Daryl's Girl

Chapter 38

There was an awkwardness that settled between us as the door closed, I think neither of us knowing what to say. The last time we'd spoken, it only ended in us arguing and I didn't want that to happen again. I don't think he did either. We were two completely different people who would've never crossed paths, and yet, here we were.

Sighing, I made my way over and sat myself down in the chair beside the bed. "How are you?" I finally asked.

"Guess I should say thank you." He replied, avoiding the question. I should've seen that coming.

"Thank Shane." I scoffed. "He helped me get you back." Immediately, I saw the expression on Daryl's face change. He wasn't happy about what I'd just said and neither was I. It only leading me to believe that maybe he knew something I didn't. There had to be an explanation as to how Shane found us and maybe he knew why. The next question leaving me with an unsettled feeling in my stomach. "He didn't attack you, did he?"

Daryl didn't reply. Was that because he didn't remember? Or was it because it was true? Either way, by the look on his face, I knew he wouldn't tell me, so I dropped it.

"What happened to you?" He then said. A more concerned tone to his voice, but I could tell he was still a little standoffish with me.

I sighed again, looking away to avoid any eye contact with him. I didn't want him to see I was hurting. "After that spat we had, I just went for a walk. I didn't mean to be gone for so long."

"It's not your fault." I glanced back over as he finished, and saw the same pain in his eyes that I felt. Maybe we weren't so dissimilar after all. 

In a way, we were the same, yet completely different. He felt like an outsider, like me, and got all up inside his head to the point he couldn't think of anything else. He wanted to do the right thing despite what everyone else said and I understood that. 

"You know, whatever this is, we can trust each other, right?" What Briana had said, beginning to creep into my mind. Daryl nodded. "I mean, you scared the shit out of me."

I think I even saw a smile appear on his face as he tapped the bed besides him. I smiled back, slowly standing up, sitting on the bed next to him. He then wrapped his arm around me and pulled me close, where I gently lay my head on his chest. The sound of his heartbeat soothing me as he planted a kiss on the top of my head sending shivers down my spine. The only thing going through my mind was how, maybe, I did love him. I couldn't think of another word for it.

After a little while, we decided to get some sleep. I removed my knife and gun from my belt, and Daryl did the same, placing his knife down on the bed side table next to a glass of water. The two of us then awkwardly laying back down together.

As I lay there, I found comfort listening to the sound of Daryl's breathing and the beating of his heart as my head rested on his chest once again. Something about it just filled me with warmth. This was the first time we'd slept in the same bed without trying to keep as much distance between us as physically possible. It was nice and, after a while, I even felt Daryl somewhat relax under me.

I wasn't even aware I'd fallen asleep until I was woken up by the sound of the bedroom door opening. I opened my eyes slowly and Hershal was standing in the door way. "Morning." He whispered, so that he wouldn't wake Daryl. I didn't even realize my head was still on his chest, his arm now over my shoulder.

"Morning." I replied sleepily and rubbed my eyes. I sat up and Hershal placed two bowls of cereal on the table, a smirk on his face looking at me, before he walked out again. I knew what he was thinking and I couldn't help but smile.

As he left, I slowly and quietly got out of the bed and walked over to the table where I picked up one of the spoons, next to the bowls, and took a mouth full. Daryl still asleep as I looked over towards him as I ate some more.