02.
x
"There were just these feelings running through me, bad feelings. Really, really bad feelings. I just wanted to get rid of the feelings. I'm not sure God knew what he was doing when he put feelings inside of us. What is the purpose for human emotions? Will somebody please tell me?"
-BENJAMIN ALIRE SÁENZ, Last Night I Sang to the Monster
"White boy Carl! White boy Carl! White boy Carl!" The sound of Carl's new found brothers chanting his name still rung in his ears as he walked away from his second home. Today was the day that he would be returning back to his real home. The fourteen year old could honestly say that it was different not having his bloodlines around him 24/7 but he would never mention it. Carl enjoyed his time down at the juvenile detention center although now was the time for him to get back to the other side and get down to the real deal: Making dough.
The streets of Chicago blurred by his eyes as he sat in the backseat of a black SUV. His boys from the outside made sure to have someone pick him up and describe details on how life would be out on the streets. Carl was half listening as he stared out the tinted windows watching as buildings zoomed by...hoping life hadn't gone by that quickly while he was locked up. A nudge to his shoulder brought the young boy out of his thoughts as he turned to the older guy sitting beside him. He held out a joint to him which Carl shook his head in decline while the older guy shrugged his shoulders in reply, attaching the joint back to his lips.
"You want to get something to eat, man?" The man who drove the vehicle asked.
Carl lifted his jaw meeting the man's eyes in the rear view and patted his stomach, "Yeah I could eat. Juvie food ain't shit compared to the food out here, matter of fact I'm starving! I could go for one of my sister's meals right now...which is also shitty but it's coming from her so I'll take it."
The man in the passenger seat chuckled as he turned to the preteen, "We hear you fam. We hear you. Ay G-Dog let's go to Popeyes."
"This dude always want to go to Popeyes. Why can't we ever go to KFC?" The man that sat in the back next to Carl commented.
Man in the passenger seat sucked his teeth, "Cause KFC gives everyone the bubble-guts and you fucking know it. Popeyes is where it's at, plus white boy Carl needs to bulk up if he's going to be down with us."
Carl smirked at the men around him, "Turn that up...that beat sounds dope."
The driver pinched at the nob as Carl learned forward to hear and feel the vibration coming from the bass of the song. He started bopping his head to the beat as the driver sped off the exit where the local Popeyes was located. Soon the four were out of the car making their way into the place, on their way by Carl noticed a large guy sitting against the brick wall with a dingy tan jacket on. Just by him sitting Carl could tell that the guy was tall and even from underneath the jacket he had muscle and weight on him. He was dark skin, his hair thick and seemed to have a wool texture to it. He had a bit of a beard coming in and his eyes were large as they stared back at Carl on his way by.
Carl lifted his jaw in greeting and watched as the guy eyed him before slowly greeting him back.
The four spent a half an hour eating inside of the place, joking around and listening to G-Dog fill the three that surrounded him about how he was almost busted again for possession of marijuana after the feds were called. G-Dog easily stood over at 6 ft, tattoos etched into his bulging brown arms. He had it all, a large crib, a nice ride, a loyal squad, hoes, a wife with triplets on the way, a very successful business, and money to blow.
Carl Gallagher was sure that he didn't want to get involved with drugs again. That much he knew and it seemed that the crew that sat around him thought that was the business he wanted to start off with which was not correct.
"WB Carl here wants to be like us. He wants to sit on the throne fellas, if you want to roll with us you have to have your mind right. What do you think you can do on my team? 'Cause you know I'm going to put you to work." G-Dog directed his attention to the much quieter boy of the group.
Carl leaned back his chair, shoving the last bit of the soft buttered biscuit into his mouth. He bounced his leg around calmly underneath the table as he stared back at the three chewing the biscuit as if to think about what he wanted to do. The fourteen year old had it already figured out, he didn't want to get wrapped up in drugs again. If it wasn't for his good behavior he would still have six more months to serve and continue being locked away from the people that mattered. He wasn't sure he wanted that, if you asked him six months ago he would probably not see the problem with it. The things he saw and dealt with on the inside pertaining to drugs was enough to set him straight...at least somewhat.
"Guns. Whatever you got, I want 'em." Carl finally answered.
The guy who sat next to Carl in the backseat and was now sitting next to him inside the fast food place started laughing. G-Dog, Tyrone, and Carl both turned to cut their eyes at Ricky who slowly stopped laughing to turn his attention back to his soda.
Tyrone ran his fingers over his fade as he eyed the fourteen year old, "You think you ready for all that?"
"I served six months for possession of heroin and marijuana. I think I can handle a couple of guns every week," Carl stated before pressing his arms against the edge of the table to lean closer to the crew, "Listen. I can come pick them up every Sunday and sell them down at school. Everyone on the south side needs to stay strapped."
Ricky finished slurping down his drink, "South side? I heard that side ain't even that hood anymore. Got hipsters or whatever taking over or some shit like that."
"What you hear ain't always what it is, is it? I'm sure you never been to my side before." Carl snapped, cutting his eyes at the almond skinned guy.
Ricky shrugged his shoulders, "Damn. No need to get pressed, I'm just repeating what the streets are telling me."
"That's how your ass gets killed and you know that," G-Dog seriously said as he stared at his younger brother before turning back to Carl who waited for his answer, "He would know better than any of us living on that side of town...alright Carl. I'll give you a trial offer, I'll even refer you to some people I know to get you started."
Carl blew air out of his nose and smiled over at the man who leaned back in the chair.
"You're gonna need some help though. Help you sell quicker," Tyrone added now standing.
Carl nodded his head turning his attention to the windows to see the guy he greeted previously still sitting against the brick wall. He already had someone in mind.
The house was the still the same.
The inside still looked the same. Pictures of his family, pictures of him still rested against shelves and the walls.
It still seemed as if everything was the same.
Carl placed the plastic bag that contained his clothes on the coffee table as the familiar voice of Fiona called out to him, "Debz did you get my text about picking up some hamburger buns?"
"Nah. It's me," Carl answered standing a bit taller in preparation of seeing his big sis' reaction.
A head of dark brown hair poked around the corner before a wide smile spread over her face, "Carl! Oh my god!"
Fiona Gallagher ran out from the kitchen into the living room with her arms wide open, pulling her second to youngest brother into her arms. Carl equally held a large smile on his lips with his teeth present as he squeezed his sister a little closer to him. He really did miss her.
"Holy shit! Hi! When did you get out?"
"This morning."
Fiona was the first to pull back and hold Carl's face in her hands. Her brown doe eyes trailed over his face and went wide as saucers eyeing his new hair style choice, "Oh, Jesus, your hair."
Carl continued smiling, "Nice, huh?"
Fiona raised her eyebrows tilting his face left then right, "It's different. I thought you had another couple months?"
"Got out on good behavior."
The two were interrupted with Liam Gallagher padding over to the two. Another smile rose to Carl's face as he leaned over the boy and placed his palm on top of his head, "What's up fam?"
Fiona was glad that Carl seemed to be generally happy to see not only her but Liam. After awhile things got hectic and it became harder to visit Carl due to everything happening in their lives and she made sure that he understood that, which he did. As long as they made an effort but he made another family inside of the place so it wasn't as bad as it may have sounded. Fiona continued on questioning Carl which he answered each question simply before it got quiet between the two, his eyes roaming around the left side of the house.
"Could I have a friend sleep over?" Carl suddenly asked.
"Is it G-Dogg?" Fiona wondered eyeing her brother, she was no way okay with him staying here although she never met the guy.
Carl blinked,"Nah, just a kid I met."
"A kid? Sure. That'd be great, and we should have a party, a... a welcome home party. Right? The whole family." Fiona decided with another wide smile while eyeing her brother.
In a daze Carl nodded his head, " Yeah."
"Does that sound good?" Fiona questioned, resting her hands on her hips.
"Okay." Carl stated his eyes still running over the place.
Fiona pursed her lips noticing the change in her brother and not entirely liking it.
"It's good to have you home."
Carl breathed through his nose, "Yeah...it's good to be home."
With that said he turned away from his sister to go sit by Liam, leaving Fiona to believe the doubts that Carl was no longer the same. She feared this would happen but as long as he were home safe and sound then she could deal. She just didn't know how Carl would deal once Korinna didn't show up to the party.
Later that evening Carl had spent his time eyeing everything in his room and the letter that burned a hole in his back pocket. He thought about calling her or popping over at her place but a part of him was a little bothered by the fact that Korinna didn't visit after she gave Carl the letter. He wondered why she never tagged along with Fiona, Debbie or anyone of his siblings that took the time out of their day to come and visit him. When he questioned Fiona and Debbie on how Korinna was and what she had been up to the two told him a bunch of excuses that sounded like complete bullshit.
He didn't get it.
His best friend since he were in Pre-K and her in kindergarten finally admitted her feelings to him over a letter. He had seen Korinna with very few guys before and she never seemed afraid to get aggressive when she needed to say what she needed to say. Especially when it came to Carl himself.
So what made now so different?
Carl let his mind run over different scenarios as he stared up at his ceiling in a daze. After awhile he got tired of trying to find reasons and fell asleep for a few hours on his own bed. Man did he miss it. Hours later he found himself in the living room on the couch next to Ian and Liam leaving Frank sitting on the end. The four sat on the couch watching a rap video in silence waiting for the party to start.
Carl wished this party would get started already hoping that Korinna would come through the door any second. She had a lot of explaining to do and Carl was willing to listen.
The fourteen year old could practically feel his father's eyes burning a hole into the side of his face for awhile. It was becoming highly irritating and if he didn't say what he wanted then he might have to give him a piece of his mind. Carl became fed up with his father's ways especially after it was him who put this idea into his head in the first place, which isn't a shock and Carl didn't find himself blaming his father he just didn't feel anything.
"I love you." Frank Gallagher said eyeing his son.
Carl took an inhale as Ian added, "Ignore him."
Frank shook his head clenching the beer bottle in his hand, "No, it's important that you know that. I really love you."
"Sure, Frank." Carl answered, rolling his eyes slightly.
Frank gave a sweet smile, "Call me dad."
Carl closed his eyes in annoyance and rolled his head over to stare at his father blankly.
"For he's a jolly good fellow, For he's a jolly good fellow, For he's..." Singing cut through the pure torture of Carl listening to his father any longer.
Fiona led the way with a cake in her hands with Lip beside her, Fiona's boss, Kev, and V following behind. The five sung cheerfully as they entered the room but slowly hesitated at the next words that came in the song staring at one another in search of the lyrics.
"Which nobody can deny." Frank filled in the space, waving his hands around.
"Which nobody can deny!" Everyone harmonized together.
Fiona placed the pink and black cake onto the table leaving Carl to read the words "Quinceanera" written in black frosting. Carl rolled his eyes upwards to stare at his sister as if to say, 'Really?'
"That's all they had," Fiona grinned holding her hands out to her brother to go for it.
Carl took a deep breath as he leaned forwards blowing the flames from the candle out.
Everyone gave a short round of claps.
"These my eggs?" Carl pointed to the plate next to the cake.
"Mhm."
Carl pulled the plate fully into his lap, pushed himself backwards into the couch cushions and began to shove the eggs down his throat.
"So, Carl... a lot of the kids in there having to take it up the ass to survive?" Kevin was the first to break the silence as he stared down at the kid he looked at as a nephew.
Veronica slapped Kev against his arm scolding the man, "Kevin!"
Carl stared up at Kev while chewing on his eggs while Ian didn't bother to hide his smirk from behind his brother.
"What? That's what everybody's thinking, right?" Kevin held his hands up in defense.
Lip chuckled at the buzzed haired man.
The doorbell rung which allowed Carl to place the plate back on the coffee table and stand. Everyone eyed each other wondering who that would be as Carl got to his feet swallowing the eggs in his mouth then answering everyone's silent questions, "Mm. That's my sleepover."
"He didn't answer." Kevin pointed out eyeing Veronica who scowled.
Carl pulled open the front door and greeted his friend by locking hands with the friend he made down at Popeyes. He stepped back allowing the much taller eighteen year old to enter the living room before him. Lip was the first to stand from leaning over the couch staring at him along with everyone behind him.
"This is Nick." Carl introduced his family and friends to his new friend.
Frank leaned over trying to see what everyone had their eyes on and let out, "Holy shit."
Carl took Nick's bag from him placing it on the living chair and then turned back to Nick turning him back to the front door, "All right, I'll show you around the crib later. Let's hit up the boys first."
"Carl." Fiona called out.
Carl turned around to face everyone in the living room, "Oh, yeah. Thanks for the party. Good seeing you all. Great to be home. Later."
With that said the boy exited his home.
xxx
Carl led the way down the familiar streets with Nick following next to him.
"We need to make a quick stop." Carl addressed spinning on his heels to face Nick.
Nick nodded his head keeping quiet as the two crossed the street to the left side and continued walking straight for a little while longer, then taking the first left down another street. Carl felt his heart pinching as his feet stomped against the gravel getting closer to the thing he wanted to know most. Carl eyed the house he spent multiple times in and it looked as if no one were home. Carl didn't waste any time heading across the street and jogged up the narrow stone steps, raising his knuckles to pound against the door.
He kept his back to the door as he watched Nick who eyed the scene around them. He heard the door open and turned to face another familiar face.
"Oh shit, Gallagher. How are ya?" Nicky Gimello greeted, inhaling a cigarette.
"Good man, just got out." Carl replied.
Nicky flicked the buds to the side as he eyed Carl's appearance, "I can see that."
"I'm looking for Ren is she here?" Carl didn't feel the need to beat around the bush any longer as he peeked around the house in search of the dark haired fifteen year old.
Nicky's dark green eyes seemed to only get dimmer at the mention of the girl's name. He took another long inhale and Carl kept his eyes trained on him wondering what was taking Nicky so long to answer his question.
"Nah bro she's not." Nicky answered.
"Where is she? I went by her crib but it looked darker than it usually is so I came over here to check. Do you know where I can find her?" Carl quizzed.
Nicky took a deep breath as he leaned against the doorway, "She went back to Greece. She's been gone for almost six months now."
Carl's eyes faltered a bit as a deep frown set onto his face. Korinna went back to Greece? She left and didn't bother to tell him goodbye. Why would she leave after admitting her feelings and not bothering to wait for him like she promised? Carl felt his fists clenching and loosen a few times with nothing but heat flaming within his bones.
Nicky had took notice in Carl's reaction and had seen it many times, within himself.
Before he could get a word out to further explain; Carl peeled his eyes back, his eyes flashing cold like fresh ice freezing over a lake and his facial expression going completely blank.
"Thanks." Carl replied nonchalantly as he turned on his heels jogging back down the steps to Nick.
"Carl! Ah, shit!" Nicky called out to Carl as he stalked off with the larger young adult beside him.
Carl didn't want to hear anything else Nicky Gimello had to say. He had heard enough, the girl that he thought he once knew did the same thing she promised she wouldn't do. Leave. Three women already walked out his life before: First his mother, Bonnie, and now Korinna.
From this point on, Carl Gallagher realized that he didn't need Korinna Rokos any longer. In fact he may even be better off, if she couldn't keep her promise then why should he? Carl Gallagher would now have a new mentality and that included looking out for himself and only the people that deserved him.
It would be hard trying to get Korinna out of his system but it didn't seem that hard for her to do the same so Carl was down for anything. Meaning: Saying goodbye to someone that meant everything to him.
A/N: I finally got a chapter out! So I guess season six is slowly VERY slowly growing on me so I'll probably stick around a little longer, hopefully. This chapter was focused on Carl and I thought it would be cool to see how Carl met Nick (not Nicky G. lol) and how he turns his emotions on and off like a switch.
I know you're all probably mad but not as mad as Carl is!
h: Carl is definitely a try hard this season lol. During episode four you can tell he may not be too sure about this new life style after listening to Nick's story on why he was arrested in the first place. I'm however hoping to show little bits and pieces of Carl here and there throughout this season because I'm sure everyone changes after spending time in juvie.
I hope you liked this!
