Life was simple
Chapter 2
Thank you guys so much for the response to the first chapter, I really appreciate it so here is more for you lovely people!
19 years before the outbreak…
Isabelle lets the joint grip in-between her teeth as Daryl lights it for her, it was 7pm everyone else had gone home but the two of them were staying behind as usual to have an extra joint or two. They were both giggling about something to do with their gym teacher having extremely tight trousers.
''I mean if the dude bent down even more his balls would be poppin right out dose thangs.'' Isabelle laughs.
Daryl cringes. ''Damn Izzy don't need that image in my head.'' He says playfully shoving her.
Isabelle laughs even more. ''Hmmmm we all know ya a boobs man.'' She says wiggling her eyebrows.
Daryl ducks his head. ''Stop will ya?'' He asks becoming uncomfortable.
She snorts. ''Don't act like I ain't caught cha.'' She says.
Daryl grabs Isabelle's arm. ''Come on let's get your high ass home.'' He says pulling her up.
She huffs. ''Spoilt sport.''
Daryl drives her home watching her as she walks into her house, waving at him as she goes. He waits making sure she makes it to her room and when he sees her flashing her middle finger at him through the room he drives off. He was pissed at himself… He thought he was always discreet when having a cheeky look at her cleavage.
12 years before the outbreak…
Daryl looks at himself one more time in the mirror, a plaid shirt and dark jeans with his lace up boots was enough just for a drink right? He thinks to himself as he plays around with his collar.
''Baby brother will ya relax it's a drink with a chick you've known since ya were 13. Chill man.'' Merle shouts from their living room.
Daryl huffs. ''But this ain't no random date Merle. Like ya said wanted to make a move for ages.'' He says checking himself one more time before coming to sit down next to his brother.
Merle sighs. ''Look man I get it, she's a nice girl you've both been through the same shit. But now is where it counts. Ya know better than anyone I ain't exactly the romantic type the doc actually has a repeat prescription for me for those clap meds. Cost a fuckin fortune they do'' He chuckles. ''You've always been the pussy man, deserve a girl ta toughen ya up. Ain't no one gonna do that like Izzy. That bitch is tough and more importantly she always slips me double whiskeys at the bar when I only pay for singles.'' He says with a smile.
Daryl rolls his eyes. ''Always a charmer ah Merle.'' He says.
Next door Isabelle is walking frantically around her bedroom with a dress in each hand. She lies them both down on her bed choosing to go with her red panel dress to go with her black platforms. This isn't too much is it? She thinks to herself. She shakes off the nervous feelings takes a look in the mirror, she had let her hair down in soft waves and was wearing her usual makeup, just a little more done up with a burgundy lipstick on her lips. She felt ready for this. She had got high with Daryl for years why was she so nervous about a few drinks?
''Isabelle Costello pull yourself together it's going to be amazing.'' She smiles. Of course it would be it was fucking Daryl Dixon for god sake, the man she had secretly wanted to have as hers for a very long time now he had finally taken the plunge. It was about time as well. Then there's a knock at her door.
She walks to it expecting it to be Daryl but it's not it's her mother.
''Isabelle darling can I come in?'' She asks.
17 years before the outbreak…
She stands at the door waiting for someone to answer, she didn't know why she was here for acceptance? To be let back into their lives? She really didn't know.
''Isabelle what are you doing here?'' Her mother looks at her stunned.
Isabelle runs her fingers through her hair. ''I'm clean now, not had a hit in months. I jus needed ta see ya and dad.'' She says with a hopeful look.
''Antonio our daughters home.'' Her mother says dryly.
A few seconds later Antonio is by the door face to face with his daughter. ''This ain't no daughter of mine, this girl is just some screw up from the streets. Get lost.'' He says coldly.
''Dad don't do this, I'm clean. Honest ain't had a hit for months, I have a job at Jacks. Moved outta Daryl and Merles got my own place just next door to those. I'm good I'm clean.'' She says basically praying with her father.
''Antonio look at her you can see she's clean what is wrong with you?'' Her mother questions.
Antonio looks at his wife with rage in his eyes. ''Loretta don't you dare question me. Our daughter is gone this girl stood on our door step ain't no daughter of ours. Get off my property!'' He shouts.
Isabelle tries to hold back her tears but fails. ''Papa please don't do this, I'm clean I have ma life back on track. Daryl is clean to we did it together.'' She says trying again.
Antonio looks right into her daughter's eyes grabbing hold of her chin and gripping tightly. ''ISABELLE MARIA COSTELLO IS DEAD TO ME!'' He shouts spitting right in his daughters face and shoving her backwards which causes Isabelle to stumble down her parent's drive.
''Antonio.'' Loretta breathes but before she can do anything else Antonio is shoving her inside. It seems since Isabelle had left, her father had found a new role in controlling her mother and doing anything he could to keep her in his control.
Isabelle had walked straight into Daryl's house after her encounter with her father. Gone straight for Merle's stash finding a bag of white powder and prepped it on the counter before snorting the crystals up her nose. Remembering how good it felt to forget the pain with just one drag it is soon short lived as she hears someone storm in and she comes face to face with him.
''Izzy what the HELL are ya doin?'' Daryl shouts catching his friend in the act.
''Papa turned me away after I told him I got ma life together needed somethin ta calm me down, he spat in my face and shoved me down the drive.'' She says taking another sniff right in front of Daryl's face.
Daryl grabs hold of her wrists and pulls her away from the counter. ''Ya can't relapse now cause of that waste of space.'' He shouts at her.
''Please Daryl I just need summet please.'' She says fighting against his grip.
''NO!'' He says sternly.
Then Isabelle collapses and begins to cry hysterically, all Daryl can do is rock her back and forth and stroke her hair. He wanted to kill the bastard for doing this too her after she had been doing so well, four weeks without a hit and one encounter with her father she felt like she had to throw it away. He would be lying if he said he didn't know how she felt.
12 years before the outbreak…
''Mama this ain't a good time.'' She says trying to close the door on her mother.
Loretta looks her daughter up and down. ''I can see; you look well err beautiful.'' She says.
Isabelle keeps a hard look on her face. ''Yeah I'm goin out on a date… With Daryl Dixon so whatever ya have ta say it can wait.'' She says.
Loretta shakes her head. ''It really can't Isabelle… Your papa well he's sick.'' She says.
Isabelle glares at her mother. ''Ya think I should give a shit? He abandoned me and you let him, he beat me every day and you let him, you emotionally abused me. Yeah I saw right through your 'beautiful' comment now get off my property I've outgrown you and papa.'' She says slamming the door in her mother's face waiting till she can hear her mother walk away before she lets out the most deafening scream of frustration. Six years since her mother had even tried to make contact with her and it was to tell her, her father was sick? The vile man who abused her for years and her mother would watch and join in with her hurtful comments. Isabelle shakes off her mother's presence and walks into her kitchen and pours herself a large Malibu and coke and downs the whole thing before another knock comes at the door. Oh god she hoped this was Daryl.
Daryl stood outside her door waiting anxiously for her to appear and when she does he can't believe his eyes she looked amazing. ''Damn girl.'' He breathes.
Isabelle smiles. ''Thanks, don't scrub up ta bad yourself. Now where would you like to go for a drink?'' She asks.
Daryl shrugs. ''Was thinking of that new place, the rainbow hut? They do ales and cocktails so we both win.'' He says with a smile.
Isabelle nods. ''Sounds good I could really use a drink.'' She says linking his arm.
Daryl senses something wrong in her tone of voice. ''Everthin alright Izzy?'' He asks.
Isabelle sighs knowing she can't lie to him. ''My delightful mother showed up bout ten minutes before you did tells me my dad's sick. That's all I'm saying don't wanna talk about those dicks on our date.'' She says with a smile.
Daryl nods. ''Alright.'' He says smirking to himself that she had called their drinks night a date. Well it basically was a date.
Daryl and Isabelle had arrived at the bar and got themselves sat down before they both look at the drinks menu, Daryl choses a blonde ale whilst Isabelle goes for a pornstar martini. Three drinks down and Isabelle looks over at Daryl.
''So what took ya so long?'' She asks feeling brave.
Daryl looks at her stunned, man she was clearly more buzzed than him. ''Dunno, was lookin for the right moment I guess.'' He says.
''Liar'' Isabelle teases.
Daryl sighs. ''Alright Merle bet me I wouldn't be able to ask ya out and if I dint he would.'' He says.
Isabelle lets out a loud laugh making the people at the next table to them glare at her to which she flips them off. ''I wouldn't touch Merle with a barge pole, I don't need to tell ya that.'' She says.
Daryl smiles. ''We got a good thing ain't we Izzy?'' He asks looking for reassurance.
She nods. ''Course we do, stoners to cigarette smokers. Every teenager's dream.'' She says.
''Speaking of cigarettes mind if I go for a smoke?'' He asks.
''Sure when you get back I'll get another round in then go out for one myself.'' Understanding that he didn't want them to lose their table.
Isabelle occupies herself by looking at the other cocktails on the menu, then her mind wanders to whether Daryl would want to do anything tonight she could remember the heated make out session they had had in their teens like it was yesterday. But Daryl had calmed down since then, she had only ever seen him bring a couple of women home, compared to her track record in men he was doing a lot better than her. She guessed that sleeping with a lot of men helped her forget about her lingering feelings for Daryl and maybe that she was a little bit in denial about those feelings. But here she was now, sat in a bar waiting for Daryl to come back inside so she could get them more drinks and calm her nerves down with a smoke also.
Daryl took a long hard drag from his cigarette thinking about what his next move would be, he couldn't just take her back to his and fuck her, that would give her the wrong impression. He had a good feeling about Izzy had done for years and he wasn't about to balls it up by hopping into bed with her too quickly. He was going to her this right. He walks back into the bar which is Isabelle's que to get up and get the next round.
''Same again?'' She asks.
Daryl shakes his head. ''Nah get me a zombie, got four types of whiskey in might as well go hard.'' He says.
Isabelle looks at him impressed. ''Well then I'll get the same.'' She says disappearing.
It's a few hours later and the two of them are stumbling home, Isabelle clinging to Daryl for dear life as she keeps stumbling in her heels. They both had cigarettes lit managing to smoke them and walk in their drunken states.
''Ya miss it at all? The drugs I mean.'' Isabelle asks.
Daryl shakes his head. ''Ain't got no reason ta smoke em anymore, so no Izzy I don't miss it. Do ya?'' He asks.
Isabelle shakes her head. ''I'm in such a better place now don't need um, mama showin up today showed me that.'' She said.
''You really ain't gonna do nothin about cha papa?'' He asks, his alcohol induced mind becoming brave.
Isabelle shakes her head. ''Nah he can rot in hell for all I care. He ruined my life.'' She says.
Daryl just nods not wanting to upset her. ''So what ya wanna do now?'' He asks stumbling as he does taking Isabelle with him.
''Is it bad to say another drink?'' She asks. ''I got plenty at my house.'' She says.
Daryl nods. ''Sounds good ta me, only 2am after all.'' He says with a snort.
''Don't be boring.'' She says veering off into the road and Daryl has to pull her back.
''Come on wobbles only about 3 minutes left of walking.'' He says directing her onto their estate.
They stumble up to Isabelle's house where she takes a little longer than normal to open the door, Daryl stood about a foot behind her swaying watching with blurred vision as she opened the door and ushered him inside he follows her eagerly bashing into the door frame as he does.
''I have to pee, you know where I keep my booze, be back in a minute.'' She says running to the bathroom.
Daryl walks over to her booze cupboard grabbing her Malibu and whiskey for him, he pulls out a bottle of coke from the fridge and glasses off the drainer by the sink and pours them both a drink. With surprising precision since he was pretty wasted right now. Isabelle joins him moments later and they both clink their glasses together before downing them.
''Pretty good first date Dixon, proud of ya.'' She says wiggling her eyebrows.
''What getting my date absolutely white trash wasted? Yeah sure.'' He says sarcastically.
Isabelle smiles. ''No really ya know how ta cheer me up, needed it and well I can't tell ya how many times I've wanted to ask ya out just been too chicken. You've been a crush of mine Mr Dixon since we were bout 16.'' She says feeling a blush creep on her cheeks.
Daryl blushes also, yeah he got attention off school in high school just never off her, unless she was commenting on him staring at her breasts or when she got a bit braver when she was high. ''16? Man what the fuck we been playin at?'' He asks.
Isabelle points her glass at him. ''We're fuckin stupid that's why.'' She says.
Daryl takes her glass and pours her another drink. ''Cheers to no longer being stupid.'' He says ushering her to clink her glass with his which she does in a clumsy motion before taking a sip.
Isabelle begins to dance on the spot. ''No more being stupid, you're too important.'' She says. ''Man I need to go to bed.'' She says collapsing on the floor with a loud thump.
''I'll help ya then I best get back ta mine. Ya workin tomorrow?'' He asks her.
She nods. ''Yeah 4 in the afternoon till midnight.'' She says. ''Plenty of time to recover.'' She laughs letting Daryl pick her up off the floor and guide her to bed where she collapses, Daryl takes off her shoes and tuck her in, he was wasted too but man she could be that little bit more drunk. ''I'll check in on ya around lunch tomorrow. Night Izzy.'' He says.
''Night Daryl.'' He hears her mumble before closing her bedroom door and letting himself out locking the door behind him and posting them back through the letter box for her.
When he arrives back at his house Merle is sat watching TV. ''Din't think ya were the type ta wait up Merle.'' Daryl slurs.
''Where's your girl?'' He asks.
''In bed, ain't like that Merle got a good feeling about her ya know.'' He says.
Merle shakes his head. ''Ya atleast kiss her?'' He asks.
Daryl shakes his head. ''She's pretty wasted and if ya ain't noticed I am too, haven't kissed her since I was 18, we were high. Want our next one ta ya know be when we can both feel like it's right.'' He says.
Merle laughs. ''Well ain't that cute princess, get ta bed man ya smell like a brewery.'' He says waving his brother off.
Daryl walks his bedroom and gets himself ready for bed, falling asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow. He would kiss her tomorrow when he went to check on her and also ask if she wanted to do anything on her next day off. Something not involving as much booze as the night they had just had though… But maybe they both needed that to break the ice to turn their friendship into something more.
So what did you think? Please let me know in a review. Lots of love Vmk-xx
P.s. The next chapter of breathing hearts is in progress and will be out very soon I promise! Xx