Chapter 1: Back to King County
"Ugh.." I inwardly groan as I prepared to leave my mother's 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Today was my first day back in KCH after once again relocating to King County. My father was given a job opportunity three years prior, forcing me to abruptly pack up and leave behind everything I'd ever known and called home.
Right before the move back, my mother stressed that having stability and being around family and those I considered my closest friends was the best decision for my final year of High School.
"What's wrong, pumpkin?" my mom asked, reaching out to tuck a loose curled loc neatly in place of my half-up, half-down style.
"Honestly.. it might be a little weird maybe? Going in there, seeing people for the first time again after so many years.. I mean, what if it's just awkward now?" It truly was something to consider, being that my longest friendships went to shit due to the distance.
"Oh honey, I think everything'll be fine.." mom paused "and even if it does start to feel a bit weird, you're more than welcome to phone me during your free periods"
I considered her for a short while, then flashed a brief smile, "Okay mom."
"That's my girl, I love you"she leaned over to give me a quick kiss on the cheek "Be good, and relax! You got this."
"Love you too mom."
Flipping down the visor, I peer up at my reflection, then apply my favorite brown shade of nix lip liner, followed by a matte finish, before flipping the visor back into place.
Eyeing me, my mother comments "You look beautiful, love bug, no need to fuss."
Flashing her a smile, I straighten my black cropped sweater, followed by my necklace, cute baggy jeans, and complimented by my New Balance's.
Leaning down, I grab my bag from near my legs, then proceed to pull open the car handle, finally stepping out of the car.
I immediately felt a tight knot in my stomach as I made my way up the steps. The familiar view of King County High had my heart racing. It wasn't like I hadn't grown up here.. I could do this. With a newfound confidence, I wave and blow my mother a kiss, then walk up the steps to the school.
Upon entering, I note the students milling about the halls, all presumably heading to class, or in no rush and hanging with their friends.
"Oh my God, Michonne is that you?"
Looking to my left, my (then) close friend Sasha is in a shock-like state, pulling her headphones off and stepping closer to get a clear view of me.
Mustering up a friendly smile, I respond "Hi Sash."
"Girl oh my- how have you been? Wait I can't believe this, it's been so long??" grabbing me by the arm, she pulls me out of the way of other students and professors.
"Okay, that's better. So how are you?"
Looking down at my shoes, then back up at my friend, I shyly smile and relay to her the hectic move from the county and back.
"Oh wow, I've forgotten how easygoing Mrs. Hawthorne is, girl we seriously have to catch up- my God you've missed a lot. Okay so obviously my brother Tyrese is still with Karen, then there's Maggie and Glenn, oh! Shane and Andrea- there's so much to tell you."
Laughing at her nearly running out of breath, I stop her mid rant, "hey- Sasha, we're definitely going to discuss all of this throughout lunch, well if we have it together.."
"Oh yeah, hand over your schedule and I'll help you find your classes for the day, then your lunch"
I fling my backpack from my shoulder, immediately digging through my binder to find the neatly tucked away class schedule, handing it over to Sasha.
"Okay so your first class is US History with Ms. Johnson, your second is AP Chemistry with Mr. Matthew, you have first lunch with me, and your third is AP English with Dr. Wilmont, you have that class with Lori and Rick"
Cringing at the formation of my ex best friend's name, I attempt to nonchalantly ask, "how are they these days?" then laugh at Sasha's eye roll.
"Don't even get me started on that.. mess"
The bell ringing leads Sasha to walk me to my first class.
Upon noticing the classroom empty, I decide to get quick introductions out of the way.
"Hi, im Michonne Hawthorne"
"Good M'rning M'Chonne, 'm I pronouncin' that correctly?"
Showing a brief smile, I answer, "Yes, that's correct."
"P'rfect! Since we're beginning our second school semester, I'll be printin' out a paper of thangs we've already learned in past lectures, jus' so you're all caught up. Oh, and you can sit an'where ya'd like, if ya need paper or a pencil, feel free t'a let me know! Also, I'm Ms. Johnson, but Ms. J also works."
Eyeing her, I give a quick nod and thank Ms. J, then find a seat near the front of the class.
"Wait pinch me, no way Michonne Hawthorne is actually here in the flesh, right?"
Knowing that voice from anywhere, I instantly smile up at Andrea.
"It's really me- I mean I can still pinch you and let you decide if I'm a figment of your imagination.."
Laughing at the joke, Andrea shakes her head, then leans down to bring me into a hug,"I bet you'd love that. You don't know how much I've missed you Chonne"
"I've missed you too. I'm honestly glad my first class is with you, we literally have to catch up."
Plopping down in the seat next to me, Andrea leans her head on my shoulder while I mention Sasha saying the same thing.
"Okay, so our next class is together, I'll show you where we usually sit for lunch after."
".. see you later Shane. G'Mornin Ms. J."
In the midst of our rekindling, I hear a voice I was once so accustomed to with a deeper timbre, with owner of said voice standing off to the side of the doorframe, staring right at me.
"Mornin' Rick!"
Snapping back to reality at Andrea's forceful elbow to my stomach, I'm scowling at her, "What the hell! Why?"
Rolling her eyes, she gestures to the retreating form of Rick, "Whats going on there? You two were the closest of us all and now it's just radio silence and awkward ass stares, what-"
"Drea.. please just- let's not, okay?"
Looking me over, she sees I'm not really in a joking kind of mood and drops it.
I offer her a grateful smile before feeling a tap on my shoulder. Looking up from my friend's face and into the smiling face of Shane Walsh.
"Hey Chonne, we missed ya 'round these here parts."
"Hi Shane, missed you guys too, not much has changed so far."
Displaying a slight grimace, he says "Yea.. so how have ya be-"
"All please be seated, we'll be starting on a new section today as you all know by now."
A chorus of groans could be heard throughout the classroom, causing Michonne and Andrea to chuckle.
Switching off the water faucet, I head over to grab a paper towel, then grab the bathroom pass from near the sink.
After checking my reflection, I begin the trek back to my class, looking up when I hear another set of footsteps heading my way in the otherwise empty hallway, into the face of none other than Rick Grimes.
Pause.
My history with Rick could cause confusion to those who weren't me or Rick, people always questioned what we were to each other, claiming they never saw one without the other.
We met at the age of 4, and also happened to be neighbors. Literally the cause of us becoming inseparable, and that intensified when we were finally in school together.
He was my bestfriend. He was my first kiss, and then he had his first girlfriend- who was NOT me, but Lori Wayne.
Lori moved to King County towards our second year of middle school, and she fit in with our group pretty quickly, immediately finding interest in Rick.
He never really showed interest in her, until our 8th grade ball.
Mike Anthony was every girls dream crush, with his boyish charm and his impeccable style, sports sense, and book smarts. Mike ended up asking me to the ball.. with Rick present, and he swore he didn't feel a way about it- but he was cold towards me pretty much after that, and then he asked Lori to the ball killing anything romantic I may have felt after our shared kiss. I moved out of King County not long after that, so I didn't have much time to dwell on their relationship.
Giving me a curt nod, looking everywhere in my face but my eyes, he says "Chonne."
Shyly responding with a soft, "Hi Rick." I realize I lied, he was still the cutest boy I've ever laid eyes on, and those feelings were quickly rolling back in with every second I stood in his presence.
"How are ya?" Now he's looking at me, those electric blues staring into the depth of my soul, and he's gotta know that I'm completely under his control, he has to know that-
"Earth ta Chonne.." giving a slight flick of his index finger and thumb, he's bringing me back to the real world.
"Sorry, I'm fine, you?"
Staring over my features, he's silent for a minute before rasping out a, "Yea.. same here.."
Shifting uncomfortably, I'm now rushing to get done with this conversation, looking down at my shoes then slowly peering up at him, "Okay.. well I have to get back to class so, see ya around?" I don't wait for an answer, I just begin to walk the other way.
"Chonne- wait, please?"
Turning back to face him, I'm silently questioning him and his willingness to have a conversation with me, "Yes?"
"I just- I just feel like we didn't end on the best note, and we don't have to be the best of friends again, but I'd like to know you again.. I mean if you're up for it" now he's shifting under my gaze, and I'm glad the tables have turned in this situation.
"Rick.. I honestly don't know what happened between us but it was because of you- you get that right?"
Officially feeling accused and ready for an argument, Rick puffs out his chest a bit before standing up straight with raised brows, staring me down, replying with a "Do I get it? You left me!"
"Hey! Get ta class, Now!
We immediately jump from the intrusion of the physical education coach, Rick offering a nod while I respond with a soft "Sorry ma'am."
Now he's walking up to me, grabbing my arm softly, he's in my ear, "We're continuing this conversation. See ya around, Chonne."
Taking my arm back, I give a single nod and walk back to my class.
"Okay, so this is the cafeteria, and after we get lunch I'll show you where we usually sit and who with."
Swinging our conjoined arms, Sasha is conveying our lunch plans while Andrea grabs lunch trays for the three of us.
"Thanks girl, okay so for the most part, you know the people in the group, only two people have joined that you haven't met before"
Nodding her head at that, Andrea shoulder bumps me with a "That'll be Tara Chambler and Rosita Espinosa."
Making a mental note to remember those two names, I question "okay, cool. So who else?"
The girls give eachother a quick glance and then look at me, leading me to lift a questioning brow at them before we're interrupted.
"Hi girls!! Ohh hi Michonne, long time no see!"
Looking into the face of a very bubble Jessie Anderson, I'm putting two and two together that she also sits at this table. Along with-
"I'm here, are you guys done grabbing lunch? Rick said he wanted to talk to me about something in his truck and I wanted to vent first- Michonne! Good to see you!" Lori musters her friendliest smile-at least that's what I think- then turns back to the other girls.
Inwardly groaning for the umpteenth time today, I'm wondering how much has actually changed in my three year absence.
Disclaimer:
This is a Richonne story, they are endgame, Lori wont be much of a problem and Jessick will Not be a thing.
Thank you :)