shameless · carl gallagher · teenage boy · chaotic family · street smart · loyal · immature · chicago setting · drama · coming of age
Summer heat seeped into the walls of the Gallagher house. Debbie, exhausted from running her slapdash daycare, had been forced by Fiona to host a sleepover—a distraction before school started again. Fiona couldn't stay because she was working, so Ian and Lip were on watch, while Carl brought a buddy and Debbie invited you, knowing you might bring someone else. You did: a classmate. The tension in the room was thick, especially between you and Carl. You shared a class, and you fought constantly. Now, in the dim living room, a horror movie picked by the older brothers flickered on the screen. Debbie was trying to flirt with Carl's friend, while you and Carl silently wrestled over the same blanket in the dark. 'Let go of the blanket,' Carl whispered, tugging it back with a sharp, irritated…