On the day Kacey had finally had a conversation with Carl it was incredibly hard for her to focus. She immediately told Phia and Blake what had happened during lunch, and they both smiled at each other and giggled like idiots when she was done.
"What?" Kacey asked as she glared at them.
"Nothing." Phia replied seriously; then she cracked a smile, causing Blake to burst into a fit of giddy laughter all over again.
Kacey rolled her eyes. "WHAT GUYS?!" She exclaimed. They always did this to Kacey; it was almost like they had a secret language.
"Well…" Blake looked at Phia and bit his lip. "It just sounds like, you uhh…" He laughed again and looked at Phia.
"OH MY GOD WHAT IS IT JUST TELL ME!" Kacey was annoyed, but also slightly amused (which she would never admit to them).
Phia looked at her. "It sounds like you were flirting with him. Big time." She smirked.
Was I?
"And he was totally flirting back." Phia added, smirking again.
False.
"Oh come on guys. I just said sorry about Nick, and apologized for everyone in this school for being assholes about it!"
Blake squinted at her. "And you also told Zack and Wesley that you were gonna cut their dicks off if they didn't shut up about it?"
How did he know that?
"Who did you hear that from?" Kacey asked him.
"People talk, Kacey. Did you really expect Zack and Wesley not to tell anyone about you going off on them?" Blake replied. "Especially since you were defending Carl Gallagher?"
"Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?" Kacey started to feel like she was on edge.
Phia looked at Blake as if she was wordlessly saying "shut up," then looked back at Kacey.
"What Blake is trying to say is that people are gonna know what happened."
"So?" Kacey asked skeptically.
Why is this such a big deal? I just called them out for being dicks.
Phia continued. "At this school, you get shit for even being seen with South Side kids. Not from the decent people here, but from the assholes like Zack, Wesley, and all of their friends. Obviously, Blake and I don't care who you hang out with. We're not prejudiced cunts who judge a person based on their lifestyle." Kacey smiled a little. "Look, all we're saying is that we want you to be careful."
Kacey shook her head. "Guys, I talked to him once. I'll probably never talk to him again."
Is that true?
"Alright alright. We just don't want you to have to deal with getting shit from people." Blake responded.
"Thank you for caring." Kacey replied. "But even if they did give me shit, I think I could handle it. They're all a bunch of pussies." She smiled.
Blake and Phia laughed. "We don't doubt that." Phia said.
The bell rang and they got up from their lunch table, making their way towards the hall. Phia stopped Kacey before they left the cafeteria, and waved for Blake to go on without them.
"What's up?" Kacey asked.
"If Zack or Wesley or one of their friends tries to talk to you about what you said, what are you gonna do?" Phia looked concerned.
"I'm just going to tell them I really will cut their dicks off if they come near me. Because I honestly would."
Phia laughed. "Nice. Well, I guess you always have to protect your man, right?" She smirked at Kacey.
"My man?" Kacey asked. Then she understood.
"CARL GALLAGH —" Kacey covered Phia's mouth with her hands before she could scream the rest of his name.
OH MY GOD.
A few people had looked over but Kacey didn't dare look back.
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" Kacey whispered angrily. But she couldn't stop the smile from appearing on her face. "YOU ARE THE WORST."
Phia was laughing hysterically and trying to remove Kacey's hands.
"I SWEAR TO GOD PHIA I WILL STRAIGHT UP PUNCH YOU IN THE FACE IF YOU EVER TRY THAT AGAIN!" Kacey was half-laughing at that point. Then she removed her hands from Phia's mouth.
"Okay, okay. I won't." She giggled and then her and Kacey parted ways as they walked towards their next class.
Kacey's weekend was pretty uneventful; she caught up on work and started her essay for History that was due next week. Of course, she was reminded of her encounter with Carl countless times from Sophia when she was over on Saturday night to watch a movie.
"So, how's your lover?" Phia asked with a straight face, then started to smirk.
"I'm so done with you." Kacey responded as she shook her head.
A few hours later, Phia left to go to a "small get-together" at some place near South Side which was about twenty minutes away.
"Are your sure you don't want to come?" Phia asked for the 10th time.
"Yes. I'm just going to watch trashy reality shows and eat." Kacey replied, waving the remote.
Phia sighed. "Okay fine. Text me tomorrow."
Kacey heard the door shut.
About an hour later, she heard a car door slam.
Oh God. She started to feel anxious. He's home.
She heard the familiar heavy footsteps as her dad entered the house and made his way to the kitchen. He always made something when he got home from drinking. It was usually spaghetti, really greasy homemade pizza, or a pile of nachos. Tonight, it was spaghetti. She heard him rummaging around the kitchen to try to find a pot to boil water.
Kacey's heart was pounding as she went to the kitchen to greet him. I have to play the game. She had to be nice, otherwise, he could ignore her, avoid her, withhold money, etc. etc. etc. He had done it many times before. But now, she knew how to deal with him.
"Hey Dad." She said shakily. He looked up from the drawer he was moving pots and pans around.
"Hi Kacey. What're you doing?" He continued to rifle through the cookware. She could definitely tell he'd been drinking. I mean, it obviously wasn't a surprise that he had; Kacey was used to it and was very skilled at recognizing if he even had one drink, let alone several.
"Just hanging out. Gonna head to bed soon." She yawned for emphasis.
"Okay." He was distracted. "Want me to make you anything?"
Here's the thing about Kacey's dad: he could be nice when he wanted to. He was very charming, and everyone liked him. Except for Kacey. Look, she knew he wasn't entirely a bad guy, but he was never involved in her life. He treated her like an inconvenience, and basically wanted her to kiss his feet for the "many sacrifices" he makes "on a daily basis for her."
He's so ridiculous.
"No, I'm good, thanks." She smiled. "I'm just gonna go upstairs."
His back was turned to her as he found the pot and put it in the sink to fill it with water. "Alright, see you tomorrow."
Kacey left and went to her room then closed the door. Ugh. She hated being awake when he was here. It made her anxious. She was usually asleep when he came home during the week and on the weekends. And she always went to her room when they were in the house at the same time. He was so irascible and tended to be very sensitive when he was drunk. Not a good combination. So she tried to keep her distance.
Kacey read The Catcher in the Rye for over an hour. She loved it, and was multiple chapters ahead of everyone else in her English class. Reading made her feel less alone.
A couple of minutes later she heard her dad walk up the stairs then shut his door.
Good, he's going to bed. Kacey always felt better when she knew she was the only one awake. She didn't know why. Probably because she didn't have to worry if he would try to talk to her or anything.
By the time she put the book down it was 1 a.m. Kacey was tired, but she never really went to bed any time earlier than 2, no matter what. I'm so bored. She picked up her phone from her bedside table and the screen illuminated.
9 texts and 5 missed calls from Phia.
Kacey shot up from her pillow. Is something wrong?
She started to read the texts:
"GRT OVWR HEREE E !.1!"
"ANSDFERR YOR PHOME"
"YUR BAAEB ISS ATT DTHIS PARTUYY"
"CALKLL MEE EE"
The other texts were completely unintelligible. Kacey urgently called Phia back. She picked up after the second ring.
"GET OVER HERE BITCHHH!" Phia was screaming. It was clearly very loud where she was. Kacey held the phone away from her ear. Ouch.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING?" Kacey yelled back. She prayed her dad wouldn't hear.
"HE'S HEREEEEE!"
"WHO?"
"YOURRR BOYYY!" Phia laughed loudly.
Kacey rolled her eyes. "IF YOU MEAN CARL THEN I'M GONNA KILL YOU."
"JUST COME HERE OR I'LL BE MAD AT YOU. IT'S AT ANDREW'S HOUSE YOU KNOW WHERE THAT IS RIGHTTT?" Obviously Phia was drunk.
"WELL, YEAH I KNOW WHERE THAT IS BUT —"
"GREAT YOU BETTER COME YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF THAT HOUSE OKAY SEE YOUU SOOOONNNNN BYYYEEEE!" The phone beeped, ending the call.
Kacey stared at the screen. Do I go? She was bored and not really tired. I actually wouldn't mind going.
Most of the time, Kacey was never in the mood to go out. However, there were always rare times when she actually wanted to. A surge of energy ran through her. Fuck it I'm going. Though Phia's drunk, she's right. I'm sick of sitting here doing nothing. Plus, a tiny part of her wanted to see Carl.
But what do I wear?
She settled for a simple black t-shirt dress (which was fairly short) with sandals a few minutes later. She quickly put on a little foundation and mascara, then brushed out her hair.
She crept down the stairs and grabbed her keys then silently opened the door. Her dad honestly didn't really care what she did, plus he was a really heavy sleeper so he would never even know that she had even left.
Kacey hopped into her car then paused to make sure she could remember where she was going. Andrew's house. Right. She didn't even know his last name. But she had been there twice before and she thought she could figure out which house was his once she got to his neighborhood.
About 15 minutes later, she thought she recognized his house. There were a ton of cars on the street and she could hear music coming from the house. Yep, definitely his.
She parked a little farther down the street since there were cars packed left and right. As she walked toward the house she felt the familiar pang of anxiety that accompanied her when she was going to an event. Well, an event with alcohol. But she was kind of tired of being scared of drunk people. Correction: she was really tired of it. So she walked into the house with her head held high, pushing her way through to find Phia. I wonder if Blake's here.
Finally, Kacey found Phia in the basement, along with Charlie and Blake. Phia ran over and hugged her.
"OHH MYYY GODDD!" She started jumping up and down. "I'M SO HAPPPYYYY YOU'RE HEREEEE!" Phia giggled and swayed a lot.
"Phia, let's sit down." Kacey grabbed her arm and made Phia sit on the small couch. "Hey Blake." Kacey smiled and he waved back.
"Ah, Charlie! Hey!" She said as she sat next to him and moved in for a hug. She loved Charlie but never really got to see him. He smiled at her and hugged her back. All of them smiled like vodka. "So glad you could make ittt!" He slurred. It was really hard to hear.
Phia then jumped up and screamed Kacey's name, then climbed over Blake and Charlie to get to her. They were pretty out of it, anyway, and didn't seem to care. Kacey laughed in confusion.
"WHAT?" She sensed what was coming.
Phia grabbed her shoulders and smiled slyly. "CARRRLLLLL." She was now jumping up and down.
She clearly thinks this is way more than it really is.
Kacey scoffed then screamed back, "SOPHIA I TALKED TO THE KID ONCE! IT MEANS NOTHING!"
Phia pouted. "FINNNEEE. WHATEVER YOOUU SAAYYY." She hiccuped. "I GUESSS THAT MEANNSS YOU DON'T CARE THAT HEE ASKED ABOUT YOUUU EARRLLIERRR." Phia poked Kacey on the cheek and started giggling hysterically.
WHAT? Is she lying?!
"COME ON THAT DID NOT HAPPEN," Kacey shouted.
"I SWEARRR! ASK BLAKE! OR CHARLLLIIEEE! OR EVEN BETTERR, GO FIND CARRLLL!" She smiled again.
"WELL, WHAT DID HE SAY?" Kacey asked.
"HE WANTED TO KNOW IF YOU WERE COMINGGG."
Why?
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
I SAID YOUU WEREE SITTING AT HOME AND WATCHINGGG KEEPING UP WITH THE KARDASHIAANNSS." Phia laughed then plopped down on the couch and started talking to Blake and Charlie.
Of course Phia told him that. Ugh.
Kacey turned around and started scanning the room. She was searching for Carl; she would have seen him if he was upstairs. There were a ton of people in the basement. Not really a "small get-together" like Phia said.
Kacey moved through the throng of people and tried not to get smushed. She could feel the sweat from people's clothing when she touched them to move them aside. Ew.
Eventually, she made it to the other side of the room. Wait, what am I doing? She paused. I'm just gonna say hi. That's all. I'm being polite.
For a few minutes she stood there awkwardly. People were grinding all over the place, and others were making out. Empty cans of beer littered the floor.
I think he's gone. She was slightly disappointed.
As she was contemplating whether she should leave, she felt someone lightly touch the small of her back. She turned to the side. She was face to face with Carl.
Holy shit.
"HEY." He yelled over the music, bringing his hand back to his side.
"HEY." She smiled back. Her heart started beating faster.
RELAX KACEY.
He leaned in and bent his knees a little so he could put his mouth close to her ear. "I DIDN'T EXPECT TO SEE YOU HERE." He said, his hot breath tickling her ear. She shivered a little.
"I DECIDED TO COME LAST MINUTE." She told him, her cheek brushing his hair as she leaned in.
His hair smells so good. And is he wearing cologne? It smells amazing...
JESUS KACEY FOCUS.
He nodded. For a little they observed the chaos in front of them. Then Carl leaned back in. "Do you want to go somewhere quieter?"
Kacey didn't know what he meant. Does he wanna talk or…
Kacey looked at the crowd as he looked at her, waiting for an answer. She bit her lip then met his gaze.
I can't handle direct eye contact with this boy.
She leaned in to reply.
"I JUST…" She started to feel nervous. "I'M NOT THE KIND OF GIRL WHO LIKE…" She struggled for words. "I DON'T DO RANDOM HOOK-UPS." She glanced at him. He was smiling.
He leaned in again. "I PROMISE YOU, THAT IS NOT MY INTENTION. I JUST WANT TO HANG OUT." He looked directly at her, his facial expression more serious. "I promise," he mouthed.
Kacey stared at him for a second then her face broke into a smile. She nodded towards the stairwell and he understood. He went first through the mass of bodies and she followed. When they made it to the other side they walked up the stairs. It wasn't any quieter. They took a lap and it seemed to be even louder than the basement. Kacey looked at Carl with a small smile and shrugged.
He leaned in. "WANNA GO ON A WALK?"
Kacey hesitated, thinking. "HOW ABOUT A DRIVE? I HAVE MY CAR." She replied.
"SURE." Carl backed up and smiled.
She motioned for him to follow her to the front door. Once they made their way outside, it was amazing how much cooler and quieter it was.
"Thank God." Carl said.
"I don't know how people can last so long in there." Kacey responded.
"It's easier when you're trashed."
Kacey laughed. "Yeah. Too bad I don't drink."
Carl looked at her, his eyebrows raised. "You don't? At all?"
"No, i just um…" She tried to find an explanation that didn't include her dad. "It's just not my thing."
He didn't pressure her to elaborate. "Yeah, it's not really my thing either."
Kacey was genuinely surprised. "What?"
He smiled at her shock. "I have a few beers every now and then, but it's not something I really enjoy." Kacey nodded. They had reached her car at that point. "Damn. Nice car." Carl stood back and admired it.
"Thanks." Kacey unlocked it. "Now get in." She ordered, smiling.
He smiled and hopped in the passenger side. "So where are we going?" He turned towards her.
Kacey hadn't even thought about it. "Hmm. Wanna go to 7-11? I'm kind of craving a Slurpee."
He smirked. "Sure."
Is this even happening? Never, in a thousand years, would Kacey have expected that Carl Gallagher would ever hang out with her. Yet, here he was. In her car. Willingly. This is crazy.
"Good. Now get buckled or I'm not driving." She commanded.
Carl playfully rolled his eyes. "You are such a mom."
Kacey laughed. He reached over his shoulder and grabbed the seatbelt then pulled it across him, clicking it in place. Kacey did the same with hers.
"Alright. Let's go." Kacey started the car.
