Chapter 3

Home

"Puddin, I hear you were causing some kind of an uproar at school today."

Ryann ducked her head then grinned at her grandpa. "Yes, sir. But Pops, Mrs. Barbosa was horrible to that kid Daryl! She had no right saying the things she did. She embarrassed him something awful. I couldn't just let her get away with that."

"You did good kiddo. I am proud that you stood up for the boy, but next time...try not to call the teacher a bitch." Ryann's grandpa turned around and walked out of her bedroom where Ryann had been studying.

Ryann sat on the edge of her double bed and thought about Daryl. When he had walked into the classroom, she noticed his clothes were wrinkled, he had some leaves in his hair, and he looked exhausted. I wonder why he was really late to school, she thought to herself.

Daryl walked back to the creek where he had spent the night. "Home sweet home," he said as he sat on the cool ground beneath a tree. He looked around to make sure no one was near him. He took his shirt off and walked over to the creek. He squatted down and began scooping water up onto his arms trying to give himself a little bath.

"Hey Daryl!"

His head shot up, he grabbed his shirt, spun around and slipped his t-shirt back on.

There she was. Ryann. Beautiful, perfect Ryann. He gave a quick nod of his head in recognition to her.

"Whatcha doing here?" Ryann asked as she walked closer to him.

Daryl shrugged his shoulders.

"You don't talk much do ya?" Ryann walked over to the tree Daryl had just sat under, looked at the ground, then sat.

"No one to talk to." Those were the first words Daryl Dixon ever spoke directly to her.

Ryann was elated! She loved the sound of his voice. "Why were you late to school?"

Daryl shrugged, "Like I said, my alarm didn't go off."

"Bullshit," Ryann said matter of factly. She knew he was lying. She could smell a lie like a fart in a car. "Try again."

"Why does it matter why I was late to school?" Daryl crossed his arms over his chest. What was with this girl?

"Well, I was thinking...if you needed a ride or something, I could pick you up. That way, Mrs. Barbosa could bitch you out any more." Ryann leaned back onto the trunk of the tree. She thought to herself that the tree made a great place to kick back and relax. She also noticed how uneasy Daryl was with her being there.

"Nah, I'm good, but thanks. Listen, it's getting late, maybe you should go now." He shoved his hands into his pants pockets and kicked around at the ground.

"Ok. How about you walk with me? Unless of course it is our of your way."

Damn it. There it was...that smile. He knew he would never be able to resist her smile. "Where ya live?"

She stood up and dusted her backside off. "Over there." Ryann pointed. Daryl followed her finger in the direction she was pointing.

In the distance he saw a big white farm house. He knew exactly who it belonged to. "Mr. Watkins's place?"

"Yep. That's my grandpa. My parents are overseas in Taiwan and I am here. I decided I should stay here and finish up school. Where do you live?" She looked up at Daryl with big green eyes.

Daryl swallowed hard. He didn't want to tell her where his house was or that he really was living here in the forest. She would laugh at him and he didn't think he would be able to handle that from her. "Over that way," he said as he nodded his head in a totally different direction from his real house.

"Oh! Cool. Well then I guess I will be seeing you at school then." Ryann knew he wasn't telling her the truth. She could see it in his eyes. "Hey Daryl," she said as she was walking away. "Look, I know it isn't any of my business, but if you need anything…"

"I don't," he said a little gruffer than he intended.

Ryann nodded her head, turned and walked away.

Daryl slouched. He hadn't meant to be rude but he couldn't stand her knowing he was virtually homeless. He watched her until she was completely out of sight before he sat down with his back to the tree that was his makeshift bed. He was hungry but knew he wouldn't be eating that night. He closed his eyes and tried to relax.

"Hello son."

Daryl's eyes shot opened just as his father grabbed him around the neck.