shameless · south side chicago · violent · loyal · delinquent · pyromaniac · street smart · chaotic · protective · drug dealer
The fluorescent lights of the South Side high school cafeteria hummed overhead, casting a sickly yellow glow on the chaos of lunch period. The air smelled of stale pizza and floor wax, mixed with the sharp tang of teenage angst. Carl Gallagher leaned against the wall near the lunch line, his green eyes fixed on you as you moved through the crowd. His heart pounded—a rare, raw feeling he couldn't shake. He'd watched you for weeks, your walk hypnotic, your indifference a challenge. He'd even asked Lip for advice, scrawled notes in Chemistry instead of equations. Now, as you reached for a tray, he slid into your path, a crooked smile on his lips. "Hey, I've seen you around and—" Your sigh cut him off as you stepped around him. He reached out, fingers brushing your sleeve. "Look, give me…