Chapter Text
Yeah. Yeah it really is what you think it is, guys… It's the first chapter to my Grease/Bethyl AU thing-a-majig! And I don't have much else to say so let's jump in it.
…
July 25, 1958
Beth didn't cry anymore. She hadn't cried since she was little and her daddy had almost died from drinking and driving. He'd lost his leg and had sworn off alcohol that day Beth declared - at six years old - she wasn't ever gonna cry anymore.
She didn't cry… But she felt like she was going to now. She wanted to cry. She refused but God did she want to. She wanted to cry and curse like a boy at just how unfair life could be sometimes.
“I ain't worth that look on yer face, Beth.”
Beth shook her head at him and tried to look away. She didn't cry. Not anymore! And she certainly couldn't cry in front of Him. Not now. Not when this could be the last time she ever saw the young man who'd stolen her heart away.
“You are, Daryl… It's not fair, is it? I just met you and now…” Beth's voice trailed off, unable to say what was the truth.
Daryl's quiet. He's always quiet. Has been since the day he fixed Maggie's car after they were both thought to be stranded at the beach. It had only been three months ago but to Beth it seemed a lifetime since she laid eyes on this man with such intense blue eyes and his plain black shirt and jeans with hair that mama would say needed a cut.
“Ain't forever. Said so yourself, ‘member?” He murmured as she buried her face against his shoulder, body stiff for just a second before he allowed himself to relax and hold her.
“But what if it is? What if I never see you again?” Beth whispered, turning to watch the waves lick the sand at their feet, wishing she could enjoy this last sunset with him.
He's quiet again, but Beth isn't surprised. Because instead of speaking he tightens his grip around her and buries his face in her hair and takes her in as she takes him in, wanting to memorize every feature possible; from his smell to the feel of his scruff on her forehead.
This couldn't be goodbye… It just couldn't be. The lord worked in mysterious ways… Maybe he was doing so again… Maybe.
She prayed that was so.
“Want you to have something… To remember me by… Can I see your pocket knife?”
Beth stepped back and Daryl eyed her, uncertain, as he removed his knife. Beth opened it and before Daryl could say otherwise, Beth found her smaller braid and cut it clean off.
“Beth…” Daryl's expression was in awe as Beth closed the knife and pressed it into his hand before placing the braid in his pocket.
His eyes met hers, the both of them sharing a silent look before Daryl took her hand and dragged him over to where his leather vest lay.
Opening the knife, Beth watched in shock and with a swell of her heart, as Daryl cut a leather string from the vest and placed it in her hand.
Beth looked down at the leather string before reaching behind her and removing her two hearts from necklace and quickly fastening them to the leather string and tying it so it fit around her neck, stuffing the chain away in her own jacket.
“Ya ain't have to do that.” Daryl murmured.
But Beth shook her head. She'd never take this leather string off. Not until they could be together again. Not before then. Not ever if that became the case.
Beth shoved forward and wrapped herself tightly around his larger frame, watching the sun sink and tick away their last moments.
God she hoped not...
…
August 1, 1958
“Don't know why the fuck you're even goin'. School ain't ever done shit for a Dixon, li’l brother.”
Daryl ignored his brother in favor of stuffing a piece of burnt toast down his throat. It was the one time of the whole school year his Ma was sober enough to make him breakfast and pack him a lunch. The rest of the time she was so drunk she could hardly remember the time of day.
“You're going to be late, Daryl.” Maria Dixon said softly as Daryl brushed crumbs off his shirt and dodged around Merle to go grab his vest from his room.
Shucking it on, Daryl grabbed his black and white bandana - the symbol of this place as an Outlaw Dog - and stuffed it in his back pocket before also pocketing his keys and grabbing his shades and blade.
“Wasting your time, Darylina. Should've stayed in California…” Merle grumbled, already halfway through his first beer of the day before he went to work at the family service garage.
Ignoring Merle's grumbling, Daryl stormed out the door, barely casting a glance at his old man as he was passed out in the recliner and snoring loudly with beer cans all around him.
School was better than being home and dealing with his old man. Hell it was a nice break from Merle too at least.
…
Beth tried not to feel nervous. It was a new school. A place to remake herself and make new friends…. Even if she did miss California and her old friends.
“So you got first period English with… Ugh, watch out for Mr. Lamson. He can be real moldy. And I swear he tries to look up your skirt.” Rosita spoke up beside her, having snatched up Beth's schedule.
“I can't thank you enough for helping me around, Rosita… I'm kinda nervous.” Beth sighed as Rosita popped her gum and hummed about their schedules.
“Hey, no sweat! Your parents seem pretty guay after letting mi papi keep his job at the store when they bought it.” Rosita grinned, hooking arms with her.
Her daddy had bought out the local farming supply store and the small market space around it. Her mama and him had made sure no one lost their job or had to worry about being kicked out and what their new payment policy was. It had earned Beth a friend in Rosita when she went with her daddy to talk to Rosita’s father about his concerns for the workers jobs.
“But enough about me! How's life away from California feeling? Nervous sure, but it's gotta be a little exciting, right?”
Rosita was energetic and all smiles and Beth couldn't help her own smile growing as she was dragged through the crowd of students excited and dreading their first days back at Alexandria High.
Beth shook her head and proceeded to let Rosita question her about California, doing her best to speak over the crowd of her new classmates and the distant, approaching roar of what sounded like motorcycles before they were up the stairs and in the building.
…
R & R Plz :)