SIX
"So are you going to use me now? / Well you're a motherfucker / Take this take that, I can take it / But I might just lose my mind / Or my shirt anyway / And if it all came crashing down / Just know that it won't bring me down - well / Put me on the front lines, as you're sitting on the sidelines / Don't think you can play with my mind / 'Cause that's all mine." -The Palms
-X-
"I used to be a rifle, yeah I had my distance / Whistling like a bullet in the sky / I used to be a psycho, yeah I had my demons / Crawling like a spider up my spine / I spotted you the second I walked in the building / I knew that you would let me get you high / I wanna hear the things you say when no one's listening / But that don't matter anyway, 'cause you're mine." -PHANTOGRAM
-X-
"Have you ever felt that thing? / It's like a thunder within / Have you ever had that dream, Where you couldn't swim? / The lightning, it strikes in the darkness of night / I'm out in the middle of the sea / Suddenly I'm awake, But I'm still in that scene / In a storm lost at sea." -Bad suns
-X-
"I don't need a quick fix, empty conversations / can we save the scripted bullshit for what's lacking substance / can we turn back the pages and take it back to the basics? / don't quit 'fore you try." -Stalking Gia ft. Deion Gill
-X-
"I've been living like a pretender / ready for a reason to fall apart / demons living in the center of my heart." -Handsome Ghost
The sun was extra bright today and that's when Korinna knew that it was going to be one of those days.
At Enzo's tiny house you could see everything. Korinna didn't take Enzo to be be the type to live secluded from people, he seemed more like a city type instead of deep in the woods where the trees stood so tall you could barely see the sky. Enzo's house was more like Korinna's type of home, this would be the type of thing she wanted in the woods or in the mountains somewhere surrounded by nature where she could plan her adventures out for the day. The moment Korinna woke up she had to get out of Edge Heart Grove, she didn't want her housemates to continue staring at her and wondering what was going on with her. Korinna didn't want to sit at group therapy and share about all the troubles that were happening outside of the rehab/treatment center, she just didn't. She even went as far as ignoring a yoga session with Janice.
So here she was running the woods with Enzo right beside her, her competitiveness sinking in as she pushed her body further against the cool rays. Soon the two came to a stop with Enzo pressing his palms to his knees and Korinna had a small smile on her lips as she held her arms up and over her head trying to catch her breath.
"This is what you do when you're going through shit? Come into my house at six in the morning, making fruit infused water and make me try to keep up with you as you run around these woods?" Enzo summarized as he dropped onto his backside staring at the dark haired girl who sipped on her water.
Korinna swallowed the fruit water glancing over at the Brazilian, "Would you rather me ask Cam for some of his morphine?"
"That's not funny."
Korinna winked, "It kinda is."
Enzo shook his head as he used the back of his hand to wipe away his sweat, "No it's not. But I'm glad you seem to be determined to get your shit together. Even if that includes waking me up before my scheduled time."
Korinna rolled her eyes, "You said your home was the hangout spot if we ever wanted to get out of Edge Heart Grove so boom here I am."
"Point made." Enzo dismissed, "The real question is what are you going to do about all this drama? You can't just ignore it like it's not there. I mean you do realize you were wrong for saying that to Debbie, she's supposed to be one your best-friends."
Korinna held her hands up in the air, "What do you want me to do? I said what I said and I can't take it back. It's not like she hasn't been throwing that I'm in rehab back in my face. Like it's my fault that we cant see each other every single day like it used to be, I got deeper issues than politics. I'm trying to get myself together, she knows that. I know she's trying to get herself together too but I can't always be about Debbie Gallagher. My feelings are valued too, Enzo. Not only that but when I want to be left alone then I should be left alone, not analyzed like some fuckin' lab rat."
"What I'm saying is she's your friend; your BEST friend. Do you really want your relationship to end like this? Especially if it's really true that mini JB is deciding to go to military school. You're gonna need her because when you officially leave Edge Heart Grove things change." Enzo said.
Korinna scratched at her hair, "What do you mean?"
"It's easier to slip back into old habits especially if you don't have people like Viola and James breathing down your neck." Enzo stated, picking at his finger nails.
Korinna blinked, "Are you okay? Do I need to be worried about you?"
Enzo smiled brightly, "Of course not. I'm just saying the real challenge is trying to function normally whatever that means, I mean I still clean twice a day but at least it's not six times a day like before. I'm speaking on Paz actually. She's been in and out of E.H.G. three times now. This is the longest she's lasted so I'm proud of her for that, I'm just saying that it's better to hold onto relationships that are healthy so that you can better yourself."
"Maybe I am better without her. She did say that she wished she never met me so it is what it is. It also made me think if our relationship was really healthy. I've learned a lot about myself at E.H.G. and I thought over everyone of my relationships outside of that place and I know nothing's perfect but maybe we were never real friends to each other. I always did more for her than she ever did for me, she's such a libra Enzo. Perhaps this is a good thing, us cutting ties with each other. I'm not gonna sulk about it because like Viola says 'It ends or it doesn't." Korinna summarized her gaze somewhere far gone.
Enzo sighed as he got to his feet and began walking over to her, "If you thinks that best then so be it." He spoke his shiny tropical eyes meeting her dark cloudy ones, "Last one to the house has to shower outside with the hose!"
"That was a bitch move!" Korinna yelled realizing seconds after what Enzo just said and sprinted after the tall twenty-four year old.
Freshly showered Korinna was on her way back to E.H.G. That's when she noticed the banner hanging from the top of the Victorian house. "Shit." She muttered as she tossed some cash to the uber diver and climbed out of the vehicle.
Closing the iron gate behind her she spun around to see James smiling down at her with his electric blue eyes. He had his arm resting around a woman who had an Afro and yellow lilies resting in her big hair. "There you are! Hopefully you remembered that today was family day?"
"Nope. It honestly slipped my mind." Korinna bluntly admitted making James' wife smile around the glass of her pink lemonade.
"It's good to see you again, Korinna." The woman smiled, her deep dimples shinning around her already light aura.
Korinna dipped her head, "You too Mrs. Williams."
The woman waved her finger as she stepped towards Korinna pulling her into a tight embrace, "I told you to call me Aamiina we're practically family."
Korinna cleared her throat she stared at James for help. He smiled letting his wife hug the teen a little longer before reaching out for her shoulders and pulled her back, "Darling we should let Korinna get to her family now."
"Oh yes. We'll chat later." Aamiina smiled as she brought her loving eyes away from her husband who lead the way towards the garden.
Korinna watched the couple a little longer remembering a time when her own parents used to be the exact same a long time ago. Shaking her head she started towards the cobble pathway spotting Dove who already had her eyes on her, the platinum blonde girl had heavy bags underneath her eyes as a guy beside her held her hand tight in his grip. While the other two adults, who Korinna assumed to be her parents were chatting about something. Dove offered Korinna a small wave and smile but Korinna could tell that Dove didn't appear to be happy. Just as she were going to make her way over to the group a arm looped with hers.
Turning she looked up into Monte's bitter Hennessy colored eyes, "What the hell are you doing?"
"Just pretend that we're actually buddies so my mom doesn't think Dove is my only friend." Monte gritted staring over Korinna's shoulder.
Korinna almost pulled her arm from's Monte's, "And why should I help you?"
"Because I know something useful but I won't share it unless you help me." Monte faced Korinna.
Korinna stared Monte down as if she were trying to see right through her. Why should Korinna do anything for Monte? They weren't friends, they just simply tolerated each other, they were nothing but "housemates."
"Korinna, Paidi mou!" A raspy voice interrupted causing Korinna's eyes to go wide and spin to face a woman she hadn't seen in years.
"Yaya?" Korinna questioned as she let out a breath and set off running towards the woman.
The woman let out a laugh as she encircled her granddaughter into her arms. Korinna closed her eyes as she squeezed the woman closer to her, she still smelled the same like rose-water and vanilla. Since her grandfather's death Dimitri had so much guilt in his heart that he wouldn't bother to visit his mother who lived in the same town as him. As far as Korinna knew the woman still lived in town but whenever she tried to visit her she was never home and was informed by neighbors that she were out traveling the world. So Korinna never had the chance to see the woman who was the only good part of her father.
"Let me get a good look at you Paidi mou." The woman cooed holding Korinna's cheeks in her hands, the woman's dark eyes scanning every inch of her granddaughter's face.
The woman clicked her tongue, "Ti échoun ídi sas sítisi tou paidioú mou? Eísai tóso mikró!" (What have they been feeding you my child? You're so tiny!)
"We lost our best chef!" Korinna informed the woman who simply nodded her head, "Yaya I love your dress."
The dress was a deep orange color and wrapped in silk around the elderly woman's frame. Short sleeve and had a small slit in it, her grandmother was all about style and class and this woman definitely had it. The woman fanned her hand , "You can have it once I die."
"You're not dying any time soon." Korinna quipped.
The woman patted her face, "Prépei óloi na pethánoume óti eínai i megalýteri peripéteia eínai ekeí, i zoí eínai móno i eísodos sto thematikó párko." (We all must die that's the biggest adventure there is, life is only the entrance to the theme park.)
"Yaya." Korinna exclaimed only making the woman wave her hand about and lace their hands together.
The woman led Korinna towards the back of the house where Viola and her family were, Cam and his family, and Janice's family. Yaya Rokos made her way over to a table where food was set up, most of it also looked quite familar.
"Did you do this?" Korinna wondered.
Yaya began fixing Korinna a plate filled with food, "Yes my child you must eat. This place isn't feeding you enough!"
Korinna sighed letting the woman drag her to a table right next to Janice, her father, twin brother and sister, and baby brother. Korinna spoke to the family a bit before she turned back to her grandmother who had a fork out ready to stuff Korinna's mouth with food. Korinna remembered that Dacey would tell her stories that this is exactly what Yaya would do to each and everyone of them especially Korinna. If she were not getting fed fast enough she would ball up her fist and bang on the high-chair.
"Yaya," Korinna started as she swallowed the potatoes, "I can do it."
Yaya Rokos held her hands out after handing over the fork to the teen, "How are you? This place treating you good?"
Korinna nodded as she placed more food into her mouth.
"That's not what I hear," The woman commented as a frown appeared on Korinna's face.
"Who are you hearing that from?"
The woman patted her hands as she glanced around the area beyond them, "Tha milísoume gia aftó argótera." (We'll talk about that later.)
Licking her lips Korinna reached for the peach juice and swallowed her worries for later. Just as Korinna were finishing her food she decided to ask, "I'm very happy to see you Yaya but how did you know about family day? Did Nicky and Vito tell you?"
"Nicky and Vito...the Gimello brothers? No sweet pea. That also reminds me that Ms. Susan Gimello gave me a new quilt to give to you. I stopped in on them before arriving here and gave them my thanks for raising you in the time that your parents couldn't. Yet you still have your demons much like every human being but...Dacey told me about family day." Her raspy tone serious as dark eyes focused on dark.
The woman immediately picked up on the tension that appeared in her granddaughter's body language, "What is going on between you and your brother?"
"How long has he been contacting you?"
"Not long. Not very long at all," Her raspy accent came into play as a frown set in between her brows, "He said you were in trouble."
"And you're here to save the day." Korinna summarized.
"I just want to understand and be apart of your life. Your parents wouldn't let me be there for any of you, I'm deeply saddened that you have to endure the most pain out of this." The woman declared.
Korinna pulled her short hair into a ponytail, "I'm handling it. I've been managing just fine."
"It's okay to say that you're in pain Paidi mou. It's okay to say that you're scared for what's to come but it's not okay to act like you don't care about your well-being. It's not okay that people messed you up and that you continue to inflict pain upon yourself. That's no way to live." Yaya Rokos strongly advised, making sure that her words would get into the teen's head.
Korinna leaned her elbows on the table staring at the veins underneath her skin, "Do you know that your grandson is in a cult? That he wants me to join him so I can be safe. I'm too involved in things that I don't want to be involved in. You know I'm never really happy for too long and that's depressing, really really depressing and I'm just tired and it's never going to get better Yaya. I want adventures, and I want good things to stick with me for awhile. I don't want to wake up every morning and secretly wished that I hadn't."
Sniffing the woman reached over to pat away the tears that threatened to fall from Korinna's eyes, "That's why I have an idea. You can live with me, I know you had it good here with the Gimello's but I think it's time. That is your choice, I came here to take you back with me because I know you don't want to be with your father again. And now that I think about it, I don't want you anywhere near Dacey either. If he were here I'd go like this," The woman slapped her hand against her other palm, "To his head." Causing Korinna to let out a small laugh.
The woman smiled at that, "I'll pray for him everyday just like I pray for you, koukla."
"I don't know if I can leave again, Yaya."
The woman watched as Korinna ran her finger around the rim of the glass, "Why not? This place only brings sadness."
"I said some hurtful things to someone that I care about and I don't truly think I could leave again without - without fixing it somehow."
"We all say things and do things that are hurtful. The Greek tongue Paidi mou, it's like acid. If that's how you were feeling at the time then there's nothing you can erase, it's already been said. However I understand what it feels like to lose friends to disagreements but even I know that you not wanting to leave has to do with something else." The woman read Korinna like a book.
"What?"
Yaya Rokos gripped Korinna's hands in her's as she stared at the bronze skinned girl in front of her, "Paidi mou you are in love with someone, no?"
Korinna sighed, "Yes."
"I knew it!" The woman snapped her fingers, "Is it freckled face boy?"
"No." Korinna immediately replied her face holding a grimace.
The woman smirked, "Okay is it one of these girls here? The mute one, the blonde fairy, or the grumpy girl?"
"Yaya I'm not gay." Korinna declined.
The woman laughed, "You're thinking like an American. So quick for labels. You like what you like, no?"
Korinna ran her hand over her face, "Riiight and they're all equally gorgeous...Janice and Dove more-so because Monte doesn't have the best attitude but nope not interested."
Shrugging her shoulders the elderly lady peeked to her left and gave a big grin, teeth showing and all, "Oh I know. It's him."
Frowning Korinna turned around to see Carl stopped in his tracks talking to Cam.
"Excuse me Yaya," Korinna got up from the table ignoring her grandmother's questioning, "Well is it?!"
Korinna cautiously made her way over to the two boys watching as Cam leaned against the fence stuffing a cracker, slice of cheese and salami into his mouth. "I need some pointers man on how to get Korinna cause I'm sure the both of you are gonna get tired of this constant cat and mouse chase. Even if she doesn't want a relationship with me, it's fine as long as I get to say I had my round with her ya know?"
She couldn't believe Cam, actually she could. He liked to put on this front that he was this socially awkward kid in the beginning but once he felt like he were comfortable with you (which he didn't waste any time) he thought it was okay to instigate things, lie to get the things he wanted and was just simply manipulative. Korinna had never met anyone in her life like Cam, and maybe underneath all his issues he could be a good person but the fact that he only viewed Korinna as an object showed how truly disgusting this kid was.
"Do you have any idea who the fuck you're talking to?" Carl's deep voice retorted.
Cam's eyes wandered around the two of them, "Uh yeah you're the guy that's been too busy putting her in the friend-zone so maybe she can get with a real guy like me-"
"Let's cut the shit, Connor-"
"It's Cameron or Cam buddy." Cam playfully punched Carl's shoulder.
Carl kept a straight face making Cam clear his throat.
"Like I said let's cut the shit, Connor. I don't like you and I'm pretty sure Ren doesn't like you either because she's my girlfriend. I would know. Did you get that? MY girlfriend. MINE so if I hear that she has a problem with you we're gonna have to handle this boy to boy...man to man - whatever you get what I'm trying to say! I haven't got my hands bloody in a long time so let's not go there, buddy." Carl's heated stare was fully directly on Cam's.
Cam sent a smile his way and raised his hands, "You got it. Congratulations by the way!"
With that he circled himself around the shorter guy with Carl's eyes watching him as Cam returned back to his family. When Carl faced forward he didn't notice Korinna standing there with a smirk. "Hey Ren-"
Korinna shut him up by tugging his lips on hers. Instantly Carl's hands went to rest on Korinna's hips as he slowly kissed her back, a slow smile broke from his lips making Korinna pull back. "It's good to see you."
Carl fought against raising his eyebrows at that, afterall this was all new for the both of them, "I love that you're happy to see me but I don't know how much longer that's gonna last."
Korinna loosened her grip on Carl's neck staring at him, knowing of the news already.
"Oh Korinna are you going to introduce me?" A raspy voice caused Carl to break his gaze and turn to the woman beside them.
Korinna sighed as she smiled at the woman, "Yaya this is Carl my...boyfriend. Carl this is my grandmother, Yaya Rokos."
Carl held his hand out as he stepped forward, "Nice to meet you Mrs. Rokos."
Yaya Rokos had something written in her eyes as she glanced between the two, "Likewise Carl. I trust that my granddaughter is treating you well and you in return?"
"Yeah of course. It's new for us but we're working on it." Carl spoke, his eyes shifting back to Korinna's form.
Yaya nodded her head as she hummed feeling the magic in the air between the two, "Alright well it seems like the two of you have important matters to tend to so as soon as you're done with that make sure you fix Carl here a plate. The boy must eat too."
"Ren fix me a plate?" Carl questioned with wide eyes and amusement written in them.
"Yaya he has two legs and two hands, he can do it." Korinna scoffed crossing her arms.
Yaya glanced over her shoulder, "Now Paidi mou that's no way to treat your future husband. You must cater to him like he does to you, you must start young."
"Husband?" Korinna echoed but the woman continued walking towards Viola and her family sparking up a conversation.
Carl snaked an arm around Korinna's waist tugging her into his side, "Your grandmother's kinda hot."
Korinna shoved Carl who laughed, "Stop."
"What? I mean you had to have gotten your looks from somewhere. It's a compliment."
"Shut up Carl." Korinna muttered with a shake of her head leading the way inside of the house ignoring the stares from Dove and Monte.
Korinna let out a breath as she plopped down on the couch waiting for Carl to sit down beside her. Instead he placed his papers down on the coffee table and sat on it in front of Korinna. "Okay I don't know how you're gonna take this at all."
The dark haired teen watched as Carl began chewing on his bottom lip and lightly bouncing his left leg.
"You're going to military school." Korinna told.
Carl frowned, "How do you know about that? I know Dom's not-"
"It wasn't Dominique it was Debbie."
Carl tightly blinked, "Shit. Thanks a lot Debbie." He muttered to himself, nervously running his fingers through his layered hair.
"She threw that in my face because she knew it would get to me like I got to her."
"Wait...so the two of you had an argument?" Carl guessed.
Korinna leaned back into the cushions, "Yup that's all we seem to have lately. It's like her and I are married. But we just got divorced."
"And now I get to have you." Carl winked playing with Korinna's hand.
Korinna smiled at that.
"I don't know if I should go." Carl responded.
"Why?"
"Well for one they have a fuckin' honor code," Carl started handing over the folder filled with packets to Korinna watching her eyes skim over the rules, "Two I'd be leaving you..."
Korinna ran her fingers over the pamphlet. This was Dominique's father's school. This is where Carl would be, this is where he could go on and start a new chapter in his life. If it were something that he really wanted then why not go for it?
"You leave in less than three days." Korinna felt her throat going dry.
Carl licked his lips trying to progress her reaction, "Yeah...but I still have time to decide."
"What's there to decide? You're going." Korinna announced closing the folder and putting it to the side.
"But-"
Korinna shook her head, "You don't need to worry about me. I'm fine, we're together and I'd be a shitty girlfriend if I stopped you for wanting to do something with your life. You are doing this for yourself right?"
"I want to go because I want to learn how to be a man. No one's going to teach me that around here, not in the way I want anyways." Carl expressed.
"Then go."
"Are you sure?"
Korinna leaned on her knees pressing her lips against Carl's once more. She'd never get tired kissing him, mainly if she only had a few days left with him. She would take as many as she needed. When she pulled back she stared into his dazzling blue-green eyes giving him a smile, "I'm sure. Stop worrying about me dumb ass, I'm supporting your future so go grab it."
"Should have made you my girl a looong time ago." Carl grinned kissing the corner of Korinna's lips, "I'm gonna go grab food and then I want you to help me study this honor code shit."
"I don't mind but have you asked Ian?"
Carl shrugged his shoulders, "He hasn't been around much. Wait...should I leave and come back? I mean your grandmother is here."
"I'm sure when you go get food she'll follow you into the house to make sure we're not getting freaky with each other. She's into the whole no sex before marriage thing." Korinna crossed her legs on the couch now sitting side-ways.
Carl smirked at that leaving the room.
Yaya Rokos had seem to taken a liking to Carl and didn't mind watching how he interacted with her granddaughter. Yaya understood that Carl wanted to be a man and that military will make that out of you and a woman. Yaya knew that Korinna always seemed unsure about what she wanted from life and her future. And that was okay, some people never knew where they wanted to be in life and Korinna happened to fall under the large percentage. It all starts with finding yourself in life to determine that. That's all Yaya knew. Korinna Olivia Rokos hadn't found herself yet. She hoped that she could persuade Korinna to come back with her now, travel the world with her grandmother. Yaya knew that if Korinna stayed at Edge Heart Grove any longer that her granddaughter might end up dead for good this time. Now that Carl was trying to get himself together, this might be an easier way for Korinna to do the same.
Carl ended up leaving around three saying that Debbie was having a dinner party with her new boyfriend, Neil who was Sarah's (who worked for Fiona and was currently Lip's new fuck buddy) brain damaged brother. Carl had tried to get Korinna to come with him, hoping that his sister and his girlfriend could try to mend their relationship but Korinna thought it wasn't best. She didn't want to ruin Debbie's new life and knew she was no longer apart of it. Plus she wanted to spend more time with Yaya so with a kiss goodbye she told Carl she would see him later before returning back to her grandmother.
Janice's family left around the same time as Carl did, Monte's mother was still here and the two were currently outside sitting on the porch trying to enjoy each other's presence, and Cam was still falsely telling his parents and little sister that he was doing so much better now. Janice was currently in the indoor porch with Viola's daughter China who was singing an original song to her along with her god-brother Jaden who jumped in with a few bars of his own.
"Korinna I strongly suggest that you come with me. I'm only here for a few days too, I know Dacey put fear in your heart but I'll keep you safe." Yaya spoke quietly.
"What makes you think The Gimello's can't keep me safe?"
Yaya breathed, "I know they can. I've never doubted that they couldn't but I believe it's time you give yourself a break."
"Like I said before I don't need saving. I don't need to go into hiding either because I didn't do anything, this is all on Dacey."
Yaya gripped Korinna's face so she can see how serious she is, "Listen to your Yaya. I know you're in love with Carl and he loves you too but he's going away. No matter how hard it's going to be for you to let him go, you will. You will come back with me because if you don't you will end up just like your mother."
Korinna pulled herself out of her grandmother's grip, "Wow I saw a trait of my father in you just now. Control. You thinking you know what's best for me without asking me."
The woman held her lips open then closed them and opened them again, "You're right I can't make you do things you don't want to do which is one of the reasons you ran off anyways. But Paidi mou life is meant to be touched not strangled and looking into your eyes you've been fighting to breathe since the moment you were out the womb."
Taking a deep breath Korinna held her hands out, "I'm gonna use the restroom."
The woman didn't bother to stop her as she sipped at her tea watching Korinna from the corner of her eyes. Just as Korinna went to push on the door Dove pulled it open while using the back of her hand to wipe her mouth. Her yellow-green eyes weren't as lively as before as she gazed into Korinna's eyes. She smoothed down her hair as she tried to give Korinna a smile, "Hey Korinna! I saw you and Carl, true love exists."
Korinna watched as Dove moved around her, "Are you okay?"
"Sure why wouldn't I be? Everything's great. I had the chance to see my fiance and my parents, life's good." She smiled and went down the steps gripping tightly onto the railing as she went down.
Korinna entered the restroom spotting something yellow hanging out the cabinet, yanking it open Korinna saw the measuring tape. Glancing behind the door there sat a scale. Sighing Korinna made her way back downstairs where James, Viola, and now Yaya Rokos sat in the dinning room.
"Dove's throwing up her food again."
James sighed as Viola sprung up into action. Yaya Rokos watched her granddaughter with slits in her eyes as she followed Viola into the room who was already questioning Dove.
"Oh my god! I said I'm not doing that anymore, I've been eating right and even gained the ten pounds that I lost back!"
"Is that why you're throwing up your food again because you gained ten pounds? You reached your healthy weight back, Dove. Don't go back down that road again, is it because of what your mother said to you today? I guarantee you're still going to fit into your wedding dress just fine." Viola said.
Dove glared at Korinna, "You! Why can't you just mind your own business!? I know you told them!"
"Dove-"
"She is only doing the right thing any house mate should do." Viola interjected watching as the thin girl jumped to her feet.
Dove laughed, "Oh that's just rich! Then since she wants to spill secrets let's all spill secrets! Cam keeps a stash of morphine in the bathroom underneath the tiles that are under the bath tub! Janice - well i don't know she promised your mother Korinna that she would look out for you! So maybe your friendship with Debbie isn't the only fake one! And I saw Monte going into the office at night to steal Korinna's files for something I don't know what but for something! She also steals your vodka bottle's Viola and I caught her masturbating to one of James' pictures! Since everyone is so worried about me eating, worry about that!" She screamed shoving her way out of the living room and running up the steps.
The room remained silent at that not many knowing what to do or say at that. Viola took a deep breath as she turned to James, "I want you to contact Dove's fiance and parents and tell them that she's going to be transported somewhere else. Cam, you're going to show me where you keep all of your shit or I'll kick you out and have you arrested. Monte come with me, I haven't forgotten about you either. Janice talk to Korinna. I'm sick of all of this foolishness!"
Cam ignored the sounds of his mother's crying and the looks his father and sister were giving him. Monte and her mother shared a look but Korinna couldn't tell what that meant. Korinna stood in place staring at Janice in complete awe as the striking blue eyed girl stood before her. "Is it true? Are you only pretending to be my friend as some promise to my dead mother?"
Janice held her mouth open as she began to sign: "Yes. I made a promise to your mother but that doesn't mean that our friendship isn't genuine."
"But you lied to me from the beginning. How can anything we have be real? Everything just continues to get higher on this bridge full of lies!" Korinna exploded.
Janice used her fist and rubbed against her chest, a sign motion that meant "I'm sorry."
"I hate apologies. I don't want to hear them. I'm done." Korinna muttered turning to her grandmother who silently watched her take her leave.
xxx
The next day the house was so tense. Korinna refused to talk to Janice, Dove was possibly moving to a different treatment center where there was no excess to the outside world and Cam was given another chance. He was currently going through a detox at another center for a few days and wouldn't be back for another two days so that made the house a lot quieter. As Korinna made her way downstairs she met Monte who was leaving the office of a scolding Viola.
"Why were you stealing my files?"
"What files?" Monte innocently asked.
"Don't play dumb. If there's something you need to know about me then you come to the source, don't be a noisy bitch." Korinna snapped.
Monte smiled, "You're right. My bad."
With that said she made her exit to the basement making a chill run up Korinna's spine. What did Monte know? It was time for Korinna to do some research of her own. Quickly taking her leave she took a uber to a house that she never thought she would visit: Nadia's.
"So Monte's mother isn't her real mother she's her step-mother whose actually her father's adopted sister?! So her adopted aunt is basically her step-mother and her father married her after he beat his first wife to death right in front of three year old Monte? No wonder she's so bitter. But that doesn't explain why she's looking through my shit." Korinna paced Nadia's house.
Nadia shook her head, "You're right it doesn't. Her adopted aunt/ step-mother works for a high-end company. I can do a little more hacking for that, there's not much else to tell about her scumbag of a father. He's an ex-gang member that's been in and out of Monte's life leaving her to be raised with this woman who seems squeaky clean but that's what everyone seems like until I hack them." She smiled.
"Yeah whatever." Korinna replied but her eyes were trained on her phone seeing a new picture of Debbie, Neil, and her red-headed baby sitting on his lap.
Engaged? Debbie was engaged?
"I heard from Vito who heard from your grandma that some deep things went down at rehab." Nadia causally said, "Do you want to talk about it?"
"With you? Fuck no!" Korinna laughed locking her phone, "Do you want to talk about you sleeping with my brother?"
"I didn't sleep with Dacey!" Nadia bit.
Korinna raised her hands in the air, "Okay whatever. Not a big deal if you did, even if I don't like you."
"Well I still want Vito so you don't have to worry about it."
Korinna widened her eyes, "Yeah we'll see how well that's gonna go."
"What do you mean?"
"He's gone on a few dates since then."
"With who?"
Korinna gasped, "I'm surprised you don't know. Ms. Hacker and all."
Nadia took a deep breath, "You know what. You like to get into people's heads."
Korinna placed her hands on her hips raising her eyebrows.
"My mother was into Offender profiling so I learned a lot."
"Are you calling me a criminal?"
"Did you almost beat a girl with a monkey wrench?" Nadia quizzed.
Korinna let out a harsh breath.
"For the short time that I've know you, Korinna Rokos you are a hand full. Temperamental, impulsive, and a bitch. These things you already know. You say you don't want people to lie to you but as soon as the truth comes out or people decide not to lie to you, you wish you didn't get the bad news because your heart can't take it. It's too damaged from the moment you were born and that's really sad. I feel really sorry for you. You're chasing around this guy and now that you finally have him he's gonna be gone just like that, how can you give love if you can't experience it longer than for two seconds? I'm not trying to be bitch here although I should be but it's time that you start really getting it together and stop expecting everyone else around you to do it for you. You've had your big girl panties handed to you long ago, now its time for you change them and be a better you because if you don't then you'll always be like this. Unhappy and I know you want more out of this life than to be unhappy for another sixty years." Nadia preached her truth.
Korinna swallowed the lump in her throat as the door was pushed open revealing Jovanna and Vito.
"I have a bright idea!" Jovanna sung as Vito pushed the door shut behind them.
"What?" Nadia asked.
Vito wrapped an around Korinna pressing a kiss to her temple, "You alright sweetheart?"
Korinna shook her head no but Vito didn't further question it because Korinna was already moving from underneath his arm. Jovanna held her hands out in the wide open as she pulled her baggy jeans up before plopping down on the couch, "We find Epps' children and we kill them first."
"We talked about this we're not killing anyone's kids." Nadia denied.
Vito scowled, "Why not? Epps' son Derek tried to kill Korinna. You know if we kill both Herb and Epps they're going to come after us too so we kill them first then Herb and Epps. It's not that bad of an idea, just dangerous as hell but it can work."
"And then what? They are cartel they have people working with and under them, it's going to be a big blood shed." Nadia argued.
Jovanna clicked her tongue, "Well it's a shame cause Nicky went to collect shipments and set up a meeting with his people."
"We haven't talked about this." Nadia gasped.
"What's there to talk about? You don't have to get your hands dirty or anything, you did your work. It would have been better if you found us Dacey so we wouldn't have to go through this shit but we have to go with option b okay?" Vito uttered.
"No it's not okay! Do you understand the consequences this will bring down on all our heads? If you do this then this will never end!" Nadia screamed.
Jovanna chewed on her grapes, "Hey if you can find Dacey in twenty-four hours then this plan cancels out. Until then that's the plan, you feel unsafe then leave the country change your name do what you gotta do. The first priority is keeping this pretty thang safe since she doesn't want to go travel the world with her grandmother."
All Korinna could hear was the echoes of their conversation. She was letting every single thing roll over in her brain, her eyes brushing over the chapters of her life up until this very moment. It was all just too much, it was the reason she was here right now. Korinna got to her feet and left the house not answering the calls of the older adults around her.
xxx
Korinna stood at the Gallagher's door pounding on it waiting for an answer. Debbie yanked the door open watching as Korinna stared at her. "Since when do you knock?"
"Congrats on your engagement." Korinna cut right to the point.
Debbie crossed her arms, "Thanks...would have been nice if you were there at the shit show of a dinner party but we're no longer friends so..."
"And it sucks. It really sucks how everything went down between us and I can't and I won't take back what I said because we both started to drift apart."
"You can't put that completely on me."
"I can take some blame too such as: not being honest with you about all my shit but that's just me. If I can figure it out on my own then I will, I can take anything, I literally faced death and came back. You know that about me, if I have a issue I'm the first one swinging to tackle it down but lately I've been drowning at sea Debbie. I'll talk to you about it now, there are people after me that want me dead and I can get killed standing on the very doorstep right now and that scares me. I never had be scared, I never had the time. But I am and this can either end bad or really fuckin' bad because someone is gonna get hurt no matter what happens." Korinna could feel her throat cracking, "I have no relationship with my family anymore and my yaya she's in town and wants to build something with me but the moment I build something with someone it fails. It's funny how you were one of the biggest parts of my life and now it's like we share nothing but shit happens ya know? We may never be friends again in this life-time but I just really want you to know Debbie that I don't regret being friends with you. I do wish you the best."
Korinna didn't break eye-contact from Debbie and didn't expect the red-haired girl to say anything. Korinna went to squeeze her way into the house but not without Debbie embracing her, her chin burying into her shoulder. Korinna hugged Debbie back until the girl let go. "Carl's upstairs."
So upstairs she went to be more vulnerable than before.
xxx
"Hey Ren didn't know you were coming over?" Carl greeted from the top bunk of his bed.
Korinna closed the door pressing her forehead against it taking a few deep breaths. Carl watched in concern from the top of his bunk until Korinna turned around and circled the bed to face Carl, eyeing the suitcase and backpack that was half packed. It was all real, he was leaving.
"Remember when we were nine and ten years old and we told ourselves if things ever went wrong with our families that we would always have each other?" Korinna started folding her hands on top of her head.
Carl nodded his head his eyes shifting wondering where this was going, "Yeah that's never gonna change."
Korinna swallowed, "Good."
"Remember the time someone was bullying me because of my ethnicity and you threw a potato at them to defend my honor?"
Carl smirked, "Yeah he cried like a bitch. Start shit like a bitch, you get dropped like a bitch."
Korinna laughed a little at that, "Remember when you broke your leg and I just knew it was that kid with the dinosaur tattoo so i chased him all the way home throwing rocks at him just for you to later tell me that you were the one trying to jump from different trees and you didn't get pushed?"
"Yeah that was awesome."
Korinna stared down at her feet before lifting her head, "The moment I knew that I loved you was the first moment you drove me fucking crazy."
Carl frowned at that trying to make sense of what was just said.
"It was months into knowing you at pre-school and daycare. When you scribbled all over my coloring book and took my spot at the dollhouse with Cindy knowing that was my favorite spot. You knew I was angry since I kicked sand in your eyes but every time you made me mad you would always make up for it. Since a young age we're supposed to have cooties or whatever but it wasn't like that for you and me, you would share whatever small lunch Fiona packed for you when my mom began to forget to pack mine. I loved you from that moment Carl and I still love you. I'm still here and I know I'm going to miss you when you leave, a whole fucking lot." Korinna felt like she were choking on her words.
Carl now sat on the edge of the bunk, "Then ask me to stay and I will."
"That's selfish and I'm anything but that." Korinna shook her head feeling a tear glide down her face causing her to roughly wipe it away, "I would never stop you from fighting for your future. You were always the one out of us that knew what you wanted out of your life so you have to go and get it."
"Not if it's going to hurt you this much if I leave." Carl jumped down onto the wooden floor to use the pad of his thumbs to wipe away Korinna's tears, "There's something else going on isn't there?"
Korinna took this time to close her eyes and enjoy the feel of Carl's hands on her face wiping away her tears. When she opened her eyes she said, "I'm mad. I've always been mad. I'm mad about a lot of things but I know I'm mad that I had to hear about this from someone that isn't you. I'm mad about all this time wasted for us to finally be together just for it be ripped away again. I'm so mad! I'm mad at us trying to do this long distance thing that I'm not sure we can even handle! I'm mad Carl! Not just about you! Not just about us! Everyday I'm mad and I can't stop feeling this way even when I'm loving you!"
All Carl could so was hold her. He didn't know what to say to make any of this better. She wanted him to go but he felt like he shouldn't be going. Carl had never seen Korinna this open before especially with her feelings, they were always kept in a jar just like the jar she kept underneath her bed filled with each other's secrets. Carl held Korinna as tight as he could, feeling warm tears drip into his short sleeve hoodie but she didn't hug him back because she was ready to fight. She was fighting him! Swinging on him that Carl froze wondering if that were real, it's not like they didn't play around before growing up but actually getting this physical was new. But Carl wouldn't allow her to take it out on him. Carl easily had Korinna pinned underneath his body on the floor, "Stop, Ren! Just stop!"
Carl's eyes were staring right in Korinna's hoping that would calm her down. He could feel his arms warm with the scratches she had given him but he could take it. "I love you too." Carl whispered pecking her lips.
"I think time apart will do us all some good, you, me, Debbie. We're all a little fucked up but that's what kept us together for so long. Don't worry baby we can make it if we try, that's all we ever do."
Korinna said nothing as she flipped the two of them over, "I love you Carl."
Carl licked his lips, "I love you back."
Korinna ran her fingers through Carl's hair trying to lock this moment in her head for as long as possible. Crouching forward to placed her lips on his again kissing much slower than usual and with those kisses came roaming hands and Korinna realized that Carl Gallagher was her drug. He intoxicated her and her lungs didn't protest, not once. He told her that whatever she wanted to do they would do, he wondered if this maybe the wrong move since emotions weren't on the best side right now but Carl wanted this and knew Korinna did too. They were already too locked in each other's trance that wouldn't stop until their bodies became still.
Carl was the one leaving again and Korinna? Who knows.
The hour glass almost said time was up so they better make the most of it, which they had.
A/N: BYE!
UPDATED AS OF 11/18/16