~I just want to thank ShadowSlayer2013 for being the first to review this story. It made my day :D~

Back in time to a 10 year old Daryl and an 8 year old Archer

Daryl POV

It had been a few days since I last seen Archer. I guess she was busy with moving in. I was playing in my yard with my crossbow and aiming at cans on the fence when the bubbly 8 year old came over.

"Is that your crossbow?" She asked.

I nodded and remained silent as I concentrated at my aim. I hit the can perfectly.

"Nice shot." Shew complimented. I didn't respond. She pulled her bow off from around her shoulders and dropped her arrows and a bag on the ground.

"That your bow and arrow?" I asked. She nodded as she grabbed an arrow and started to aim at the last can. She shot it and hit it with one shot. I stared at it surprised. "Never met a girl who can shoot."

"Never met a boy who can shoot." She responded.

I snorted. "probably weren't real boys."

She grinned. "probably." She walked over to the fence to reset the cans on the fence and picked up all the arrows. She handed all the ones that were mine.

"Thanks." I whispered.

"Anytime."

She took her stance and started shooting cans again not missing any. I didn't realize I was staring at her until she looked at me and made a comment. "Well don't just stand there, start shooting. They ain't gonna knock themselves over."

I smirked and did as I was told. I think that was the first time, in a long time, that I let a girl tell me what to do.

Once I finished eating and paid my bill I got up from the booth. I was heading to the door but I looked back at Archer who had her back facing me. Do I approach her? I sighed and left the diner without looking back. I sat on my bike and pondered again.

We were shooting for two hours until her momma called her home for lunch. She started to walk away until she looked over at me. "You coming?"

"What for?" I replied.

"lunch. Didn't you hear my momma?"

"She called you tho."

"She said I could invite you. Do you like sandwiches?" I shrugged uncomfortably. She walked over and grabbed my hand before she dragged me across the street to her house. We went inside the house and she let go of my hand when she shut the door and went into the kitchen. I stood uncomfortably in their living room. No one has ever invited me to their house before. Her house was cleaner than his own, even if they were still in the process of moving in.

I heard footsteps coming into the room. I looked over to see Archer and I'm guessing her mother coming in.

"You must be Daryl. It's so nice to meet you. I'm lean. Archer's mother." She greeted warmly.

"Hi." I said quickly.

She smiled sweetly. "Why don't you two go and wash up and I'll have your lunches ready. I hope turkey sandwiches are ok with you, Daryl."

I nodded and she grinned and left to go back to the kitchen. Archer led me to the bathroom and we both washed our hands and went back to the kitchen. She sat down in a chair at the table and I sat across from her. I stared at the plate in front of me. It was a simple sandwich cut in half, some chips on the side, and a glass of water.

I watched as Archer devoured her sandwich like an animal. I smirked as I slowly ate my sandwich. It's been a little while since I last ate something decent.

"Archer, eat more like a lady!" Her mother scolded.

Archer mumbled her apologizes and put the sandwich down. She wiped her face and ate more lady like. When we finished eating our lunches we put our dishes in the sink and walked back to my place and continued shooting the cans with our arrows.

I drove around the neighborhood 10 times lost in thought before I came back to the diner about 10 minutes before closing. I slowly came in and sat down at the counter.

"I'll be with you in a minute." I heard Archer shout from the back. She came out fixing her apron still haven't noticed it was me. "Since we are closing, I can only offer you coffee or some kind of dessert but that's it." She looked up and stared at me. "Daryl?"

She stood in front of me and I could tell she was uncomfortable. "Hey Archer." I greeted quietly.

"When did you get back into town?" She asked.

"Today."

"I see."

"How ya been?"

"I could be better. You?"

"I'm a'ight."

"Great."

I nodded. We stood there in silence. I'm used to these awkward moments. I have been since I have known her.

It had been about two months since Archer and her family moved in. Almost every day we would play together unless she couldn't or I was embarrassed to show myself to her. One day though I really didn't want to show myself. My father wasn't the kindest man. He would beat me when he was drunk or when he was angry. I couldn't really defend myself since I was alone. I was scared but I didn't let anyone know this, especially not Archer. The last beating though was because of Archer. My dad was mad saying that I was becoming soft for the girl and that I had to man up. I had a black eye when Archer came over. I tried to hide it but it was too late when she saw it.

"What happened?!" She asked scared.

"Nothin. I…hit the door." I replied as I avoided her gaze.

She frowned and sat down next to me. "Does it hurt?" She whispered. I didn't respond. "I can make it better."

I looked over at her in confusion. She leaned in quickly and kissed my eye. "What the hell?!" I shouted.

"What?" She asked scared at my outburst.

"the hell you did dat for?"

"Kisses make boo-boos better." She said shyly.

"Stupid girl! That's bull. You just made things worse for me! Go home!"

She stared at me teary eyed and went home. We didn't talk for over a week after that. It was just really awkward.

"I should really close the place. Did you want anything before you leave?" She asked as she broke me from my thoughts.

I shook my head. "I'm good."

"Ok." She answered shyly. "Good night."

"Good night." I said but I could get myself to stand up. She stared at me uncomfortably. "Sorry." I muttered.

She just shrugged. "You always are when you leave."

"Didn't mean to stop talking to you."

"It's whatever." She responded.

"Archer…"

"What?" She said a little harshly.

"I don't know."

"What you expect me to cry over you?"

"No but…."

"You left without a word. 4 years I didn't hear from you, Daryl."

"I know." I sighed.

"I can't get over it this time. Whatever issues you were going through four years ago I hope you dealt with it."

"I did."

"Great. Well once again good night." She spat and went to the back.

I sighed deeply and got up from my seat and went to my bike outside. Well that was not the reunion I was looking for.

I felt bad for snapping at her. She was just so innocent. And my momma always told me to treat a lady nicely. I went over to her house after not speaking to her for a week and a half. She was in the grass playing with her stuffed animals. She didn't notice me until I sat down across from her.

"I'm sorry." I muttered.

"it's ok." She shrugged and kept playing with her toys.

"You mad?"

"No. You?"

"Not anymore."

"Ok."

"Why you so forgivin?"

"We're friend's."

"You would wanna be friend wit me? Why?" Daryl asked in disbelief. No one has ever wanted to be his friend.

"Why not?" She stared at me.

"No one ever wants to be my friend. I'm nothing special."

"I think you're pretty special. You have a crossbow. That's pretty cool." She smiled. I smirked and watched her play. She looked up at me. "You wanna shoot some lizards with my slingshot?"

I nodded and she grinned widely as she ran inside to get it.

I smiled as I watch her run inside. Her happy nature was contagious. I felt warm inside to have a friend. My only other friend was Merle but he was in juvie as of right now and my other friend used to be my momma but she dies a few years ago. It was nice not having to feel alone for right now but how long will it take before Archer was gone too?

I walked into my old home that I haven't been in for the last 4 years. I walked by a drunk Merle who was out cold on the couch. I shook my head and went to my old room. I jumped into bed and stared at the ceiling. I looked to my left and saw the photo that stood in its old wooden frame. I grabbed it and started at hit deeply. It was a picture of Archer and me 6 years ago on my motorcycle. She was clinging onto my back when we took it and her smile was amazing. I smiled staring at it. Her laugh and smile was infectious. No matter what mood I could be in, one look could calm me down instantly even if I didn't want to be.

Had I really lost her forever now?

~Alright so I am think about the next set of chapters just being all flashbacks to this point in time. You'll get to see their relationship as they grew up so expect time jumps and things like that. What I want to know is, if that is ok to those who read this or would you like to me to go back and forth between the past and present as I did in the first two chapters? What are your thoughts on this chapter? I apologize if its short. I appreciate all reviews good or bad