"Finally you're home. And you have better got me things too. Mariana knows what I like." Debbie opened the door, Harry in her arm.

"Of course Deb. I got some stuff for little Harry too." Mariana squeezed the little baby's cheeks and spoke in a baby voice.

"That baby's name is Frances. Her name is not Harry, she's not a boy." Frank took a sip of his beer and laid back on the couch.

"Get over yourself Frank!"Fiona yelled from the kitchen."By the way, dinner is ready!" At that moment Lip and Ian stampeded down the stairs.

"Hey Mariana." Ian waved with a smile. Carl shot him a dirty look, then looked at Lip for advice. Lip shrugged at him.

Ian took a seat next to Mariana, which made Carl even more upset. Fiona set down a ceramic dish full of lasagna. By the end of everyone grabbing their portion of the food, it was gone.

"So Mariana, what are you doing tomorrow?" Ian looked towards the girl next to him, keeping a sly eye to look for Carl's reaction.

"Nothing, why?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go to the movies with me." He sweetly smiled, seeing Carl get more furious by the minute.

"Sure."

"Alright, at seven o'clock maybe?" He turned his head to the side, which was actually quite adorable.

"Yeah, just swing by my place, you know where I live." Mariana slightly punched his shoulder.

"Hey Marmar." Debbie spoke from across the table.

"Yeah Debs?" Mariana looked up from her plate.

"You want to go do another food run for breakfast tomorrow?" Debbie wiggled her eyebrows.

"Obviously, when do I ever pass up a food run with the Debbie Gallagher?" She chuckled.

Food runs were Mariana and Debbie's mini road trips where they'd go to every restaurant open that day and buy one thing. Usually it ended in tears and being bloated, but it's the journey that matters.

Last time they spent roughly a little over $850 dollars, which all came out of Mariana's rainy day funds. But all was worth it to see one of her favorite people smile.

Mariana looked at Carl, wondering what was up with him. He was heavily breathing and his leg was bouncing up and down as fast as Fiona could run. Pretty damn fast.

Mariana placed her hand ever so delicately on his thigh, looking at him as to ask if he was alright. He looked down at her, his expression softening. Mariana eyeballed the stairs, trying to hint to go to his room.

She put her dish in the sink, thanked Fiona, and walked up the stairs, looking at Carl once more. Carl finally got the memo after awhile, feeling dumbfounded because he didn't realize it sooner.

He opened his door, Mariana sprawled out on his bunk bed. He hopped up, making sure not to squish the petite girl.

"Are you okay?" She looked up at him.

"Yeah, what makes you say that?"

"You were acting real weird back there dude."

"What do you mean?"

"You looked real pissed."

"Just got stuff on my mind is all." He looked to the floor, his tone getting lower and softer.

"Tell me then." She sat up, leaning against his shoulder.

"No thanks."

"Why not?" She whined, quivering her bottom lip.

"Cause."

"Not a valid answer Mr. Gallagher." She poked his cheek.

"Ew don't call me that."

"Whatever Gallagher." She hopped down from the bunk, grabbing one of Carl's beanies.

"Whatever Mendoza." He followed after the girl, not knowing where she intended on going.

Mariana cascaded down the stairs, Carl trailing behind her. "Bye Fiona, Carl and I are going out for a bit!" She shouted before waltzing out of the Gallagher household.

She jumped over the fence diving the two's houses, not wanting to walk to the gate. She unlocked the front door and went straight to the key rack.

"The black dodge it is." She swiped the keys and tiptoed out of the silent house.

"Hey Gallagher." She whispered, wrapping her arms around the unsuspecting boy. Mariana jiggled he keys in front of his face.

"Holy fuck Mari, you scared me half to death!" He adjusted her on his shoulders, taking her to the car.

"Eh, it's all good in rock and roll." Mariana wrapped her arms securely around him.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"I don't really know, just get in the god damn car Gallagher before I run you over." She jumped off of his shoulders and went to the driver's side.

"Chill shorty."

"Call me that again and I'll cut your tongue out."

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