Thank you all for the reviews, messages, and follows. Makes me feel good to know so many like this story. Very interesting points made from the last chapter, as this story goes on, some clarity will come. I am on this roller coaster ride with you. Sadly I own nothing from TWD…Please forgive spelling and grammar errors. Enjoy!

42 days later…

After several weeks of feeling blah, Rick was over it. Every day for the last 42 days he had the same routine…well actually nothing really changed in the routine, but he had changed. He was not the same Rick from 42 days ago. It had been 42 days since RJ laid the law down on Rick. 42 days that he had not dreamed, or at least he could not remember any of his dreams. 42 days since Rick felt as if he were a newborn, discovering life newly for the first time. 42 days since he had had a real, non-superficial conversation with his father and his mother. 42 days he has felt he was existing like the living dead…in slow motion. 42 days since he was banned from Michonne, and they weren't even dating…yet.

"Hey fucker"

"Sup man"

"You feeling any better?" Daryl asked as he sat down in the school courtyard. They met for lunch every day, always outside when the weather permitted.

"Naw man, I mean same old shit really"

"I'm sorry Rick" Daryl mumbled, his mouth full of a bologna and cheese sandwich.

Daryl felt bad for his best friend. He had never seen him down like this, albeit Rick was not winning the any "Happiest Asshole Alive" awards, but Daryl had never seen his lifelong friend like this, hell he was the one always needing cheering up.

"Thanks, man…look I'll be alight. Just hard to come to terms with ya know" Rick sighed, feeling dejected.

"Yea man" Daryl said as he half assed wiped the mayo from the corner of his mouth, now stuffing it with Doritos.

"Naw, man I know you know, but shit, you have to admit you knew what your family was like from the get go, from the day you were fucking born man" Rick shook his head and let out a laugh of disgust, which that laugh was also caused by Daryl's continued lack of table manners.

"True" Daryl stated in a comeback as he burped loudly "I guess it would be real hard when you thought your parents were one thang and they end up being something else"

"I know right", Rick was starting to get animated; he still couldn't believe all the bull shit his father was talking about. "He is just a mother fucker, a racist asshole bitch hiding behind the badge of the law. I'm bout to be 18, who the hell he think he is…telling me "you best be moaning and groaning out somebody else name"" Rick mocked his father with animated hand gestures, shaking his head back and forth imitating his father's voice. "He ain't nothing but a little punk ass bitch man" It was really easy for Rick to talk this much shit about his father behind his back, to his face however…probably never, he knew how his father could get.

"For sure man", since Rick was going off, Daryl decided it was best to keep his answers short, simple, and supportive. It had been a long time since he has seen Rick this upset with his parents…ever since he was unknowingly caught up in Shane's friendship-ending shenanigans - where Shane set off firecrackers at the pep rally last year and everyone ran for the hills thinking it was a school shooter. Rick tried to plead his non involvement, but Shane had hid the fireworks in Rick's trunk, therefore guilty by association. Rick was suspended for 3 days and lost his car for 6 months; while Shane was sent off to alternative school for 6 months.

Changing the subject, Daryl knew once Rick got stuck on something he could keep it going all night, "Hey man so you going to the bonfire this weekend?"

"Huh?" Rick looked confused, he was caught off guard by the sudden subject change, his brain hadn't caught up yet.

"Oh, yea, well maybe" Rick said somewhat unsure.

"Aww man don't back out now, we should make an appearance at least, don't let this shit with your parents keep dragging you down Rick, you act like you like being miserable. Besides, I heard Sasha and Michonne were going to be there?" Daryl was going to lay it on thick…he tried to be empathetic, but part of him wanted to tell Rick just to get over it, it wasn't the end of the world, a lot of people have shitty parents who threaten to beat they kids assess. Hell, his dad didn't threaten, he put his fist and belt where his mouth was, wouldn't no threats handed down when it came to Chester Dixon.

Rick scoffed, knowing what his friend was doing, "Yea yea we gon go asshole…but I ain't your dam date, better hook up with Sasha with your craving ass…Dixon I don't do that gay shit, gonna scare the ladies off" Rick laughed, first real laugh in 42 days.

With an unimpressed look and an arched eyebrow, Daryl knew his best friend was as parched for Michonne as much as he was with Sasha. He flipped Rick the bird as he rose up from his seat on the old, faded hard concrete patio bench.

"Ughh my ass hurts sitting on this shit", Daryl whined as he raised his arms and arched his back in a long stretch. He then let out a loud nasty watery fart…

"Like I said" Rick looked around making sure no one heard that, they might think it was him…he choked, waving his hands to shew the funk away… "You're a real nasty fucker Daryl…and I ain't down with all that gay shit"

"Fucker" Daryl growled as he flipped Rick birds from both hands.

"You eat and smell like a pig" Rick jabbed towards Daryl's back.

"Oink Oink boo thang" Daryl said over his shoulder, never look back towards Rick.

30 min later…

Once again Rick was mesmerized; she was just so fucking beautiful, he couldn't help but stare on the sly. Michonne could feel his eyes burning through her, but she played it off pretending she didn't notice it. If her complexion was any lighter, the entire class would be noticing her blush.

"Somebody needs to tell Rick's ass he needs to take a picture it would last longer" Andrea whispered to the fantastic foursome- Michonne, Maggie, Sasha, and of course herself.

They all snickered as quiet as possible. Chem lab was broken down in groups of 4 today, and after Mr. Dale's announcement that he had a meeting and gave the class verbal instructions, they flocked to each other as they usually do.

However, as soon as Mr. Dale left the room…

"I think it's cute" Maggie chimed in with dreamy stars in her eyes.

"Ughh puke" Sasha stuck her finger in her throat. "Its borderline creepy, I mean shit or get off the pot. He's had goo-goo eyes for Michonne since like 9th grade, hell we all grown now and he still a wanna be stunna."

"Amen girl" Andrea piped in, her and Sasha gave each other the look, bumped shoulders with each other and sang in unison…"Number 1 stunna...he's a number 1 stunna" as they pursed their lips, shrugged their shoulders to the invisible rhythm and did the tootsie roll to their little song"

Michonne rolled her eyes "You know I'm right here"

Her 3 best friends ignored her…"He's just shy, he scared of Michonne" Maggie said, like it was the most obvious thing. Her daddy was a preacher like Michonne's daddy, they might as well have a big red "Do not touch" sign over their heads.

"Well I disagree" Andrea had to put in her 2 cents…"Rick may have the hots for Michonne true enough, but he is a coward. We got like 7 months of high school left, what the hell is he waiting on? Michonne needs a go getter, not a pot shitter"

"I concur" Sasha stated as she and Andrea gave each other high 5's.

Rolling her eyes once more, "I think he is shy, I mean I have never seen him really talking to any girls" Michonne made her self known in the conversation as she was the topic of discussion.

"What about Jessie?" Sasha reminded Michonne of the cling on Rick had following him around all last year

"You mean the thirsty turtle?" Maggie said a little louder than she intended

"SSSSSSHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" came the exaggerated hush that only Andrea could conjure.

The girls all shared a laugh at their nick name, they were proud of themselves.

"Rick didn't want her boring flat ass, and I know that fist hand," Sasha let that one slip as Daryl had told her all about that, but she and Daryl were on the DL-down low…since about 42 days ago.

"First hand huh?" Michonne cheesed at Sasha, happy to turn the tables on the conversation.

"He needs to grow a pair" Andrea deadpanned with a shake to her head…"and wait…what? "… She had just caught Sasha's slip up

"Ok class, sorry about that, had an impromptu meeting, back to work now" Mr. Dale interrupted the foursomes conversation as he made his way back into the classroom.

Andrea raised her eye brow at Sasha with a knowing look…" look bitch we gon finish this later"

At that point, Michonne and Maggie both were also giving Sasha the eye, letting her know they were indeed all going to finish up this conversation at a later time.

Michonne looked up and immediately met eyes with Rick…he had been staring at her-still.

She discretely looked around and relented to his stare by giving him a small grin and a nod.

Ricks heart sped up, the butterflies were karate kicking in his stomach…but he kept it cool on the outside as he smirked and nodded his head in her direction…this was their thing…a nod to acknowledge her acknowledging him.

Later on that day…after school

As Rick told Daryl he would text him later on that night, he headed to his car…time to put on his facade so he could make it through another night at home. He had so many questions to ask his father, and his mother too, she wasn't innocent either. He had made mental notes these last 42 days… about 42 mental notes. He knew he would probably never get the answer to his questions, so he was just going to bite his tongue and ride the waves until May 24th-graduation day. Interrupting his thoughts a text chimed through…

Are you on your way home yet?-Love Mom

Yes ma'am, is there anything you need?

Yes, use your debit card to pick up a few things at Piggly Wiggly for me?

Sure, what do you need mom—Rick rolled his eyes

Call me Rick

With that, Ricked hit the telephone icon within the text message so he could find out what she wanted.

"Hey sweetie, how was your day?

"It was fine mom thanks, what did you need me to get" Rick was trying not to be short with his mother, but he couldn't help it, these days that all he wanted to do.

She sighed, knowing that her son has not been acting the same since the "encounter", she thought he was embarrassed about being caught literally with his manhood in his hands…she shuddered again wanting to burn that image from her brain. "Honey I need a list of things, get some chicken breasts, I ran off and forgot to take the meat out the freezer this morning, and get some of that brown sugar bourbon marinade, or do you want the Mexican carne seasoning? She asked hoping to get him excited about something.

"Whatever mom doesn't matter to me, I'll eat whatever you cook"

"Rick sweetie, you choose please?"

"Well" he huffed "I do like the Mexican grilled chicken you make" he tried not to give in, but his mom was a bomb ass cook and he was starting to get hungry.

"Ok" his mother rushed, happy to see him participating " So ok, get that then also some corn on the cob-10 ears, some cilantro, 2 limes, let me check to see if I have any chili powder left… oh some jalapenos, Jason loves those…Oh and…"

"Mom", Rick cut his mother off… can you just text me the list, I'm not going to remember all that"

"Oh sure honey, I'm sorry, give me 5 minutes ok"

"That's fine; I won't be there until then anyways"

"Thanks honey bun…love you sweetie and thank you"

"No problem mom" he quickly ended the call without a proper goodbye, he felt a little bit bad for shutting out his mother, but he had to keep reminding himself she was aligned with his father…how else would his father know all those details of that day.

As soon as he hung up with his mother, his phone rings again…"What the hell she want now"

"Yes"

"Hey stupid"

"What do you want Jason", his 14 year old brother wanted nothing but to harass him at all times

"Come pick me up"

"No, bye"

"Wait!'

"What"

"Get me a Dr Pepper and some Takis"

"No" Rick was not in the mood.

"Please Rick you never do anything with me or for me anymore"

"Jase, that's not true and you know that" he sighed, it was sorta true…since 42 days ago.

"Do it or I'll tell dad" Jason wasn't really going to rat out his brother but he wanted those snacks.

"Tell dad what?" Rick growled, he was starting to get real aggravated.

His baby brother whispered "I saw the picture of that black girl in your drawer and dad says…"

"Look you little asshole shut up, I'll get you your shit, but I'm getting first sip of that drank—got to tax your ass, and tonight we gonna talk about a thang or two, just keep your mouth shut"

"Ok Ricky Dicky" his brother said smugly then ended the call.

"Fucker" nothing but dial tone…

As Rick gathered all the items, including the bribe ones, he started to feel a presence as he headed towards the checkout… her presence.

"Michonne?" he whispered to himself and looked around paranoid, wondering why he felt like she was close to him. He was so in thought that he hadn't notice he was second in line to the cashier.

"Michonne?" he said a little louder.

She looked right at him, for a moment time stood still…but again with the head nods.

"That'll be $13.98"

Rick was mesmerized by her smooth velvety voice, he could listen to her talk all day and night, it was like a hug…he desperately needed a hug.

"Out of 15?...$1.02 is your change Mrs Jackie", she said as she gently placed the change in the older woman's hands. "Thank you and have a great day!" she said with a smile.

"You too sweetie, don't work too hard now ya hear?" the older woman said sincerely.

"I won't…see you later" she waved as the lady exited the store. She then turned to Rick wearing that bright beautiful smile.

"Hey Rick" big doe eyes peered up at him through her lengthy lashes.

His heart stopped…It took Rick a second but words finally found him "Hey, Michonne"