Archive of Our Own ^beta

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 :)

Chapter Text

And we're back pals and gals! Time for the next chapter of my recent fun. It's probably not as long as I could've made it but here it be!

…

Pulling into Alexandria High for the first time in three months felt strange. Always did on the first day back. Especially since this year, he was a senior. Graduation and all that shit were right around the corner.

Pulling up into the Outlaw Dog parking spot - one of three that had been crudely graffitied with their names in Merle’s handwriting from years ago - and cut the engine to relax and finish off his cigarette.

A few obvious freshmen eyeballed him but all it took was the Dixon scowl to get them running along. It also has a few of the girls giggling and batting shy eyes his way.

Looking away, Daryl flicked his cigarette to the ground and gave it a stomp as he smirked at a familiar white and silver Ford De Lux making its way for the spot next to his, three idiots hanging over the side of the convertible as the driver grumbled at them in Spanish.

“Dixon! Hey!”

The three passengers gave howls and excited exclamations, jumping from the vehicle to rush him as he removed himself from his bike and brushed his hair out of his face.

“Daryl, man! Where you been all summer?! Thought your ass split for good!” Zach exclaimed loudly, giving him a handshake and quick pat on the back.

“Nah. Dragged Merle’s ass back too. Knew you assholes couldn't make it through a year without me.” Daryl grunted, exchanging quick greetings with Pete and Luke as he walked up to the driver.

“Good to see you came back, pendejo .” He glared, shoving himself out of the vehicle to stand eye to eye with Daryl.

The two shared glares, the others tensing up and looking between their leader and right hand man with baited breaths.

Slowly a grin spread across the Spaniards face before he laughed and smacked Daryl on the arm, making Daryl smirk and slap his arm, the two falling into a familiar and comfortable shove and pull as they elbowed one another.

“Jesus, Marinez. You two gotta start that shit and give us a freaking heart attack?!” Zach exclaimed.

A sense of peace came over Daryl as he fell instep with Martinez, a familiar feeling that he'd missed during his time away.

School was shit but at least he had the gang and it got him the fuck outta the house from Merle's bitching, his mom's slurring, and his old man's leather belt and fist.

“Come on, amigo . See what pickings we got this year!” Martinez barked over to the others, all of them falling in step and making for the hallways of AHS.

“Where the Hells Tyreese and T? Noah?” Daryl asked as he shoved an obvious freshman out of his way, ignoring his frightened apology.

“Ty got a new car, man. They’re gonna meet us at the lockers. We're all skipping second period. You in?” Pete spoke up from Daryl’s left as he combed his hair.

“The Hell class you skipping?” Daryl inquired.

“Phys Ed. with O’Donnel.” Luke answered with a grin.

“That asshole? Thought he was dead from that fall he took?” Martinez scoffed.

“Nah he landed on that winning personality of his and came out of it with only a fractured rib and busted nose.” Zach answered with a laugh as they approached their graffiti covered lockers (another memento of Merle Dixon’s presence).

“Maybe this year he’ll get a catapult pole up the ass before graduation.” Martinez snickered, Daryl smirking as the guys cackled in agreement before they began bitching about their schedules for the first half of the year.

…

Alexandria High School is large . Larger than even her own high school back in California. There are so many diversities and there's three levels and it admittedly makes Beth kind of dizzy.

“Just finish filling this out, miss Greene, and I can send you on your way with a hall pass.” Deanna Monroe - the principle of AHS - stated as she handed Beth the last of the paperwork she needed to finish filling out so she could be registered fully in the school files.

“Ugh. How many more days til Christmas break?” An older male in a fishing cap sighed as he scooted around Beth to grab from his labeled mailbox - D. Horvath - while sipping his coffee.

“Eighty-six.” Beth spoke up as she finished signing her name on one of the three lines she had to sign.

“Eighty-six?” The man grimaced, taking his coffee from his mouth to eye her.

“Mmhmm. I've been counting.” Beth confirmed with a resigned smile.

The older male groaned and shook his head as he made off for the back of the office where Beth assumed was one of the teachers lounges.

Beth smiled and looked down at the paper to sign the last two lines and took them to Mrs. Monroe, who handed Beth a schedule and had her wait for an escort - “personally picked out for his high academic record so you can get a positive start at Alexandria High School” - as Beth heard the warning bell go off.

…

Daryl stifled a yawn as he leaned back in his desk from the backseat of the science class. He'd been up later than he'd meant to working on a car at the shop. And while he was mentally glad to be at school, his body was protesting the lack of sleep after being able to sleep in all summer.

Beside him, Theodore - T-Dog as he was called by his fellow Outlaw Dogs and close friends - concentrated on carving his initials into the faux wood of his desk as Martinez watched him.

At the front, their teacher - Mr. Calhoun - half ass explained the syllabus and what he expected from them, all while downing a very obnoxiously large cup of joe that Daryl had a feeling had more than just coffee beans in it.

“Psst!” Zach called out from behind him in a hushed whisper.

Daryl looked back and gave a smirk as he saw Zach and Luke holding a mouse and motioning towards the graduating classes “Student Council Vice President Nominee”, Haley Nikolas, as she was chatting away loudly during Calhoun’s speech.

Zach snuck around behind Haley and slipped the mouse by her arm, him and Luke snickering as they ducked away right as Haley felt the mouse crawl on her arm.

Her screech set everyone into howls of laughter, Zach and Luke high fiving while Calhoun sighed and corralled the mouse up to put away.

Daryl snorted and sat up, suddenly more awake.

…

“So you're going to join the cheer squad?”

Beth nodded, watching her escort go over her schedule as he lead her through the school and she prayed she'd remember how to get to her second period without too much trouble.

“Fair warning, the captain is Julie Berkley and she can be a real rear end problem if you get my drift.” Eric Raleigh hummed, making a face that had Beth giggling.

Eric was an attractive young man who was also a senior. He was also very stylish in his navy blue cardigan and loose wool flannel trousers with his shined leather shoes. He dressed better than some of the teachers he'd seen.

“I really appreciate you showing me around. My friend Rosita was going to but they wouldn't let her… It's nice to meet another kind face. Afraid I don't know many people yet…” Beth trailed off, tugging on one of her braids.

Eric gave her a warm smile and waved her off gently. “I'm happy to help get you settled, Beth! I was new here two years ago and trust me I understand feeling outta place, dear. But you just wipe that aside! You're a nice girl and I'm sure you'll fit right in! And you are always more than welcome to come find me and my friends in the music and theatre department. Aaron and I are lacking in more members.”

Beth tried not to look into the way Eric said the name “Aaron” with such affection… She'd heard once of other men being in relationships, but she hadn't ever been faced with it so she wasn't sure if that affection was platonic or more… Best not to jump ahead.

Instead Beth gave him another grateful smile before he ushered her to room 510, her Music class and first hour, and wished her luck after writing down his locker number and telling her where he sat at lunch if she wanted to join.

Waving bye, Beth stepped into Miss Cohan’s room, flushing at all the eyes turned her way and Miss Cohan pausing in her syllabus reading to greet her and check over her pass before motioning her to have a seat.

Beth slipped into her seat beside a blonde woman fixing her make-up and eying Beth through her compact, which Beth did her best to ignore and stare ahead for the rest of the class period.

Chapter Text

“Good morning, boys and girl and welcome to what will be our greatest year at Alexandria,” Principle Monroe’s voice chimed over the speaker as students caught up, Beth digging out her pen and paper as the teacher got onto two boys wearing Alexandria football jackets as they messed with a boy with large rimmed glasses.

“Saturday night will be our first pep rally! I want to see plenty of support for Coach O’Donnel and the Alexandria Gladiators!”

Beth jumped as the two boys in football jackets gave a sudden “hoo-rah” and high five each other loudly, a few of their classmates hooting along with them. Infront of her, Beth noted the blonde in the pink jacket – Pink Ladies written in black cursive – rolled her eyes and continues to mess with her make up while another blonde haired girl in a ponytail with a matching jacket snickered beside her.

“And now for one of the most exciting things to happen to Alexandria High! The National Bandstand Television Show has selected Alexandria as a representative American high school. They will be broadcasting live from our very own gymnasium!”

The entire classroom erupted in cheers and excitement and Beth couldn’t help but feel a little excited herself. She and her big sister Maggie and her big brother Shawn used to watch The National Bandstand together every night before bed. Her daddy wasn’t a big fan of the new music but he’d tolerated it for their mama, who thought it was all quit fun and would laugh as Beth and Maggie would try to sing along and dance or Shawn would pretend to play the guitar alongside the featured band.

“I’d like to thank Eric Raleigh and Haley Nikolas for their astounding essay that helped make this all happen! It’s our chance to show the entire nation what bright, clean-cut, and whole students we have here at Alexandria. More information will be posted soon. And now for-“

Beth was unable to hear the rest of the announcements, being distracted as someone tapped her shoulder – “hey, girlie, you got an extra pencil on you?” – and turning to come face to face with a girl in a black leather jacket sitting with a girl with reddish brown hair and glasses.

“Oh, sure,” Beth replied, digging in her purse and handing one of the five pencils she had packed this morning, giving them a bright smile as the girl with glasses looked relieved and mouthed a thank-you.

“Nice. Thanks,” the girl grinned at her before turning back to the girl in glasses, the two leaning close together as they whispered to one another while writing in a notebook.

“Alright class! Settle down! I have the semester’s criteria here to go over and then you all can talk all you want afterwards!” The teacher hollered over the students, handing packets out for everyone with the help of a selected student.

Beth grabbed her packet and began to look over, grabbing her planner to write down due dates.

…

Daryl leaned back against the bleacher, rubbing at the light bit of stubble along his jawline. He’d meant to shave but he’d been in a hurry to just get out of the house and away from Merle’s bitching. A cigarette hung loosely from his mouth as the guys jumped around and prattled away. It was a familiar sound that had followed him since middle school when Merle was still giving him rides on his bike or he was taking the public bus until he met Caesar and was getting rides from him and his family.

“Hey, Martinez, you want a piece of my sandwich?” Zach asked, holding it out to Outlaw Dog leader as Caesar made a face.

“No way, idiota. I eat that and I’ll start smelling like your dirty white ass,” he scoffed, causing the others to cackle and shove at the dirty haired blonde, who shoved them off with a playful scowl.

“Pardon me for being hospitable,” he huffed s he turned to offer some to Noah or T-Dog, the two declining as well.

“Hey, guys, guys! Look!” Luke spoke up, motioning down to the field where the football players as third period gym class was jumping around and the football players were gathering to get some early practice in between periods.

“Ladies and gentleman! Dingleberries on Parade!” T-Dog hollered, causing those in the stand to giggle.

Daryl about lost it himself as one of the offensive guards tripped over their feet, dropping their helmet and stumbling forward. Their foot became lodged in the helmet and the whole gang minus himself and Caesar were howling with laughter.

“Oh, man! You really put your foot into it this time!” Peter called down.

“Yeah, try hopscotch, you hot dog!” Luke chimed in, the guys falling over themselves in laughter.

Daryl’s grin was smug as douchbag running back Shane Walsh sent them all a sneer and smacked the stumbling offensiveman upside the head as the player was finally able to get his foot out of his helmet. He barked something at the player, who puffed up before running off, clutching their helmet.

His smug grin fell somewhat as he caught Rick Grimes made his way across the field from the locker-room entrance, taking a light jog to get to Shane and cast Daryl and his friends a look before he was trying to calm down the irritated players.

“Hey you all see the new chick at registration?” Pete spoke up as the laughter settled somewhat and everyone took a seat, drawing Daryl’s eyes away from Grimes.

“Oh yeah! She sure beats the foam domes here!” Zach spoke up giddly.

“Her jugs bigger than Patty’s?” Caesar asked and they all snickered.

“Hey, nobody’s jugs are bigger than Patty’s,” T-Dog spoke up as Noah stood up and called out to Tyreese, their fellow member finally able to join them as he made his way up the bleachers.

Tyreese bumped fists with everyone as he settled in, muttering something about his sister to Noah, who chuckled while T-Dog shook his head and made a choking motion that earned him a nudge from the giant who Daryl knew wouldn’t hurt a fly if he could help it.

“Yo, Daryl! C’mon, man. You ain’t said nothing about your time in California. I wanna hear about what Dixon did at the beach!” Zach spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention to him and making Daryl scowl and the tips of his ears go slightly red.

“Didn’t do shit,” Daryl grumbled, causing the guys to scoff.

“Yeah, sure, nothing Dixon,” T-Dog spoke up.

“Spill, gringo. I’m from Cali, remember? The chicas out there are top picking, right?” Caesar joined in, elbowing Daryl lightly.

Daryl grunted and sat up slightly, taking the unlit cigarette from his mouth and tucking it away for later as the guys watched him, waiting for him to spill. His scowl deepened before he was rolling his eyes at their curious gazes.

“There were a few, yeah,” he relented, earning grins and nods from the guys. “One in particulare was… Something.”

“You mean she put out on the first date?” Zach asked, getting smacked by they all snorted at his eagerness.

“Is that all you think about?” Tyreese asked, eating a bag of chips he’d swiped from the café.

“Freakin-A, it is!” Zach laughed, getting swat at again.

They all laughed and Daryl was grateful to have the attention taken off him for abit as he tried to figure out how to talk about California… Without exactly telling the guys about California.

…

“Beth! Hey!”

Beth turned in the lunch line as Rosita – now wearing a pink jacket with familiar black cursive on the back – shoved through the line and came up beside her with a tray of food, grinning wide and shooing off a few others that sent her dirty looks for pushing through them.

“Rosita!” Beth was relieved to see her newest friend. A familiar face was nice after a morning of trying to introduce herself to new people without coming off as too over eager for making companions… It was something Maggie said she did sometimes.

“How were first and second period?” Rosita asked as Beth paid for her lunch and let the dark haired teen lead her through the cafeteria and for the outside pavilion.

“I think I made a mistake picking an AP class for so early in the morning…” Beth admitted sheepishly, making Rosita laugh as they stepped outside, the sun feeling nice with the fresh air.

“Hey, chicas!” Rosita called as she dragged Beth to a table of other girls in pink jackets on or around their waste or thrown over seats like “do not sit here” warnings.

“Hey, Rosita!” a familiar face greeted, making Beth smile. “Oh, hey, pencil girl!”

“Guys, this is Beth Greene. She just moved here from California. Her parents are the ones I told you about that took over the market,” Rosita explained as the girl in the black jacket made room for her.

“Tara Chambler, thanks for this morning. Denise was too nervous to ask,” Tara introduced herself as Beth gave her a smile.

“Oh, it was no problem,” she said shyly, causing another familiar face – well, sort of since Beth could really only see the back of her head – tilted her head at Beth.

“Okay, so this is Andrea, Amy, Sasha, and Enid… Hey, where are Michonne, Lydia, and Sherry?” Rosita asked, motioning to the other side of the table. “Thought they had lunch at this time?”

“Michonne snuck off to go see her football boy toy, Lydia’s probably hiding in the library with Denise, and Sherry is with Dwight,” Andrea – the blonde with the make up from first period – spoke up.

“Lydia’s always antisocial on the first few days anyway,” Amy sighed before taking a bite of her apple.

“You all seen the guys this morning? Caesar is looking pretty good this year, Andrea,” Sasha spoke up, smirking devilishly at her as Beth listened curiously.

“That’s ancient history,” Andrea scoffed, straightening her pink jacket.

“Yeah well you know what they say; history repeats itself,” Enid laughed teasingly, the girls laughing at Andrea’s eye roll.

“Oh leave her be. You know she’s still all hung up on Di-“ Rosita spoke up, being cut off as a high pitched voice cut across the open pavilion.

“Hi, girls!” The voice cheerfully exclaimed, causing them all to groan and cringe while Beth looked back to see two girls dressed similar to herself – one in yellow and one in red – make their way over.

“Look out; it’s Haley Nikolas and Julie Berkley, the bad seeds of Alexandria-Hi!” Andrea cut herself off cheerfully as the two girls – Haley and Julie – came up beside her and Rosita.

“Gosh don’t you just love the first day of school?” the girl in yellow exclaimed cheerfully.

“Hi, Haley,” Andrea sighed with a plastered on fake smile.

“You all will never guess what’s just happened!” Haley cheerfully exclaimed.

“Probably not,” Rosita hummed, making a face.

“I’ve been nominated for Student Council Vice President… Again!” She cheered happily, clapping her hands. “Isn’t it, like, the best?”

“Oh yeah, the best,” Amy replied in mock cheerfulness.

“Oh and Julie is Cheer captain again! Gosh it’s going to be so nostalgic for everyone!” Haley giggled as she looked at Julie as the red dressed girl was looking at Beth.

“You’re new, right?” Julie asked, drawing everyones attention to Beth.

“Oh, well yes I-“ Beth began, being cut off by a loud gasp from Haley.

“Oh you must think I’m a total clod for not introducing myself!” She exclaimed, making her way over to sit by Beth, practically pushing Tara out off the bench.

“Hi, I’m Haley Nikolas and this is my best friend Julie Berkley! Welcome to Alexandri-Ah!” Haley yelped and stood back up quickly, reaching at the seat and pulling an apple out of nowhere. Tara reached over and snatched it angrily from her, biting into it with a huff as the others laughed and Haley looked embarrassed.

“Mm… Ah, well nice to meet you. What’s your name?” Haley asked, wiping down her skirt.

“Beth Greene,” she answered, smiling a little at the overzealous woman and her seemingly more subdued friend.

“Well, Beth, I hope you’ll be at cheerleader tryouts tonight! Julie here is the captain and we just said goodbye to a few seniors and have a few openings and we’d love to have you, right Julie?” Haley turned to her friend with a big smile.

“You ever cheered before?” Julie asked and Beth nodded.

“I was top five back in California,” she explained and Haley squealed happily, shaking her.

“Huh… Well we’ll just have to see how you do then.” Julie mused, trying not to look impressed as she absently touched up her hair.

…

“Whatcha girls think?” Rosita asked as she scooted to Andrea and Amy, the Harrison sisters giving her blank looks.

“Think of what?” Sasha asked, clearly also not getting what Rosita was getting at.

“Do you all think Beth could be a Pink Lady?” Rosita asked, huffing as she Tara snatched up Rosita’s remaining apple, giving her a smug look as Rosita missed smacking at her.

“She’s a little too pure to be Pink,” Andrea drawled, digging her nail file out of her jacket pocket and working at her manicure.

“She’s cool, but she also is kinda square,” Tara mused, biting into the apple.

Sasha shrugged. She was never one to really say anything against something if she saw a problem with it, so Rosita took that as her being okay with the idea. Of course it was Andrea who got the final say, seeing as she was passed down the leader’s jacket from Angela Kang last year before she graduated.

Andrea didn’t seem to impressed with Beth. Rosita could see that clear as day on her friends face. Amy might give her a chance but the junior wasn’t looking to ruffle feathers with her sister over it any time soon.

“So you moved here from california? How exciting! You must miss it, though,” Haley’s chipper loud voice cut into Rosita’s thoughts and she turned to catch Beth sighing.

“I do… But after this summer it wouldn’t have felt the same so a part of me is a little glad we moved,” Beth mused, hugging her purse to her stomach.

“What happened this summer?” Enid asked, crossing her arms on the table and leaning forward, tilting her head curiously.

“I met a boy at my favorite beach… But he couldn’t stay.” She explained with a pretty but sad smile on her face.

“All that woe over some guy?” Andrea snorted, and Beth frowned a little.

“He was sort of special…” She definded lightly as Sasha and Enid smiled and Hayley cooed.

“There ain’t no such thing,” Andrea dismissed, pulling her shades out of her hair and propping them on her face.

“Well… To me, he was… He was special… And very romantic. Sweet and gentle… He’d just turned eighteen and his brother and him were celebrating he said… But he was so shy about it. “ Beth went on, earning an “Awww” from Hayley and a chuckle from Sasha.

“Sounds like love at first sight. How’d you meet on the beach?” She asked and Beth chuckled.

“He thought I was drowning in the water because a wave caught me off guard. It got him too and we just kind of fell ontop of each other! It’s kind of silly but… When our eyes met, it was just… Magic.” She finished with a laugh and the others joined her.

Rosita may think love at first sight was just a ridiculous thing for stories for little girls. But she could tell that Beth herself very much believed it… She’d fallen hard for this guy. Which kind of explained why she seemed so “goodbye summer blues” over everything.

DING-DONG! DING-DONG!

The lunchbell rang and a few people groaned a sthe girls quickly gathered there things and dumped their trays. Hayley wrote down her phone number for Beth on a piece of paper quickly and told her to call if she had any questions about the upcoming tryouts, Julie tugging the girl off as they made for fourth period.

“That guy of yours sounds real nice, Beth,” Enid hummed as she threw on her jacket and they all made their way across the food pavilion and around the building to get to the first floor where they all luckily had classes.

“He ever lay a hand on you?” Amy asked and Beth shook her head, cheeks pink.

“Just holding hands and a kiss…” She said with a shrug and Andrea laughed.

“Guy doesn’t lay a hand on you once? Sounds like a creep to me,” she mused and Beth shook her head.

“No it’s like I said… He was just shy… He was a gentleman the whole time.

“What was this guys name?” Rosita asked, curious now.

“Daryl. Daryl Dixon,” Beth answered and the girls all burst into giggles and Rosita could feel her own expression turn to almost horror until Andrea stopped abruptly and slapped at Amy and Enid, making them all swallow their reactions down as best they could.

“You know… I was wrong. I think he sounds just… Peachy Keen! And, you know, maybe if you believe in miracles and whatnot, your prince charming gentleman will show up again! Maybe somewhere you least expect it...” Andrea gave her a bright smile and Rosita and the girls tried to copy it as well as the warning bell rang.

“See you later. C’mon, girls,” Andrea ushered everyone off, leaving Rosita with Beth.

“You think she’s right, Rosita? I want to have hope I’ll see him again… Just doesn’t seem possible…” Beth sighed and Rosita had to keep from groaning, plastering on her best smile.

“Hey, c’mon, Beth… Andrea is right. You never know…. Lets go. We oughta get to class! Don’t wanna be late on the first day, right?” Rosita spoke quickly and dragged the blond einto the building, casting a glance at the Outlaw Dog lockers and thanking Jesus that He wasn’t at his locker…

She wasn’t sure she was ready for poor Beth to see her “prince charming” so soon.

…

R&R Plz

Chapter Text

The final bell of the day rang on the first day of school as Daryl sat at his bike and removed a cigarette. He could see a few teachers eyeballing him and giving him pointed looks – daring him – as he smirked and took one cigarette out and stuck it behind his ear and put the others away. Rule said not to be smoking on school grounds. No rule against having a cigarette in general. Especially since school was technically out.

The guys had peeled out early – sneaking out of last period to make way for jobs, Horvath’s shop class, home, or wherever they pleased. Martinez had invited bim over to his place after he finished up at the shop – living only a few trailers down from him and knowing damn well what Daryl dealt with at his place – but he declined. He was going to sleep above the shop tonight if Merle wasn’t passed out there. Hell the fucker was probably off at some bar playing pool and hassling some prep hotshot out of their parents hard given cash.

Daryl didn’t plan on going home until this week was over anyway. He knew his old man had a bender coming up with their neighbors the Cloyds and his Uncle Jess and a few other Dixons Daryl had seen crash at the house more times than he cared, but never fully learned how the Hell they were all related...

But thinking of the Cloyds, Daryl pushed himself off his bike, jaw setting as he noticed a pair of familiar figure coming out of the building. He knew they spotted him too, one smirking and the other crossing her arms with an eye roll.

“Where’s she at?” Daryl asked, looking at the smirking brunette.

“Well hey to you too, Dixon. How was your summer? No kiss my ass or nothing?” Tara Chambler was a balsy chick. She always had on these terrible red rimmed glasses shapped like hearts and candy – often found chewing gum or enjoying a DumDum sucker. Drove him nuts to hear her popping away at the damn thing last year when they had class together.

“Hey, Daryl,” Sherry cut in as well, giving him a look over eyeballing the cigarette behind his ear.

Thinking nothing of it, Daryl removed the cig and tossed it to her, smirking as she grinned and eagerly caught it. Sherry was okay for a chick. She was always cool to him and even seemed to get along with Merle. As much as one could get along with the big idiot.

Her boyfriend Dwight was a good friend of Daryl and Merle. He’d dropped out last year but had gotten a job with Dale Horvath at the shop to help keep some income and for the old man to keep an eye on him since Dwight’s parents were the type to split for months… That was Ol’ Dale for you, though. He was always trying to look out for all of them. Like he was their old man or something.

“Hey,” He responded, handing her his lighter. “Thought you quit?”

“Old habits die hard, you know?” She mused, taking a puff as Tara waved the smoke away.

“You and the guys going to the rally?” Tara asked, shoving her hands in her jacket pocket.

“Hell nah,” Daryl scoffed. “Same shit every year.”

“That’s too bad. We were all thinking of crashing. Andrea said something about sneaking some of her dads good alcohol even,” Sherry cut in as Daryl went to get another cigarette from his pack.

“Hmm,” Daryl hummed, making a face.

Andrea had been all over Merle in her freshman year. They’d been an on and off thing all the way up until Merle split completely from high school and Martinez took over as leader of the OD’s and Daryl stayed at second in command (much to Merle’s annoyance). She was always trying to sink her nails into him. Especially after they’d had one good roll around last year.

“Relax. She’s got eyes for Martinez this year,” Tara smirked, seeing the look on his face and reading it for what it was; annoyance. “So don’t be a square and come hang with us at the Rally… Besides. Might see something you like.”

The mischievous look on Tara’s face made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and he wanted to shake out what she was on about but he caught sight of the time and grunted. Giving a shrug and “We’ll see”, Daryl stepped through the girls and made for the library, ignoring Tara yelling something his way as he went down the hall.

…

Beth had made a stop at the schools pay phones and called her daddy to let him know she was going to be home a little later than planned. He’ been upset but he trusted her and would send Shawn to pick her up later.

Cheerleader tryouts weren’t for awhile, but the pretryouts were the first day. That meant they had less than a week to pick up a routine that Julie set up. Then they would have to perform the routine with all the senior members and then together before they were picked off.

“You know you’ll look really cute in the colors,” a slightly familiar voice spoke up behind her as she stepped out of the gym, making her jump a little.

“Eric!” Beth exclaimed, her startled expression changing to a smile as she hugged him in greeting before noting a handsome male with slightly curly brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a baseball player Letterman jacket and smiling at them both.

“Oh, this is Aaron. Aaron, this is Beth,” Eric introduced, motioning the two as Aaron politely shook Beth’s hand.

“Eric went on about you all morning. Glad I got to meet you,” Aaron chuckled and Beth giggled as Eric scoffed out a “not all morning” before Julie blew into a whistle and called for everyone to come have a seat before warm-ups.

“Just wanted to wish you luck! Have fun,” Eric explained. “And just try to ignore Julie’s snippy attitude!”

Beth smiled and mouthed a thank you before rushing over to the other girls as Aaron and Eric made their way to the track and started walking rather close, Eric waving his arms enthusiastically while Aaron nodded along.

“Okay, girls, here’s the deal... Some of you stink. Some of you are not going to make it on my squad. Do I care if you were varsity before or not? No,” Julie began, eyes landing briefly on Beth as she took a seat by a girl with short brunette hair. “I care about us not being pathetic. I care about us making ASH look good even when our lousy team is failing. I care about winning our annual cheering event. So I want the best. I always get the best…. So give me your best, or walk away.”

Beth frowned and bit her lip as Hailey – sitting with the senior crew that was saved a spot – nodded and gave golf claps while a few of the others around her squirmed, muttering under their breath as Julie snatched a clipboard from a boy with blondish-brown hair and a scowl on his face.

“Warm ups are first, then we start breaking down the routine after my girls show you how it’s done… So are there any questions? No? Good.” Julie placed the whistle to her lips and blew, causing a few of the girls to jump and Beth to grimace.

Maybe she should’ve looked into other after school activities…

…

It didn’t take Daryl long to find Her. She had discovered this spot their freshman year and always migrated to it after school; a desk tucked in the very back of the library behind the musty ass history books the size of Merle’s big head that nobody ever messed with.

Daryl had known Denise Cloyd for years. Her brother Dennis was one of the original Outlaw Dogs. Like merle, he’d split from school before his senior year and they both still ran around and got into bullshit here and there.... But what the Cloyd twins shared in common with Daryl and Merle was they had real shitty parents. Although that was a good chunk of people in the Rydell Trailer Park; white trash drunks and their white trash kids.

Unlike his parents, Dean and Donna Cloyd were the type of white trash that simply ignored their kids and disappeared for weeks on benders. Will Dixon liked to run off with the Cloyd’s, but he always seemed to find his way back a week before them and would spend another week still drinking and making him and Merle fight each other or the other neighborhood kids or going at them with the belt… Least until they go older. Then it was just a lot of drunk swinging with Daryl even having to keep Merle from actually murdering their old man more than once… Though he doesn’t know why he stopped him…

“Hey,” Denise greets with a lopsided smile, shaking him from his thoughts as he tilted his head in acknowledgement.

“Tara send you?” She asked and Daryl shook his head.

“Nah. Ran into her though,” he huffed, coming to take a seat across from her on the other chair available at the desk.

“Told her she should head home. I was probably going to head to the public library after this anyway,” Denise shrugged and Daryl eyed her through his bangs.

“They home?” Daryl asked after a few beats.

“Yeah… They were still so out of it when I left this morning they thought I was Dennis at first. Guess I can’t blame them, what with how their eyesight gets when drunk and all,” Denise replied bitterly, pushing up her glasses and Daryl grunted.

“What are you doing here?” Denise asked and Daryl gave a one shoulder shrug.

“Didn’t see you get on the bus…“ he trailed off and Denise gave him a smile that made him duck his head.

He’d never say it out loud – didn’t know if he could – but he cared about Denise. She’d patched him up, seen him at his worst, had dealt with him at his worst… But she still talked to him, still smiled at him, and still cared about his well being… And he cared about hers.

“I’ll give ya a ride. Gotta go to the shop later, anyway. It’s that way,” he grumbled and Denise opened her mouth to protest but Daryl picked up one of her crumbled papers of notes and chucked it at her, making her huff and grumble out a “fine” with another small smile.

He’d rather be sitting here than dealing with Merle right after school anyway.

…

R&R Plz!

Chapter Text

The first week of school flew by faster than Beth expected. She had so much to tell Maggie – who had started seeing this boy she met at the Malt Shop but was being so secretive about it – and was constantly teasing Beth about picking up cheerleading again. But had been excited for Beth making the team, knowing it was something Beth liked as much as singing or dancing or performing.

The only time things seemed down was when they would receive a letter – each of them seperatly – from Shawn. He had volunteered for Vietnam and Beth knew it had Mama real worried. It seemed the news had all kinds of terrible things about the war to talk about and the longer it was between letters, the more it strained on Mama. Her daddy was also concerned, but he was a work it off kind of man. He would work hard at the market he’d bought and he’d have Mama come along to get her mind off things and out of the house.

Beth was worried too. But she had faith that Shawn would be okay. He was a reselent kind of guy. Maggie agreed with her, so Beth tried to fill her letters to him with good things and would send him pictures and magazine cut outs and would find a way to send his favorite candies or a few patches of a quilt her and Mama were sewing. She didn’t know what Maggie sent him or what her parents did, but she hoped they were being as light and supportive as they could.

When Beth wasn’t worrying about her brother or learning the ins and outs of her new school or cheerleading or working at the Market, Beth’s thoughts always brought her back to a well missed warm beach and a young man with deep blue eyes that made her heart feel like it was going to burst with joy and sorrow… She missed Daryl Dixon dearly. She wondered if he missed her and still kicked herself for not getting his contact information so she could at least send him letters…

“Earth to Beth Greene!” A cheerful, now familiar voice brought Beth out of her thoughts as she blinked and found Eric and Aaron approaching her as she sat on the bleachers, waiting for rehearsal. Friday had come and gone and Beth had practice an hour after school. Julie was very stern about being on time so Beth had changed in the girl’s bathroom and had rushed to the stands, seeing the football players lining up as the couch yelled at them some play nonsense she didn’t really understand.

“Hi!” she greeted happily, glad to see the two again.

Eric had made it his duty to check up on her this week, helping her understand any questions about things and of course keeping her up on gossip for every school “group”. Which was really something Beth was having a hard time with. At her old school, there hadn’t been this much of an emphasize on social standing. Everyone just blended together. Here, it was like the law! Jocks don’t mix with Geeks. Greasers don’t mix with bobby-socks or really much of anyone. Pink Ladies – Rosita’s friends – dated the Greasers and were “bad” girls…. It was all head spinning really.

“Sooo I noticed something while you were off in la la land,” Eric hummed as he took a seat beside her, Aaron excusing himself as one of the football players called him down.

“What?” Beth asked, unable to help but smile whenever Eric was around. He was a bit… Strange. But he always was so kind and happy, even with the very horrible things Beth had heard people calling him and even wanting to throw at Aaron.

“Our star running back has been eyeballing you practically the whole time we’ve been here,” Eric pointed out, casting a glance to the field and making Beth turn in time to see that – sure enough – she had a player wearing the number Twenty One in big bold letters, watching her.

He cast a grin her way before he was being ushered into the huddle of their couch going over a play again and Beth felt herself blush a little. He was kind of handsome… Not like Him, but he was in his own way. She’d seen him around the school a few times too and hadn’t seen him be rude or brass with anyone, always walking around with his teammates and especially a curly haired brunette male wearing the number one on his jersey.

“Shane Walsh, star running back, best friend to the QB Rick Grimes, one of many ex-boyfriends of Andrea Harrison, drives a real nice Ford – something Mark II or whatever – and one of the few players that isn’t a complete bicep brain,” Eric mused as he took a grinned at Beth’s light blush. “Not bad.”

Beth giggled as Eric nudged her and she shook her head, trying not to seem interested. Which she wasn’t. Not really. Her thoughts were too focused on Daryl… On summer at the beach in California… Of their last time together. Her mind was flooded with that sad look he’d given her as they said their last goodbye, her hand absently reaching up to twiddle the leather of her necklace… She wondered if he kept her braid, her other hand absently touching where the local salon had fixed her up the day before school started so you couldn’t tell she’d cut a whole chunk of hair off.

“Uh-oh. I know that look… Lost love? Or have you been keeping a crush secret?” Eric asked and Beth’s blush flamed as she bit her lower lip.

“Not really… I met a boy over summer… And any time I even look at another guy or they look at me… I just can’t help but think about him, you know?” Beth answered before telling him all about Daryl and their time at the beach, keeping out a few of the more tender private moments but seeing that Eric was catching it.

“Oooh you got it bad, huh?” He surmised and Beth sighed.

“I feel like such an idiot. I never got his phone number or an address to write to… I tried to look him up in the phone book but… Anyway, it’s kind of silly, really.”Beth shrugged and Eric gave her a look of pitty.

“What was his name?” Eric asked.

Beth opened her mouth to reply when she heard a familiar whistle and Julie yelling up at her to “get her butt down on the field already” and Beth quickly had to excuse herself, saying a quick bye to Aaron as well as she passed him and came to sit with the other girls, plastering on a smile and putting her mind of practice.

Tomorrow was the rally and she didn’t want to make a complete idiot of herself and mess up or something.

…

“Dixon! Move your ass!”

HONK! HONKKKK!

Daryl scowled as he glanced out the upstairs window of the shop as he pulled his shirt on. He’d just had a quick shower out back with the hose and a bar of soap and some random shampoo leftover. The water had been fucking freezing, but it’d gotten the job done and no way was he going home until Sunday so he could check on his Ma. And mostly because that’s when his old man would leave for his upcoming bender, according to Merle.

Throwing his leather on and tying up his boots, Daryl took the steps two at a time before heading out after making sure the shop was locked up. They didn’t work in the best neighborhood but everyone around here knew better than to fuck with the Dixon shop. Still, Daryl kept the place locked up and did a light job, hopping over the door and falling into the front passenger seat as Caesar grumbled at him while the other greeted him loudly and gleefully.

“Why we going to this stupid thing, anyway?” Daryl asked as they made their way for the field not too far behind the football field where they held the rally and the big bonfire. It was pretty much the same shit every damn year with the coaches saying some bullshit speech and everyone cheering like idiots.

“Heard the new picking for the squad is real nice,” Zach spoke up from the back as he passed a beer up to Daryl, most likely having swiped them from his own old man. Daryl brushed it off and looked at Ceasar, seeing the annoyed expression on his face… A familiar annoyed expression.

“You fucking kidding me…” Daryl grumbled, grabbing his cigarettes.

“Fuck off, pendejo,” Ceasar growled, confirming exactly what Daryl didn’t want to fucking deal with.

Andrea Harrison had gotten her manicured nails into Ceasar again. The two had apparently been on and off this summer and Daryl knew she must’ve coaxed him to come with all of them. Just as he was sure that’s why Tara and Sherry had tried to coax him to think about going to this damn rally.

“That pussy may be fine and she may have some sugar tits, but that woman is one fucking manipulative bitch! Real crazy ones are fun but damn, li’l brother, they are a pain in the ass to shake off. Like a real bad itch, ya know?”

Merle’s words from long ago after his and Andrea’s final break up seemed truer than ever, He never put too much stock into what Merle said anymore, but sometimes he had to agree with his brother. Andrea was manipulative and she got what she wanted when she wanted… If she told Ceasar to jump then she was going to get him to jump.

They made out the cheering, pulling up as the football team came charging out and the crowd greeted them eagerly as Rick Grimes lead the charge with douchbag Shane Walsh not far behind. He pulled himself out of the vehicle as the band played and he saw cheerleaders bouncing around.

“There he is!” Zach happily exclaimed, unaware the others had been talking.

Pulling a cig out, Daryl watched as Pete Dolgan drove up in a loud junker, the engine popping and the damn thing looking one shake away from falling apart.

“Whatcha think?” Pete asked as he turned off the engine and held his hands out wide.

“What a hunk of junk!” T-Dog spoke up, causing everyone to laugh, even making Daryl snicker a bit. It really was a real hunk of junk. Pete had money, they all knew it. Where the Hell had they gotten the damn thing?

Pete scowled and slouched in his seat, muttering under his breath before he got out of the car. The guys ribbed him as the bonfire was kicking off again. Daryl could hear Coach O’Donnell yelling some bullshit or other about the Gladiators being ready this year to “rip apart” the Terminus High Piranha’s and make it to the all high championship

Which was a loud of bullshit. The Gladiators hadn’t won a championship since way before Daryl or even Merle was born. They always tripped ass at the finish line anyway. And just because they had star boy Grimes and his lug headed asshole buddy Walsh, that didn’t mean shit and Daryl could only scoff.

“Dixon! Get your head outta your ass, man, you’re the top mechanic! Look at the car!” Zach yelled over the band as Daryl smacked him upside the head and came over to take a look at Pete’s car, coming to a halt as they all heard a familiar reviving of engines.

“What are the Saviors doing here?” Tyreese asked slowly as they all tensed up, a sharp black Mercury Custom with dark and light silver barbed wire painted around in a wild design with the hood sporting a hood ornament with a silver bat with barbed wire wrapped around it.

Sitting in the driver seat was none other than their leader; star baseball player for West Savior Preparatory Academy on the other side of town, Negan. With his buddy Simon taking up the front passenger seat and three unknowns sprawled in the back.

 They were all a buncha rich kids with a lot of money and parents with high paying jobs. Negan’s old man ran “Kirkman’s”, a business that sold vehicles, vehicle accessories, and parts. The guy also owned and ran “Savior’s”, a bar where Negan ran his group from. Thus where their name came from. Certainly not from them being some kinda saints.

“Think they wanna rumble?” Ceasar asked, getting his switchblade out and ready as he came up beside Daryl, staring Negan down.

“If they do, we’re ready for ‘em,” Daryl growled as Negan gave a huge grin their way and a mock salute before he was taking off, his Mercury Custom shooting flames as he ripped out of the parking lot like Hell itself was up his ass.

“Those Saviors… They’re cruising for a bruisin, man!” Zach growled, flipping the car off as it took off down the road, yelping as Pete dragged him off the hood of the junker.

Daryl waited until he couldn’t see the Mercury anymore before he was shaking his head and turned to look at Caesar. His friend had a thoughtful look on his face as he slowly put his knife away before running a comb through his hair and muttering to himself in Spanish. Pocketing the comb, he gave Daryl a “you with me?” look; asking Daryl if he’d have his back if shit went down.

Daryl gave a nod and Caesar smirked before he was barking at Zach and Noah as the two got into a shoving match while Pete explained to Tyreese about how and where he got the car from.

…

Beth had messed up her big split towards the end of their big cheer. Not enough that someone would notice, but she knew Julie and Haley would notice and she was not ready to have her breathing down her neck over it… But even so, she’d landed it well enough and the cheer went on.

As she sat listening to the Coach – who was riling the players up – Beth caught eyes with a familiar set of brown eyes. Number Twenty One, Shane Walsh, gave her a grin and mouthed the words “Hey” her way. Flushing a little, Beth gave a shy “Hi” and tiny wave back before tucking in her braid and smiling as he grinned happily. He opened his mouth, seeming ready to mouth something else, but Beth was suddenly drawn back in to the other girls standing and throwing their arms up, pom poms waving as they bounced and the crowd cheered. Suddenly – like the practice – Beth was following the others to the bonfire blazing high, running around and happily throwing her poms in the air as they cheered and bounced for the players, who were standing in their chairs and roaring with adrenaline.

“You did great, Beth!” Haley squealed as she hugged Beth from behind once she could bounce out of the fire circle, laughing as a few other girls came up and hugged her as well. She was still learning everyone’s name, but since Julie had yelled at her more than once – apparently still not impressed or convinced of her former cheerleader status back in California – she figured her name was easiest to remember.

“Hey, Beth!” a familiar voice cut over the girls as they chattered away happily, someone saying something about a sleepover party at their place as Beth looked around until she spotted a nice light pink Studebaker – similar to the one Maggie bought once she saved the money for it – where Rosita was waving her over excitedly.

Excusing herself, Beth ran over to her friend and gave her a hug, which she returned with a laugh. Beth was happy to see Rosita. They only got to see each other briefly for lunch and while Beth liked most of the girls, she didn’t feel like many of the Pink Lady’s liked her… Especially Andrea…

“You were really great. Chica!” Rosita congratulated, playfully tugging on Beth’s ponytail and grinning.

“Thanks, Rosita… I can’t believe you came?” Beth said, remembering the girls saying they weren’t normally attendees of the bonfire.

“And miss your first big cheer, no way!” Tara called out, approaching them with a grin. Beside her was a girl Beth had seen sitting next to Tara in class; dirty brown hair and glasses, wearing a heavy sweater and giving Beth a small smile and wave.

“Oh my split was really grody… I totally messed up,” Beth sighed and Rosita laughed.

“Well I thought it was devoom,” Amy spoke up, smiling beside her sister as Andrea was giving her a large smile as well.

“Hey, Beth,” Andrea greeted nice enough, though Beth felt suddenly more nervous than she did during her cheer.

“Hi, Andrea,” she greeted back slowly, tilting her head as she felt Rosita fixing at her hair and skirt while Tara handed her a brush from the back of the car.

“What’s going on- Where are we going?” Beth asked as Amy and Sherry and Rosita began suddenly pushing her, primping at her while Andrea lead the way and Tara was grinning like the cat that caught a canary.

“We got a surprise for you!” Andrea explained simply, glancing back before continueing to lead the way, Beth looking at the girls nervously as they all just smiled aor giggled.

The only one that looked as confused and concerned as she felt was the silent friend of Tara’s.