Trouble // Carl Gallagher

chapter eight

I was sat on the Gallagher's porch, cigarette in hand. Ashley and I were listening to music. "Mel, about earlier with Bonnie." She started. I rolled my eyes. "What about that bitch?" I said before taking a drag on my cigarette. "You do know that only someone that likes Carl would stand up for him." She said. I looked at her. "You're saying I like Carl?" "Mel, you told me earlier." She replied. "Oh." I said, looking away. "Don't worry. I didn't tell him." I nodded, putting my cigarette out. "I wasn't worried." I muttered. Lip comes outside and sits with us. "Hey, kiddo!" He ruffles my hair. "Why the fuck do you always do that, Lip?" I laughed, fixing it quickly. He shrugged. "Hi, Ashley." He smiled at her. She smiled back. Even though there is a four year age difference. I have a feeling they would work out. "I'll give you guys some space." I said before walking into the house. I walked to Debbie's room and sat down. "Hey, Mel!" She greeted me. "Hey, Debs." she sat up. "What happened earlier?" I sighed. "We went to the park. Ashley, Carl, and I." I started. She nodded. "I wanted Carl to meet my friend, Caden. And he wanted me to meet his girlfriend." I took a breath. "It was Carl's ex. Bonnie, I think." "Bonnie's back?" She interrupted. I nodded. "Well, I don't think she'll be messing with Carl. Ever again." She raised an eyebrow. "What'd you do?" I smiled. "I grabbed her by her shirt and told her never to talk to Carl again or she's gonna get her ass beat." Debbie laughed. "You're fucking crazy, Mel." I blushed, looking down. "I'm crazy for Carl." I whispered. She looked at me weird. "You're what?" She asked me. "I like Carl. A lot." "Ew, why?" She asked. "He's just. Amazing. He understands me, you know?" She shook her head. "No, I don't know. He's my brother. I just think he's gross." I smiled and stood up to walk downstairs. I reached the kitchen and Ashley and Lip talking. I sat at the table, watching Carl walk in. Lip was making coffee. I smiled at Carl as he sat next to me. "Today was awesome." He said. "Yeah for us, not for her." I laughed. Lip poured Ashley a cup. "What happened today?" He asked, grabbing another mug. "Mel threatened Bonnie." "Bonnie is back?" Lip spilled the coffee on Ashley. "Oh shit." Lip grabbed a rag and started to clean Ashley's shirt. "Shit, here I'll help you upstairs." Lip helped her up, leading her upstairs.
Ashley's P.O.V

Lip took me into his room, and he grabbed the towel and scrubbed on my shirt. "I'm so sorry." He said. I smiled. "It's fine." I said. "Here. Maybe this will help." I removed my shirt and handed it to him. He stopped in his tracks. "Oh my god." He said under his breath. "Lip, is everything okay?" "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine it's just-" His words trailed off and he looked at me. "You're just really beautiful that's all." He blushed, grabbing something from the cupboard and putting it on my shirt. I giggled a little bit. "You okay, Ashley?" I nodded. "I just never get complimented by cute guys. Ever." He chuckled. "So you think I'm cute?" He set my shirt down. "That's what I'm saying." I smiled at him. He rested his hands at my waist and smashed his lips against mine. I kissed him back, wrapping my arms around his neck. God. This is so wrong. He's gotta be over eighteen. But is it bad that I don't care?
Melody's P.O.V

I smiled at Carl. I was still pondering the thought of earlier. He called me "his girl". I don't really know what he meant by that. I should ask him. But I know I'm too chicken to follow through with it. I keep thinking about Debbie saying he likes me. I don't think she'd lie to me. Carl sighed. "Mel, can I talk to you about something?" I gulped. Oh god. "Of course you can, Carl." I smiled at him. he took a deep breath. "I know. I've only known you for a week and a few days. But I have a question. " I nodded. "Do you like me?" He asked. My eyes widened. "What makes you say that?" I asked. "no reason." He said quick. "No, tell me. " I said. He shrugged. "Carl," I said. He looked at me. "tell me." I said, looking into his bright green eyes. he took a deep breath. "I like you, Mel." My heart fluttered at those words. "Oh. Okay. Good to know." I smiled, looking down. It was silent for a minute. "To answer your question," I sighed. "Yes, Carl." I got up. "I like you. A lot actually." I turned to see him. "Since when?" He asked, his smile getting bigger. I walked closer to him, bending down to meet his gaze. "Since the first day I met you." I smiled, standing back up. He chuckled a little. "Damn," he stood up. "What?" I said, worrying a little. "I'm crazy about you, Melody." His eyes widened. "Shit I just called you melody don't kill me." I just laughed at his remark. "And I'm crazy about you, Carl." He got close to me. "Okay. So this is definitely necessary." He grabbed my face and kissed me, hard. I leaned against the fridge. I wrapped my arms around him and just embraced his presence. I can't believe he just confessed that he liked me. Carl Gallagher likes me. Melody Wagner. Wow this is the first time someone has ever liked me for me. I really hope I don't fuck it up this time. He pulls back and looks me up and down. "You're so beautiful. And you're mine." He but his lip. what was that supposed to mean? "I'm all yours." I spoke soft. "I'm all fucking yours, Carl." He smiled. He reached down and grabbed my hand. "Good to know."