After practically two decades of craziness, things are finally coming together for Frank Gallagher's offspring. Tired of suffering the chaos and craziness of themselves and others, each of them now dares to dream. The cusp of adulthood brings a desire for something new – something better. Fiona is continuing with her property investments; Carl is thriving in military school; Ian is figuring out his life without the distraction of Mickey; Debs is settled with her husband and Frannie; and Liam is in a more stable environment than his siblings ever were. Unfortunately Frank is still Frank, but a greater wisdom now laces his antics, and his escapades no longer ripple through the rest of the clan.

Then there's Lip. Phillip "Lip" Gallagher has swerved off his path plenty of times. An intelligent kid with street smarts, Lip is destined to do great things, if he can just get out of his own way. Now, after a couple of monumental detours, he might finally be able to fulfill the destiny that has been clear to everyone else but him. Life at the Gallagher's no longer begs for his attention, so he no longer has an excuse. Phillip Gallagher's future has begun. Now it's time to see if he's brave enough to let it unfold without running for cover.

"The Year That Wasn't" is Lip's love story.

Chapter One

Using the influence of some former teachers and professors, Lip is able to enroll in college again. It's a different college, but a good college nonetheless. With all that's happened before, there are no scholarships, and no special treatment. Heck, he's lucky this university even let him in. They did so reluctantly, and his admittance is probationary. One questionable stunt and he's out. It's now or never.

Armed with his class schedule, Lip's ready for his first day. He secretly loves that he's back in engineering classes – it's a field for which he's always had a passion. He finished his Structures class in the morning, and has an hour before his Engineering Programming class. Trying to start out on the right foot, he decides to head directly to his next class. Maybe he can find a quiet place and start working on this morning's problem set.

Lip arrives at his next class, and the room is practically empty. Perfect. No class using the room this hour, so he can break out his books and get started. He walks in to find a seat, and notices one other person in the room. Her books are already spread out at one of the large wooden tables that two chairs accompany. He recognizes her from his morning Structures class, and sits at the adjacent table.

"Hi," he says.

"Hi," she says with a quick smile. She reminds him of someone. Karen maybe.

"I think we are in the same Structures class." Lip offers.

"Dr. Overton, at nine?" she responds.

"Yep. It looks like you had the same idea I did," he nods toward her books laid out.

"Yeah, I like getting right to work on the problem sets. That way if I have any trouble, I can still find the TA for help."

"Good idea. I'm Phillip Gallagher – Lip - by the way." He extends his hand.

"I'm Charlotte – Charlie - it's nice to meet you." They politely shake hands.

Lip continues, "It looks like we have Structures and Programming together. Third year engineering? "

"Yes. Junior year is when it gets real. Thermodynamics tomorrow scares me." Charlie makes a grimace.

"We are three for three then. I have Thermo tomorrow at one."

"Well, Lip Gallagher, it looks like we are going to be seeing a lot of each other this semester."

"Yes, I guess so." Lip and Charlie share a smile.

Soon, the room starts filling up with more students. Lip pulls out his books and glances over the morning's Structures problems. He considers asking Charlie if she wants to work together, but she looks like she's already a few problems in. Maybe next time. Shortly, the professor walks in and everyone's laptops open. The professor spends the next hour going over the syllabus for the course, grading requirements, final exam date, etc. He mentions that many of the programming assignments will be done in groups. When the professor dismisses class, he suggests people find groups of five or six in anticipation of the first assignment. As everyone packs up their laptops and books, Lip makes his way over to Charlie.

"Want to work together on the first project?" he says to her.

"Sure." Quickly, four other people walk up to Charlie and ask the same question. She gladly joins the group that is forming and everyone exchanges numbers. One of the people that made their way over to Charlie is Robert. He and Charlie seem to know each other already. Also, Robert is on the same dorm hall as Lip. They had a couple of conversations before classes started. Robert knows Lip is a transfer student. He hangs back with Lip as the others pack up and leave.

"So you managed to get into Charlie's study group, huh?" Robert says.

"Yeah, we had been talking before class and it turns out we have a couple of classes together this semester."

"Well, you were lucky you were sitting near her when the professor announced the group project. You didn't see the people that made a b-line in her direction?"

"No, not really."

"Well, you got in a good group. Since you're new here, you don't know most of these nerds like I do. Charlie and my sister, Megan, are friends from high school. Among other things, Charlie works as a part-time programmer for a consultant on the east coast. The university is just making her take this class because it's a language she hasn't programmed in before. I'm sure she'll have it figured out in no time though."

"Then it is a good group," Lip acknowledges.

"Damn right," Robert emphatically agrees.

The next day Lip gets to his Thermodynamics class. Charlie is there. This time he decides to take the second seat at her table.

"Fancy meeting you here," Lip says charmingly.

"Yep, you are going to get tired of me," Charlie replies. She smiles, but her smile isn't quite as much as Lip thought his charm deserved. She seems very focused.

After class, Charlie leans over to Lip and says, "Yep, just as I thought, Thermo scares the shit out of me."

"Nah, not too bad," Lip replies matter-of-factly.

"You're joking right?" Charlie has the faintest hint of weakness in her voice.

One more class and Lip finishes for the day. He heads back to the dorms to study. After two days, he's now been to all his classes once, and already has work to do. He's not distracted now. He can focus on what he needs to. He studies with the occasional break to hang around the dorm with Robert and some others he's met on the hall.

This is his routine now. It's a good routine. No phone calls with emergencies from home. A quick call to Fiona proves that everyone has checked in, and all is good. He's still not far, if she needs him, but she doesn't have drama to report. Maybe this is his time to get it right. No distractions.

Chapter Two

Lip and Charlie figure out studying together benefits them both. Charlie is definitely better in Structures than he is, but she struggles in Thermodynamics. Thermo comes easy for Lip. It's a good study relationship.

While they study, Lip finds himself stealing looks at Charlie. When they first met, physically, she reminded him of Karen. However, getting to know her, she's very different. She's smart. Really smart. She reminds him of that Economics TA that he tried to swindle extra credit points out of. There was no fooling her. Too bad the TA only had eyes for that grad student. With all the guys in engineering, Lip admits he doesn't mind the company of a female. She's nice to look at too.

A couple of weeks pass, and the first Programming project is assigned. Lip, Charlie, Robert, and 3 others from class meet in a study room at the library. Henry is leading the group at the white board and lays out the first part of the assignment that they have four days to figure out. The group brainstorms. Henry writes different lines of programming code on the board. Things are erased. More code is written. They are overflowing to the second board.

Charlie is studying the boards. She has a pensive look on her face. She speaks up. "Guys, if we create an iterative IF/THEN module as the difference approaches zero, then we can solve for the variable in three steps."

Henry starts to write the three lines with help from Charlie and the group.

"That looks right!" Robert says excitedly.

Naoko keys in the three lines into his laptop and runs the program. The right answer comes up.

"That works!" Naoko says, surprised.

Henry is still standing at the board. "Does that mean we just avoided three days-worth of work?"

"Sure does," Robert says smugly as he glances at Lip. He had told Lip this was the group to be in.

"Well," Robert continues, taking lead of the group. "I say we use this time wisely. It's still early. Let's head over to Milton's and celebrate with a couple of pitchers of beer." Books and laptops close on command.

Milton's is a college bar adjacent to campus. It's a favorite hangout for the upperclassmen of legal age. There is a pool table, a dart board, and lots of big oak tables for large groups to gather around and share stories of impossible professors and impossible classes. During the week, pitchers of beer are on special. The group orders two pitchers.

Everyone in the group sits back and enjoys the reprieve from the work they thought was ahead of them. They know there is more work to follow, but this is stolen time. They are relaxed. They are congratulating themselves. They are laughing.

Most finish their first round of beer, and Robert goes to pour the second. Charlie passes on the refill and informs the group she is calling it a night. The group moans in disappointment, and unabashedly pressures her to stay. She smiles politely and tells them all to have a great night.

"But you shouldn't walk back to the dorms by yourself," Henry interjects.

"Oh, I'll just text campus security, and they'll send one of the night patrols. They've made it easy now for the ladies to feel safe on campus at night," she smiles, glad of the independence she exudes.

Robert hasn't made it around to fill up Lip's mug yet. Lip scoots his chair out "You know, I have an early day tomorrow, so I think I'll finish up and walk her back." More moans from the crowd.

"Lip, you really don't need to do that," Charlie declares.

"No, really, I need to get back," Lip insists. His shift at the bookstore doesn't start until tomorrow afternoon, but it's a good excuse.

They both grab their jackets and say their goodbyes. After they head down the flight of bar steps, they spill out onto the pavement. The streetlights offer a warm glow.

"I think that's going to turn into a pretty fun night up there, are you sure you don't want to stay?" Charlie suggests.

"Nope, let's walk." They cross the street back over to campus.

After a couple of minutes of walking and finding their pace together, Lip remarks, "That was a pretty cool programming trick you came up with."

"Oh, it's just condensing a couple of concepts. It won't seem that cool to you once you are more familiar with the methodology."

"Well, for now, I think it's pretty cool." Lip smiles in her direction.

They continue to walk across one of the quads.

"So, why didn't you want to stay to see how the night progressed?" Lip is curious.

"Oh, I don't know. Drinking is easy, especially here. I really want to stay focused. With only one beer, you know you aren't going to pay for it the next day." She chuckles slightly. "I have another study group in the morning, and want to actually get there."

"That is very disciplined of you," as Lip wonders if it's really that easy. Alcohol has always been his Achilles' heel. Charlie seems so logical in her approach.

Charlie doesn't elaborate.

"Is there more to it? It's very easy to get distracted here. I've gotten distracted here. Well, not here, but in college." Lip remembers back too all his college missteps.

"That's right. You are a transfer student, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am." Lip continues, "Seriously, I'm curious, what motivates you to keep your focus. It's not a given around here."

Lip and Charlie walk through one of the campus tunnels. The campus seems very magical this time of night. Few people pass. Most are loaded with large backpacks coming back from the library.

"Well, let me put it this way. I've seen firsthand what getting distracted can do. Worse, I've seen firsthand what alcohol can do. I've had a glimpse of what my life will be like if I don't stay focused – if I don't get through here. I've lived it, and I really want better for myself."

Wow, she could have been talking about him. Distractions. Alcohol. Choices. Discipline. What has his life been like when he lets things get in the way? Can he really do it this time? Does he have what it takes? Can he do what it takes to make his life, his family's life, better?

"So, you don't think you can enjoy the college life and stay focused? A lot of people do," Lip almost asks the question to himself as he asks it to Charlie.

"Of course; lots do, and lots have. It's just a decision I have made for myself. I don't fault anyone for coming here and having a good time. Some can balance it perfectly with their studies, and some will suffer for it. I prefer to keep it a non-issue for myself." She is slightly exasperated with having to explain herself.

Lip decides not to push the issue as they approach her dorm.

"Hey, are you going to be around this weekend? We've got that Thermo test Monday and I thought about putting in some extra studying this weekend." He offers, hoping to change the subject.

"That would be great! I'd love some help on Thermo. I picked up a practice test from the TA. Would you like to work through it together, maybe Saturday evening? I've got some work I'm doing Saturday for this company, but Saturday night around seven would be good for me." She's not annoyed now. Good.

"Seven works for me. How about we meet in the common room on the second floor of the library?" Lip knows he thought about going home over the weekend. He remembers what Charlie says about discipline. Maybe this is a better plan.

"It's a date!" She has her smile again. They reach her dorm entrance, and he opens the door for her. "Thank you for walking me back. It really was gentlemanly."

"You are welcome. Good night."

"Good night." She turns and goes into the dorm. Lip watches her walk out of sight.

Chapter Three

It's Saturday night and Lip walks into the second floor common room of the library. The room isn't as full as it is normally, but it is Saturday night. He has a cup of coffee and a cup of tea in his hands. He's noticed she drinks tea. He thought it would be a nice gesture – she's certainly helped to make this semester start out smoothly for him. He looks around at the smattering of people. He sees her near the bank of windows on the far wall.

"Hey," Lip tries not to startle her.

"Hey yourself," Charlie replies.

"I brought some tea. You drink tea, right?"

"Wow, yes I do. That was thoughtful of you."

"Small price to pay for access to that practice test you have."

"Ah, bribing me are you. It's working."

Banter and smiles. She's in a good mood.

"Did you get your work done today," Lips asks.

"I did."

"So, tell me about this company you work for."

"Oh, it's a company that hired me a couple of years ago. I did some programming in high school, and I guess I had a knack for it. One of my teachers there set up an interview with this company, and they had me start out with small projects for them. I've got a good handle on how they like their coding, so I've been working on a contract they've been hired to do. They let me do it at my own pace, so it's really great to work into my school schedule, and I sure can use the extra money."

"It sounds like a good set up."

"It is. I have a couple of part-time things I do, but this work I can do while still going to class. They seem happy with me so far. Are you trying to work while in school?"

"I do odd jobs here and there, nothing regular. I did a shift at the bookstore earlier today, but I've decided to take out school loans for what I can't pay for. It seems worth it."

"I'm sure you will be a great success when you leave here. Those loans will be a drop in the bucket."

"I hope so." Lip REALLY hopes so.

They start to work. He has seen her whip through their Programming assignments, and even their Structures work. Thermo doesn't come as easily to her. He is able to guide them through the practice test. He notices he's pulled his chair closer and closer to hers. They have a comfort with each other. They work well together. They feel very accomplished when they finish the practice test.

"Well, look at us. I think we did very well on that, thanks to all your help." Charlie is sincerely grateful.

"It was a joint effort" Lip counters. They smile at each other, pleased. This time their smiles last a little longer. They are looking at each other a little longer.

She accidentally yawns, "Oh excuse me. It got late quick. I didn't even notice." He thought the time passed quickly as well. He enjoys her company.

They start packing up. He holds the door for her again as they leave the library, and they walk their familiar walk. They've already been around each other quite a bit the last couple of weeks. They have an ease. It seems much more palatable tonight. There is a slight breeze, so they both tighten their jackets, and maybe walk a little closer together.

Lip likes her. He likes looking at her. Throughout the night, he stole glances. She probably noticed, but it was easy to play it off as just working together. She's very pretty on first glance, beautiful even, but she's more than that. She also has a peace, a glow, a steadfastness. The more he's gotten to know her, the more he has noticed it. The closer he was to her tonight, the more enveloped he felt. He's been feeling it more and more each time they are together. Maybe she's felt it too.

They start across a courtyard with lots of tree-lined paths that crisscross. Benches are scattered along the paths. Some are occupied, others not. The campus has that familiar nighttime glow.

They walk through the tunnel again, and head in the direction of her dorm. This time, she stops before they get there. She turns toward him to say good night. They've been walking closely, so when she turns, she's still very close to him. He catches his breath slightly.

"Thanks again for meeting me tonight. You're really good at Thermo. I understand it better now."

Lip feels her warmth, and sincerity. Her eyes are kind. He just keeps looking at them. He forgets to respond.

"Lip?" A breeze sweeps between them. Her hair brushes across her face. She goes to tuck the wild pieces behind her ear, but she misses a long strand. He reaches for it. His fingers gingerly sweep the piece off of her face, but his hand falls gently behind the nape of her neck, and he pulls her toward him to kiss her.

This small motion brings them together. Their lips touch. Then a kiss. A slow, lingering kiss. His hand only slightly cradles the back of her head, but her whole body is now closer to his. The breeze is gone. Everything is still. He felt this calmness tonight as his chair inched closer to hers in the library. Now he feels it completely.