A/N: Hello beautiful people! Sorry for the little delay on this chapter. We hope everyone's still riding with us. If you still watch the show, we hope you enjoyed The Walking Dead's season 8 finale as much as we did. And if you're a hardcore Richonner like we are, I'm sure you'll enjoy this chapter cause it's a complete contrast from what we witnessed last Sunday lol. I've already said too much so I'll let you guys get to it ;)

High school…

Maggie's POV

I flipped through my Seventeen Magazine while watching Daria with Michonne when we both heard voices downstairs. Rick had somehow managed to get invited to a party by his significantly more popular friend Glenn Rhee. Glenn, I was so in love with says I'm dramatic but I literally dream about him and I getting married every night and about how cute our little biracial babies would be.

"Shit they're here, and I think he brought that chick Jessie"

"Oh hell no," Michonne said jumping off the bed to follow me.

We both stood next to each other with our ears to the door. All we heard was more mumbling and then the front door slamming shut. We both ran to the window on the other side of the room. I looked down at my front porch to see my brother awkwardly getting into the driver's seat while Glenn was holding Jessie's waist, leading her to the car door. It looked like Glenn was a really good, caring boyfriend and it hurt me to see him with an empty-headed girl like her. Jessie "Blanderson", as Michonne and I sometimes referred to her, was definitely not good enough for Glenn, but she was very popular and very blonde and it didn't hurt that she flirted with every guy she met, maybe Glenn just wanted to be with her just because he was taking advantage of the fact that he could be with any of the most popular girls at our school.

Michonne noticing my mood change put her hand on my shoulder.

"Mags-"

"Let's go," I said quickly walking over to my closet to change.

"What?! Maggie… we can't!"

Michonne began to see that she didn't have a choice here because there was no way I was going to change my mind after it was made and she definitely wouldn't let me go alone. She rolled her eyes and walked over to my closet to pull on a denim jacket on top of the burnt orange t-shirt she wore with black shorts and tights. I took a little longer to perfect my outfit. I took off the green overalls that I wore over a white t-shirt and added my shortest red plaid skirt. Michonne looked me up and down and gave me an unsure look.

"Mags, what's the plan here?"

I didn't have one at all, I just knew I wanted to see where Glenn was going with Jessie. Michonne followed behind me as I ran down the stairs to tell daddy that Michonne and I were going next door to Randal's house to study. I was in such a rush I didn't even look behind me to see if Michonne was still there. I ran across the street and knocked on the door, luckily Randall was the one to answer. He was friends with Michonne and I and I suspected he had a little crush on me so he would definitely do me this favor.

"Randal, can you please give us a ride somewhere?"

...

Once I had convinced Randall to drive Michonne and I we jumped in his mother's car and I told him to follow the street I saw my brother's car go down until we found it in the drive-through for a Mcdonald's.

"Oh my God! Maggie, what are we doing!? Why are we following Rick's car?!" Michonne said slouching down in her seat and covering her face. "I just want to see where Glenn and Jessie are going" I responded.

We finally continued following them when the car exited the parking lot. Our two cars drove for a while until we stopped in front of a huge house that was all lit up with music and high school students walking in and loitering in the front. I was already about to jump out of the car when Randall got my attention again.

"Um… Maggie do you want me to stay? Or…"

"Nah you can stay or go, Michy and I will find our way back," I said to him while Michonne and I got out of the car.

We shared a nervous look with each other as we began walking into the house. We stayed close to each other, and that's when I saw it, Glenn sitting on a small couch with Jessie on his lap making-out, I took a deep shaky breath and my eyes began to water.

"Oh Maggie-" Michonne began to try and comfort me by putting her arm around me but I quickly walked away from her spotting Gareth, one of the most popular athletes at are school. I approached him, not thinking anything through at all, placing my hand on his shoulder and forcing out the loudest laugh I could in an effort to make Glenn look my way.

"Umm… What the hell do you think you're doing?" Gareth said to me looking offended.

I began rubbing his shoulder and doing my best to flirt, using what I've learned from movies, always keeping Glenn in the corner of my eye. I didn't notice Gareth growing more annoyed until he pushed my hand off him making me stumble a little.

"Listen, you need to get your country ass away from me freshman, I can't have the hot girls seeing me talk to you," He said standing up to tower over me. The minute Michonne saw this she quickly walked right up to him and looked up at him in the eyes with the confidence of someone who was even, almost the same height as him.

"Hey! You can't talk to her like that!"

Rick's POV

I have a test tomorrow. That's all I could keep thinking. I have a test tomorrow and for some reason, I'm here at some house party with a bunch of people I hate because I had given Glenn a ride. It wasn't all his fault though; I was trying to be more social since it was my second year of high school, but right now I just wanted to be home studying. Not to mention, I was beginning to feel like being here was a very bad idea.

I stood up to tell Glenn I was leaving when I realized that my hunch was absolutely correct. My eyes landed on Maggie and Michonne. What the hell are they even doing here? I quickly saw that the situation was way worse when I saw Gareth stand up to Michonne with a ferrous expression on his face while Maggie stood right next to her looking like she was about to cry. Without a second thought, I ran up to get in the middle "Hey! What the hell is going on here?!"

"Grimes! Get your redneck sister and her nerdy friend the hell away from me, I'm actually trying to talk to girls here." Gareth said looking me dead in the eyes obviously trying to challenge me. Maybe in a different situation I would have realized this and been the bigger person, but this asshole was insulting my sister straight to my face and I really didn't like the way he was standing up to Michonne who was practically a whole three feet shorter than him. I was glad she finally stepped back when I got involved but I still pushed him in the chest to get him further away from my little sister and her best friend.

Gareth immediately pushed me back and before I knew it we were on the ground brawling it out. He got a couple good hits to my side and cheekbone but I was winning. I socked him hard in the nose and he felt down. He was fine. He was still conscious but was lying on the ground moaning and groaning, and most likely had a broken nose.

"Get in the car," I said sternly to Maggie and Michonne. They both exited the house hastily. Then I looked over to Glenn with a concerned look on my face and he waved his hand expressing that I didn't need to explain why I was leaving.

Michonne's POV

The drive back to Maggie and Rick's house was deathly quiet. I knew Rick was properly furious with Maggie and I for leaving the house, but he wouldn't say anything since Maggie was on the verge of bursting into tears, closing her eyes and biting hard on her lip. When we finally got into the driveway Rick turned to me in the back seat.

"Do you need a ride home?" he said.

"Um… no, I was staying over tonight anyway," I told him almost nervously since I had never seen Rick so upset in all the years I've known him.

He nodded his head before we all got out of the car and Maggie bolted into the house. I followed behind her, already knowing she was going to the bathroom to try and hide her tears. I sat down next to her on the floor leaning against the bathtub.

"I just don't get why he doesn't notice me, Michonne," Maggie said practically hyperventilating. It hurt me to see her so devastated.

"I know, I know, Maggie," I said, she laid her head on my shoulder and quietly cried.

A few minutes later there was a soft knock on the door and Rick walked in and held out two hands to help both of us up.

"Come on Maggie you should get some sleep," Rick said giving her a quick hug around the neck. She walked out of the bathroom and I looked up at Rick from where I sat on the edge of the bathtub.

"You're bleeding," I said quickly getting up to get the first aid kit that I already knew was in the bottom drawer of the cabinet since the Greene household was like a second home to me. "Michonne, you don't have-" but it was too late. I already began cleaning the small cut under his eye. "Thank you," he said making eye contact with me, which was very unusual for him. "It's no problem." I brushed it off. "No, Michonne thank you... for always looking out for Maggie, I can't be her big brother and her best friend, not like you can; you're a really good friend."

In response, I only smiled and looked down at my shoes.

"So what was it? Does she like Gareth or something? He questioned.

"Oh no, not at all"

"Then what?" I could only look back at him silently. He chuckled looking down, "Okay I get it, you're her best friend not mine" I smiled again as I finished up putting Neosporin and a band-aid on the cut. "We're still friends though," I said before slowly exiting the bathroom and heading back to Maggie's room.

...

Present Day

Michonne's POV

"Mags!" I hissed low enough for her to snap her head in my direction. I grabbed her hand and pulled her out the side entrance of the bar, through the parking lot, to my car. Hopefully, no one saw us.

After Messie basically told the entire party that Glenn and Maggie were together, we've all been walking on eggshells, especially around Rick. While everyone enjoyed the cupcakes, Rick's blue eyes were busy burning holes into Maggie and Glenn. For the remainder of the party, Rick tried his best to be civil. And to the outsider looking in, he was. But I know Rick. He must've pinched the bridge of his nose at least 15 times. That is not a good sign. As the guests started to leave, Rick looked over at Glenn like he was ready to pounce. Mike wanted me to leave with him so we could spend a little more time together but I told him I'd give him a call later. I wanted to be there for my girl if she needed it. Especially with all that testosterone in there.

When we got to my car Maggie walked around to the driver side and asked for my keys.

"Maggie where are you going!?"

"I'm going after that bitch to give her a piece of my mind. She had no right to invite herself to my party and then say all that snarky ass shit. Give me the keys Mich!" She said holding out her hand like I was actually gonna give them to her. I swear her and Rick really share blood. They're both so damn dramatic.

"Maggie calm down and get over here." She threw her hands up when she realized that she wasn't getting my keys and then walked over to my side of the car. She then folded her arms and leaned back on the car looking at the sky.

"I brought you out here to tell you that Glenn is the one who told her that Y'all were dating."

"What!?" Maggie said completely shocked.

"Yep. She told me when I ran into her in the bathroom."

Maggie then turned around and started walking back towards the bar. "Maggie wait! Where are you going!?"

"To go punch Glenn in the dick!" She called over her shoulder not even breaking stride. I groaned and ran after her, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. "Maggie chill it's not his fault. The man is crazy about you. I'm surprised he didn't scream it to the whole world yet."

"But still Mich, why her? We were trying to keep it a secret until we both told Rick and HE out of all people should know how she is. Her code name is Messie for a goddamn reason. And I hope she didn't think that I didn't see that shit with the coconut water."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud at that again, which caused Maggie to also break out into giggles.

"I swear Maggie," I said in between tears of laughter. "That was single-handedly the Bougiest shit I've ever heard in my life. OH MY GOD MY COCONUT WATER!" I laughed even harder trying to imitate her.

She wiped her own tears of laughter in agreement with my last statement. I turned to her placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Honestly Maggie, I know you haven't forgotten that that is his ex. A thirsty ex at that. When he saw her he probably told her that you two were dating so she wouldn't dream up any wild ideas in that empty head of hers. And given the way that Glenn used to be, she doesn't think that he's serious. So then that's when I had to step in and give her a piece of my mind." I said smirking.

"Thanks, Mich. I get it now. And I think Rick is gonna have the same issue if you know what I mean."

"Yea…..can I ask you something though?"

"Sure."

"I know it hasn't been that long and all…...but….I guess I'm just tryna ask….Are you worried at all? Even a little?" I asked genuinely.

Maggie sighed and then opened her mouth to respond. "Honestly?...No Mich; I'm not. It's not just his words but it's his actions. He spent this whole morning running around doing things that I didn't even know I needed done. He thinks all the weird shit I do is cute. Plus his dick is way bigger than Negan's."

I doubled over in laughter at that one. Maggie's last boyfriend had a huge ego and little to show for it.

"But seriously…..being with Glenn is everything that I thought it would be and more. I'm not gonna hold his past against him. But if he is dumb enough to cheat on me, I'm gonna cut his dick off so you better have my bail money ready" she said in a tone so serious I couldn't even laugh at her.

"You know I got you, girl," I said grabbing her in a hug.

"I got you too Michonne. Always. Love you." She said squeezing me tight.

"Love you to Mags"

Maggie's POV

After I let Michonne go, I stepped back to look her up and down with a sneaky grin.

"So let's talk about Mi-"

"MAGGIE!" Rick yelled across the parking lot to me. He was so damn loud that Michonne and I both jumped at the boom in his voice.

"Want me to come with you?" Michonne asked wincing in Ricks direction.

"It's ok Mich. If I don't handle this then he'll never know that I don't need protecting anymore. And this conversation is not over! I'll call you tomorrow to let you know how things-"

"MAGGIE!"

"IM COMING RICK DAMN IT!"

Michonne just shook her head and giggled at us. I cleared my throat to get her attention back.

"As I was saying, I'm gonna need to know where they grow big, strong sexy chocolate men like that at. If this Glenn shit doesn't work out then I need a backup."

Michonne threw her head back in laughter. "They grow them in Wakanda girl. And yes call me cause I wanna know what you and Glenn really think of him."

"Haha! I will Mich. Wish me luck."

"Girl stop being dramatic. Glenn is his best friend and boss and you're his little sister. He ain't gonna kill y'all."

"Yea yea…..love you and get home safe," I said turning to walk back towards the bar. Michonne got in her car giggling and blew the horn as she left the parking lot.

Alright, Maggie, you can do this. The closer I got to Rick, the harder my heart started to pound. When I reached him, his eyes were so dark they almost looked navy. I put on my game face and walked right past him back into the bar. I heard the door slam behind me.

"Chill the fuck out on my door Rick!" Tara yelled from behind the counter. She gave me a sympathetic look while she wiped down glasses. I held my head high as I marched to the table at the very back of the establishment. I saw Glenn already standing near the table. Ugh…. he's so sexy. As I got closer to him, I felt all the weight from tonight lift off of me. As he heard Rick and I approach him, he turned around, held a hand out to me and smiled. But it quickly faltered when he saw Rick huffing and puffing behind me. I placed my hand firmly in his and intertwined our fingers together. Rick's eyes immediately focused in on our gesture and I could hear him inhale deeply.

Glenn pulled out a seat for me and then sat in a chair next to me. We both looked up at Rick noticing that he still hadn't calmed down or pulled a chair out for himself.

"Rick, have a seat. Let's talk about this like adults." Glenn said finally breaking the silence.

"Yea, just like adults keep secrets from family right?" Rick said bitterly, pulling out a chair to sit.

"Look man…. I'll go ahead and start this off. Yes; Maggie and I have decided to start dating. What's going on between us is still fairly new and we both were looking for a good time to sit down and talk to you but-"

"But you both go on ahead and tell everybody else but me," Rick said cocking his head to the side.

"Hey! Maggie had nothing to do with that. It was my fault. When I was placing Maggie's order this morning I let it slip accidentally to Jessie. Before the party, no one knew but her and Michonne."

Rick leaned back in his chair running his hands through his hair. This little discussion wasn't going at all how I expected it to go. I glanced to the side at Glenn noticing how tense he was. If it were another situation, I would've been smiling at how he's been defending me lately. But now it's time for me to play some defense of my own.

"He's right Rick and he didn't mean it. You know how Jessie is and you damn sure know her and Glenn's history. And Michonne is my best friend in this whole world. If she didn't find out it'd be against girl code damn it!"

Ricks' face softened at the mention of Michonne. He closed his eyes and then leaned his elbows on the table. He took a deep breath before he asked, "Did you sleep together?"

Uh oh….

I put my head down and Glenn looked up at the ceiling. Welp somebody's gotta tell him. Glenn looked over at me and I grabbed his hand under the table again. I opened my mouth to speak but before I could get a word out Rick's eyes literally almost popped out of his skull.

"YOU FUCKING SLEPT WITH MY SISTER MAN!" Rick yelled as he stood up from his chair. He took one giant scary ass step towards Glenn and we both stood up from our seats.

"YES! WE SLEPT TOGETHER!" Glenn yelled back taking a step towards Rick so that they were face to face. I got scared as hell. Not for me or Rick…..but for Glenn. We all knew Rick had a hidden temper; especially when it came to me and when Rick is up, it's hard to get him back down. I ran around the table to get in between them and put a hand on each of their chests, pushing both of them back a bit. I felt Glenn soften under my touch but Rick's chest stayed hard, heaving under my small hand. That's it! I gotta end this. Cause if Rick makes me miss my birthday dick appointment that might be the last thing he ever does….in life!

I took my hand down from Glenn and turned all my attention to the jackass that I love so much. "We slept together Rick, yes. But you know something, that's none of your goddamn business is it? Now I know that you're upset that you had to find out this way and from somebody else but I promise you that we weren't gonna let you leave this party without you knowing. And before you open your big mouth to say what I think you're gonna say….shut up. The only thing that you need to know is that Glenn treats me well and that I'm happy; happier than I've been in a long time actually. I'm not stupid Rick. I know Glenn's past but I'm not gonna use it against him and neither should you. We all got skeletons. Even if you don't like us together, be happy that I'm happy. You're my only brother Rick….I love you."

Rick scooped me up in one of the tightest hugs I'd ever gotten from him. He kissed the top of my head and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I am happy for yall I just….you just caught me off guard. I love you too."

Rick then pulled out of the hug to step back up to Glenn. "Man,… If you hurt her-"

"You don't have to say it, Rick. I won't...This is different man. I'm serious. I know words don't mean much these days so you'll just have to trust me as a friend and see for yourself. Plus, Maggie's to smart for all that bullshit I use to pull back in the day. She'd probably beat my ass worse than you could." Glenn said with a chuckle.

"Damn straight I would!" I said chiming in.

Rick himself had to laugh a little at the accurateness of Glenn's statement. Rick took another step forward and extended his hand out to Glenn for one of those bro handshakes/hug things that guys always do. I stood to the side watching my boyfriend and brother hug it out hoping they'd hurry the hell up so I could take Glenn home and get the present waiting for me in his pants.

Rick's POV

Wow…...My best friend and my little sister. I'm happy Maggie is happy but this shit is gonna take some getting used to. I separated from Glenn and offered him my hand so I could apologize.

"I'm sorry man. I didn't mean to go off like that it's just….." I sighed heavily and looked at the ceiling.

"Rick. It's ok… If I had a sister I'd probably be the same way. And I'm sorry. As your friend, I should've come to you myself. Man to man….. But this one." Glenn said smiling and pointing in Maggie's direction "She blindsided me, man."

Maggie turned red as a tomato and went over to us, passed me up completely and hugged Glenn. Third wheel much? Yep. This is definitely gonna take me some time to get used to this.

We all turned around when Tara cleared her throat and uneasily made her presence known in the room. "Everything alright guys?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yea...Everything's fine Tara." I replied

"Good. Cause I was not in the mood to break up a fight today."

"Neither was I. Ok Glenn lets go," Maggie said grabbing Glenn's arm and turning around to rush out.

"Woah Woah Woah, wait Maggie!" I yelled since they were almost out the front door. Maggie groaned and turned around checking her watch before yelling back, "What is it Rick? I thought we were done here."

I let go of any pride that I had left that was keeping me from looking like a needy little boy and said, "I need you to tell me more about this Mike guy."

Maggie's eyes softened immediately. She looked over at Glenn with a sad smile and then said something to him that I couldn't make out. They both started walking back towards Tara and I and we all sat back down at the table. Maggie blew out a breath and then lovingly reached across the table to grab my hand.

"She met him when he came to audition for Jesus's play. They cast him cause he was a perfect fit for the character. But then…...he asked her out and they had a good time blah blah blah. I don't know how serious she is about him but by the way he acted today….. I think he's pretty serious about her. I'm sorry Rick; that's all I know."

I sighed and put my head in my hands.

"Wait a damn minute! Let me get this shit straight. Rick likes Michonne but Michonne has no clue and she's dating that model that looks like he came straight out of Wakanda?", Tara asked incredulously.

"Yes! And why the fuck does everyone know about Wakanda but me!?", Maggie asked flailing her arms in the air.

"Dude, you gotta tell her how you feel," Glenn said

"I was gonna do that today but I'm too late. I could barely even get a word in the rest of the party with that guy's tongue down her throat." I replied.

"You're not too late Rick. It's still early and you don't even know if she really likes this guy. You gotta talk to her. I don't know what changed between a couple weeks and now but to be honest, Maggie and I really thought she was feeling you man." Glenn said shrugging his shoulders. They thought she was into me? Ha! If only I could've seen what they saw.

"Screw that shit Rick! I'm gonna give it to you straight so listen up.", Tara said getting my full attention. I straightened up in my chair genuinely ready for some more advice. "First of all, of course Wakanda dude is in love with Michonne; who isn't? I know if she swung my way, you and Wakanda would have a fucking fight on your hands."

Me and Maggie's mouths dropped open and Glenn almost fell out his chair laughing.

"Shut up Glenn! Anyways, listen Rick, don't Listen to Glenn, he's only saying that because girls love him if he confesses his love for a girl it's cute and romantic if you do it, it's creepy"

Okay Ouch.

"Matter fact," she continued "I already have someone that you can move on to. Her name is Nabila and she's a sweetheart; I'll text you her number." Tara said pulling out her phone.

"Tara! That's not fucking helping! We want them together, not with other people!" Maggie yelled.

"Hey! I'm just tryna help him out. And Maggie you know damn well that no woman wants a man who another woman doesn't already want. This could actually help the situation and if it doesn't then Rick will have Nabila. Simple as that." Tara responded folding her arms looking satisfied.

"Rick. We can't tell you what to do but we'll be here for you no matter what man. It's getting late and we have to go."Glenn said scooting back from the table.

Tara walked us to the front so that she could lock up after us. I gave Maggie another hug and then apologized again for acting like this on her birthday. She pinched me on the arm and told me that it was ok and that I'd make it up to her later. Glenn and I dapped and just as I was about to say goodnight, Glenn asked, "Hey man about your trip to Atlanta, what's going on with Spen-"

"GREGORY! YEA ABOUT GREGORY! He um...he still needs me for a couple more weeks. Says he couldn't find anyone to fill my spot yet so…." I said quickly before Glenn could say his full name.

"What!? That's fucking insane! You put in your notice a whole damn month before you moved back over here. He can't do that shit. We're trying to expand and I need you man. I suck at crunching numbers and I need you to start drawing up some estimates this week." Glenn sighed loudly and shook his head. "Look, man, I don't wanna get all bossy on you but I need you to let Gregory know that you can't do him any more favors. I don't care what he offers to pay you; I'll pay you triple. You work for me now and I need you. Give him a call and when he doesn't take no for an answer, transfer him to me. I have some words for him anyway."

"Uhh… thanks, man yea. I'll do that tomorrow." I said relieved that Glenn went with the flow.

"Ok. Have a good night man. See you in the office on Monday."

"Goodnight Rick," Maggie said already halfway in the car.

"Yea...Goodnight."