryl watched, in utter shock, as the girl left. She didn't even know him and yet she took up for him. He walked out of the classroom shortly after Ryann. He had to go find her. He needed to thank her, find out who she was, and find out how she knew his name.

Daryl walked toward the guidance counselor's office to sit until his next class started. That was what he was suppose to do when someone was giving him a hard time. The school remembered what Merle was like and they didn't want Daryl throwing anyone through the school windows like his brother did when he was in high school. Everyone assumed the same thing about Daryl...they all thought he was a hothead like his brother. He rounded the corner and that's when he saw her.

Ryann was sitting in the secretary's office waiting to visit with the counselor. Daryl opened the office door and walked in. Ryann looked up at him and smiled.

"Did she kick you out?" Ryann asked.

Daryl shook his head.

Confused, Ryann asked, "Well, why didn't you stay in class?"

Daryl just shrugged his shoulders. He just kept looking at Ryann. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was. Her emerald green eyes danced and the way her long wavy hair framed her face made him want to…

"Ryann, come on in, honey." Mrs. Avery, the counselor, poked her head out and called for Ryann.

"I'll see ya later, Daryl."

Ryann picked up her things and walked into the office and closed the door behind her. Daryl sat where Ryann had sat. He put his head in his hands and muttered to himself. "Damn it."