Always There (Lip Gallagher) (ON HOLD)

It's Time to Kill the Turtle

Following Season 1 Episode 8 of Shameless.

Kaylee's Point of View:

Monday Afternoon

"I was like, you're totally not using my eyeliner if you have pink eye!" Mandy finishes her story.

"Hmm?" Ian hums.

"You weren't listening again?" Mandy scoffs, whacking his chest.

"What's up with you, Ian? You've been out of it all day," I ask.

"I slept with someone that wasn't Kash," he reveals. Mandy and I raise our eyebrows at each other in shock; Ian has been dead set on Kash being the only guy he sleeps with.

"Who?" I ask.

"I...can't tell you guys," says Ian. 

"Why even mention it then if you can't tell us his name?" Mandy snips. I give her a, "stop it!" look. 

"He's on the down low," Ian says. 

"Oh...sorry," Mandy apologizes, giving him a sheepish smile.

"Well, as soon as he feels comfortable enough to embrace who he truly is, you better tell us his name," I say.

"I will. Promise," Ian smiles. 

We arrive at the entrance of the library. Ian and Mandy had offered to walk with me to my after school job when we got out of school for the day. 

"Make sure Mandy has all her homework done before you guys go anywhere, okay?" I remind Ian. Next week grades are due, and Mandy currently is severely failing all of her classes. It's hard for me to help her when I'm at work, so Ian has also joined me in taking on the challenge of helping Mandy get caught up.

"Stop sounding like such a mom, Kay-Kay!" Mandy groans.

"Promise. We'll see you later," Ian reassures, him and Mandy walking away.

$

"Amanda Marie, how much homework did you get done?" I ask, plopping down on Carl's bed.

"We got four science packets done; two math assignments done; and we're almost done with this history PowerPoint. Thought it'd be best to tackle some from all her classes," Ian answers for me. 

"Yeah, good idea," I agree with a smile.

"Why are you guys even helping me try to catch up? I'm only going to get half credit at most on these assignments," says Mandy.

"I calculated it for you, remember? If we get all of these assignments turned in by next Wednesday, your physical science grade will be at a D, your freshman English grade will be at a D-minus, your pre-algebra grade will be at a D-, and your freshman history grade will be at a D. If we can get those up to C's by midterm next month, you'll be able to be exempted from your freshman year classes and start on your sophomore year ones," I re-explain. 

"Well, I have to get going. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Mandy chucks her school supplies into her torn backpack and walks out of the room. I don't try to stop her, as she did do a lot of work in the last two and a half hours with Ian, and I also knew that she would get whiny with me if I tried to take over. 

"Sometimes Mandy doesn't deserve to have a friend like you," Ian says. I sigh, looking over at him. 

"Along with you, I'm the only person in her life who will take the time to help her get a good education. It's worth it, even if she does get bitchy at me at times," I say. 

Hearing the half-closed door swing open all the way, the two of us look over to see Lip enter the boys' bedroom. He takes a seat next to me on Carl's messy bed.