FOURTEEN

FINALE

PART III

"I see everything with new beams, I do dream / My eyes are glowing mood rings, you're boring / Stop dueling with the true thing, I do think / When you think too much you're removing what's moving / Stuck inside a statue, look at you." -Kid Cudi ft. Andre 3000

-X-

"There's a silent peace, in the tragedies / Water washes clean until they're dry / Turn your shattered dreams into rhapsodies / This is where I keep you in my mind / I need you to be free / So this is where I leave you / Sitting in a palace covered in gold inside my head / This is where I see you on a bed of roses when I wanna kiss your silhouette / Ooh, ooh, ooh / This is where I leave you." -Hayley Kiyoko

Korinna had been in this position once before. Laying in a hospital bed with people deciding her fate for her. She went with it and all turned full circle again. She stood in front of Monte's bed with her hands digging deep into her pockets, her dark hair draped over her face as she watched the older teen's body barely rise and fall with small breaths. Things were not looking up for Monte. Korinna had heard from the doctors outside that were talking to her step-mom/adoptive aunt that Monte had ingested a numerous amount of antifreeze. How? That's what the police still needed to figure out. Dr. Woon was the one to get Korinna off the scene before the ambulance came to collect Monte, why? Korinna didn't question it.

However she was still here. On her feet watching Monte with an emotionless expression. The bitch looked dead to Korinna but there was something in the back of Korinna's head telling her that she needed to be here. That it wasn't some coincidence that she had found Monte laying in the middle of the street, that she had mercilessly bumped into a hooded figure right before finding the nineteen year old. The sixteen year old had been here for awhile, it was going on eleven-thirty and she hadn't eaten yet. Sighing Korinna didn't move her dark eyes to the door, which was cracking open to reveal Monte's blonde haired step-mother. That woman was pale and looked as if she were in her late 50's. Her glossy blue eyes viewed Korinna then quickly shifted back to peek over at her step-daughter.

Clearing her throat the woman asked, "How did you get in here? Are you a friend of Monte's?"

Taking a deep breath Korinna blinked her attention to the woman, "Sure. Something like it."

The woman gave a forced smile as she poured some water from the pitcher before downing it and returned to look at Korinna, "I'm sorry did you want some?"

Korinna shook her head, her dark eyes drinking in the form of the blonde haired woman before her, causing the woman to easily shift on her feet. Korinna smirked to herself as she said, "It's unfortunate how things play out right?"

The woman moved to fill her paper cup again as Korinna circled around the bed plopping down right beside Monte's legs. Korinna could see a smudge of Monte's color pursing through her veins but it wasn't all that noticeable.

"The doctor says she may never come out of her coma."

Korinna shrugged her shoulders, "That sucks."

"Where did you say you know Monte from?" Mrs. Espinoza interrogated.

"I didn't." Korinna smiled, showing her teeth making the woman frown.

Korinna continued on, "You work for a fashion magazine don't you?"

"Yes. You're familiar with my work?"

"Not really." Korinna trailed off, turning back to Monte.

Mrs. Espinoza was clearly beginning to get frustrated with the weirdness of this conversation. Placing the cup onto the bedside table she cleared her throat again folding her hands in front of her body turning to get a good look at the teen, she didn't know what this girl was playing at.

"You know...you're the first person out of Monte's friends to visit."

"That's because I was the one who found her," Korinna answered lifting her head to glance at the woman, "I'm not here because I care or anything. I'm here because someone wanted me to find her like this. If someone wanted to get to me, why would they go after someone who honestly doesn't mean shit to me?"

Mrs. Espinoza swallowed the lump in her throat.

Korinna shifted on the bed, folding one of her legs towards her body as she faced the woman a small smile playing on her lips. "Unless...Monte somehow got involved with something she had no business getting mixed in."

"Look I have no idea what the hell you're talking about, but if it's money that you want-" Mrs. Espinoza started.

Korinna frowned as she raised her hands in surrender letting out a humorless laugh, "Wait a fuckin' minute...don't tell me you think I did this shit to her? Damn, you don't even know me and you're already creating assumptions about me. That's a lot of credit that I will not accept, see I can do a lot of things but poisoning is not what I do. The world is toxic place."

"I-I remember you now. You were at the family day, up at Edge Heart Grove and Monte had her arm looped with yours. I had the impression that you were friends." The woman recalled.

Korinna shook her head, "Sorry to disappoint you but Monte Espinoza is not a friend of mine. Far from it but I just came here to tell you that there's a reason your step-daughter is lying in this bed right now. Either you knew that and are in on it or you're really as clueless as you look."

"What do you mean?"

"Did you or did you not know that Monte is involved with the cartel? Now think wisely about your next words because I've really been on edge lately. I don't know why that is." Korinna laughed, her almond eyes wide now as she waved her hands about socializing.

Mrs. Espinoza stared at the dark haired teen strangely and shook her head, "N-No. I didn't know that."

"Do you think I'm lying?" A wave of darkness appeared over Korinna's face as she stared at the woman across from her deeply.

Mrs. Espinoza had stepped closer to Monte now, gripping her arm as if Korinna were going to do something to her. Korinna couldn't wrap her head around why this woman had a protective grip on Monte, she had already told her that she was not the reason Monte was in the hospital. She wasn't going to hurt her, apparently Monte was already screwed as it is.

"Who sent you? Are you working with those men?"

Korinna raised an eyebrow, "Ah. Now we're getting somewhere. What men are you speaking of? Tell me everything you know in less than an hour because I need to get food and attend a funeral at one. Think you can do that, Sandra?"

"It's Donna." Mrs. Espinoza corrected, seeing Korinna unbothered by her correction.

Korinna patiently sat on the foot of Monte's bed waiting for the older woman to start flapping her gums. Korinna already had an idea about her suspicions after searching Donna's car and then Monte's hospital room. Mrs. Espinoza said that she knew that Monte had been socializing with some people over the internet while still being at Edge Heart Grove, and that James had even dropped her off to meet up with them a couple of times. Mrs. Espinoza also informed Korinna that a woman in her early twenties had showed up to her job specifically demanding a meeting with her but something didn't feel right. Korinna described Delaney to Mrs. Espinoza who confirmed that that sounded like the woman. Mrs. Espinoza didn't know why any of this had to do with her or what Monte had been doing.

It was Korinna's turn to release some secrets showing a backpack full of Monte's things. Korinna was surprised that the police hadn't taken the bag for evidence but found that Mrs. Espinoza had put the bag in her car hiding it from the police. So she had the impression that Monte was doing something that she wasn't supposed to. Korinna shoved a piece of strawberry bubbilicious gum into her mouth, and tossed the wrapper to the floor.

"I already took out what I needed from Monte's backpack. Hope you don't mind." Korinna shrugged her shoulders, turning her back to hop down onto the cool hospital floor.

Putting on a smile again Korinna circled around the bed and aw'ed at the image of Mrs. Espinoza holding on tightly to Monte in fear, "That's a delightful sight. Monte used to chat so much shit about you at the treatment center. I'm glad to see that now that she's dying that you two have finally come together to work shit out." She laughed.

Once Mrs. Espinoza let out a sob Korinna stopped her laughter and put on a frown, "Whoa, shit, alright! Didn't mean to make you cry or nothin' lighten up, why don't ya?"

"Just get out! You got what you wanted, just leave me and my daughter alone before I call security!" Donna hissed, cradling Monte's lifeless frame.

Korinna nodded her head and shoved her hands into her jacket pockets once more, "Alright fine. I'll get out your hair. I hope you two have a nice fuckin' holiday." With that she spun on her feet leaving the hospital room and began to blow a bubble.

On her way towards the front entrance she spotted someone that looked all too familiar glancing over his shoulder. As Korinna got close to the boy, he finally turned around and jumped back in surprise to find Korinna there smiling at him.

"Hey, Korinna! What brings you here?"

Korinna continued smiling at Cam in silence making the false smile on his own face quickly disappear, "You...okay?"

"I'm swell," Korinna grinned and stepped forward to press her lips close to Cam's ear, "I know what you did to Monte you son of a bitch. I hope it was worth it, working with the cartel doesn't mean you'll make it out alive."

"What do you know?" Cam growled.

Korinna pulled her hand out holding up a flashdrive, "Found this gem in Monte's backpack. Why would you leave valuable evidence lingering in your backpack just for anyone to find? I know everything Cam so let's stop playing stupid."

She pulled back to stare into Cam's brown eyes. He clenched his jaw watching Korinna as she held that same sardonic smile on her face, "What I had to do is my business."

"Does that include trying to kidnap me and take me to the Luh's?"

"No! That was never apart of the plan, that had nothing to do with me. That was all Monte and her father's doing. I had my own war with Monte, you were not supposed to be the one to find her in the street anyways." Cam had a smirk of his own now playing on his lips.

"But you knew about Monte and her father trying to kidnap me." Korinna summarized watching as Cam crossed his arms and nodded his head, "Who was supposed to find Monte in the street then?"

Cam flashed his teeth taking his turn to lean in close this time, "Carl."

Korinna's smile had completely dropped from her face as she didn't think about what she did next. Her fists were flying, knocking Cam to the ground in an instant. In flashes she was on top of him, her hands flying in rapid speed. Her knuckles quickly bruising and filling with hers and Cam's blood. The kid barely blocked his face as Korinna kept swinging, once she was tired enough she stood up straight over Cam and blew her hair out of her face. Panting she took her non-battered hand and brushed her short hair back. Korinna ignored the screams from the nurses and knew that security was probably on their way down. Crouching down over Cam's body she tilted her head a few times getting a good look at her artwork now chomping on her gum.

Cam's eye was already beginning to swell up, his nose looked as if it might had been broken the blood trickling down to his lips. His cheek also had a bruise yellowing in front of her eyes. Korinna gripped Cam's chin hearing him groan and wince at her touch, "You're lucky I didn't jam my dagger right through your freckled face. I could kill you."

"Why don't you?" Cam's blood sprayed upwards, now glaring.

Korinna smiled at him, "I wouldn't want to do you any favors. But I'm sure you won't last much longer, so you may just get your wish bitch. Hey do you have twenty bucks?"

Cam just stared up at the ceiling allowing Korinna to pat him down and rob him of his money. Once she got what she wanted she carefully stepped over him and counted eighty-two bucks from his wallet and glanced at the nurse who was on the phone probably calling security. The other two who were on the floor rushed over to Cam's aid while Korinna winked at the nurse who watched her, "Don't worry I know the way out."

Shoving the last bit of cheeseburger and fries into her mouth Korinna tossed the bag to the ground. Swallowing the food, she picked up her cup filled with a chocolate milkshake and finished that off too. Getting to her feet she walked into the church letting out a small burp as she made her way down the aisle spotting Carl instantly. She squeezed his shoulder as she went by choosing the empty seat next to V and Kev. Monica's Father had stepped up to talk as Korinna's eyes shifted to Debbie who had turned around to give her a tight-lipped smile which Korinna returned.

Funerals were weird as hell. Korinna was glad that Nevaeh had wishes to be cremated and have her ashes spread in the sea much to her grandparents dismay, moreso Korinna's maternal grandmother who was a strict Christian and didn't believe in cremation but her grandfather insisted on doing right by their daughter. That day was a blur to Korinna, she barely remembered it. All she did remember was the amount of blood and all the painful and handful of good memories that woman gave to her. Now here Korinna was at yet another service where she listened to all go on about Monica Gallagher. Korinna also didn't have too many memories with the blonde haired woman, but the memories that she did have of her weren't terrible (but they weren't the best either) although she wasn't the best mom to her boyfriend and his family.

Dead bodies were weird. Talking over them were weird. Why bother speaking about them as if the person was still there? Korinna didn't get it. People would find their way to say good things, or in least in the Gallagher's case search deep within to find the one good thing to say about their mother. Lip went after Monica's father, his mouth held amusement as he told a shitty story, at the time; which now seemed funny about his mother, next went Ian who had other's snickering and Fiona and Frank laughing at yet another shitty memory, Debbie stepped up to share a surprising story that no one would have imagined but accepted. Carl was second to last to view his mother's body, standing up there for some time to have this last memory of his mother. Lifting his head he stared at his older siblings, letting them know with his eyes that it was all fucked up but he'd miss her. That look in his eyes was enough said as he took his time back to his seat. While Carl was up Kev and Korinna switched seats so she could be next to him.

Korinna gripped Carl's hand which he squeezed, watching as she brought their joined hands up to her lips and shifted to watch Fiona read from a book that Monica previously had. Once she sat down on the verge of tears the room fell silent, making everyone to believe that their goodbyes were now official until finally Frank gave the last eulogy. While all of this was going on Carl couldn't help but to notice the fresh new markings on Korinna's skin and hope that it was all for good reasons and not for the worse.

"I know you didn't think much of her, but...she loved you." Frank spoke glancing at his wife, "And you wouldn't be who you are and I wouldn't be who I am if she hadn't come into our lives. So, hate her if you want." Frank began to struggle to find his next words.

"She's in you. And that's a good thing." Frank finished before privately leaning over Monica to say his true last words to her.

Korinna turned her head to see Carl clenching his jaw and staring down at their hands. When he turned his head, blue-green eyes met black coffee's and they both thought the same thing, they didn't ever want to be the one's to stand over either's caskets.

xxx

The room spun around her as the music faded in and out of her ears. Her eyes were closed with her head moving from side to side. With one hand gliding from her waist back to her hand, Korinna enjoyed the moment of being in Carl's hands. He had one hand holding a beer bottle while watching Korinna in ease. Carl didn't want to make this day any worse on asking what happened to her hand so he spent the rest of the day partying with her and his family. She seemed so carefree in front of him and Carl hadn't seen her like this in a long time.

Later that night after the party had died down; Carl made his way back downstairs around four that morning to find Korinna sitting on the couch, like the two did earlier the previous night before heading upstairs to his bunk bed. Carl rubbed at his eyes as he leaned over the couch, wrapping his arms around Korinna's shoulders as she just finished up a call. Carl was too tired to catch the end of it closing his eyes and embracing her scent.

"You missed me huh?" Korinna questioned relaxing into his frame.

Carl held on a little tighter, "Uh huh," Before letting go to hop over the couch and plop down next to her, "What are you doing up? Did Monica's body creep you out that much?"

Korinna rolled her eyes watching as Carl stretched himself out on the couch taking a near by blanket with him. She shortly followed pressing herself into his front, his blanket covered arm coming over her as well. Carl had his eyes closed already while Korinna had her eyes wide open staring out at what was the Gallagher's living room.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Carl's sleepy voice entered her ears.

"They're selling my old house." Korinna trailed off, "I noticed it on our way back from the church."

"Mmm. Do you still have stuff in there?"

"No. Nicky and Vito got everything I couldn't when I left for Greece."

Carl didn't respond but Korinna kept on talking in a hushed tone. "I saw the future for the very first time when I saw Monica in the casket. I of course thought of my mother and how all the bullets that broke apart her body would be covered up by the mortician. I didn't think about the only two real funerals I've been to, that I can remember anyways. Uriah and little Jesse's funeral. I didn't think about it but I'm thinking about it now. I'm thinking they were too young to die and I'm thinking you didn't want Monica to die and deep-down despite what you told me Fiona said, her being glad that Monica is dead, she doesn't truly believe that. I know it. I tried to fool myself into believing the same thing while I was supposedly getting better at EHG but at the end of that day that's still your mom, ya know? When I listened to everyone talk about Monica I realized that, even with your faults, flaws, and mistakes things are never going to be easy especially as individuals. With my temper + impatience and you with your heart on your sleeve and repeating dumb shit...there could be a U-S. We're managing just fine and you know what you want out of your future and I think-I think I'm really starting to get what I want too. I don't want to keep running. I want to walk and just breathe without something holding me the fuck back for once. I have to have the taste of a normal life. I want to live. Really fucking live."

Korinna vented giving Carl some time to digest the information. Instead she heard deep breathing in reply, turning over she saw Carl fast asleep and knew that it had been a rough day. Turning fully to face him Korinna stared up at him, studying the bridge of his nose, and the slight frown that would appear in between his brows when he were in a deep sleep. Carl's lips were gently pressed together and his eyelashes were happily resting against his skin. Leaning forward Korinna pecked his lips before pressing her head into his chest, dreaming of a normal simple life.

Your gut feeling knows you best.

Always go with your gut feeling if you're afraid to listen your heart. It's close enough.

Korinna didn't get much sleep even though she were in Carl's arms. The next morning she woke up to the peculiar quietness which had become of The Gallagher household. The buzzing alarm on the dark haired teen's phone was a wake-up call. She rushed out of the house sprinting down the streets until she found the alleyway, which was right across the street where she found Monte laying in. Catching her breath Korinna walked over to a dumpster feeling behind it, her fingertips brushing against the material easing her hopes of it still being there. Staring at the object in front of her Korinna ran her fingers over it before tucking it underneath her arm and sprinting back to the Gallagher household.

Easily getting back into the home Korinna returned back to the couch where Carl rested. Korinna took in the time to capture Carl's sleeping form, the good thing about sleeping is that you can turn the world off for some time. Korinna knew how much Carl loved his sleep, she on the other hand was always rising at the wee hours of the day. Korinna was the type to feel that if she slept all day she would miss something and she didn't want to miss this. The sun was rising through the winter fog, pieces of it began to spill through the spaces in between the blinds shinning over Carl. Crouching down Korinna reached out to place a palm against Carl's cheek. Carefully she inched forward to place a kiss on the tip of his nose. "I'll be back for you. I promise."

Shoving the green book underneath the couch Korinna stood hearing the footsteps of Fiona and Debbie coming down the steps. To her right she could hear chattering going on between Lip and Ian in the kitchen. Korinna shoved her hands into the back pockets of her black ripped skinny jeans keeping her composure.

"Hey." Fiona greeted.

Korinna dipped her head in reply as Debbie lifted Franny higher on her hip.

Fiona stepped off the last step and peeked over the couch at Carl, "He still sleepin'?"

"Yeah."

"Carl can literally sleep through anything." Debbie filled in the silence.

Fiona began to straighten up the bottles that were left around in the living room, "Korinna you alright? You seem a little...quiet this morning."

"Really? You seem a little upbeat for just attending a funeral."

Fiona pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders, "Thanks for comin' by the way."

"Sure."

"You staying for breakfast or are you in a hurry?" Debbie questioned, surprising Korinna.

Korinna shook her head, "No. I got to get back to my Yaya's but thanks for the offer."

Debbie stretched her lips in a tight smile and made her way into the living room with Franny gurgling on her hip. Fiona shoved the bottles into a near by garbage bag her doe eyes lifting to meet the side of Korinna who was taking one last look at Carl. Fiona opened her mouth to say something more but didn't have the chance to since Korinna jogged out of the home.

xxx

The stinging of the cold air whipped across Korinna's face. She leaned against the hood of a vehicle, cradling a cigarette in between her hands. In the distance she spotted two familiar faces exiting a black escalade. Faces which belonged to Derek and Delaney Luh. Korinna watched as Derek tossed a duffle bag to Delaney who quickly pulled it onto her shoulder and made her way around the back of the warehouse. Derek slammed the truck of the escalade and made his way around the SUV to climb into the driver's seat. Turning the engine on Derek reversed and drove off the lot as Korinna tossed her cigarette to the ground.

Her phone buzzed, she didn't bother to check the ID as she swiped it pressing the device to her ear.

"Which way is he going?"

"Heading towards you. Should be running into you in about three maybe five minutes." Korinna replied before ending the call.

Turning around she stared out at the scenery of Chicago. Her home.

As a child you always have this idea in your head of what you're gonna be. Adults ask you what you want be when you grow up and children will answer generic things: A doctor, a lawyer, whatever field their parents are in. As you grow you find out that things aren't always that easy and your interests and experiences define you. You don't imagine slipping on a gas mask and loading up an assault rifle. You don't imagine having your life constantly be at risk. You imagine a good life whatever that maybe for yourself. If you do end up having to commit a crime you could question where things went wrong or...you can figure out how to make things right.

Now the real inquisition is: If the younger version of yourself was walking beside you, observing everything that you have done or about to do, would they be proud?

Would you?

And sadly that is the end of Meet In The Middle. There were so many chances for me to write out a scene between Korinna and the Luh's but honestly...there was so much already going on throughout this story. I wanted for you all to use your noodles and truly feel what Korinna has felt. She says she wants a normal life and she's thinking in order to have that she has to put herself out there and become a person that she doesn't exactly want to be. Why? Because she feels like she had an opportunity (*evil smirk*) to go after and that she did or POSSIBLY did. Yes I left you with a opening and a chance for you to expand your imagination.

In fact Korinna might not have been dealing with this all on her own. She was on the phone with someone so The Gimello's, her yaya or even Dacey could have been on the phone monitoring everything that is going on. WE DON'T KNOW! Hope it wasn't that much of a disappointment that you had to wait for lol.

Thank you for the favs and comments.

Until Next Time.