To Build A Home

One

A/N
The setting as of now is season one-two. Enjoy.

Carly

When someone hears the term, "South Side," they think of deprived childhood, dirt poor families, and a variety of substances to fill a hole of a broken individual. My life wasn't close to that. I've had my fair shares of struggle, but I would never feel sorry for myself for my past. Instead, I decided to live my life in the present and enjoy it.

Trying to bury my hands deeper into my pockets, I shivered from the harsh and cold wind. Roaming around the city was practically a show everyday. From witnessing drug deals, to fights, and to occasionally stepping over a different drunkard who fell asleep on the curb. Which is what I just did.

"Ow!" A guy cried underneath me.

I jumped back instantly, as I watched Frank Gallagher get up in a fuss, "I'll have you know it is quite rude to disturb a man from his sleep!"

"Frank," I put my hand on his shoulder, "If you want good sleep, try staying in your house."

"Well if my family appreciated me, maybe I would!"

"You can't blame them, Frank. You tend to disappoint people."

"Wha- now name all the times I've done that."

"If I did that, we'd be here for hours."

As I started to walk away, I faintly heard Frank ranting to random strangers. Chuckling, I passed Karen Jackson's house. The front door opened and Lip Gallagher emerged outside. Lip was one of a kind. He was smart, sexy, and had a great sense of humor. Somehow he was related to Frank.

"Carly, wait up!" He smiled as he caught up with me.

"So I take it you and Karen are doing well?" I teased.

"Jealous?"

"No, but have fun getting herpes."

He threw his head back in laughter, "Sounds like jealousy to me." 

The walk came to an end once we reached Lip's house. He climbed up the steps and looked back once he realized I wasn't following, "You want to stay for dinner or something?"

"No thanks, maybe next time."

"Carly, we all miss you, just stay."

"With my mom picking up multiple shifts, I have so much to do. It's nothing personal. I'll see you around."

It was all personal, I thought to myself as I tried to nonchalantly walk away.

Once I unlocked the many locks on my door, I entered to an empty house. At this point I expected it.

I set my book bag on my bed and sat at my vanity. Many polaroids of Lip and I were taped on the mirror. Sighing, I knew I didn't have the courage to take them down.

Lip used to make my heart throb, and still does to this day. We used to be best friends, but once my dad passed away, he vanished. I saw less and less of him, and eventually I found out he was fooling around with Karen. It hurt me to the point where I didn't want anything to do with him. In his defense, he didn't know one hundred percent of how I felt about him.

Not only did I lose Lip, I lost his family. I'm always in such a vulnerable state, I feel as if I could crumble at the sight of any Gallagher, well, except maybe for Frank. The Gallagher's treated me like their own, and now I'm left with memories and an empty home. With my mind contradicting itself, I slumped over and tried to subside my negative thoughts.