The Cheerleader •Daryl Dixon AU•

Eight

Olivia and Daryl spent several minutes glancing awkwardly at eachother after both smiling open mouthed at Daryl's agreement to wanting a different life which they both looked away from pretty quick when Olivia felt awkward.

"How comes you hate your life?" Daryl asked skeptical, Olivia could tell he was seeing her as a 'rich bitch' and compared to his life anyone would want that. "Its not a life, its a prison, my mom wants me to live out her life as the prom queen she never was, My dad has no time for me and my friends, well, they dont even know me" she sighed "third world problems" Daryl sarcastically commented, Olivia tutted and gave Daryl daggers but laughed when she realised he had a point "alright then your turn" she beamed playfully punching his arm, blushing red when she realised she was flirting until she saw his face, he wasnt hurt but he looked worried "sorry, I dont know why I did that" Olivia apologised. Wanting nothing more than the ground to swallow her up.

They both edged away from eachother across the bed. "Want something to eat? Im starving" Daryl exclaimed breaking the silence. Olivia wasnt really that hungry but anything to break this up, whatever it was.

Following Daryl from the bedroom she dusted off the back of her shorts, he offered her a seat on the battered sofa as he went to raid his cupboards. Olivia sank into the sofa, it was old, worn down and the cushions were musky. "All i got is noodles" he sighed, Olivia felt he knew all along there wasnt much in but went along with him, if money was tight, which it clearly was here she wasnt to judge. "Sounds good to me" she smiled as he pulled a saucepan out and heated it up.

"What time are your folks back?" Olivia asked as Daryl cooked away she was confused by him ignoring her. "A fork okay? Havent got round to washing up" Daryl remarked handing her a chipped plate of noodles, when he sat on the sofa they both sank in further and the let out a laugh each. They sat in silence while they ate until Daryl finally broke the silence "my mom died when I was eleven and my father, well no one's seen him for months" he didnt look at her as he confessed, she didnt know what to say or where to start "oh" she whispered "you just live here alone?" She quizzed showing concern "Merle sends money, he comes home as often as he can but the higher up he's getting the less he comes back" Daryl replied, he sounded hopeful as if that was a way to live at their age. "And you are alright with that?" She asked "have to be" he bluntly replied.

Olivia studied Daryl as they ate, he had this thrust on him and he seemed perfectly fine she knew she would crumble if it was her.

"I should probably go, its getting to the time school finishes and my father likes me home straight away." Olivia sighed, after they had eaten they sat and spoke more and now it was time to leave she didnt want to. Even with the scenery she felt this was better than being at school or even home.

Daryl held the door open for her to leave, he too looked saddened she was leaving "Please dont tell your mates about this, I cant have the school finding out, i'm doing just fine here" Daryl made her promise, she was never going to tell, he didnt need to ask it of her. "Ill see you tomorrow" she smiled and she walked to her car, she noticed a few resident of the trailer park were looking out the window at her and car and some where even having a good look as they walked past it. It must be a rare sight to see around here.

As she drove home she smiled to herself, she had had a nice day, well after The Point that is.

She huffed as she pulled into her driveway, everyone was home and then it hit her. She was meant to be at tryouts as they were all heading to Penny's recital. "Shit" she whispered to herself as turned the engine off. "Just make out you cancelled them" she pep talked herself before putting her key in the lock.

"Olivia, this is a surprise" her father spat, he did not look impressed "i told you i'd cancel tryouts" you smiled as you lied, tossing your bag onto the stairs and heading to join him and Penny in the living room "you nervous Pen?" She asked her sister who was nose deep in a book, Penny looked tired and fed up and gave Olivia a half smile. "Olivia, i'd like a word with you" her father growled, he kept using her name to address her and it made her feel uncomfortable.

He ushered her out into the hallway, his facial expression turned to disappointment "did you tell the girls you cancelled tryouts?" He asked her, Olivia felt confused, she was head cheerleader what she said stood, why did her father care about the girls "yea, they offered to hold them without me but i said id do them tomorrow" Olivia said embellishing the lie and went to walk away and get changed "then why did they phone earlier? They said they hadnt seen you at lunch and couldnt catch your cell, and wanted to make sure tryouts were still on" her father stood tall as he spoke to her, Olivia closed her eyes as she thought, Lori and Andrea must of headed back to school after The Point and assumed Olivia would too. "So I didnt hang around with the girls today. Sue me! they are getting too needy I just needed a break" Olivia argued her point but her father grabbed her and slapped her hard across her face making her well up as she felt her face "Dont lie to me! You havent been to school have you?!" He seethed at her, Olivia shook her head and looked down "what is wrong with you? Why cant you be like your sister? We give you everything you want and you skip school and then lie to me about it!" He snapped tapping her chin harshly to get her to look at him. "Go upstairs, I'll deal with you later" he spat looking at her like she was lowest of the low.

Closing her bedroom door behind her she looked in the mirror and looked at her cheek, her father had cut her face slightly as he struck her. She winced as she wiped it with a cotton bud, her skin had swollen and it was now sore.

Flopping herself on the bed she let a few tears fall before getting her phone from her pocket to read messages.

Where are you girl? We still doing tryouts or what? Call me! Lori xx

Liv, im sorry about earlier can I come by later when your parents are at Penny's show? Miss you xxx

As soon as she heard the front door shut and the car pull away she text Shane, feeling rebellious after her father's actions she needed comfort.

Head over now xxx