A/N: Hello! So basically my best friend forced me into doing this 'prompt-a-day' kind of thing. I'm going to write little drabbles with prompt words at the beginning for 365 days, totaling in 365 chapters. I'm hoping to get some sense of continuity between chapters, but they are prompts so they might not all go together right away. Also, they're starting before the zombie apocalypse and will take Daryl and this OC through the beginning of their relationship and into the canon series.

Thank you for giving this story a chance! Read as much or as little as you'd like.

Prompt: New Year's

.o.o.o.

Daryl Dixon was never one for New Year's parties. He figured they were for the rich and fancy to buy as much booze as they could and get drunk. He did that every weekend anyway.

Annabelle Branan hated New Year's parties. She hated the glitz and glamour her roommates would don, as though it would fool any self-respecting millionaire into taking them home. She hated that they would drag her to these parties to try and get her laid.

"Anna, we have to stop by Wal-Mart for some more wine coolers." Jessica pulled the hem of her sequined mini-dress down so that it covered her ass. Anna rolled her eyes, sliding out of the limousine her two roommates rented. She adjusted her silver tank top and leather biker jacket as she waited for her other roommate, Allie, to pop out of the limo too.

"We already bought the entire stock of wine at the Wal-Mart back home. How much more do we need?" Anna asked, following the two scantily clad girls into the Wal-Mart. Their stiletto heels clicked on the linoleum, while Anna followed behind them in knee-high boots. She glanced around, seeing if she could be recognized by any of the patrons. The only other customer was a light-haired redneck gaping at them while holding two six-packs.

"Anna, hurry up!" Jess paused, seeing her designated driver had stopped. Anna quickly looked away from the redneck, trying not to think about the muscles that were showing from his sleeve-less shirt. They grabbed three more bottles of champagne and four cases of fruity wine coolers. Anna tried to avoid the stares of the cashers, clearly judging the group of girls. Jess and Allie rushed to put back the cart, leaving Anna with the task of paying the hefty alcohol bill. Mentally moaning, she pulled out her credit card and swiped the bill, reminding herself to raise their shares of the rent this month. But then she was faced with the task of taking the booze to the limo by herself. Without a cart.

"Need sum help?" Anna jumped and came face-to-face with the redneck she saw earlier. He was smirking, seeing her large purchase. "All that fer ya?"

"No, my roommates and I were heading to a party…" Anna trailed off as he stooped to pick up two of her wine cooler cases and one of the bags of wine. Anna picked up the rest and led the way to the car, trying not to let her embarrassment show. They stopped at the limo and the redneck looked impressed.

"We're only renting it." Anna muttered, opening a passenger door and tossing the cases in. As she took the cases from the redneck, their fingers brushed, making Anna blush hard. He was standing close enough to where she could smell the cigarettes on his breath.

"Do ya ladies need an escort?" He asked, still smirking. He had seen her turn red and laughed to himself. Why would she be blushing over him?

"I… We don't even know you." Anna stammered, surprised he'd even offer. She slammed the door and moved to the front to drive. The crummy rental place didn't even offer drivers.

"Which party ya goin' to?" He asked, catching the driver's door as she swung it open. Anna paused, knowing that he wouldn't let it go until she told him.

"Michael Pressler's down on 45th Street." Anna couldn't help making a face as she said his name. "An old ex-boyfriend." She explained seeing his confused expression.

"Then why ya goin'?" He asked, leaning his chin on his hand on her door. Anna huffed impatiently and brushed her dark brown hair out of her face.

"Because he's my roommate's boyfriend now." She said quietly. Leaving out that Jess cheated with him for months before he broke up with her out of pity. Anna couldn't wait to graduate so she could escape her shitty roommates.

"Oh." He let go of her door and Anna quickly got in and started the car. He took a step back, allowing her room to pull away. But she didn't. Rolling down her window, Anna looked at the redneck again.

"What's your name?"

"Daryl."

"Annabelle."

.o.o.o.

Just as Anna figured, Mike's party was totally lame. He gathered the richest and stupidest of all his friends to fill his 'luxury penthouse apartment'. The boys acted like they were back at the frat house, playing beer pong, chugging beer, or doing harder shots in such quick succession, Anna was glad she wouldn't have their headache in the morning.

She stood in the corner, looking out at the Atlanta skyline as the moon shone on thousands of partying people who were having more fun than her. Sipping her glass of champagne, Anna sighed.

"Can't have much fun here in tha corner all by yerself." Anna jumped and stared at Daryl with wide eyes.

"How the hell did you get in here?" She asked. The redneck hardly fit in around all the fancy party people. His worn, red plaid shirt with the sleeves ripped off stuck out like a sore thumb. He laughed.

"Mike buys from my brother." He offered as an explanation. Anna's mouth formed a little 'o' as she realized what that meant. "Nevermind, let's just ditch this place." He took Anna's hand and pulled her from the party, taking her to the staircase instead of using the elevator. But instead of going down, he took her up. Kicking open the secured door to the rooftop, he spread his arms as though he created the scene himself.

"Wow…" Anna stared at Atlanta with a small smile. She always loved the city, being born and raised in Chicago before moving down south with her Dad after her parents' divorce. She swallowed the last of her champagne before turning to Daryl.

"Why'd you take me here? You don't even know me." Anna tried not to sound like she was accusing him, but it was bothering her.

"I don' really know. I jus' saw you and wanted ta make ya smile." He muttered, looking down now. "Ya seemed really unhappy."

"I- uh, thank you." Anna clamped her open mouth shut and smiled out at the skyline.

FIVE

"Oh what was tha one tradition? Where ya do sumthin' when the count is over?"

FOUR

"The… New Years kiss thing?"

THREE

"Oh yeah that one… ya got someone ta kiss?"

TWO

"Nope."

ONE

Daryl turned to Anna, as she smiled shyly at him. He dipped his head and gently pressed his lips to hers.

They both knew this year was going to be a good one.