First Heartbreak / Carchonne

Michonne glanced at the clock on her dashboard for what seemed like the hundredth time. Just like every other weekday she'd been waiting semi-patiently for her son outside of King County High School since 2:10 p.m. Usually, Carl made his way from his 6th period class, to his locker, and out to her car in just a few minutes. But as the clock neared closer to 2:30, she began to worry. As the final school bus drove away from the building, Michonne finally began considering shooting him a lightly concerned text. But before she could grab her phone from its place in the cupholder, she saw him. Sulking towards the car with his head down, his broadening shoulders drawn, and his long brown locks covering his face, her Carl looked utterly defeated.

Unlike the usual greeting he gave her, Carl said nothing as he threw his book bag in the backseat before sliding into the passenger side and buckling himself up.

"Hey kid," Michonne greeted softly as she watched the 15-year-old gaze from the window into the overcast sky. "How was your day?"

Carl shrugged, refusing to look at her.

Instead of pulling off, Michonne settled in her seat more, determined to talk to her boy. "Is it because of that math quiz? It's alright if you didn't do as well as we thought you would, your dad and I know you studied hard for that."

"I got a 90 on the quiz," Carl voiced softly. His head leaning against the window, closely pressed up against the fogging glass with his eyes closed. He looked to be in physical pain and it caused Michonne to panic a little.

"Well are you sick? You got a fever? Stomach ache?"

"No mom," he huffed. "I'm fine."

Michonne unbuckled her seatbelt and shifted her body towards him. She reached out one perfectly manicured hand and stroked a finger down his soft cheek the way she used to do when he was young. Then, she gently grasped his chin and turned his face towards her. "I know my Carl and I know when you're not fine. Tell me what's wrong."

Finally, he opened his eyes. Just like his father's, they were an open book, showcasing every ounce of pain he was feeling. She moved her hand from his chin and used the fingers to sweep his hair away from his face. "What is it, honey?" She asked softly. "How can fix it if you won't tell me what's wrong?

"You can't fix it ok," she could see the surprise on his own face at his slightly forceful tone. She decided to let it slide.

"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean I don't want to try."

Carl remained silent for a few moments then swallowed harshly, breaking under his mother's gaze. "You remember that girl I told you about? Mia Flores?"

Michonne nodded. His first day of sophomore year, Carl had come home with a grin that stretched towards both ears and a mouth full of compliments about how smart and funny and pretty Mia Flores was. In the months since, he'd spoken of her no less than a thousand times. She and Rick had been enthusiastic but respectful. They'd tried to encourage him to try and pursue something with her without pushing him too hard. Her stomach dropped at the possibility of Carl being rejected in a place as publicly traumatising as a high school.

Carl's eyes dropped into his lap. "I didn't tell you and dad because I didn't know if I was going to have the nerve to actually do it but I asked her out last week…"
Michonne placed one of her hands on his shoulder. It took everything in her to stay silent and let him finish his story instead of jumping to comfort him.

"…And she said yes."

She couldn't help herself from letting out a small, surprised gasp. Not because her son wasn't a catch, but because she hadn't been expecting good news. "Carl that's amazing. What's with the long face then? Did you think dad and I wouldn't be supportive?"

"No, it's not that," he voiced softly. "I knew you and dad wouldn't care. I was goin' to ask if you guys could take us to the movies and for pizza this weekend…"

"Of course we will, Carl."

Michonne's panic rose as she heard him sniffle in response.

"But today she told me her mom and dad are getting back together so they're moving back in with him in Savannah. She told me that she doesn't want to go on the date now because she doesn't want to start a long distance relationship. She doesn't even want to stay friends."

"Oh, Carl," Michonne breathed her sympathy, her heart breaking for her son. "I'm so sorry, honey."

He looked up at her, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. "I know I'm bein' stupid, we didn't even go out. I just like her so much, more than I've ever liked any other girl. And I didn't even get a chance to be with her. Not even for a little while. I just feel…I feel like I'm never goin' to be happy again. I'm never goin' to find another girl as cool or pretty as Mia."

Her hand was back in his hair again, soothingly running through his silky locks.

"How you feel is never stupid, Carl. Especially not now. You liked Mia a lot, and it's ok to be sad about losing her. Anyone would be sad about that."

She grasped his quivering chin again, tilting his head up to face her. "You can be sad about Mia for as long as you need to, but I don't ever want you to think that you won't find someone else. You're a sweet, smart, handsome, incredible young man. Any girl would be more than lucky to have you, and it won't be long before they start realizing it and beating our front door down for a chance to get at you."

He nodded then cracked a small, toothy smile. "You think so?"

"I'd bet money on it. Big bucks. We're talking…tens of dollars ," Michonne answered. "We might even have to install three more deadbolts just to keep them out."

Carl reached out and laced his slim fingers in hers, squeezing just the tiniest bit. They sat there quietly for a moment. Michonne looking at her son fondly and Carl contemplating his mother's words.

Finally, the teenager leaned over and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. "I love you, mom."

"I love you too, my sweet boy." Then, she cleared her throat. She knew Carl wasn't fully healed from his first heartbreak, but she hoped she'd been able to reassure him. "Dad and Judith are at home waiting for us to bring home dinner," she continued. "What do you say we blow them off for a little bit and go get some ice cream?"

"Mint chip with marshmallow fluff and nuts?" Carl asked excitedly, looking so much like the young, precocious child who'd stormed into her life so many years ago and stolen her heart.

Michonne turned her nose up in mock disgust. "Fine, but when your stomach hurts from the deadly combination later, don't think I'm going to be behind you holding your hair back while you yak it up."

Carl let out a hearty laugh, already looking less burdened. "Liar."