A Year of Revision and Amour : Carl Gallagher

New York, New me- I guess?

The sound of her alarm clock jolted Areum awake. She groaned, slapping the snooze button harder than necessary. Another Monday. Another day of pretending to care.

She sat up in her small room, sunlight already spilling through the blinds. Her parents made sure she was up early these days. After juvie, they were on her like hawks. Strict didn't even begin to describe it. Curfew at 8 p.m., no phone during meals, and constant lectures about her "second chance." Areum didn't bother arguing anymore. What was the point?

She threw on a hoodie and jeans, keeping her look as simple as always. No makeup. No fancy outfits. She wasn't trying to impress anyone at school. No one there even knew her, and that's how she liked it.

Downstairs, her mom was already waiting at the table, coffee in hand, eyeing her watch. "You're late," she said sharply.

"I'm literally on time," Areum muttered, grabbing an apple from the counter.

Her mom didn't even bother arguing. She was strict, but Areum had a way of making people give up. "Remember, we'll be home late tonight. Make sure you study after school."

"Yeah, sure," Areum replied, but they both knew that wasn't going to happen.

The walk to school was cold, New York's winter air biting at her face. She kept her hood up, blending into the crowd of students streaming into the building. She moved through the halls like a ghost, slipping into her classes without making eye contact. She didn't bother trying to make friends. What was the point? No one would understand her life.

The day dragged on, class after class, all blending into one long, boring mess. By lunchtime, she had already zoned out. She sat alone at the back of the cafeteria, scrolling through her phone.

*Ding.*

Her phone buzzed. She glanced down at the screen, surprised to see Carl's name pop up. It had been a while since they'd texted. Maybe a week or so.

**Carl**: Yo, what's good?

Areum rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face. She texted back quickly.

**Areum**: Nothing. Same boring stuff.

**Carl**: What's it like over there in New York? You a big-city girl now?

**Areum**: It sucks. I don't talk to anyone. You?

**Carl**: Still in Chi-town. South Side forever, baby.

She could almost hear his voice saying it, all cocky and confident. She had missed that, more than she wanted to admit.

**Areum**: How's life? Still causing trouble?

**Carl**: Always. You know me. Got into a fight last week, but it's chill now. You staying out of trouble?

**Areum**: Trying. Parents are crazy strict. It's so annoying.

**Carl**: Yeah, that's tough. They're just watching you like a hawk now, huh?

Areum sighed, leaning back in her chair. It wasn't like she could tell Carl everything. Yeah, her parents were strict, but what did he care? He didn't have to deal with them breathing down his neck every day.

**Areum**: You have no idea. It's like I can't do anything without them flipping out.

**Carl**: Damn, that's rough. You wanna come back to Chicago? I got a spot for you. ;)

**Areum**: Yeah, right. Not happening.

Areum put her phone down, her stomach tightening a little. It was always like this with Carl. Flirty, jokey, always teasing. And she let him, even though she tried to act like she didn't care. He was the only person who made her feel... normal. Like she wasn't some messed-up girl who had just gotten out of juvie.

The bell rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She shoved her phone into her pocket and trudged to her next class. The rest of the day felt like a blur. Teachers talked, but she wasn't really listening.

By the time she got home, it was dark outside. Her parents still weren't back. She kicked off her shoes and tossed her backpack on the floor, flopping onto the couch. Her phone buzzed again.

**Carl**: What's good with your fam? They still treating you like you're locked up?

**Areum**: Yeah. I barely do anything anymore. They act like I'm gonna rob a bank or something.

**Carl**: You could. You'd get away with it too. You're scary when you want to be.

She smirked at that. He wasn't wrong. She had a reputation for not caring what people thought, and that had definitely scared some kids back in juvie.

**Areum**: Shut up.

**Carl**: I'm serious. You're a badass, Areum. Don't let anyone forget that.

She stared at the message for a minute before replying.

**Areum**: Thanks.

The truth was, she didn't feel like a badass anymore. She felt stuck. Stuck in this routine, stuck in a city where she didn't fit in, stuck in her parents' house, pretending like everything was fine.

Carl was the only person who got it. The only person who still treated her like herself, not like some broken kid who had to be fixed.

The rest of the night passed in a blur of quiet. She didn't talk to her parents when they got home, just ate dinner in silence and went back to her room. Before bed, she checked her phone one last time.

**Carl**: Hit me up if you need to talk, alright?

**Areum**: Will do.

She turned off her phone and stared up at the ceiling, wondering how long she'd be able to keep this up. How long before something changed?

But for now, it was just her and the routine. And maybe, just maybe, Carl would keep texting her. That made things a little less lonely.