Name: Hard to Love

Pairing: Daryl x Carol

Warnings: Language. (More warnings should arise as we get further into the story)

Summary: Daryl is a freshman in high school struggling to find his way when he crosses paths with a kindhearted older girl, Carol. Despite having totally different lives, can they manage to grow closer? Or, perhaps they are more alike than they appear.

AN: Hello, welcome to my new fanfic. Just so you know, this chapter is more of an intro chapter. Daryl and Carol's personalities are also a bit different because they are so much younger in this fic than in the TV show. I hope you enjoy!

No one ever thought Daryl Dixon would succeed. He was a Dixon, and that name was most commonly associated with alcoholics, druggies, and high school dropouts. Daryl didn't want that for himself - he wanted to be somebody, be better than his family. All throughout his childhood, he filled his little head with dreams of becoming anything he wanted. He could be a doctor. Or, maybe an astronaut. Anything was possible. However, his big brother, quickly crushed those hopes with a hand to the back of Daryl's head. 'You ain't gonna be no doctor.' He'd said.

Daryl looked up to his big brother Merle. He wanted to be like him. Merle Dixon was born nearly six years before Daryl was, and as Daryl grew up, Merle took him under his wing. He looked after his little brother just like their daddy was supposed to.

When Daryl was thirteen, he had a crush on a cute girl who in the neighborhood - Hailey. She was sweet, small and blonde with big brown eyes. In a foolish whim, he'd decided to ask her out to the winter dance. Merle told him not to, and laughed in Daryl's face when little Hailey rejected him. 'I ain't allowed to know a Dixon.' Hailey told him as a look of disgust grew upon her face, "Ma says you're dirty folk." And so, the next day, Daryl pretended that nothing was wrong and that he wasn't upset. Hailey, on the other hand, found three dead frogs in her locker. Merle had done it, but Daryl of course took the blame.

It soon became apparent that Daryl often received the consequences of Merle's actions.

Like when their daddy's cigarette stash was cleaned out empty, or when Merle didn't come home some nights and Daryl was the only one around to endure their daddy's drunken rages.

It was as if Daryl was the Dixon family's punching bag. Maybe it was because their Mamma loved him the most.

The year was 1986, and Daryl was now officially a highschool freshman. If Merle hadn't dropped out of school the moment he got the chance, he'd be the same age as the average college sophomore. 'Just wait until you're sixteen, brother.' Merle had said that morning with a laugh, 'Then you don't gotta worry about school no more. I'll get you out.'

In an act of selflessness, Merle had offered to drive Daryl to school that morning on his bike. "I'll see you later." Merle said with a smirk after Daryl had been dropped off.

School had been terrible. Everyone else looked so happy; reuniting with their friends, giving hugs. Not Daryl though. Daryl didn't have friends. No one said hi to him. No one asked how his summer was. Either they didn't care, or they weren't sure if they wanted to know. The only acknowledgment he'd received was from Hailey and her group. They looked at him like he wasn't human, like he was an animal. Just based on the trashy clothing Hailey was wearing, he wound up wondering how long it would take before she ended up pregnant.

To everyone, he was just a redneck freak of nature who's normal dinner consisted of wild squirrels.

To himself, he was just Daryl. He was a person. A person with his own hopes and dreams. A person who nobody really took the time to get to know.

When Merle had told him he'd see him later, Daryl assumed his big brother was going to pick him up from school. It was like a brotherly ritual: Merle driving Daryl to and from school on the first day.

But not today. Maybe high school was different, and the tradition was dead. Or, perhaps Merle was passed out drunk on the couch. Daryl didn't know. All Daryl knew right now was that it was raining and that his house was an hour's walk away.

He growled under his breath. Fuck Merle, fuck this school, and fuck going back home. He didn't want to deal with his brother and dad right now. No, today, he wanted to be by himself.

So, the young Dixon walked off into the parking lot, ignoring the heavy raindrops pelting down on his skin. He just wanted to get out, to leave. He was sick of this shit hole town.

But, as fate would have it, he only made it about three yards into the parking lot before someone called out to him.

"Hey!"

Daryl stopped for a moment, trying to decide if the voice was calling out for him. No, it couldn't be. Who would want to talk to him? He chose to ignore it and continued to walk. Only when he heard footsteps from behind him did he stop again to turn around. There was a girl behind him. She was pretty, with long wavy brown hair and striking blue eyes. "Uhmm.." He didn't know how to react.

She smiled at him. "Why are you walking outside in the rain?"

He scoffed, "What's it matter to you?" He noticed that she was holding a black umbrella over her shoulder.

"I don't know, I just thought I'd ask if you're okay." She looked to the side, as if she was avoiding his stare.

Daryl nervously replied, ""Nah, I'm fine...My house ain't no more than ten minutes away from here." He lied.

"Oh." She looked into his eyes and asked, "Do you want my umbrella then?"

Daryl blinked. He wasn't used to a female's kindness. He was used to girls like Hailey. "What? Your umbrella? But ain't you gonna need it?" He narrowed his eyes, a bit shocked.

The girl shook her head. "No, I'm getting a ride with my friend." She turned around for a second to make sure her ride was still there. It was. "Looks like you could make better use of it that me since you're walking and all..."

He paused for a moment, thinking it over. "Hm... a'right."

She passed the umbrella over to him and held out her hand. "My name is Carol Clarke."

Daryl smirked, holding out his own hand and grasping hers. "I'm Daryl..." He paused before saying his last name. "Daryl Dixon." He was expecting Carol to yank her umbrella back, or give him a dirty look. Most people did that when hearing his last name. But no. She seemed unphased by it.

"It's nice to meet you, Daryl Dixon. Can we meet here after school tomorrow? My Ma will wonder where her umbrella's gone." He laughed, motioning to the object shielding them from the rain.

He nodded slowly, "Sounds fine. Er, and nice to meet you too."

Carol's ride honked for her to hurry up. "See you tomorrow, bye!" She called out as she ran to her friends car. Daryl watched her go.

It had only been their first encounter, and Daryl had decided that Carol was either naturally friendly, new in town, or just plain stupid. Maybe all three.

Regardless, Daryl did feel happier than he had before. Perhaps it was the rare feeling of being cared about, or maybe it was the fact that a pretty girl actually talked to him.

Someone had noticed him.

Someone had actually given up a small chunk of their day to help him out, to make sure he was alright despite the fact he wasn't asking for it.

And, that someone was named Carol.

AN: There are a few quick things I want to say-

This is my first Walking Dead fanfic. I'd love some reviews telling me how I did and how I can improve. I know it isn't perfect, so please, give me some constructive criticism. I was really nervous about posting it because I'm paranoid that it won't be any good.

As of now, chapter two hasn't been started. I'm waiting to get some feedback before I do. But, I have a few chapters planned out already.

A link to my Tumblr can be found on my profile. If you type /carylau after the link, you'll be taken to a page full of info on the fanfic.

Reviews are loved, they really keep me going.