𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋 𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 [ 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐬 ] ✘

No Damsel in Distress

A walker moaned in the distance and I turned my gaze to the sound. A pipe was skewered through his ribs which were visible through his tattered blood-stained clothing. I bit into my stake blueberry graham cracker as I sat on the porch steps, not bothered by the gory scene before me in the slightest. Things like that used to unsettle me but now, it was commonplace. But what wasn't commonplace and still had me reeling was my newfound feelings for my best friend, Carl Grimes. A sigh escaped my lips as I finished off the cracker and heaved the wrapper away from me.

We'd known each other since we were in diapers and yet, I couldn't shake the way I'd been feeling. Puberty had been very kind to him and of course, I just had to notice. So now I was getting butterflies when I was around him, feeling goosebumps pop up across my skin at a simple brush of our hands. It wasn't normal, wasn't right, and I knew it. A breeze blew by then, rustling the rusted cans and other debris that lay strewn across the uncut lawn. I put my head in my hands and let out a groan.

What was I going to do now?! I couldn't just tell him. It would ruin our friendship. And I felt physically sick just at the idea that I might lose that. Biting down on my lip so hard I drew blood, I blew out a breath over the tiny cut, making myself hiss. I had to forget it,just move on and ignore these feelings.

But even as I thought it, I knew I couldn't. Not when it came to Carl. He was...intoxicating. Suddenly, I felt a hand land on my shoulder. I let out an involuntary shriek just before giggles erupted behind me. Glancing up into blue eyes, I glowered up into the face of my best friend.

"You're insufferable," I bit out gruffly, crossing my arms in agitation.

"That's why you love me, Charlotte," he said into my ear with a grin plastered on his face, making me shiver.

He plopped down on the porch steps beside me and I scooted over slightly to put some distance between us. He frowned in confusion but said nothing. Silence ensued between us then, the only interruption the sound of the walker moaning, still trying to get free.

"You've been acting weird around me," Carl said suddenly, making me suck in a sharp breath.

He said it as more of a statement than a question. Drat. I didn't think he'd notice. I'd tried my hardest to avoid him but when Rick suggested we go on a supply run together, I couldn't turn him down. He was depending on us. Letting out a slight sigh, I shrugged.

"No, I haven't," I lied, faking a smile his way.

His ice-blue eyes bored into me. He didn't buy it, I could tell. Carl had always been perceptive of my feelings that way. Ever since we were kids. Cocking his head to the side, his worn, brown Sheriff's hat slid down over his eyes slightly.

"Yes, you are. Char, I know you are. What I can't understand though is why. Did I say something? Do something?" he pressed on, confusion mixing with concern in his gaze.

My heart pounded so hard in my chest from the intensity of his stare, forcing me to look down at my hands.

I shook my head, "No...or yes. I don't know, Carl! This is all new to me..."

"What's new? What are you-" he started to ask when suddenly, we heard a loud ripping sound and our heads snapped up to the noise.

The walker had finally gotten free of the pipe embedded in his rib-cage and was stumbling forward toward us. His stomach had been torn open, leaving his intestines hanging out of him like limp, red noodles. Immediately, I went for the gun tucked into my belt. I flipped the safety off as Carl hauled me to my feet. He was about to run back into the house for his own gun when I put a hand to his chest to stop him.

"I got this." I said firmly, hopping down from the porch steps to take my aim at the stumbling corpse.

He growled at me, his yellow teeth visible as he did. Lining up his head with the barrel of the gun, I pulled the trigger and a loud shot rang through the empty streets. The walker went down instantly, blood oozing from the small hole in his head and I smiled in triumph. Turning back around, I saw Carl watching me. His arms were crossed over his chest and a smirk was plastered on his face. I took a step closer to the porch steps just as he took a step down, standing on the last one so he was now towering over me.

"My hero," he teased, grinning and I blushed scarlet, shrugging off his compliment.

"Yeah, yeah. Shut up, Grimes," I shot back, a bit flustered.

"Hm. Well, heroes usually get a reward for saving the-" he started to say, tapping his chin with his index finger.

"-damsel in distress?" I suggested, smirking up at him.

He sent me a pointed look, "...victim,"

"Oh?" I asked, arching an eyebrow before placing my hands on my hips, "Then what shall be my reward?"

Carl pretended to ponder a moment before a mischievous smirk found its way onto his face. I barely had time to react before Carl had crashed his lips into mine, cupping my face in his hands. I was shocked at first but soon kissed him back. He was gentle and his mouth was warm as he kissed me, making me melt on the inside. But just as I got into it, he pulled away abruptly, leaving me breathless. He began to walk away then, back towards the house when suddenly, he whipped back around, pointing an index finger at me.

"Now don't let that go to your head because I am an independent man who can save himself." he said, a hand placed on one hip as he made a quick snap of his fingers.

He strutted back into the house then with a hair toss, leaving me giggling outside in the front yard. Oh, that boy would be the death of me.