So…. I have returned. Sorry about the long break after chapter 2 guys. I'm in grad school and my schedule got super crazy right around the time I started writing this story. BUT, I've gotten through those classes and my schedule is looking a bit easier now so hopefully should be able to update regularly.

Anyway, here's the next chapter. Little bit of a filler, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!

Chapter 3: Being Neighborly

I woke up the next morning still a bit astounded by my interaction with Daryl the night before. From what I'd observed, he didn't seem to even talk to his group members much, let alone people he didn't know. So why he had decided to start up a whole conversation with a stranger in the middle of the night last night was entirely beyond me.

Maybe he secretly likes horses or something? Because I highly doubt it's my charming personality that drew him in.

Deciding that I was just going to go around and around with no answers, I put the whole thing in the back of mind for the day as I got up, got dressed, and ran downstairs to grab a slightly stale granola bar for breakfast. Munching on it, I made my way out the door to find Deanna and see if she needed me to do anything that day. Hopefully she won't want me to go out again on Sandy. Poor girl's tired after yesterday, I thought to myself with a glance to the makeshift pasture I'd built next to my house. Sandy was laid out napping in morning sun. I slowed to a stop, a small smile stretching across my face as I realized I could hear a slight snore coming from the horse. After a few moments of enjoying the peaceful view, I became aware of a presence off to my right.

Turning my head, I saw the brown-haired woman from the new group standing a few feet away. She looked at me, then at Sandy. "Funny when they snore, isn't it?" she said in a southern accent with a small grin. Realizing she had caught me standing like an idiot staring and smiling at my horse, I offered a small chuckle and an awkward half-smile before I looked at the ground. Good job, Liz, now the new group is definitely gonna think you're the weird horse girl, I thought, mentally slapping myself in the forehead. Glancing up again, the woman met my eyes. My embarrassment must have been written on my face because she shook her head and stepped closer before saying "I always caught myself watching my horses too, back on our farm. I'm sure people thought I was weird, but they just didn't get it." Realizing she was trying to reassure me, I relaxed a bit and fully smiled back at her.

"Glad to know I'm not the only one. I'm Liz and that's Sandy" I said as I stuck out my hand and motioned with my head over towards the pasture. "Maggie," she answered with a firm shake and another smile. She started up another attempt at conversation, which got slightly better as we talked, and I managed to let my guard down a bit. After a few minutes, I was beginning to enjoy the conversation, and that's when I noticed some movement off to my left. Glancing over, I did a double take when I realized it was Daryl walking past

Somehow, he looks even better in the daylight. He was wearing his typical sleeveless shirt and leather vest attire, and I had to remind myself to keep jaw off the ground.

After a few moments of me staring at him, Daryl sensed someone looking and glanced over, making eye contact with me before glancing over to Maggie. He slowed a bit, glancing between us, brow slightly furrowing, before focusing on Maggie again. He gave her a quick nod in greeting before shifting his gaze back to me. "…Hey Liz," he basically grunted out before he shifted his gaze back to the ground and walked off, before I could even attempt to make a response.

…he acknowledged me? In broad daylight? In front of his friend?

Shock, tinged with a bit of pleasant surprise, ran through my body as I turned to look back at Maggie. She was looking at Daryl's back with what I'm sure was a similar expression to mine before she met my eyes again. "Do you know Daryl?" she asked, her brow wrinkling a bit.

I shifted my gaze down to my hands uncomfortably as I answered. "uh, well technically yes, but no…not really…" I said before as I glanced up to still find her looking confused. Deciding that required a bit more explanation, I continued. "we, uh, well we met last night as I was coming in. He stopped me and asked about Sandy and we talked for a few minutes."

Her surprised expression returned full force. "He stopped you?" I nodded once. "…and he started a conversation?" she asked again, disbelief leaking into her voice. I nodded once more, starting to get a bit confused by her response. She finally shook her head a bit, muttering a small "huh…" under her breath before looking at me again. I must have looked concerned because she quickly began to explain. "I'm sorry for the questions, it's just…well, it's a bit out of character for Daryl to start conversations people he doesn't know, let alone talk to them again the next morning. It just surprised me, that's all." I nodded in understanding, simultaneously relieved that I wasn't the reason Maggie was so surprised and confused even more now that Maggie had confirmed my earlier suspicions that it was, in fact, odd behavior from Daryl.

I must have zoned out thinking about the situation because the next thing I knew I felt a slight nudge on my shoulder. I quickly looked up to find Maggie smiling at me. "Don't look so worried. It's not a bad thing Daryl decided to pick you to start making friends," she said with a laugh. I chuckled, feeling myself relax again. She continued "Anyway, it makes me trust you even more. He's usually a good judge of character." I smiled and looked down at my feet, pleased but still uncomfortable with the compliment.

"Well, I better let you get back to whatever you were doing." Maggie said as started to back away and turn back the way she came from. "Have a nice day, Liz!" "You too, Maggie" I said quietly. Standing there a few more minutes to wrap my head around what had just happened, I smiled to myself again as a happy thought crossed my mind

I think…I somehow just made 2 new friends. In one day. In the apocalypse.

That's gotta be some kind of record.

As always, read and review if you want! I always appreciate the feedback!