Everybody Deserves a Fighting Chance // ₛₕₐₘₑₗₑₛₛ

Chapter||3 Going Home To Unexpected Visitors

   I groaned, my body aching tremendously as I trudged up the steps to the house, most of the lights to the house off. My forehead met with the door as I sluggishly placed the key, unlocking the door. I turned to shut it, I froze as I do so, my eyes meeting with someone not at all familiar. I blinked, raising a brow, tilting my head as I saw the shadow of someone else on the couch, them tilting their head back to look at me. My pain washing away instantly as I was filled with joy, shock and more confused but mostly just pure fucking joy.

"Carl!" I dropped my bag by the door, running to him quickly, before throwing myself over the couch on him, holding him tightly. He laughs as he hugs back, pulling me further into place.

"I can't believe you're out! When did you get out? Why the fuck didn't you say anything, bro?!" I pulled back, punching him in the arm as he laughed out, shrugging all too casually.

"Met up with some boys, kinda wanted to surprise you though, didn't think you was gonna get home so late." I look him over, still amazed he was here in his person. His whole.. everything, everything was different. He even has cornrows now, like what?!

"Well, consider me surprised! And I just managed to get a ride to see you this friday too.." I frowned, still not being able to look away from him with glee after pulling away. Sitting on my knees as I faced him.

"I'm sorry I haven't been up in a while." I felt bad, even if he seemed to not really care about it.

"Ay, it's all good, sis. Yous the only one that visited me anyways." I force a small smile.

"Which is why I should have visited more.." He sucks his teeth, waving it off as he seems to examine me more. His brows quick to furrow.

"Yo, the fuck happened to you, man? Get in a fight? This ain't from no boyfriend, is it?" I force a smile, shaking my head. My attention turning to the guy that sat behind me, I turned, sitting on my butt. When I say he was tall, I mean fucking tall, even while sitting. Cute as hell too though, ain't gon' lie. I couldn't help but look him over some, smiling a bit at him before smiling back down to my brother.

"I can't believe you're fucking back, bro! I fucking missed you..!" I gave him a big kiss on the cheek. He laughs out with a scoff, nudging me back some. I guess he can't sleep either. Him and his friend, still up in the living room. His friend sitting in the chair, Carl sitting in the middle of the couch, Liam passed out in the other chair. The house dark besides the t.v. light illuminating the living room.

"So you're not gon' tell me the fuck happened to you?" I shook my head as I nuzzled myself as best as I could into his side, turning my jacket backwards as a blanket as I slid further down the couch to make myself comfier.

"What are you still doing up, anyway? Think you'd be happy to finally be able to sleep in your own bed." I question softly, my energy wearing. He shrugs, none of us taking our eyes off the t.v. that played. The sound was low, almost to the point you couldn't hear it.

"Nick couldn't sleep. Says it's weird being out. So I figured I'd keep him company." I smiled softly at this, nodding. So does he actually talk or just.. like- ah whatever..

"Wait, were you two in juvie together?" Carl nods, looking over at Nick, causing my eyes to gaze over to him as well. Nick looked back at us in turn, silently watching the two of us.

"He's my brotha from anotha mutha." Carl grins widely, Nick continues looking between Carl and I. I felt my lips twitch, the delay before I finally snickered out was a long one.

"Oh my God, I can't with you.." I chuckled quietly, Carl smiling to himself as he continued to watch the show. I sighed, looking at the cornrows on his head. I put my arm over his shoulder, leaning back into the couch as I played with his hair mindlessly.