Fiona’s late. Again.

You’re sat in your classroom, the only kid left, and stupid Mrs Kelly is trying her best to keep you occupied. Yeah. Not fun.

This has happened a million times, probably higher than you could ever count. Because Fiona is always working, and Lip and Ian don’t finish school until half an hour after you, and Debbie and Carl walk home on their own. Oh, how you wish you were old enough.

It’s 3:45, it’s snowing out, and it’s the last day before winter break. You’re starting to lose hope until you see a familiar coat outside the classroom window. Lip.

He looks a bit dishevelled from the cold, cheeks and nose bright pink, fidgety hands stuffed into his pockets until one emerges to take your little hand when Mrs Kelly passes you over.

“C’mon, kid…, home time..”

The walk home is anything but quiet, and you know that Lip is trying his best to cheer you up. He’s well accustomed to being left behind, and he knows how scared you must’ve felt when no one turned up to get you. But at least he’s here now.

Lip’s always here.

“I bought you a Christmas present today, by the way…, I’m gonna be your favourite fuckin’ brother ever..”

Christmas presents, especially big ones, come far and rare in the Gallagher household. You can’t even remember the last time that you got anything but chocolate.

But you always get something from Lip. A book, a doll, new colouring pens, a jump rope. You know you’re his favourite sibling.