Chapter 18.

Sorry for the really long wait and for such a short chapter. I was on vacation and got back a week ago so I've been re-adjusting to my everyday life.

This one is a lot of Daniela doing her own kind of stuff because there wasn't much to do in the episode with her. Basically, it's a filler chapter. Also, I'm not an art enthusiast so yeah...

I hope you still enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shameless.


Daniela had honestly been shocked when she received news that Ethel had taken off with Malik. In a way, Daniela was proud of the girl for finally taking control of her life but at the same time, she was also disappointed.

Two weeks prior, Daniela had come home to find an actual hand-written letter from Ethel. Who even wrote letters to people anymore? Obviously, Ethel.

Her and Malik had decided to start a life with their two children and make money selling weed that Kev had buried in their front lawn.

Since then, the young girl had sent postcards from the various locations they had traveled to across America. Daniela was happy for her despite the sadness she felt that she would most likely never see Ethel again.

She pondered this thought as she came to the outside of a community center in the city. Today was the last week of some art sessions that had been taking place.

Daniela had meant to come to some of the earlier ones but always managed to get caught up. Now the new school year was around the corner and Daniela found herself seeking some artistic activities.

Her Art teacher had told her about it and especially recommended her to go and check it out.

Walking through the doors, her eyes took in the various people; all of them being mostly the same age as her. They were all mingling, no doubt having gotten to know one another over the past month.

Daniela felt uncomfortably left out.

Her sweaty palm wrapped around the strap of her bag nervously as her mind decided whether or not to just leave.

"Hey there," chirped a warm voice behind her.

Daniela's head snapped past her shoulder to see a girl around her age with cropped hair the color of chestnut and equally brown eyes. The girl offered her a kind smile at Daniela's shocked expression. She came to stand in front of her.

"I haven't seen you around here," observed the girl. Her narrowed eyes assessed her. "Is this your first one?"

Daniela nodded her head before clearing her throat.

"Yeah, I just came to check it out. My teacher recommended it to me but I was too busy to come to the earlier ones." The girl nodded back and extended a hand.

"I'm Jessica." The girl pointed to her shirt were a name badge was placed. "You can hang with us today if you want to." Jessica jerked a lazy thumb over her shoulder to three other teenagers chatting near a table laid out with food and beverages. "You looked kind of lonely."

Daniela was taken aback by her openness but was thankful no less.

"Sure," she agreed, a smile tugging at her mouth. Jessica sent her one right back before hurrying her over to introduce her to the other three teens.

Shortly after the introductions were made, a woman wearing an art smock ushered them into an adjacent room.

Daniela was riveted. The woman spoke of some of the most influential and game-changing artists throughout history and their impact on modern art. She listened with open ears, taking in all of the information.

Jessica noticed her eager look and grinned, knocking her shoulder gently. Daniela sent her a smile back before returning her attention to the speaker.

As the session came to an end and everyone filed out of the conference room, the girl found herself wishing she had come to the earlier ones. It had been a great experience and she had really learned a lot both about the history of art but also different kinds of techniques that she was more than ready to work into her own pieces.

"Hey," chirped Jessica, coming up beside her. She nodded her chin to a table where a line of people were waiting to sign a form. "Are you signing up too?"

Daniela frowned, eyeing the line.

"What's it for?"

"It's an art competition. There are three stages and then the winner gets a big cash prize. Plus it doesn't look too shabby on your college applications. Even if you're not interested in winning it's a good chance to experiment with different styles." Jessica glanced back at Daniela and shrugged casually. "You should sign up."

The girl chewed her lip nervously. She had never entered an art competition before and it seemed somewhat daunting. Daniela was her harshest critic so she wasn't entirely sure if she even had the chops to get past the first round.

With a shrug, she reminded herself that it didn't matter whether she won or not.

Jessica grinned as Daniela walked with her to join the line.

/

Daniela's fingers raked against the spines of the books filling the shelves of the library. After learning that the girl held barely any knowledge on Gustav Klimt, Jessica decided that she would take Daniela to the library to borrow some books on the artist. He was one of Jessica's favorites.

As they perused the shelves, the teen gushed about the romanticism and intimacy in his work that intrigued her and his pushing of the boundaries during his time to the deeper, sexier side of art.

Jessica let out a small 'ah-ha!' when her eyes landed on the book she was looking for.

"Here it is," she announced, pulling it out and handing it to Daniela.

The other girl studied the front cover, seeing a painting of his that she recognized called The Kiss Daniela knew of this one as her Art class had briefly touched on it.

The detail in his work amazed Daniela along with the feeling of intimacy she felt just from looking at the embracing couple. Jessica watched her flick through the pages with a satisfied smile.

"Yeah," nodded the girl, empathizing. "He's pretty extraordinary." Daniela hummed her approval as her eyes stayed glued to the pages.

Her head snapped up when she heard a familiar voice accompanied by another in the next aisle over. Peering through a gap in the books, Daniela's eyes narrowed in confusion at Lip and Karen.

The blonde was perched near the floor, looking for a particular book while Lip trailed behind happily. Daniela wasn't surprised to see them together. She had been more surprised at the fact that it took them this long. Karen and Jody's wedding reception had been a little over two weeks ago.

Daniela pulled her bag strap up higher on her shoulder, a tick in her jaw, and turned to Jessica.

"I think we're done here." The other girl raised a curious eyebrow, her eyes looking between Daniela and the pair on the other side of the bookshelf.

"Do you know them?"

"Kind of, yeah." Daniela didn't bother evaluating her relationship with the pair or more specifically, Lip.

"He's cute," commented the other teen in a whisper. "He your ex?"

Daniela's widened eyes shot to Jessica as she shook her head furiously.

With a shrug, Jessica followed behind a hurried Daniela.

Her legs carried her swiftly past the aisle that Karen and Lip occupied and to the front counter to check out the art book. As they exited the library, Daniela let out the small breath she had been holding.

Jessica looked like she was ready to start throwing out questions but decided against it. The pair shared phone numbers and with a final hug from Jessica, they each made their own way home.

/

Daniela sat comfortably in the faded recliner in the Gallagher living room. Her feet were pressed firmly down on Ian's to assist him as he did sit-ups. She was also currently helping Debbie pick out her outfit for the first day of school.

"Are you excited to be going back, El?" The teen snorted at Debbie's question.

"Hell no. I'm just glad it's the last year I have to spend there." Daniela hadn't given much thought as to what she was going to do after she graduated and as the day grew even closer, she found she was completely unsure.

"The first day and how you treat it determines the rest of the school year," explained the young girl when she came down the stairs with armfuls of different clothing.

Debbie held up a top to show Daniela.

"What if for the first day of school I wear this red top with these blue shorts?" She held the clothes against her body before turning to give the older girl a look. Daniela tilted her head, assessing it.

"I like it," she shrugged. Debbie sighed in exasperation, dropping the clothes back onto the sofa.

"That's what you said for all of them!"

"That's because I liked all of them!"

"Must be nice to not get hand-me-downs," piped up Ian, mid-sit-up.

"Maybe I should go with the pink top," thought Debbie, picking up a floral shirt.

"Not stuck with Lip's old crap," continued the boy causing Daniela to let out a low sigh. His grudge against Lip hadn't seemed to lessen at all. If anything, it had gotten even worse.

"You're lucky Fiona's clothes don't fit you yet. Get to have all new stuff."

"Ian," warned Daniela with a frown. Her friend pretended not to hear her, still doing his sit-ups.

"Ian you're not really helping me right now," said Debbie. "And despite Daniela's best attempts, neither is she."

"Hey!"

"Sorry, El."

The door opened revealing Lip. His eyes immediately caught onto Ian working out before the eventually drifted to Daniela's face. Her own eyes snapped away at the contact as her stomach did that familiar flip that had now become a regular thing whenever she saw him.

"Good, you're here!" Cheered Debbie, picking up an outfit once again. "What should I wear for the first day? I'm trying to make a good impression for my last year of elementary school."

Lip surveyed the choices and made a quick decision.

"Red top, blue shorts."

"That's what I was thinking too," replied Debbie as Daniela stuck her hand up.

"I said that one was good too." The younger girl rolled her eyes good-naturedly. Lip threw another glance at Daniela and leaned against the couch.

"Karen and I are getting back together." He watched her gaze snap up from her lap to meet his. Ian scoffed, stopping his sit-ups as his friend reigned in her shock and anger.

"I wasn't aware you two were together in the first place. Wasn't it just screwing?" Karen's words from the day Daniela went to see her rang clearly in her mind.

"She ditched Jody. Now I can step up- be a father to our kid." This time it was Daniela who scoffed.

"What's wrong with Jody?" Frowned Debbie as she gathered her clothes together. She sensed that things were going to escalate and she didn't want to stick around to see it.

"He's a tool," was Lip's short reply.

"He's not a tool," denied Daniela, turning her attention to the younger girl with one final glare at her brother. "He's actually a nice guy if you get to know him." She didn't notice the tick in Lip's jaw at her words.

"Oh yeah?" He asked with raised brows. Daniela returned his stare, her eyes narrowed. "You two best friends now or something?"

"No. But I talk to him sometimes and he's always kind." She would see him at work when he was buying groceries or when she passed Karen's house and he was grabbing the mail for Sheila. Lip felt an angry bubble travel from his stomach up through his throat.

"Well he's still a tool and it doesn't change the fact that I'm gonna be there for my kid."

"And how are you so sure the baby's yours?" The boy's face showed his obvious anger at her question.

"I just do," he answered in a clipped tone. Daniela rolled her eyes in response, opting to get up and help Debbie carry her clothes to her room.

Once all of the clothes were packed away, the younger girl sighed.

"You should probably go check on Ian and Lip." Daniela agreed and slipped back down the stairs as she heard a crash along with yelling.

"Hey!" Shouted Peggy as she entered with Carl trailing behind. The boys were still shoving each other all over the place. They finally broke apart at the sound of their grandmother's voice.

"I know what's going on here. Saw it with my own boys. One of the lions has to leave the den," she began, taking a seat on the arm of the couch. "Strongest one has to push the other out or eat him. Only one way to resolve this; somebody's gotta bleed."

"I'll kick your fucking ass," muttered Lip confidently.

"You won't last two minutes," replied his brother, equally as confident. Daniela moved slowly to stand beside Peggy, glancing between the two boys nervously.

"Uh, are you sure this is going to work?" The older woman sent her a knowing smirk and nodded before turning her attention back to her grandsons.

/

The next few days were filled with work, visiting her mother and preparing for the new school year- which she was both anticipating and dreading. With one of the last days of the summer break being a free day for her, Daniela headed over to the Gallagher residence to hang out with Ian.

When she entered the house it was relatively quiet, a strange contrast from the constant buzz and chatter that filled the place. Her nose crinkled as she sniffed the chemical smell in the air. Noticing Carl playing his video game, she frowned.

"What's that smell?" The boy threw her a quick look before turning back to the screen.

"Oh, I blew up mine and Gram's meth lab." His casual tone threw her off and her eyes widened.

Ian and Lip had told her of Peggy's meth lab that ended up exploding and killing a few college students.

With one final wary look at Carl, Daniela headed up the stairs, walking towards the back of the hallway where her friend's room was. She frowned when she saw that no-one was there.

Daniela figured that Ian had probably gone on a secret rendezvous with Mickey; the thought still leaving a sour taste in her mouth despite the growing tolerance she now felt towards the Milkovich.

With slumped shoulders, she turned to head back down the stairs but was stopped by a voice.

"He's not here." Daniela curiously followed the voice to the room she knew to be Frank's.

Her eyes took in Peggy who lay stiffly in the bed, her head barely propped up by pillows.

"Where is he?" Asked the teen, standing just outside the threshold of the room.

"He went over to that pregnant broad's house." The woman rolled her eyes at the thought of her grandson. He was as smart as he was stupid. Daniela's confusion grew even more.

"Ian went to Karen's?"

"No. Lip," answered Peggy as if it were obvious. Realization filled the girl's face until the frown quickly came back.

"Oh! No, no, I was looking for Ian."

"Oh," nodded the older woman, shifting in her bed. "He's already left too. It's Labour Day."

Daniela almost smacked her forehead. She had forgotten about the fight the two brothers had scheduled to determine the 'male Alpha'. She shook her head and surveyed Peggy, noticing the constant look of uncomfortableness on her face as she continued to wriggle around.

"Are you okay?" She asked, already making her way over to help. Peggy waved her away.

"I'm fine," she insisted although they both knew she wasn't. Daniela chewed on the inside of her cheek, moving forward again.

"Here, let me." She gently reached for the poorly propped up pillows behind the woman's head. She sent another cautious look at Peggy. "I'm gonna just gently lift your neck, okay?" The woman nodded stiffly, her eyes closed with barely concealed pain.

Daniela used one hand to carefully hold up her neck while the other got to arranging the pillows more comfortably. She had done this plenty of times with her mother. Easing Peggy's head back down, the woman let out a content sigh.

"Do you have any pain-killers?" Peggy nodded but waved the suggestion off once again.

"They make my head all fuzzy," she complained. Daniela nodded in understanding and dropped the subject, not wanting to pry.

"Is there anything you want me to get you instead? Water? Another blanket?"

"How about you stop pestering me with questions?" Shot back Peggy in annoyance. Daniela nodded once again, going quiet. The woman sighed to herself and flicked her chin to a purse across the room.

"Hand me my purse." The teen did, standing back from the bed once she had handed it over. Her eyes widened as Peggy pulled out a roll of cash.

The woman licked her thumb before taking out a few bills and folding them in her hand. She handed them out to Daniela.

"Here. Go get yourself something nice."

"Um," stuttered Daniela in response. "I can't take that." Peggy rolled her eyes before retracting her hand to place the money beside her.

"Fine, then have some free advice. Hurry up and tell my grandson how you feel about him." Daniela's eyes widened as her mouth gaped like a fish out of water.

"Wha-? I don'-"

"Stop," ordered Peggy, holding up a wrinkled hand. She fixed the teen with a knowing look causing Daniela to sign in resignation.

"I don't know," she confessed, feeling unsure. "There's this whole Karen thing and it's not like it would change anything." Peggy tutted and shook her head.

"You're almost as thick as he is. You really think that pregnant blonde is gonna stay with him? I've seen enough people like her to know it's not gonna last. Lip is the kind of guy to not realize what's in front of him until it literally punches him in the face."

"So," dragged out Daniela with a frown. "You're telling me to punch Lip in the face?" Peggy shrugged her shoulders with a laugh.

"If that's the way you want to do it. Although just telling him is equally as effective." Daniela nodded to herself, still unsure why the woman was saying all these things.

"Why are you telling me all of this?" The woman was silent for a few thoughtful moments.

"These kids have been dealt a shit hand. You're a good person- as nauseating as it is. But they need someone like you around. Especially Lip," confessed Peggy, her hard tone managing to make something so emotional sound anything but. Daniela continued to say nothing, opting to chew on her lip.

Peggy held out the folded-up cash once again. The teen looked ready to refuse until Peggy scoffed and tucked it into her hand quickly.

"I'm not going to be on this earth much longer," said Peggy. "So just take the money. It's not even that much."

Daniela stared down at the bills in her hand; there was about $60. Looking back to Peggy, she smiled softly.

"Thank you." The woman hummed in response and closed her eyes.

"No problem. Now get out. I'm tired." Daniela laughed under her breath at the woman before exiting, closing the door quietly behind her.

Peggy's words rang in her mind as she made her way home. Daniela couldn't deny that they didn't motivate her. Still, there was that thick wall of hesitation stopping her from truly taking the plunge and laying it all out on the table to Lip.

/

A string of elicit words poured out of her mouth the next morning when her alarm went off. Daniela groaned before sluggishly pulling herself up to turn the blaring noise off. It was the first day of her Senior year.

Getting out of bed, she hobbled into the bathroom to freshen up. She rummaged through her clothes to find an outfit she deemed worthy for the first day before heading down for breakfast.

Jakob was already in the kitchen pouring himself a cup of coffee when she finally walked in. Daniela raked a hand through her still-wet hair and grabbed a bowl from the cupboard.

"Morning, Senior!" Grinned Jakob, watching his sister pour herself some cereal. He rubbed a hand over the top of her head before quickly pulling it away to wipe off the wetness.

"You excited?"

"Only because I'm one day close to being out of that place," answered Daniela as she placed a spoonful of cereal in her mouth. Her brother chuckled and nodded.

"Yeah, I was the same. Trust me, you'll miss it when you're my age." Daniela snorted into her cereal.

"I doubt that." Jakob sipped his coffee and placed it back down.

"Things might seem difficult right now but they get a lot harder after that."

"Wow, you make being an adult sound so fun!" Joked Daniela with a grin. Her brother laughed once again, shaking his head and checking the watch on his wrist.

"I better get going." He moved across the kitchen, dropping a kiss on his sister's forehead along the way. "Have a good day!"

After she finished her cereal, Daniela hauled her heavy school bag onto her shoulder and made her way to the Gallagher's. The place was buzzing as it always was during the mornings.

Debbie came down the stairs dressed in the outfit they had picked out a week prior.

"Looking good, Debs," grinned Daniela down at the girl. Debbie smiled brightly back and twirled.

"Thanks, El." The teen's eyes moved to the stairs once again, hearing Ian. Her smile dropped to a look of shock at the bruises on his face.

"Holy shit," she breathed, taking a step forward to better look at them. Ian didn't seem fazed. If anything he seemed amused by the whole thing.

"Did you two get out all your frustrations?"

"Yeah," grinned Ian as he made some breakfast. "Lip looks worse." Daniela laughed and looked around the kitchen noticing that Lip was the only Gallagher not downstairs.

"Where is Lip?" She asked curiously. Ian shrugged in response, chugging down some orange juice.

"Probably hiding the evidence of me beating his ass," he joked light-heartedly. Daniela snorted, setting herself down at the table as they all fell into easy conversation.


Sorry for such a short chapter. I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things.

Also, I had to move the special thanks section to here because of the inflow of readers which I am so thankful for!

Special thanks to: DominaDeSerpensDorcha, Raging Raven, gossamermouse101, witchbaby300, Guest (1), Guest (2), Spencee98, toxic click, , blue Wren, Amelia Mikaelhey, rromanov, Imprint TL, kaitlyndt, Ender312, jbaby075, Scarlett Franco, Vampireknight1fan, FallenFayth, Stark-ingMad, purpleshampoo, Asha331, lynniev, pinkshirt, XxrudexbutxnicexX, Anonymi Scriptoris, Sierra Weasley, SweetRiceball20, brokensmile23, .Thought, Batmanfood, Rara-Binks, camster540, Padfire, mizzjacqueline7, Winterfellx, Loverofarts99, 3Silvia, Erudessa Luin, Fatgo no Akuma Shimai, Hecate's Flamez24, alvin draper, heythereitsty, peintobi12 and Ashmo21!

HUGS FOR EVERYONE!

REVIEW!