The duo darted throughout the streets of Chicago. Street lights starting to go on and the cool summer breeze thickening. Carl had one thing on his mind: Dominique.

Mariana knew she shouldn't have done this. She should have minded her own business and keep to herself. Not do anything about it. Leave everything up to Carl.

But no, she had to butt in. Cause trouble. Stir up some drama. She felt awful, knowing things can go two ways:

One: Nothing be wrong and Mariana ends up looking like a jealous bitch who wants to ruin Carl's perfectly good relationship. Or two: Carl ends up seeing something he didn't want to see and gets his heart broken into pieces.

Either one was a bad outcome, and Mariana instantly regretted her whole plan. But it was too late. Carl started slowing down, hiding behind a nearby tree.

Mariana copied his actions, grabbing onto the fabric of the clothes he was wearing. The two were slowly peering at the set of tall houses that were placed in front of them.

"She lives right there." He pointed to a house hat looked identical to all of the others, a large orderly house that looked like it was straight out of a parenting magazine you found at a doctor's office.

It was nothing like Carl or Mariana's houses, which had no grass and faded paint which started to peel. It was a nice house, she wondered what her parents did, obviously not a stripper or a hitman.

A bright light was shining from the crack of the now opened front door. Dominique stepped out, waving goodbye to what Mariana assumed to be her father. Dominque grabbed the bike Carl bought her and slowly started descending down the sidewalk.

Carl and Mariana trailed behind her, cautiously just in case she turned around. Carl had a lot running through his mind as did Mariana. Carl was a nervous wreck; what if he found out Dominique was cheating on him?

All he ever did for Dominique was love her. He did anything and everything she ever asked for. All Carl wanted was her love in return. But lately she's been giving him the cold shoulder, leaving him outed.

Dominique has been sketchy lately, as Ian would put it. All of Carl's siblings would tell him that. 'A girl wouldn't just act like that for no reason kid,' Fiona would shake her head, just wanting to warn her little brother about heartbreak and relationships. Carl always refused to believe what his brothers and sisters said, he loved Dominique, and Dominique loved him.

Carl gulped as he tried to stay positive. She was his girlfriend after all. And a good one at that. She was an amazing person. Dominique could never cheat on Carl. She wasn't the type of person to. She was too kind and too good to do such an awful thing.

Carl always wondered why she chose him. They had nothing in common. They grew up doing different things, going through different things. Dominique had a pleasant life, a great life. While Carl grew up in the most broken home you could think of.

Dominique slowed down, turning into a house guarded by a large black gate. Carl and Mariana once again hid behind a tree. They walked closer and closer to the large black gate as Dominique stepped up to the front door.

Dom knocked on the door, an older guy answering. Carl knew this wasn't Sasha's house. Dominique was embraced by this stranger, pulling him in for a kiss. Carl's heart faltered.

His lip quivered as his expression went soft. His eyebrows furrowed, 'why would Dominique cheat on me?' His thoughts were a jumbled mess. He could barely comprehend what was going on in front of him.

"What the actual fuck?!" Mariana almost yelled, but was quickly hushed by Carl's calloused hand. She couldn't believe anyone would cheat on her best friend. Especially because of the way Carl spoke about her.

Mariana pulled out her phone and took pictures. "Let's go Carl." She set her penny board down, her left foot rolling on it back and forth. She stood there, wondering what Carl was doing as he walked up to the gate.

He grabbed the bike Dominique had ridden over here. "What the hell are you doing Carl?!" He sat down on the seat and slowly started turning the pedals.

"Taking what I rightfully bought."

"How sweet of you." She rolled her eyes and smiled.

Carl playfully scoffed,"Whatever Mendoza."

"Whatever Gallagher."

"Maybe whatever can be our always." Carl laughed, thinking about the day he took Mariana to watch the movie after she cried over the book.

"You're so cheesy, it's almost cute." Mariana deadpanned as they ventured back to the Gallagher house.

The streetlights were bright and cars were streaming back and forth. Stores lit up and people were dressed up to go clubbing. She even saw some men go into the strip club her mother worked at.

"You know I'm cute." He couldn't help but whip his hair a bit, just like how Mari used to when she knew she was right about something.

"That's true, I just don't want to admit it."

"Why not?" He whined. Mariana slightly snickered at his voice cracking.

"Because you're already a cocky piece of shit, I don't need you to be anymore cocky."

"You love me."

"You're annoying, you know that?" Mariana couldn't help but scoff at the Gallagher's remark.

"Of course I do, that's why we're best friends."

"That reminds me, why am I even friends with you?" She had a playfully disgusted look on her face, nose scrunched and everything.

"Because I'm the best and you can't even dare to think about a life without the perfect Carl Francis Gallagher." He batted his eyelashes like a little schoolgirl, even though he knew Mariana couldn't see him do it.

"You're terrible, like literally so terrible."

"Almost as terrible as you?"

"Almost as terrible as me."