Dixon'sBikerBabe, Leyshla Gisel, NikixXx, felicia2235, otte1978, Maddy-MarieXO, Ithilya, jouetdedestin, Alnihan, and all of my anonymous guests, I would like to personally thank you for taking the time to give me your thoughts and opinions of this story. I tell you all of the time, but it truly does mean so much to me. You make this easy to continue. Thanks for showing me love. I love you guys right back :)

Also, special shout-out to my husband for your review as well. I'm happy I've captured your interest, Bigtoughguy ;)

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I walked inside the front door and immediately tossed my book-bag by the coat stand, next to Jimmy's. He was standing in the kitchen, waiting on a plate of pizza rolls and smilin' at me like a goon.

"What?" I asked, trying to hide a smile myself.

He said nothing, chuckling loudly instead. After a second or two I joined in. I knew exactly what he was sayin' without him even havin' to say it.

A minute later we took our seats at the kitchen table and made small talk until our snack was cool enough to eat.

"So, you ask Klara out today?" I asked, taking a sip of sweet tea.

"Yeah." He beamed. "She said yes."

"I figured, from the look a that shit-eatin' grin on yer face."

.::.

I had been sittin' in bed for the last twenty minutes tryin' to focus on the open textbook in front of me. I had a couple pages of notes that I had been lookin' at, but I was so goddamn bored I couldn't even take it all in. I don't know how people do this shit.

I distracted myself by looking around the room. Jimmy's mom was pretty good at decorating and my new bedroom was a welcome change from the one at dads. The walls were midnight blue, and the dark furniture and white bedspread really tied it all together nicely. Kinda looks like somethin' you'd see in a magazine.

My focus fell from the walls to the little piece of paper on my nightstand. I had been starin' at that damn thing practically ever since she gave it to me. I wondered if I should call her, but seconds later decided that I needed to study.

.::.

Didn't last long. I took one good look at the textbook and before I knew it I had the phone in my hand and was listening to the first ring.

"Hello?" Spoke her soft voice on the other end.

"Ya know, this has to be the most borin' lesson you've ever taught."

I heard a light giggle. "It's not my fault that you have the attention span of a goldfish."

I snorted. Definitely ain't no denyin' that.

"What are you doing?"

"Tryin' to study for that test. Ain't workin'."

"Try harder."

I swallowed. "I just ain't got the attention span fer this shit. I'onno how ya do it."

"Because I like history. What do you like?"

I hesitated, trying to think. "Drawin'. Huntin'. Smokin'...I'onno..."

"You draw?"

"Yeah, I mean, a little."

"Is that why you've always got your nose buried in a notebook?"

I snorted. "Yeah. You notice?"

"Mhm." She replied as-a-matter-of-factly.

"How come you don't yell at me for it?" I wondered.

She breathed heavily. "'Cause you're pretty cute when you're focused."

My face got real warm and I could feel myself blush. I snorted a small laugh, but really I was flattered. I jus didn't know how to show it. I really didn't want to either. Ain't had too many compliments in my life. They jus make me feel...weird.

"So..." She interrupted my thoughts, which was probably for the best. "Just focus on the lesson and draw a big picture at the end to sum it all up. Maybe that'll help."

Damn. How did I not think a that? "That's a pretty good idea." I mumbled.

"I'm full of 'em." She smirked.

"Like makin' out with one of yer students?" I joked. Immediately, I regretted it. I mean, really. I could kick myself in the fuckin' teeth. Especially because she got completely quiet. "Sorry." I frowned. "I was jus jokin'."

She sighed, shortly. "I should go."

"Damn." I shook my head, annoyed with myself. "Don't. I'm sorry. Ya jus...ya make me kinda nervous. I don't think before I say shit sometimes..."

"Are you using a home phone?"

"Yeah."

"What if someone's listening in?" She sounded concerned.

"Nah. I'm at my buddy's house. His parents are cool. Besides, I'm pretty sure they're asleep."

"...If you say so." The atmosphere of the conversation had changed drastically, causing me to regret my dumb ass joke even more. "I need to get ready for bed. You should too, with that test and all." She said.

Daryl Dumbass Dixon. "Alright." I swallowed. "I'll see ya."

"Night."

Click.

I sighed heavily and threw my head into the soft pillows behind me. That damn woman...keepin' me on my toes. I shook my head and convinced myself to let it go. Ain't no use in torturin' yerself all night. I made a dumb joke, that's that. If she's mad she's just gon' have to get over it.

After a moment, I leaned over and grabbed my notebook and a mechanical pencil off the nightstand. I took her advice and I spent the rest of the night drawing.