New Gallagher

Chapter 2

Setting in with the Gallaghers

I heard yelling and jumped, almost falling off the couch. I yawned and looked up. Ian passed me, going into the kitchen. "Mornin', Max."

I nodded and said quietly. "Morning, Ian." It's only been 2 days, It was still weird to be in a house full of strangers. Even if they were my family. I scratched the back of my head and got up, still a little lost at what to do. Fiona didn't have work today, so she was going to drag me down to the school. Even if I didn't want to go.

I walked over to the table and slumped over it. Something round nudged my head and I looked up. It was Ian again and he sent me a smile. "Here."

I smiled shyly back, looking at the bowl of cereal he had for me. I usually wasn't this shy, but it's been a long time since some made me food, even if it was just cereal. He was a couple years older than me, only 14. But, still. I looked over to see Fiona coming in, making sure Debbie and Carl were following her, Lip was missing. I was a bit relieved about that, he was always glaring, it made me nervous. Especially since it was his house, even if it looked like Fiona was the one that was in charge. I just tried to keep out of their way.

I looked around, but Frank and Monica weren't here. Ian saw me looking around. He shrugged. "They walk in and out a lot." Fiona looked over after giving Carl and Debbie their breakfast.

Fiona nodded. "Yeah, Max. Don't worry about it, okay?"

I nodded back. "Okay."

Fiona looked tired, but she sent me a smile. "Good." She looked around. "Where the hell is Lip? He's gonna be late." I stared to eat my cearal. I knew better than to waste food.

Ian said, putting his plate in the sink. "He's in the shower, and wants to smell nice." He gave a smirk, which Fiona shared.

Lip came into the kitchen. "Talkin' shit again, Ian?"

Ian grinned. "You make it so easy." Lip rolled his eyes, stopping for a moment at seeing me, but went over to the fridge.

Fiona brushed off her hands. "Okay, Lip, Ian. I'll take Carl and Debbie to school. You guys don't have to, just pick them up after."

Lip tooked over, throwing bread in the toaster. "Huh, why? You don't have work?"

Fiona shook her head. "Nah, I gotta get Max signed up." Lip glanced at me, his face hard to read. Fiona said, in a pointed voice. "Lip."

Lip looked away with a shrug, grabbing his toast. "Okay, cool."

I tried not to make myself shrink.

The guy hated me.

I said, scratching my neck. "I don't have to go..."

Fiona sent me a look. "Yeah, that's not happening. Nice try, though."

Ian sent me a grin and I sent one back.

At least he didn't hate me.

I was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, clothes that belonged to Ian a couple of years ago. I didn't mind, I never really thought about clothes, just made sure I had some to wear. Fiona shrugged. "Sorry, kid. It's what we got."

I shook my head. "These are fine, there's only one hole in these jeans."

She looked me over with a raised eyebrow, but realized I was being serious. "Ok, I'll patch that up later." She called. "Debbie! Carl! You ready?!"

They ran over. "Coming Fiona!"

I walked with them as she held their hands on the way to school. I think that was mostly because Carl kept on shooting forward, forcing Fiona to tug back him back to their side. Debbie turned her head. "Hey, Max!"

I was slightly behind them. "Yeah?"

She grinned. "Hold my hand."

I blinked. "Really?"

"Yeah, you're all the way behind us."

Fiona let out a laugh. "I would, she'll keep bugging you-Carl! Stop running!"

Debbie huffed and held out her hand. "I'm not bugging anyone!"

I grabbed her hand, curling my fingers around her hand. "It's okay. I don't mind." I couldn't help the happy feeling in my chest. It's been a long time since someone's held my hand.

We ended up at school. It was a big building and their were still some kids hanging around out front. Fiona let go of their hands. "Okay, you-"

Carl ran off into the school, calling a 'Bye, Fiona!' as he ran inside. Debbie let go of my hand. "Bye, Fiona, Bye Max. See you after school!"

Fiona raised her eyebrows. "Well, that was easy." She sighed. "Alright, c'mon."

I followed her to a lady with a desk. She was typing on a computer. "Hello, how can I help you?"

Fiona was sighing again and I wonder what was up with her. "I'm Fiona Gallagher, here to register my sister."

Her head snapped up so fast and with wide eyes that I couldn't help the loud laugh at her reaction. Her looked zeroed in on me. Fiona tugged on a bit of my hair lightly. "Stop that."

The woman blurted out. "There's another one of you?"

Fiona gave a tight smile. "Yeah, so if we can get this started, I'd appreciate it."

The lady went to the door behind her. I glanced at Fiona. Was she getting mad?

Fiona glanced at me. "What?"

I shook my head quickly. "Nothing."

The lady went inside and closed the door. I asked. "What's with her?"

Fiona shook her head. "It's not a big deal. You're not the first Gallagher."

The lady came out and got me settled for school, though the principal kept staring at me. Someone was waiting to take me to class.

Fiona quickly tugged me away. "Okay, Lip and Ian are gonna pick you up after school."

I swallowed slightly, blurting out. "Lip too?"

Fiona smiled, looking at me. "Don't worry about Lip, okay? He'll get used to it."

I didn't want to argue with her, so I nodded along. Fiona smirked. "If he doesn't, I'll knock some sense into him."

I grinned back. "Yeah, okay."

She squeezed my shoulder. "Go on, get to class."

I made sure Debbie and Carl were with me as I did not want to be blamed for the kids disappearing, it would give Lip the reason he needed to hate me more. Debbie was talking in my ear and I was nodding along. Carl groaned, cutting Debbie off. "Jeez, where are they?"

I shrugged. "I dunno. They ever not get you?"

Debbie shook her head after shooting Carl a glare. "No, even if they are late, they always get us."

I blinked and turned to look at her. "Never?" Carl was walking across the chairs that were against the wall. After getting across, he would nudge the chairs apart a little and do it again. He would keep on doing the same thing. I smirked a bit. Kids.

Debbie looked at me, confused. "That's weird?"

I frowned. "Uh, I don't know, my Mom...nevermind."

"Yo, Carl, Debs." I looked to see Lip and Ian walk over. Lip glanced over at me, but a curse from behind us had us all look over. The six year old fell and smacked on the ground on his face. Lip swore. "Oh, fuck." He went over to check on him. I glanced at him a bit worried, but he sat up. Lip asked. "Shit, you good, Carl?"

He just grinned and rubbed his nose. "That was cool." I smirked a bit, Carl was a lot of fun.

I felt a hand ruffle my hair. I glanced up to see Ian sending me a smile. I smiled back. Debbie was holding onto his hand and shaking her head at Carl. Lip pulled him up. "Dude, be careful." Carl shrugged.

We all walked back and Debbie was talking to me about her day and asking me about my day while grabbing my hand too. It was like before, I couldn't stop the smile from my face. Carl ran ahead a bit, which Ian and Lip were talking it each other. They looked like they were close. Ian was nice, Lip couldn't be that much of a dick if Ian liked him. I glanced over at him. He must of felt my eyes on him because he looked over.

He raised his eyebrow. "What do you want?"

I felt my face get hot and I looked away. "Nothin'." Nevermind, he's a dick. I saw Ian nudge him with his shoulder, but Lip pushed him off.

Carl cheered. "Finally, we're home!" He pushed past the gate and went in. Debbie pulled me inside and we went up the stairs. "Don't worry about Lip, he's like that sometimes."

I glanced at the couch and saw Frank laying on it, a beer bottle hanging from his fingers. I heard a sigh in the kitchen I recognized from Fiona. Then I heard Monica talking. I felt my shoulders tense. I still didn't know how to act around her. Debbie ran downstairs into the kitchen and I walked up the stairs in Debbie's room, sitting down on her bed.

I was there for a couple of weeks and my social worker came by, but nothing else. She said she had nothing from my mom and I was pissed.

Only Fiona and Frank were here. Debbie and Carl were upstairs. Lip and Ian were out somewhere.

"Where's my Mom?"

She turned to look at me. "Maxine, I told you-"

I shook my head. "Screw that! I bet you do know!"

She was frowning at me. "Even if we could find her-"

I spat. "I knew it, you-"

"Max." I jerked my head up at Fiona's voice. Her hands were on my shoulders and squeezed, but it didn't hurt. She nodded at her. "Thanks." Fiona nodded toward the door.

She nodded at Fiona and turned to me. "Thank you. If something comes up..."

I scowled. "Bite me, bitch."

I saw her clench her jaw. Fiona's grip tightened on my shoulders, saying sharply. "Max! Stop."

I felt my shoulders shrink from her tone and my scowl deepened. "Whatever." She left and Fiona let me go and got in front of me.

Frank asked, complaining. "Can I go now? I was going to the Alibi with your mother."

Fiona groaned. "Frank, get out."

I listened to the door close and I crossed my arms with a sigh. "Am I in trouble?"

Fiona crouched down so she can look me in the face. "No, but don't piss off DFS, okay?"

I saw the tired look on her face and even if that lady pissed me off, I nodded. From what I saw, she worked a lot. "Yeah, sorry."

She smirked and messed up my hair. "It's okay, she's a bitch, anyway." I grinned back. There was a weird look on her face, but she said. "I know your waitin' on your mom, but you can stay as long as you want."

As much as I wanted to go home, that made it easier.

I realized one thing, Fiona struggled to take care of everyone, I actually made me feel bad. And I hated that. It pissed me off that I felt guilty. Frank and Monica were like Mom, they disappeared a lot. I loved my Mom, but I knew she had problems. And I wanted to help, I had a feeling I would be staying a while.

I was walking toward the door.

"Max, where are you going?" I stopped, it was Fiona and she was picking up stuff in their living room, Ian sitting at the table and sitting at the table with a book.

I shrugged, glancing away from her. "Nowhere, just wanna go for a walk."

The T.V was on and Debbie and Carl we watching it.

Fiona asked. "Yeah? I can get Ian or Lip to go with you."

Ian looked relieved, glancing at the book. "Yeah, I can take you." I could tell he didn't want to do homework anymore.

I shook my head quickly. "Uh, no, that's okay. I'm used to walkin' in the city." Ian shrugged with a sigh, going back to his book.

I glanced at her to see her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. I forced myself not to squirm under her look. It was like she could read my mind. "...Okay, I''ll be at work, don't get back too late...actually here." She reached in her pocket and handed me a flip phone. "The top number has the diner on it. It's got minutes, so just call if you get lost or something, kid."

I swallowed and glanced away from her. I took the phone. "Thanks." No one ever did that for me...not even Mom. As lame as it was, I felt a warm feeling in my chest.

Fiona gave a sigh before messing up my hair. I glanced up to see her smiling at me. She pushed me a bit toward the door. "Alright, see ya later."

Yeah, I had to help.

I was walking back to the house, seeing the sun going down. I got about 30 bucks. I wasn't much, I just did what I did in the city back home, I pickpocketed people.

I walked in and saw the living room was empty, except for Debbie and Carl, who were sitting on the couch. Debbie waved. "Hey, Max."

Carl glanced over. "Where'd ya go?"

I shrugged. "Hey, Debbie and I went for a walk."

I walked in the kitchen and looked around. I knew where they kept the extra money as I saw it once or the "Squirrel Fund". I knew they hid it from Frank and Moncia. I looked around some more and reached up, throwing about 20 bucks in there, putting it back, hopping down and walking out.

Fiona was counting the Squirrel Fund after making sure Monica and Frank were gone. Lip was sitting at the table, counting through his own pile. "I got 150."

Fiona blinked after counting her pile. "You sure, Lip?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, why?"

Fiona shrugged, grabbing the other half from him. "I swear there was less in there last time."

Lip smirked. "You forget how to count?"

Fiona rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Dipshit." She shrugged. "Whatever." She hid the money again, remembering the electric was going to be due soon.

Lip got up. "Better then having less."

Fiona nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right."

There was no use in worrying about it now.