A Year of Revision and Amour : Carl Gallagher

Where she at?

Carl's current job was a delicate balance of trading and selling, a risky business that kept him on his toes. He'd been working with Rico for a few weeks now, managing the logistics of their drug deals and keeping the money flowing. Carl thrived in this chaotic environment, his street smarts and charisma making him a valuable asset.

The meeting was set in an old warehouse, its walls covered in layers of grime and graffiti. Carl arrived early, setting up the space with Rico's crew. They arranged the drugs, cash, and weapons with precision, ensuring everything was ready for the day's deals. Carl's demeanor was relaxed, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the room and the people around him.

"Hey, Carl," Rico said as he entered, his presence commanding respect from everyone in the room. "We got a new shipment coming in. I need you to keep an eye on things and make sure nothing goes sideways."

Carl nodded, his mind already shifting to the logistics. "Got it. I'll handle it."

As the day progressed, Carl was knee-deep in transactions, managing the flow of money and goods. His phone buzzed with a message from one of his clients, and he glanced at it while counting cash. It was a routine day, until Rico dropped a bombshell.

"Yo, Carl," Rico said casually, his tone carrying a hint of excitement. "You hear about Areum being back in town?"

Carl's head snapped up. "Areum? You mean the girl from juvie?"

"Yeah, that Areum," Rico confirmed. "She's in town with a school trip. I saw her name pop up in some chatter."

Carl felt a jolt of surprise. He hadn't thought about Areum in a while, and hearing her name now, especially in this context, was jarring. He tried to mask his reaction, but his mind was already racing.

"Where's she at?" Carl asked, his voice casual but his curiosity evident.

Rico shrugged. "Some school trip or whatever. They're around the South Side today. It's a coincidence, really."

Carl tried to focus on the task at hand, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Areum. Their time together in juvie had been intense, and despite their differences, he had a hard time forgetting her. The idea that she was back in town, right in the midst of his current dealings, was unsettling.

Around midday, Carl took a break to grab some food. He stepped outside the warehouse and lit a cigarette, trying to clear his mind. As he leaned against the brick wall, he caught sight of a group of students nearby, laughing and taking pictures. His heart skipped a beat when he saw Areum in the group. She was trying to blend in, but there was no mistaking her.

Carl watched from a distance, feeling a mix of emotions. Areum looked different, more composed but still out of place. The memories of their time together came flooding back—her fiery temper, her resilience, and their shared moments in juvie. Carl found himself unexpectedly drawn to the sight of her, even as he struggled to keep his focus on the job.

Back at the warehouse, Carl tried to shake off the distraction. He couldn't let his personal feelings interfere with his work. But as the day wore on, his thoughts kept drifting back to Areum and the fact that she was so close, yet so out of reach.

By late afternoon, Carl found himself finishing up the day's deals. He was about to head out when Rico approached him again. "Hey, you still thinking about Areum?" he asked, his tone light but knowing.

Carl shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Just curious. Didn't expect to run into her."

Rico grinned. "Well, if you're interested, I heard she's staying at a hotel nearby. Could be a chance to catch up."

Carl's heart raced at the thought. Part of him wanted to reach out, to see how Areum was doing after all this time. But another part of him knew that diving back into that chapter of his life could complicate things. He had his own life to manage, and the dangerous lifestyle he was leading was not something Areum needed to be a part of.

As the evening set in, Carl decided to focus on the task at hand. He had a few more deals to close and some loose ends to tie up. But even as he worked, his thoughts kept drifting back to Areum. The familiarity of her presence in the city, coupled with the memories they shared, left him feeling conflicted.

Carl knew he had to make a choice—whether to reach out to Areum and possibly reopen old wounds or to keep his distance and stay focused on his current path. The decision weighed heavily on him as he wrapped up his day, the buzz of the South Side's nightlife starting to pick up around him.

As he headed home, Carl glanced one last time at the streets of the South Side. He couldn't shake the feeling that his past and present were colliding in ways he hadn't anticipated. And as he drove away, he couldn't help but wonder how Areum was faring in the city that once held so much of their shared history.