Even Wilder

Chapter 2.

I started unpacking my bags. They gave me the spare bedroom downstairs. My own room. Something I could definitely get used to. It was a descent sized room, with a queen bed. Plenty of light. I couldn't wait to decorate it.
There was a knock at the door, it was opened anyway, but I like how Kevin respected my privacy, again something I would get used to.
"Hey...is it okay if I come in?" I looked at him and laughed "yeah, you don't have to ask" a faint smile spread from his lips, he sat on the end of my bed "I'm really happy you're here Jessica." "I know, you've said that already...thank you for letting me stay. I swear I'll get a job and be out of here as soon as I can" he put his hand up "No, you don't have to leave. Or even talk about it. You just got here. Don't even think about leaving yet. Um we're having supper next door, is that alright?" I raised an eyebrow at him "As in your crazy neighbors who like to throw glass and shoes?" He laughed "Yeah, those neighbors. They're crazy, but they're family."

He stood up and reached in his pockets "here's some cash, there's enough for a bed set and some new clothes. Don't turn it down because if you do I'll just go shopping for you. And I'm almost positive our tastes are completely different!" I looked at his hand, a wad of money with a rubber band around it rested in his callused hands. "I'll repay you. As soon as I get a job-" "Jessica. Stop. Consider it this for all those birthdays I've missed" I pushed his hand aside and hugged him, my heart overwhelmed, my body began to shake, sobs escaped my mouth "Kevin. I don't know how I could ever repay you." He pet my head and coo'd "you don't have to." He separated from the hug and moved toward the door. "We're going over in about ten minutes. Warning you they have boys your age." I batted my eyes "are they cute?" He scoffed "if you consider the Gallaghers cute, but, as your brother I have to push that you can do better. I love those boys as brothers, but it's true. No one will ever be good enough" he walked down the hall towards the living room, there was a click of the tv, and the sound of a sports game over come the silence.

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It was a quick walk to the Gallagher's. I had Amy on my hip, V had Gemma on hers. They didn't knock before going inside, something I thought was strange, but Kevin did say they were like family.

The house was filled with life, people, everywhere. Six of them. Seven, a guy had came in from the back door hanging his coat on the rack "Was there a supper rush?" The brown haired girl asked the man, "No, it was dead, I cut back to two in the kitchen and up front, said I would be back after we eat here to lock up" they hugged and shared a kiss.

V set Gemma on the ground, I quickly did the same with Amy, the two joined together by the toys next to the couch. "Everybody, Kevin has someone to introduce" Veronica announced. There was a red haired girl rubbing her swollen stomach, sitting at the table next to a boy with corn rows. Two more boys stood by the fridge. A red haired boy, holding a toddler. Next to him stood another boy, older, with piercing blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. His eyes followed my every move.

Kevin pulls me around by my shoulders, squishing me to his side "Everybody, this is Jessica. My sister. She's going to be living with us now. So welcome her in as family, say your names so I don't have to"

The girl with the brown hair waves her hand "Hi, I'm Fiona, this is my boyfriend Sean" Sean waved. "Nice to meet you" "I'm Debbie" the red haired girl sang with rosy cheeks. The boy with corn rows turned to face me "Yo, Carl" "I'm Ian, nice to meet you" the red haired boy said. "Lip" the other boy said with a nod. Short and brief. I knelt down to the little boy "what's your name?" "I'm Liam" he yells, throwing his hands to his face.

"Now that you've met the gang how about we eat, I got pizza, Pepperoni, meat, Hawaiian, dig in, there are paper plates over there, pop in the fridge, make yourself at home" Fiona said with a smile, she walks over to V and starts whispering, she briefly looked over at me, V following her eyes, the conversation was obviously about me. Kevin and Sean began talking over by the door. Debbie and carl dug into the boxes taking out two slices each. I grabbed a plate and took out a piece, setting it on my plate. I looked around at everyone in their own world and conversations. I walked back to the living room, setting down on the couch.

I took a bite and set the plate on the table. I wasn't hungry, I only took a piece to be polite. The couch sank next to me "the pizza tastes like cardboard right?" Ian asked, the corner of his lip turned into a half smile. Lip sat on my other side "She should've ordered from that other place down the street you know, the one with the weird name" Lip scrunched his eye brows trying to remember the name.

"So going to school anywhere?" Ian asked I shook my head "No. I graduated last fall, but I'm not sure if I'm going to college or not. Kinda need to get my shit together first" I laughed. "If you need help with financial aid or applications I'm your guy" Lip said. "How about you guys? Are you going to school anywhere?" Ian shook his head no "I'm chasing after a firefighter" "I've got a scholarship over at MIT" Lip cuts him off. "Wow, that's really cool"

"Fucking party time!!" Fiona yells coming out of the kitchen with liquor bottles in both her hands, Sean follows behind her with beer bottles in between each knuckle. V goes by the tv and plugs her phone into a cord, music blares out of every speaker. They all join together and start dancing.

"We're just a little crazy here at the Gallagher household. Hope it doesn't scare you away" Lip whispers, his lips brushing my ear.