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Carl
Once we were in the car, we ran down the herd and head back to camp. My foot doesn't stop bouncing the entire way there. I don't know how to give her the bracelet. She got new gloves anyway, it might not fit or something. Anyway, if I give it to her too soon, it'll be too awkward. There are a million ways this could go wrong, but I know in the back in my mind that she will accept it, no matter what. Daryl goes hunting after we finish eating frozen burger patties. Dad and Maggie are on watch, so the rest of us go to our cells. Mia is fiddling with her boot laces. They reach to the middle of her calf, so lacing them is quite a bit of work. She's concentrating hard, so she fails to notice me looking at her. It's now or never.
"Hey, found this on the run," I say softly
She looks up. The bracelet is hanging on my index finger. She takes it delicately and stares at it.
"It's beautiful," she says.
She has tears in her eyes. This is probably the first time she's gotten something like this. She looks up at me. She nearly knocks me over because the force of her hug is so strong.
"I missed you," she whispers in my ear.
I smile. That's gotta be a sign of something. Then, she does something unexpected. She gives me a peck on the cheek. I hide my embarrassment from her. Then I hear a knock. It's Daryl.
"Hey, kid, need some help with these," he says as he holds up some assorted dead animals my the tails, "You in?"
I look at Mia. She motions for me to go, so I get up and open the door. I wave at Mia and then go with Daryl.
"I know you have a crush on Girlie over there," Daryl says suddenly.
I know I can't even deny it anymore. I have to come out with it now.
"Yeah, so?" I mumble.
Daryl laughs. "I knew it!"
"You want me to help you or not?"
"You're gonna help me whether you like it or not."
I knew he was right, so I just grab an animal and start skinning.
"Merle taught me some tips. I can teach ya if you want," Daryl says.
"Can't hurt," I say.
That's a lie. If they're coming from Merle, it probably can.
"Well, all you gotta do, I be cool. Impressing her wouldn't hurt either. Either way should get her skirt off," he says.
"You're talking to a thirteen year old here," I say.
"Well, it's the end of the world. What's the old man gonna do, ground ya?"
I roll my eyes and continue skinning while repeating his advice in my head. This just might work.