Disclaimer: I do not own Big Time Rush, no matter how much I would like to.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The boys might be a little out-of-character for now, but this story is meant to show how they got to be how they are.
Carlos Garcia stood in front of the mirror for about an hour, just waiting for himself to suddenly look more appealing. He was twelve years old with minor acne and an extremely skinny form. It didn't help that he was really short. Four feet and eight inches, to be exact. It was picture day at school, and everyone was going to look their best. Unfortunately, Carlos didn't know how to look his best. He didn't find himself attractive at all.
He had once heard that you can't love anyone if you don't love yourself. This was why Carlos had no friends. Well that, and the fact that Carlos was deathly shy. As a child, Carlos didn't care what anyone thought of him, but this was junior high school, the point in his life when people judged you based on what you look like, what sports you play, and who you're dating.
Eventually, Carlos just threw his backpack over his shoulder and walked out the front door. His parents were still in bed and he didn't feel like eating breakfast. He stood at the bus stop, waiting for bus number 35. When it pulled up, Carlos sat in one of the front seats, alone, as usual. And when the bus reached the school, Carlos shuffled inside, his head down.
At 8:10, Carlos sat down in his first period class, English. He always sat in the middle, that way the teacher wouldn't call on him. The teachers never called on the kids in the middle, only the kids in the front who are smart and the ones in the back who never pay attention. Halfway through the book the class was reading aloud, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Logan Mitchell raised his hand. Logan was the smartest kid in the seventh grade. He sat two seats in front of Carlos.
The teacher called on Logan. Logan stuttered, "I-isn't Aslan m-meant to be a reference to, um, Jesus?"
"That is what most people believe, yes," said the teacher. "But, we are going no further with that subject. We're not supposed to discuss religion in school."
Logan's face turned bright red as another student read the next page. Carlos quickly scanned the room. His eyes first fell upon Dylan Slate and Kendall Knight. Dylan was the most popular guy in school, and Kendall was practically his bitch. Kendall did whatever Dylan told him to do. Dylan had his book sitting closed on his desk, even though everyone was supposed to be following along. He and Kendall were laughing, probably about something perverted and stupid. Carlos rolled his eyes. He hated people like that.
Carlos then observed James Diamond. James was insecure about himself, all because he was a few pounds overweight. Carlos somewhat felt sorry for James, because he and James were in the same boat: they both hated the way they looked.
Last names A through F were called to the auditorium for pictures. James got up and left, along with a fourth of the class. The teacher told the class that they could talk, since that fourth of the class would probably be gone for the rest of the period.
In second period, last names G through L were called. Carlos got up and followed a crowd of other people to the auditorium. While entering, he accidentally bumped into Kendall, who pushed him. "Watch where you're walking, Jose!"
"It's Carlos," mumbled the small boy. Kendall suddenly turned. "What?"
"My name is Carlos, not Jose," repeated Carlos.
Kendall shook his head, smiling. "Doesn't matter. You're all just a bunch of dirty pieces of shit."
Kendall turned to walk away, but Carlos turned him around using his shoulder. As soon as Kendall's mouth opened to say something else, Carlos punched him in the face. Immediately, people were crowded around them, chanting "fight" over and over. Kendall pushed Carlos to the floor, punched him, and mumbled, "You're dead, wetback."
Kendall repeatedly punched Carlos, until a teacher pulled him away. The teacher walked Kendall and Carlos down to the office.
Carlos and Kendall were made to sit in the same room with all of their books, separated by a rather long table. It was the conference room. Kendall shook his head. "Why the hell would they put us alone in the same room?"
"Maybe they want us to work it out and become friends," said Carlos. He huffed a sigh. "That's never gonna happen. I'm Hispanic and you're racist."
There was an extremely long period of silence. Then Carlos asked, "Do you like being Dylan's bitch?"
Kendall's jaw dropped. "I'm not his bitch."
"You kind of are," said Carlos.
Kendall shrugged. "I guess I just want to feel like a popular kid, you know?"
Carlos nodded a little. Kendall sighed. "Well, I don't know. He kind of does treat me like shit. And I wasn't racist until I found out that he was."
"So you're only racist because he is?" asked Carlos. "That's stupid."
Kendall shrugged again. It was silent again. Carlos laughed quietly. "You know, it's funny. I don't see why people make fun of Hispanics. I mean, we're smart enough to speak two languages. What is there to make fun of? Really."
"Maybe the people who make fun of you are just jealous," said Kendall.
Carlos smiled. "Why would anyone be jealous of me?"
Kendall shrugged yet again. "I don't know. I think it's because of your skin. I'm jealous of your skin. I'm fucking pasty white, and you're all tan and shit. You have great hair, too."
"If you had my skin you'd have all the pimples, too," said Carlos.
"There are ways to get rid of that," said Kendall.
Carlos shook his head. "Not for me. I guess I'll just have to wait until it clears up."
"It will clear up. There's not even that much."
Carlos nodded and then opened his book and continued reading. All was silent again.
Can you wait for the next chapter? Yeah, me neither. Review please!
