Carl's POV

Dad whistled in a low tone and I turned my head to see uncle Jeffrey drive a black Toyota SUV right in front of the house.

"Whoa, cool car uncle Jeff," I told him as he got out of the car.

"Yeah, got this baby at a very reasonable bargain," he said as he patted its hood.

"Really? What bargain," dad asked with his brow raised.

"Let's just say I know a guy who owes me...a lot," he smirked then turned to me, "Wanna try it out Carl?"

"For real?" I was shocked that he already trusted me enough to drive an SUV.

"Yup, you're already 16 right? It should be no problem." Uncle Jeff held out the keys and I took them.

I gave dad a questioning look first.

"I can't see why not, I've already seen you drive and you're not that bad" he shrugged and I chuckled when I remembered almost hitting a mailman with dad's police cruiser back in Atlanta.

"Gee, thanks," I rolled my eyes and they laughed.

"We'll meet up at Dale's diner, once you pick up the folks okay?" Dad reminded me and I nodded as I boarded the driver's seat.

"How are you going to get there?" I asked.

"Oh, we'll take O'l Slim there," he pointed his thumb to his back where his old pick up truck was.

The plan was we were going to celebrate grandpa's 81st birthday at Dale's. Mom already called and Dale said he'd be happy to set up the place for them and because he was old friends with my granddad. Hershel Greene, Beth's dad, was also friends with grandpa so we decided to tag them along and pick them up. I arrived at their house a quarter past eleven and knocked on their door. I was greeted by Hershel who was wearing a stuffy looking brown suit and his wife Mrs. Annette Greene who was wearing a red dress reaching below her knees.

"Hey, Mr. Hershel...sir," I smiled nervously, I always do every time I get to face him. Hershel can be intimidating sometimes. Beth once gave me a thorough explanation on how good her dad is with a shotgun.

"Hello young man, very thoughtful of you to volunteer to pick us up," he gave my shoulder a firm grip before heading towards the car.

"O-of c-course...no problem at all," I stuttered then gulped.

"My...look how much the Grimes boy has grown," Mrs. Greene complemented me with a warm smile as Shawn, Maggie and Beth's brother, followed behind her.

"Hey Carl, nice ride" he smirked and punched my shoulder lightly.

I looked at them all go to the car and turned my head back to the door as I heard footsteps nearing. I heard my breath caught in my throat and I smiled admiringly at Beth and Maggie as they walked up to me wearing beautiful dresses.

"Wow, you two look great," I may have smiled stupidly at them but mostly at Beth.

They both giggled and Maggie spoke, "Thanks Carl, how sweet of you," she pinched my cheek and I felt myself blush.

She went ahead and walked to the car and I turned again to Beth..

"You look nice," I commented once more.

She giggled again, "Speak for yourself, Mr. Hotstuff," she tugged at the sleeve of my sweater.

I groaned in remembrance on how my mom insisted me on wearing something nicer than just a plain old shirt and beat-up jeans. One time, mom dragged me along on a shopping spree to buy me new and trendier sets of clothes. I didn't bring those clothes because mom will just make me wear them, but it turns out she secretly packed those clothes in her suitcase. Mom locked me in my room and threw me those clothes and told me I I can't go out if I don't wear them so I just went along with it.

When I came out, mom gasped and covered her mouth. She told me I looked really handsome wearing a black sweater with a white collared shirt underneath matched with black jeans. She had my hair cut so it was short then she combed it neatly to the side. I thought the suffering would end but it just got worst when she grinned mischievously and showed me a tie.

"You're kidding right?" But before I could say anything else she was already choke-holding me while she wrestled tying the tie around my neck.

"Dad! Mom's trying to kill me." I yelled for dad but he just came in wearing the same outfit except his sweater was blue and he was wearing grey dress pants. His face told me he was also went through the "Mom Process" and I sighed in defeat. She shoved me in front of the mirror...and I have to admit...I do look pretty cool. The clothes were really comfortable, my only problem is that its such a hot day for a sweater but mom was so proud of her handiwork so I just thanked her.

"It's a long story," I exhaled deeply and looked at Beth. She looked really stunning in her outfit. She was wearing a light pink dress, her hair was braided beautifully on one shoulder, she was wearing silver earrings and her mother's necklace that she always wear. We stared at each other for a while. My thoughts snapped back to reality when I heard a loud and long honking sound coming from the SUV.

"Hey, stop staring at each other and get in here you two!" Shawn shouted impatiently from the passenger seat while still honking the horn.

Maggie and Mrs. Greene were chuckling from the backseat while Hershel raised his brow at me but he soon smirked as well and I sighed in relief.

I held Beth's hand and helped her get in the car. I got back in the driver's seat and started to drive to Dale's diner, looking at Beth with my rearview mirror almost all the way.