Middle Child Syndrome- Ian Gallagher

i love you

"My mom showed up today," Ian said as Mandy and I walked with him to school, "She just came out of nowhere."

"Holy, shit. She's back?" I said.

"Yep," Ian said, "Came downstairs to her making breakfast for everyone and then basically told her to fuck off. At least she wasn't with her ex-girlfriend trying to take Liam again."

"She staying?" Mandy asked.

"Never does," Ian said. 

"Lip playing hooky today?"

"Yeah, he dropped out of school, Fiona gave him the boot, and I think he's staying at Karen's," Ian said, "See, Karen's like cancer. You kill it in one spot, it pops up in another."

"You ok?" I asked Mandy because she seemed bothered. Most likely at the mention of Karen's name. 

"Yeah," she smiled, but I could tell it was fake.

"How's Mickey holding up in juvie?" I asked as Ian stole her beanie.

"Called me a fuck twat, so he seems ok."

Ian waited before speaking again, "You know, Mandy, you're lucky your mom's dead."

"Yeah," Mandy said.

First period Ian and I had study hall, so we basically could do whatever we wanted.

"What are the chances you'll let me meet your mom?" I said to him.

"Not a chance in hell," he said, not looking up from his paper.

"Come on. I've already met Frank," I said, "Can't see how that could be much worse."

Ian sighed, "OK. If you come over with me to drop my stuff off at my house before Carl's game today, there's a chance she might be there."

So, after school, we came in through the back and saw Frank and Monica at the kitchen table.

"Hi, sweetie!" Monica said, smiling, "I made some cookies."

"Oh, so now we're like square for you abandoning us and everything."

"Hey!" Frank said. 

"Are you going to Carl's game?" Monica said.

"Yes, I always go to Carl's games because I actually give a shit," Ian said.

I stood there awkwardly as tensions rose until Monica looked at me.

"I'm so sorry. I'm so rude," she said, "I'm Monica. Ian's mom."

"Hi, I'm Athena," I said.

Her eyes and smile widened, "Oh my god, you're Ian's girlfriend! Frank told me all about you."

I raised an eyebrow, shocked that Frank even remembered who I was considering he was never sober when we interacted.

She hugged me tightly, "Oh, you're so beautiful! Ian, you did a great job."

I laughed awkwardly, not sure how to take that compliment. 

I never knew how to act around my friend's parents, especially if they didn't have a good relationship with them, but I really got along with them. Mia despised her parents, but they were always so kind to me. 

I never told her something awful like, "You should be grateful and nicer to your parents."

Because the experiences just aren't the same.

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I sat in the front with Fiona and Ian, cheering on Carl. Persephone also joined us because she wanted to see Carl play. I think she had a tiny crush on Carl, and while I loved the kid, I didn't want him anywhere near my little sister. 

Lip came later, with Steve's wife. 

"Lip! Come on and sit down!" Monica said.

"What I'm off the boat for a minute and there's a fucking mutiny?" Lip said.

"No one told you to get out," Fiona said.

"Actually, you did."

"Hey, Lip, don't be mad at Fiona," Monica said, "Come on."

"Monica, shut up!" Lip said, "Like most things in my life, this has nothing to do with you."

Estefania found a place to sit, "You babysitting now?"

"Roommate."

I raised an eyebrow.

"You're living at Steve's?"

"Yea, no curfews, no ultimatums. No befriending the enemy behind my back."

Lip pointed to Monica before dropping Esetfania off and leaving.

"Oh, really?" Fiona said, "You're just gonna storm off like a baby?! Too bad there's no door you can slam!"

____________________________________________________________________

After going on a beer run with Monica and Ian, we returned to the Gallagher's. Everyone was there. The kids, Frank, Este, and both my siblings.

The music turned on, and Ian took a bong that Carl had out of his hands. Fiona came downstairs, took one look at all of us, and frowned.

"This is not ok," she said, turning off the music, earning protests from all of us, but then she changed the song and smiled.

"Now it is!"

"WOOO!"

Este grabbed my hand and started dancing with me.

Kev and V came in soon after with vodka and lemonade in hand. As I finished making a drink, Ian grabbed my waist from behind and started dancing with me.

"You moving down the street was possibly the best thing that ever happened to me," he said, kissing my neck.

I chuckled, "You're just buzzed."

Ian turned me around, "I love you, Athena."

I looked up at him and put my hand on his cheek, "I love you too, Ian."

He kissed me, and it was like no one else was there with us. Just me and him.