I promised I'd be updating more often, so here I am. Not entirely sure about this chapter, even though I found it very easy to write. Massive thanks to my beta because seriously, you should've seen the chapter before she went over it. It was a mess. Thank you, sweety!

I hope you guys enjoy, and please leave a review, your feedback always motivates me to sit down and write again. Oh, and big thank you to everyone following/favouring/reviewing already. Your support is priceless to me.


"Beth, are you planning on staying in there forever?" Lexi-Marie asks from behind the bathroom door.

"I look ridiculous!" Beth states and folds her arms in an annoyed gesture, even though Lexi can't see her.

"That mirror isn't saying 'My Queen, you are the fairest in the land', you can stop trying."

Beth bursts the door open and stares at Lexi. "Not funny. Just look at me," she throws her hands up in exasperation.

Lexi-Marie tries to hide a smile, but fails, and has to bite her lip to stay calm. "It's not that bad."

Beth storms past her into the bedroom. "I look like a fairy from a Peter Pan musical or something."

"The only thing missing is fluffy slippers," Lexi giggles, shutting the door.

"Ha-ha. This party is a stupid idea and I shouldn't be going anyway," Beth says, sitting down on the bed and folding her arms again.

Lexi rolls her eyes. "Such a killjoy. It's not my fault you're so tiny that only my tenth grade drama costume fits."

Beth's eyes widen in disbelief. "This is a costume? Who did you play?"

Lexi averts her gaze and pretends to be too busy blending some more blush onto her cheeks. Even though her makeup has been finished for half an hour. "Well…"

"Lexi."

"It was Midsummer Night's Dream, okay?" she admits.

"No wonder it's so… green and… sparkly," Beth blurts out, staring at the monstrous thing she's wearing. She gets up and tries to unzip the dress from behind. "I am so done with this party."

Worry washes over Lexi-Marie's face, and she takes Beth's hand to stop her from fiddling with the dress. "Please, don't. I spent an hour on your makeup."

"I don't care. I'm not making a fool out of myself," Beth huffs out a breath of annoyance, but lets her arms fall to her sides.

"I'll find you something else to wear, but please, don't cancel," Lexi pleads. Beth stays quiet, staring at her friend in expectation. "Let's think," she makes a few circles around her room, while Beth just stands there, watching her. "I might have an idea," Lexi gives her an ingratiating smile that tells Beth not to expect anything good. "I could look in my mom's wardrobe-"

"No," Beth says immediately.

"You didn't even let me finish!" Lexi-Marie pouts.

"I'm not wearing something your mother confiscated from you because it's probably too… out there," she finishes, for the lack of better word.

Mrs Harris still tries to control her daughter, despite the fact that Lexi-Marie rarely listens to her opinion. She's been confiscating things that are too extravagant for her liking – to return to the store – ever since Beth and Lexi-Marie have been in middle school.

"There's this dress, and it's beautiful. I cut the label off before the witch took it, so she couldn't return it, but she won't let me wear it anyway. You, on the other hand, could…" Lexi trails off.

Beth stays silent.

"Oh, come on, you'll look great! We'll have a lot of fun tonight! Please?"

Beth sighs heavily. "Okay."

Lexi-Marie squeals and jumps up and down in delight. "Get out of this ugliness, and I'll go and get the dress for you, okay?"

Beth nods, and her friends disappears, slamming the door loudly after herself. Beth sighs heavily again. This is why she stopped talking to Lexi-Marie two years ago. She's always been to energetic, happy, and optimistic, against all odds. She got beaten by her boyfriend not so long ago, and now she's jumping around and almost singing with happiness. Beth wishes she could be that resilient.

Just as she is about to put on a robe, her phone buzzes on the bed. It requires all of Beth's self-control to stop herself from literally flying towards it. She can't believe it when she sees a text from Daryl.

How's your schedule for tomorrow?

Beth feels ridiculous, but she can't hold back a happy laugh that bubbles somewhere in her chest. She giggles and jumps around, just like Lexi did before, and her friend chooses this particular moment to enter the room.

"Wow, you seem happy," she observes as she shuts the door again, holding a white metallic lace dress.

Beth feels blush appear on her cheeks, and hides her phone behind her back. She realizes she probably looks ridiculous, standing in the middle of the room in her bra and underwear with her phone behind her back.

Lexi-Marie takes a quick look at her, and her face lights up with understanding. "Oh, was that your leather-jacket-guy?" she raises a brow mischievously.

Beth rolls her eyes: "For the hundredth time, his name is Daryl. Is that the dress?" she quickly changes the topic.

Lexi-Marie's eyes sparkle with excitement and she almost starts jumping. "Yes. Try this on, you'll look gorgeous in it."

Beth does as she's told, and when Lexi gasps and insists that she has to have a look in a big mirror in the bathroom, Beth rolls her eyes again, but follows her friend down the corridor.

Beth turns around in front of the mirror a few times and smiles. "I have to admit, this does look great."

"Ha! It looks hot, not just great."

"Why did your mom confiscate it anyway?"

"It's cold shoulder dress," Lexi-Marie rolls her eyes and lowers the toilet seat before sitting down on it. "You know she has a problem with girls showing too much shoulder. And she said it's too short anyway."

Beth is about to respond, when she hear a wolf whistle and turns around abruptly to find John standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorjamb.

"You look nice, Beth Greene," he says and gives her a creepy smile. This is probably the first time she is bothered by John's company. He's always been weird, but harmless.

Lexi-Marie groans and slaps a hand on her forehead in annoyance. "Why are you perving on us, John?"

"I'm not perving," he says and shrugs. "Wait," he looks at his sister, "isn't this the dress that mom had a fit about a few days ago? Aren't you afraid of another scandal?" he wiggles his eyebrows, and Beth smiles a little easier.

"Shut up, John," Lexi-Marie rolls her eyes at him. "As long as you don't tell her, she won't know."

"You do know she's coming home earlier tonight?" he states, and Beth could have sworn Lexi's face has gone at least five shades lighter.

"What?" she asks.

"She should be back in half-an-hour," John repeats, looking at the watch on his wrist.

"But the party doesn't start until eight!" Lexi-Marie exclaims, and despite being almost indifferent to the whole thing, Beth suddenly feels panic rise in her chest. "We can't show up early, that's totally uncool. We have to be fashionably late!"

"We can't go to my house either because daddy will be there," Beth says, trying to think of what to do.

Lexi-Marie notices an amused smile on John's face and presses fingers to her temples. "Alright, let's think. What can we do? I know!" she shouts, making Beth jump slightly. "We'll leave earlier and just sit at that coffee place in town for an hour."

"What?" Beth asks in disbelief. "That's ridiculous."

"It's the only way."

"Alright," John states. "I'll drive you there."

"We have still have twenty minutes to straighten your hair!" Lexi-Marie states, pointing a finger at Beth, as if it wasn't clear anyway. Beth nods, and her friend immediately disappears to find the straightener.


They run out of time, and Beth ends up with half her hair straight and other half – curly. Somehow, Lexi-Marie manages to braid Beth's hair in a complicated and elaborate French chain braid (at least that's what she says it's called) in the car on their way to town. John remains quiet while driving, not making any rude or crude comments – that's a first – which Beth very much appreciates. And obviously, so does Lexi because she doesn't call her brother an idiot once in fifteen minutes – almost a record.

"How did you blackmail him into giving us a ride?" Beth whispers to her when John seems busy taking a turn to the highway.

"I said I'd tell mom his girlfriend was just a one-night stand that stayed in his life," she whispers back and giggles.

That part of their relationship Beth can't understand and probably never will. They always say how much they hate each other, but never hide anything from each other. Lexi-Marie doesn't hesitate when confiding in her brother – that Beth knows for sure. But somehow she doesn't have a problem threatening his secrets to their tyrant of a mother. In the years she's known Lexi-Marie and her family, she's learned not to be surprised by such things. Maybe their rivalry is just their way of showing love towards each other.

"Just park next to the diner," Beth proposes as John drives out onto the main street. "There's never any parking space near the coffee shop."

They leave the car and make their way to the coffee place – the only coffee shop in their small town.

"What did you tell your dad?" asks Lexi-Marie. Both siblings look at Beth curiously, waiting for an answer.

"I said I'll be eating out with you," she shrugs. "Looks like I didn't even have to lie."

John laughs and shakes his head, but Lexi-Marie just gives her an understanding smile. She always has to come up with excuses and stories to get out of the house.

The three of them walk into the shop, and take a seat near the big front window to the main street. It's where Beth and Lexi always used to sit when they were freshmen in high school. The place is almost empty at this hour – it closes at eight-thirty – but some people are sitting down, cups of coffee in front of them, and the sound of quiet conversations fills the air. Beth smiles with contentment because this place has a naturally pleasant vibe to it, like you almost want to lie down and take a nap. Comfortable and cozy.

"Good evening, guys," says the waitress as she walks up to their table. "What would you like to order?"

Beth smiles as she makes her order – her long time favourite hot chocolate. The waitress has been working here for years, and she knows everyone who comes in.

"You look very nice, Beth," she says with a big smile, and Beth feels her cheeks turn a darker shade of pink once again tonight.

"Thank you, Mrs Moyler," Beth responds and looks at the table to hide her embarrassment.

"I'll be back with your drinks in a minute," she announces and disappears with the smile that never seems to leave her face.

When Lexi-Marie and John start talking about something and laughing, Beth doesn't listen. She sighs and looks out the window. The street has gotten quiet, almost deserted even. Only Joe's garage, the grocery store, and the pharmacy are still open on the other side of the street, and Beth finds herself wondering what Daryl is doing right now. She then remembers it's been almost an hour, and she still hasn't replied to his text. That makes her heart jump, and the feeling of panic starts growing in her chest. She grabs her phone and is about to type up the response, when she suddenly feels the urge to raise her head to look out.

Beth notices Daryl leaving the pharmacy and starting to cross the road, obviously heading to the diner's parking lot. She almost slams her phone on the table, making Lexi-Marie jump.

"Jeez, Beth," she says and frowns. "What's gotten into you?"

"I have to…" Beth stutters, not knowing how much she can say in front of John. "I'll be back."

Lexi turns to look out the window, and her eyes light up with understanding and excitement. "Oh, alright."

Just as Beth leaves the coffee shop, she hears Lexi-Marie saying, "It's her boyfriend," to John.

She has to force herself not to run – just to make sure she doesn't look ridiculous or desperate – and soon she only has to say his name to draw his attention. They stop in front of the barber's shop that is just next to the diner (she feels like so much in her life has been happening at the diner lately).

"Hi," Beth says, a little out of breath, and gives Daryl a smile. She puts her braid over her shoulder.

"You look…" he trails off and pauses, obviously struggling to come up with the correct word.

"Different?" she offers, and her smile grows wider.

"That, and also pretty." Daryl puts his hands in his jeans' pockets and look down to the ground awkwardly.

"I didn't respond," she states the obvious, but feeling like she needs to explain. Maybe that can ease some tension that is almost tangible between them. "Lexi was doing this," she gestures, "to me."

"Alright," he nods. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, it's just… She's forcing me to go to this party…"

"Forcing you?" Daryl raises an eyebrow with an amused smile.

"Well, not really forcing, I sort of… let her do it," Beth explains. "And her mom is back from work early tonight, so we have to wait in town. You know, you can't show up to a party early. That's not cool by high school standards," she notices that she's mumbling, but it seems so hard to stop when she's around Daryl. Everything about him makes her feel nervous.

Daryl seems to notice that too, and clears his throat. "So, how's your schedule?"

Beth suddenly looks at his lips and is stricken with the memory from hours earlier. The diner's parking lot, his warm embrace – so warm – and his lips on hers. Just thinking about that makes Beth feel hot, even though the temperature has gone down since it's gotten closer to the evening.

She realizes she's been quiet for a while and hasn't answered his question, so now it's her turn to look down with embarrassment, just to maybe hide her blush (probably unsuccessfully).

"Well, I've got this party tonight, and I can't do anything tomorrow because it's my sister's boyfriend's birthday, and she'll want me around all day."

"You seem pretty busy," he observes.

"Yes, but it's just the last couple of days," Beth smiles. "Usually I'm always at the farm."

She realizes – probably too late – that it's not something you're supposed to tell a guy. Maggie always says that she needs to appear busy, like she's making an effort just by having time to talk to him. Maybe that's why Maggie always has a bright and interesting personal life – she usually knows what to say and what to do. Beth usually makes an idiot out of herself.

But Daryl smiles in response, like maybe he actually likes that she's not one of those constantly preoccupied girls. Or that she doesn't try to seem like one. Beth isn't sure.

"You ain't babysitting Judith or anything?"

"No, I haven't spoken to Rick since Carl's birthday party. Are they alright?"

"Yeah, they're fine. Their family seems to be mending. Slowly-"

"But steadily," Beth finishes for him, and both of them smile. "So, the day after tomorrow will do. What do you have in mind?"

"Ain't gonna tell you everything, girl," he says in such a tone that makes Beth's grin grow even wider. She notices she smiles a lot when she's around him.

He seems to have gotten a sudden idea because he smiles softly and takes her hand, pulling her away from the street, into the space between the barber's shop and the diner. A tiny space.

"Daryl?" she asks with a small frown.

He lifts his hand and brushes away a strand of hair that has fallen out of her braid. His touch is so gentle that Beth's heart makes a flip in her chest, and breathing becomes difficult.

Their lips meet in such a sweet and delicate kiss that Beth once again feels almost light-headed. She wraps her arms around his neck and presses herself closer to Daryl, even though there wasn't much space between them to start with. His hand on her face almost burns her cheek, and his lips are fire.

When they part, she's panting and looking him in the eyes, surprised he initiated the kiss. Surprised, but so, so happy. She doesn't know what gave him courage, but hopes this isn't the only time this is going to happen.

There is this sudden feeling of insecurity that worms its way into her head. What if he only wanted to kiss her because she looks prettier than usual? Then, is it just her appearance that he's interested in? She had enough of that in high school, when guys would ask her out on dates, but only stare at her lips the whole time, instead of listening to what she was saying, or trying to talk about things she wasn't comfortable discussing. Maggie always says that if a guy doesn't listen or tries to change topics constantly, then he isn't interested in her personality, just looks. What if that's what Daryl wants from her?

Or maybe, he's just shy and didn't know he was allowed to kiss her until she initiated it this morning. And now he knows that not only she won't mind, she'll encourage it enthusiastically. Yes, it's probably that, she thinks and tries to forget about the whole thing.

They kiss a few more times, and by that point, Beth can't even tell how much time has passed. It could've been minutes or hours.

"I should go," Beth says, pulling away from him as her heart aches from the thought their moment together is almost over. "Lexi-Marie's waiting for me."

"Alright," he responds, but leans in to kiss her one last time, and Beth giggles with delight. "Have fun at the party. And let me know if you need anything."

"Okay. I'll see you soon," she says and, as they walk in opposite directions, she turns around a few times to find him turning to look at her too.

When she enters the coffee shops, John lets out a low whistle. "Someone's happy."

Lexi-Marie nudges him with an elbow. "Of course she is, she just saw her boyfriend."

Beth takes a seat at the table, feeling her cheeks turning pink. "He isn't my boyfriend," she denies defiantly. Even though it seems pretty stupid.

"Yet," Lexi adds, and Beth simply rolls her eyes as she starts sipping her already cold hot chocolate.


She can't remember ever being so drunk before.

Not that she's ever been drunk, anyway. Unless you count that one time… But no, she's pretty sure that time she and Maggie tried some weird punch at one of Maggie's friends' party doesn't count. This one certainly does.

But she isn't ridiculously drunk – not the kind when you can't walk or even stay standing – it's just that she feels a little hazy and slightly sick somewhere in her stomach. Still, this is the most drunk she's ever gotten.

It's all Lexi's fault, Beth decides as she takes careful steps down the stairs, having just gone to the bathroom. If she hadn't said something like, "Stop being such a killjoy" or "Come on, Beth, let's have fun", Beth would never have let her friend convince her to play "Never Have I Ever". Such a stupid game, anyway. And everyone was awful, coming up with the things she's done suspiciously masterfully. At least that's what it seemed like before her third drink. After that… she can't remember that well.

Beth walks over to the sofa, where Jenny – the host – is standing, a drink in her hand. Beth is pretty sure if she as much as thinks about drinking again, she might puke.

"Hey, Beth! Are you alright?" Jenny asks, suddenly being so nice. And sober. How do people manage to do that? Because Beth is positive she saw Jenny downing at least five drinks.

"Where's Lexi-Marie?" Beth feels desperate to leave and finally go to bed. She feels ridiculously tired.

"She's upstairs, sleeping. Why? Do you need something?" Jenny asks, her brows knitting in concern. Maybe she's not such a terrible person and actually feels responsible for people that have gotten drunk at her party.

"No, I'm fine. I'll just go sit outside for a minute," Beth says her, her tongue feeling somewhat numb, and gestures towards the corridor that leads to the front door.

"Okay, let me know if there's something you need," Jenny smiles at her as Beth walks away.

The outside is quiet and chilly. She sits down on the swing of the huge porch and sways a few times before realizing that only makes her feel sick. She is so tired. Why did she agree to go to this party anyway? She never found parties like this fun, and hasn't changed her opinion tonight. It seems like these things are just an excuse that teenagers use to get away from their parents' control and get drunk. Which is exactly what she's done. She is no better.

Beth leans to her side and, even though it's extremely uncomfortable on the porch swing, she relaxes a little. She doesn't know what to do. Lexi's asleep, so John won't be able to take them both to her house. She can't exactly go home because daddy will ground her forever if he sees her in such condition.

There's Daryl. And he told her to let him know if she needs anything. Obviously, not meaning, call me at one in the morning, but what else can she do? She sighs and fumbles for her phone.

"Hello?" he says, his voice sleepy. She needs to stop waking him up in the middle of the night like this. She gathers all the courage she can find and promises herself this will be the last time.

"Hi, Daryl, it's me," she says, stating the obvious.

"Beth," he repeats, "is everything okay?"

She stays silent for a moment. "Yes. No. I don't know," she says, feeling like an idiot.

"Are you drunk?" he asks, and Beth suddenly feels ashamed. This isn't like her.

"Probably."

"Where are you?" If Beth hadn't been drunk, she would've been touched by the fact that his voice was already filled with worry.

"I'm still at that damn party."

"You want me to pick you up?" he asks, and Beth almost wants to cry with relief that she doesn't have to ask him to do it. Even though she kind of did when she called him at one in the morning.

"You don't have to…" she pauses, hoping he understands that she hates constantly forcing him to help her, "…but that would be nice."

"Alright. Stay where you are, I'll come get ya," he promises.

"I'll text you the address."

"See you in a bit," Daryl says and hangs up.

Beth gets up to go back inside and ask Jenny her exact address. And also, ask her to take care of Lexi-Marie, make sure she's safe. Jenny promises to do that as she types the address so that Beth can send it to Daryl, and Beth finds herself wondering why hating each other in high school was even a thing.

After that, she goes back outside and sits on the porch steps, leaning her head against the railing. She feels exhausted and decides to close her eyes. But only for a second.


Beth wakes up feeling weird. She feels light, like she's hanging in the air. And there's this familiar smell of detergent, but also smoke and what she can only classify as forest. The kind of smell that reminds her of camping in middle school. The memories of the night come back, flooding her head, and she tries to open her eyes.

"Daryl?" she asks, but it comes out as a whine.

"Shh, it's me," Beth hears his voice that is soft but gruff at the same time. She never understood how he could sound so gentle and… rough. Two complete opposites, but so masterfully blended in him. Well, she didn't always use to wonder. Although she's only gotten to know him in the last month or so, it feels like he's been in her life forever. And she wishes it was like that.

She feels something soft and realizes Daryl put her in his car. She tries to open her eyes again, but her eyelids feel so heavy that she gives up and just adjusts her position to a more comfortable one.

The door slams shut on the driver's side.

"I can't go home," she whines before he has the time to start the engine. "Daddy'll kill me."

"Alright," Daryl says, "don't worry about it. Just sleep."

Beth goes quiet and turns her head a little, returning to the sweet and warm feeling of the healing sleep. The next thing she feels is being lowered down onto something soft, her shoes are taken off (she tries to sit up and take them off herself, but Daryl stops her), and then there's a warm duvet and a pillow that smells like Daryl.

Her thoughts keep returning to Daryl what feels like every second, and when she hears the door creak open, she is pretty sure she calls his name. At least, that's what she intends to do.

"Don't go," she remembers saying next, and then resting her head on his shoulder. It feels so comfortable that she almost goes back to sleep, when one question pops into her head, and she knows she can't sleep unless she finds out. "Daryl?" she asks.

"Yeah?"

"Why'd kiss me?"

"You mean today?" he asks, obviously confused.

"Tonight. When I saw you on the street."

" 'Cause I wanted to," Daryl says it like it's the most obvious thing in the world, and Beth frowns. She then feels his lips on her forehead and relaxes. "Go to sleep, sweetheart. We'll talk tomorrow."

She thinks that's the best idea in the world and with that, stops fighting sleep.


Thank you for reading, and please remember to review!

P.S. Check out the story's cover on my tumblr - lovewhomyouwill.