The following few days were distracting. Beth's watch duties were put off when Judith started teething. The teenager was gladly excused by Rick so she could get the baby on a routine and show someone else. Carol and Karen ended up agreeing to rotating baby duty while Beth started going on watch with Daryl.
It was her first night on the job and she was nervous. Carl had gotten her one of rifles found at the prison and showed her how it worked. The stock was adjustable so it fit her well. So the lithe girl had it slung across her back as she walked in the guard tower room to find the older man already there.
He nodded a brief welcome and she just nodded back. Beth felt his eyes dissecting her movements. Casually she propped the gun against the wall and pulled up a chair on the opposite end. He wasn't talking. Fine with her.
After an hour of nothing she pulled out a book and started reading, periodically looking out to scan the land surrounding the prison. Shortly after Daryl broke the silence.
"How's the lil' asskicker doin?" He didn't look her way, just asked. Beth sighed and dog eared her page.
"Testy. She's teething and quite cranky. Nothin's making her happy right now." She let her frustration show through her voice. Beth stuck the paperback novel in her coat pocket and stood to stretch.
Daryl decided to stretch too and scratched his goatee. "Sure she'll come round soon." She could only hope.
Silence surrounded them for another short bit of time and he spoke again.
"Why do ya look at me the way ya do?"
Immediately Beth felt her jaw hit the floor as she turned to look at him. As quickly as she could she recovered herself and tried to find the right..honest…words. She could lie, but it would just eat her alive. They didn't know each other that well but he didn't deserve to be lied to.
Her blue eyes closed and she rubbed her fave before letting out a groan and looking back at him. He seemed slightly annoyed and curious. C'mon Beth, Daryl's a mature man who can handle it.
"I find you interesting." Despite her false confidence her words were quiet and meek. She watched as he blinked and looked perplexed slightly.
"Interestin? What the hells so interestin bout me?" Some men would laugh and roll there eyes but this seemed to be a serious accusation the way he sounded. Beth felt herself starting to panic.
"I dunno! You're a loner. You get things done…nobody really knows much about you. You're like one of those big mysteries people can't help but think about…" She was sure her face must be lit up with red. But he still looked confused.
"So that's why you been starin at me? Tryin to figure me out?" His defenses were up 10 fold as if she'd slapped him. He shook his head and turned his back to her. Beth sat there, speechless and confused. What was wrong with him?
She wasnt aware she had tears in her eyes until she blinked and felt one land on her cheek. Now she was angry.
"What is you problem?" She asked as she wiped her cheeks. Daryl turned and seen her, shrugging as usual.
"Don' have one. What's your problem?" He snapped back.
Beth sniffled and aligned her body to face his in her chair. "I try to be nice to you and you act like I am insulting you!" She didn't like being treated like someone who was out to get him.
"Well I don' like feelin like I am somethin to study woman!" Daryl huffed at her, seemingly too natural at arguing.
The teen blonde didn't bother to reply because she knew how childish this was. So for the rest of the watch she would watch the scenery or read her book. As they noticed their relief coming to take over, the hunter awkwardly touched the back of his hair.
"Sorry for bein an ass." The manner was so casual she almost felt like he hadn't meant it. But despite her urge to tell him to shove it, she just nodded.
"S'okay." She half assed replied. After she gathered her gun up he opened the door. Beth took a few steps and out of spite and the frustration she stopped for a second. Her heart was thumping a hundred miles a second as she opened her mouth. "Im sorry you can't recognize a crush."
She didn't bother to see his face or stick around for any replies. She just walked away. Beth kept her steps calm and even, but inside she was screaming. Oh my god! What had she done? He would replace her with watch duties, or even tell her Dad? Then she snorted with how stupid that was. He was prideful. He most likely wouldn't say anything to anyone.
She hoped.