» Time Is Dancing « | » Carl Grimes «

» STRADIVARIUS «

Wait, I've Never Picked Pea Pods

My feet kicked up on the polished table, various sheets and books crumpling under my heels as I did. Jesus gave me a quick look, one that almost seemed scolding, so I placed them back on the ground with a roll of my eyes. I leaned forward, finally getting to the reason I was actually here.

"We've expanded a lot, sure, but there's always room for more. Enid just asked me today if I could find more space for her in the garden." I shrugged, my elbows resting on my knees. "And the blacksmiths could do with another shack, with all the weapons they're making. We could start training the older kids now, take them out of school some days?"

My mind was racing with new ideas and plans, anything that could improve the state of living at the Hilltop. It was a beautiful place anyway, but it could always be better.

Jesus let out an amused chuckle at my tumbling words, leaning back in his seat with a sigh. "You know, if you ran for leadership then you would've won."

I narrowed my eyes in annoyance but my grin gave away my real feelings. "That's exactly why I didn't run." Jesus was always reluctant to take over in the community, but he cared about this place a lot and I knew he would never leave it stranded.

"But seriously, thank you." His expression was sincere as he met my eyes. "I couldn't have done it without you."

I shrugged casually, my gaze turning to the floor. "I'm just doing what Maggie would've done. It's nothing."

I almost sighed with relief when Tara wandered up the stairs, papers in her hands and an urgent look on her face. I took that as my cue to leave, darting into the infirmary without a second thought.

"You really can't go a single day without coming by, can you?" I laughed when I noticed Alden in a chair, Enid wrapping a bandage over the palm of his hand.

"Maybe I just love your company so much." He returned with a mischievous smile, turning back to face the doctor.

"You mean Enid's company?" I pointed out, watching their cheeks flush with embarrassment. They couldn't deny their relationship any longer, and it didn't take a genius to figure it out. "I just came to count the supplies, school's almost over."

It didn't take long to scribble down the medication and equipment, everything perfectly organised in the expanded infirmary. I turned to Enid with furrowed eyebrows. "Is everything ready for the fair?"

She rolled her eyes at my persistence. "Yes, it's ready and waiting." She assured me once again. I had been asking constantly, worrying about anything that might go wrong. It had been years since trade ran through the communities, and this fair was something we all needed. I also thought it would be a great way to reintroduce Heather to her distant family.

I shut the door behind me as I wandered into the entrance area of the community, watching from afar as Jesus suspiciously strapped a saddle on his horse.

"You leaving again?" I questioned when I reached him, my arms folding with accusation. He seemed to spend more time outside the walls than inside recently.

Jesus paused at my voice, turning to me with a guilty expression. "I won't be long. Tell Heather she can start without me." He instructed as he trotted out the gates.

Heather was getting a little older now, at least enough to understand the threats the world held. But no matter how hard I tried, she was always so eager to experience it all, good and bad. I figured it would help if Jesus taught her a thing or two, with him being the most skilled on the subject of non-lethal combat. It was fortunate she was such a good student, and I was such a persuasive mother.