06.

x

"You can kiss your family and friends goodbye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you."

-FREDERICK BUECHNER

Once upon a time Carl Gallagher never believed in fairy tales.

This time wasn't any different, what he did believe in were comics. Comic books never tried to sugarcoat any tragic event that happens in a superhero's life, its what built their characters. Fairy tales are full of shit and like to make you believe that there's a rainbow at the end of the tunnel versus comic books where they're not afraid to tell you 'That's not realistic, so sit back, shut the fuck up and listen to a true tale that makes sense.'

Carl lived in a world where if things were going right then there must be something huge floating along the waves. As sad as that might seem, he dealt with it. He had no choice but to deal with anything that wanted to flip his world upside down but he never complained. He focused on action and figuring out what to do to solve the problem. The fourteen year old had a few friends that walked in and out of his life but he learned not to be dependent on anyone but himself. It came to his realization that life can spin out of your control sometimes yet it was up to you to figure it out.

He didn't expect to lose his house he spent many years growing in to the bank. It's not like the Gallagher's haven't received an eviction notice before but it's never gotten to this point. All of their things out on the streets for everyone to see, act like they don't notice, or take things as if it were a damn tag sale. He offered help the best way that he could, he wanted to help his family, he wanted to have a home...it was their right but Fiona didn't want any of his money. She didn't understand that this money wasn't dirty, he earned it. Carl put in time and effort to spread his lettuce around because he never had that before. He never had so much money before in his life and he didn't see the wrong in trying to share it with his family, neither did Frank (Typical Frank!) but he did try. He's always trying.

He didn't expect to spend a few nights with one of his new found friend's, Nick, in a hotel. Now Hotel life isn't all that bad, there's plenty of bad bitches floating around in two places Carl loved to spend the most: 1) the gym - ladies in their snug sports bras and yoga pants or shorts, and 2) the pool in their bikini's. Nah, Carl didn't expect or mind that too much. In the back of his mind he knew this wasn't his home, he knew he didn't want to make this place his home.

He didn't expect Nick to be so hung on up on a bike even after the new ride Carl brought the both of them. Carl was aware that everyone had one conflict in their life that sets them off, his was this. Being separated from his family, it was just like foster care again where he spent a few days with a gay couple along with Liam. Although he had his lil homie by his side, it was only half of the equation of what truly consisted of the Gallagher's. He didn't like that shit. Carl felt for Nick when he told him about his bike situation back when he were nine years old. It was messed up and maybe he could have offered to get Nick a new bike but he also knew that buying a new bike wouldn't erase the memory of someone taking something from Nick again.

Carl didn't expect for Nick to say his plan was to be farmer. To live on the countryside with a bike, own a farm where he took care of chickens, goats, cows and whatever else a farm consisted of. Nick didn't talk much but he was good company, he was Carl's friend. He thought Nick meant it as a joke just like many people would believe that Carl wanting to cure cancer as a joke but Nick meant this. That were his goals, he wanted out of this life after a few more rounds and Carl had to respect that.

He just didn't see any of it coming. By the time he could figure Nick out, it was too late.

~TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE...~

Carl sat in the passenger seat beside Nick as they drove around town. He had received a text from Debbie inviting him to her baby shower or something like that. The two were now on their way to the bakery to pick Debbie up to head to her shower. Carl pointed out Debbie down the road as Nick sped through the light that just flashed yellow, slowing down and pulling up beside the curb. Right beside Debbie sat Korinna on the bench laughing about something as if she didn't disappear for months without a goodbye. Debbie was the first to get up from bench and open the back door, Carl's face held a scowl as Korinna glared back at him from outside of the car.

"Come on, Rinna. Let's go!" Debbie chirped, waving her hands at the dark haired girl.

Korinna pushed herself from the bench as Carl sucked his teeth. She stepped inside of the car before Debbie shuffling over to sit behind Nick who met her eyes in the rear view briefly. Debbie made sure she were sitting comfortably in the back seat before reaching over to close the door, buckling herself and her baby into the car.

"Thanks for picking us up-" Debbie started with a smile at both boys.

Carl glanced over his shoulder and seat at his sister, "What the hell is she doing here?"

Korinna clicked her tongue as she bit back with equal venom, "I'm here to mess your day up, honey. It looks like my plan is working."

Carl flicked his light eyes over to Korinna's form, his lips pursing at her words.

Debbie glanced at the two, lastly lifting her eyes to meet Nick's who just shrugged his shoulders as he began to pull off from the curb.

"Um...she is my best friend so of course she would be invited, duh!" Debbie stated as if it were obvious.

Carl ripped his eyes away from Korinna who didn't bother to break eye contact until Carl turned around to face the front, "Whatever."

"Okay what it up with you two? Why aren't you all over each other like a normal boyfriend and girlfriend would be after spending months apart?" Debbie questioned with knitted brows.

"She's not my bitch and I'm not her man." Carl growled, shrinking down in his seat.

Korinna swallowed the lump in her throat at the truth that fell from Carl's lips. It's not like Korinna didn't want that because she really did but Carl was too stubborn to listen to anything she had to say unlike Debbie who heard Korinna out after Frank told her where Debbie was now staying. Her reunion with Debbie went much differently than with Carl, of course Debbie was angry too and showed her anger after embracing Korinna for what seemed like forever. Debbie forgave her so easily like usual and understood but much deeper feelings were involved when it came down to Carl.

Debbie turned to Korinna with questions ready to fire, wondering why she didn't fill her in that there was tension between the two.

"Carl's acting bitchy and is in his feelings so he won't allow me to explain myself." Korinna answered resting her elbow on the car door, her cheek resting in the palm of her hand as she awaited Carl's reaction. She was picking a fight and they both knew it.

With a lick of his lips and a bitter smile Carl nodded his head, "Yeah okay. Right, I'm the bitch here. I'm in the wrong."

"Yeah you chose juvie over not only me but your family so the truth is you left me first!" Korinna argued feeling her face getting warm.

Carl turned in his seat, "You think I wanted to get caught?"

"Yeah! You picked juvie over probation because you decided to be a smart ass in court, and now look at you. You're a wannabe thug with shitty cornrows, you have a ride, and you think you know something 'cause you have money. Having money doesn't erase the problems you have or had!" Korinna yelled, sitting upright in the car.

Carl reached into his pockets pulling out a wad, quickly unfolding it before shedding ones into Korinna's face, "Does it look like I have any problems that I can't solve?"

Korinna let out a humorless laugh as she stared at the ones that surrounded her before meeting Carl's heated stare, "I don't know who you are anymore."

Carl clenched his jaw as he stared into Korinna's dark eyes, swimming around in them were disbelief and sorrow as she stared back at him. Carl wondered if his looked the same as her's.

"That's what six months will do to a person. That's half a year, half a year you missed out on my life. So yeah maybe you don't know me like you thought you did." Carl replied softly but with just enough power in his tone to cut through Korinna again as he turned around in his seat for good this time.

The fifteen year old opened her mouth to say more. To say that she didn't know the guy that sat in front of her but she did know that he had everyone around him fooled, she knew that this wasn't the Carl she fell for. Six months or six years away from each other didn't matter how long it's been, this was not Carl Gallagher. Or at least she hoped.

Carl felt his chest ache sitting in the same space as the girl he shared many memories with. He wished Debbie had given him some sort of warning over text so he could be prepared for the battle against Korinna Rokos. The two have never fought this bad before in all the years they had known each other, Carl was hurt about her leaving and he had always been well at listening to those around him but he couldn't wrap his head around this. For some reason he couldn't find himself to listen just yet, maybe it was a bit unfair and childish on Carl's part but that's just the way he felt. In time he knew he would listen he just didn't know that time would be sooner than later.

After ten minutes of silence Debbie thanked and tried her hardest to convince that this party would be fun. Korinna no longer wanted to attend the party but since Debbie is her friend she would be there to support her since she wasn't receiving any support from her sister. Carl felt the same, he didn't want to be around Korinna much longer but Debbie was his sister and pregnant with his niece or nephew so he'd be there as well.

Carl noticed that Nick started to increase speed cutting Debbie's joy to turn into worry, "Hey slow down! I'm pregnant!"

"Fuck!" Carl yelled out as he clenched onto the car door while Nick made a U-Turn to follow a boy who rode by on a bike.

Korinna frowned as Nick slowed down, creeping on the boy who hopped off the bike and carried it up the steps. She hoped she didn't have to witness a drive by, she didn't think she was ready for Carl's new life style just yet.

Carl glanced from the small boy to Nick trying to tame the wildness that appear in Nick's wide eyes, "It's not worth it. Think of the farm. The fucking cows, man."

Nick exhaled through his nostrils as he pressed on the gas to get them all to their destination, forgetting about his problem but only for now.

xxx

Carl tried his hardest not to pay Korinna any attention as Debbie introduced her to her "new" younger siblings that sat in front of the television. The house seemed clean and Erica seemed nice enough to want to help his sister with this gender party (he found out what this party really was when they entered the house)so if Debbie seemed alright then there was no threat here. It didn't shock Carl to find out that Frank was here, anyway he can have a free home and meal of course he'd be there.

Korinna moved herself into the dining area moving to sit down at the head of the table while everyone else stood around. Debbie entered from the kitchen holding a plate of crackers as Carl asked, "Fiona's not coming?"

Debbie kept a smile on her face, "We can just start without her. So, thank you guys all so much for coming."

Carl watched as Korinna poured contents from her flask into a red cup before handing the flask over to Frank who greedily sipped from it. She lifted the red cup to her lips letting out a, "Whoop," Behind the rim of the cup causing Carl to frown at her a bit.

"Bathroom?" Nick also interrupted.

Erica glanced over her shoulder as she pointed in the direction, "Oh, it's right down the hallway."

Nick took his leave while Carl watched his friend cautiously, disappear down the hall.

"Um, so as you guys know, I kind of wanted to keep the gender of my baby a surprise, but Erica here, who's been like a mother to me, suggested I throw this party and include everyone, so, that's what I did." Debbie continued on.

Erica's phone interfered, "Um, it's my doctor. Um, I have take this. So Sorry. I'll just-I'll be one sec."

Just as Erica left the room the squeal of tires echoed through the windows causing Carl to move quick on his feet. He ran to the front door yanking it open to see Nick speeding down the street, he was going after the kid that much Carl knew.

"Wait, Carl!" Debbie called out.

"Fuck!" Carl belted as he rushed out of the house.

Debbie turned to Korinna who simply shrugged her shoulders, crossing one leg over the other smiling at her friend, "Don't worry. I'm not going after them, I'm staying right here where I'm wanted."

Debbie gave her friend a grateful smile as Korinna hummed sipping down her mixed beverage.

Carl felt his heart drumming against his chest as he ran down the streets. At this rate he wouldn't catch up to Nick on just his feet since the house the boy lived in were a few blocks over. Running along side of some stores he spotted a kid sitting outside the store with a skateboard beside him, with a kick to the board and few bills thrown at the stranger Carl continued on his way. Skating as fast as he could down the streets to the house.

By the time Carl made it to the front gate he spotted the bike first and Nick secondly. Carl stared on with wide eyes as specs of blood could be seen against Nick's face and the collar of his shirt.

"Yo. Yo, what'd you do?" Carl asked as he ran up the steps past Nick and his bloody weapon of choice.

Carl rushed into the house at the sound of a woman's screams. The sight inside of the house would be something that would forever haunt him, the sound of the boy's mother hollering at her dead child not only that but the amount of blood. This wasn't an accident, Nick meant to kill him. Stumbling out of the house, Carl held onto the banister and threw up everything inside of his system over and onto the grass. With a rough wipe to his mouth, the fourteen year old boy jogged back down the steps to face Nick who held his head in his hand.

"I called the cops. You better split." Nick finally spoke.

Carl struggled to get his next words out as the sirens and the woman's sobs could be heard in the distance, "Wh-wh-why?"

The last look Nick handed over to Carl gave him his answer.

Carl swallowed as he ran from the house across to an empty lot. Carl watched in horror as the cops surrounded Nick who stood with his hands raised. They cuffed him and as the two shared their last glances at each other they secretly said their farewells.

Although Carl was mad at Korinna he found her to be one of the only people he can run to. After everything that happened Carl still searched for comfort from her. Carl started to regret standing at The Gimello's door knowing Korinna probably told the brothers of their current issues but he needed to see her right now. Just as Carl lifted his hand to knock on the door, it was pulled open to reveal a much taller guy with sandy hair, a pointed nose, freckles, bright blue-green eyes, and tan skin. Carl shifted his eyes to see Korinna also standing behind the guy eyeing Carl as if she were a deer caught in headlights, as if she had something to hide.

"You must be Carl." The guy stated glancing between Carl and Korinna who seemed to be sharing words with their eyes, "I'm Anwar. A friend of Korinna's back at home."

Carl turned his attention to Anwar who now held his hand out and stared at him as if he were analyzing Carl.

"This is Ren's home." That was Carl's reply as he shook Anwar's hand.

Anwar gave a tight lipped smile, "Right. Sorry. Uh, I have to get going now. Make sure my mom is taking her meds, I'll call you later alright koúkla? Nice meeting you Carl."

Carl didn't bother to say the same as he watched Anwar jog down to his 2016 Dodge Durango and sped off. He let out a sigh as he lifted his head to meet Korinna's, "That your new boyfriend?"

He moved to sit down on the narrow steps. Korinna sucked in a breath as she closed the door behind her, moving to sit down next to Carl.

"No, he's not. Why does it matter to you anyway, I'm not your bitch?" Korinna answered.

Carl chewed on his bottom lip as he rested his elbows on his knees, "What does kou- whatever he said mean?"

Korinna blinked as the wind began to play with her hair, "Carl why are you here? Did you come here to ask me questions about my friend or did you come here to yell at me some more? 'Cause we can debate this forever if that still means you're talking to me."

Carl turned to Korinna feeling tears in his throat, "Nick killed that boy who took his bike."

Korinna wiped the frown from her brows as her eyes went wide, "What?"

"There was so much blood...I-I knew he had it bad for the bike but I-I didn't know he would...I didn't get there in time, Ren." Carl's voice cracked as he said this.

Korinna placed her hand in his giving it a slight squeeze as Carl looked down to stare at their locked hands, "I'm so sorry."

Carl clenched his jaw as he squeezed Korinna's hand back, "Me too."

Korinna knew that there was another meaning behind Carl's words as his eyes met her's.

"I'm ready to listen to your side but for now...I just need you to-I need you to-" Carl stuttered out his words, not used to being this vulnerable.

Korinna shushed the boy knowing just what he needed as she removed her hand from his grasp, and guided the boy to rest his head into her lap. Carl clenched her knee cap closing his eyes and relaxing into her form, inhaling her milk and honey scent. Carl didn't know how long he would be here but he knew the girl above him wouldn't mind.

He had found his home in the Korinna once again.

A/N: Since it's so nice outside and I'm in a good mood I dedicated my time in writing this update. I hope it healed your hearts somewhat and hopefully Carlinna will continue to be on better terms, hm...probably not though. Episode six was so freaking heartbreaking man I feel so sad for Nick's character. It's likely that'll be the last we'll see of him. As for episode eight Carl is out of the game, yes! I know when it comes to gangs when you say you want out, they brutally beat the mess out of you. So I'm glad Sean came through to stop that from happening because I wouldn't be able to watch Carl get beat down even though he pissed me off at the start of the season.

It also looks like things are heating up between Carl and Dom huh? How's that going to effect Carlinna? We shall see ;]

For real this time I promise to update Mad Hatter tomorrow or on Saturday lol.

Thanks for your reviews and favorites!