for you; || c.gallagher

twelve;

My eyes fluttered open to darkness as I stared around the room. When my eyes had adjusted, I remembered the night before and smiled when I became aware of the body next to me. Carl's light inhales and exhales sounded quiet and barely audible. I quickly threw the blanket off of me when I realized how hot I was, and noticed Carl had brought another comforter up on his bunk in the night. I slept over at the Gallagher's again, obviously. I looked back over to Carl, who's lips were slightly parted and his hair was slightly but perfectly messy. I took out my phone from the waistband of my underwear and opened up the camera. I turned my phone sideways and clicked the volume button, but quickly jerked the phone back under Carl's blanket after the flash went off. I saw him squeeze his eyes shut and crinkled his nose.
"Shit," I muttered.
"What the fuck," Carl said groggily as he stretched his arms.
"Sorry, I was just trying to take a picture and the flash went off," I said as I giggled. He opened his eyes and placed his hands under his head while he was on his back.
"Wait, you were trying to take a picture?" He said while his voice sounded rough and slightly gravely. I lied back down and turned on my right side to face him.
"You looked cute," I said as I shrugged my shoulders. I saw in the darkness the slight glow of his teeth as his lips spread up into a smile.
"You always look cute," he said softly as he quickly leaned in and pecked me on the lips.
"Also, why did you bring another blanket up here? It was hot as balls," I said after I asked. He looked at me and rolled his eyes as he cracked another smile.
"You were hogging all of the fucking blanket, and I can't sleep without one."
I laughed and started to jump off the bed.
"Oops."
Ian's bed was empty, and the clock on my phone read 9:34. I opened the blinds causing me to get a few 'graceful' words from Carl, and I started out the door and almost forgot pants. I quickly pulled on some cutoff sweatpants I found on the ground.
"Gonna go start breakfast, think everyone's going to like waffles?" I asked as I stopped In the door frame to look back at Carl.
"Oh yes please waffles sound good."
I chuckled and entered the hallway. I got down to the kitchen and started to gather supplies. Flour, eggs, water, and other ingredients I gathered from the recipe I looked up on my phone. I then found a waffle maker buried under some pots and lids from the back of the cabinet.
I sprayed some non-stick butter spray on it, and started making some. I stacked them up onto a plate, and finished the last of the batter and put it on top of the stack. Since no one was awake, I decided to wash the dishes I used and clean up all the spills I made. I heard someone come down the stairs, and saw that it was Fiona.
"Oh shit, I didn't realize how late I slept in. I'm so sorry, you didn't have to do all of this," she said quickly and nervously as she put her hair into a high ponytail. I smiled.
"It's the least I could do. You've been really nice to me, the whole family has. It's okay, Fi, really."
I started to set the table and put the steaming stack of waffles in the middle. I looked to Fiona to see her grinning with her hands on her hips.
"You're part of this family, you know that? If you ever have any troubles you can always come to one of us," she said warmly. I crossed my arms and smiled back at her.
"Thank you." I walked up to her and hugged her. It was very comforting, I love Fiona Hugs.
"Really. Thank you so much," I said as I continued to thank her.
"I didn't even know we owned a waffle maker," Debbie said making me laugh.
She called the kids down for breakfast and I set down chocolate and maple syrup onto the table.
"Everyone, say thank you to El for making you breakfast," Fiona said once everyone was seated and started to go awol on the waffles.
"Thank you," all of them said in sync. I felt a foot kick mine under the table and I looked up at Carl, who shot a wink at me.
"Please, not at the table," Debbie said sarcastically. We laughed along with everyone else.

After breakfast, Debbie and Fiona cleaned up the dishes as Liam sat down to watch TV and Carl and I went upstairs.
"There's a party tonight, it's at this kids house that I went to school with. Derek, Drew, something like that," he said as he changed his shirt, and I sat on his bed with my feet hanging over the edge.
"Asking me out on another date, Gallagher?" I said as I hopped down and walked over to him.
"Yeah, if you want to come with me that'd be cool," he said flatly. It was a little odd, but I just laughed.
"Ok, well I'm not sure but I'll think about it. I don't know if I want to bring Corbin, and I've left him alone a lot."
Carl nodded, but didn't say anything.
"Um, well I'm going home. I'll text you later," I said as I started to leave.
"Bye," was all he said as I left his room and went downstairs. Debbie had just finished up the dishes with Fi, and I called her over to me.
"Hey, what's up?" Debbie asked.
"I don't know. Can you meet me at my place in like 30 minutes?" I asked her back. She nodded and gave me a worried look.