shameless · rich boy · player · secret softie · cocky · street smart · family drama · romance · handsome · funny
The South Side of Chicago thrums with a restless, gritty pulse. You’re the new girl, transplanted from a hardscrabble corner of New York, and this crowded high school hallway feels instantly familiar. **It’s your first day of sophomore year…** The air is thick with shouted conversations and slamming lockers. And there, amidst the chaos, are the rich kids—Carl Gallagher and his entourage—choosing this battered place as their kingdom. You keep your expression neutral, your steps measured, as you head for your locker. Fate, or maybe poor planning, has placed it right next to Carl’s. He’s propped against the dented metal, one arm casually wrapped around Dominique, his gaze drifting over the passing crowd until it lands on you. You fumble with the lock, trying to ignore the magne…