#actir

although his days playing the role of teacher in the old world were few and far between, there was one thing eric clearly remembered from overhearing parents and observing carpool pickups            the children who were not only friends, but had   PARENTS   who were friends, always looked to be the happiest and most well adjusted. taking that into account he’d strived to provide that for his daughter from the day she came into their lives, attempting to get closer to those he otherwise wouldn’t have, letting the past stay in the past to ensure she had the best future imaginable. 

for a good long while things were simple.   rick and michonne, aaron and eric.   two little girls close enough in age to be friends, but not close enough to be constantly competing with each other. the way that everyone had an opposite to bounce off of was truly perfect            until it wasn’t. suddenly   rick, michonne, aaron and eric   became rick, michonne, aaron  OR  eric.   the couple dinners with little princesses playing in the next room were no longer an option, but that didn’t mean the girls had to suffer. when things changed, you had to change along with them;   something which eric had learned years ago and taken to heart. if it couldn’t be all four of them together that was fine! it would just have to be one on one, even if it was a little strange in the beginning.

❝   hi, mr.grimes !   ❞      gracie exclaimed as she hurriedly brushed past him to get into the house. whatever she and judith had planned was   a big secret,   but they both promised it was safe and didn’t include any fire or painting things that weren’t theirs.      ❝   she’s so   excited   about whatever it is they’re doing,   ❞      came eric’s far less enthusiastic greeting. once one to wake before the sun, as of late he’d been finding it difficult wake up at all. he was   tired,   as he assumed they all were.

he can sense those tense shoulders, see the lines in rick’s face protruding more so than usual. times are difficult and they are all letting it get to them at one point or another. paul huffs a sigh and goes to stand next to the leader. arms folded over his chest as he watches the people work diligently towards their goal in front of them.