Hey again :) this is just a sort of filler chapter but it is important to set the scenario for what's coming next.

4 DAYS TO GO!
love,

S.-

21.

Carol woke up to the ring of the alarm clock. She opened her eyes and saw Daryl sitting on the bed with a sleepy face, running his hand through his hair.
'Hey, yerself', she smiled when he actually gave her that half smile of his, his eyes fighting to open. He just looked so cute Carol felt she wanted to throw her arms to him.
'Hi, what time is it?', she said back, trying find the sheets to cover herself in the mess the bed was.
'7. I need to hurry ta work. Ya can get dressed and I'm gonna make som' coffee'.

She was glad she had to get to the library at 12. She was pretty sure she smelled like sex, if that was even possible. She felt kind of sticky and she figured she could shower and then spend the whole morning studying until midday.

She headed to the kitchen and Daryl was already standing there, holding two cups of coffee.
'So are ya goin' to Andrea's, or ta the library? he asked, handing her the coffee.
'No, I'm going to Andrea. Work starts at 12'.
'K. I'm drivin' ya there then 'fore headin' ta work'.
'You don't have to, Daryl, really. I could..'
Daryl frowned: 'ya could wha'? wait for the non-existent bus in the woods? Suit yerself then', he joked. Carol sticked her tongue to him. He chuckled.

When they arrived to Andrea, he leaned in to kiss her in the lips and she moved her head to kiss his cheek, so he ended up awkwardly kissing the corner of her lips.
'So huh… see ya, one of these days I s'pose'.
She smiled to him. 'Bye Daryl, and thanks for the ride'.

Carol came home with a smile on her face. She had almost 600 dollars in her pocket that Lori had paid her for her first 7 days of work in the library. She found Andrea sitting in the coach, with glasses and a fat book on her hands. Carol figured she could join her and study a bit too. It was Friday evening and she didn't have plans for the rest of the day yet.

'So, if you don't have plans with Milton tonight, I'm inviting you some pizza and a movie, it's on me… I'm rich now', Carol said to Andrea, sitting in the coach in front of her with her own book.
'Yayy! Aren't you seeing Daryl?' Andrea winked at her.
Carol bit her lip. 'No, it's not that I see him every day anyway. But he told me he was going out with T-Dog or something, that he could pick me up later if I went out'.

Carol had seen Daryl on Wednesday too. He was the one who texted her actually, so he picked her up after work and they headed to his house. They ordered a pizza and fell asleep on the coach soon after eating it while they watched TV. At some point during the night Daryl woke up to turn the TV off, and they ended up having sex there, Carol sitting on his lap, her legs wrapped around his waist. Carol had to admit it had been fun, and she was enjoying every minute of having this little thing with him, but there was something about the whole situation that just made her feel out of place, like if it was someone else who was doing that and not her.

'So what's up with that look on your face?'

'Honestly? I don't know Andrea. I don't know where this is heading… I just… I wish it was ok to ask him to come over and watch some movies, or to go out for a couple of drinks. It's Friday night and now I'm kind of worried he ends up with some other chick, I wish I was different and I gave a shit, but I think I do care'.

'So you want something else with him then', Andrea left her book aside and looked at her.

'No, it's not that either, or at least that's what I think. I'm just not ready for any kind of commitment, and I don't want that either… not right now. I have too much stuff to figure out on my own. But with Daryl… that isn't even a possibility, not not, not eventually nor never… and I guess that's what bothers me, it's weird knowing that something won't lead anywhere right from the start'.

'Ok, I don't understand you then. It'd be weird, knowing that, if you actually wanted it to lead somewhere. But if you're saying you don't, so then why do you care?'

Carol didn't know what to say. She just silently looked at her.

'I think you're just not used to this. Either that, or you like him and you just don't like knowing this thing you have will eventually end. But you never know, Carol… what I can tell you though, is that yes, there's some kind of tragic thing about being friends with benefits with someone. It lasts while both people are ok with it, but that usually changes and one falls for the other, or meets someone else, or just gets tired of the situation. If you ask me though, I think Daryl has already broken a couple of his so-called rules with you.'

'Really? Like what?'

'I don't know.. It's my impression but… he wants to see ya a lot, he wants ya to actually stay over, it's not that you have sex and then you take off… I don't think he'd be like that with some other girl. But then again, I don't think it's right of you to expect him to change and want something more, when you're not sure about it yourself'.

'I know, you're right… I guess it's just my own ego thinking I may be the one who changes him or something. That and that I'm scared of eventually wanting something more from someone who's just not willing to give it'.
'Don't think about it then, cause you just don't know… it's a waste of time. Wait and see. Meanwhile, have fun, you deserve it Carol'.

Daryl was sitting with Herman and T-Dog, listening to T talk about some chick he'd gone out with on Wednesday.

'So are ya taking… what was her name? to the wedding next week?'

'Her name's Jackie. I thought about asking her, don't want to freak her out though'.

'You go ahead and ask her man, she'll like it… it'll do ya good to have some company too'.

'Wha' is it with you man, playin' fuckin' matchmaker all tha time?'

'you behave boy, if you want me to keep my mouth shut'. Herman smirked. He knew Daryl had a temper, and he had fun provocking him.

'Your mouth shut 'bout what?' T asked, confused.

'Yea, wha' the fuck ya talkin' bout man?' Daryl felt his hands started to sweat. He knew Herman might know about Carol and him by now. He was friends with Milton, who didn't seem to be discrete. The whole week Herman hadn't said a word about it though, but Daryl figured it was gonna happen anytime.

'Well, since you both ask me' Herman joked 'our friend Daryl here has a little female partner'.

'You serious? Hey, who is it? Do I know her?' T looked actually happy.

'Got no fuckin' partner, for christ's sake'.

'Yes he does, and they are both going to the wedding too'.

'Wha' the fuck man? We ain't goin' nowhe… she's goin on her own and so am I. jus' stop it.'

T and herman stared at him. 'There ya go, You unconsciously wanted to say it.'

Daryl tensed. 'Fuck ya both. I'm sleepin' with Carol k? Are ya happy now? We ain' nothin', jus' sleep together is all'.

'Carol? The cute girl in the green dress ya were talking to in Herman's party? Nice, brother!'

'Yea, her. If ya say a word 'bout it, both of ya, I'll stick an arrow in yer asses. I'm fuckin' serious', and he stood up, annoyed, to get another whiskey.

T sighed 'Does he realize he's the one who makes such a big deal 'bout it?'

Daryl was heading to the bar when a brunnette intercepted him.

'Hey there, gorgeous'.

'Leave me the fuck 'lone', he said, without looking at her. The truth was, if he was going to fuck someone tonight, it'd rather be Carol. He lighted a cigarrete as he drank his whiskey. He figured he'd take off, but he'd text Carol first, see if she was awake and up to see him.

'Are ya sleepin'?' he wrote. He thought he'd give it 10 minutes.

She didn't answer. He looked up and checked that brunnette out. She was hot.
Rather be with Carol, he thought, before turning around and heading to the door.