Authors Note: This was originally going to be a one-shot but I decided I didn't want to rush things so it's going to be a short story with maybe five or six chapters. It is a James/Carlos pairing. T for now. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Carlos felt his head swimming in confusion. He felt his world come crashing down. He was pretty sure Gustavo just confessed to hiring Sasha to pretend to be interested in Carlos to only break his heart so he could sing a song better. A song.

"This was all a big joke to you?" Carlos yelled at Gustavo as he rose from his chair.

"I-…I shouldn't have and-" Gustavo started with a look of regret but Carlos cut him off.

"I don't care what you have to say to me. I'm done." Carlos glared at Gustavo before storming off. Kelly tried calling his name and pleading for him to let them explain but it was useless. Carlos stormed off to the apartment.

Carlos felt the tears forming and threatening to spill over. He couldn't catch his breath as he stormed off to apartment 2J. He couldn't understand why this happened. Coming to Hollywood was to help James live out his dreams. It was supposed to be the time of their lives and Carlos was beginning to regret coming to the Palmwoods. He didn't know why he was even here if Gustavo doubted his talent and was using him and his emotions to make money.

Carlos swung the door to their apartment open and fled to the room him and James shared. Katie and Mrs. Knight were home but he didn't say anything to them. The anger was consuming him and without realizing what he was doing he threw a glass lamp at the wall and it shattered. The glass shards scattered across the floor. His vision was swimming and he put his head in his hands.

"Carlos!" Mrs. Knight screamed with a curios Katie behind her. "What is going on?" She looked scared of Carlos. She had never seen him act this way and she didn't know how to handle him.

"This is all so stupid! I don't even know what I'm doing here. Everyone thinks I'm a joke," The words were spilling out of Carlos' mouth and he was feeling lightheaded. He felt sick to his stomach. He had everything he ever wanted, but was it even worth it when no one believed in him. Worthless. Worthless is what he felt.

Carlos gripped the corner of his mattress and flipped it off the frame. His anger was building inside him.

"Carlos!" A voice yelled. It was James. His best friend, James. Carlos wasn't even sure when he came into the room or when Mrs. Knight and Katie left the room. He was so consumed in anger to even notice. "What is going on Carlos?" James looked worried. Even a little scared. Carlos was tense and at edge. James never saw his best friend like this before.

"Oh, so you didn't hear did you?" Carlos spat at James.

"I don't know unless you tell me," James pleaded with him. "You have to calm down before you hurt yourself".

"Well that's a funny thing to say, because most people don't even care about how I feel, let alone my well-being," Carlos quickly wiped the tears away that were wetting his cheeks.

"Carlos," James stepped closer to him and laid a hand on the Latino's arm reassuringly. "Please tell me what's going on."

"It won't make a difference…but I might as well tell you," Carlos began and hung his head. "Gustavo told me that he hired Sasha to pretend to be my girlfriend and break my heart to I could sing that dumb break up song better. It seems I'm pretty worthless to Gustavo and you guys, huh?" The Latino's body began to shake. "I wanted to come here to help you live your dreams James, but I'm only holding you back."

James pulled Carlos into a tight embrace.

"Don't ever say that Carlitos," James said in a strangled voice. "You made my dreams come true. You gave the courage to be reckless and try for what seemed impossible".

Louds sobs escaped Carlos as he cried into James' chest.

"Gustavo doesn't believe in me. What if you guys lose faith in me too?" Carlos was breathing heavily against James. James was so warm and solid.

"It won't happen. You're my best friend. You're so talented, caring, and my best friend. Do you understand what that means?" James pulled away a bit and Carlos looked up. "It means that I won't ever give up on you. You've never given up on me" James bent down and gently pressed his lips to the Latino's forehead. As quickly as Carlos felt James' lips on his skin, they were gone. Carlos felt a little flushed. He wasn't sure what the gesture really meant, but it was comforting. His head was already too clustered with feelings to comprehend what had just happened.

Carlos breathing steadies as he slowly finds comfort being held by James. The taller boy wipes away at the short boys tears gently shushing him with soft whispers of comfort.

"Gustavo is an idiot sometimes, you know?" James spoke gently not wanting to upset his best friend anymore that he already was. "But he was wrong to do that to you. I'm sorry dear. We can fix this." James ran his hand through Carlos soft raven-colored hair.

"I finally thought someone actually liked me…but who am I kidding?" Carlos' words drifted off.

"Don't you dare say that! Any girl would be lucky to have you. Sasha is a bitch who doesn't deserve you." James' sharp words sent shivers down Carlos' spine.

"You could have anyone you want James…getting a girl isn't a problem for you," Carlos looked away biting his lip. "I don't get a lot of chances".

James looked at Carlos. The Latino was perfect in every way and the brunette wished that he saw the same way he did.

"We can fix this Carlitos," James' voice was soothing.

"We can fix it now. Maybe…but it won't change that I'm useless and no one wants me," Carlos' voice cracked.

James bit his lip and Carlos looked at him just waiting for him to say something, anything. He pulled away and James let him go.

"Want me to talk to Gustavo?" James hoped his suggestion was innocent enough.

"No," Carlos shook his head and refused to look up. "I don't wanna deal with this shit right now. I better clean up this mess. Mrs. Knight isn't too happy with me right now." Carlos looked like a kicked puppy. His usual cheerfulness was masked in pain and hurt.

"I'm sure she's just worried. I think your little fit might have surprised her. That's all. Let me help you clean up." The Latino didn't reply as James helped him put their room back in order. There was glass shards scattered across the floor from the broken lamp. James carefully swept them up.

After Carlos flipped his mattress back over, he flopped onto it. James knew this was his cue to leave but every part of him told him to stay. His best friend needed him.

Carlos let out a quiet sob and buried his face in his hands. He didn't know it would end like this. He was done with Hollywood. His heart was broken and that wasn't even the start of it. He didn't want to hold his best friend back and that's exactly what he was doing; letting James down.

The bed creaked as James crawled next to Carlos and lay beside him letting their bodies almost touch.

"You're the most amazing person I know Carlos. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise," James' breath tickled the Latino's skin sending goose bumps throughout his body. Carlos didn't respond. He was at a loss for words.