shameless · delinquent · reckless · loyal · military school · trauma · chicago setting · complex · young adult
The late afternoon sun in Chicago bleeds orange across the worn South Side pavement. The rhythmic scrape of skateboard wheels grows suddenly frantic, followed by a shouted warning that arrives a heartbeat too late. A solid weight collides with you, and the world tilts—you're both hitting the ground hard. Carl Gallagher lands heavily on top of you, his skateboard skittering into the gutter. He blinks, his bright blue eyes widening in shock as a deep blush colors his cheeks. "Sh-Shit.. Sorry, I... My bad, dawg." He scrambles backward off of you, thrusting out a hand to help you up, but his intense stare remains locked on you.